LSE Students' Union Guide 08/09 by Dan Sheldon

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Welcome to LSE

from Aled Dilwyn Fisher, LSE Students’ Union General Secretary

Welcome to LSE and the LSE Students’ Union (SU) – the organisation that represents LSE students, and campaigns and wins on your issues. In the past, fresh-faced LSE students have arrived in London with no idea about what they’re in for, before being thrown into halls, Freshers’ Week, Inductions and study – an overload of information that overwhelms as much as it bores. Soon, LSE students are reduced to the over-worked wraiths that haunt the Library – and the cycle begins again the next year. That is, until now. Welcome to the LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008/9 – probably the most comprehensive document ever produced about LSE. Everything LSE is here in a one-stop shop empowering you to know your rights and know your university – everything about your Students’ Union, the campus, study, London, halls, and such diverse topics as the Library, toilets, safety and, yes, safe sex. But first, let’s get some clichés out of the way. Tick them off: • University is what you make of it. • You’ll remember it for the rest of your life. • You’ll meet new best friends – maybe even life partners, wives or husbands! All of these are true – but they are true of every other university. One thing I can assure you is that LSE is not like every other university! For starters, it’s the most international university in the world, with more countries represented than the UN. You’ll meet people from every culture, nationality and background. Your Union will provide the space

for you to meet people from all over the world, but it’s an opportunity you only have once – grab it with both hands. Our community is also uniquely split 50:50 between undergraduates and postgraduates. While undergrads and postgrads are different, we are all members of one academic community and one Union. Postgrads are actively involved in campaigns, societies, clubs, the UGM and more – whether you’re here for one year or more, you have the opportunity to make a lasting difference. You’ll also be living in one of the world’s greatest cities. But London is more than the London Eye – it’s a living city, with a wide variety of communities and a wide gap between the mega-rich and the very poor. As students, we will never get an opportunity to live so cheaply in such an expensive city, and we are uniquely placed to benefit the wider community. And you’re arriving at LSE at an exciting time. The School and the Students’ Union are changing. The Students’ Union’s completely new Freshers’ Festival will showcase what is best about the LSE – its students. You’ll have to chance to mix and try out new things through daytime and evening events that cater to the diversity of the LSE community. Also this year, after lobbying from the Students’ Union, LSE has invested £2,000,000 to improve teaching – you’ll see the benefits, and we’ll be monitoring the situation to make sure you’re getting the quality you deserve. And we’ll move into 2009 – the year of the review on the cap on top-up fees for domestic students, which could see fees rise astronomically – unless we win the argument

that education is a right, not a privilege. Worryingly, if domestic fees rise, imagine what will happen to international and postgraduate fees. Your Union will fight to get the best for students. Finally, the Students’ Union will have a new building in around 4 years time. We want to know what our students want from a better equipped building, so look out for the consultations we will run. But, really, nothing ever changes here – it will always be an inspiring place. So try everything at least once. Join societies, play sports, make your voice heard and enjoy the show at the UGM every Thursday at 1pm in the Old Theatre, be active in the wider London community, and, above all, learn both inside and outside of the classroom. Pompous introductions aside – on with the show. I have a feeling you’re going to love it here...

Aled Dilwyn Fisher LSE Students’ Union GenSec 2008/9

THANKS

EDITOR Dan Sheldon CONTRIBUTORS Lizzie Fison Louise Robinson Aled Dilwyn Fisher Ayushman Sen Zoe Cooke Wil Barber James Bacon Ruby Buckley Daisy Mitchell-Forster Jessica Brayne Sophie De La Hunt Tom Jackson Emmanuel Akpan-Inwang Joseph Brown Lizzie Merrow Justus Rollin Luke Spyropoulos Gethin Roberts Ossie Fikret & countless others PHOTOGRAPHY Nigel Stead Liam Chambers Alex Teytelboym CARTOGRAPHY Mina Moshkeri SPECIAL THANKS LSE Communications & Admissions George Wetz Harry Robinson

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008 All you ever need to know about student life at LSE.

5 STUDENT LIFE Sports, societies, charity, journalism, music, volunteering...

34 GET INVOLVED The Students’ Union, campaigning, politics, elections...

52 THE SCHOOL Campus, administration, the Library, IT facilities, history...

70 STUDYING Your degree, reading lists, classes, lectures, exams...

80 ONE LSE International students, women, students with disabilities, LGBT...

96 DON’T PANIC Your rights, money, safety, sex, drugs & alcohol...

114 LONDON Living, eating, drinking, transport, shopping, outer London...

PRINT MWL Print Group, Pontypool This guide is printed on FSC approved paper from sustainable forests. ECF, EMAS, ISO14001 Approved PUBLISHER LSE Students’ Union East Building, Houghton Street London WC2A 2AE

136 THE USEFUL BIT Maps, contacts, jargon, index...

This guide was produced by the LSE Students’ Union, an organisation independent of the LSE. The views expressed within do not necessarily reflect those of the School. The LSE Students’ Union is not responsible for any harm or loss that may result from the information within this guide, or websites referred to.

STUDENT LIFE Sports, societies, charity, journalism, music, film making, volunteering...

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Student Life

Societies

The most fun you can have in an LSE classroom.

Societies are a big deal at LSE. For many students, societies form a major part of their university experience (in between flirting in the library and applying for internships). Societies are groups of students with a common interest. Simple as that. They are organised through Students’ Union, which has over 150 societies on its books - an extraordinary number considering our size - covering everything from Salsa to Spanish Diversity and Politics to Poker. Past society events have included brewery tours with Lager and Real Ale Society to Drama Society’s frequent performances. In the unlikely event that there isn’t a society for you, then it is incredibly easy to set one up. Societies help provide the cultural, political and social side of LSE. They put on events, host parties and hold workshops. There are roles within societies to suit everyone, whether your skills lie with organising parties, squeezing money out of investment banks or putting posters up on Houghton Street at 7AM, societies need you! Societies are useful

to meet people with similar interests to you, or just to scam free stuff at Freshers’ Fayre: hair products, vodka and USB sticks to name a few. If you miss out joining a particular society at Freshers’ Fayre, don’t despair, you can go to Students’ Union Reception and sign up throughout the year. The Students’ Union foots the bill for societies so the majority of society events are a lot cheaper than similar ones in London. Plus, you’re guaranteed that there will be people there who share your Econ B woes or to whom you can moan about your roommates’ naughty night time adventures. Not only are societies a lot of fun, but for the more careerist amongst you, getting involved can give your C.V. that extra oomph to make you stand out from other job applicants. You never know, maybe whoever interviews you at Citigroup used to be on the committee of the Hummous society at their University. Leadership, interpersonal and team working skills are just some of the things you can cut and paste on to your job appli-

cations after sitting on a society committee. Surprisingly, it is actually true: societies will teach you far more about time management, organisation and communication than a lifetime of economics lectures ever could. There are three main positions on society committees: President (Chair), Treasurer and Secretary. However societies also have countless other positions that are specific to their society: fancy being the Sheep Officer for Knitting Society? Societies are a great way to get involved with the Students’ Union and it is advisable for at least one member from each society attend the UGM, as there often issues discussed which directly effect societies. In short, societies are one of the best things about LSE and the more you get involved, the better societies are. Sign up to as many as you can at Freshers’ Fayre - you might as well give it a go!

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Student Life

Societies

Actuarial to Austrian

Actuarial su.soc.actuarial@lse.ac.uk

AIESEC Aiesec@lse.ac.uk

Albanian su.soc.albanian@lse.ac.uk

The Actuarial Society provides a firsthand insight into a highly-respectable yet highly unheard-of profession. We organise visits to Actuarial fairs and actuarial firms, prospective employment talks, business games, skills sessions and workshops with PriceWaterhouseCoopers, WatsonWyatt. Social events such as society dinners are also not to be missed!

AIESEC is a global organisation that develops students into leaders by running and participating in an international exchange programme. We give members opportunities to run exchange and leadership conferences, make new friends from across the UK in national conferences and reach their own potential for personal development.

Awarded “Best Overall Society” in 2007-8, LSE Students’ Union Albanian Society aims to promote a better understanding of Albanian culture, tradition, history and current affairs. Through public lectures with invited VIPs, book launches, cocktail and dinner parties, we also aim to encourage intercultural understanding here at LSE and beyond.

Amnesty International su.soc.amnesty-international@ lse.ac.uk

Anime and Manga Su.Soc.Anime-Manga@lse.ac.uk

Arabic su.soc.arabic@lse.ac.uk

The LSE Students’ Union Amnesty International Society is one of the largest human rights societies at LSE. We hold weekly stalls raising awareness of Amnesty’s great work and taking action on human rights abuses. We also attend demonstrations and have hosted many interesting speakers, from AIUK’s director to an official delegation from Beijing.

Our society will introduce you to the Anime and Manga scene of London, including conventions, shops, websites and so much more. We hold weekly screenings of classic shows and the hot new ones straight from Japan that will take you away from the stresses of your studies. All welcome!

The LSESU Arabic Society is an apolitical, non-partisan, non-religious society aiming to promote Arabic culture and language and foster connections among and between Arabs and those with an interest in Arabic culture. Membership includes information about and subsidised access to the various events, including dinners, lectures and parties that the Society holds.

Australia and New Zealand su.soc.Australianewzealand@ lse.ac.uk

Austrian su.soc.austrian@lse.ac.uk

G’DAY! ANZS is a very active society that welcomes Australians, New Zealanders and anyone who is interested in our culture (or who knows how to have a good time!). We organise many social events, speakers, a newsletter and much more! We guarantee that you will have an awesome time at our events!

The Austrian Society is aimed at uniting Austrians at LSE as well as celebrating the rich Austrian culture with enthusiasts. Our very successful events include, among many other things: the Austrian Ball, the Glühwein and Punsch stall, trips to Red Bull Racing, Goldman Sachs and Skiing trips! In addition, we offer free German lessons and pub nights (Stammtisch!).

Activities ARTS

Careers CHARITY & CAMPAIGNS

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PROTEST OVER GUANTANAMO BAY

ACADEMIC NATIONAL & CULTURAL

POLITICAL RELIGIOUS

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Student Life

Societies

Baltic to Chile

Baltic su.soc.baltic@lse.ac.uk

Bangladesh su.soc.bangladesh@lse.ac.uk

Bridge

The newly born Baltic Society unites students from the Baltic States as well as those simply interested in the region or in the upcoming Baltic Trip. Together we have loads of fun and contribute to the busy LSE life by organising enjoyable events.

We aim to bring the best to our members – from boat parties and social dinners, to cultural events and live music nights, as well as hosting numerous high profile speakers’ events – from Dr Muhammad Yunus to ex-PM Sheikh Hasina. We are looking forward to a bigger and better 08/09!

Bridge Society will teach you the art of concentrating, analysing opponent play, and taking calculated risks in the dynamic and highly intelligent game of Bridge. That said it’s not all Hearts and Spades. Besides professionally taught classes and competitions, the social side of BridgeSoc has brought many their best LSE memories.

Bulgarian su.soc.bulgarian@lse.ac.uk

Catalan su.soc.catalan@lse.ac.uk

The Bulgarian Society seeks to promote awareness of the Bulgarian culture and identity among all members of the LSE community. Our members are particularly fond of events such as meetings with the Bulgarian City Club, attending events at the Bulgarian Embassy, as well as the occasions to celebrate our traditions and indulge in the tastes of Bulgaria.

The Catalan Society aims at promoting the Catalan culture among LSE students. Re-launched in 2007, this society has organised several activities together with LSE professors who have strong links with Catalonia. It has also collaborated with other LSESU societies such as the European and the Spanish Diversity to enhance its voice among the LSE community.

THE BANGLA RUN

CATHOLIC su.soc.catholic@lse.ac.uk

Chess su.soc.chess@lse.ac.uk

Chile Su.Soc.Chile@lse.ac.uk

The CATHOLIC SOCIETY offers all students and staff opportunities for Catholic-Christian fellowship, spiritual development and discernment. Weekly holy mass (Wed) and meetings (Thurs) aside, we organise regular pilgrimages, retreats, outreaches, socials and talks.

The Chess Society aims to improve our members’ chess playing abilities in a relaxed and friendly environment. We have tournaments throughout the year, and run coaching sessions every week for players of all levels. Advanced players may wish to try out for the team, which competes in the ULU League.

The Chile Society was created to group not only Chilean students at the LSE, but also as a place for all those who have an interest in Chile. For this year we want to have a conference, and of course repeat the successful Chilean wine tasting we had this last year.

Activities ARTS

Careers CHARITY & CAMPAIGNS

ACADEMIC NATIONAL & CULTURAL

POLITICAL RELIGIOUS

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Student Life

Societies

China Development to Cypriot

CHINA DEVELOPMENT su.soc.chinadevelopment@lse. ac.uk

Chinese Student and Scholar Association su.soc.cssa@lse.ac.uk

Christian Union Su.Soc.Christian-Union@lse. ac.uk

China Development Society aims to promote an understanding about China’s economic and social development by organising lectures for which we invite a wide range of speakers. CDS was awarded LSESU Highly Commended Best Overall Society, Best Society Event, Best Society Website 2006/2007 and had Best Series of Events 2007/2008.

The Chinese Student and Scholar Association (CSSA) is one of the most prominent actors in bringing closer the 2 great nations of China and the UK. We organise social events for Chinese students and scholars studying in the UK, and also host hosts lectures that enhance your knowledge of China and Chinese culture.

The aim of the Christian Union is to know Jesus Christ and make him known. We achieve this through weekly gatherings, small groups and various evangelism activities. Highlights include a weekend away, Jesus Awareness Week and carol service! Anyone interested in Christianity is welcome! We look forward to meeting you!

Citizens for Social Justice

Conservative su.soc.Conservative@lse.ac.uk

Consultancy info@consultancysociety.co.uk

In the last two years we’ve been the force behind the successful LSE Living Wage Campaign. Through the London Citizens community alliance we’ve been involved in campaigns in Canary Wharf, in luxury hotels and at the Tate. We won Mayor Boris’ support for the regularisation of undocumented migrants. Citizens for Social Justice, for Power, Action & Change.

The LSE Conservative Society hosts events with Conservative MPs and leading commentators to enable our society’s members to interact with influential figures and to facilitate the meeting of likeminded students. Past speakers include Rt. Hon Michael Howard MP, Rt. Hon Oliver Letwin MP, Dominic Grieve MP, Iain Dale.

Want to work in an industry where you earn good money, enjoy work, get paid whilst travelling, work with fun and clever people, learn new skills and knowledge everyday, become a business expert, and provide business solutions for billionaires? Join the Consultancy Society to take your first step.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Cypriot su.soc.cypriot@lse.ac.uk

We aim to bring together opposing views, and to demonstrate the impact and importance of Corporate Social Responsibility in all facets of life through events, forums, and panel discussions, bringing students and professionals together; educate students such that they make informed and cogent decisions regarding their careers and the impact of CSR upon them.

The LSESU Cypriot Society has been active for several years and consists of approximately 60 members. Our aim is to promote the Cypriot culture and unite our members by organising events for educational as well as entertaining purposes.

