Founded 1949 The Newspaper of Imperial College Union Free! Wednesday 12 December 1984 No 690 FELIX Eric Darbyshire does his job competently, sentimentality if you will, but it wouldn't be a but with a laid-back attitude that disguises very bad thing if it continued throughout the his hard work. I feel sorry for Hon Sees. The year. other sabbaticals seem to give them all the When Christmas finally does come, may it boring jobs to do like taking minutes and be a very happy one for you all. operating the Gestetner. FELIX There is a real need, once again, to re-write Acknowledgements the Hon See's job description so as to attract My thanks for help on this, and every FELIX At this time of year reflection and evaluation candidates of an appropriate calibre. Who this term, are due to Ajay, Grenville, Pete, preoccupy the thoughts of most of the better to do this re-write than Eric himself? Nigel, Hugh, Hugh, Dave Jones, Jon Jones, populace. It seems fitting to examine the Jon Burgess, Pete Coleman, Chris Martin, performance of those we elected as sabbatical Sometimes life gets one down. I sit in my Pete Hands, Farah Ali, Diane Love, Richard, officers last year. newly-repainted office in Beit Quad watching Tinker, Finian, Martin, Nick Gillies, Mr Ian Bull got off to a good start at the you walk by, happy, relaxed enjoying Rosemary and Tony. beginning of the year by asserting his yourselves. And then... a disaster occurs. authority and generally bossing everyone There's nothing like a good disaster in Felix is published by the Editor for and on behalf of around. (Have you noticed that small men College to brighten up the pages of FELIX. Imperial College Union Publications Board and is printed are often the most dictatorial). Ian keeps the by the Union Print Unit, Imperial College, Prince Consort Someone resigns, a road accident, public Road, London SW7. Union ticking-over, much like his disagreements—these are the stuff of news, Telephone 01-589 51 1 1 Ext 3515 predecessors, but seems to lack a wider vision for good news is no news which is bad news Editor: David Rowe, Business Manager: Martin Taylor, of Union affairs. He seems too busy sitting on for everyone, especially me. So keep on at it Advertising Manager: Paul Belford. Copyright FELIX 1984. ISSN 10140-0711. committees and conducting interviews to be folks. If you've got a dispute don't settle it, bothered with the individual student, or to but have a good public row we can all enjoy. spare a thought for the future of the Union. Point out the mistakes of others, make And this is quite a serious fault. The College unjustified complaints—stand on your can easily exploit any lack of continuity in heads, but for goodness sake, please do Next term Union thinking. something interesting! begins Dave 'Mad' Parry is widely expected to be certified insane before next term. He rushes I'm sure that they were saying 'Christmas Monday 7 January around from room to room screaming 'I'm starts earlier every year' much earlier this 1985 late, I'm late' rather like the white rabbit. He year. is paranoid (always one of the first signs), But I don't know that this is such a bad ends believing that all Union Officers are trying to thing. At Christmas time a spirit of goodwill Friday 22 March fiddle more money out of the Union. They seems to enter the hearts of most people, probably are, but nobody, and certainly not whatever their religion, or lack of it. 1985 the DP, is ever meant to notice. Dismiss this as slushy, cliched 2 Wednesday 12 December 1984 FELIX NEWS"! Going through UFC agrees cuts the motions Imperial College Union for all major sub-committees and Finance Committee (UFC) has in additon the equipment funds now agreed this years estimates of both Publications Board and substantial majority and Ian for Constituent College Unions UFC are to be cut by £ 1000. The General Union Council Bull, ICU President, urged (CUUs) and major sub- Campaigns Fund has been (GUC) the ruling body of the everyone who had voted for the committees which oversee social, reduced by £100. CCU incomes University of London Union has motion to send letters to their recreational, cultural and athletic have not been directly cut passed a motion condemning the MPs. clubs and the Union public- however the £750 profit expected Royal School of Mines Union The second motion on ations. There will be a 3% cut or a form the Bookshop has not (RMSU) for holding Hon Porn Freedom of Choice was return to last year's level of materialised and this will not be Night. The motion was proposed proposed