Durham’s independent student newspaper
Palatinate www.palatinate.org.uk
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No. 760
Thursday 27th February 2014 | FREE
News: New Bishop of Durham enthroned
Business: The of sport to 12 cost Brazil Documents and letters leaked to Palatinate show Presidents’ concerns over new centralisation plans
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Comment: Response to the killing of Copenhagen zoo giraffe
Sport: Women’s Voleyball team wins Student Cup
Photograph: Cressida Peever
Centralisation controversy continues Vice-Chancellor Chris Higgins defends plans to centralise University services in the face of student outrage James Poole Justin Villamil The Vice-Chancellor has defended plans to centralise the services provided by Durham University colleges, claiming that the University needs to “modernise and enhance facilities and accommodation.” In reply to a letter sent by the JCR Presidents’ Committee last week, Chris Higgins wrote: “Any changes are aimed solely at enhanced service provision and value for money for students and the continued development of the distinctive Durham Colleges as educational communities. “If we do not modernise and enhance our facilities and accommodation services the concerns
you express are much more likely to come to the fore – no change is not an option!” In their letter, the JCR Presidents’ Committee branded the proposals “a significant threat to the collegiate system” and claimed that student consultation had been “entirely disregarded.” Their letter continued: “The proposed changes will severely undermine our ability to meet needs and as such, will lead to a ‘halls of residence’ model that would deprive this University of all that makes it so different and so special.” According to documents obtained by Palatinate, the proposed changes are to occur in two phases, with the first phase engaged in increasing the power of upper University management
to review and monitor operations in both Accommodation and Commercial Services and Estates Operations departments.
“the proposed changes... will lead to a ‘halls of residence’ model that would deprive this university of all that makes it so different and so special”
JCR Presidents’ Committee The documents, known as Briefing 6 and authored by Helen
Strangward, Director of Accommodation and Commercial Services and Andy Allison, Assistant Director (Estates Operations), enumerate a new structure for colleges. According to Briefing 6, Phase 1 will be completed by mid-February, and will include the hiring of new staff in senior management that will then take on responsibilities currently reserved for college staff. Phase 2, the documents claimed, will consist of a review process to “identify and implement new ways of working and improve flexibility, efficiency and effectiveness.” Continued on Page 3
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Editorial This is a time for progression within tradition In an age when you can choose to read Palatinate in print, online, or on-the-go on in its new specialised mobile format, the importance of constant progression is evident. Being bold is a necessity in modern society’s contest for the survival of the fittest. Already in the news this week we have seen that Samsung has released a new mobile that operates with fingerprint technology, and the prototype has been unveiled for a smartphone costing little enough to bring mobile Internet and apps to the developing world. But even as key facilitators of the most current student news and discussion, as much as we at Palatinate prioritise the ability to interact with our readers on the most up-to-date platforms, we yet recognise that progress is not simply synonymous with technological development. Even since the last issue of Palatinate, progress has been rife in numerous contexts. At Sunday’s closing ceremony at Sochi, for example, Team GB celebrated its greatest Winter Olympic success in 90 years. Progress. In the context of our University microcosm, especially in these last days of February, moving forward is a central concern for the individual student; the holidays at the end of March are after all a reward earned through the steady daily increase of essay word counts over the coming weeks. It is also a priority for the University; the Times
Higher Education World Reputation Rankings will be released next week. The concern extends beyond results and statistics. The Respect Irrespective campaign ran last week, when students fought to combat discrimination through discussions and policy making. The signing of the Government’s Sport Charter to promote equality in sport was organised just as homosexuality in sport made international headlines at the end of last week, with the NBA signing its first openly gay player, Jason Collins. Progress. There was further emphasis on acceptance when Durham University’s Council of Christians and Jews invited Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and Archbishop of York John Sentamu to participate in a discussion with students about the strengthening of interfaith relations. Progress. However, we must also be prepared to recognise those instances when progress is not necessary, and even damaging. Students spoke out last week against plans for modernisation and economy within the University that would see the centralisation of a number of college facilities. These pose a potential threat to individual college identities that are an invaluable part of the rich tradition that we have rightfully inherited as Durham University students. It is right that the desire for progress
should be checked by the powerful instinct to protect what we value about our University. You can read more about the proposed changes inside this edition. In other news, the Student Officer Elections campaign begins today, marking an important annual occasion when you decide who will best facilitate the movement of your University in the direction that you desire. Turn to pages 8 and 9, where we introduce you to the candidates that will be campaigning for your support. In this issue of Palatinate, we also investigate the impact of the NekNominate craze on Durham students, celebrate the enthronement of the new Bishop of Durham, and engage in a number of other University-wide, national and international debates. If you are struck by something that you read in this edition of Palatinate, take to your laptop, tablet, typewriter or smartphone and share your view. Exert your influence over which direction the discussion will take next. Victoria Ferguson
Thursday 27th February 2014 | PALATINATE
Inside 757 News pages 3-9 SciTech page 10
Careers page 11
Business & Economics page 12
Politics page 13
Comment pages 14-16 Sport pages 17-20
indigo
Editorial page 2 Features pages 3
Music pages 4-5 Fashion pages 6-7 Visual Arts pages 8-9 Books pages 10-11
Food & Drink page 12 Film & TV page 13
Stage page 14 Travel page 15
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News: Sainsbury’s to open on North Road
Sport: Success for Team Durham
Careers: Job interview followup checklist
Plans for a Sainsbury’s Local to open on Durham city centre’s North Road look set to go ahead, providing direct competition for the existing Tesco Express store.
The individual championships saw Durham athletes winning national titles and medals, upping the BUCS points for Team Durham.
In the midst of a term heavy with job and internship applications, we provide you with advice about how to ensure that you are remembered postinterview.
Letters to the editor
Want to see your name in print on the editorial page? We’d love to hear your opinion on our stories. If you have praise for Palatinate or a bone to pick with us, email editor@palatinate.org.uk. Your letter could appear on this page in our next print edition.
Palatinate is published by Durham Students’ Union on a fortnightly basis during term and is editorially independent. All contributors and editors are full-time students at Durham University. Send letters to: Editor, Palatinate, Durham Students’ Union, Dunelm House, New Elvet, Durham, DH1 3AN. Alternatively, send an e-mail to editor@palatinate.org.uk
Editorial Board Editors-in-Chief Ben Hamer & Victoria Ferguson editor@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Editor Charlotte Bransgrove deputy.editor@palatinate.org.uk News Editor Justin Villamil news@palatinate.org.uk News Features Editor news.features@palatinate.org.uk Deputy News Editors Gabriel Samuels, Amal Vaidya, Benjamin Williams and James Poole Politics Editor Marcus Natale politics@palatinate.org.uk Business and Economics Editor Richard Morgan business@palatinate.org.uk Careers Editor Chloe Kopala careers@palatinate.org.uk Science and Technology Editor Sadie Bartholomew scitech@palatinate.org.uk Comment Editor Ellie de la Bedoyere comment@palatinate.org.uk Sport Editors Emily Beech & Madeleine Sears sport@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Sport Editors Thomas Dimaio, Lawrence Holmes, & Dominic Thurlow-Wood Indigo Editor Cressida Peever indigo@palatinate.org.uk Features Editor feature@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Features Editor Francesca Jaworska deputy.feature@palatinate.org.uk Food and Drink Editor Diana Grant-Davie food@palatinate.org.uk Travel Editor Philip Whitehead travel@palatinate.org.uk Fashion Editor Isobel Buckingham & Katie Shuff fashion@palatinate.org.uk Film and Television Editor Aalok Vora film@palatinate.org.uk Stage Editor Emma Dawson stage@palatinate.org.uk Music Editor Sophia Smith-Galer music@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Music Editor Jack Collins deputy.music@palatinate.org.uk Books Editor Kate Wilkinson books@palatinate.org.uk Visual Arts Editor Frances Marsh visual.arts@palatinate.org.uk Chief Sub-Editor Tom Willshaw sub-editing@palatinate.org.uk Sub-Editors Jordan Harries, Jacob Ratcliffe, Charlotte Hogg, Sraddha Venkataraman and Sam Courtney-Guy Online Editor Chris Somers online.editor@palatinate.org.uk Web Editor Rhiannon Mehta web.editor@palatinate.org.uk Photography Editor Emma Werner photography@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Photography Editors Rose Innes, Nicola Todhunter & Emma Wind Illustrations Editor Harriet-Jade Harrow illustration@palatinate.org.uk Blogs Editor Katie Winter blogs@palatinate.org.uk Publicity Officer Olivia le Poidevin publicity@palatinate.org.uk Advertising Officer Christopher Murphy advertising@palatinate.org.uk
PALATINATE | Thursday 27th February 2014
News in brief UNIVERSITY NEWS
DURHAM UNIVERSITY STAFF HELP TO RECREATE ROBOT WARS Members of Durham University faculty teamed up with local primary school children last weekend to build fighting machines as part of the ‘Robots Live’ project, a spin-off of the television series Robot Wars. Each team was given £500 towards their robot which then competed in a competition held last weekend on Palace Green. Durham University Library learning officer Ross Wilkinson said: “It’s been fantastic to get out into local schools and talk to them about robotics.” SCA LAUNCHES STUDENT VOLUNTEERING WEEK
Durham University students are taking part in national Student Volunteering Week this week. The University’s Student Community Action has been organising events across the week, from crafts sessions to tea parties at old peoples’ homes, to bake sales and maintaining gardens. The end of the week will be marked by a night of live music at the DSU on Saturday as well as the annual Cathedral Sleepout on Friday evening. DURHAM SETS UP NATIONAL INTERFAITH INITIATIVE
Durham University welcomed the Archbishop of York and Ephraim Mirvis, the Chief Rabbi to a historic Christian-Jewish Interfaith event last week. Students of all faiths were invited to speeches by the two leaders about developing relationships between religions. Also launched at the event was a national initiative by the CCJ (Council of Christians and Jews) to create a network of CCJ Student Presidents, which aims to establish interfaith bodies at a student level.
DURHAM RESEARCH SHEDS LIGHT ON ANTARCTIC ICE LOSS
New research involving geologists at Durham University suggests that the largest single contributor to global sea level rise, a glacier of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, may continue thinning for decades to come. The researchers have found that Pine Island Glacier, which is rapidly thinning and retreating, has done so before, over 8000 years ago. Professor Mike Bentley, a co-leader of the project from the Department of Geography, said: “This paper is part of a wide range of international scientific efforts to understand the behaviour of this important glacier. The results we’re publishing are the product of sampling rocks from mountains in Antarctica, coupled with some exceptionally precise and time-consuming laboratory analyses.”
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Vice-Chancellor refuses to accept pay rise Justin Villamil In response to a recent Palatinate front page article, Durham University released a statement detailing Vice-Chancellor Chris Higgins’ decision to accept only a 1% pay increase in solidarity with the rest of University staff. This decision was agreed upon by the Chair of Remuneration Committee, which determines the Vice-Chancellor’s pay. In the face of increasing criticism, Professor Higgins decided to join a growing number of University executives, including those of Queen Mary University and City University, in rejecting a pay increase. The University hastened to add that Professor Higgins is among the lowest paid Russell Group Vice-Chancellors – according to the Times Higher Education, the average Russell Group salary has risen by £22,000. Among those highest paid are University College London’s Sir Malcolm Grant, who received an increase of £41,077 increase in pay and pensions. Though the Times Higher Education reported that Professor Higgins’ overall benefits rose by £14,000 in 2012/13 with his salary alone rising by £12,000. For 2013/14 Higgins has decided to accept only a 1% pay Continued from Front Page
The JCR Presidents’ Committee has since replied to the Vice-Chancellor’s defence of the proposals, calling for “clarification” of the potential impact of the proposals. The level of concern surrounding the plans became evident last week when the Senior Man of University College sent an e-mail to students warning: “If we are unsatisfied with the response from the Vice-Chancellor, we will engage in protest.” University College’s Senior Man also told students: “The changes will aim to centralise much of the University’s service provision, remove management members of college office, such as the Bursar, and remove budgetary power from the Master.” Speaking to Palatinate, Steve Hook, Chair of the JCR Presidents’ Committee, said that the proposals are “vague” and “have the potential to become a really big issue” for students. The Students’ Union has expressed similar concern, stating: “We are urging the University to be much more clear to students, staff and alumni about its plans for the
increase, a move many see as a step in solidarity with a staff currently threatening a marking strike if their demands are not upheld. In the statement, the University specifically mentioned a number of actions the Vice-Chancellor has taken, putting the University first and pay second.
“he personally opted not to take a pay rise” Clare Curran
Director of HR Professor Higgins, for example, has also donated all consultancy fees earned while being a ViceChancellor, an amount that comes to almost £80,000. These funds were donated to a University fund to support student activities, including purchase of a tympani for the University Orchestra, support for Durham University Light Opera Group (DULOG), student production at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and for individual students. Furthermore, the University was quick to emphasise the amount that the Vice-Chancellor gives out of pocket to philanthropic
future of colleges.” Students from across Durham have been outraged by the proposals. George Seeger, a second year at Hatfield College told Palatinate: “I think the plans are dreadful. They will remove a lot of the character from Durham’s colleges.” Harriet Rawet, a second year student at Cuth’s, argued: “It is frustrating that there has been so little student consultation on an issue that will have a huge impact on students.” Joe Armstrong, a second year at University College, added to student anger, telling Palatinate: “These proposals are nothing but a cost-cutting exercise that will disadvantage students.” However, one student who preferred to remain anonymous told Palatinate: “If the University’s proposals will save money then it can only be regarded as a good thing.” News of the University’s plans to centralise college services comes after the Lloyds Banking Group found that students at Durham enjoy “the best quality of life” in comparison to any other UK students. Kathryn Turnbull, a student at
pursuits in the University itself, such as for the refurbishment of the University Library on Palace Green. University spokesperson Mrs Clare Curran, Director of Human Resources, Durham University, said: “Competitive salary packages are essential to attract and retain outstanding individuals in an international market for talent. “Under Professor Higgins’ leadership, Durham has achieved UK top-5 and a world top-100 university status and has shown greatly improved performance in research and education. “Despite this, Professor Higgins’ salary remains below average when considered in the context of other leading research-led UK universities. “In 2013 he personally opted not to take a pay rise and received the one per cent cost of living allowance like everybody else in the University. “Professor Higgins has consistently supported University activities through personal donations; a large proportion of this money has specifically supported student causes.“ Interested parties such as the various unions who say that the 1% pay increase for staff is unfair have so far offered no comments on the Vice-Chancellor’s decision. Trevelyan College, said: “The University’s proposals seem to undermine what is special and unique for students at Durham.” Consultation with staff ended on the 18th February, with final plans for the future of Durham colleges due to be submitted by the Education Committee in midMarch. On the subject, University representative Professor Graham Towl, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Warden said only: “As a University committed to excellence in education and research, we routinely look at ways of improving services to our students. “Currently there is a pan-University review of how we manage accommodation, commercial services and facilities management. “The University is committed to enhancing the very special benefits which we know being part of Collegiate University can bring to our students. We will be hosting an international conference on the Collegiate Way in November which will bring together collegiate universities from around the world to share ideas and best practice.”