Su.Soc.Citizensforsocialjustice@lse.ac.uk

su.soc.corporate-responsibility@lse.ac.uk

Activities ARTS

Careers CHARITY & CAMPAIGNS

CITIZENS FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE ASK THE SCHOOL FOR A LIVING WAGE ACADEMIC NATIONAL & CULTURAL

POLITICAL RELIGIOUS

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Student Life

Societies

Czech & Slovak to Finnish

Czech & Slovak Su.Soc.Czech-Slovak@lse.ac.uk

Debate su.soc.debate@lse.ac.uk

Economics su.soc.economics@lse.ac.uk

Our society aims to unite all LSE students interested in the geographic/historic region of Czechia and Slovakia irrespective of their nationality. Join us and find out more about the “Czech” and “Slovak” label through our speaker lectures, embassy events, film nights, food-tasting and the other events we organise for you.

The LSESU Debate Society is the largest student debate society in London, boasting a membership of almost 400 registered debaters. We hold practice debates twice weekly, along with more formal public debates. Last year, our society performed strongly at competitions; we were ranked 9th on the British circuit.

In the past year the Economics Society has managed to: start its own magazine: ‘Rationale’; launch its own debate shield in conjunction with the Debate Society; begin the compilation of the LSE’s own CPI (…it’s a measure of inflation!) as well as a couple of other things… Join the revolution!

entrepreneurs su.soc.entrepreneurs@lse.ac.uk

Fashion

We aim to cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit among the student body by organising and informing members of events which: introduce students to entrepreneurs and their pursuits and develop activities and events which develop skills relevant to entrepreneurship. We aim to act as a conduit between budding entrepreneurs and contacts or opportunities in London.

The Fashion Society is one of the newly founded societies catering to the needs of all those that have a passion for fashion. A wide range of events will include fashion shows, enabling members to strut their stuff or otherwise contribute backstage, and, of course, fun nights out! ECONOMICS SOCIETY MAGAZINE

Feminist su.soc.feminist@lse.ac.uk

Finance su.soc.finance@lse.ac.uk

Finnish su.soc.finnish@lse.ac.uk

The Feminist Society was set up to increase awareness of gender issues on campus, as raised by our members. We also have a less serious side, with zines, concerts and social events. We are open to anyone who wishes to contribute: meet us at the Freshers’ Fayre or email us.

We organise a wide range of events, ranging from résumé and interview workshops, to exclusive networking opportunities, corporate presentations, educational seminars, and trading games. We partner with many City institutions to provide our members with career opportunities and knowledge in investment banking and professional services.

The Finnish Society’s aims are to organise cultural events, such as speaker events and visits to the Finnish embassy in London, Scandinavian parties and Sauna evenings. Every Finn and non-Finn is welcome!

Activities ARTS

Careers CHARITY & CAMPAIGNS

ACADEMIC NATIONAL & CULTURAL

POLITICAL RELIGIOUS

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Student Life

Societies

Green Party to Indonesian-Bruneian

Green Party su.soc.greenparty@lse.ac.uk

Hayek enquiries@hayek.org.uk

Hedge Fund su.soc.hedgefund@lse.ac.uk

The Green Party unites students from across the globe to create a world (and university!) based on ecology, social justice, peace and participatory democracy. As LSE’s largest political party, we have successfully campaigned against the arms trade, for a Living Wage and to improve LSE’s ecological footprint and student experience.

The aim of this LSE-based student organisation is to defend classical liberalism and free market economics. It is a society for the mutual exchange of ideas, and is named in honour of Nobel Laureate Friedrich August von Hayek, who lectured at the London School of Economics from 1931 until 1950.

We aim to attract students from all disciplines to learn more about the Hedge Funds, and the Alternative Investment industry in general. We are proud to be the only specialized student society in this area in the UK. With over 400 members among current students and alumni, we are already one of the most active and influential student societies in the SU.

Hindu Su.Soc.Hindu@lse.ac.uk

HKPASS su.soc.hkpass@lse.ac.uk

Hummous su.soc.hummous@lse.ac.uk

The Hindu Society is a vibrant, awardwinning society which annually conducts more than 40 religious, educational, charitable and social events, including pujas, temple trips, Gita study classes and public lectures. Last year we were commended in the Most Improved Society category and won the Best Week Award for India Week 2008.

HKPASS is dedicated to providing our members with fun and intellectual activities throughout the year. Past events held include: Global Forum, Hope of the Night fundraising concert, Cultural Trips to Munich, Berlin and Madrid, and Project of Hope (education project in China). We welcome every one of you to join our big family.

Love indulging? The Hummous Society is here to satisfy your wildest hummous desires. Set up last year, events included a chick hummous-tasting evening with over 25 types of hummous, a tour of a middleeastern kitchen, hummous-making masterclass and scrumptious evenings out. For that exotic touch our events feature henna painting and sheesha.

Hungarian su.soc.hungarian@lse.ac.uk

Indonesian-Bruneian Su.Soc.Indonesian-Bruneian@ lse.ac.uk

The Hungarian Society organises cultural and social events to promote interest and understanding of Hungary. We introduce our history, culture and politics via various social events. Furthermore, we organise the annual “Central and Eastern European Week” and a trip to Hungary, to allow friends to visit the country first hand.

The LSESU Indonesian-Bruneian Society is your best opportunity to participate and learn more of the diverse culture in South East Asia. It is also a good forum to make more friends. Last year our society consisted of almost thirty members, which successfully organised “IndonesianBruneian Night”, a night of fun and celebration along with free food.

Activities ARTS

Careers CHARITY & CAMPAIGNS

HUMMOUS SOCIETY GIVE PEAS A CHANCE

ACADEMIC NATIONAL & CULTURAL

POLITICAL RELIGIOUS

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Student Life

Societies

Islamic to Labour

Islamic su.soc.Islamic@lse.ac.uk

Italian su.soc.italian@lse.ac.uk

Itchy Feet su.soc.itchyfeet@lse.ac.uk

The award winning LSESU Islamic Society - one of the most active and diverse societies - offers a wide variety of services for both Muslims and non-Muslims; from talks, interfaith and charity events to mentoring and socials. A forum is provided to gain greater knowledge on this much-discussed global faith.

Both for Italians and non-Italians, we aim to promote Italian culture on campus and raise awareness over political issues concerning Italy and Europe. Italian Week in February 2008 featured former Economics minister Domenico Siniscalco, football players (Gianluca Vialli), journalists (Beppe Severgnini and Barbara Serra) and politicians (Giuliano Amato).

Itchy Feet is the Travel and Backpacking Society at the LSE. We promote travel on campus around a global citizen theme and sport a number of different activities. We will in 2008/9 be seeking enthusiastic freshers to join the committee – do ask at our Freshers’ Fayre stall.

Jewish su.soc.Jewish@lse.ac.uk

Knitting su.soc.knitting@lse.ac.uk

We are here to provide a ‘Jewish Space’ on campus. We run all sorts of social and educational events ranging from Friday Night Shabbat meals to ‘Booze for Jews’ to weekly lunch n’ learns. We are nondenominational and cross communal so no matter how you are affiliated there will be something for you. We also run many events with other JSocs in London.

Beginners welcome - we’re happy to teach! For the pros - teach us something! Our workshops fill the Quad and are the best place to gossip and de-stress. Aside from being a great way to meet girls(!) we put on events and campaign on certain issues, we’ve even been commended for our contribution to the Union. There’s no old ladies or tea cosies, promise!

Knitting fundraiser for aids

Korean su.korean@lse.ac.uk

Krishna Consciousness

Labour su.soc.labour@lse.ac.uk

The Korean Society aims to provide a firsthand experience to those interested in our culture and supports the Korean students at LSE in every way possible. We hold a variety of social events throughout the year such as The Korean Film Night, and The Buffet Night with Japan Society. There will be also opportunities to learn Korean as we provide weekly lessons.

The KC Society spreads happiness and relaxation through weekly group talks on topics such as leadership skills, management of time and stress management. Have a blissful student life while still being in control! Look out for future cooking classes, seminars and retreats – events not to be missed!

The LSESU Labour Society exists to promote progressive values on the LSE campus, as well as supporting Labour Party policies off campus. Our unique location in the bustling heart of London, just minutes away from the Mother of all Parliaments in Westminster makes us a lively, interesting society encompassing all strands of Labour thought.

Activities ARTS

Careers CHARITY & CAMPAIGNS

ACADEMIC NATIONAL & CULTURAL

POLITICAL RELIGIOUS

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Student Life

Societies

Lager and Real Ale to Oikos London

Lager and real ale su.soc.lara@lse.ac.uk

Law su.soc.law@lse.ac.uk

Malaysia Singapore SU.Soc.Malaysia-Singapore@lse. ac.uk

“LARA” – four letters, two syllables, one glorious lady. At LARA our aim is to educate as well was inebriate. One of the fastest growing societies, LARA organises pub crawls, brewery tours and this year LSE’s first beer festival. So join us and realise your dreams in a fuzzy, hungover sort of way.

The Law Society is one of the largest and most active societies, with more than 500 members last year. We organise many outside speaker events, prospective employment presentations, workshops and competitions, and a long line-up of socials! Membership is a must for those who hope to join the legal profession!

We are one of the most active and vibrant societies having a membership of close to 200 students. We regularly organise events ranging from theatre trips to eating events where members can have a taste of our culture and meet new people. We aim to promote the unique cultures of Malaysia and Singapore and create awareness amongst students.

Maths & Stats su.soc.maths&stats@lse.ac.uk

Mexican su.soc.mexican@lse.ac.uk

Microfinance

The Maths & Stats Society aims to provide the following: academic help and advice through the Homework Help Session; linking people from a diverse range of ideas and backgrounds through social activities; chances to participate in various academic and leisure activities organised jointly with other societies

The Mexican Society, proud member of the SU since 1990, aims to promote awareness of Mexican politics, society and culture, while at the same time provide a point of reference for the Mexican student community at LSE in particular and in London more generally.

We seek to expand horizons. It is our goal to promote the role of private sector financial institutions in the pursuit of sustainable development. We hope to be a platform of debate and exchange on microfinance and social business issues, as well as a link between microfinance institutions and dedicated individuals. Please: come join, contribute and change!

Music Su.Soc.Music@lse.ac.uk

oikos London su.soc.oikoslondon@lse.ac.uk

This is the place at LSE where all the musicians meet and enjoy playing a variety of music. Activities include the orchestra, choir, jazz band and chamber music. Members also get an access to the Music Practice Room. Join us to make music with us!

We are dedicated to increase student awareness about the changing face of the World Economy. Global trends such as environmental change and extreme poverty calls for an urgent shift towards sustainable development. In the past, we organised events on: energy policy and climate change, responsible finance and investment and corporate responsibility.

Activities ARTS

Careers CHARITY & CAMPAIGNS

LARA STALWART enjoying a leisurely drink of GuinnesS

ACADEMIC NATIONAL & CULTURAL

POLITICAL RELIGIOUS

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Student Life

Societies

Opera to Photography

Opera Su.Soc.Opera@lse.ac.uk

Oxfam su.soc.oxfam@lse.ac.uk

Pakistan su.soc.pakistan@lse.ac.uk

We are passionate about Opera, Ballet and Classical music. We offer heavily discounted tickets for the best concerts, as well as contact with the big names such as the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, the English National Opera and Barbican Centre. The Opera Society is therefore a great one to join if you want a bit of culture this year without breaking the bank.

Founded this year, the LSESU Oxfam Society has already attracted over 180 students here at the LSE. Our main aim is to actively promote the major issues which Oxfam stands for on LSE’s campus, ranging from global poverty to fair trade and climate change.

The Pakistan Society celebrates the Pakistani way of life and traditions in a culturally diverse student body at the LSE. Of course, you don’t have to be a Pakistani to join! With a member base of over 150, we arrange exciting events all year round such as Eid dinners, the year-end boat party and public lectures.

Palestine su.soc.palestine@lse.ac.uk

People & Planet su.soc.peopleandplanet@lse. ac.uk

We are the most talked about society on campus for our highly effective campaigning. We have successfully elected for the second year running a Palestinian as the Honorary Vice-President of the SU. Through our efforts the SU is twinned with An-Najah University in Palestine and endorses the Palestinian right to education campaign.

PEOPLE & PLANET AT HILARY BENN PUBLIC LECTURE

People & Planet is the largest student network in Britain campaigning to end world poverty, defend human rights and protect the environment. LSESU P&P is a large, active and friendly group, working on a range of campaigns through lobbying, discussion, fundraising and social events. Winners of Society Contribution Award 2007/08.

Persian Su.Soc.Persian@lse.ac.uk

Philosophy su.soc.philosophy@lse.ac.uk

Photography su.soc.photography@lse.ac.uk

We strive to highlight and promote the history and cultures of Iran. We frequently hold occasions for members to meet, such as restaurant dinners, film nights, and legendary parties - individually, with UULIS or joint with other LSESU societies. We also invite speakers like Dr Ali Ansari to debate current events.

The Philosophy Society is here to introduce you to both the entertaining and scholarly aspects of philosophy. Speakers have included Nassim Taleb, Jonathan Wolff, Christine Korsgaard and Amartya Sen, the department’s rock and roll band “Critique of Pure Rhythm” regularly pack out the Underground, and we produce our own journal “Rerum Causae”.

Are you a keen photographer? Or are you simply interested in discovering the fascinating world of photography? All are welcome to join our new society, which welcomes everyone to join its quest at creating a platform for photography at the LSE. Activities will include: themed exhibitions, workshops, short outdoor trips and an online discussion forum.

Activities ARTS

Careers CHARITY & CAMPAIGNS

ACADEMIC NATIONAL & CULTURAL

POLITICAL RELIGIOUS

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Student Life

Societies

Polish to Russian Business

Polish su.soc.polish@lse.ac.uk

Politics su.soc.politics@lse.ac.uk

Private Equity Su.Soc.Privateequity@lse.ac.uk

The Polish Society was established in October 2003 with the aim of uniting Poles and students with an interest in Poland, as well as promoting a better understanding of Polish history, contemporary culture, social and political life at our institution. We are the biggest university Polish Society in the UK.

We provide a forum for students of different political backgrounds who share a common interest in all things political. Events will include film nights, guest speakers, debates, and a weekly trip to Westminster to watch Prime Minister’s Questions. We hope to provide a friendly, relaxed, and sociable environment where students can share their views.

Founded in June 2005, the Private Equity Society is one of the most dynamic and interactive student societies at LSE, organising the annual Alternative Investments Conference. We are a passionate group of students and young professionals dedicated to deepening our understanding of some of the fastest growing areas in finance.

Property Investment Su.Soc.Propertyinvestment@lse. ac.uk

R.H. Tawney Economic History su.soc.economichistory@lse. ac.uk

REVOLUTION

Throughout the year we hold educational seminars, designed to inform members of the advantages and possibility in the field of property investment. To address career based enquiries we hold presentations by some of the world’s largest property investment firms where information on career opportunities and summer internships is available.

A society named in honour of the late LSE Professor of Economic History, Richard Tawney. Aimed at promoting the discipline of Economic History and the forging of links between staff, students and alumni of the department. Past events have included lectures by renowned economic historians and end of term socials.

Revolution is a socialist students’ society. We are against capitalism and the war, racism and oppression it creates. We fight on all the big issues – against imperialist war, against racism, and privatisation, for solidarity with workers in struggle. At our meetings we discuss ideas and plan action – get involved.

Russian su.soc.Russian@lse.ac.uk

Russian Business Su.Soc.Russianbusiness@lse. ac.uk

During our 10 years, the Russian Society has gained a reputation of one of the most reliable, active and creative societies in the whole of the university. The major asset LSESU Russian Society has is its current and former members, who get to participate in a wide range of events such as political lectures, recruitment events, parties and trips around the UK.

