Issue 1188
Rhifyn 1188
Cardiff University’s student paper | Established 1972
6 February 2023
gair rhydd
6 Chwefror 2023
Follow our new Instagram
Inside: Wales' £12 million package for Ukrainian Refugees (Page 3)
A rich history of print student media in Cardiff Jasmine Edge Contributor
Gair Rhydd is Cardiff University's current student newspaper, which has been published since 1972. It has undergone numerous transformations as each editor-in-chief has passed the torch to someone new, year after year. Many aspiring writers, designers, and photographers who want to gain practical experience alongside their studies have used it as a steppingstone into journalism. Whilst there is much to explore about the history of Gair Rhydd, a long history of student media in Cardiff precedes it. The most exciting of which happened between the 1960s and 70s; a time marked by economic turmoil, industrial strikes, and social change. Journalism is a lifeline in times of political and social upheaval, as seen during the 2020 pandemic. It provides crucial information to keep people informed, on which the public is heavily reliant in times of uncertainty. Student journalism is no exception. The explosion of student media around the 1970s shows the importance media had upon the lives of students—a section of people who often feel left out of the general media. Cardiff University, as it is known today, was born out of a merger between University College Cardiff (UCC) and the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology (UWIST). The merge was seen as a solution by the British government to UCC’s financial struggles. It officially merged with UWIST in 1988 and later adopted the name Cardiff University in 1999. Broadsheet was a student newspaper produced by UCC students and is a direct predecessor to the Gair Rhydd (unlike the Gair Rhydd it was not free). The special collections at Cardiff University indicate that the paper was produced from 1946 to 1971. It reported local student news and featured articles on art, sports, music, politics and
even the occasional crossword puzzle. The headlining article from a January issue in 1970 was entitled ‘make love not obstacles’. A spin on the popular anti-war slogan ‘make love, not war’, which was later made infamous in a song sung by John Lennon. It usually took a more serious tone than its competitor, Impact. Impact was a free student publication founded by UWIST students. Copies date back to 1960, and production continued even after the two universities merged. The publication's exact end date is unknown, but it would have ended by the time the merger was completed in 1988. Each issue's cover featured an eye-catching, brightly coloured font spelling out 'impact' (very characteristic for the 1970s). The magazine's tone was often comedic, and it covered local student news, music gigs and events, sometimes politics, sports, and included the occasional recipe section. In the publications own words from 1977, ‘Impact is essentially a non-political magazine […] It normally contains news features rather than “hot” news, essentially because Impact is published every three weeks. By which time “hot” news has normally gone cool.’—the satirical tone is self-evident. In a letter to the editor published in an edition from 1977, one student vents the feeling all students have, old and new, when someone sets the fire alarm off in student halls in the early hours of the morning. The merger gave birth to Colossus, a student newspaper that attempted to merge Broadsheet and Impact—but failed. According to John Hartley, who co-founded the Gair Rhydd with his friend Dave Aldridge (both students at UCC studying English), the Y Gair Rhydd was born from the ashes of Broadsheet and the failure of Colossus. To read Jasmine's article about the university's print history , turn to page 6
6
Over 70,000 members across 150 universities will take part in strikes. Image: Magnus Hagdorn (via Flickr)
UCU announces 18 days of strike action Zacchaeus Hayward Contributor
T
he University College Union (UCU) has announced 18 days of strike action across February and March, meaning more than 70,000 members of staff across 150 universities will walk out as part of a dispute over low pay, poor working conditions and cuts to members’ pensions - including several staff at Car-
diff. This follows three days of strike action in November, prompted by a pay increase offer of just 3%, equivalent to a 6% real-terms pay cut. The UCEA (the body responsible for negotiating university staff ’s pay) has made a revised pay offer in light of this upcoming action, an increase of between 4% and 5%. The UCU described this offer as falling “well short” of their demands in a press release on January 26th. The union’s General Secretary,
Jo Grady, argued that the offer “will do little to protect our members in a costof-living crisis”. The UCEA, by contrast, has claimed any increase in pay will put jobs at risk, and that this limits any offer they can make. To read Zacchaeus' article on the reasons behind action, turn to page 9
9
Cynnydd i gyllid The Budgeting myfyrwyr Cymru Blues
Equal Pay deal announced by FAW
Nansi Eccott
Ryan Harris-Jewell
Megan Shinner
Pennaeth Taf-od
Head of Advice
M
ae Llywodraeth Cymru a Gweinidog y Gymraeg ac Addysg, Jeremy Miles, wedi cyhoeddi cynllun i gynyddu cyllid myfyrwyr Cymru gan 9.4% ar gyfer y flwyddyn academaidd nesaf. Golyga hyn, yn y flwyddyn academaidd 2023-2024, bydd cyllid myfyrwyr Cymru yn cynyddu o‘r £10,710 presennol i £11,720. Daw’r cynnydd mewn ymateb i’r argyfwng costau byw presennol er mwyn sicrhau cymorth a chefnogaeth i fyfyrwyr y wlad yn ystod y cyfnod hwn. I ddarllen erthygl Nansi am y newidiadau, trowch i dudalen 13
13
Sport Editor
W
e had someone write in about budgeting tips – and we have answered. Even though budgeting is generally ideal to start thinking about at the start of the academic year, it’s also helpful to re-evaluate your finances and saving methods at the beginning of a new year. After the most financially stressful time that we know as Christmas, we can stop worrying about what hasn’t been placed under the tree, and start focusing on our own saving goals. To read Megan's tips on saving money, turn to page 19
19
T
he FAW have agreed a deal with Wales women’s national team’s guaranteeing equal pay. Both the men’s and women’s national team will receive the same salary from the FAW whilst on international duty. The agreement means that Wales will now be joining the United States of America, England, Brazil, Norway, and New Zealand in paying their international players equally. To read Ryan's article on the historic agreement, turn to page 23
23