News
Union President’s Column Dan Slavin Last week the news story broke online about the Accommodation and Commercial Services Review. Therefore I think it is important that I devote this week’s column to clearly stating where the Union is on this issue and the efforts we are making to ensure that the things we hold so dear about our colleges are being maintained. It is first of all important to state the Union officers have been working incredibly hard on this issue. We have been coordinating the actions of JCR and MCR Presidents’ Committees in their efforts to present students’ concerns about the impact that the proposed changes could have on Durham’s distinctive collegiate experience. The role of the Union is to protect the interest of its members and on an issue so close to students this is especially important. We are determined to protect the interests of JCRs and MCRs and ensure the continuation of the fantastic student experience that they provide for all of the University’s students. The sheer lack of information from the University has been startling and incredibly frustrating. This has meant that the rumour mill has started to turn. We would like the university to issue a full and frank statement on what is happening that students can understand. We have been clear to the University that they must be honest with students and principals alike on the rationale and reasons for any proposals set out. But it is not all doom and gloom; with such events there are always opportunities. We believe this presents the University, with proper consultation with students, a fantastic opportunity to be much clearer to students, staff and alumni about its plans for the future of colleges and how they will ensure the continuation of a great student experience.
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News News in brief LOCAL NEWS
NEW BISHOP ENTHRONED The Right Reverend Paul Butler was enthroned as Durham’s new Bishop in a two-hour service last Friday. The Bishop processed to the Cathedral from Durham Castle before knocking on the north door to request entry, as is tradition. In his speech, the Bishop outlined what he sees as his three main priorities: tackling poverty, engaging with children and young people, and expanding the church. This week, he is expected to hold three prayer days in the Durham Diocese’s three archdeaconries: Durham, Auckland and Sunderland.
LOCAL CHILDREN HELP TO OPEN NEW SAINSBURY’S
Pupils from Neville’s Cross Primary School joined headteacher Pam Monaghan for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Crossgate Moor store in Durham City on Friday. The new store will now be open from 7am to 11pm and is the first “fresh Sainsbury’s Local” in the NorthEast, creating around 20 full and part-time jobs. Store manager Andy Quinn said: “It’s really exciting to be able to open the store to the public for the first time. The children from Neville’s Cross Primary did a great job and had a lot of fun.” ENERGY TALK AT THE CALMAN LEARNING CENTRE An energy talk will be held at the Calman Learning centre on 6th March to discuss Britain’s energy needs and the possiblity of whether the lights really will go out. Part of the talk will involve panellists Jenny Saunders, executive of National Energy Action, Benj Sykes from DONG Energy UK and Janusz Bialek of Durham Energy Insitute. The event will be chaired by BBC’s Chris Jackson before a debate involving members of the public.
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Thursday 27th February 2014 | PALATINATE
NekNominate sweeps through Durham Kirsty Walter
The phenomenon is sweeping the country, but the University hopes that the dangers and risks of the game do not go unnoticed. In this ‘drinking game’, a person is filmed whilst they ‘down’ an alcoholic drink. The video is then posted on Facebook and subsequent ‘nominees’ are tagged, the idea being that they do the same. A recent progression has seen ‘players’ try to surpass their nominator by taking on the challenge under increasingly extreme conditions. These conditions could involve stronger and larger volumes of alcoholic beverages, performing the task in a particular location or performing some sort of risky stunt as the beverage is being consumed. The National Student reports that “the drinking game was mentioned on social media as far back as 2011,” whilst the Cambridge Tab says that Nek and Nominate dates back to 2008 in the city. However, participants must ask themselves if they have taken into sufficient consideration the potential consequences before getting in front of the camera. A number of deaths in the UK have resulted from excess consumption of alcohol during the game. Just last week, lawyers warned that having challenged another to the game could be grounds for manslaughter if something were
to happen to the nominee. Students concerned about job prospects should also consider the implications of partaking in a game now associated with multiple fatalities in the UK. The game’s popularity is evident. Genni Wetherell, of Van Mildert College, said: “My ‘News Feed’ is constantly clogged up with videos of Nek and Nominates.”
“think about the consequences to yourselves, your team, your College, and your University” Team Durham
Yet student opinion on the matter is not always a positive one. Kaisha Windred, of Josephine Butler College, said: “I’m bored of this Nek Nomination business now. “I don’t see why intoxicating your body in a matter of seconds should be a competition or something to laugh about.” The game has even given rise to spin-offs. These have a more charitable scope, suggesting its viral nature makes it a phenomenon of potential positive importance. Whilst this includes the somewhat dubious ‘Nip and Nominate’, videos have appeared online of nominees replacing ‘necking’ a drink with a blood
donation. In others, they film themselves handing out food to the poor. Some condemn these videos as vain boasts about how generous paticipants can be, but it at least conveys a more positive image than that of downing alcoholic drinks. Grace Abel, Community Officer at Durham Students’ Union, reminds students that, as participants are already under the influence of alcohol when the nomination is made, the chances of making reckless decisions are higher. Abel highlights the issue of peer pressure and perhaps even cyber-bullying surrounding what she calls a “craze”, and advises students “to steer clear of the fad and to discourage their friends from participating.” Meanwhile, Team Durham is concerned that Durham students are putting themselves at risk “in order to out-do their nominator.” An e-mail was issued to all team captains, insisting on the dangers of this “viral craze” and urging members to “think about the possible consequences to yourselves, your team, your College and your University.” Discussions have emerged over how to control NekNominations. While the obvious solution is enforcing a blanket ban, this could have an adverse effect, encouraging people to indulge in the prohibited. Abel encourages students who feel pressurized into participating to speak to the advice service at the Durham Students’ Union.
LOCAL VILLAGE WINS FUNDING TO STOP FLOODING The village of Witton Gilbert, previously affected by flooding, has won £300,000 worth of funding to strengthen its defences following a bid by Durham County Council to the Environment Agency. The area was declared a priority after heavy rainfall in June 2012 left the town under several feet of water, causing damage to a number of homes, roads and businesses. Durham County Councillor Joe Armstrong, has said that the funding will “hopefully ensure a permanent solution to the problem, giving the residents peace of mind and ensure the security of their properties.”
NekNominate craze has been branded dangerous by Team Durham
Photograph: Emma Werner
DUCK Chair’s Column Naz Atkinson Hi everyone! From one Big DUCK to 10,000 small ones! It’s that time of the year again when DUCK throws a digger full of ducks into the River Wear all in the name of Charity. Students across Durham will have encountered these ducks during DUCK Week when we set about attempting to wash as many as possible at the Science Site to raise awareness for the Annual DUCK Race. This race, which this year is being held on Saturday 15th March, sees students, staff and members of the public fork out £1 per ticket in the hope of picking the fastest duck and gaining glory in the race! It is one of my favourite DUCK events as not only does it raise thousands of pounds for charity, but it never fails to provide enjoyment and amusement for hundreds of people on the day! Crowds gather on Elvet bridge to witness a) the feat of even getting a digger onto Elvet bridge, b) the tipping (not a fancy word but hey…) of 10,000 ducks into water and c) the scrabbling around of various members of DUCK who ensure that the winning duck is caught and that all subsequent ducks are pulled from the river! If there was ever a time to get involved with DUCK it’s now – there’s nothing better than a bit of bonding over some dirty ducks! Applications for DUCK Allocations are also now well underway! For those who don’t know this is where we award grants to local charities during the Easter break. If you know of any local charities that would benefit from this process then please do get in touch. For more information about The Annual DUCK Race (tickets available in College Shops now!) or Allocations please email dsu.duck-chair@durham. ac.uk. GET INVOLVED!
PALATINATE | Thursday 27th February 2014
News in brief NATIONAL NEWS NATIONAL STUDENT PRIDE FESTIVAL HITS LONDON The National Student Pride Festival took place last weekend, hosted for the first time in London. The three day event is a celebration of gay culture and equal rights aimed at increasing tolerance and awareness amongst the UK’s student population. The festival, which has been held in Oxford and Manchester in previous years, this year welcomed broadcasters Evan Davis and Paris Lees for a debate, and hosted a range of events, including film screenings and a student bake-off.
STUDENTS PROTEST FUEL INVESTMENT
FOSSIL
On 14th February hundreds of students from across the UK joined together to protest their university’s continued investment in fossil fuels. The day of action, coordinated by the pro-environmental group People and the Planet, saw students from a range of institutions make public their opposition to investments in international oil funds made by universities. The protests included the signing of a petition in Edinburgh, which garnered over 2000 signatures and a sit-in at Imperial College.
40% OF STUDENTS UNEMPLOYED AFTER FOUR MONTHS Almost 40% of graduates are still searching for work six months after graduation, while a quarter are still unemployed after a year, according to new research conducted by the website Totaljobs.com. The national survey also shows that almost half of all graduates wished that they had chosen a different academic course, and that they had opted for “something more vocational” instead. The figures come despite a fall in total unemployment to 7.1 per cent, as was reported by the Office of National Statistics last month.
NOTTS LECTURER APOLOGISES FOR “IDIOT” COMMENTS An English Literature lecturer at Nottingham University had to apologise after online comments about several of his students – including labelling one of them “semi-literate” and an “idiot” – unintentionally went public. Tony Fisher was found to have additionally described members of his university’s human resources department as “absolute a***holes”. The comments made by Fisher, whose postings date back to last November, were intended for private consumption by friends on his Facebook account but became visible after he made a mistake in altering his privacy settings.
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News
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County Hospital student housing development suffers setback Tom Fenton Durham University has objected to multi-million pound plans to transform a former mental hospital into student accommodation. The £17 million scheme, which would provide housing for an estimated 440 students in the former County Hospital, off North Road, Durham City, has also come under fire from local residents. However, Harvey Dowdy, Deputy Director of Estates and Buildings told Palatinate: “The University supports the principle of using the long-neglected site for purposebuilt accommodation, provided that it is of the appropriate quality with sufficient space and is to be managed in such a way that it minimises any disruption to other residents. “The University opposes the development in its current form because the proposals do not provide sufficient social space or social learning space, nor are there any gym or music practice facilities.
“the proposals do not provide suffient social space or social learning space”
Durham University “Moreover, the room sizes are too small and the plans show just one common room, which we do not feel to be sufficient for the scale of the proposed development.” In a letter to Durham County Council seen by Palatinate, Mr. Dowdy also added: “For the avoidance of doubt, the University
Former County Hospital site
is able to confirm that we do not intend to take any space within the development either by way of a lease or by Nominations Agreement.
“residents would welcome a development of the former County Hospital site which encourages a broader local economy”
approved for this area.” The City of Durham Trust has also condemned the scheme, stating that it would add to the “ghetto-isation” of the area, and called on the council to reconsider both this and another £20 million plan at the former New College Durham site, in Neville’s Cross, to create housing for another 400 students. One household, in a letter seen by Paltinate, complained: “The
“In the summer the area becomes a ghost town and the local economy is even more severely affected. Many small enterprises cannot survive. “This is contrary to the emerging County Durham Local Plan which seeks to address the problem of balanced communities.” Sandra Mason, director of Signet Planning, acting as planning advisor for the project, said: “The design team are reviewing the
Local household “We … oppose the development in its current form.” Crossgate Community Partnership (CCP) has also filed an 11-page objection to the plans. The charity, whose objects are “to promote the conservation and improvement of the physical and natural environment of Crossgate” and “build and maintain a strong, safe, healthy, and balanced community”, have asked that planning permission “be refused.” CCP has given Stuart Timmiss, Durham County Council’s head of planning, ten reasons to refuse planning permission, including that the area is “already overloaded by private landlords profiting from the student market” and that the proposed development would be “ugly and overbearing.” CCP are concerned about the environmental impact, stating that the development would result in the “removal of or damage to at least 50% of the mature trees on the site.” They further stress: “No further student accommodation should be
Photograph: Durham Times
Proposed development visualization Photograph: Signet Planning developer has signally failed to take into account … the needs and wishes of local residents.” Another wrote in a letter to the Durham County Council Planning Development that the plan for a seven-storey modern block was “distressing” and “contravenes the City of Durham Plan Saved Policy H 13 which does not permit new development which will have a significant adverse effect on the character and appearance of residential areas or the amenities of residents within them.” She said: “Residents would welcome a development of the former County Hospital site which encourages a broader local economy and provides desperately needed residential housing for couples, families, the elderly, which restores balance to our community, and adds sympathetic buildings of charm and character, creditable to the prominence of the site and its closeness to the Viaduct and to the World Heritage core. “The new buildings should in no way reflect badly on the original handsome former hospital building, nor dwarf the small-scale nature of the surrounding streets.” In addition, the resident wrote: “The saturation of student accommodation has created a mono-culture affecting the economy of the area.
detailed comments now provided by the University in regards to the accommodation, and it is likely that amendments to address these, where possible, will be submitted to the [council], prior to the application being determined.” It has been estimated that work on the building, which is not listed but is located within the Durham conservation area, would take 18 months to complete and create around 177 full-time jobs. The 1850s-built main building, which housed inpatient services for the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust until the completion of the purpose-built £17.9 million Lanchester Road Hospital in January 2010, would be turned into 47 en-suite studios. A new block in what is currently an internal courtyard would include 26 studios and a sevenlevel structure would see 367 bedrooms and a student hub built. The site, designed predominantly for postgraduate students, would be staffed 24 hours a day. A final decision is expected within the coming months.
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News News in brief INTERNATIONAL NEWS
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS FIND UK ‘UNWELCOMING’ A majority of international students studying in the UK feel unwelcome here, with a significant number saying that they would not recommend to their friends to do the same, according to research published last week. A study of the attitudes of 3,100 international students by the National Union of Students revealed that over 50 per cent believed that the UK Government was either “not particularly welcoming” or “not welcoming at all” towards overseas students.
NEW PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN INDIAN AND US STUDENT DOCTORS A major US university has offered Indian doctors access to its medical expertise through telemedicine, with the objective of improving care for patients in the country. Following an agreement with Bangalore-based TeleChikitsa Ventures, specialist student doctors at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center will provide second opinions to their counterparts in India on a range of medical issues. Using secure telemedicine applications, the physicians can share patient records and images and consult with Indian training within 48 hours.
SNOWDEN APPOINTED GLASGOW UNIVERSITY RECTOR American whistleblower Edward Snowden has been elected as student rector at Glasgow University, one of Britain’s oldest universities. Snowden, currently living in temporary asylum in Russia after disclosing US government secrets on surveillance programmes and other activities, faces criminal charges in the United States after fleeing last year. The former National Security Agency contractor was nominated for the post by a group of students at the university after receiving Snowden’s approval through his lawyer. UK STUDENTS BEHIND INTERNATIONAL PEERS
UK teenagers are lagging behind their peers across the world as the country fails to improve its performance in reading, maths and science. There has been “no change” in the UK’s abilities in the basics, according to the latest results from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) study. The UK was in 26th place for maths, 23rd for reading and 21st for science, it found. More than half a million 15-yearolds from 65 countries took part in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) study last year.