The LSE Students’ Union Russian Business Society was founded in 2004 and aims to provide an insight into the business and political atmosphere in Russia. Past events have included the LSE SU Russian Business Week in 2008, several lectures and recruiting events from both Russian and international companies. Audiences totalled above 750 people in 2007/2008.

Activities ARTS

Careers CHARITY & CAMPAIGNS

POLISH SOCIETY CELEBRATING

ACADEMIC NATIONAL & CULTURAL

POLITICAL RELIGIOUS

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Student Life

Societies

Singapore to Turkish

Singapore su.soc.singapore@lse.ac.uk

Slovenian su.soc.slovenian@lse.ac.uk

Student Organisation For Art su.soc.sofa@lse.ac.uk

We aim to facilitate the expression of a unique national identity and to ease members into a foreign environment. Events organised include outings to musicals, ice-skating, various competitions, festival celebrations and soccer matches. Our society is an extremely good place for all to interact and soak up the unique Singaporean culture.

Slovenian Society brings together Slovenians at the LSE, their friends and anyone else that is interested in Slovenia. The society organises various events, from more formal events, such as for example the Slovenian Cultural Day in February, film nights, recitals and guest speakers, to more informal social meetings.

The SOFA aims to make you discover London’s unique and expansive cultural landscape. Events organised last year included an art walk in Vyner Street, an excursion to the Columbia Road market, a jazz concert in Notting Hill, a visit of the From Russia exhibition at the Royal Academy and a party in Brick Lane…

Swing Dance su.soc.swingers@lse.ac.uk

Taiwanese su.soc.taiwan@lse.ac.uk

The Swing Dance Society has been running classes for over a decade. We hold weekly beginners’ and improvers’ classes with professional teachers. We also organise parties on campus, social events around London and a performance team, which this year performed in the Dance Show, Global Show and Malaysia-Singapore show.

The Taiwanese Society aims to promote greater understanding of the rich culture and history of Taiwan, as well as foster a friendly and intimate community among our members. To this end, we organise cultural and social events such as public lectures, theatre trips, dinner outings, and parties throughout the year.

THAI SOCIETY SUNGTONG EVENT

Thai lse.thai.society@googlemail. com

Tocqueville Su.Soc.Tocquevilleisi@lse.ac.uk

Turkish Su.Soc.Turkish@lse.ac.uk

The Thai Society seeks to engage members with various activities throughout the year ranging from the traditional Thai ‘rub norng’ (freshers welcome), annual Thai Night Shows, and concerts held by Thai contemporary artists all the way from Bangkok. Non-Thais may experience a year of free Thai lessons and Thai food.

The Tocqueville Society celebrates thinkers of the traditionalists, classically liberal, and anti-totalitarian schools of thought. The society discusses the ideas of individuals such as Winston Churchill, Alexis de Tocqueville, and Edmund Burke. This past year featured events with former US Senator Rick Santorum and John McCain adviser Robert Kagan.

The society’s aim is to promote the shared values of inter-cultural exchange and dialogue. As such, we organised this year panel discussions, guest lectures, two career evenings, various events with our partner organisations in and around London, social events such as dinners and music shows, or movie screenings, as well as joint events with other LSE SU Societies.

Activities ARTS

Careers CHARITY & CAMPAIGNS

ACADEMIC NATIONAL & CULTURAL

POLITICAL RELIGIOUS

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Student Life

Societies

UNICEF to Women in Business

UNICEF Su.Soc.Unicef@lse.ac.uk

United Nations su.soc.unitednations@lse.ac.uk

Vietnamese Su.Soc.Vietnam@lse.ac.uk

We aim to raise awareness, and money in aid of, issues affecting children all over the world. Our events last year included: Change For Good, Collecting spare change around university halls for the crisis in Kenya; Red Light on Child Trafficking in Trafalgar Square; World Aids Day bake sale, selling cookies for 68p; Trick or treat for UNICEF on Houghton Street.

The United Nations Society has three areas: Model UN, LSE public events, representation of the UN Association-UK. In 2007-08, we participated in monthly MUNs and had weekly public events. We proudly won over 20 awards last year, including “Best UN Youth/Student Association -UK” and “Most improved society -LSE”.

We are the community of former and current Vietnamese students at the LSE. Our mission is to introduce Vietnamese tradition, facilitate understanding and promote her rich cultural heritage in such a highly multi-cultural environment at the LSE. Each year we put up various events, including Christmas trip in Christmas holiday and Tet (Asian New Year) party.

Visual Arts su.soc.visualarts@lse.ac.uk

Women in Business su.soc.women-in-business@lse. ac.uk

OTHER SOCIETIES INCLUDE...

If you enjoy life drawing, gallery outings, sock monkey parties and if you just can’t wait to take part in our major student art exhibition and ‘Colour the Streets’ events - the Visual Arts Society is for you! Join us to satisfy your creative urges and let’s have some fun!

Whilst other business related societies tend to take a broad approach in addressing career insight issues, none are dedicated to addressing the specific challenges that women face through various stages of their career. We hold various events, seminars and discussions and provide to our members outstanding networking platforms.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

SocietieS: ESSENTIAL INFORMATION • • • • • • •

Societies cost from just £1 to join and are open to all LSE students. You can sign up to societies at Freshers’ Fayre in Michaelmas Term, Refreshers’ Fayre in Lent Term and throughout the year at the Students’ Union reception. Societies are democratic organisations: any member can stand for any committee position, and every member is entitled to vote. If you have any queries about societies, contact Societies Officer, Zoe Cooke (su.societies@lse.ac.uk) Societies are administered by Alice Kington (a.j.kington@lse.ac.uk). Society budgets are decided by F&S committee based on their size and purposes. Activities ARTS

Careers CHARITY & CAMPAIGNS

Accounting AMP African Caribbean Anthropology Anti-authoritarian Apologetics Argentinean Armenian Bacchus Wine Benelux Brazilian Bright Futures Business Business for Arts Canada Caribbean Vibez Chinese Colombian Criminology Cycling Dance Democrats DESTIN Development Dignitas Disability & Well Being Drama European FRFI Filipino Film Franco-British SA French Frontiers Gaia - Geography Georgian German Grimshaw (IR) Hellenic History

ACADEMIC NATIONAL & CULTURAL

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Human Resources Information Systems Inns of Court International Investment Irish Isle of Wight Israeli Jain Japan Kazakhstan Kenyan Lebanese LGBT Liberal Democrats Liberty Literature Live Music LLM MPA Policy Forum MSc Management Persian Peruvian Planning Poker & Backgammon Real Estate Romanian Run Scandinavian Scottish Serbian Sikh-Punjab SWSS Spanish Diversity SPICE Sri Lankan STAR Swiss Urban Music Venezuelan

POLITICAL RELIGIOUS

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Student Life

From rugby to boxing, volleyball to ultimate frisbee, novice to national champion, the LSE Athletics Union (AU) caters for everyone. With 42 sports clubs and over 2000 members, you’re sure to find something that suits. Whether you are looking to compete in the national finals with basketball, get fit with the aerobics club, try something new with one of our martial arts clubs or just to find some drinking buddies, then the AU won’t disappoint. For a central London university, we have a very impressive participation rate in sport with students of all standards, nationalities and levels of study getting involved. With seven netball, seven football and four rugby teams the LSE stands out amongst its academic peers in being able to offer everyone a chance to represent their university. Although securing a place in the first team may be very competitive, many clubs predominantly recruit from those who have never been involved in the sport before (capoiera anyone?!), so ability comes second to a sense of enthusiasm!

Sports All competitive clubs are affiliated with the British University College of Sport (BUCS, previously known as BUSA), who organise and run inter-university leagues nationally for all levels of players. Many of our teams also compete in the University of London Union (ULU) league, allowing us to show the other London universities, and particularly our dear neighbours King’s College (more commonly known as Strand Poly) that not only are we good at economics, but we can also beat them at netball, hockey and taekwondo. However, ULU isn’t only useful for a bit of local rivalry, it also allows LSE students to participate in sports that aren’t practical to run at college level, for example swimming and athletics. These sports are a great way to make friends with a range of students across London. Whilst providing an on-campus ski-slope may be beyond our means, you will find squash courts, badminton courts and a gymnasium on site. A short train ride away, in the picturesque setting of Surrey, lies Berrylands, known as ‘the fortress’ to its regulars.

With seven pitches for footballers and rugby players and a multisport area for netball, tennis and 5-a-side, it is the place to be on a Wednesday afternoon. The on site bar provides the perfect place to enjoy a beer, some food and socialise with friends and foes post-match. Although the journey can put people off, ask any of our teams and they will tell you it’s vital in really building up relationships within your team and catching up on the week’s antics. Most sports matches are played on a Wednesday afternoon - a time which the School has agreed to keep free for sports and other enrichment activities. However, the AU and Students’ Union have become aware of lectures and seminars scheduled during this time. Please contact us if this is the case for you.

The boring stuff All clubs cost £10 for one academic year’s membership. In addition, some clubs also charge a nominal class fee. All Athletics Union clubs have pigeonholes and notice boards in the Students’ Union Gym Reception where you can leave messages or obtain training information. A timetable of all class and training information is also displayed here. Sign up for clubs will take place at Freshers’ Fayre with all other societies. CONTACT E173, 1st Floor, East Building Jarlath: j.o’hara@lse.ac.uk Sophie: su.aupresident@lse.ac.uk 020 7955 7161

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Student Life

AU nights

It’s all about the banter...

The AU is renowned in LSE not only for its sporting prowess but also for its love of all things fancy dress, snakebite and 90’s cheese. If you want to meet like minded people, keep fit and avoid becoming a library hermit then look no further than the AU. Like all universities Wednesday night is sports night and is legendary within the AU. Win, lose or draw there is always cause for a celebration. The night starts at our spiritual home, the Three Tuns where your captains will greet you and make sure you are suitably ‘looked after’. Join in the drinking games, belt out a love-song on the karaoke or simply catch up with your friends - you’re always guaranteed an ‘interesting’ night. Expect to think of nothing else when asked “what are you doing Wednesday?”

We have plenty of events planned for this year- starting with a ‘Party in the Park’. You will be taken by coach to ‘fortress Berrylands’ where you will be greeted by a well stocked bar and beer tent, music, BBQ, bouncy castle and the opportunity to join in a number of different sports taster sessions. Before you get AU party withdrawal symptoms, we are having an official welcome party just two weeks after. This will be held in traditional AU fashion: fancy dress, drinks deals and the football club trying to prove that they do in fact have the best chants in the AU. Next up is the AU Carol held at Christmas (unsurprisingly), probably the funniest and definitely the messiest event you’ll have ever experienced. Hardcore fans of this will sign up with gusto for the Calella

‘tour’ in Easter – five days of similar mayhem, five times the fun! Easter brings the AU Colours Ball, where the dress may be formal but the occasion is made for banterous reminiscing and a chance to practice eating dessert with no hands. All clubs come together to celebrate each other’s successes, as awards and colours are handed out. The year ends with a harsh reminder that we are in fact there for the sport with an old school style sports day. But fear not, there are still vital ‘refreshments’. Plato once said, “You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” We take this seriously at the AU, with many believing personal development comes in the form of a Wednesday night - not a Thursday morning lecture.

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Student Life

Gym

Work off that freshers’ flab

The Students’ Union offers an on site gym, conveniently located on the 1st floor of the East Building. It is a fully equipped facility, with: • 19 Technogym CV Machines • 14 Technogym Resistance Machines • Extended Free-weights Area • Plasma Screen TVs • Full air conditioning The Gym is fully staffed with qualified professionals, so if you have any questions or problems, don’t hesitate to ask. It is also incredibly good value! Extras include body fat testing (£2) and personal training (£15 per hour). Also, check out the noticeboard for information on classes.

Membership rates LSE Students

LSE STAFF

LSE ALUMNI

ANNUAL

£100

£150

£210

4 Months

£50

£75

£105

1 MONTH

£22.50

£35

£45

Daily

£3

£3.50

The joining fee is £5, or £2.50 for AU members. All rates include free membership to the Aerobics Society. Membership is capped each year, so join early to avoid disappointment!

Opening times

CONTACT

Monday – Friday : 8am – 9pm Saturday : 10am – 6pm Sunday : 11am – 5pm

E160 1st Floor, East Building m.c.mcclelland@lse.ac.uk 020 7955 6002

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Student Life

Sports clubs

Aerobics to MMA

Aerobics

Cricket

Hockey (Men’s and Women’s)

In shape? Want to get in shape? We want all shapes!

Enjoy the glorious sound of leather on willow? Join LSE’s esteemed Cricket Club, a decision you will not regret.

With plenty of opportunities for both men and women, hockey is certainly well provided for on the rolling turf of Fortress Berrylands!

Badminton Join the club. Book a court whenever it suits you. Enjoy. Also provides the opportunity for competitive fixtures against other universities.

Darts Concerned these other sports may seem a tad…sporty? Then try the noble art of ‘arrows’, where skill is paramount and physical exertion is reduced to ordering your next round at the bar.

Jiu Jitsu Whether novice or seasoned pro, the large Jiu Jitsu Club provides excellent facilities for training, learning and the perfect platform for competition.

Karate Wax-on, wax-off! You can be your very own Danny LaRusso by joining the ranks of LSE’s well-regarded Karate Club.

Kitesurf Football Men’s Basketball Men’s and Women’s Without question the most successful club in the recent history of the AU, the Men’s Basketball team is known to go whole seasons undefeated. With a committed Women’s team as well, why not come and join the dynasty?

Capoeira You’ve seen the demonstrations on Houghton Street, now come enjoy this Brazilian martial art for yourself, with its mix of music, dancing and fighting it ticks all the boxes!

Seven teams, a proud history of silverware, the largest and loudest contingent out on a Wednesday night – the LSEFC is the cornerstone of all that is AU.

Football Women’s As if we’d let the boys have all the fun! LSE’s Women’s Football team is committed both on the pitch and the ‘playground’!

The LSE kiters are taking the world by storm. Coming soon to a beach near you…

Lacrosse Thought Chris Ostreicher was a sissy for choosing the jazz choir? Then join the Lacrosse team – where doo-wop tunes are strictly prohibited.

MMA Golf Fore! Join the Golf Club – a perfect excuse to escape the city and enjoy a peaceful (or not so peaceful) back 9.

For full information and contact details, see www.lsesu.com

Fancy yourself as the next Chuck Liddell? Or perhaps you think you could take Kimbo Slice? Either way, you’ll want to join the Mixed Martial Arts club.

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Student Life

Sports clubs Netball to Yoga

Netball

Running

Tae Kwon Do

Another AU heavyweight, the Netball Club has seven teams of ladies determined to enjoy their sport and their social life. Don’t miss out!

Fit? Unfit? Fast? Slow? We welcome allcomers!

The Tae Kwon Do Club regularly competes at national competitions, holds regular training sessions and tutorials and is thus the perfect place to develop your abilities.

Rock Climbing Tired of hanging around LSE all the time? Why not do it literally?

Sailing Britannia rules the waves, so where better to enjoy some fresh sea air and a little competitive sailing?

Ski Rowing Proud owners of a rather natty boathouse on the banks of the Thames, the Rowing Club have an enviable environment to push themselves to the limit.

Unfortunately for us, London boasts no Dubai-style mega indoor ski slope. Not to worry, though, since two well-attended ski trips a year ably makes up for it. This December the club leaves for Tignes – don’t miss out!

