FEATURE WWW.SU.IC.AC.UK/FEUX NEXT WEEK Renaissance; a Felix back on the Who is Tony rebirth net! Mitcheson? Double Standards KENT YIP next month. The possibility of the not yet be implemented because latter being turned simply into a BUSA was not prepared to apply Widespread hostility among BUSA entry debate was thought to different entry rules to selected medics continues to emerge after be undesirable. clubs. At present, BUSA is still con- the decision reached last term to Responding to calls for his res- sidering changes to resolve similar submit a single entry to the ignation, Charlie Joynt, Deputy predicaments faced by colleges British University Sports President (Clubs and Societies), incorporating the London medical Association (as reported in Felix denied having reneged on his elec- schools. A decision will be 1102). The debate at Tuesday's tion manifesto. He believed people announced in February. Emergency General Andy Heeps, Meeting has forced President of Imperial the Executive College Union, who Committee of forced the F.GM in the Imperial College first place, was glad to Union to re-open the have the chance to dis- discussion before cuss the issue again at Council next Monday. the next executive The meeting, BUS \ meeting. He felt that attended by more than members of the execu- 300 people, was held lllBii afflr^ tive committee who after Katie Armstrong, cast their vote on the president of 1CSM last occasion did not Union, withdrew her have enough time to call for a union-wide take in, and subse- referendum on the quently reflect, the matter. Her motion wide ranging views was supported by among the population about 800 union mem- Hil i of the college. bers. However, the Commenting on calls legality of holding a referendum had misunderstood his concept of for Charlie )oynt to resign, he said without first referring the matter 'hybrid entry' advocated during his his deputy had done an excellent back to ICU Council for considera- election campaign. Under this job so far, and he had no reason to tion has been challenged. scheme, smaller clubs would sub- question his personal integrity; any Moreover, if the referendum had mit a single entry, whilst larger misunderstanding was due entirely taken place, it would have clashed ones remain separate in BUSA to his inexperience in politics and with the annual Sabbatical Elections competitions. However, this could presenting his ideas clearly. Extremists: Narrow Escape for IC ANDYSINHARAY been faxed to them demanding to The Union also received a fax know why IC was giving space to demanding to know why IC was An extremist religious group "fascists". "We do get events under playing host to a group of fascists. apparently booked conference fictitious names," Felix was told. Michelle Lewthwaite, ICU office space at IC towards the end of "They tried several venues but manager, said that the union was last term. The group, turned away couldn't get in...we have to look telephoned from a man claiming to from IC after Police intervention, out for suspicious groups." They represent a different group who went on to stage the event in said the Conference Office organis- "weren't happy about them [the North London. One source es around 4000 events each year, London Turkish Islamic claimed several arrests were con- including those from mainstream Association] using college... the sequently made. Muslim groups, but annually guy went on and on." The caller It appears that the group, who receives "five or six" attempts at then confirmed his complaints in called themselves "The London bookings from extremist groups. writing by fax. "I then called college Turkish Islamic Association", made They usually have no fixed corre- security who told me the event had a booking only to have it later can- spondence address or a PO Box- been cancelled," Ms Lewthwaite celled by Security, who had been number, or may be vague on added. This has not been the first advised by Scotland Yard that the details of the event they wish to such occurrence: "There was a Association was believed to have organise. "We get fundraisers here, group here two or three years ago, be a terrorist group. and we can't be seen to be who caused big aggro," explained One Conference Office source fundraising for terrorists." Felix was Rob Clark, ICU Deputy President. said that after the booking was also told the group finally took the IC Security were unavailable for made, threatening messages had event to Stoke Newington. comment. NEWS 16 January 1998 Student Dies News in Brief... ANDY SINHARAY rier, probably on a first, but no doubt of a two-one. We had no ishing at around 3am. Term has begun with news that yet worries." CCS SHOP