28/02/02 The University of Surrey Students’ Newspaper www.ussu.co.uk Issue no: 1027 FREE UniS or Uni$? - Accomodation Price Accelerator Exposed - Page 3 News In Brief BY MICHAEL CHAMBERS Train Disaster Kills 373 An electrical short-circuit was to blame for a devastating fire which swept through an Egyptian NO express train, killing 373 people. The train was packed to twice its capacity when it caught fire shortly after leaving Cairo for Luxor last Wednesday. The cause of the accident was initially believed to be the responsibility of passengers using portable cookers, however this theory was SURRENDER virtually ruled by evidence of electrical circuit fail- ure in one of the passenger carriages. Investigators found that carriages were not equipped with fire alarms, extinguishers, or emergency brakes or windows. Egyptian president, Honi Mubarak, has tried to reduce the public’s anger over the disaster Reuben Thompson ON FEES by promising to punish anyone found to have been negligent. Egypt’s Transport Minister and the head News and Political Editor of the country’s railway authority both resigned last Friday. Nearly 200 bodies were identified and On Wednesday, a group of thirty stu- taken away by relatives for private burials, but dents accompanied by sabbaticals John many of the remains were beyond recognition. A mass funeral for the unidentified victims was held Geeson and James Buller attended over the weekend. this years’ NUS national rally with a total group of over 7,000 students. Byers Under Pressure To Resign Participants had been told to wear red UK Transport Secretary Stephen Byers was under to show just how angry students are at pressure to resign this week following the contro- having to put up with living below the versy surrounding the resignations of transport poverty line. communications director Martin Sixsmith and special adviser Jo Moore, announced by Mr. Byers Once again, the Surrey group was on the 15th of February. Mr Sixsmith insists he did (marginally) late and joined the march not agree to go in the first place and was promised towards the back, but still had an excel- no announcement by Mr Byers. According to Mr. lent opportunity to help make the posi- Byers, Mr. Sixmith had to leave as a result of his dealings with Ms Moore, who was Mr Byers’ tion clear on student funding: it’s not personal spin doctor. On the 11th September, Ms fair and it’s not good enough. Moore sent an e-mail suggesting to colleagues it Chanting and mocking the govern- was a good day to “bury” bad news, she apologised, ment were the order of the day, with kept her job and the row dissipated. Recently, on the 14th of February, Ms Moore sent an e-mail to new chants for this year including the Mr Sixsmith proposing that news about the poor inspired “Hey, Tony!” to the tune of DJ state of transport be released on the day of Princess Otzi’s inspired pop hit “Hey, Baby”. Margaret’s funeral - she initially denied the e-mail. Having made its way through the city, Byers said he regretted giving the impression dur- ing a television interview on Sunday that he had the march assembled in Trafalgar Square The NUS Team Get Involved played no role in the discussions leading up to the where the crowd was addressed by several the NATFE union, who represent a large deciding the fate of a whole new genera- departure of Mr Sixsmith, when in fact he had. He important speakers—Ken Livingstone, number of lecturers. At every mention of tion of students.” said “I am clear that Martin Sixsmith, in the way that he conducted himself in the department, was the mayor of London; David Rendel, the the Prime Minister’s name, there were At present, the government is plan- not a suitable person to remain in government”. Lib Dem spokesman; and the head of shouts of “Tory” and “Traitor”. ning a major review of student funding The Prime Minister, who had talks with Mr. Finance sabb in England and Wales, and is widely Byers on Tuesday, has dismissed Mr. Sixsmith’s John Geeson expected to introduce not only some form allegations that the Transport Secretary lied over his resignation, and has expressed his support for commented, “It’s of top up grant for the very poor, but also Mr. Byers. Theresa May, the Opposition transport great that we can commercial interest on Student Loans. spokeswoman said “Just what does it take for all stand together This could mean that instead of a real you to go? You are content to stay at any price, a despised secretary of state that no-one trusts and united against the terms zero increase in your borrowing as no-one will deal with”. system, where we happens now (we simply pay inflation), can make a big you could be charged the same kind of Regulars impact.” rate that parents pay on mortgages. News 1-3 NUS President To sum up, let’s not forget what Ken Letters 4 Owain James Livingstone said at last year’s march: Barearts 6-12 said “It is vital “Not one MP in the House of Commons Services 14 that students keep paid for their University education. Let’s Sport 16 pressure on those not let them pull the ladder up behind at the top who, them.” ultimately, will be USSU students get involved 2 News 28/02/02 Editorial Team To Pay Or Not To Pay... Editor Tristan O’Dwyer ...that is the cliche Deputy Editor Richard Watts Following the march in London this week, we offer two different approaches to the ‘problem’ that is “tuition fees” News and Political Editor Last week’s march Let’s first deal with the idealism. I believe that leads to many potentially talented individuals Reuben Thompson in London sent a education is not a commodity and it should not only missing out on an opportunity of their Music Editor clear message to not be seen as an “investment” in order to help own, but also society missing out on the use of Kevin Marston the Government. get a better paid job. Human kind has always that individuals talents. Film Editor Students should not been curious, and society should be encourag- There is also the issue of research. With Navroop Sehmi Sports Editor have to pay tuition ing this, rather than saying that it should have a mounting debts, it will become increasingly Dave Chapman fees. But it’s not cost. Higher education should be seen as some- hard to persuade people to stay in higher edu- Production Editor only students who thing that people go into because they want to cation and take on Phds. This could potentially Vacant believe this. The learn more about what interests them and about lead to a big drop in quality and amount of Features Editor governments big- how the world works. By charging people to fundamental research being carried out, which, Vacant Tristan O’Dwyer gest criticism on go to University you take away this impres- in time could again lead to the country and the Arts Editor the doorstep from sion and people will only go to University for world missing out on some potentially useful Vacant Editor students and non- selfish reasons – to get a degree and earn more discoveries. students alike, at money than the next man! With the government wanting 50% of school Contributors the last election was of its handling of student However, there are also many pragmatic leavers to enter H.E. then surely it must realise finance. The Daily Mirror has recently come reasons why I believe paying tuition fees is that its policies on student funding are ludi- out in support of the NUS’ campaign, and counterproductive. First of all, there are many crous, and need looking at urgently. And their [email protected] many leading commentators believe tuition reports that show that people from less well off first priority should be – SCRAP TUITION fees are a bad idea. backgrounds are being put off by the cost of FEES. There are several reasons why I too hold this going to University and by the high debts that view, some idealistic and some pragmatic. many graduates have when they leave. This barefacts is an editorially independent newspaper, published by the University of Surrey Students’ Union Communications Office. A fairly standard reaction to the matter of tui- for higher education (who, generally speaking, about tuition The views expressed within the paper are those of tion fees is that we should not have to pay them are more than likely paying taxes and work- fees, I find most individual authors, and do not necessarily repre- and that, quite frankly, is that. Though a seem- ing full-time for a living) and the parallels we people are in sent the views of the Editor, the Editorial Board, ingly flawless argument (“why should we have can draw between their lives and ours, let us the latter camp the University of Surrey Students’ Union or the University of Surrey. to pay for education?” etc. etc.) there are a few consider only our own situation and determine and are thus This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in points that I feel are being over-looked, and it precisely where the majority of our cash goes. arguing for the part, stored in any form, copied or distributed, without is these that I would like to share with you. Without even considering tuition fees, we can reintroduction the express permission Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, I think include accommodation, food and entertain- of a grant as of the publisher.