Rugby Men’s With their idiosyncratic combination of mingling with muscle-bound mules of men on the rugby pitch and the finest young fillies London’s nightlife has to offer, the LSERFC welcomes both seasoned pros and interested newcomers alike.

Squash With a dedicated online website providing a squash ‘ladder’ to allow players to find others of similar ability, the Squash Club is one of the largest and most popular clubs on campus.

Rugby Women’s

Surf

Acknowledged to have the best proportional turnout on Wednesday nights of any club, join the Women’s Rugby club to enjoy top quality rugby and a great social diary. With no experience necessary, it would be a fineable offence to miss out…

Live the dream, ride the wave! Join us on our frequent expeditions at home and abroad to catch the best barrels Europe has to offer.

Table Tennis

Surf Live the dream, ride the wave! Join us on our frequent expeditions at home and abroad to catch the best barrels Europe has to offer.

Tennis Grass courts at Berrylands that rival SW19 allow for competition at a high level, although beginners are encouraged to join. Enjoy fixtures against each other and other universities for those keen to test their mettle!

Volleyball Bump – Set – Spike! (Bikinis and sand optional)

Yoga Who doesn’t want to be more flexible? Whether a lotus-veteran or someone who hasn’t been able to touch their toes for years; there are classes to suit all abilities.

Penhold or Shakehand? Flipper or Smasher? Join the Table Tennis Club to find out! For full information and contact details, see www.lsesu.com

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Student Life

What’s on?

Answer: lots

Entertainments The LSE Students’ Union has three of its own dedicated entertainments venues: the Three Tuns, Quad and Underground. Club nights, society events, stand up comedy - our venues see it all, week in, week out. With a capacity of over 1,200, comfortable seating and three well stocked bars you can be sure of having a good night out at the Students’ Union. And you’ll probably still have change from £20 at the end of it. Every Friday night we open our doors for Fresh - London’s best student night. Great tunes, cheap drinks and all your friends. What better way to end a hard week at LSE? The main room is the Quad, where a packed dance floor full of beautiful people (and LSE students) gyrate to the latest hits and classic tunes. The Underground Bar is the specialist room where every week you can sample some of the best music from around the world. This is THE essential night out.

Saturdays are jokes. Literally. The long running Chuckle Club kicks off the evening with a stellar lineup of stand-up comedians, all compared by the ubiquitous Mr. Cheese (Eugene to his friends). Afterskool Klub ends the evening with a riotous cavalcade of indie, electro all sorts of cool music liked by people who live in Shoreditch and wear skinny jeans. Exilio, London’s only LGBT Latino night (about time, too!), occupies the Underground with their trademark funky Latin beats. The Pub Quiz occupies Tuesday evenings in the Three Tuns. It’s not quite Mastermind, but you will get the chance of winning whatever promotional crap we’ve been sent that week great star prizes! Wednesday night is AU night. Fresh from their weekly matches, our sports teams venture into the Three Tuns for a little light refreshment, before venturing onto a West End discothèque. The members of the Athletics Union then retire to their respective bedrooms before waking up bright and early for their 9AM lectures.* Once a month Mind the Gap, the LGBT Society club night, packs in a mixed crowd for a night of pop, cheese and dance before heading off to Soho for even more fun.

Events

CONTACT Nick ‘Bang Bang’ Pauro Entertainments Manager, E38 su.ents@lse.ac.uk 020 7955 7136

You will never be bored at LSE. In fact, you will probably start to get annoyed at how many things are going on: there’s just not enough hours in the day. Societies put on thousands of events each year: from debates to food fayres, charity auctions to pantomimes. Most are free, some cost a few pounds. Sign up to so-

cieties at Freshers’ Fayre, and watch out for posters around campus in term time. Halls and departments throw their own parties, and the various parts of the Students’ Union will doubtless invite you to an endless stream of meetings, parties and awards ceremonies. Consider this an excuse to buy some more outfits! Public lectures are free lectures given

by academics and public figures in the evenings at LSE. Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela and Alan Greenspan are just some of the high profile speakers we’ve had over the past few year. Most are unticketed: just show up a few minutes beforehand and you’ll get a seat. The more popular lectures are ticketed: students can pick up theirs at the Students’ Union reception: first come, first served. If you miss out on a ticket, fear not: a queue for returns is usually available, but get there early and be prepared to wait! Some lectures are followed by receptions full of free booze and snacks. Bonza. www.lse.ac.uk/collections/LSEPublicLecturesAndEvents/

*Note: this is a very inaccurate representation of an AU night.

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Student Life

Raising and Giving

RAG me senseless...

Officially, we’re a constituent branch of the Students’ Union who deal with charity fundraising. Unofficially we’re about making as much money as possible in the most fun and inventive ways we can think of! From your Freshers’ Ball to sponsored Bungee Jumping, International Trips to Club Nights, RAG (Raising and Giving) does its best to add that little bit extra to your first year experience at LSE - all for a good cause. For example, last year we made more than £20,000 for various charities including Orphaid, MAP (Medical Aid for Palestine) and the Red Cross – all charities we chose ourselves. We’ve only been properly established as an all year round thing since last September so we’re still very much developing. This means that if you choose to get involved you could really make an impact on how the organisation develops. These are a few of the things we’ll be doing…

Raids Some would argue that this is just an excuse to get pissed in another city, however we like to think our RAG Raids are something more. We get up early, drive to another part of the UK, dress up like idiots and do a day of street collection. It’s immensely satisfying as you see the results of your efforts immediately - one pound coin at a time. The best thing about doing a RAID is the fact that you’ll be doing it with other RAGs from all around the country; also food, accommodation, and a night out are often included as standard, making these a great chance to blow off steam out of the capital for a weekend.

Pub Crawls A guaranteed ingredient for an epic night out. Armed with nothing but a map and

wearing some ridiculous themed outfit we send you pinballing through London’s finest (and cheapest!) drink-orientated establishments. From Pub Golf to Black-Tie, themes cater to all tastes.

Hitchhike to Paris When you’re bouncing past French countryside on a road from Calais to Paris, after accidentally having sneaked past border control with a Bulgarian truck driver you’ve nicknamed Sergio - as you’ve forgotten what he was really called - you truly have to ask yourself: where else but RAG? We challenge you to make it from central London to the Eiffel tower, as quickly as possible without spending any money on transport.

What RAG gives you The opportunity to meet new people, do things you never thought you’d do and have a laugh doing it! Through RAG you can develop highly sought after and transferable skills from event management, to sponsorship raising, publishing and marketing and you also have the opportunity to work closely with large and small charitable organisations & sponsors. In short: get involved!

CONTACT Ben Jones, RAG President www.lsesu.com su.rag@lse.ac.uk

LSE Studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Union Guide 2008

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Student Life

The Beaver

Somewhere between the Morning Star and The Daily Mail...

from the student body - the only qualification you need to get your name into print is to be an LSE student. But if you want to get more involved in The Beaver during your time at LSE, you’ll certainly need to be industrious. The paper is run by student volunteers who edit and write during their time of study; undergraduates and postgraduates contribute roughly equally. You can run for election to our editorial board at our democratic collective meetings - usually, no previous experience with the paper is required, so you can jump on board at any point in your degree. You won’t regret it. That’s where the social habits come in. You’ll see a side of the School community you won’t see anywhere else and you’ll have a great time doing it. Yes, it’s a stupid name. You can blame George Bernard Shaw for that. He was the one who christened The Beaver for its first issue on 5 May 1949. To the people who don’t like its unique brand of fearlessly objective reporting, The Beaver has been one of the dirtiest words in student journalism ever since. But it’s also been one of the most respected. As soon as you open your first issue of LSE’s weekly student newspaper, you’ll see why there’s no better voice for the LSE student community. The Beaver has played a big part in LSE history. If you go to the Library archives, you’ll be able to find the past issues that charted the famous mini-revolution of 1968 when students occupied the School, or the huge protests that erupted almost forty years later against top-up fees and the Iraq war. In those pages you’ll see the first flowering of countless political, business and journalistic careers that have gone on to change

the world. If you join us during your time at LSE, you’ll probably make it there too. Our flagship News section is nationally renowned for its reporting of the big student political issues of the moment. Henry Kissinger once said that student politics is so vicious because the stakes are so small. Well, we cover the viciousness and the stakes in loving detail. But we’re also second to none in our reporting of the School’s daily life - academic appointments, society scandals, drunken rampages by the Athletics Union. The conversation continues in the Comment, Features and Sports sections, where LSE’s amazing international diversity shines through. Meanwhile, our separate arts and culture supplement shows a side of LSE that many people too often pass over. Actually, perhaps it’s not such a ridiculous name after all. Beavers are supposed to be industrious animals with social habits. We are completely open to writing contributions

CONTACT Beaver Newsroom, E204, East Building thebeaver.editor@lse.ac.uk 020 7955 6705

TOP: FIRST ISSUE OF THE BEAVER, 1949 BELOW: BEAVER NEWSROOM, 2007

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Student Life

Pulse Radio

PuLSE - geddit? Geddit? GEDDIT? Oh never mind...

Pulse Radio is the beat of your Students’ Union. Broadcasting 24-hours a day from a fancy new studio in the rabbit warren that is the East Building we bring you music, entertainment, news and frivolous/vital gossip. We broadcast into the Quad and live across the globe on t’internet. Thinking global and talking local we keep you up to date on the latest events from the capital, reminding you all of London life outside the library. You would not believe the year we have planned. Of course we will be bringing you a stellar schedule of entertainment, talk and specialist programming throughout your university year as well as our world-famous podcasting service. Alongside all of this radio goodness we have events and promotions a-plenty in the works. Pulse is turning the grand old age of 10 and we have massive celebrations planned to cap off the decade in style. Add to this our charity week of

non-stop broadcasting where we live in the studio for five days and we’ve got a pretty busy time on our hands. Getting involved with us could not be easier. First off: yes, you can try your luck as a superstar DJ as we are recruiting a whole new schedule of shows as we go live on air in October. Not only is this a fantastic experience, but a killer chat up line with members of the opposite sex. Or the same sex. Or both. However, mouthing off on air is only the start of things. Here at Pulse we are also looking for lively and enthusiastic young things to join our Music, News, Production, Promotions, Events, Business, Web and Tech teams amongst many others. Experience is far from essential: we’ll train you up and you can do the rest. Come and find us at Freshers’ Fayre and sign up. Best decision you’ll ever make.

WANT more info on life at LSE? Head to www.pulse.dj and download our Freshers Podcast. Join our official GoodTimes-Experts Mark and Zoë as they take you on a walking tour of the LSE campus and give you all the essential info you need before heading to Holborn.

CONTACT Pulse Studio, E203, East Building www.pulse.dj | radio@lse.ac.uk 020 7955 6534

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Student Life

LooSE TV

An unfortunate name for a TV network...

LooSE TV is the official television network of the Students’ Union. Broadcasting online, LooSE is shaping up to offer a wide variety of quality student-made programming. LooSE is not a studio; it’s a network. A network of filmmakers with vibrant ideas, and a network of friends working to realise those ideas. LooSE is a place where a filmmaker can come pitch his or her idea and find other members interested in helping on their project, or simply book out network equipment to make their project. LooSE provides training for its members in the use of filming equipment, editing software and in filmmaking technique. LooSE utilises professional camera equipment and editing software, purchased using donations from the School Annual Fund. The network produces regular programmes such as The

Old Theatre, a documentary series about the Union General Meeting, and provides comprehensive coverage of Students’ Union elections, including a live Election Night special that streamed online during the election count. Aspiring journalists can also cut their teeth by producing documentaries and newsreels; covering breaking news events in the LSE, such as student protests, as well as making documentaries that discuss controversial issues involving the student body and academic staff. Filmmaking has been a cornerstone of LooSE. From fiction films to comedy shorts, the network welcomes all filmmakers and their ideas. Each year we host RAG Reels - a film making competition - where votes were cast through making donations to the film of

choice; proceeds are donated to charity. LooSE participates in the National Student Television Association conference and this year won in the Light Entertainment category.

CONTACT LooSE TV Studio, E203, East Building www.loosetv.co.uk | loose.tv@lse.ac.uk 020 7955 6534

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Student Life

Clare Market Review

Back from the dead!

Fluff, trash, chewing gum for the mind, horoscopes, Hollyoaks and whore-gazing from pop-bitch to hot-pix our student media landscape is littered with tabloid fare that many of us routinely use to provide pleasurable punctuation to our busy lives. But when we look to our media for honest reflections of our own intelligence, to quell for a moment its writhing libido and sticky demands for consumption and really talk to us, it suddenly becomes elusive, rolling over without a word. The Clare Market Review is both a journal and a review, and in these guises has been produced at LSE since 1905. In the early days Beatrice and Sidney Webbs systemic appraisals of governance would sit next to Bernard Shaw’s rolling accounts of the arts. Later, ribald cartoons by Spike Mil-

ligan would face off against Bertrand Russell’s geopolitics. Throughout its life, low and high writing cultures would be routinely collapsed, while the values of wit and incision were always upheld. Relaunched this year after a 30 year absence, CMR looks to provide more of the same, in a marketplace where more of the same is something appetizingly different. It functions as a journal in its contribution to academic thought, providing a platform for LSE students to be published alongside globally recognised academics, its relevance is checked by a peer-review board of senior LSE academics. It is also a review, where art and culture mingle, an intervention in the tabloid landscape of student media, providing debate and commentary, original artwork and graphics, surrounding us with the liveliest and most listenable voices of our generation. CMR exists materially in both paper and electronic forms. Unlike most other paper media the CMR will not find its pages balled up and strewn around the Quad like postindustrial tumbleweed. Termly-published books, perfect-bound and lovingly crafted, heavily designed with original artworks if students could afford bookshelves CMR would sit proudly upon them. The electronic edition exists in a contentgenerative relationship with the paper edition. Adumbrations and playful experiments grow from here into fully-formed articles. At the time of writing it is still in a Beta blog version but the full website coming this year will be a multi-media world of pure thought. If it is held that CMR is the home of quality writing at the LSE Students’ Union, the

question is begged, what kind of home is it? It may be cosy, but the doors are always open, strangers in the living room, friends in the kitchen, past pot-heads converse with future captains of industry in the hall. As much as it is the salon, stools drawn around, reclining précieuses and rarified discourse, it is the activist squat, pamphlets and paper wraps, the charged atmosphere of doing something that matters. Most of all it is definably LSE, a globalised perspective, unashamedly smart, students and staff creating media worthy of one of the world’s foremost intellectual institutions.

CONTACT su.claremarketreview@lse.ac.uk www.claremarketreview.com

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Student Life

Arts

LSE (heArts) Arts

Some people believe that LSE is a bland, inhospitable, alien place, devoid of all artistic expression where people only care about economics and politics. In fact, although LSE does not have any arts courses (apart from a few anomalous literature courses!) it does have a vibrant and thriving arts scene with many students taking part in everything from painting to film making. Regular exhibitions are held in the Atrium of the Old Building and there are free music concerts in the Shaw Library, an LSE orchestra and choir with their own professional conductors and various film, art and photographic competitions and exhibitions around the School as well as an artist-in-residence. The School’s Director, Howard Davies, was Chair of the 2007 Man Booker prize Judges last year. He is also a regular fiction reviewer for the Times and launched LSE’s

Reading For The Future at the Hay Festival in May last year. Around campus you will notice a number of sculptures. There are 11 in total and were donated to the school by Louis Odette, an alumnus of the 1944 General Course.

