The Student Newspaper of Imperial College 1 Li LI 1 11Issu e 950 27 November 1992 Greenwich 'Ultra Jump for Rag Vires' Shock by the News Editor campaigning against the actions of Greenwich University Students' the Israeli government, and from Union has been banned by the High sending letters to the Israeli Court from campaigning against the Embassy and the Israeli Ministry of Israeli government. An injunction Defence. At the second hearing on was brought against the union's 23 November, both Greenwich sabbaticals by John Meyer, a Union's President, Paul Thomas, Conservative Student activist at and Vice President, Kevin Small, Greenwich. The union's President conceded that they could not defend and Vice President were ordered to their plans. pay individual costs of almost £500 This is the first time that a each. permanent injunction has been The case was heard before Mr granted against the campaigns of a Justice Vinelott, who banned the students' union. Richard Harwood, union from acting on a motion Bar student and former passed on 5 November. The motion Conservative Student national mandated the union to campaign officer, said after the 23 November against the actions of the Israeli hearing, 'all student unions should government in the West Bank and now stop any campaigning on Gaza Strip. It also called on the Palestine'. John Meyer, the union to affiliate to the Friends of Conservative Student activist who Bir Zeit University, and to the brought the case said, 'the Union Marcus Krackowizer on the way down as he performs a sponsered bungee General Union of Palestinian was blatantly breaking the law. It jump for RAG. This is believed to be the second ever wheelchair bungee Students. is about time the Union spent jump in England, the event raised £3000. Pic by Ian Gillett The ban was granted under the money on students rather than on ultra vires rules, which forbid a political campaigning'. Both Mr. union from engaging in activities Thomas and Mr. Small were Union Rumpus which involve political unavailable for comment yesterday campaigning, or which involve a afternoon. By Gareth Light. Rick Bilby, the Union's Deputy union in spending money without The decision was welcomed by Three incidents on the night of President gave Felix a statement any clear educational benefit. The James Pawsey, Chairman of the Friday 20th November in the Union yesterday about a further incident: rules were first drafted by the Conservative Backbench Education Building have led to disciplinary 'Later on, two different students Attorney General's office in 1984, Committee. Mr Pawsey said, 'this hearings being called for the were physically and verbally in the aftermath of some limited clearly shows that student unions students concerned. abusive to members of Union staff, student support for the Miner's should spend their time on On two separate occasions a total particularly a certain female Strike. A potential breach of the representing their members instead of four students were caught trying Steward who was alone at the time, ultra vires rules by Hull University of dabbling in political affairs'. to enter the Union Building illegally and very shaken by the incident.' Students' Union is now being John Patten, the Education through an open window. The He went on to say that the second investigated by the Treasury Secretary added, 'it is only a few students were apprehended by incident was mainly due to Solicitor. students who get involved in Union Stewards who obtained drunkenness rather than malice, and Conservative Students were supporting dubious causes of no identification from three of them, is being regarded as less serious granted a preliminary junction interest to other students. Why the fourth could not produce a than the former. However, all against the union on 16 November. should the taxpayer have to pay for Union Card. students involved face disciplinary This banned the union from it?' action this week. 3/4/5 10 12/13 16-22 Readers' Irish Jimi at Reviews Letters Vote Fifty Round-up N ews 27 November 1992 Felix 950 Term proposals Science worries by Jonty Beavan be tested on material covered in the Enrolments in engineering and recent inauguration of Nottingham Investigations are taking place in Winter term. Critics of the technology degree courses have Trent University. He said that he Imperial College into the possibility proposals claim that a full been described as 'disappointing' by expected new universities to of radically changing the structure understanding of the subject is lost John Patten, the Education provide a range of courses 'with of the academic year. in the pressure of studying for each Secretary. Mr Patten has blamed clear vocational niches', and with A working party of the set of tests. low enrolment on 'what is taught in 'the choice of studying either part Undergraduate Studies Group, Other posssibilities include schools and how careers in time or full time with emphasis on headed by Professor Lester development of modular courses, so engineering are perceived', writes sandwich courses'. Later, the Kirschenbaum, has been charged credit gained in a course would still Declan Curry. The Education Education Secretary said that 'with with finding ways to alter the be of value even if a student took Secretary has encouraged limited public funds, universities College year which could improve time out or transfered to another universities to 'ensure their courses had to concentrate those funds to get the academic standing of Imperial. University. in engineering and technology the best out of basic and strategic The committee will provide Variations are still being stimulate their students'. research'. recommendations to the Board of considered and Professor Mr Patten was speaking at the Studies and changes that are Kirschenbaum is trying to accepted could be in place within encourage student feedback. the next academic year. Comparing the shake up to the Birkbeck libel Issues being considered at the lengthening of the College day, he by Declan Curry of the statement you released to moment are whether to adopt the commented people never knew Trade Unionists at Birkbeck Felix 948, in which the financial American system of two what the effects of changes are until College, London, have reacted with honesty of our member, Dr. John independent and self-contained they actually happen, this was a fury to what they regard as a Kerrison is brought into question.' semesters in each year. This would chance to participate in the decision- questioning of the financial honesty The letter then reminds Ms Bates mean that students would be making process. Prof of John Kerrison, the manager of that she 'is fully aware that the examined at the end of each term Kirschenbaum is in Chem Eng 506 Birkbeck Union Bar. As reported in deliberations of the Disciplinary on that semester's topics, without and would welcome input Felices 948 and 949, a dispute has Hearing held on 24 September 1992 having to wait until the Summer to broken out between Barbara Bates, are confidential. The information in the Birkbeck Union President, and your possession should not have David Gascoigne, a member of been used by you in connection with Library Charges Union Bar Staff. The dispute arose the no confidence motion brought following an investigation into the against you.' Users of the University of London library is used by approximately finances of the bar, and it was library may face charges of up to 24,000 students and 2,800 staff, and The letter continues by reminding alleged by Ms Bates that 'a lot of £90 for use of its facilities next is renowned for its collections on Ms Bates that it was she 'who money had gone missing from the year. The threat comes due to doubt humanities and social sciences. It is prevented us (unions) from bar'. The Bar Manager had four over whether the larger colleges in doubtful, however, how much discussing this issue (the formal complaints put against him London will continue to support the effect withdrawal of central library disciplinary hearings) at a recent after the investigation, while Ms library when they get more control facilities will have on students at Trade Union Liaison Committee Bates defeated a motion of no over their budgets next year. The Imperial College. A number of meeting, claiming that we would be confidence in her last week. vice-chancellor, Professor Stewart students questioned have in breach of confidence. Since you Sutherland, said that unless there commented on the difficulty of It is believed that it is a statement have chosen to make his matter was enough money provided from using the university library due to refering to alleged missing bar public, I would draw your attention the colleges and institutes of the the bureaucracy involved in money which has drawn the ire of to the fact that the Disciplinary university or extra help from the obtaining the card necessary to gain senior officers of Birkbeck MSF Hearing found that the question government, the library may have access to the building. This process Union. In a letter to Ms Bates, concerning Dr Kerrison's honesty to charge individuals. also involves providing the library which has been released to Felix, was unsubstantiated.' The letter then demands that Ms Bates send an The president of the University of authorities with a good reason as to the Chairman of Birkbeck MSF, Dr apology and retraction to Felix, and London Union, Mark Samuels said why a student wants to use the N H Ratnajothi, says 'after threatens her with legal action the academic work of London library, a situation that many consultation with our regional and should she not do so. students could suffer if the library students object to.