by Tim Williams of spending, whichever is greater, made up by ICU: by ULU executive and Michael RSMU. This sought to alter a Newman, a former student at previous motion passed last year. fmperial College spoke on their An amendment was proposed by behalf. Ian Bull as ICU President Rosemary Dickin to change the Juggling for Ethiopia opposed the motion as it motion to prevent use of ICU contradicted ICU policy. After rooms for pornographic events. several minor alterations the Tim Williams spoke against the motion was passed by a amendment which was defeated substantial majority. The ULU by 57 votes. executive were mandated to The main motion was opposed organise and publicise a picket of by Roger Preece who claimed Hon Porn Night. that pornographic events would The two motions proposed at be detrimental to the College in last week's UGM were both the eyes of the public. A passed. The first concerned procedure motion was put to student grants and was proposed vote on the issue and the motion by Mike Young Chairman of IC on Freedom of Choice was SDP Society. This gained a passed by a narrow majority. (NUS) has described the changes as a 'half baked withdrawl' Grants reiterating that at least 180 000 families will have to pay more to support students and there will climb down be no guarantee that students will receive their full parental contributions. He claims the Parents of students in higher changes will only help well off education will not have to pay families. tuition fees in the next academic year following changes in the Mr Ian Bull, ICU President, government's proposals for welcomed the changes. He hoped education spending. The changes that further concessions could be are seen as a partial climb-down obtained after a consistent for the Education Secretary, Sir campaign of letter writing and Keith Joseph and they arose other peaceful protests. He also following threats of a major Tory intended to ask the Rector to backbench revolt. Coupled to the speak out on behalf of students. changes will be consideration of a 'radical change in the student support system' including the possibilty of a loans system. Eclipse of The major victim of the concessions is the Science budget the Mooney which will be cut by £9 million to pay for some of the £21 million Mr Victor Mooney, Refectory cost of the changes. Of the Manager is to retire on May 31 remaining£12m needed, £2m will next year after 31 years at IC. He come from educational research, will be succeeded by Mr R F Northey who is currently adult education and the micro- A ten hour 'Juggle-busk' last week raised £103.39 in aid of the catering and bars manager for electionics programme , and £10 Ethiopian Famine Appeal. The four person team mainly from the million form the Treasury. It the London Borough of Engineering Geology Department were joined by seven other seems as though funds to support Waltham Forest. Mr Northey jugglers and two musicians during the day and they are thinking of the College will be reduced but is will join the College in March is not yet know by how much nor 1985 and will take over full starting a club next term. what effects the cuts will have. responsibility as Refectory The sponsored fast in aid of Oxfam raised £426. Five people Mr Phil Woolas, president of Manager when Mr Mooney from the Third World first society took only water for a period of the National Union of Students retires. 48 hours and they all successfully completed the fast. FELIX Wednesday 12 December 1984 3 TITERS: OUR Cottle pays up Snivel's seasonal Dear Sir, I Must correct at least one inaccuracy in snipes the letter about the Carnival which appeared in the last FELIX. The majority of the people who were working on Guildsheet on Sunday morning The one we Dear Sir, did indeed vanish in the direction of Beit to So glad to be behind the pen again, many had to print clean up the building. Late as this may have thanks to Roger Preece for a great letter, it's a been it seems that many of the problems were pity God Himself couldn't have written a line due to a lack communication on the part of or two as well, but I know how it is...busy Dear Sir, Ents people. guy. Still more astute letter I thought Having undergone the difficult transfer I resent the vicious way this letter tries to especially the opening lines, I liked that bit. I from Imperial College undergraduate life to attack everyone at once — including certainly don't need any friends with enemies Oxford graduate work I am shocked to find Guildsheet which has nothing to do with it like you.