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Rare Japanese doll exhibit opens at the Oriental Museum in Durham Siva Thangarajah
A rare collection of Japanese dolls opened at the Oriental Museum on Saturday the 22nd February. This collection of dolls is traditionally made and displayed to celebrate the Japanese holiday of Hina Matsuri, or Girls Day. This means that on the 3rd of March, families display these dolls as a way of wishing the young women of the household good fortune in life and marriage. It is one of these collections from Japan that is being shown in the Oriental Museum for a limited time. Palatinate chatted with the person responsible for this display, Rachael Grocke, who revealed how the tradition of Girl’s Day evolved from the ancient Japanese Shinto religion, a spiritual faith based on the belief of spirits, which reside in all natural things. Grocke went on to explain: “Dolls can capture and take away evil spirits.” By displaying them in the house, any evil spirits in the area would be trapped in the figures, preventing them from infecting the young women of Japan with bad luck. Originally, straw dolls would have been used and sent down a river, taking the spirits with them. This practice, however, was stopped due to the fact that local fishermen would consistently find the remains of these floating dolls.
Thus, Japanese families started to buy painted figures to display them in the home. The current collection on display is not merely a collection of dolls, but an intricately crafted scene depicting a courtly Japanese wedding from the Heian Period, a historical period dating back approximately a thousand years. Indeed, this era is an appropriate time to portray, considering the artistry of the display, since this was a time noted particularly for its achievements in the arts. Headed by the regally robed Emperor and Empress, the tiers work their way down to the royal guards, and lastly, the wedding gifts and supplies given to the bride finish off the bottom tiers. These accessories, perhaps, are one of the most impressive parts of the set, because they are intricate little miniature pieces, which would have been painfully handcrafted by the artisans. This makes them a real joy to see in person. The exhibit is therefore essentially a snapshot into the past; a tradition dating back at least a millennium has been kept alive in miniature, via this beautifully crafted collection. When Palatinate spoke to Grocke about the display, she was quick to point out the rarity of such an extensive collection Hina Matsuri dolls in Japan, never mind the North East of England. As a result of overpopulation of Japan and the increasingly smaller living spaces, the people have
Japanese Oriental Museum Dolls
Photograph: Emma Werner
taken to displaying only the bare minimum of the pieces- namely the Emperor and Empress. Grocke revealed that the complete, rare set was from a Japanese family living in Durham, shipped to England by the grandparents of the family in Japan. “Imagine all the boxes!” Grocke joked. Instead of displaying this collection at their house, they have generously agreed to display them in the Oriental Museum every year, during the two weeks culminating on Hina Matsuri, or Dolls’ Day. Grocke said that the celebration of Dolls’ Day is alive, well, and flourishing in Japan today, but some of the traditions have changed to fit the contemporary climate of the country. For instance, and perhaps quite
surprisingly, it is now possible to purchase Hello Kitty versions of the Hina Matsuri dolls. Adorned in the robes of the Heian Period, one can easily display these stuffed critters as an alternative to the more conventional human figures. Nevertheless the traditional dolls are a work of art and a testament to the long and rich history of Japanese artistry and culture, which brightens up the otherwise dreary North-East winter. The collection is definitely worth making a trek to the Oriental Museum. Hurry though: it is imperative that the display is taken down for 3rd March, due to the fact that if the dolls are out after this date, then it is considered bad luck for the women; specifically they would not be able to make a good marriage.
has to be confronted and tackled. But this has to be done by all sectors of society working together. The Church has a key part to play in this and we must play it to the full.” After the service, the Bishop stood at the main door to the Ca-
thedral and blessed the city of Durham and the North East. This week, he is expected to hold three prayer days in the Durham Diocese’s three archdeaconries: Durham, Auckland and Sunderland.
New bishop officially enthroned in Durham
Ben Williams
On Saturday 22 Februrary, the Right Reverend Paul Butler was enthroned in a service at Durham Cathedral where he was formally welcomed into his new role. As is tradition, the Bishop made his procession from the Castle through a guard of honour to the Cathedral, where he then rapped three times on the North door with his staff. Having been formally welcomed into the Cathedral, he was enthroned before giving a sermon to an audience including leaders from other faiths, civic dignitaries and overseas visitors. During the sermon, the Bishop outlined what he sees as his three main priorities; tackling poverty, engaging with children and young people and expanding the church. Bishop Paul said, “Last September, when my appointment to
this role was announced in this stunning Cathedral, I highlighted three priorities. [Three priorities which] interweave and intertwine in a way that it is not always possible to separate – rather like how beans grow together around a framework.” The Bishop placed particular emphasis on the role of the Church in the community, especially among children and young people, saying that “They are not just ‘the future,’ they are part of all our present. They must be listened to, encouraged and nurtured, protected appropriately and offered hope for their and all of our future. Every church needs to engage with children and young people, in schools and villages in uniformed organisations, clubs and on the streets.” He ended the speech by saying that, “poverty, economic, social and spiritual, is a scourge, whether it is here in the North East, or in Lesotho, Burundi or Romania. It
Right Reverend Paul Butler
Photograph: Keith Blundy
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Historic Charter signed at Maiden Castle Maddy Sears Last Thursday Team Durham and the Durham Students’ Union joined together to sign the ‘Tackling Homophobia and Transphobia in Sport’ charter as part of the ‘Respect Irre-
“This is a chance for Team Durham and the Union to continue working together … I’m really excited to be putting pen to paper” In addition to the signing, coaches, facility managers, and club captains at Team Durham and college sports officers underwent equality and diversity training.
A debate was also held this week in conjunction with St Cuthbert’s Society Rugby Club and the Durham University Feminism Society to discuss the issues surrounding ‘lad culture’ and its links to sexual violence. Team Durham President, Hannah Lowther, said: “We’re aware that lad culture is apparent in the University and at College Sport level. “Through signing the charter we
hope to tackle and raise awareness of the issue.” The news of the charter signing has been well received by the University’s LGBT community. Speaking to College LGBT representatives, it was clear that they thought the steps being taken through the charter were in the right direction. The Van Mildert representative commented: “I hope and think it [the charter] will achieve a wider expression of support for the LGBT community in sport; all it does is show that the University is outspokenly positive about LGBT people and therefore will encourage others to be the same.” A representative from Grey College also supportive of the charter, but insisted that the University “should be focusing in is preventative methods, so hopefully this sort of charter is not needed at all and never used.” But do we have a need for such a charter at Durham University? None of the LGBT representatives that Palatinate spoke to had known of homophobic incidents in Durham sport. Phil Mullen, who plays for St Mary’s College Football Club told Palatinate: “Everyone on my team knows I am gay. “Nobody has a problem with it and I am selected for the team based on past performance and nothing else, it’s always been a footballing decision.”
members of the college. Sports Officer Maria Eracleous said: “We decided we wanted in on the campaign to promote the Charter and abide to it as best we could. “We applied for a College Bursary which gave us the recourses to buy 350 pairs of rainbow laces for our sports teams and other members of the college. “The laces were extremely well received by our teams who were excited and rushed to replace their laces with rainbow laces. “All our members of staff also required a pair as well as our porters who were happy to support the campaign and wear the laces on their work shoes.” The campaign has received great support from the leadership team of the college, with JCR President Will Kendall saying: ““I am immensely proud of the rainbow laces initiative
… it is student-led, inclusive, celebratory in an environment that affects every single student. “It reaffirms our commitment to the Sports Charter two years on.” Acting President, Dr Jill Tidmarsh, said: “In my experience our students have the guts to speak out when something is not fair or just. “Butler took the lead in challenging homophobia in sport through signing up to the sports charter in 2012, and that was also an obvious thing for our students to do; they are accommodating and tolerant of diversity and difference … it’s what makes Butler such a friendly place. Other colleges, such as St Aidan’s, are also adopting the laces campaign. Meanwhile Josephine Butler are currently preparing for a photo shoot of sports captains and presidents of the college supporting the laces later this term.
The charter signing took place in Maiden Castle Café Photograph: Jai Warrier
spective’ campaign. The charter pledges support to all members of the LGBT community and condemns discrimination against them in the sporting environment. At the signing event which took place at Maiden Castle, Union President, Dan Slavin, said: “It’s really exciting that Team Durham and the Union are about to sign this charter.
Butler reaffirm charter pledge Maddy Sears Josephine Butler College signed the ‘Tackling Homophobia and Transphobia in Sport’ charter in 2012, and have since continued their efforts to support the LGBT community. Max Healey, LGBT representative for the college, said: “The signing of the Sports Charter in 2012 was an extremely significant moment for Butler College and Durham University as a whole. “Homophobia and Transphobia are still a problem today in sport but signing this charter was one way which helps tackle this.” This year the college have led the way in bringing a new initiaive to Durham University, buying rainbow laces for sports teams and other
The LGBT representative from Van Mildert, meanwhile, commented: “not a single homophobic thing has been said to me and everyone has accepted me, therefore my sexuality would never hold me back from anything.” Compare these comments to a report published by the NUS in 2011 entitled ‘out in sport’; it found that 4.3% of university and college students in the UK had been put off participating in sport due to homophobia, biphobia or transphobia. 47%
“47% of Univeristy and college students had found the cluture around sport alienating or unwelcoming”
2011 NUS ‘out in sport’ report
had said that they found the culture around sport alienating or unwelcoming. If it is true that Durham University does not suffer such problems, then why is this the case? Mullen commented: “I guess the college system creates a strong sense of kinship which makes everything else bar doing the college proud irrelevant … I don’t think there is an issue in the Durham sport system.” The Grey College LGBT representative said “I believe it’s more down to the education of the students prior to coming to Durham. “The reason why Durham is such a safe place for LGBT is due to the high degree of education of its students beforehand.” However, with a reported 67% of hate crime against LGBT people not being reported, it cannot necessarily be concluded that homophobia and transphobia are not present within the student community in Durham.
NFL Draft 2014: the next big step? Maddy Sears
Never before have there been as many openly LGBT sports stars in our media as there are today; from Tom Daley to Casey Stoney, more and more role models for the LGBT community are putting themselves into the spotlight. However, it is across the pond that we must look for what could be a breakthrough in progressing this issue in sport. In February, College American Football player Michael Sam came out in his first years of potentially a high profile sporting career. Sam, who plays for the University of Missouri and is one of the most promising defensive players in the country, came out to his teammates at the beginning of the season in a team-building exercise. Asked for a fact that others might not know about them, Sam stood up to the group and announced “I’m
gay”, two words that could become revolutionary in the battle to rid sport of homophobia. With hopes to enter the NFL, Sam’s progress could be a key moment for the LGBT community. If he were to succeed in entering the professional game he would not only be the first openly gay player on the USA’s biggest sporting stage, but also the only openly gay player in any US professional league (including the NFL, NHL, MBA and Major League Baseball). Sam finds out if he has a future in the NFL in its 2014 Draft, released in May. This could represent the turning point in the fight against homophobia in sport. Michael Sam could well be symbol for the LGBT community, both domestically and globally. However, how long will we have to wait in the UK for an openly gay professional Rugby or Football star? We’ve come a long way in securing equal rights for the LGBT community, but perhaps this would be one of the final pieces of the puzzle.
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Palatinate interviews the Durha
President
Dan Slavin (President) Course: Biomedical Science, current Students’ Union President What makes you the best candidate for the position? I’ve got experience, and I’ve invested an awful lot of effort in this year, and I’m not about to watch that all go to waste. People know what to expect from me, which is frank and crushing honesty. What is the long-term goal? Three things, I think we need to improve this building, our Union building is just not fit for purpose. Second, we need to improve the internal democratic structures. Bring everyone together and get them to push in one direction, I’m not interested in deciding that direction, but let’s decide and then just do it. And then the X1, I’m from Queen’s, I know what that bus is like, and it just needs to be better. What is the most pressing issue for Durham students in your view? The academic provision here is very good, but our NSS scores have improved everywhere else but here, and we need to look into that. What should people know about you? I’m really passionate, and enthusiastic. And I don’t think the University realised what they got the first time around. And there’s a lot of frustration in the university, email us, and we can help. Luke Satterthwaithe (Development) Course: Archaeology What makes you the best candidate for the position? I’m enthusiastic, passionate, I’ve held several positions in college and I’m ready to step up and represent people. What is the long-term goal? I want to make training accessible to everyone, I feel at the moment it’s only for the JCR execs and execs for societies. My big idea is a Union scholarship, where a few people can apply for a grant to study what they want. What is the most pressing issue for Durham students in your view? In terms of development, I think the biggest issue is just that people don’t know what training is available for them. Particularly for freshers, I think it’s important to focus them from day one. I’d like to give them a skills booklet, some kind of selfevaluation. I think promoting outreach like this is extremely important. What should people know about you? I’m ready for a chance to represent sutdents. I’ve done three years here, and I’m not ready to leave just yet! This is a perfect opportunity for me to stay on and do what I love, which is meeting new people.
Harry Inman (Development) Course: Geography What makes you the best candidate for the position? I see this an an opportunity to put what I believe in into action. This sort of builds on all the things I’ve loved from my time at university so far. I designed the leadership development program for DUCK, and seeing someone grow, and having the potential to reach 16,000 people – I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anything more in my life. What is the long-term goal? The long term goal is engagement. If students are aware of all the things we have access to at the Union, and the opportunities we offer, it can make an awesome impact. And the way to do that is through personal connections. What is the most pressing issue for Durham students in your view? I think the focus should be on making personal relationships, I want to be able to visit every single society, and work in partnership, have the societies be aware of what they can do. Tell every society ‘you’re fantastic, here are some pointers’ and then have the societies take advantage of that. What should people know about you? Everything you say counts. Even if you want to have a conversation where you’re just complaining about everything, that’s fine. I’ll listen.
Gergely Nyilas (Development) Course: Combined Honours in History, Sociology and Criminology What makes you the best candidate for the position? I’m looking into making the Union a better place. As Development Officer, I can get into new things, we can look at self-training, and many other possible things. What is the long-term goal? I certainly think we need more involvement with students. There are a lot of things within the Union that nobody knows exist. There are tremendous opportunities here, but people need to know about them. What is the most pressing issue for Durham students in your view? We need to look at employment. There is a huge and competitive race in the labour market, and we need to focus on the key skills and on the key issues that are affecting us in this respect. So we need to look at leadership skills, etc. Durham is great for employment, but there are things we can be doing better. What should people know about you? My goal is to rediscover the Students’ Union together. I’m passionate and hardworking, and we do need to reform this officer job. The Students’ Union is nowhere near where it needs to be. We need to get out of the office once in a while and listen to actual student voices.
Development
Academic
Elizabeth Evans (Academic) Course: Geology What makes you the best candidate for the position? Probably the fact that I’m very much driven by the cause. I came to be a geologist, so I’m very committed to the academic side of things. What is the long-term goal? I have two main ones, the first is looking at contact time: I think people don’t get the right kind. I’d like to tailor the contact time to the course needs. If you’re going to give someone eight hours of contact time, make them the best. Secondly, I’m interested in the University’s aims to promote a scholarly community, additional lectures, everyone needs the opportunity to widen their academic knowledge. What is the most pressing issue for Durham students in your view? A lot of new buildings are being built, but there are still older buildings in use, like Elvet Riverside that aren’t being maintained as well. We need to make sure these are really up to standards. we don’t want a repeat of the flooding last year, we need to look at that. What should people know about you? I try to make sure that I engage with students as much as possible, both through the course rep system, but also just going out and talking to students both here and at Queen’s. So finding out the scope of the issues.