Arts Week Arts Week is a venture initiated by the LSE Students’ Union Arts Forum in order to raise awareness of art at LSE and to further enhance the arts culture of LSE. Arts Week involves a collaboration of a number of societies including the Business for Arts, Dance, Drama, Literature, Live Music, Music, Photography, Swing Dance, Urban Music, and the Visual Arts Society. A number of initiatives take place throughout the week including exhibitions

and interactive art. Arts Week is hosted with the aim that it will highlight the opportunities that are available, encourage students to get more involved, and bring a little more creativity to the campus. Every year an anthology of LSE’s best creative writing is collected and published by the Students’ Union Literature Society in a publication know as The Muse. It is always very well received and definitely worth picking up a copy. The School has an Arts Advisory Group which meets termly to discuss issues relating to the Arts at LSE, as well as considering proposals and distributing funding for artistic projects and ventures. If you are planning a project, exhibition or musical event in a public place at LSE you need to submit a proposal the AAG. For further information please send your enquiry to arts@lse.ac.uk.

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Student Life

Volunteering If you want to develop your skills, meet new people, have fun and make a difference in the local community, then volunteering is for you. You can give as much time as you like, when you like.

Why? Volunteering is a fantastic opportunity to meet new people, have fun and discover London. You will also gain valuable skills and experience for your CV, whilst making a real difference to people’s lives. Volunteering can also help you to find your dream job. Employers want to see evidence of how you cope in situations that may arise in your working life. As a result of his volunteering,

Volunteers are individuals who reach out beyond the confines of their paid employment and of their normal responsibilities to contribute time and service to a not-for-profit cause in the belief that their activity is beneficial to others as well as satisfying to themselves.

one LSE student volunteer has been offered a summer internship at the charity where he volunteers. Big companies are also getting involved in the community through employee-volunteering schemes. In fact, 22 million adults take part in formal volunteering each year and volunteering is estimated to generate about £40 billion a year for the UK economy! You can volunteer regularly or simply get involved in one-off projects when you have the time. There are a wide range of things that you can do, from helping witnesses in court, visiting the elderly and those in hospital, to tutoring at after-school clubs and working with refugees.

How? Whatever it is that you would like to do, the LSE Volunteer Centre is bound to have a project for you. And if they don’t, they will try to find you one or even encourage you to set up your own project. The only requirement is that you are an LSE student or staff member. To volunteer, simply go to the Volunteer Centre website to register as a volunteer. You will then be kept informed about upcoming projects. Next step is to choose which volunteering opportunity you want to go for, then contact them directly. There are two ways in which you can receive accreditation for your volunteering at the Volunteer Centre. If you want to stretch yourself and really get the most out of your volunteering, there is the Volunteer Development Award - Learn, Serve, Enjoy. If you would simply like to count your hours, you can work towards the Volunteering Certificates.

CONTACT Volunteer Centre, Careers Service, 6th Floor, Tower 3. www.lse.ac.uk/collections/volunteerCentre volunteer@lse.ac.uk 020 7955 6519

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Student Life

Honorary Life Membership

AU Colours

Every year twenty students are awarded honorary life membership of the Students’ Union in recognition of their significant contribution to the LSE Students’ Union during their time at the School. All registered students are eligible for this award, regardless of their level of study. Nominees are judged on the contribution they have made during their time here at LSE to the various activities of the Union including sports, student politics, societies and the media group. These awards are decided upon by the LSE Students’ Union Executive Committee. Primary consideration will be given to students in their final year.

The AU Summer Ball is the highlight of the AU social calendar and in between the banter, the Colours presentation ceremony takes place. Awarded by the AU Executive, these awards recognise serious commitment to sport at the LSE.

ULU LAURELS

Societies Awards

The Unversity of London Union’s Laurels ceremony is the highlight of ULU’s year and celebrates the achievements and commitment of ULU members. Honorary Life Memberships, shields, society and officer prizes are awarded. A number of the awards have prize money attached to them. The winner of the Waterstones London Student of the Year Award will be awarded £700 in prize money. Last year Lizzie Fison, LSE student and former Students’ Union executive committee member, was the deserving winner of this award.

The vast number of hours put into the smooth running of our 170 plus societies would certainly never go unrecognised. The Societies Awards reward not only individuals but also societies in various categories. Nominations can be made by any student and are judged by our Finance and Services Committee.

Poet LAUREATE Much like its national counterpart, the Students’ Union Poet Laureate is completely within the gift of the government or, in our case, the Sabbatical Officers. This is the first time a poet laureate has been ordained at the LSE, but it is hoped that he or she will make an immeasurable contribution to the cultural life of the School.

Awards

DEV CROPPER AWARD John Devenand Cropper was a final year student of Government at LSE when he died suddenly in London on March 25th 1998. During his three years at LSE, Dev was intensely involved in the community life of the school and beyond. He was actively engaged in the political life of the student body and served on the Students’ Union Executive. He often contributed to The Beaver, and he was involved in other public interest causes including Students Against Racism and the GMB. As a way of commemorating Dev’s exemplary service to the student community at the LSE, the Students’ Union Executive Committee has decided to offer an annual award to a student starting their final year in 2009/2010 academic year. This award, of £2,500, will be made to the recipient on a termly basis through the Scholarships Office. Fellow students or other members of the school community will nominate candidates for the award. The principle criterion for consideration for the award is involvement in and contribution to student life during the nominee’s first five terms at the LSE. In the event of two or more nominees being judged to have made an equally outstanding contribution to the corporate life of the student body, the panel will make the award to the student felt to be in greatest financial need. The Union is indebted not only to Dev, but also to his family. The Award is a fitting tribute to the irreplaceable contribution Dev made to the LSE community.

Contribution to student life certainly doesn’t go unrewarded at LSE. To recognise the achievements of our active student body, the Students’ Union has developed a number of awards.

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Student Life

Media Group Awards The MGAs reward contribution to the LSE Media Group through its constituent bodies: Pulse Radio, The Beaver, LooSE TV and the Clare Market Review. Judged by the Media Group heads, the Communications Officer and various professional journalists, these awards are the culmination of a year’s hard work for the Students’ Union publications, and are awarded at a lavish ceremony in central London.

BERNARD LEVIN AWARD FOR STUDENT JOURNALISM This is the third year that this award has offered the winner an internship within a national media organisation, £500, plus a ‘Bernard Levin’ night out at the theatre and dinner for two in Covent Garden. The Award is financed by LSE alumni and friends of Bernard, and is managed by the Students’ Union Treasurer. The objective of the competition is to encourage the quality of student journalism within LSE, and to celebrate a distinguished graduate of LSE, Bernard Levin (1948-52). Bernard is considered by his contemporaries as one of the greatest and most admired journalists the School has produced. Bernard was a brilliant debater in the Student’s Union, a brilliant performer in the annual Student Review in the Old Theatre, and contributed to the Clare Market Review and The Beaver while he studied at LSE. He was awarded the CBE for his work as a journalist. The Times contributed internships for the first two Awards, and The Daily Mail is providing the internship for the 2009 winner. All students at LSE are eligible to enter. They must write a column of up to 1,000 words on some aspect of their experience of being a student at the School, related to the character of the School and its campus, situated as it is in the centre of London. Register your interest in participating for the Award NOW, with the Students’ Union Treasurer: su.treasurer@lse.ac.uk, and you will be sent an entry form, a booklet about the Award, with samples of previous winners’ entries, and examples of Bernard Levin’s own special writing style. The final date for entries is the end of January 2009.

For more information on awards, see www.lsesu.com/awards

GET INVOLVED The Studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Union, campaigning, politics, elections...

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

What is the Students’ Union? There’s often a lot of confusion amongst LSE students as to exactly what their Union is. A lot of the time it’s either seen as a clique of self-important individuals who pontificate on international issues over which they have no influence (and unfortunately this is occasionally accurate). It is, however, a lot more than this. To put it simply your Union is a lot like the mythical beast the hydra (except without the evil). Responsible not only for representing students, it also runs numerous commercial services, an Advice and Counselling Centre, funds the Media Group and ensures the smooth running of all sports clubs and societies. In essence it’s responsible for almost every aspect of your student experience. Every LSE student is a member and with that membership comes the ability to get involved in all aspects of the Union. Even if politics isn’t your thing you can still hold officers to account and make sure they’re representing you on the issues you care most about at our weekly UGM, the only one of its kind

in the country. Beyond this your membership gives you opportunities to work part-time in one of our many commercial services, write, film or broadcast as a member of the Media Group, join any of our 170 plus societies, or play for any of our sports teams.

Not for profit, just for students One of the most visible aspects of the Students’ Union is its commercial services and entertainments. These services are here for two reasons: to provide every one of our members with cheap, friendly and convenient services and, just as importantly, to generate additional money to reinvest in the wide range of welfare services we provide that aim to help and support you through your time at LSE. As well as the money generated by our services, we also receive a considerable block grant from the LSE which is paid for

Get Involved

out of your fees. We also like to keep a little money back, so that we can build up funds to pay for bigger projects to improve our facilities and services making them better able to meet the changing demands of our students. The UGM can also decide how this money is invested and as a result of recent votes we no longer invest in the arms trade or companies trading in Sudan.

Student Welfare The combination of living in London and studying at a world class institution can at times be a stressful business. Our professional Advice & Counselling Centre (ACC) is here so that if the worst does happen, we’ll be on hand to help you out. From problems with your course and exam results to issues with accommodation, the ACC is here to offer free and confidential advice and support whenever you need it most.

Campaigns As well as providing students with a safety net, we also look to improve the dayto-day lives of students. This is done by lobbying the school through a variety of means. Recent successes include getting a commitment from the LSE to invest an extra £2m in order to improve teaching standards across the university as well as pressuring the LSE to deliver much needed improvements to the library. If there’s an issue that you’re passionate about - speak to us about it! It’s your Union, get involved!

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Get Involved

Campaigns Placard waving nutters...

The Students’ Union exists to campaign on issues that affect students, and to be part of the educative process in doing so – that means fighting for your rights in education, welfare, accommodation, social life and any aspect of your time at LSE, on or off campus. These campaigns should, at the same time, develop your skills, confidence and experience. That also means we delve into campaigning on political and social issues in wider society to win progressive changes that benefit students and their local communities, whether that means winning a Living Wage for cleaners at LSE, or passing ethical investment policies to ensure that we don’t spend LSE’s money on war, human rights abuses or environmental destruction. Traditionally, we have always believed that these issues are not only important in their own right, but also that as students with talent, energy and passion, we can really make a difference. That’s why our societies’ campaigning spirit and initiatives like Raising and Giving are so effective and rewarding. You may hear a Latin phrase ultra vires – meaning “beyond the powers” – thrown around from time to time to suggest that the Union, as a charity, cannot legally campaign on issues of society and citizenship because they don’t affect “students as students”. However, not only does the new Charities Act set out that we can campaign on a wider range of issues (from animal welfare to environmental protection to fighting poverty), we at LSE have always taken the line that issues like war, injustice and poverty do affect us as students – because students are members of the wider community too, and our experi-

ence off campus also affects our education and welfare. One of the most successful recent initiatives (probably referred to a thousand times in this book) is the Teaching Taskforce – a project that the Students’ Union worked on with the School, and has seen £2,000,000 invested in proposals to improve LSE teaching. These proposals came from the study body via the Students’ Union, and we are looking forward to making sure they are implemented. Last year, the Union ran a 24-Hour Library Campaign, which saw 1300 signatures gathered, a coordinated campaign of emails to the School and several papers written to key committees detailing why students – particularly postgrads, Mature & Part-Time students, and students who work – demanded an open-all-hours resource. Despite this, the School has failed to implement the policy. Expect this to be revisited this year. In the recent past, the Students’ Union has successfully campaigned to get the School to

adopt a Socially-Responsible Investment Policy. The Living Wage Campaign mobilised hundreds of students and involved lowpaid cleaners, and won a Living Wage for cleaners of over £7.20 per hour (the minimum required to live in London according to the Greater London Authority). As part of the campaign, the Students’ Union affiliated to London Citizens, and continues to work with them on winning a Living Wage for cleaners at Citigroup and other universities. Historically, it was the Students’ Union that fought to have Houghton Street pedestrianised through mass sit-ins after a student was run over. Many facilities of the Library were also improved by lobbying from the Students’ Union. The Students’ Union has also traditionally been at the forefront of the fight against fees and for free education, and was a focal point for protests against wars in Vietnam and later Iraq, when over 1000 LSE staff and students held sit-ins and joined a two million strong demonstration in London.

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Get Involved

Our building

At the heart of LSE student life

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If it’s in either the East Building or the Clare Market building than its more than likely that it is a part of the Students’ Union, i.e. The Three Tuns and the Advice & Counselling Centre. If elsewhere on campus then the service is run by the school.

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Thanks to our cramped campus it’s often difficult for a lot of our students to know where the LSE ends and the Students’ Union begins. There are, however, a couple of easy ways to tell whether a service is provided by the Students’ Union or the LSE:

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present Str eet Z buildings. It will be built onMAIN the site of the LIBRARY PS St. Phillips buildings, which itself is the site of L R Our building is an historic one, and one Q Lionel Robbins a former mortuary! The next year will be a that an estate agent would describe T Y as ‘lived K Building Jo h all students nW X popular- critical one: Jwe will be consulting in’ (owing, in no small part, to the Pl at k St Clemen ins t’s PH to see what they want fromaza our amazing new ity of our services!). The East Building and Lane We Sneed t Cle to know what you want Clare Market are reaching the their building. Clar PEend of m eM ent’s eet ke t from youra runion, so watch this space. Str lifespan, and are earmarked for lredevelopS

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LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Get Involved

History

Est. 1897

The LSE Students’ Union was founded in 1897 (two years after LSE itself) under the name of the Economic Students’ Union. Almost from the start it was characterised by vigorous political debate at its fortnightly meetings (soon referred to as the Clare Market Parliament). By the start of the new century the Union was also running dinner dances, concerts and other social events. In 1905, the Students’ Union started publishing a journal, the Clare Market Review, which continued to be published regularly until 1973 before its recent revival. From the start it included contributions from prominent academics at the School (including the Webbs, Beveridge and Bertrand Russell) from outside contributors (including Spike Milligan and Brian Eno) and from LSE students, many of whom went on to be prominent journalists and writers. During the years after the First World War the Union started to organise sports clubs and other student societies, and was particularly encouraged in this by the then Director, William Beveridge, who was also instrumental in obtaining the use of the sports ground in New Malden in 1922. The Students’ Union got its own premises for the first time in 1937, when the School purchased a building that had up until then been a public house, the Three Tuns. The name lives on in the Students’ Union’s main bar, in what was originally a car park in the ground floor of the Clare Market Building. By the mid 1940s the Athletics Union had been established as part of the Students’ Union and in 1949 the Clare Market Review was joined by a weekly campus newspaper, The Beaver.

The Students’ Union sprang to national and indeed international prominence during the period from 1967 to 1971, when protests at the appointment of Walter Adams as Director and then against his handling of those protests led to occupations of School buildings by students. During this period, LSE also hosted the first meetings of the Gay Liberation Front, set up by two LSE students who had witnessed the formation of the GLF in New York the previous year. LSE students involved in GLF were later to be associated with the Angry Brigade. One of them stood trial, and was acquitted, accused of involvement in a campaign of letter bombing whose targets

included Roberts Carr - the then Conservative Home Secretary. In 1989, the LSE Students’ Union hit the headlines again when it elected Winston Silcott, then serving a life sentence for the murder of a policemen during a riot as its Honorary President in order to highlight this miscarriage of justice. In the ensuing tabloid led backlash, the Students’ Union General Secretary received death threats and was forced to go into hiding. The following year Silcott was cleared by the Court of Appeal. In recent times, we have hit the headlines for drunken rampages at King’s College and controversial letters about the Middle East posted to incoming students.

