The student newspaper of Imperial College F Issue 1057 ELIX May 17th 1996 IC still ranks 3rd in Times league BY ANDREW SMITH of the Times selection of criteria, This morning's Times newspaper saying that "we don't actually shows Imperial College retaining think that tables like these are its historical third place in their very meaningful." annual league table of Britain's Justifying Imperial's poor higher level institutions. With showing when library funding the Times using a number of levels are compared, the Rector different criteria in this year's suggested that IC's mix of scoring, Imperial has dropped subjects might be influencing the further behind Cambridge and score. He insisted that College's Oxford, now standing over 120 library facilities are 'excellent', points adrift of the top two. and suggested that the large Once again both library number of scientific journals on spending and accommodation are the Internet might lessen spend- the areas where Imperial suffers ing requirements in comparison in comparison to Oxbridge. IC with those of universities special- scores just 44 out of 100 in the ising in the humanities. library category, while one of its Sir Ronald did not see any main rivals received maximum immediate prospect of improving points. The accommodation IC's comparatively unfavourable PHOTO: ALEX FEAKES ranking drags Imperial down record on the provision of even further, with a score of 34 accommodation for students. He IC's contractors Sclial International are set to begin sheet piling being well behind those of both acknowledged that 'the rents are next week around the perimeter of the new Biomedical Sciences Oxford and Cambridge. high', despite the fact that building. Having installed supporting structures to prevent any Commenting on the results college subsidises them, and that subsidence of the RCS I chemistry building adjacent to the site, they Sir Ronald Oxburgh, Rector of it is "hard to see any central will dig out the site to a depth of 3.5 metres in preparation for exca- Imperial College, refused to London college being able to vating the new basement. Meanwhile, across the, road excavation of draw comfort Irom Imperial's match Oxford or Cambridge." the the new library basement is well underway. Expected to take ten consistent third placing. T want This year's tables include weeks to complete, the drilling will provide extra archive storage us to be first' he said. But he official information from the space so that the top floors of the library can be decanted while emphasised the arbitrary nature Continued on page three building work for the extension takes place. £40 million for Albert Security guard dies Imperial on 'whitelist' The Albert Hall's chief execu- Imperial College staff are IC features highly in new revela- tive, Patrick Deuchar, ann- shocked after the sudden death tions that suggest that develop- ounced on Tuesday that the of Sherfield Security guard Vic ing countries are specifically monument is set to receive £40 Turner. Vic died of a heart targeting certain British universi- million from the National attack in the Senior Common ties which they feel are accept- Lottery fund. page 2 Room on Tuesday. page 3 able for their students, page 2 TWO . FELIX FRIDAY MAY 17TH 1996 NEWS IC favoured on overseas £40m Albert Hall windfall BY NAT BARB 'whitelist' Popular science shows, sports events and a British Orchestra BY THE NEWS TEAM Week will feature in the new IC's £13.8 million income from programme of the Royal Albert foreign students was put under Hall, following its £40 million the spotlight this week with the award from the National revelation that some countries Lottery Fund. are creating 'whitelists' of Announcing the award on favoured British Colleges. Tuesday, the Hall's Chief The Education Editor of Executive, Patrick Deuchar, The Times, John O'Lcary, broke explained that the money will go the story early this week. He towards a £58 million refurbish- confirmed to Felix that Imperial ment project which will take is on the exclusive list of colleges around eight years to complete. to whom Singapore will send "We want to restore and up- medical students. It has also grade the fundamental fabric of another massive lottery grant to a the building of additional bars been confirmed that all this Grade I listed national London institution, though Mr and restaurants to relieve the Imperial's degrees are accepted monument for audiences and Deuchar though does not feel present overcrowding. by Singapore's Professional artists alike", he explained. that only Londoners will benefit. It is hoped that disruption Engineering Board. Mr Deuchar intends to He views the Albert Hall as "the due to the building works will be Prof Alan Swanson, Pro balance the range of events at the nation's village hall", and envis- kept to a minimum with only two Rector (Educational Quality), Royal Albert Hall, but with the ages that events such as the additional closures. The first will suggested that Imperial's exalted new facilities he hopes to be able proposed British Orchestra Week occur in 2001 to revamp the position might in part be due to to stage an additional 60 shows will bring all of Britain together. stage, with the other closure at the long running activities of the each year (at the moment there Development work is the end of the works to clean the College's International Office. are just over 300). The original already underway with the organ (at a cost of £2 million) and Their efforts ensure that remit of the Hall was: "to upgrading of seats in the balcony to refurbish the interior of the Imperial is represented at all promote the arts and the to dress circle standards resulting Hall. The £i8 million balance major Recruitment Pairs that the sciences", and talks are underway in the hall being shut for a between the cost of the project British Council runs worldwide. with the Science Museum to month. The other most notice- and the lottery grant will be met from Royal Albert Hall trading At present approximately bring in science shows. This able cfianges will be a pedestrian surpluses. 23% of Imperial's student popu- move follows the great success of piazza right around the building, lation originate from abroad. the recent talk given by Stephen and a rebuilt South Porch which 1996 is the Royal Albert Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Hawking. Mr Deuchar is also should match the other three Hall's 125th Anniversary. This Lanka are the three best repre- considering expanding into sport- grand entrances. A huge under- £40 million 'birthday present' sented countries, with over six ing events such as gymnastics and ground service yard beneath the should allow it to maintain its hundred students. basketball and also dance and South Steps will be constructed image as one of the nation's most opera. to remove traffic from around The Pro Rector defended popular venues well into the next the building. Other plans include the relatively high number of This is award represents yet century. overseas students saying that "The international experience is part of why people come here." He suggests that the increase in News in brief overseas students is likely to continue with 30% being a Unusual interest in AGM as well as the Royal College of Alleging that London University "reasonable" upper figure. Filling the ICU officer vacancies Science Academic Affairs is 'in hock to the military', CND This means that the valu- looks set to be a simpler than Officer, Matt Szyndel. also reveal that the American able overseas income will usual task this year. As Felix Government sponsor $3.5million continue to grow, potentially went to press, the positions of IC 'in hock to military' worth of military research. topping £20 million by the end transport officer and Haldane Imperial has been singled out in of the decade. This was the first Book and Record Buyer were the figures released by the Campaign Disciplinary year that income from cwerseas only ones lacking candidates. The for Nuclear Disarmament inves- A Royal School of Mines student students surpassed that from elections are due to take place at tigating the extent of Ministry of faces disciplinary action at a home students. With this signif- the Annual General Meeting Defence involvement in research meeting with ICU licensees this icant source of money depen- scheduled for 12.15pm today. contracts in London. morning. The student is alleged dent on the approval ol foreign The position of Council Chair is The report indicates that the to have been violent and abusive governments, Prof Swanson hotly contested, with both vast majority of IC departments to the ICU President, Sarah admits that he would be C&GU President, Sarah Thomas, receive MoD funding, whose White, and a union steward on concerned, "if we were crossed and Vice President, Duncan contracts are supposedly worth the evening of the City and off anybody's list". Tindall, standing for the position £7million to the university. Guilds' Carnival on 3 May. NEWS FELIX FRIDAY MAY 1 7TH 1996 . THREE Continued from page one government inspectorate Security mourn Vic Turner charged with assessing the qual- ity of teaching in Britain's Vic Turner, the well known and gardening. universities. Course completion much respected Imperial College The tragedy is compounded rates are not included this time, Security Supervisor, died by the fact that both his children but the number of international suddenly in the early hours of work at Imperial: his daughter students does constitute one of Tuesday 14th May. It has been Mickie works in the Finance the nine criteria.