Leigh Spanner (Academic) Course: Combined Honours in English and Education What makes you the best candidate for the position? I’ve got the enthusiasm, I’ve always been interested in education. This year I’ve been heavily involved in student representation, so I’ve seen a lot of committees, I know how the university works on the inside. I know I can go influence policy in this way. What is the long-term goal? So far we have quite a good rep system, but I don’t think they communicate very well. I think the academic affairs office needs to be a bit more transparent. I think students need to be aware of the impact they can have on the university and on their own student experience. I think this will bring the rep system to life. Specifically, I think we need more support for women, a lot of women drop out between Masters and PhD. So more support there, and then things like exam feedback should be improved. What is the most pressing issue for Durham students in your view? Durham is a big black box, and a lot of students think they’re being taught in the best possible way, but we need a culture where students feel more engaged in improving. What should people know about you? I’m slightly unique in the fact that I’m a proud Mancunian, and I do like to make my presence known. I like buiding relationships with people and having a laugh.
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am Students’ Union candidates
Interviews conducted by Justin Villamil; Images by Shelley McCormack
Community
George Thomas (Community) Course: Natural Sciences, curently JCR President for St. Aidan’s College What makes you the best candidate for the position? I’m really passionate about the role, I started my JCR career as a welfare officer, I worked through that part of the job through campaigns - a crucial part of the job. I know about the problems we face as students from my sabbatical position, and my knowledge and experience guide me in the right direction. What is the long-term goal? My key priority at the moment is accomodation, with the current changes, living in the city is becoming a barrier to access. Everyone who is capable of learning here should be learning here. I’m going to continue the work being done right now to mandate the University to be more open with the students regarding accommodation. What is the most pressing issue for Durham students in your view? As I’ve said, it’s mostly accomodation. There’s so much to be done, and I’m excited. What should people know about you? Primarily, just that I have an awful lot of experience working in all different areas, and this puts me in a perfect position to pursue the things that we really care about.
Laura Carter (Community) Course: Psychology What makes you the best candidate for the position? I’m passionate, I’m extremely organized, and as Welfare Officer this yearI have a lot of experience that I can bring to the role. What is the long-term goal? I have a lot of things I want to do! I want to bring the nightbus back, I think student safety is absolutely key. I want to improve the housing campaign - I think the focus should be on who we’re signing with rather than when you sign. And third, I want to create an international handbook that can be sent out before internationals arrive. I think it would help people settle in, I think a lot of people feel out of their elements when they arrive to begin with. What is the most pressing issue for Durham students in your view? There are loads of issues that people don’t want to talk about. We need to raise awareness about body image, mental health, and I’d like to promote general safety as well. What should people know about you? I want to listen to all the students and make the improvements that everyone needs.
Thomas Stevenson (Activities) Course: English Literature What makes you the best candidate for the position? I’ve been the outdoor societies rep, so I’ve sat on the various necessary committees and I understand how the system works. Additionally, I’ve met with various societies and student groups and taken their concerns on board. What is the long-term goal? Long term, the Students’ Union has to listen more, this year the Union hasn’t been very good at consulting. The first thing we need to do is set out a policy for interacting with students to make decisions. A lot of students aren’t satisfied with what’s happening. What is the most pressing issue for Durham students in your view? Making sure that people get involved and stay involved. The Union this year hasn’t been particularly good at making sure that students are aware of what is actually there for them. We need to promote what is going on more. What should people know about you? What the Union has to take into account is that a one-size fits all approach doesn’t work for societies. Every society has different needs and requirements. Right now, the Union is like Dunelm House, bland, boring, non-transparent. The Union needs to be bright and transparent and vibrant instead.
Andrew Lloyd (Activities) Course: Law, former President of the Union Society What makes you the best candidate for the position? I’ve interacted with a lot of other societies. I’m with one of the largest societies in Durham, and I can especially help with my sponsorship experience. What is the long-term goal? The big thing I really don’t like is the one-size fits all regulations for societies, particularly the new rules about membership fees. This excessive regulation is hurting societies, and we need to have an actual look at what they need. We can’t just dictate. We need to work with societies. What is the most pressing issue for Durham students in your view? I think at the moment, from what I’ve gathered, people aren’t being properly listened to. We’ve had quite groundbreaking reforms without consultation. Additionally, I know a lot of societies are having difficulty getting funding. So there’s a real lack of communication between the Activities Officer and the societies. What should people know about you? I suppose the point I’d make is that when I ran for President of the Union Society, I wanted to make the society more open and put full funding behind the charity program. I achieved both of these aims, and my aims here are broadly similar. We want to give ordinary members a voice and give money to good causes.
Reka Borbely (Activites) Course: Combined Honours in Sociology, Criminology and Politics What makes you the best candidate for the position? As an international I could bring in more diverse range of ideas, I’ve got strong connections both at home, internationally and in the UK so it would be impossible not to find a solution for a problem. I am hard working and passionate girl, who puts all effort into the job. What is the long-term goal? I would publicize the Students’ Union more so it can reach everybody. I would use all social media sites and keep them upto-date all the time. My long term goal is to make the Union events more frequent and hold more events for societies to gather and get to know each other more. Make strong connections! What is the most pressing issue for Durham students in your view? I think they don’t know their opportunities. I really like the idea using the Riverside café for events. We have to attract them and inspire them to consult with us and share their ideas. Publicise the grants offered by the Students’ Union. I would regularly go out and talk to them organise talks formally and informally as well.
Joely Charlton (Activities) Course: Anthropology What makes you the best candidate for the position? I have experience working closely with the Union, and so understand the student perspective, and I try to be both friendly and approachable. Being a president of a new society this year (DUSTOPS), has allowed me to see what needs to change and what already works. What is the long-term goal? My long-term goal for the Union is that it becomes a place that Durham Students can be proud of. I want it to become a more fun, vibrant environment that represents the voice of all students. Championing transparency, improving communication and providing better support to s t u d e n t groups is a good place to start. What is the most pressing issue for Durham students in your view? Communication. I think sometimes students aren’t fully aware about what’s going on at the Union and what Union staff can do for them. That’s why improving communication is at the heart of my campaign. I hope to set up weekly breakdowns of things happening at Dunelm House and beyond. I would hope to advertise more what the Union staff do and who you should approach with a query. I know sometimes it can be intimidating approaching people for help, so I would like to set up an online forum system so societies can chat about their concerns with other student groups and the Union staff.
Activities
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SciTech Reader’s Scigest A QUICK LOOK AT SCIENCE
EXTRA-LARGE HADRON COLLIDER Scientists met in the middle of February to discuss plans to build the successor to the LHC, the world’s highest-energy particle collider which has so far detected two previously unseen particles, including the Higgs Boson. The group considered several proposals, including building the collider in a tunnel sixty miles long encircling Geneva in Switzerland, where the LHC is located; in this case it would have a circumference around four times as large as the LHC’s seventeen miles. However, Japan and China have also expressed interest in hosting it. As well as considering location and size, there has been debate over which type of particle to collide. Building for the new collider is likely to begin in 2018 and will take around fifteen years, with a cost of tens of billions of pounds.
GOOGLE TANGOING FORWARD
Google recently unveiled a new initiative called Project Tango with an aim to “give mobile devices a human-scale understanding of space and motion.” As part of the project, they have released a prototype android phone which can create a 3D map of its surroundings and use it to track motion using advanced sensors and a vision processing platform. The smartphone, according to Google, will be able to learn the shape of rooms you walk around and eventually give directions using the 3D maps it has generated, as well as opening up new possibilities for immersive gaming. 200 such devices will be handed out to developers, who will build on the technology and use it to create apps, on March 14th. BLACK GREEN DEATH
Marijuana alone can cause death, according to the results of two post-mortem examinations earlier this month. A team from University Hospital Düsseldorf in Germany conducted fifteen post-mortems on cannabis-linked mortalities and, after performing several tests designed to rule out (or otherwise) other fatal factors including alcohol overdose, concluded that two men had died from heart arrhythmias brought on singlehandedly by smoking cannabis within hours of death. The mechanism for marijuana-induced cardiac arrhythmia is currently unknown.
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Breakthrough in stem cell research Hannah Davies Scientists in Japan have shown that it is possible to create stem cells simply by dropping blood cells into acid. This discovery has the potential to unlock a new era of personalised medicine, and could lead to therapies and cures for a huge number of diseases. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can be made to transform into any other type of cell – a feature termed pluripotency. This gives them a huge potential for use in regenerative medicine since, if entire organs can be grown for transplants, there will no longer be a need for human donors. There is also hope that they can be used to provide cures for cancer, heart disease, type 1 diabetes and neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s disease by providing new and healthy cells for the patient which can be grown for them specifically, meaning rejection by the immune system will no longer be a problem. This massive potential is why stem cell research is such an exciting topic in modern biology. Unfortunately, it is also surrounded by controversy, because the one way in which stem cells can be obtained is from human embryos. A breakthrough came in 2012 when Sir John B. Gurdon and Dr Shinya Yamanaka won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discovery that skin cells could be genetically reprogrammed to become pluripotent (termed ‘induced pluripotent stem cells’ or ‘iPS cells’) reducing the need for embryonic
stem cells. However, this method has been shown to cause mutations that could lead to cancer so it is not yet entirely ethically sound. This new method of creating stem cells could, then, revolutionise the field of stem cell biology. It is a major breakthrough because of its simplicity – it will make producing stem cells faster, cheaper and safer. The cells (termed ‘stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency’ or ‘STAP’ cells) simply need to be placed in a stressful (for example, acidic) environment and they will return to their pluripotent state. This technology has been observed before in plants. Severe environmental stress can cause an adult plant cell to transform into an immature one from which an entire new plant can arise. Similar processes have also been seen in some types of adult cell in reptiles and birds.
“a very exciting, but surprise, finding ... almost too good to be true”
The goal was to see if this technology was reproducible in mammals. The researchers took a blood sample from mice which had had a gene introduced into their DNA that caused their cells to fluoresce green in the presence of Oct-4, a protein only found in pluripotent cells. White blood cells were isolated from the sample and exposed to various physical and chemical stresses which included placing them in an acidic environment with a pH value of 5.7 for thirty minutes. The cells were then left and ob-
A faster and cheaper way of making stem cells has been discovered Photograph: Tareq Salahuddin on Flickr served and by the next day some had develop into a clone. begun to glow green, showing they As it stands at the moment, the were producing the pluripotency technology is a long way off this posmarker, Oct-4. After a week, over sibility and it is unknown whether two-thirds of the sample were show- a human clone would be able to be ing this fluorescence. To contrast, it produced this way in practice. would take four weeks for induced Despite these fears, the amazing pluripotent stem cells to reach the medical opportunities offered by same stage. stem cells, that have for so long only There is much research still to be been possibilities, are now much carried out on this new technology closer to becoming realities. – principally if it can be reproduced The discovery has been met safely in humans. with astonishment and excitement Concern has already been raised throughout the scientific community. over the possibility that the process Robert Lanza, chief scientific officer could lead to human cloning – if the at Advanced Cell Technology, Masresearchers have been able to make sachusetts, commented, “if this can ‘totipotent’ cells (which are even be reproduced in humans, it will be more versatile than pluripotent cells, a paradigm changer”, while Chris Maas a single cell can go on to produce son, Professor of Regenerative Median entire embryo), then this would cine at University College London, mean a single blood cell could be described the discovery as being “a transformed into a STAP cell, im- very exciting, but surprise, finding” planted into a human uterus, and and almost “too good to be true.”
Flappy Bird has flown away for good
Alistair Madden Have you played Flappy Bird? No? Well, hard luck. On Sunday 9th February the game was pulled from both Apple’s App Store and Google Play. Nguyen Ha Dong, the Vietnamese developer behind the game, was earning $50,000 per day in advertising revenue before he took his own creation down. In his announcement on Twitter he claimed, “I cannot take this anymore.” Users who have already installed the game can continue to play as usual however. This move shocked many people and angry posts soon followed on Twitter aimed at the app’s creator. Soon after the announcement, phones with Flappy Bird preinstalled were posted on auction sites, fetching up to $90,000. In reality, these sales are falling, but it still serves to show the popularity of the game that
popped out of nowhere. The success of Flappy Bird raises a more fundamental question – what makes a good app? This is a problem that has plagued the mobile market in particular, where an app becomes popular seemingly at random. ‘Plagued’ is perhaps a bit unfair, as app trends seem to be strongly linked with our tendency to procrastinate. It is not hard to see why this would be the case. One only need remember the Tamagotchi craze of the late nineties (which incidentally is available as a free app) for an example of how we fritter away our time on such simple game mechanics. The same is no less true today with Flappy Bird – the most recent popular example of a whole slew of similarly addictive apps (Temple Run, Doodle Jump and Angry Birds spring to mind). When compared to its target audience, and what the app was trying to
achieve, there is no doubt that Flappy Bird and others have succeeded. But does being popular necessarily make an app good? Consider an app such as Circle of 6 which allows the user, in two taps, to send a distress message to up to six friends. This app has also achieved its goal, yet somehow Circle of 6 is a better app. It allows the user to do something truly useful and may even help in an emergency situation.
phones with Flappy Bird preinstalled were fetching up to $90,000
If we judge how good an app is solely on its popularity, we may miss genuinely useful and innovative creations such as Circle of 6. Further-
more, when we compare Flappy Bird and the like to such apps we find only one conclusion - Flappy Bird is not a good app. This is a reason why more and more companies veer away from the vastly lucrative mobile market. People simply aren’t purchasing the useful apps they create and instead would choose a free game to whittle away their time. Even games developed by major developers with high budgets do not succeed due to the volatile and unpredictable nature of the market. The result is that consumers have a massive impact on the quality and quantity of apps produced as these developers switch to accommodate their preferences. The long and short of the situation is, the mobile market is dictated solely by the consumer, and so as long as we crave timewasting games, these will be the most popular on mobile devices - but not necessarily the best.
PALATINATE | Thursday 27th February 2014
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Careers
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A summer internship with a difference Palatinate talks to Helen Limbrey from the IPA about opportunities within the advertising industry
Helen Limbrey Chloe Kopala
Summer internships are not restricted to those headed into the financial world; this interview with Helen Limbrey from the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (the IPA) highlights the opportunities available within this creative field. The IPA represents 300 of the top UK agencies and has been providing students with the opportunity to gain early exposure to the UK advertising industry for the past eight years. Applications are now open for its AdSchool and AdAcademy summer programmes. What is the difference between the AdSchool and the AdAcademy? In a nutshell, the AdSchool for penultimate year students involves six weeks rotating around three of the best advertising, media, digital and marketing communications agencies in London. This will give students the chance to experience three different cultures, clients and campaigns. Students will also attend evening sessions with industry luminaries. It is truly a unique chance to experience and learn before you have to make the big decisions about your post-university career. We’ll also give you a prize sum at the end. AdAcademy is for final years and
grads, and is eight weeks in a leading agency getting your teeth stuck into real briefs and real campaigns. Again, students will attend evening sessions and will also complete group and individual projects, which should lead to a very solid body of work, come graduation. AdAcademy students will be paid the National Minimum Wage.