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Services

Get Involved

Follow page numbers for full details

RECEPTION Your one-stop-shop for the Students’ Union. Come here to get your student Oystercards and NUS cards. You can also use the fax facilities, and pick up your society’s post. Located on the Ground Floor of the East Building.

THE THREE TUNS The Students’ Union’s very own version of a trendy wine bar. But don’t let that put you off - it’s still the perfect place to go to enjoy a quiet pint with your lunch, or just chillax with friends after a hectic lecture schedule.

p124

UNDERGROUND & 3TK If you fancy a change, try our classy Underground Bar. It is home to an extensive drink selection, a small stage and even a piano. During the day, 3TK provides a wide range of food, including a salad bar for the more health conscious.

p124

QUAD CAFE & COFFEE CART Join the Students’ Union’s very own breakfast club - with a variety of hot and cold food served from 9am to 6pm. This year it also has a new juice bar. The Coffee Cart serves the best coffee on campus, just outside Tower 1 (Building U).

p120

ADVICE AND COUNSELLING CENTRE The home of the Students’ Union welfare services. If you need any advice on immigration, visas, employment, disability, consumer and housing rights, pop in. There’s also an excellent counselling service. It’s all free, confidential and impartial.

p97

SHOPS If you want some awesome LSE branded clothes to let everyone know that you go to a better university than them, our Union Shop on Houghton Street is the place to go. There’s also a good selection of snacks and all the student essentials.

p128

COPY SHOP The cheapest photocopying in London. Also a great destination for binding, laminating and generally making your dissertation look amazing.

p60

GYM It may not be the fanciest gym in central London but now the changing rooms and showers have been renovated it’s certainly the best value for money. It also offers body fat testing and sessions with a personal trainer.

p20

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Get Involved

Anti-racism

It don’t matter if you’re black or white

Arriving at LSE you will be consistently reminded about the diversity of the School. You will hear about it from the Director, Howard Davies. Professors, lecturers and class teachers will discuss it. Every piece of literature from the school will write about it. Most importantly however, you will experience it continuously from the first time you roam Houghton Street until you make that ominous dash to your final exam. In the same breath as anyone mentions the 150 nations represented on our campus, they will always, without failure, point out the uniquely harmonious nature with which we interact. It really is a sight to behold. We aim to help the school maintain this fantastic achievement by acting as a bulwark against discrimination, be it racial or religious. The Students’ Union seeks to proactively engage the school and our thriving national societies to ensure impenetrable cliques or racial corners do not form within the Student Body. Of course, students will more often feel more comfortable with their national compatriots for instance, but we shouldn’t allow this to become too ingrained and remove the overwhelming opportunities to mix, learn from others and enjoy the diversity of our Union. Importantly for the LSE, many in our Students’ Union support the National Union of Students in their declaration of the ‘No Platform’ policy, whereby we refuse outright to justify or legitimise racism and discrimination by giving the far right parties such as the British National Party (BNP) and National Front any position to spew their violent ideologies. If we truly wish to prevent discrimination and the spread of hatred, this

is something we should all consider seriously. Being the most active Union in the country, the LSE Students’ Union often discusses issues which can be divisive and cause tension between different groups within our school. Last year we hit national and international headlines with our debates over the Middle East and decisions to twin our Union with that of a West Bank Palestinian university, anNajah and to boycott companies involved in the occupation of Palestine. Many saw that this was having a detrimental effect on the student body, causing tension and isolating specific groups within our Union. This year, when campaigns on multitudes of divisive issues will be wrestled with we must ensure that our Union and our relations with one another come first. We must remain respectful, tolerant and in line with our duties to one an-

other as human individuals, created equally, with equal rights and equal responsibilities to one another. Make the most of this hub of international human, academic and social traffic. You have an amazing opportunity to gain a unique insight into the workings of a globalised world – to ashamedly use London School of Economics jargon – so please use it.

CONTACT Joseph Brown Anti-racism Officer su.anti-racism@lse.ac.uk

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Environment & ethics

Get Involved

Hippy nonsense

E&E Forum. The E&E Forum meets weekly and organises and coordinates campaigns in working groups of interest, usually in collaboration with societies such as People and Planet, Oikos London, the Green Party, Citizens for Social Justice and many more. In Halls, students sometimes run their own E&E campaigns to make a difference to their residences. This is often done via the Sustainable Champions and Environment Officers on your Hall Committees. Please contact your Hall Committee or the E&E Officer if you want to get involved in your hall! Are you passionate about the environment? Want a fairer world? Care about human rights? Or just want make a difference in any way you can? In 2008, People and Planet released the first Green University League Tables – and found LSE to be the greenest university in London. LSE received a 2:1 – “Good But Must Do Better” – and green campaigning is now an integral part of the Students’ Union’s activism. This was reflected in the Students’ Union gaining a Bronze Award in the NUS Sound Impact Award on sustainability.

E&E Induction Look out for the E&E Induction during Freshers’ Festival, where you can learn about the E&E Societies and E&E Forum, and how to live sustainably and ethically in London.

E&E Forum The heart of the E&E campaigns are the Students’ Union Societies and the weekly

Campaigns & Projects On-going campaigns and Projects include: • Living Wage Campaign for cleaning staff • Sustaining and expanding LSE’s status as a Fair Trade University • 100% Renewable Energy Campaign • Plastic Free LSE • Ethical Investment • Climate Change Action Week, a number of events and workshops, followed by participation in the annual National Climate Change demonstrations in December • Environment and Ethics Week, a number of events and workshops, often organised by societies, in Week 2 of Lent Term • Fair Trade Fortnight, campaigning for fair trade, and run by People and Planet Society • Ethical Christmas Market • Sustainable Consulting Student Group,

which runs sustainability projects in coordination with the School Projects in collaboration with the School include: • Reuse Sale of items left in Halls at the beginning of term – come and get your stationery cheaply! • Environmental Management at the Students’ Union – implementation of an Environmental Management System, in order to make Green the norm. Moreover, the School has a number of other brilliant projects, especially: • Reuse Scheme – donating unwanted items at the end of term to charities, especially in halls. • Zero Waste Project – phasing out plastic bottles and increase recycling. • The School has a comprehensive Environmental Policy at lse.ac.uk/collections/environment, and strives to become more energy and resource efficient. And here’s some projects in the pipeline... • Roof gardening and vegetable beds • Living Wage for cleaning staff in Residences • Organic, local, healthy and seasonal food • Get the LSE finally Plastic Free • Cheaper public transport • Water fountains • Composter Rocket • … and whatever you can think of! CONTACT Justus Rollin Environment & Ethics Officer su.environment@lse.ac.uk

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Get Involved

UGM

Thursdays 1PM, Old Theatre Part pantomime, part debating chamber The weekly Union General Meeting ter teaching standards, Union officers took (UGM) is unique to the LSE Students’ Un- those ideas to the School, which eventually ion – we are the ONLY Students’ Union in became a major part of the Teaching Taskthe country that still has a weekly meet- force that has seen £2 million invested in iming where any student can proving teaching and learning. After a UGM policy calling for a Living Wage for propose, speak on and Impr all LSE employees, the vote for (or against!) ove O ur Sp orts F a c Union took policy that shapes the ilities Prop at LS oser: E! Joe B Secon that camlo Union’s campaigns g g s (LS der: Mick EID 2 ey M 0082 ouse 9 paign to and ultimately the 3 8 49) (LSE Unio ID 20 ns No 0819 t e 4 s the School School. 8 5) 1. Th at LS and after The UGM is E has sports Unio facilit n Beli ies at protests, deevery Thursday eves Berry lands 1. Th . at LS tailed policy at 1pm in the E stu cilitie d ents d s. eserv papers and lobOld Theatre. e bigg er and Unio n res better o lv s ports bying, we won a The Old Theaes fa 1. To camp Living Wage for tre stage has a ig n for LSE. more fundin LSE cleaners that been the g for sports facilit ies fro will mean they are scene of m lifted out of poverty. fierce deThe UGM begins bate for with reports from the decades Students’ Union Officers on eveso that students can ask rything questions and make comfrom ments on what we’re dothe standard of ing. Following questions to teaching and the standard of all Students’ Union Officers, sports facilities to the situation in Iraq – and The Bea- ver, Pulse, Loose and School even the situation in Neighbours! People of every political persuasion Committee Representatives, we go into the get up and speak and you’ll be entertained debate on policy. by some of the top debaters in the country going at it. Heckling, jokes and banter are Chair and Vice-Chair strongly encouraged! But the UGM does make a difference The UGM has a Chair and Vice-Chair – policies passed at the UGM become the elected at the start of term – the jobs are ofcampaigns run by the Union, and ultimately ten compared to everything from UN Peaceshape the way the School is run. When the keeping to being a school teacher! The Chair Union passed policies to campaign for bet- makes sure the meeting runs smoothly, and

the Vice-Chair takes minutes.

Special guests Howard Davies, LSE’s Director, speaks to the UGM every term about what the School is up to, and then answers questions from LSE students. He’s had a grilling in the past from students on teaching, facilities and accommodation, and he’s even composed and sung songs to the crowd! The NUS President, Wes Streeting, will also address students once a year, allowing us to hold the leader of the national organisation that speaks on our behalf to account. See p139 for dates of Wes and Howard’s appearances.

Types of Motion Business Motions – normal policy motion. Financial Motions – any motion requiring spending of Union funds. Discussed in its 2nd week on the order paper. Amendments to the Codes of Practice – edit the main governing body of the union. Discussed in its 5th week on the order paper. Emergency Motions – motions on a situation that arises after 5pm on the Monday. Must be submitted to the General Secretary by 1pm on the Thursday (so just before the UGM), who will decide whether it is genuinely an emergency! Amendments – these amend the motions put forward. You can submit them to the UGM Chair on paper by the end of the first speech against a motion, after which the amendment will be debated and voted upon. If it passes, it becomes part of the main motion.

LSE Studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Union Guide 2008

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Emmanuel Akpan-Inwang EDUCATION & WELFARE

Wil Barber treasurer

The kind of person you don’t really want to ever have to see, but they are there if you need any help, advice or guidance. The Education and Welfare Officer looks after our high quality Advice and Counselling Centre, and represents students to the School on most educational and welfare matters.

According to fictional coke baron, Tony Montana, “first you get the money, then you get the power, then you get the women”. Although the women are unlikely to materialise, with overall responsibility for running all the Students’ Union services and allocating budgets to societies and sports, the Treasurer certainly has the power.

su.edwelfare@lse.ac.uk | 020 7955 6709 E299, 2nd Floor, East Building

su.treasurer@lse.ac.uk | 020 7955 7471 E206, 2nd Floor, East Building

SABBA Who are these merry fellows? It’s your Sabbatical Officers - four students who have been elected to run the Union on a day-to-day basis this year. They get paid £26,000 p.a. to either take a year out of studies or stay on at LSE after they graduate.

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

TICALS This year’s Sabbs somewhat optimistically dubbed themselves ‘the dream team’. You can read their reports and hold them to account at the UGM each week. Students even have the power to sack them, through no-confidences and censures.

ALED DILWYN FISHER GENERAL SECRETARY

DAN SHELDON COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Not to be confused with a glorified minutetaker, the General Secretary is the public face of the Students’ Union, sitting on the major strategic committees of the School and representing LSE students externally. They Chair the Executive and have the ability to make decisions on its behalf in between meetings.

The Alistair Campbell of the Union a.k.a. the Spinmeister General. A job that requires a combination of creative flair and technical geekiness, the Communications Officer oversees the Media Group, publications (like this very booklet!), the Students’ Union website, advertising, marketing and campaigns.

su.gensec@lse.ac.uk | 020 7955 7147 E205, 2nd Floor, East Building

su.comms@lse.ac.uk | 020 7955 6832 E65a, behind SU reception, East Building

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Get Involved

Luke Spyropoulos MATURE & PART TIME STUDENTS su.mature@lse.ac.uk

AYUSHMAN SEN INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ OFFICER su.international@lse.ac.uk

Joseph brown anti-racism OFFICER su.anti-racism@lse.ac.uk

Ensures the welfare and representation of Mature and Part Time Students. Liaises with the EdWelfare Officer on academic and welfare issues.

Advises and aids International Students. Represents the views of International Students to the Students’ Union Executive and the School. Coordinates Global Week.

Campaigns against discrimination based on race, religion or nationality and supports students who have been the victims of racism.

Zoe cooke societies officer su.societies@lse.ac.uk

Jessica brayne students with disabilities officer su.disability@lse.ac.uk

ruby buckley women’s officer su.womens@lse.ac.uk

Provides support and guidance to help societies work more effectively and make the most of the Students’ Union. Runs societies inductions and training.

Represents students with disabilities, wellbeing issues or illness. Works with the LSE Disability & Wellbeing Office and Circles (the staff-student disabilities network).

Represents female students within the Union to ensure equality. Runs campaigns on issues that are important to female students and builds links of solidarity.

Executive Committee These Officers are volunteers who, with the Sabbaticals, are the legally responsible trustees of the Students’ Union.

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Get Involved Non

Non

-vot

ing

Lizzie merrow lgbt STUDENTS’ officer su.lgbt@lse.ac.uk

sophie de la hunt au president su.aupresident@lse.ac.uk

ossie fikret returning officer su.returningofficer@lse.ac.uk

Coordinates the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) campaign to tackle homophobia and defend, extend and deepen the rights of LGBT students.

Coordinates sports activities. Chairs the Athletics Union Executive and represents all sports clubs and their members to the Students’ Union and the School.

Runs Students’ Union elections, ensuring that the rules and regulations are observed by candidates. Adjudicates on any disputes or appeals.

general course representative ELECTED IN OCTOBER 2008 su.gcourse@lse.ac.uk

Non

-vot

ing

Represents General Course students to the Students’ Union & School. Provides services specifically aimed at Gen Coursers. Helps integrate GenCourse students. postgraduate students’ officer ELECTED IN OCTOBER 2008 su.postgrad@lse.ac.uk Represents Postgraduates to the Students’ Union and School. Campaigns on for improvements to the provision of academic and social development for Postgraduates. justus rollin environment & ethics Officer su.environment@lse.ac.uk

residences officer ELECTED IN OCTOBER 2008 su.residences@lse.ac.uk

Campaigns on issues of ecology, social justice, peace and solidarity. Works with LSE’s sustainability initiatives in Students’ Union and LSE premises.

Represents the welfare of every one of the 3,000 LSE students at LSE and University of London Intercollegiate Halls. Supports students in private accommodation. Interested in running for any of these positions? Check out page 88

The Executive Committee meet every week during term times. The meetings are open to all students and everyone has speaking rights. The AU President and General Course Representative can’t vote, because they aren’t elected by a cross-campus ballot. The Returning Officer can’t vote either as - in theory - it is an impartial position!

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Get Involved

C&S, F&S, NUS & ULU .. and other confusing acronyms

C&S The Constitutional and Steering Committee (C&S) sounds like a bore – but it’s actually quite important, honest! C&S oversees the Students’ Union Constitution and Codes of Practice, and makes sure everything we do is procedurally correct. This means checking motions before they get to UGM to see that they’re not illegal or against equal opportunities; advising the Executive Committee on constitutional matters; and helping the UGM Chair conduct the meeting. There are 7 members of C&S. They are often affectionately called the Seven Dwarves, but they do a pretty hard job!

ning and planning of some really important events or campaigns that we run. Taskforces can be created by students through UGM motions, and are usually elected at UGM. See p42 Our amazing Global Week has a taskforce, convened by the Communications Officer. There is currently also the An-Najah University Twinning Taskforce to develop the links between our twin university in Palestine.

