18 January 2002 p The Student Newspaper for Imperial College Issue 1224 We like this helicopter, Tony Hawks Pro Black Hawk Skater 3 Soundtrack. Down Yum. (Page 14) reviewed (Page 23) Summer Ball Axed Council, the sovereign body of the Union, are complex, however, and mostly involve decided last Tuesday that this year's many personal favours being called in by summer ball should be cancelled. members of the Drama Society, DramSoc, This decision was suggested by a who acted as technicians for the event. 'working group' headed by Union Many of DramSoc have external friends President, Mr. Sen Ganesh, which also with equipment that was borrowed for consisted of a number of others formerly the event, but it is impossible to repeat involved with the Summer Ball, who have that again this year, and as such £25,000 had prior experience with the problems is required in order to put on the event, associated with this event. whatever the venue. The main reasons cited for the decision College had offered to underwrite the were financial, and the meeting, which venture, but only using money that the occured last week, was finalised with the Union inists is owed to them anyway, decision that if College were to announce which would therefore count as a huge unconditional sponsorship for the Union deficit in the Union budget, and has to have the Ball, then it would go ahead. therefore been deemed unacceptable. However the deadline for College to show On top of this, not one student has vol- their support was before the council held Happy revellers at last year's Ball unteered to organise this event, meaning on Tuesday evening (see page 2 for more that everything would have to be done in detail on that event), and sadly it had not er for all students to have a good time. the next four months. It has been sug- been forthcoming, therefore Mr. Ganesh Previously it has been held off-campus, gested that plans for next year's Ball was forced to suggest the cancellation of but last year it was held on the College should start being drawn up now. the project. grounds themselves, and this proved a will In the past, the Summer Ball has acted success both as far as student enjoyment as a leaving party for the graduating year, was concerned, as well as financially. as well as just being a general get togeth- The reasons for its feasability last year an t! a Wednesday m olun /- college news Union Shake-Up? 4- All the discussion over the past past few months have seen to have been declared invalid. Issue 1224 few months on the subject of many theories put forward, but This practice, however, is usual- the new Union structure came the final options were laid out ly considered a waste of time, 18th January 2002 to a head last Tuesday. by Union President Sen Ganesh due to the low turnout that There had been hopes that on Tuesday, during a five hour Council generally has. It is Editor: will Dugdale the shakedown of the structure Council meeting that was interesting, therefore, to note Deputy Editor: Ali Wren would clear away some dead almost entirely on this subject. that the new changes will add News: Vacant wood from the system, but it Since these changes will around an extra 40 members to Music: Dave Edwards seems that the force of conser- modify the Union constitution, a Council, most of whom will be Books: Jon Matthews vatism has won, with very few two thirds majority is required Departmental representatives. Arts: Jon Brenner changes being made that will over two separate sessions to However, since the Union is a Film: Darius Nikbin affect the average student. affect the changes, and each part of College, all changes will Sports: Vacant To understand the changes session is meant to have a 'quo- have to go through the Crossword: Dr. Hot Fudge made requires a strong under- rate' number of Union officers College's own governing bod- standing of Union policy, how- present. The majority was easi- ies, and it has been noted that With Thanks To: ever the reasons for the change ly reached, with David Francis many of the members of these Joe, Helen, J, Bobby C are much easier to explain. (Deputy President of Education bodies will not like the idea of Since the rector, Sir Richard and Welfare), the only person an eighty strong Union Council, Felix, Beit Quad, Prince Sykes, announced the new who voted against the new seeing as the College Council Consort Road, London, move to a faculty system that changes being made. However, only has 20 members. If the SW7 2BB College is undertaking at the while there were more than the changes that are being made Tel: 020 7594 