The really invaluable thing is the programme of evening sessions. This is an amazing chance to get up close to some of the best in the industry, listen to their advice and ask them anything you like. Our alumni tell us it is one of their favourite things about the programme. We don’t need you to have a book,
and sweet and impress upon the reader why they would love to work with you. University is a really great time to pick up some work experience, such as our AdSchool – more and more agencies are looking for those who have spent their summers exploring industries they’re interested in.
The 2013 AdSchool Graduate Ceremony Photograph: The Institute of Practitioners in Advertising
What differentiates IPA AdSchool and AdAcademy from other schemes? Both schemes are really a chance for students to ‘try before they buy’ – to see if they are the right fit for agency life and if agency life is the right fit for them. The UK advertising industry is at the heart of UK creativity and involves people from all academic backgrounds.
or a portfolio, or anything to show us. You don’t need to know what all the agency acronyms stand for, or how to code. We just want to see your passion for working in this exciting, curious and ever-evolving industry.
What are you looking for in a CV and how can students improve their CVs whilst at university? CVs are just a way of making someone want to meet you. Keep it short
Though don’t worry if, like me, you’ve spent your holidays working in Sainsbury’s. We’re just looking for curious, passionate people who want to try advertising on for size.
How can students make the most out of their time with IPA AdSchool and AdAcademy? The AdSchool and AdAcademy provide a unique chance to network with some of the most important people
in advertising. Be curious. Ask questions. You’ll be assigned an agency mentor – ask them anything. If you’ve finished your task, ask for more. Ask to shadow people in other departments. Ask the other students what they have been up to and, if something sounds great, ask your agency if you can try it too. Really engage with the evening sessions and make sure you add everyone on LinkedIn afterwards (a nice message about how great their presentation was will always go down well). If you’re doing AdAcademy make sure you really put your mind to your group and individual projects – it’s an invaluable chance to work on a real client brief. What resources can you recommend to students who are interested in advertising? I’d recommend our careers blog, www.theadmission.co.uk, if you’re interested in exploring advertising, media and marketing communications agencies. We have job profiles, videos, lists of opportunities, advice on applications, interviews and assessment days, recommended books, blogs and websites, and posts from those already in the industry on what it is really like to work in Adland. If you’re interested in applying for either AdSchool or AdAcademy, visit www.theadmission.co.uk.
Exploring opportunities within teaching Laura Herman, an English Literature graduate, talks about her career route with Teach First
Laura Herman
From your mid-teens onwards, adults and peers are eager to question your future career ambitions. For some young people, this question causes them to experience heart palpitations and severe sweating; I, however, knew I wanted to be a primary school teacher. Getting into Durham University felt like I’d reached my zenith and that life afterwards would be plain sailing. When I went to a career fair in the Students’ Union, the number of different careers I was unaware of, let alone considering, overwhelmed me. University had given me a flavour of different experiences and I was no longer sure that a career in teaching was what I wanted for the future. It was at one of these careers fairs that I came across Teach First, a charity that had been going for five years with a mission to train top graduates to become leaders in schools facing challenging circumstances. My interest was piqued when it was explained that if I did the two year Teach First Leadership Development Programme (LDP), I would be able to
start in the classroom much earlier than a PGCE allowed, and become a qualified teacher whilst also gaining leadership skills and business experience. Furthermore, the idea of taking up a challenge and really making a difference appealed to me; I’d been incredibly blessed with my school and university education and I was shocked and outraged that this wasn’t as readily available for every young person. I successfully applied and was placed as a secondary school English teacher in an Outer London academy. Teach First teachers have their own classes from day one and teach nearly as many lessons as a newly qualified teacher. My first lesson was with a group of year 11s, with many of the boys standing half a foot taller than me. For the first time in years, I felt first day school nerves.
“for the first time in years, I felt first day school nerves”
That first year in teaching was the biggest learning curve of my life; Teach First recruit graduates who can
demonstrate problem solving, leadership and resilience and never before had I needed to develop them so quickly. Teaching is far more complex than you perceive it to be as a school pupil.
“teaching is far more compex than you perceive it to be as a school pupil”
The experience of planning lessons, writing reports, managing large groups of children, running training sessions, data analysis, meetings, target setting and balancing a huge number of priorities, give you skills that I believe no other career can. No two days are the same and being bored in your job is simply not possible. Teach First has provided me with many opportunities to develop my leadership skills and career. One of these opportunities was the chance to have a business coach from Citi Bank in my second year. Whilst I
never wanted to go into banking, the support and coaching from a more experienced woman was invaluable as she helped me to think through my career priorities and create a suitable action plan. I also took up a Summer Project, provided by Teach First, with Deloitte on an education consultancy project. Looking back I realise that throughout school and university I should have sought out more work experience and internships and the Deloitte experience highlighted what a huge benefit they are, both personally and professionally. Despite my foray into the business world I ended up staying for a third year in teaching, continuing as second in department. Whilst the Teach First LDP finishes after two years, your relationship with Teach First doesn’t end there. As you transition from a Participant to an Ambassador of the programme, you remain a part of the network and the focus shifts from your development to what you will now do to continue to address the vision that no child’s educational success should be limited by their socioeconomic background. Many stay in teaching but others go on to work for
other companies or set up their own social enterprises. After my third year I decided to move out of the classroom and now work for Teach First in a project management and analyst role. My three years in the classroom were both the most challenging and most rewarding years of my life. Whilst I’m enjoying my new career and still being in my 20s, I’m sure I’ve not yet made my last career change, and the option of returning to the classroom remains firmly in my mind.
“Students can be inspiring, infuriating and vulnerable all at the same”
To work with young people is such a privilege and an opportunity rarely afforded in my job. Students can be inspiring, infuriating, challenging and vulnerable all at the same time, and you have to consistently support them and push them to be their best. One thing’s for sure: don’t become a teacher for the holidays – they’re too full of marking!
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Business & Economics
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Thursday 27th February 2014 | PALATINATE
The cost of hosting the world Is hosting a global sporting event worthwhile?
Anum Farhan
For years, studies have shown that holding mega sporting events, such as the Olympic Games, often has severe negative economic effects on host cities, despite the temporary burst of tourism and global attention. Competition between cities often leads to a gross misappropriation of financial resources, merely in an attempt to win the Olympic bid.
The host city was also pressured, mainly the US and the UK, to spend $1.2 billion on security alone because of fears over terrorism. Within days of the closing ceremony, Greece warned the euro area that its public debt and deficit figures would be worse than expected. At the end of 2004, Greece’s
pics, we often assume that it provides a massive economic boom to the local economy, but in reality the effect is negligible. The budget for the London 2012 Olympics was $9 billion, which in comparison to annual growth in the UK economy is the equivalent of approximately 0.7% of gross domestic product. When expensed over the
overgrown weeds, virtually deserted. According to an analysis in the Wall Street Journal, 21 of the 22 stadiums erected in Athens were unoccupied in 2010. Whilst the Olympics alone did not bring about an economic collapse in Greece, it would be hard to argue that it did not play a significant role.
once construction begins, governments fail to budget properly, and once the games are over, the cost of maintaining infrastructure outweighs its actual benefit to society
Once construction begins, governments fail to budget properly, and once the games are over, the cost of maintaining infrastructure outweighs its actual benefit to society. This is perhaps nowhere better epitomised than in Greece after the 2004 Olympics where the Athens Olympic Park symbolises the misplaced extravagance, desolation, and despair. The 2004 Athens Olympics cost nearly $11 billion by current exchange rates - double the initial budget. And that figure does not include major infrastructure projects - such as the new airport and metro system rushed to completion at inflated costs.
Victory? Scenes of Brazil’s winning Olympic 2016 bid
Photograph: Anuncio Brasil
deficit came in at 6.1% of gross domestic product, more than double the euro-zone limit, while debt itself reached 110.6% of gross domestic product, the highest in the European Union. As late as 2012, Greece’s debt was 165.3% of gross domestic product. Greece became the first country in the EU to be placed under fiscal monitoring by the European Commission in 2005. When we think of the Olym-
developmental period of five years, this has minimal effect on the country’s economy. Stadiums remain relatively poor investments in the longterm, as they remain heavily under-utilised. It took the city of Montreal over 30 years to pay back the $6 billion in overspending from the 1976 Montreal Olympics, with little left to show of their legacy. The Helliniko Olympic Complex in Athens today sits amid
After a period of austerity to stabilize its finances and qualify for euro entry in 2001, the games were just one of the several areas in which the Greek government exercised unchecked public spending funded by unsustainable borrowing. Looking ahead, the world’s 6 th largest economy, Brazil, is set to host the next two largest sporting events, the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and the Summer Olympics in 2016.
way. They have cancelled $10 billion of Africa’s debt and investments into the continent have grown substantially over the last 30 years: in 1999 Sino-African trade stood at $1 billion. Today it is over $160 billion. China drinks Kenyan coffee, burns Nigerian and Angolan oil and gas, eats Namibian fish and adorns itself in Congolese diamonds. Yet looking beyond the fig-
ures, the story takes an increasingly sour turn. Just last week, Jan Martin Witte, head of the Southern African infrastructure division of German development finance institution KfW, commented that the Chinese investment model in Africa needed to be less topdown and more commercial. The ‘Beijing Consensus,’ China’s investment model, merges business with foreign policy. The Chinese policy on invest-
ments is to refuse to comply with the World Bank’s conditionality provisions. In addition African nations aren’t forced to change the way they work in order to benefit from the Chinese. This allowed Robert Mugabe to circumvent international trade sanctions by securing $1.3 billion in Chinese energy and mining investments. Sudan have also benefited, securing $2 billion in Chinese investments after the US broke
Brazil’s plans involve accelerating its post-1994 economic boom to transform the country from an emerging market into a developed economy. This would in turn enable Brazil to afford the estimated $1 trillion in public works spending to expand and develop infrastructure and generate 3.6 million short and long-term jobs.
21 of the 22 stadiums erected in Athens were unoccupied in 2010
However, mass protests erupting in the summer of 2013 on the streets of Rio de Janeiro encapsulate everything wrong with hosting large sporting events in Brazil, from widespread government corruption to astounding levels of income inequality. Construction costs have ballooned: updated projections say that the costs for building 12 new stadiums (as opposed to 8 by FIFA regulations) will exceed $3 billion in public funds, up from previous estimates of $1 billion. Moreover, many of the transportation and infrastructure projects that were supposed to benefit Brazilians have been either cancelled or severely delayed. While Brazil may never regain its massive investment in hosting the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, by focusing on infrastructure improvements that will serve the country’s long-term economic development, making use of existing facilities, and fully involving local communities, it could evade the severe financial and political burden that Athens is still dealing with today.
Chinese Investment in Africa: A force for good or evil?
Akshay Sevak Over the last 30 years Africa has battled wars, disease, corruption and ultimately itself, to finally begin to become a player on the world stage. Africa is no longer simply the willing beneficiary of aid, but of investment as well. Willing trading partners have come knocking with the Chinese leading the
trading relations on account of human rights violations. It’s clear that Chinese investments, from an economic perspective are near perfect; Africa is entering a boom widely made possible by the Chinese. Yet the Chinese acquiescence to reforming the social and political situations in Africa means it becomes a faceless investor; and not the world power that it seeks to be.
PALATINATE | Thursday 27th February 2014
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Politics
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A close shave for human rights in Britain Sam Courtney-Guy The government’s strategy on immigration recently hit rough terrain, as Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs voted against a proposed amendment to the Immigration Bill, defeating it by 241 votes to 97. Embarrassment ensued for David Cameron, who had ordered ministers to abstain – essentially admitting a rift in the party as the amendment, tabled by MP Dominic Raab, was supported by an insurgency of backbenchers. Human rights in Britain escaped a close shave: the amendment would have enabled authorities to deport foreign criminals before they got the chance to appeal using the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), unless they were under threat of ‘serious irreversible harm’ at home. Under attack by Raab & friends was Article 8, which deals with the provision of the right to ‘family life’. Some argue that this is a fairly absurd reason to allow criminals to remain in the UK. But it is a disturbing thought that almost 100 Tory MPs would instead be willing to throw out of the window the right to even hear the result of an appeal, whether
or not it succeeds. What is left of the Immigration Bill is cause for concern as well. The new legislation would include cutting the number of grounds for appeal against deportation from seventeen to four. It would compel banks to check immigrants’ legal status before allowing them to open accounts. Furthermore it would mean landlords would have to check whether tenants are in the UK illegally, with those who fail to do so facing fines. Similar requirements will be made of GPs and driving licence authorities. Finally, temporary migrants such as students would have to pay towards the cost of NHS services, with the figure currently sitting somewhere around £200 a year.
the bill would result in asylum seekers being stigmatised in the public
On principle, these changes look fairly sensible. Most of them aim to reduce illegal immigration and its surrounding problems. All major parties have got behind them, with the Lib Dems turning round to defy
consensus only when they came to the extreme measures of the recently defeated amendment, and Labour saying it will try to change some of the finer details. But practicality is always paramount to making good policy. Would we really want to live in a society with all of these provisions put in place? In a scathing document, the office of the United Nations high commissioner for refugees criticised the bill for what it could do to vulnerable minorities. It said the bill would result in asylum seekers, refugees being stigmatised in the public and denied access to housing or bank accounts. It is easy to see how this extra burden of bureaucracy could breed a dangerous change in the treatment of minorities. Ultimately, the legality of migration status can be incredibly complicated, and not at all easy to deduce from the point of view of GPs, landlords and the like. Whether or not such individuals and organisations are prejudiced to begin with, one could easily picture them taking recourse to the colour of someone’s skin, or whether they have a foreign-sounding name, as to whether to question their legality; it is far too costly to run checks on every single person. People from ethnic
UK Border Agency agent Photograph: UKHomeOffice minorities could end up being asked If every international student confor documentation at the GP clinic, sidering Durham now had to fork out even if they were born here – the leg- an extra £600-800 to complete their islation does nothing to stop this. degree – on top of facing reams of exFurther embarrassment has been tra checks for anything from signing dealt to the government, as immigra- their house in second year to going tion minister Mark Harper resigned to the health centre – we would lose when it emerged his cleaner is an a great many bright minds to other undocumented immigrant. Even the countries. man spearheading these measures The anti-immigration may have can’t hold up to their standards. started with a few nuggets of good And what of forced contributions intentions at heart. But it has to services by temporary migrants? snowballed into an irresponsible The language of ‘paying for what you bandwagon, championing poorly use’ is being self-righteously used by thought-out policies that will do litpoliticians – all the while forgetting tle to reduce illegal immigration and that those poor enough, do not have instead create a climate of discrimito pay tax for the NHS. nation.