Chetan Tailor, chair of the another student has died. The As regards the adequacy of Overseas Societies Committee Director of Undergraduate Studies pastoral care, Dr. Goodgame A member of the Centre for (OSC) which is responsible for in the Chemistry Department, Dr. added, "Welfare provision is fairly Computing Services Shop staff organising the event, told Felix David Widdowson, said that the good. It's scattered, but that's it's has been suspended in connec- that while the event would be sure third year was found dead in his strength, because it's diverse, and tion with "stock irregularities" to pull the crowds. "It's the Acton flat on Monday 5th January. the links are good." according to Professor Hynds, biggest IC event," he said. His flatmates attempted to revive Dr.Widdowson also told Felix head of CCS, who went on to add However, he also commented him, but he was pronounced dead that "We worry like mad as to that "the matter is now being that the expense was the main on arrival in hospital. There are whether we're doing enough" investigated fully". problem: This year's event had believed to be no suspicious cir- though he added it was difficult to David Thompson, head of the cost £15000, more expensive cumstances and an inquest has yet strike a balance between giving stu- internal audit unit was, however, than previous years, with the food to be held. dents freedom and imposing too unable to put a value on the loss, fair alone costing £5000. "It's a The deceased chemist represent- intrusive a welfare system. He also as all stock records have now large part of the affair," he said. ed, according to Dr. Widdowson, a added that if the student involved been removed by police officers Also contributing to the increased "very different" case to November's had difficulties they certainly investigating the alleged disap- cost is the new stage, being built suicide (Felix 1102). "He wasn't seemed well-hidden from those pearance. However, whilst no with equipment on loan from depressed or down-and-out at all," around him. As regards the avail- official figure will be available until DramSoc and St. Mary's. "We had he continued. "The whole thing is ability of welfare resources he said, a member of the CCS staff in con- to build it [in earlier years] and it's total mystery... he seemed per- "We would have to publicise even junction with the investigating a lot of hassle," said Samad Latif, fectly normal, though a bit worried more the personal tutorial system. officers make a final valuation, it is OSC honorary secretary. Both he [about exams]", though he stressed We're not even sure if it's suicide." rumoured that the cost of the and Mr. Tailor appeared non- that the student appeared to be One of IC's welfare advisors, stu- "irregularities" may run into sever- plussed at the comment that they under no more pressure than any dent counsellor David Allman, did al thousands of pounds, and the were tempting fate by holding the of his peers. He added that his not wish to comment on this par- police are treating the matter very event on Friday 13th February flatmates had been with him earlier ticular case, though he told Felix seriously. 1998. that day and found his behaviour to that students are welcome to dis- be normal. cuss any problems with him. STUDENTS OVER Dr. Margaret Goodgame, College "People are very welcome to come C&G STAFF LOSE Tutor, said "Chemistry is devastat- if any student would like to come THE LIMIT ed... we can't see any reason for it, and talk," he said. Mr. Allman can WAY TO UNION? I don't think anyone could have be reached on x49430. A new campaign to kerb student foreseen it... he was a bit of a wor- The continued poor showing of drinking is due to be launched by City and Guilds Union officers at the National Union of Students ICU meetings has resulted in the and the Portman Group, a self- C&.GU President, Vivake Bhalla, regulatory organisation funded by being asked to explain the actions all the major UK brewers to of his Union. Although Mr Bhalla's encourage responsible drinking. personal absences from several The report will stress the impor- recent ICU Executive meetings tance of sticking to the govern- were unavoidable, the reasons for ment's recommended safe drink- the continuing poor turn-out from ing limits of 28 units for men and the C&G Junior Treasurer at fund- 21 units for women each week. ing meetings and several C&G Whether the guidelines will apply officers' absences from Union to non-NUS colleges such as IC Council remain unexplained. Rob has not been made clear. Clark, Deputy President (Finance Services) described the C&GU as "failing to represent the inter- FELIX ON-LINE ests of their membership".