ULU

Whilst the Treasurer may pretend to be in charge of all things financial, it is in fact the Finance and Services Committee (F&S) which is ultimately in charge of the key decisions. F&S is made up of all the Sabbatical Officers, the Societies Officer, the Environment & Ethics Officer as well as four lay members elected in the Lent term elections. Its key responsibilities are to approve and amend societies’ budgets as well as keep a close eye on the accounts of all of the Union’s commercial services. Essentially, if you’re a society treasurer these are the people you’ve got to charm if you want the benjamins.

As LSE is a member of the University of London, the Students’ Union is automatically a member of the University of London Union (ULU). The future of the University of London is uncertain, ergo so is the future of ULU. LSE has recently gained its own degree awarding powers, loosening the ties with UL even further. For the time being, ULU is based in Malet Street in Bloomsbury and provides sports, societies, and welfare and advice services, and runs student campaigns across London. ULU provides sports and societies for interests that can only be catered for by pooling resources across London. The LSE Students’ Union also develops links with other universities and colleges in both further and higher education across London that are not part of the University of London.

Task forces

NUS

Students’ Union Taskforces exist to involve as many students as possible in the run-

The LSE Students’ Union is a member of the National Union of Students (NUS). NUS

F&S

is the national voice of students, and campaigns nationally as the voice of over 5 million students. NUS campaigns to fight for fairer funding for higher education, improve student welfare, and strengthen Students’ Unions through training and support. The NUS also has autonomous Liberation Campaigns such as the Women’s Campaign. Make sure you pick up your NUS Democracy Card – a free card for all NUS members. Alternatively, for just £10 you can buy an NUS Extra Card in the Quad during your first week. That £10 goes partly back to our local Students’ Union and partly to the National Union to fund campaigns and work to support students throughout the UK.

Wes Streeting NUS National President

CONTACTS C&S: su.constitution@lse.ac.uk F&S: su.treasurer@lse.ac.uk ULU: www.ulu.co.uk NUS: www.nus.org.uk

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Course & School reps

Get Involved

Interesting fact: the School even has a ‘Wine Selection Committee’!

Course Reps Course Representatives represent students on particular courses to their departments, and sit on Staff-Student Liaison Committees. Each department’s structure is different, with some Course Reps elected in large lecture theatres, and others elected via email. Either way, they provide a valuable service by giving students a say in how a Department and course is run, and they feed in concerns from the student body as they arrive. Look out for information from your department at the start of your first term if you think this is a role for you.

Liberty), Loyd Grossman (TV chef), Stelios Haji-Ioannou (founder of Easyjet), Baroness Virginia Bottomley (former Conservative minister), Lord Frank Judd (former Labour Minister, as well as former LSE Students’ Union Executive member!) and Will Hutton (former Editor of The Observer). The Chairman is currently Peter Sutherland (Chair of BP and Goldman Sachs).

School reps Students are represented on a number of committees throughout the School. These positions are elected in the Students’ Union Michaelmas Term Elections. Any student can stand and get the chance to represent students at the highest levels of School decision-making. See p50 Court of Governors Court of Governors is where, funnily enough, the Governors of the School meet and discuss key strategic matters and policy areas. Members of Court include the Senior Management of the School, Academic Governors and Lay Governors (alumni or distinguished figures who are not directly employed by the School but help decide its future). Current Governors include Cherie Booth QC (better known as Cherie Blair, wife of Tony!), Shami Chakrabarti (Chair of

Stelios Haji-Ioannou LSE Governor

Every year, five students are elected in the Michaelmas Term Elections to join the General Secretary on the Court. These are then Student Governors and have the full rights of other Governors – so it’s a big deal! One of those elected to Court will also sit with the General Secretary on Council, LSE’s highest decision-making body. Nothing happens at the School in any department or area without it being approved by Council first. Student representatives on Court and Council have successfully put forward motions on ethical investment, a Living Wage and much more in recent times. They give students a voice at the highest level of School

policy. If you think you can put forward the student point-of-view against the heavyweights of the political, legal and financial world, then run for Court! Academic Board The highest academic committee in the School, Academic Board, is the most important body in the School regarding issues to do with courses, teaching, learning and academic standards. The Committee is chaired by the School’s Director, Howard Davies, and in theory all permanent academic staff can attend and vote – it is the UGM of academia! The General Secretary, Education and Welfare Officer and Postgraduate Students’ Officer of the Students’ Union sit on the committee along with 3 students elected in the Michaelmas Term Elections, one of whom must be a postgraduate. Academic Board approved Teaching Taskforce, a process initiated by the Students’ Union and which proposed a number of policies to affect teaching on which the Students’ Union had campaigned after UGM motions. The Academic Board agreed with every single one of the recommendations, and now £2 million will be put into improving your teaching! That alone should tell you how important the Board is – so do consider running in your first term if you have a passion for improving teaching and learning for your fellow students!

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Get Involved

Elections

Don’t know what a ‘hack’ is? You soon will...

Elections at LSE are infamous for the hordes of budding politicians who swarm onto Houghton Street for two days – leaflets, freebies and campaign team in tow – to ask for your vote. While not quite Obama/McCain, we are not far off, when the passions are flaring and in those tense moments before results are announced. Elections are a lot of fun for everyone involved. You’ll see hustings (question time) at the UGM and in Halls and other venues; posters all over campus; leaflets given out all over the place; publicity stunts and attention-seeking attempts; and a lot of people having fun turning Houghton Street into the infamous ‘Houghton Street Circus’! But whatever silly antics some candidates get up to, elections are very important, and it’s vital that you vote. Students need to have a legitimate and strong voice to the School and the more people who vote, the louder and more united that voice can be. Your representatives ultimately speak for you, so you have an incentive to make sure the ones you want get elected! There are two rounds of Students’ Union Elections – the Michaelmas Term Elections in Week 4 of Michaelmas Term and the Lent Term Elections in Week 8 of Lent Term.

Michaelmas elections •

•

Postgraduate Students’ Officer – 1 Elected to Students’ Union Executive, becomes a trustee Residences Officer – 1 Elected to Students’ Union Executive, becomes a trustee General Course Representative – 1

• • •

Elected to Students’ Union Executive as non-voting/non-trustee member Court of Governors Representatives (Student Governors) – 5 Elected Academic Board Representatives – 3 Elected (at least 1 must be a postgrad) National Union of Students (NUS) Delegates – 5 Elected

Lent elections Lent Term elections are the big ones. We elect the whole Executive, including the four paid Sabbatical Officers and the Students’ Union Constitutional and Steering Committee (C&S) and Finance and Services Committee (F&S). This year elections are changing. No longer will they be the preserve of ‘hacks’ – with the ‘Rock the Vote’ initiative, we are going to encourage everyone to take part, in an attempt to make Students’ Union elections truly representative. Results night is also being re-energised and will become a celebration of all that makes our Union great. Whether you see the LSE elections as a chance to have your voice heard, a chance to right some wrongs or even the first step on your political career – get involved. The Students’ Union can only thrive on participation within its elections, at every level – from Fresher to PhD student. So what are you waiting for? CONTACT Ossie Fikret Returning Officer su.returningofficer@lse.ac.uk

TOP: SHAMELESS ELECTIONEERING BOTTOM: CELEBRATION TIME

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Equality & diversity LSE is the world’s most diverse student body – and probably the most diverse community in Britain. However, respect to equality and diversity are never a given, and the Students’ Union and School strive hard to make sure that equal opportunities are defended and extended in all areas. In short, we seek to make sure that diversity on paper is translated into integration and respect in reality. The Students’ Union has a clear Equal Opportunities Policy that states that discrimination on the basis of age, disability/ability/impairment, sex/gender, transgender, medical status, nationality/language, physical appearance, political opinion, religious belief or sexuality is unacceptable. The Students’ Union has officers responsible for ensuring that equality and diversity are at the heart of our campaigns, services and operations. The Anti-Racism Officer,

LGBT Students’ Officer, Mature and PartTime Students’ Officer, Students with Disabilities Officer and Women’s Officer all ensure representation for the diverse groups among the student body, and campaign to fight against injustice and intolerance. See p46 Within LSE, there is a Diversity Adviser, Tehmina Hammad, and an Equality and Diversity Committee, chaired by LSE Governor and Director of Liberty, Shami Chakrabarti. Students can approach the Diversity Adviser for advice. The Students’ Union has representation on the Equality and Diversity Committee through Education and Welfare Officer Emmanuel Akpan-Inwang and Joseph Brown, Anti-Racism Officer. They can feed in any student concerns directly to the School when it formulates its strategies on equal opportunities. The School also runs a Disability and Diversity Consultative Forum to hear issues

Get Involved

related to disability, gender, race, age, religion & belief and sexual orientation. Members from each of these groups are included and issues can be raised there. The Students’ Union has representation here again through the Education and Welfare Officer and other officers on the Executive who can feed in concerns to this committee on the student’s behalf. Indeed, any student can come along to this Forum, so if you feel you have an issue you want to raise yourself, contact the Students’ Union officers stating that you want to attend. If you feel equal opportunities are being breached within the Students’ Union, contact the relevant officer on the Executive. Within the School, there are procedures for harassment and tackling other issues that relate to equal opportunities. See p104

THE SCHOOL Campus, administration, the Library, IT facilities, history...

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

What is LSE?

The London Stock Exchange? Language Sensitive Editor?

LSE is often referred to as ‘the School’ by its students. This will probably confuse your friends at other universities, who refer to ‘the university’ or ‘the college’, and might assume you are living in the past somewhat. LSE is a social sciences institution renowned for its research and teaching. Officially, it is a specialist single-faculty constituent college of the University of London, making it one of a kind in the UK. Until recently, LSE awarded degrees in the name of the University of London but, from 2008 onwards, it now awards its own degrees. LSE has 19 Departments, 30 Research Centres and a Language Centre. In total, the Departments and Centres of LSE run over 135 MSc programmes, 4 MPA programmes, 30 BSc programmes, 4 BA programmes, and the LLB and LLM for budding legal eagles. The School is a member of the Russell Group, the top 20 research institutions in the UK, and the unofficial ‘G5’ of British universities (the institutions that regularly finish in the Top 5 of League Tables). In examples of recent league tables, LSE was named the world’s 3rd best social sciences institution. While league tables undoubtedly have problems of methodology and receive a lot of criticism, they can used to wow friends and family, and to win arguments. As for its students, the average course at LSE has around 17 applicants for 1 place, although many are even more competitive. The top 10 employers of LSE graduates are mainly investment banks, consultancy groups, accounting firms, law firms and international organisations. LSE’s student population of around 9000 full-time students is generally 50% post-

graduate (55.3% in 2007-8 to be exact). In total, 70% of LSE students come from outside the UK (50% from outside the EU). Last year, female students (50.9%) narrowly outnumbered male students. The largest single group of LSE students in terms of nationality are students from the UK (second place goes to the USA), although at points LSE has more countries represented among its students than the UN. Sadly, only 3% of LSE’s students hail from Africa – something the School is trying to improve – and an even smaller proportion are Welsh (although it is unclear whether the School is going to remedy this). LSE offers an incredible public lectures programme throughout the year, so watch out for Heads of State or Government, top politicians, the biggest names in business, finance and economics and academics of the highest calibre who speak regularly at LSE. If you ever see an expensive entourage of vehicles or a gathering of people with placards and banners ready for a protest, it usually means somebody important or controversial is going to speak.

The School

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

The School CAMPUS

Getting around

The hidden secrets of the LSE campus. Use these wisely...

LSE is a collection of odd buildings in central London. LSE’s student population has grown incredibly over the past few years, and it is a constant struggle to acquire the real estate necessary to house everybody. It’s an urban university so space is at a premium - don’t expect any idyllic Oxbridge surroundings. Do expect some nice new buildings, some wheelchair inaccessible buildings and a few crumbling shacks that are going to be knocked down soon. All the buildings have names and letters. The names are sometimes descriptive (Old and East), sometimes historical and sometimes downright confusing (we have a St. Clement’s and a Clement House, for example). The letters are shorthand abbreviations of these names. Each room at LSE has a number: even the toilets. Rooms are identified with the letter of the building it is in (e.g. A) and a number which indicates the floor and room. 1-99 are on the ground floor, 0-099 on the basement level and 100-199 on the first floor, etc. Some rooms have names instead of numbers (e.g. OT is the Old Theatre). You’ll soon get used to it. Check the map at the back of this guide for a full map of campus, including which doors are wheelchair accessible.

Lockers There are a few thousand lockers at LSE, most of which are located in the basement of the Old Building. They are free to use: you just need to find a free one and supply your own padlock (for sale at the Students’ Union Shop). They are cleared out in September

every year, so make sure you clear out your stuff beforehand. You use these lockers at your own risk. They are not high quality lockers and are often broken into. Our advice is to avoid storing anything valuable like laptops or your year’s notes in them. There are also day lockers for short-term use. They require a one pound deposit and if you leave belongings in there overnight, they may be cleared out.

when most School buildings shut their main doors.

Here are all the bridges at LSE: • Old Building 3rd Floor to East Building 4th Floor • Old Building 4th Floor to St Clement’s 5th Floor • Old Building 2nd Floor to Connaught House 2nd Floor • Old Building 5th Floor to Connaught House 6th Floor • Clare Market Building to St Clement’s Building • St Clement’s Building to the Library: this is one of the nicest, but for most students one of the least useful bridges. It connects St Clement’s Building to the Lionel Robbins Building, but only the research bit. However, it is quite a nice bridge with stools and tables which some people use for studying.

Skybridges Skybridges are a useful way to get around LSE. With an Indiana Jones style leap of faith you can be whisked from one building to another without improving your tan. They also provide a way of accessing buildings during evenings and weekends,

Toilets Toilets, ‘restrooms’ or loos will become familiar places to you during your time at LSE. They are of variable quality and usually reflect the state of the building itself. Here’s our guide to how to avoid a nasty experi-

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

The School CAMPUS

ence when you’re doing your business. Worst: • Basement of the Old Building - hot, smelly and overused. • Library toilets - avoid, especially on a Bank Holiday. Best: • Basement of The Lakatos Building - a real executive suite. • Vera Ansey Suite - convenient location. Frequented by the LSE ‘big wigs’ who have meetings in the room next door. • Clement House toilets - usually nice.

fied gender or their birth sex, Gender Neutral Toilets are provided as a safe environment which is free of harassment that may not be available in gender-specific toilets. There are no criteria for using GNTs. You do not have to be trans or gender-undefined to use them. This is why they are still marked secondarily as for “Women” and “Men”. At present, LSE has no Gender Neutral Toilets. Contact LGBT Officer Lizzie Merrow if you would like to add your voice to the campaign of GNTs at LSE. Go to www. transyouth.org for a map of GNTs across the UK.