Lebanon in limbo: Paris in the Middle East
Harriet Tinker The irony of the US Embassy in Beirut’s recent travel advice to “exercise extreme caution in Western-style areas” and “pay close attention to personal security at locations where Westerners generally are known to congregate” was not lost on the Lebanese. Within hours, locals had begun to post their satirical advice online for ex-pats wanting to blend in: “never drive more than 500m without using your horn”, “never arrive early. In fact, aim for 20 minutes late.” The self-deprecating humour disguises serious questions about Lebanese identity. I would hardly be rich if I had a Lebanese pound for each time someone has told me “I’m not Arab, I’m Lebanese”, but you get the idea. Since the end of its devastating civil war in 1990, Lebanon’s capital has been rebuilt in the image of a modern European city: malls, skyscrapers, luxury hotels and supermarket chains abound as a result of the controversial ‘Solidere’ regeneration project. Only the northern party districts of Gemmayze and Mar Michael retain a sense of the traditional, ‘old’ Beirut. And along with this physical development is the widespread belief that the Lebanese
identity is European. This strong sense of identity manifests itself in language too. Lebanese dialect uses just about as many English and French words as it does Arabic, and you’re just as likely to hear ‘Sorry’ and ‘Merci’ being used on the streets as the common Arabic invocation ‘Al-hamdillilah’. Dress codes in Beirut’s liberal downtown districts often take more from Manhattan than Muscat. Yet while Beirut’s post-war built environment evokes those of Paris and London, its state structures and governance remain firmly rooted in the old world. With no government since February 2013, democracy is in limbo. As Iranian Hezbollah involvement in Syria divides the country along sectarian lines yet again, uncertainty is set to remain. Formation of a Cabinet any time soon looks impossible, and May’s general elections feel more like an opportunity for radical groups to seize power than an exercise in democracy. The impact on the capital’s residents is clear. There have been 8 bombs in the last 6 weeks, and noone is under any impression that the explosions will stop any time soon. All the while, the underlying dynamics of future destabilisation are more and more visible: spill over from the
#PALPOLL Voting Intention: CON 33%, LAB 39%, LIBDEM 9%, UKIP 12% Polling Data: YouGov 09/02/14-13/02/14
Will Beruit adopt EU norms? Photograph: ramseynasser Syrian crisis is pushing more and haviour and attitude. more people over the border and Whether Lebanon wants to emuinto Beirut’s refugee camps, or onto late members of the EU – and perthe streets. haps one day join itself – is hard How far attitudes towards this to say. Being Lebanese, not Arabic, potential future crisis are in line does not imply adopting all aspects with those of contemporary Europe of European culture. Yet as the trial is difficult to say. Any taxi driver can into the assassination of Lebanon’s and will rant until hoarse about the controversial former Prime Minister treatment of Palestinians in Israel, Rafiq Hariri continues at The Hague, and yet most Lebanese people dis- it’s clear that Lebanon has some miss Syrian toddlers begging on the tricky questions to address about destreets with a wave of the hand, and mocracy, equality, and human rights, easily ignore migrant workers pick- before its capital can truly live up to ing through bins without a thought its nickname of the Paris of the Midfor this strange discrepancy in be- dle East.
Job Approval: Cameron (-25% net.) 30% Approve 555% Disapprove Polling Data: YouGov 09/02/14-13/02/14
Which party leads on which policy areas?
Health - LAB 35% Immigration - CON 26% Law and order - CON 33% Education - LAB 30% Polling Data: YouGov 16/02/14-17/02/14
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Comment
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Thursday 27th February 2014| PALATINATE
What makes Marius the giraffe so special?
Patrick Brennan
A Copenhagen zoo has been subject to worldwide outcry after the decision was made to put down a healthy male giraffe earlier in February. The two-year-old animal, named Marius, was killed by bolt gun due to him not being genetically valuable enough to keep, in accordance with the zoo’s breeding programme.
“
A surprise portion of giraffe, whilst costing Marius’ life, did spare the use of other meat
”
The decision to kill Marius has resulted in a barrage of Internet condemnation, and even death threats. Several other zoos had offered to house the young male and an unnamed Beverly Hills billionaire even offered to keep Marius in her – presumably extensive – back garden. My question is simply this: what makes Marius the giraffe so special? Why is his death important enough to prompt this vast ethical reaction from so m a ny, when thousands of unnamed animals a r e killed for food ever y day? I s the fact that h e
was given a name reason enough to deem him more worthy of life than the average cow or sheep? The giraffe was killed using a bolt gun, the same device used to slaughter cattle and other farm animals. This device, a small fire-arm aimed directly at the animal’s cranium, provides a quick death with minimal suffering, as the animal immediately loses consciousness. Bolt gun was preferred over lethal injection, as this would have contaminated the giraffe’s meat, which was subsequently fed to the zoo’s lions. A captive lion’s diet usually consists of wide variety of farm animals; from those eaten by humans, such as cows or sheep, through to horses and rabbits. A surprise portion of giraffe, whilst costing Marius’ life, did spare the use of other animal meat. Had Marius not died, it may have meant the death of an extra cow or two. Or even thirty-odd bunny rabbits. Marius’ death also prompted an opportunity for the zoo to host a live action dissection, in which the public was invited to watch an expert pick apart and explore the giraffe’s corpse. Whilst the more squeamish may not be interested in such a show, dissections nevertheless allow Joe Public a unique insight into animal physiology. Of course these immediate benefits of
Marius’ death – lunch for lions and a public physiology demonstration – are not necessare n o u g h warrant an anideath in itself: is the more relissue of why
ily t o mal’s t h e re e va n t Marius
was killed in the first place, and why ultimately it was the best thing to do. Marius was killed because, due to space constraints, keeping more than one male giraffe in a small space is risky, as fights can easily break out and animals can become overly stressed. Whilst many places had offered to house the giraffe instead, most of them did not come close to meeting the strict levels of ethical conduct that zoos must adhere to. A broadcaster was told by Bengt Holst, the zoo’s scientific director that
these
zoos “would not, for example, sign a statement saying they wouldn’t sell their animals to a circus, and we can’t just close our eyes and send our animals anywhere.” Other zoos, whilst ethically sound, were running the same breeding programme as Copenhagen zoo; so whilst Marius might have been bought some more time, a similar conclusion would have eventually been reached by zoo officials, and Marius may have eventually been put down anyway. Zoos provide an important opportunity for scientists to keep a dynamic library of the world’s animals; much like the Kew Gardens seed bank provides a catalogue of plant species. Many endangered species survive the horrors of overhunting and habitat destruction simply due to the existence of captive populations. In doing this, it is important to preserve genetic diversity within a species: too limited a gene pool results in inbreeding. Not only does this limit the amount of genetic variation within a captive population, but inbreeding can in fact be very debilitating for animal offspring. Many chronic health problems found in pedigree dogs are
Illustration: Charlotte Gurr
simply the result of decades of inbreeding. Had Marius been kept as a breeding male in Copenhagen Zoo, any resultant baby giraffes may have exhibited similar chronic health problems. An interesting final twist on this story is the case of a second giraffe in a second Danish zoo, whose name is also Marius. In a bizarrely parallel turn of events, Jylland’s Park Zoo, located in western Denmark, was poised to euthanize (the second)
Marius upon the addition of a new female giraffe to the zoo’s collection, due to his similar unsuitability for breeding. Whilst the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria recently announced that there were no plans to send a new female giraffe “any time soon”, the young male’s future is surely not assured. Only time will tell if pressure from Internet outrage and public sentimentalism will act to save this second giraffe from his namesake’s fate.
North Korea, heading West? Kenneth Chan
At the heart of totalitarian, ‘communist’ North Korea, is Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST): a private, Western-style university with Western lecturers, sponsored largely by Christian charities. In a country where the economy is centrally controlled, the students are studying free-market concepts. In a country where the US is the imperialist enemy, the students are learning English. The contradiction opened in 2010, and its first graduates will be graduating this year. The hope is to open up the students’ minds to Western ideas, and to get them to question things, and be the catalyst for change in North Korea. Mark Fitzpatrick from the International Institute for Strategic Studies says: “By learning about the West like this, it must increase their own sense of aspiration of what they would like to see for themselves, for their families, and for their society. And they will feel frustrations because their society won’t be able to meet those expectations. That’s the way revolutions often start, or changes in regimes.” But the students live a regimented, almost military, lifestyle: up at dawn for exercise, orderly marching to class, praising the Great Leader, mid-day exercise, and meticulous mass-cleaning on Sundays. Is having this Western presence in North Korea even worth it? They, unlike the rest of the country,
have Internet access, but they have to report to the minder what websites they will visit beforehand: no email, no social media, no international news. Lecturers who are too outspoken are told to leave, and blacklisted. Even course titles are censored; ‘Biotechnology’ becomes ‘Agriculture and Life Sciences’. In this country, the only news on television is Kim Jong Un news. The front page of the newspaper is always Kim Jong Un news. Propaganda blares from speakers on the Pyongyang subway system. Some question whether North Korea even deserves this giant investment in light of the regime’s human rights violations. For example, reports indicate there are tens of thousands of political prisoners in brutal labour camps. As we all know, according to the UN, millions suffer from famine and poverty, lack of medical care. Millions survive on grass and rats. For us, used to variety, information and freedom, this is painful. Kim Jong Un himself had a Western education in Switzerland from 1993 to 2000, and lived there from the age of eight to seventeen. For someone to know what is wrong with his country and to perpetuate the errors of his father and his grandfather, is even more painful. He is drunk on power, and he is everywhere. It is hard for international observers to be anything but ambivalent about this University. At best, it is propaganda with a side of education. At worst, it is an undeserved investment. Fitzpatrick may be right that it is essential to expose the younger generation to ideas, but there is not going to be a revolution from this.
PALATINATE | Thursday 27th February 2014
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Social Media Mania
Comment
Kieran looks at the dangers of social media and our obsession with living our lives online Kieran Moriarty
Shadow Education Secretary, Tristan Hunt, has recently commented that modern students lack the necessary attention spans to learn and perform most effectively in class, proving poor preparation for the world of work in adulthood. Hunt believes that social media and digital gadgets are highly corrosive to schoolchildren’s ability to concentrate. This may be true. I can only testify to the distracting phenomenon of Vine Videos, diverting my attention away from my essays. However, this concentration problem is relatively insignificant in comparison to the growing list of negatives that can be attributed to social media. Social media sites are more potentially damaging to children’s lives than their ability to concentrate in class. This is a problem that has manifested itself in today’s society and needs to be addressed.
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social media sites are a relatively lawless Wild West, in which trolls can spout their bile without fear of prosecution
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Over the last decade, social media sites have been completely assimilated as a regular fixture of our lives. Many of us, each day, post a tweet, browse through Facebook or upload pictures on Instagram, as part of our daily routine; to share our lives with our friends. We consider this normal behaviour, especially as the generation that was the epicentre of the social media boom. However, would you consider it disturbing to think that primary school children carry out that same daily routine described each day? I remember when I signed up to Facebook five years ago, a relatively late comer at
15 years old. Today, it is common for children in the transition to secondary school to have their own accounts, with the same exposure to the digital world as we ourselves have on these social media sites. Flimsy regulations such as age restrictions are simply sidestepped by our more technologically adept youngsters, causing serious problems. Obviously the immediate concern that this issue brings up is child grooming. How many times in recent years have we seen news stories in which children have disappeared to meet strangers they have met online, interacting with them as if they know them? These people can turn out to be dangerous, manipulative and older people. Of course, many of us utilise our common sense when considering who we speak to and allow access to our profiles on the Internet, yet these stories are becoming more common. Children are not being educated in how to use the Internet safely and are allowed to wander naively into this dangerous world. By allowing social media to become part of a child’s life at an earlier stage than necessary, we are only adding fuel to the fire. There are other negatives. Social media allows us to present our lives to other people; yet when does this cross the boundary into obsession? Why are we so thrilled if lots of people ‘like’ one of our pictures, or one of our musings is ‘retweeted’ several times by our ‘followers’. Modern people love to use social media sites to present the most idealised form of themselves that they can to others. This is seen in the flattering pictures and the witty tweets and statuses they post. Yet why is this such a pressing concern? Many of us act very differently in the flesh than we do online. However, selfpresentation on social media sites ironically can have the opposite effect. They can also be unforgiving repositories of embarrassing or damaging material. Videos of inappropriate activities, embarrassing pictures, and controversial comments: these are available to future employers to trawl through during job applications, damaging potential careers. Even Facebook, disconcertingly, has considered itself entitled to start producing film montages of your pictures to describe your life stored on the site. Furthermore, there is the latest mutation of ‘cyber bullying’, in the
form of ‘Trolling’. Twitter in particular has been exposed for the shocking ease with which users can post sickening and abusive comments to other users, mainly celebrity figures, and escape sanction under the anonymity of a fake profile. Abuse ranges from being foul-mouthed to racist, homophobic, and sexist. Prominent feminist figures have been threatened with rape for airing their views provoking a ‘Twitter Silence’ campaign to stand up to these cowards that post vile abuse. Although celebrities make for easier
targets, ‘Trolling’ still affects many everyday users, from schoolchildren to working adults, savaged for their opinions or just another opportunity for bullying. James Blunt’s fightback is both hilarious and admirable, but makes light of a serious issue of social media sites. Social media sites are a relatively lawless Wild West, in which trolls can spout their bile without fear of prosecution. This sets an unhealthy attitude among users. Cyber bullying is now present in so many forms; it can only be detrimental to this next genera-
tion of children if they continue to be put in the situation where they are exposed to it at earlier ages. Despite the overwhelming pessimism of this article, I am not antisocial sites. I regularly use them and enjoy their benefits in my student life. However, they are allowing problems to gestate which are harmful to society, with little being done to eradicate them. Very soon, these positives will be surpassed by the negatives and we will suffer the consequences.
from your peers by your unique take on that goldmine of wit: drinking a quantity of alcohol. This is also the strength behind Movember. Movember has blown up over the last few years and the aim of starting conversations about men’s health has certainly been achieved. Discounting the overtly good intentions behind Movember for a second, the reason why that has done so well is because it has the inevitable ‘look at me’ factor. The act of deliberately foregoing image for the sake of a cause or for ‘awareness’ is a strong enough meme that the cause has become ubiquitous, especially among students. In universities, where there is enough image-concern and drinking culture to go around, something like Neknominate is inevitable. Hearteningly however, the trend has been transformed into a force for positive change. In Durham, where Neknominate has done the rounds, a student has reconfigured it into ‘Donate a n d Nom-
inate’. Charitable donations are made and others are nominated to do likewise. This development has within it an inherent criticism of Neknominate as a trend that serves no purpose or ‘greater good’ and we may agree or disagree with that at our leisure. The point remains that its success or failure will be decided on the basis of its satisfaction of social egos in a social media setting just like any other temporary trend and fleeting fad. This does not denigrate or lessen the charitable impulse involved at all, but it does acknowledge the competition that exists between causes célèbre and the rules of the social media game. Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr are powerful tools if used astutely. But now, in 2014, we should reserve our outrage for things truly deserving of it, not something so predictable and determinable as Neknominate.
