Monday 17 September 2007 Published Just Outside The USSU Comms. Office. Issue Number 1112 FREE - Est. 1967 www.ussu.co.uk barefThe Universitya of Surrey Students’cts Newspaper In this 32 page edition CCTV Success in Onslow WHAT’S ON THIS FORTNIGHT? Four years since the beginning of the “Lights Cameras Action!” GRAPEVINE campaign Guildford Borough Council caves into pressure | PAGES 16 & 17 JOSH BATES is now in hand and fully funded.” EDITOR Cllr Ward, who first got involved campaigning for this as a student said, AFTER A SPATE of sexual attacks over “If the ruling group on the council the summer and a surge of support for a keep their word and install sufficient Facebook campaign to install CCTV in the CCTV in the underpass, then this Egerton Road A3 underpass the council is the end of a long saga for the has finally agreed to place cameras in the students of the University of Surrey. main attack hotspots outside campus. Far too many attacks have happened The underpass, which has a long history of over the years, and it is saddening KATHRYN MEDIEN safety problems, had been persistently denied to think that a very small fraction INTERVIEWS BOROUGH proper surveillance in spite of pressure and of the council’s expenditure could COUNCILLOR CHRIS WARD support from students, campaigners and key have provided a deterrent for those of the Southway underpass and paid £12,000 University figureheads. In 2002, the Students’ would-be attackers that choose to commit for its own CCTV camera on campus at the INTERVIEW | PAGE 12 Union and barefacts launched the award-winning such crimes in a concealed area. I am glad that other end of the underpass. Compared to the Lights Cameras Action! campaign, aimed at putting the council has finally listened to what I have same period last year, the university has seen a pressure on the council to act on student been saying on behalf of university students 38% decrease in crimes committed on campus. safety issues in the dark areas around campus. in my ward, but it really is five years too late.” In the past couple of months five women have Local Councillor Chris Ward, elected to the The plans to install CCTV will first go to been sexually attacked while passing through Borough council in May for the Onslow ward the Community & Health Scrutiny Committee the Tesco underpass on Egerton Road, and which covers the University and surrounding on the council, where Cllr Ward plans to one woman in the Southway underpass. The areas, insisted at a full council meeting that speak in favour of them being approved. latest victim, a woman in her late teens, was CCTV should be installed as a matter of urgency. They will then be referred to the council indecently assaulted as she walked through the FIVE PAGES OF Cllr Ward used the popular social networking executive who will approve or deny the Southway underpass at 5:10pm on Friday 31st SPORT | PAGE 27 site Facebook to launch the CCTV campaign decision made by the scrutiny committee. August. The series of assaults are believed to before he was elected with fellow Liberal Cllr Ward added, “The campaign would not have been carried out by the same man. Police EDITORIALS OF THE Democrat colleagues Cllr Steve Freeman and have been successful had it not been for the have released a description of the attacker. He Cllr Tony Philips in May. Since the latest attacks, many students backing it and helping myself and is described as white, in his early to mid 20s, UTGOING DITORS O E the online campaign has almost tripled in my ward colleagues put pressure on the ruling- about 6ft with a medium build and short blond JOSH BATES AND numbers, with over 1,300 students backing it. group of the council. Prior to being elected I hair. He has previously been described as having SOPHIA HAWKINS On Friday, Cllr David Wright, the lead member made a promise to students that they would no olive or tanned complexion and is usually clean for Community Safety on Guildford Borough longer be ignored in the council chamber if they shaven. Anyone who has information relating PAGE 2 Council responded to a letter by Cllr Ward in chose me to represent them. I hope this result to the attacks or the offender is urged to the Surrey Advertiser. Cllr Wright said, “GBC consolidates my commitment to them and contact Guildford CID on 0845 125 2222 or is as concerned as anyone about the recent their safety, and myself, Cllr Freeman and Cllr Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111. spate of attacks in the university underpasses. Phillips will continue to fight for their interests Any students concerned about their safety It responded immediately to a request for as their councillors for the next four years.” whilst walking on the