8072 moment, it has been obvious quorate amount of votes cast, by this 'sovereign' student Email: [email protected] that the Union must change in this was due to many votes body, therefore, are not liked by Printed by: MCP Litho Limited some way so as to reflect this, being proxied from non-present College, they can return the Felix is a registered in order to have any chance of members, and therefore if suggested amendments to the newspaper: ISSN 1040 - 0711 representing the students with- someone had cared to say 'quo- Union, stating any of their own Copyright © Felix 2001 in the various departments. The rum', the meeting would have changes that they feel should be considered. While they can ever, the important changes not actually state what should that have passed this first draft be in the Union Constitution, of a new Constitution are main- they can make very strong sug- ly in name. No longer are there gestions, and in the mean time Constituent College Unions make life quite uncomfortable (CCUs), but are now Faculty for the Union, both financially Student Associations (FSAs), and politically. While this but these seem to have been reporter is certainly not sug- mapped from the old to the gesting that these tactics new. In addition, there are now would be undertaken, it is three Dep Reps (Departmental notable that if this were to Representatives) for each occur then any external department, one for observers may see this as an Undergraduates, one for infringement of student rights, taught post-graduates, and and public knowledge of any- one for Research students. The Union Advice Centre thing along these lines occur- Each of these will have a space The Union offers a free, confidential and impartial on Council, giving much more professional advice service for students and staff on ring could be heavily detrimen- legal, academic, financial, housing, immigration, and tal to both the image of power to all FSAs (with about benefits questions through the full-time Advisor based Imperial College as a whole, as 20 extra members each), apart in the Union Advice Centre. well as the view of the Union from the Medics, who have Further information is also available on other that other political student gained less than 5 members. questions concerning health, drugs, alcohol, tax and bodies may have. However, if Obviously there are more student rights from a wide range of leaflets in the College feels the changes the changes, but this reporter only Advice Centre reception. Union wants to make are fool- just understands these ones Drop by the East Wing of the Union m jmnprjn| ish, they will have no choice (and has probably made sever- Building in Beit Quad, or phone »coMeae but to step in, so it is a narrow al errors), and this is only the directly for an appointment on: * union path that must be trodden. first draft of a long process. (020) 7594 8067. advice centre On a less global level, how- Watch this space. will Friday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 18thAuni°n 22nd 24th y d|s:play UNION souno QUIZ >T union BflnD I1IGHT NIGHT djsrplay sponsored by £1/pint Tetleys or Carlsberg Progressive/Trance_\ STA while beer lasts House/lbiza Tunes^ from 5pm (dBs only) 8pm-2am 7:30pm-11pm £2 Union/£2.50 Guests Prizes: £50 & beer FREE@the union Friday Night Out £1 Union/£1.50 Guests Supported by 8:30pm/FREE@the union JO @!*&- PA V«W* Chili & Fries PA Vinci'* m in the UDH —Mi tar—~ Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 29th 31st mic. a. M *** H« UNION QUIZ NT union djs:play k) o r man NIGHT uovett 5T g "...makes Jack Dee sponsored £1/pint Tetleys by seem like Ken Dodd..." or Carlsberg Edinburgh Evening News union i QTA while beer lasts D,M |:play i from 5pm (dBs only) Purchase advance tickets from the Union Reception m 8pm-2am ^ 8pm-2am Doors 7:30pm £2 Union/£2.50 Guests Prizes: £50 & beer£ 1 Union/£1.50 Guests £3 Union/£3.50 Guests >n || Friday Night Out *£L ^ V Supported by 8:30pm/FREE@the union (#Rf Chili & Fries if net# CP ii C> in the UDH mm PA V'iht'A imperial Union Building — bar— • college Beit Quad roar. Open noon-11pm Saturdays and noon-10:30pm Sundays world news Bag Bombs Russian Row Many U.S. experts fear a new A scuffle between Russian round of domestic flight delays and American diplomats - over will begin today, as thousands civil liberties, to boot - shows of business commuters and hol- that while the Cold War is idaymakers flock back to the over, the two former enemies planes. are still capable of behaving This Friday was named by pretty icily when they feel like Congress - with President it.