Toby argues that Neknominate is just another way for us to massage our online ego Toby Hambly
Have you ever noticed that, often, someone’s Facebook profile will portray a ludicrously emphasised version of what their life actually is? If believed, people’s social media guises would give the impression that they were always partying, always with friends who are cooler than yours, always having a great time – a much better time than you. Of course no-one updates their facebook status with “just me, this lukewarm chicken tikka ready meal and my crushing loneliness” it seems a truism to say that social media are tools for the extension of the ego and are repositories of narcissism. This is why I do not understand the outrage over ‘Neknominate’ - a craze that involves two really unsurprising, predictably lame, facets of the culture of our generation. The first is the narcissistic culture of social media; the second is ‘lad’ culture. Both these things are quite odious in isolation but form a kind of ‘double-whammy’ of Internet predictability when combined. Its virility as a social media meme is based on it satisfying these two pillars. What better way to massage your online ego than prove you have friends enough to ‘nominate’ you, nominate others yourself, and to distinguish yourself
Illustration: Madeleine Brown
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Thursday 27th February 2014| PALATINATE
The public sector: what you pay is what you get Alex defends public sector wages in the face of recent criticism, arguing that the highest earners offer value for money
is 453,000. Clearly these people are at the absolute pinnacle of the civil service and are being paid what they are because that is what the market demands for good managers and executives. In reality if you want to cut money from the civil service, it will be necessary to cut some of the hundreds of thousands of jobs. The limited numbers and expertise of those earning six figures mean that they are crucial to the functioning of government and account for minimal expenditure.
Alex MacDonald
Headlines scornfully attacking the wages of those in the public sector, seem to be a regular occurrence in the world we are living in today. In particular, journalists often draw attention to public sector workers earning over £100,000, suggesting that this is unacceptable. But with a full day walkout planned by criminal lawyers for next month over Legal Aid cuts and growing pressure on many areas of the public sector, it is important to ask ourselves a direct question about this issue: how many in these professions actually earn this much, and are six figure public sector salaries value for money? There are three principle areas in which groups of individuals earning £100,000 or more seem to have galled the media and the wider public. These are namely: doctors in the NHS; the criminal bar; and the civil service. Individuals within all these groups have been criticised because they are “living it up” on six-figures a year. But should they be reprimanded for this?
The Criminal Bar
Annual income for a newly qualified criminal tenant can be as low as £10,000 25% of barristers earn £100,000 a year which is £50-60,000 after expenses from Legal Aid
Barristers on six figure salaries take 0.03% of our annual public spending budget
The Criminal (or publically funded) Bar has never been the most lucrative sector of the legal profession, and it never will (or should) be. However, state cuts in recent years have seen many top advocates shy
The NHS
away from doing Legal Aid work and attempt to focus on privately paid work. In addition, with annual income for a newly qualified criminal tenant as low at £10,000 in some places, there is growing concern about the quality of new entrants to the Criminal Bar. Good advocates are not going to work for pittance. This is why when the Criminal Bar Association staged a walkout last month, a lot more was at stake than barristers’ income – it was justice itself.
The Civil Service
819 of civil servants earn over £100,000 out of 453,000 civil servants The Ministry of Justice released figures around this time which showed that 1,276 barristers were earning over £100,000 from Legal Aid a year. In fact these 1,276 make up a mere 25% of those barristers earning from Legal Aid a year. Not only this, but large proportions of what barristers earn from Legal Aid has to be deducted for chambers fees, travel expenses, VAT and many other expenses. This means that takings of £100,000 are estimated by Bar insiders to translate roughly to a take home salary of £50-60,000. Additionally, the annual cost to the taxpayer of criminal barristers who earn six figures or more is a total of £207.5 million. This is measly when compared with annual public sector spend of £675.1 billion in the UK in
2013. Is 0.03% of our annual budget too much to ask for a fair and efficient criminal justice system? In a completely different scenario, the annual spend on the National Health Service (NHS) is an estimated 18% of our total budget. However, more than once over the Christmas break the media singled out GPs as costly to the taxpayer. It is estimated that around 16,000 out of 60,138 registered General Practitioners earn more than £100,000. But this is no salary, GP partners are self employed contractors and the way in which they earn their money is a based on the efficiency of their
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Photograph: 401 (K) estimated 90% of patient care in the NHS. This shows the crucial job they play in our health service, which many of us do appreciate. In addition, research taken from a report by Harvard Economist David Cutler shows that the average earning for doctors in the UK ($114,000) is half that of doctors in the USA ($240,000) and considerably less than other similar economies such as Australia, Canada and France. So the NHS is already getting us a cheap deal for our healthcare. Why then should we try to make doctors feel guilty? Highly qualified individ-
what this comes down to is a question of what we want our public services to provide: do we want them to be under funded and full of employees who don’t do a good job? Or do we want them to provide a high quality service?
practice and the various services they offer to their patients. Regardless of this, most (like some at the criminal bar) do earn good money – but not for no reason. Just like barristers they are highly intelligent individuals who have gone through up to 7 years of training and hard graft to get where they are. Furthermore, primary care, the majority of which is dealt with by GPs, accounts for an
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uals should earn a good living. The final area where there has been recent controversy over workers earning over £100,000 has been in the civil service. The print media told us the shocking news in January that 819 civil servants are on six figure salaries. Not so shocking when you consider that the number of civil servants currently employed by the UK government – at a post-war low –
Average earning for doctors in the UK is half of doctors’ average earnings in the USA 26.6% of GPs earn over £100,000 a year on self-employed contracts
Spending on the NHS takes up 18% of our public spending budget
Finally, it is important to consider why earning money in these sectors is considered, by some, distasteful. The basic answer is that these are jobs that many see as ‘good will’ professions whereby individuals sacrifice a degree of earning potential in order to do something a bit more worthwhile. But that does not automatically mean that they should not earn a good living. What this comes down to is a question of what we want our public services to provide: do we want them to be under funded and full of employees who don’t do a good job? Or do we want them to provide a high quality service? ‘Banker bashing’ is one thing, but let’s not go after those just about earning six figures from the public purse. The majority are honest, hardworking public servants who help make this country one that we should all be proud of.
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College sport
COLLEGE POINTS TABLE
by Lawrence Holmes follow us @palatiSPORT
Darts: fancy dress, rowdy fans and college rivalries The popularity of darts has exploded across Durham. An ever-growing sport, seven new teams entered the college league system at the start of this season, which now boasts thirty college teams playing in two divisions. Trevelyan’s A and B teams are two of those new entrants and darts has been a success story for the college this season. Their B team comfortably lead division 2 as the only undefeated team in either division. According to Trevelyan’s darts president, Ed Sara-Kennedy, the sport’s growing popularity in Durham is “mainly due to the ease in which anyone can play.” “All you need is a few darts and a
board, which are in every college bar and many of our houses.” Durham’s darts scene has also benefited from the sport’s success outside the city.
St Chad’s may be Durham’s smallest college, housing only approximately 470 students, but this has not prevented their women’s rugby team from achieving success. Described by the college’s sports representative, Nick Halliwell, as “definitely one of our sporting highlights”, they won Chad’s Team of the Year last year, after finishing second in the league to St Cuthbert’s Society. Alicia Hatvany, captain, admits that their success came initially as a “massive shock” having only won a couple of matches in the previous season. But the girls have continued their winning ways this year, and finished last term in second place once again, this time behind ‘Graidans’, a hybrid team formed between St Aidan’s and Grey. It is the existence of merged teams like Graidans that makes the success of Durham’s smallest college all the more remarkable. But, according to Alicia, who was keen to stress the popularity and reputation of women’s rugby in St Chad’s, being Durham’s smallest college is not necessarily a disadvantage. “Because of the small nature of the college we get to know one another very well. Therefore when we play as a team we are quite good at knowing
who is the best player in each situation and what our next move will be. “The rugby girls are a tight knit bunch and this appeals to the freshers who want to settle in quickly.
College darts on Twitter You won’t find them on www.teamdurham.com but it’s still easy to keep up-todate with darts: Trevelyan Cuth’s Chad’s C’wood Grey Jo Butler
@TrevsDarts @SCSDartsClub @StChadsDarts @CwoodDarts @GCDCOfficial @ButlerBDarts
“In terms of the professional game, TV coverage has increased so much over the last couple of years, meaning that more people are watching and are consequently wanting to get involved.” Ed feels that having two teams that embrace all year-groups is crucial to sustaining darts’ popularity in Trevelyan, conscious of the legacy left behind when the current crop of players leave. “It was important to have a freshers’ team as we didn’t want darts to die out next year.” “Having a good group of freshers and a few wiser third years around for the 2014/15 season will hopefully mean the sport can be sold to the incoming freshers and perhaps
even enable a C team to be created.” It is the sociability of the sport and the atmosphere surrounding it that has perhaps proved most beneficial to TCDC. Each week there is themed fancy dress for fans and players alike, as well as regular singing and chanting during matches to create constant noise. “The atmosphere has been great. I’m sure a big floodlit game in either football or rugby can occasionally entice the crowds, but Monday night darts for Trevs has been doing this weekly. “For imagination and noise, there are no sports that compete with darts.” Darts seems to strengthen the
of numbers suffered by other teams. “We are quite strict on training sessions and attendance in general. As a team we train twice a week, but, it is not as serious as it looks. First and foremost, we have a lot of fun.” The girls have accrued a strong sporting reputation in St Chad’s but they are equally renowned for their termly socials, known as ‘Slutters’, as they are for sporting excellence. A sense of humour is something prized highly by the group, crucial to developing a welcoming team environment. “The popularity of the sport is down to the way in which we present it to the girls in college. If a girl makes a silly mistake on the pitch we laugh about it, she will never feel bad for any error. “In such a small college as Chad’s playing rugby is a fantastic way to meet the older and younger girls. As captain I work extremely hard with my vice captain, coach and social secretary to keep it as fun and relaxed as possible.” The team have also benefited from Chad’s distorted gender ratio. “Chad’s is a college where girls heavily outnumber the boys. Therefore it is predictable that the girls have taken over the boys on the rugby front. The boys are great at com-
ing down to support us for some of our bigger games.” As far as Alicia is concerned, the male support is to be expected. “Where else can you acceptably watch girls tackle one another in mud?” she asks jokingly. Alicia concedes that women’s rugby on the whole struggles for numbers and thinks St Chad’s “are lucky to be the exception. “A girl will come to university and unless there is some serious appeal to joining a rugby team, she will more likely than not carry on with what she knows and avoid all those bruises and early mornings.” Other colleges, where women’s rugby possesses a different reputation and perhaps is enshrouded in a
1. Collingwood 2. Hatfield 3. Hild Bede 4. Van Mildert 5. St Cuthbert’s 6. Castle 7. Josephine Butler 8. Trevelyan 9. St Aidan’s 10. Grey 11. St Mary’s 12. Ustinov 13. Stephenson 14. St John’s 15. John Snow 16. St Chad’s 17. Staff
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college community feel and also encourages rivalry and banter between different colleges - something which surely epitomises the essence of college sport. “The best games have been when the opposition has been just as up for it, with Cuth’s B and Butler B being the pick of the bunch. “While in contrast, Hatfield B were just a bunch of ‘wetters’ and Mary’s B couldn’t handle a little bit of chat.”
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Chad’s lead the way in women’s rugby “the only way to get more girls involved is to change the identity of rugby within a college” Alicia Hatvany, St Chad’s women’s rugby captain “There was arguably more pressure on us as a team coming into this season nonetheless we were fortunate enough to have retained almost our whole team from the previous season and so had a strong and sturdy team who knew how to play together.” This strong team spirit has been cultivated through a winning formula of balancing tough training with a fun social side, and has helped attract new players, solving the issue of lack
St. Chad’s women’s rugby team in action
certain stigma, would surely benefit from following St Chad’s approach. “The only way to get more girls involved is to change the identity of rugby within a college. “When people think of women’s rugby in our college they think of fun, they won’t necessarily always think about the exercise or the sport itself.” She admits that playing down the sporting aspect in trying to attract new players is “a shame in some ways” but St Chad’s approach captures the appeal of college sport in general. Competing for one’s college is not all about sporting excellence - that can be found at university level - but instead college sport is anchored in wide-participation and enjoyment.
Photograph: Alicia Hatvany
Werner
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Thursday 27th February 2014 | PALATINATE
DUGC secure multiple titles Dominic Thurlow-Wood Richard Morgan Durham University Golf Club has achieved a historic double with both the 1st and 2nd teams winning their respective BUCS divisions, and putting them in prime position for promotion next season. The club has been blazing a trail this year with weekly strength and conditioning and range sessions having a positive effect. The past month has been extremely successful for the 1st team, beginning with a convincing 5-1 home victory over Leeds Metropolitan Carnegie, followed up by a routine dismantling of Liverpool at Royal Liverpool, this year’s Open Championship venue. The team’s next fixture was a tough trip to face a star-studded Sheffield team who were keen to underline their quality. At the turn this must-win game looked like it could go either way, but as the wind picked up, so did the shot-making of the Durham golfers. American import, Alex Williams, put on a demonstration in ball striking and dispatched his opponent 6&5. The next three games followed suit and the points were secured; this left the Palatinates with a final win or
bust game with golfing powerhouse the University of Central Lancashire. Disappointingly, the weather made it impossible for the match to go ahead on the final day of the BUCS calendar. As a result, this ensured that Dur-
their current form. Williams and Nichols continue to go about their business professionally with Bloxsome continuing his early season success. Captain and talisman Lewis Kuhler still has the best record in the
Photograph: Dominic Thurlow-Wood
ham won the league and the side now await one further tie, with a win ensuring a promotion into the Northern Premier. As the first team starts its assault on the double and trophy glory, the sides up against them will be wary of
league and commented that it was a good omen that “with the improving weather Morgan and Appleby are beginning to walk in the putts.” Not to be outdone, the 2nd team recently won their league and gained promotion at a canter.
salvage a result and they started the second half well with a try from Henry Madell who outpaced the defense after a flowing move straight from the scrum. However, this success was shortlived as Durham spilled the ball from the kick off and Trinity’s full back scored another easy try. The Palatinates responded well by upping the tempo which allowed Toby Hall to make a good break to set up fellow team mate Daniel Leach to score a try from a yard out. Durham began to build upon this momentum as captain Josh Bywater’s surging run on the halfway line set up another great attacking move to give Durham their third try scored by the impressive Harrison Hancock in the corner. However, this pressure was soon nipped in the bud as Durham failed to deal with another kick to grant
Trinity another try. Durham battled on and managed, through a good break by Durham prop James Kent, to score once more by Bywater. The game was beginning to swing once more in Durham’s favour as Bywater scored yet another try after skillfully rounding Trinity’s fullback. However, all hopes of a miracle comeback were dashed after a weak piece of defending on the right for Durham lead to a fifth try for Trinity’s England star. With Durham having scored five tries to Trinity’s seven, the 38-24 score line perhaps flattered the opposition after Durham missed three conversions. With a win percentage of 60 per cent DURLC are certainly looking to finish in the top three of the league this season. The club is always looking to recruit new players and welcome players of all standards.