underpass, or anywhere additional coverage in the two underpasses Surrey County Council had previously received on campus or off, are more than welcome to and with police agreement moved this work a contribution of £20,000 from the University pop into the Students’ Union to discuss any up the installation priority list. That new work towards the cost of installing CCTV at one end issues that might be worrying them. RETURNING FINAL YEAR? CAREERS ADVICE Royal Surrey saved from the axe DR RUSS | PAGE 9 SOPHIA HAWKINS the end of August that no downgrading Royal Surrey during the last year. It’s been a EDITOR or axing of any services at the Royal long fight, but finally it would appear the PCT Surrey County Hospital will take place. [Primary Care Trust] has recognised the Royal AFTER A YEAR long battle to save Professor Chris Marks, Chairman of the Surrey is an excellent hospital. I want to take Guildford’s hospital and its departments, Save the Royal Surrey Campaign, commented: this opportunity to thank everyone who has particularly its A&E, the NHS body “This is wonderful news for all those people been involved in the campaign, including all the carrying out the review announced at who have fought so hard for the future of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 Societies | Page 24 - Your Student Radio Station | Page 6 - Puzzles | Page 13 - How to avoid your Overdraft | Page 11 [email protected] barefacts 2 EDITORIALS 17 September 2007 the day-to-day running of the Union – took up office and completing the first fortnight of my placement is definitely began preparing for the year ahead that has just begun. an experience that was truly exhausting and one I think editorial>josh The first editorial of the new academic year would neither of us will be repeating anytime soon! Good luck not be complete without a little bit of self-promotion to next year’s editorial team… and this time I really mean PREVIOUSLY ON barefacts, and advertising. Last year Soph and I had a fantastic time it – this truly is mine and Soph’s final issue (yes, even after we left our heroes, the heading up barefacts and at the risk of quite possibly our “final” issue in May)! dynamic duo Ms Sophia ‘Soph’ repeating myself from many occasions before: you don’t Happy reading for Issue 1112! Hawkins and Mr Joshua ‘Oh need to be the world’s greatest writer to take an active My Josh’ Bates, struggling role in your students’ newspaper. If you’re enthusiastic and Josh Bates forward to their placement competent enough then it can definitely be a rewarding barefacts Editor years and beyond in their experience that will provide you with invaluable skills that University lives. will look great on your CV. barefacts is an independent Fast-forward four months, a third of the year later, and voice made by students for students so anybody can get it would appear following the summertime trials and involved! However, student journalism isn’t for everyone Dates for the Diary tribulations our heroes have faced has led them back to and whilst there are opportunities to get involved with barefacts AGM, an unexpected return and one-off special appearance in the more technical side of the paper, Surrey is fortunate Monday 24th September, 6pm, LTE the University of Surrey’s 40-year-old student newspaper. enough to have a multitude of societies and sports clubs Once again, September has come around: the beginning to cater to your needs. And of course, any of those Student Assembly To be confirmed of a new academic year for many here at Surrey, whether groups are perfectly welcome to write about themselves it the first, second, third, final or even a placement year in barefacts too... so with a little bit of luck, you won’t be Law Society AGM, for those on ‘sandwich’ courses. This issue of barefacts able to avoid us! Monday 17th September, 6.30pm, LTL follows its annual summer hiatus and comes with the For those Freshers who are reading their virgin issue, unexpected twist and fateful coincidence of both Editors we hope you enjoy what you read and encourage you to Game Society AGM now residing in Ware, Hertfordshire whilst attending to make the most of your first year because there is quite Wednesday 19th September, 7pm, LTE their placements. nothing like it ever again once you find yourself a year or Indian Society AGM Over the summer, the new Students’ Union sabbatical two into University life! Friday 5th October, 7pm, LTE team – the five full-time elected trustees who co-ordinate Editing barefacts over 60 miles from Guildford after editorial team 1112 editorial>soph EDITOR | JOSH BATES | [email protected] EDITOR | SOPHIA HAWKINS | [email protected] THEY SAY you have your epiphany sitting on a toilet.