Fortnightly 13th March 2017 Issue 312
University of Bristolâs Award Winning Independent Student Newspaper
www.epigram.org.uk
ÂŁ3 million for fossil free Uni Johnny Thalassites Living Editor
Jamie Corbin
Students in 2015 protesting on Tyndall Avenue: Campaigns against Bristol Universityâs links to fossil fuels have been a feature of the last several years
The University of Bristol has declared that it will divest its endowment funds from carbon intensive sectors of the fossil fuel industry. This follows a campaign by the universityâs Fossil Free Society â began by former student, Rachel Simon, in 2014 â and will see investment now targeted at companies working to reduce carbon emissions. Paloma Parkes, Head of the Fossil Free Society, has said that she is pleased with the move. âThis has demonstrated how far perseverance and environmental commitment can goâ, Parkes said. Parkes added that, âwe [Fossil Free Society] will continue to be involved and will keep pushing for continued improvementâ. Professor Guy Orpen, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Bristol, commented that the University is âproud to be a sector-leader in sustainabilityâ â having helped to introduce what the Fossil Free Society has called âone of the clearest and most wide-rangingâ plans of its kind in Britain. âOur new investment policy has been developed to be consistent with our sustainability aimsâ, Orpen claimed. Continued on page 3
Bristol Mayor and former health minster back Epigram mental health campaign Ben Parr Editor in Chief The Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees and former health minister Norman Lamb MP are among the people who have voiced support for Epigramâs mental health awareness campaign, #14Conversations. From the 13th - 27th March Epigram will be teaming up with Burst Radio to help raise awareness of mental health by publishing articles, podcasts and videos centred on the idea
of having your first conversation with someone about mental health. The #14Conversations campaign will also be raising money for Off The Record. Off the Record are a local charity that provides free counselling for young people in Bristol. As well as this, Off The Record also run group workshops and provide other support. In his video of support of the #14Conversations campaign, Marvin Rees praised the work of Off The Record. âI know it is an incredible an organisation whoâve actually contributed to our own mental
health policy in Bristol⌠they offer counselling for all people including large numbers of studentsâ, Rees said. Norman Lamb, the Lib Dem Health Spokesperson and formerly the minister who was responsible for mental health, also expressed his support for #14Conversations. âHaving a discussion with someone about mental health can be so important, whether itâs a loved one, a friend, a neighbour or even perhaps a work colleague it could be the thing that gets that person to seek helpâ, Lamb said.
Former Education Secretary Nicky Morgan MP also spoke to Epigram about the importance of talking about mental health at university. âOften when you come to university itâs a whole different environment particularly if youâve been in a school environment where youâve been very supported, youâve had small classes and youâve had your time planned for you⌠itâs a big transition in life. âI think thereâs a lot we can do about stigma, getting people to talk about their mental healthâ, Morgan said.
Epigram launches #14conversations wellbeing campaign Find out more on page 2
Features When did we become the âOxbridge rejectâ uni - page 8
Facebook.com/EpigramPaper
Travel
Have a look at this weekâs EpiBlind Date - page 20
Living @EpigramPaper
Looking for a cheaper way of travelling? - page 28 Highly Commended for Best Publication and Best Use of Digital Media 2016
Letters Is it time to get rid of honourary degrees? - page 16