Entering the last two games of the BUCS campaign, the team required two wins to finish as champions. In the penultimate game against Northumbria, Dan Gordon got the Palatinates off to a strong start with a win; however after the first 12 holes the score-line remained firmly in Northumbria’s favour. With time running out, Captain Dominic Thurlow-Wood and Pete Legget stepped up with two crucial victories. Fraser Christie completed the win with a half on the 18th hole. In the final fixture of the league season, the Palatinates headed to Sunderland to play a team who were responsible for Durham’s only defeat of the campaign to that point. In awful conditions, with driving hail and 50 mph winds, the 2nd team sealed a 5-1 win to create history with their first promotion in a number of seasons. The points were provided by Gordon, Meyrick, Taylor, Thurlow-Wood and Legget with the latter commenting that “it was a fantastic way to end my final league match with DUGC.” This is an exciting time in the history of the golf club and the next two months will determine whether or not this season will go down as the most successful in their history.
Cup heartbreak for rugby league Josh Bywater Coming off the back of three straight wins, Durham’s Rugby League 1st team turned up to their cup fixture against Leeds Trinity 1sts confident of getting another. However, they met a big and strong physical Leeds Trinity team who managed to sever the Palatinate’s unbeaten run by winning the fixture 38-24. Durham failed to start with any sort of impetus as the Trinity full back and England Students representative ran a try in from half way after Durham’s first attacking kick. Another two spilled balls close to Durham’s line and poor discipline led to two easy tries for Trinity and an 18-0 first half scoreline. Durham really had to dig deep to
Being thirteen aside due to the absence of flankers, rugby league is generally a faster and more physical game than union. The differences between the two are only subtle meaning switching from rugby union to rugby league is very easy. This is shown by the fact that three quarters of the club’s members had never played league before coming to university. What’s more, the coaches are experts in offering support for converts. Professionally, many players make the switch with top stars such as Sonny Bill Williams, Jason Robinson and Isreal Falou all having played both codes. Training is every Tuesday at 7-8pm on the rubber crumb with an additional session on a weekend so if rugby league is for you, head down for some good fun and plenty of banter.
Last weekend, the Palatinates descended on Sheffield for the BUCS Gatorade Nationals Read about their medal winning performances now at www.palatinate.org.uk
Durham advance to FA Cup 4th round Tom DiMaio After an impressive performance against a strong Chichester side, Durham Women’s Football Club, part of the Durham Wildcats franchise, secured their place in the fourth round of the women’s FA cup. It was the first competitive fixture of the season for Durham who will be playing in the women’s Super League 2 this summer- the second tier of women’s football in England. Durham’s prize for beating the south-coast side is a 4th round tie against Sheffield Ladies. Chichester City LFC were unbeaten in eleven months and six days before the tie with Durham. However, Durham dominated the match, keeping Chichester confined to their own half for much of the game. The hosts eventually ran out 4-0 winners thanks to two own goals and strikes from Zoe Ness and Beth Hepple. It could have been many more, though, as Durham peppered the Chichester box with a number of chances. The reward for the victory is a home tie against Sheffield Ladies, formed in 2003, but part of what is the oldest football club in the country. Sheffield currently sit in the women’s Premier League Northern Division, below Durham in the national pyramid. However, they have netted 16 goals in their last two FA Cup games, including a 6-0 win in the last round against former holders Charlton Athletic. Defender and Durham University masters student, Jen King, said “It was a great performance considering it was our first game as a WSL 2 side. “There were lots of positives to take from the game. It was pleasing to keep a clean sheet and to score four goals. “Similarly there are loads of areas where we can improve and with more training and games we will sharpen up in no time.” Although the fourth round is a superb achievement for Durham in their inaugural season, the real glamour lies another victory away as the fifth round, the last 16 of the tournament, could involve a tie against one of the big guns of women’s football. The most notable among these are Arsenal Ladies who are widely regarded as the most successful English women’s team of all time. Durham’s fourth round tie is scheduled to take place on Sunday 16th March at 14:00.
PALATINATE | Thursday 27th February 2014
PRESIDENT’S COLUMN
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the Sports Charter The signing of the government’s Sports Charter by Durham Students’ Union (DSU) and Team Durham on 20th February not only represented a new partnership between our two parties, but also a step in the right direction towards kicking ‘lad culture’, homophobia and transphobia out of sport. Through signing this document, we hope to raise awareness of such issues in our university community and promote equality in sport. As part of the DSU’s ‘Respective Irrespective’ campaign week, Team Durham’s Quentin Sloper, College Sport Officer Tom Newman and I were invited onto the panel at the debate held between the Feminism Society and St Cuthbert’s Rugby Club entitled: ‘Is there a relationship between ‘lad culture’ and sexual violence?’ The discussion highlighted language as one of the most intimidating forms of violence. We hope that students and staff will work with us to remove degrading language often mistaken as ‘banter’ from our sporting environments whether during training, matches or social occasions. Following on from this, club captains and college sports officers attended equality and diversity training, along with coaches and facility staff being made aware of the Charter. In other news, Wednesday 26th February saw 44 teams compete in the BUCS quarter finals, a record for Durham and for any British University! The semi finals follow on 12th March so I hope you can support your university in our attempts to get to the BUCS finals! Meanwhile, applications for next year’s Team Durham President close tomorrow. Hannah Lowther
The men’s team dashing forwards at the beginning of their race
Find your calling with orienteering Matthew Lavender Erroneous preconceptions and unfounded stereotypes can be frustratingly stubborn obstacles to overcome, as members of Durham University’s Orienteering Club know only too well. “The biggest thing we have a problem with is getting rid of the perceptions of what orienteering is,” explains Aine McCann, an experienced member of the club that is the subject of the second article in Palatinate’s series about some of the university’s more ‘unusual’ sports clubs. Despite being a sport played in various forms and variations by many people from an early age, few know what the sport really consists of and, more importantly, what it demands of its participants. Originating in the nineteenth century in Sweden, where it remains an incredibly popular summer pursuit, orienteering requires competitors to navigate an expansive outdoor course in the quickest possible time, with the aid of a compass and a map. This apparent simplicity has a ten-
dency to provide the basis for misconceptions about the sport, with the multifaceted challenges of the exercise underestimated by those with insufficient exposure to it. “It’s tough; a lot tougher than people expect,” claims Lucy Butt, the club’s co-vice captain who took up the sport at a very young age and joined the club in freshers’ week. “People don’t realise quite how tough it is to actually run, in horrible weather, through bracken, over hills and big boulders and through marshlands and every other terrain you can think of. I don’t think many other sports are quite as tough.” The challenge of orienteering does not stop there, either, as club captain Peter Bray explains. “Orienteering is a real trade-off between the mental side and the physical side. You might not be the fittest person, or the best runner, but you can still win because, once you’re given the map, the playing field is really levelled.” In addition to this orienteering also possesses the enviable attribute of offering its participants the chance to visit and compete in a myriad of exigent locations with all sorts of
bizarre obstacles to conquer; from precipitous hills and isolated woodlands, to expansive marshlands and remote valleys. The variety of the locations and the unpredictable and uniqueness of each different course is what makes the sport so exciting, according to Peter, a third year student from Van Mildert who is a former Junior British Champion. “You get to go to some really cool places; not just around the leisure centre field,” he explains. “You get to go all round Europe, and beyond, to places like, say, the depths of Norway, for example. I’ve actually had to run past bears and boars before on a course; you can get put into some really bizarre places.” The potential to travel around the world and run in distant but breathtaking locations certainly serves to make the sport exciting and unforeseeable, and it gives it a real edge over its more conventional rivals. With this in mind, the club at Durham is hoping to provide its more inexperienced members with this opportunity with a trip to Sweden, which they hope to organise in the next year or so.
paint applied and dressed in new team kit DUAXC was set for what would be some great racing. First to race the challenging course were DUAXC’s best male athletes, selected to race in the Men’s A race (11.1km). Ben Douglas was the first Durham runner home, in 33rd position followed by a strong run from Pat Vis. The club’s team result was an solid 17th, consisting of good runs from Ben Douglas, Pat Vis, Max Kaye and Michael Cameron. Next up was the women’s race (6.4km). Rachael Dunn must be congratulated for a superb run which resulted in her achieving the highest placement of any Durham athlete in
28th, whilst Lucy Reid gave a seasons best performance in 55th position. These two superb runs, combined with a good time from fresher Lauren Munro-Bennett enabled the DUAXC women’s team to rank 11th overall, one of the best results the club has ever seen. Finally the gun went for the rest of our male athletes, who were all entered into the Men’s B race (7.9km). Athletes ran well, in what were now very demanding conditions and the accumulated times achieved by Joe Carton, James Isaac, Chris Perrett and James Kessell placed our team in 26th position overall. Once racing was done DUAXC headed over to the hotel to begin cel-
Personal bests for DUAXC at BUCS race Freya Semken
For more information concerning the Sports Charter and the Union’s ‘Respective Irrespective’ campaign week, see p. 7
Photograph: Peter Bray
While this may sound wonderfully thrilling and glamorous for present members of the club – of which there are about forty – and those with prior experience of the sport, Durham students observing from the peripheries may feel excluded by their inexperience. However, the club is incredibly eager to recruit new members, and provides them with all the guidance, support and training required to become a fully-fledged and active member. “Anyone can do it, and those of us who have been doing it for years are always happy to just help out and show you how to do it. You get to learn at your own pace, from the very beginning, so it’s really good fun” explains Aine. Aside from the orienteering itself, the club also offers a very friendly social environment for its members to become a part of. “It’s a really good mix of people from all the year groups. There’s no pressure to be really good or to attend socials or anything. It’s very laidback and chilled out.” Indeed, as an outsider to the club, I was profoundly struck, on a visit to an indoor ‘tactics’ session held at Collingwood College, by the incredibly warm and friendly atmosphere of the club. Unlike many sports clubs, both in Durham and elsewhere, there was no sense of pressure, no expectation, or hierarchy or discomfort, but simply a small collection of people, of different ages and certainly of differing experiences, united by a common interest. But the benefits of orienteering are far from limited to just this. The wonderful venues, the sense of genuine accomplishment and the unpredictability of the sport are some of the numerous gains that can be enjoyed by those who take it up and commit to it fully. Any Durham student with a passion for sport that challenges both the mental and the physical would, I am certain, be wholeheartedly welcomed into this community, and would soon discover firsthand the variety of benefits that orienteering has to offer.
On the first weekend in February, DUAXC headed to Stirling University, Scotland for the annual BUCS Cross Country Race. This year the club took more runners than ever, with 53 competing, marking how the club is going from strength to strength. The conditions of the course were a slight improvement on last year, although all were aware it would not be long before the route turned into a quagmire. With racing spikes on, purple war
ebrating these great results and all the hard work put in over the winter months. After finally removing all the mud, the club enjoyed a carb-fuelled meal in the centre of Stirling followed by a BUCS night out at Stirling’s student union. All members of the club had a fantastic weekend, and special mention must go to coach Peter Hemmingway, who camped out in the middle of the course to support all competitors. If you are interested in joining the mighty DUAXC please contact Cross Country club captains Ben Douglas or Freya Semken.
Sport
Thursday 27th February 2014 | PALATINATE
Unusual Sports
Matthew Lavender discusses Orienteering p. 19
College Sport
A look into the world of College Darts p. 17
Women’s FA Cup
Durham progress to fourth round p. 18
Lacrosse lose out to England Caspian James
NUMBER ONE: the women’s volleyball team celebrate after winning the Student Cup
Photograph: Courtesy of DUVC
National title for volleyball Whitney Granado Emily Beech Durham University’s Women’s Volleyball team have been crowned champions of the annual Student Cup Tournament. Run by Volleyball England, the Student Cup is the biggest indoor student volleyball competition in the UK. To reach the finals, the Palatinates had to see off competition in the early Northern qualifying rounds back in Michealmas Term. The weekend, therefore, was expected to present some tough opposition for the Palatinates. However, this certainly was not the case, as Durham did not lose a single set all tournament and became champions of this prestigious tournament. Saturday the 8th consisted of pool play, where the women quickly blew away their three opponents to secure a good start to the tournament. Sunday held three more matches, including the women’s final. The
girls continued the previous day’s form as they completely dominated against Sussex University in the quarterfinals and University of East London in the semi-finals, earning them a berth into the championship match.
“we entered every game confident and ambitious, regardless of who the opposition was” Whitney Granado, women’s volleyball captain
The final saw Team Durham face University of London Union. The combination of crisp passing and a powerful offense allowed for the Durham ladies to sweep their way to victory and become the Student Cup
National Champions. Additionally, Team Durham’s own Chelsea Overholt was named the Most Valuable Player for her tenacious defense and dominant outside play. After the tournament, captain and coach Whitney Granado told Palatinate: “Kami [Nethersole, coach and outside hitter] and I are really proud of how our team played. “We were really consistent the whole weekend and stepped up in the matches we needed to. “Our team had great ball control and I think Megan did a fantastic job of running the defense and serve receive. We are very fortunate that anyone can score at anytime. “We have some really heavy armswings in Chelsea Overholt and Addie Kramer, which helps to generate a lot of power for our offense. “And as usual our middles, Courtney Donald and Ana Hernandez, did a great job blocking and generating offense. “Again, we are just very happy with the outcome and the ability to
represent Team Durham at the Student Cup.” Elsewhere for the women’s 1st team, after finishing their BUCS league campain in a comfortable 2nd position behind Northumbria University 1sts; the girls faced St Andrews University in the last sixteen of the BUCS championships on Wednesday. The team prior to the fixture were looking to maintain their consistency off the back of their tournament victory. The women’s 2nd team meanwhile finished their BUCS Northern 3B League in 4th position. The men’s 2nds did one better by taking the third spot in their division, finishing as the highest ranked 2nd team. Similarly, the men’s 1st team placed a respectable 3rd behind Sheffield Hallam and Northumbria respectively.
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Playing England in the run up to the World Championships this summer was always going to be a tough job for the University 1st team, even with a team packed with American all-stars. This didn’t dampen spirits, though, as the men’s lacrosse team made the long drive down to Manchester to take on a squad nearly three times their size. The game started very well, with two quick goals from Keegan Bal in the first five minutes; England, however, responded strongly and the first quarter ended with two goals apiece. The national side looked as though they might run away with it during the second quarter, but Durham showed they weren’t going down without a fight with some fast attacking moves. This set the pace for the rest of the game; Durham often looking just one step behind, but with a dangerous streak. England’s strengths lay both in their goal keepers, who both racked up an impressive tally of saves, stifling much of Durham’s aggressive attack, and also in their transition play. They were much faster in converting defensive moves in to counter attacks, and Durham’s lack of numbers began to show as players tired. As nerves strained, mistakes were made, and as the game progressed Durham found themselves on the end of a barrage of penalties. The defence played well, shutting off a lot of England’s goal-scoring opportunities, but playing with a man down inevitably gave England the upper hand and Durham conceded several goals in the second half with the final score 12-6 to England. If they can limit the penalties going in to the next game then Durham stand a very strong chance of beating England in the return fixture at Maiden Castle, but this loss has shown that the game will be one to watch closely. “It was disappointing not to come away with the win,” said Captain Sam Hewitt, “but we’ve got a few things to work on and hopefully it’ll be a different story next time.” Durham will play England at Maiden Castle on Sunday 16th March.