Showers LSE also has a few showers, incase you need to freshen up. Again, they are a bit of a minefield but luckily the worst shower room (near the East Building gym) will be refurbished by October. Here’s a full list:

Gender Neutral Toilets Gender Neutral Toilets are a safe space for transgender people and people who are gender-undefined. Whether for transsexual people who may still look ambiguous during transition, or for those who do not conform to the gender stereotypes of their self-identi-

• • •

Old Building basement East Building 1st Floor Lakatos Building basement

NAB The New Academic Building (NAB) is, as the name suggests, a new building for academics. There’s also a bit of teaching space and some nice new lecture theatres. It’s a stunningly refurbished building inbetween Lincoln’s Inn Fields and Kingsway, which will shift campus slightly northwards. There will be a shop, run by the Students’ Union, a cafe (with outdoor seating) and a big atrium. Law and Management Departments will be moving to the upper floors, with a nice roof garden on top. Fingers crossed it opens on time!

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

The School CAMPUS

Physical accessibility around the LSE varies a great deal, due to the rather labyrinthine buildings, but keeps improving each year – partly thanks to proactive students with disabilities. You can contribute to this process through the School’s Disability & Diversity Consultative Forum, held once a term. Although most buildings are accessible, routes are sometimes neither direct nor convenient and access to toilets varies from building to building. There more useful details about accessibility on the Disability Office website. Rather than repeat these, I’ll concentrate on access to some useful places to know straight away, so you can enjoy more of the initial freshers’ experiences. See p147 for an LSE accessibility map.

The Garrick The accessible entrance is on the corner and a lift is located at the other end of the building.

The Quad This is the Students’ Union run café and at night becomes a venue for various events, like Fresh on Fridays. Access for people with limited mobility/wheelchairs is via the East Building (E) lift (right of Students’ Union reception) to basement, then turn left and go through double doors.

Students’ Union Shop See details for The Quad for lower level.

Accessibility

The shop is difficult to get round in by wheelchair but its friendly staff are willing to help, or you can ring the assistance bell outside the main entrance on Houghton Street.

Quad Mezzanine The Copy Shop and Alpha Book are not wheelchair accessible, but ask the Students’ Union reception to phone through for someone to come to you.

The Three Tuns The main LSE bar has level access at the main Houghton Street entrance and a disabled toilet at the back with other toilets.

The Underground This is the other LSE bar, has the Three

Tuns Kitchen and acts as another Fresh venue. Access for people with limited mobility/ wheelchairs is via the Clare Market Building (C) lift (through main entrance, between Three Tuns and Students’ Union Shop) to basement. A disabled toilet is located with other toilets in basement corridor.

But I’m not disabled... Accessibility is an issue everyone should be aware of. Lifts are in short supply at LSE, so please give priority to wheelchair users. If you can, take the stairs. Be considerate: small things like opening doors for your fellow students goes a long way.

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

The School CAMPUS

Green LSE

Even the Tories are going green now...

LSE is pursuing a strict zero waste policy. There are simple ways to reduce waste: • Instead of plastic mugs, use a thermos mug for your hot drink. • Instead of plastic bottles for water, use a reusable drink bottle. There are water fountains across campus where you can get water, like the one pictured. They are sometimes hard to find but just ask. Moreover, the tap water in London is safe to drink. After all, why pay for water? • Instead of plastic bags, consider using cotton bags. • There are special bins for butts and used chewing gum. • Use recycling facilities across the campus.

Fair Trade & ethical There are a wide range of Fair Trade products available in the Students’ Union Shop and all catering outlets on campus. Fair Trade makes a difference to hundreds of thousands people worldwide. The Students’ Union Shop offers a wide range of recycled paper, and our Copy Shop uses 100% recycled paper.

Halls LSE Halls pursue a strict zero waste policy according to the waste hierarchy: • First Reduce… • …Then Reuse… • … and finally Recycle. All Halls have a Reuse Scheme. Unwanted items can be donated at the end of term

and are given to charities. Alternatively, you can take your unwanted items directly to a Charity Shop. All Halls have recycling facilities. Recycling is a great way to save resources and energy. Watch out for labelled bins. Usually, the following items can be recycled, but it differs in each London Boroughs: • Paper and Cardboard • Glass • Cans • Plastic Bottles All electrical items have to be recycled according to EU legislation. Each hall has a container for broken electrical items you can use.

Saving energy Electricity is a luxury – two billion people do not have access to electricity. It’s pretty simple: • Switch off lights and equipment when a room is not in use • Make sure the washing machine is full and wash your clothes at 30°C, which is the ‘Dark Colours’ setting at LSE Halls

•

(almost all washing powders can handle this) Turn off computers/laptops overnight. Waste from leaving computers on overnight wastes an estimated £115m and 700,000 tonnes C02, and it’s a myth that turning them off reduces their lifespan! Some modern motherboards still consume energy when the computer is shut down, so disconnect them from the mains Only print something when you absolutely have to, and try to format the font and layout to minimise the amount you print. Make sure you use the double-sided printing facilities on many LSE computers Put a ‘hippo’ in your toilet (available from Thames Water), which can reduce needless water waste through flushing by 1/3 Only fill up a kettle to boil the amount you need (although make sure it is above the minimum amount specified on the kettle)

Sustainability Champions Each hall has Student Sustainability Champions. They help to promote environmental awareness within the hall. Contact your Hall Committee or the Environment and Ethics officer if you want to get involved.

CONTACT Justus Rollin: su.environment@lse.ac.uk Victoria Hands: v.e.hands@lse.ac.uk

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

The School CAMPUS

IT facilities

Not just for geeks...

Computers There are public computers - computers for use by students and staff - located around campus and in halls of residence, and plenty of spaces to plug in your computers or connect to the wireless network. On arrival you will need to activate your LSE account, which will generate a user name and password used to log on to computers, the wireless network, email and electronic resources. Most computers are located in the Library, but there are computer rooms in each major building, usually the basement. At peak times it can be a struggle to find an available computer station, but there are always spare computers somewhere. Use the plasma screens in the lobbies of some buildings to find out PC availability around campus, or go to itservices.lse.ac.uk/WAP on your WAP-enabled mobile phone. Computers are kitted out with Windows XP, Internet, the usual host of Microsoft Office software and some specialist tools.

Computer ROOMS around CAMPUS ROOM

PCs

C120

105

D010

K60

L50/56

Library LG

210

LIBRARY G

LIBRARY 1st

library 2nd

library 3rd

a038

s08

S502

G017

You can talk, drink and eat in some computer rooms; but not in others. Check out the signs and be considerate to your fellow students! Some computers have notices that they are reserved for students with ISSAs. If you haven’t got one, don’t waste your time trying to log in! Opening times vary.

Email Email is the most important communication tool at LSE. Your department, teachers, societies and friends will all email you with alarming frequency, so get used to reading and replying to them. The School runs on Microsoft Exchange, which works very well with Microsoft Outlook and less well with other email clients. You can check your email online at exchange.lse.ac.uk, too, but you will need Internet Explorer to get full use out of that facility. You can arrange meetings, synchronise with your phone and laptop, look up the name of any student of staff member and organise your entire life - check out the IT Services website for help guides and details of their excellent training sessions.

H: Space This is the name given to your personal folder on LSE’s servers, available at every public computer you log on to and even on your personal computer (see IT Services website). Taught students get 200MB storage, research students and staff get 500MB.

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

The School CAMPUS

LSE for You LSE for You is the School’s way of dealing with the huge administrative nightmare of thousands of students in countless departments on hundreds of courses. It is an online facility that harnesses the School’s administrative systems and enables students and staff to view and update their personal details. You can: view your class attendances, exam results, certificate of registration (use this to print proof of your student status) and class reports. You can also pay your fees, apply for accommodation and book rooms (if you have been granted booking rights for your society). It will be a very important facility during your time at LSE.

on your document at a public computer, then log in to one of the special computers next to the printers. Select the document you want, then click print.

public streets. Upper Street, in Islington, has a free municipal wireless facility along the entire street. Other universities around the UK and Europe also allow you to log on to their wireless networks as a guest with your LSE credentials: see www.eduroam.org for details. A great service LSE offers is the Laptop Surgery. It is a completely free service located in S198, St Clement’s Building. They offer advice and hands on assistance to students with problems connecting to LSE resources from personally owned laptops and mobile devices. They will configure, diagnose, retrieve data, disinfect and fix most problems you can have with your laptop.

Support & training

Printing Scanning There are two public scanners on campus: one on the lower ground floor of the Library, the other in the print room of C120. Instructions are located near the scanner and also on the IT Services website.

There are black and white printers in most computer rooms, and colour printers in the Library and C120. It costs 4p per A4 side in black and white print, 30p for colour. To save paper, LSE printers print on both sides by default. To print, you will first need to top-up your printing account using either the coin value loaders (located in major computer rooms) or at the Library Copy Shop. Next, click print

Laptops/wireless LSE is a very laptop friendly place. Almost everywhere on campus is covered by a wi-fi signal, and there are an increasing number of ‘plug in points’ where you can plug your laptop in to power and Ethernet sockets. Some halls offer wireless facilities, too, and every room in halls has an Ethernet socket. Off campus, you will find plenty of wireless hotspots in cafes, bars and even

If you’re having problems, IT Services offer a range of support including virtual IT assistance, face to face support, in halls support and a range of online guides to common problems. If you’re worried about your IT skills, there are also a number of free training courses available for students. IT Training offers all students hour-long supervised workshops in Microsoft Office and HTML. There is an LSE certification scheme for students who have attended supervised workshops, and the European Computer Driving Licence is available to students at a reduced rate. CONTACT Library First Floor | 020 7955 6728 www.lse.ac.uk/itservices IT.Helpdesk@lse.ac.uk

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

The School CAMPUS

Photocopying

Cheapest in London...

With some essential course books only available to borrow for 24 hours, you will become very familiar with photocopying machines during your time at LSE. Unless you’re interning for Boris Johnson you won’t get cheaper photocopying in London than at the Students’ Union. We even beat the LSE library by a penny for every sheet, so over the course of the year you’ll have saved yourself enough money to afford a Movida cocktail. Just don’t forget to take your copy card out of the card reader when you’ve finished photocopying. It also offers colour copying, laminating and if you’ve got a dissertation that needs binding this is place to come. Just ask the friendly Bernardo, who is usually in the copy shop office, for more information. For all those who want to get their copy-

ing fix at 2am there’s also a mini Copy Shop which is hidden away on the stairs from the Quad Cafe to the gym and also on the 2nd floor of the East Building. It is open 24/7.

Opening times: Term time Monday – Friday: 09.30 – 19.00 Holidays Monday – Friday: 11.00 – 17.00 Copy cards cost £1, and include 10 copies. CONTACT

Prices

E80 Quad Mezzanine, East Building b.a.duggan@lse.ac.uk 020 7955 6002

A4/A3 MONO COPY

3p/6p

A4/A3 COLOUR COPY

25p/50p

A4/A3 COLOURED SHEET

3p/6p

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

The Library

The School CAMPUS

BLPES! BLPES!

LSE’s Library – to some, it’s the jewel in the crown. To others, it is a place of academic revelations. But to many, it is a big, beautiful place where you get fined a lot of money for hiring books you never read. But, without a doubt, LSE’s Library is an unique and amazing resource. And it’s not just any old library – it’s only the world’s largest social sciences library to boot! The British Library Of Political and Economic Sciences (as it is otherwise known) is in fact effectively two libraries in one, the Course Collection and the Main Collection. The Course Collection is the smaller but the more useful of the two as it houses multiple copies of the core reading texts along with other books on the reading lists. The different floors can be accessed by a lift or architect Norman Foster’s famous staircase which

is unique and nothing like the circular staircase in the Reichstag in Berlin. Once you have registered and have your LSE ID card track down a couple of books on a reading list just for practice. Most students rarely feel the need to go outside of the Library for undergraduate reading.

The basics To get into the Library, you use your LSE ID Card to swipe through the turnstiles. There are over 450 computer workstations in the Library, as well as over 200 laptop points. As with all of LSE campus, the Library is covered by wireless internet. In Michaelmas Term (first term), there will be an Information Point near the entrance where you can get an audio tour of the li-

brary (also available online as a podcast). There are numerous guidebooks available, especially the Student Library Guide and the Floorplan and Location Tips guide. It may not be the world’s most pressing injustice, but many LSE students think that the staircases are way to narrow, with the steps too far apart, making it hard to walk up or down without looking like a one-legged pirate. Even the Wikipedia article about LSE mentions students’ annoyance at this fact! There are, of course, lifts. In the past, these haven’t worked terribly well, but they have recently been replaced and should be fine from now on. For many, this is a shame, as the malfunctioning voice in one of the lifts is quite amusing.

OPENING TIMES Term and Easter vacation Monday - Sunday, 8am - midnight. Christmas & summer vacations Monday - Friday, 9am-8pm Saturday - Sunday, 10am-8pm

Continues overleaf

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

The School

Finding books The easiest way to find books is to use the online Library Catalogue to search by title, author or keywords. You can see: • Whether books are available (or when they will be returned) – you can reserve books for when they’re returned, except for Set Texts (and you can only reserve 6 at a time) • Whether they are in the Course Collection (Ground Floor, for most popular books, and only accessible via a turnstile to LSE people) or Main Collection (the rest of the Library, including journals and periodicals); and • The classmark of the book (its unique alphanumerical code) – A-G on the Third Floor, H-JV on the Second and JX-Z on the First. Then you go find it! You can also search for Journals, ebooks and electronic resources (many journal articles are available online). The Library also has Closed Access Materials available on request by filling out a Fetch Request and giving it to staff who then, rather kindly, fetch it! There is also an Archives and Rare Books collection for PhD and MSc dissertation students. See www.lse.ac.uk/library/archive/ default.htm for more.

Borrowing books Libraries contain books that you can borrow, and LSE’s is no different in that respect. To borrow a book at the Library, you can just take a book to the Help Desk on the Ground Floor, show your LSE ID Card to

The Library the helpful staff and have it scanned as borrowed in your name. However, you’ll probably mostly use the Self-Service Machines on the Ground Floor and in the Course Collection. It is debatable whether the automated process is actually faster, but it does accelerate the decline of human interaction in postmodernity.

Set texts Set texts have orange labels on their spines. These books are most in demand. They can be taken out for 24 hours. Up to three set texts may be borrowed at one time and carry a penalty of 50 pence per hour if not returned on time. Set texts cannot be renewed of reissued.

One week loans One week loans have red labels or red strips on their spine. Up to 6 one week loans may be borrowed at one time. One week loans may be renewed, unless a hold has been placed by another user. A fine of 30p per day is charged on overdue one week loans.

Three day loans To use the machines, you need to scan the barcode on your LSE ID Card, and type in your Library PIN (available on your LSE for You space). Just follow the simple instructions and you’ll be able to walk out of the Library with your books without setting off the security detectors – however, it is highly likely that you will be forced to blush on at least one occasion during your time here as you pass through the gates and hear that excruciating beep that tells you the machine didn’t scan your book out properly. All you do is hand the book to the very kind staff who de-magnetise it and let you out (unless you have actually tried to steal a book, in which case you should keep running).

Three day loans have blue labels or blue strips on their spines. Up to 6 three day loans may be borrowed at one time. Full-time student can borrow them for 3 days, Part-time students can borrow them for 1 week. A three day loan may be renewed, unless a hold has been placed by another user. A fine of 50p per day is charged on overdue three day loans.

Normal loans Normal loans have white labels. Course students can borrow them for 3 weeks while Staff and Research students can borrow them for up to 105 days. A fine of 30p per day is charged on overdue normal loans.

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

The School

Recommended texts

Respect your library!

Recommended texts carry yellow labels or yellow strips on their spines. These are books recommended as background reading on LSE course reading lists and can be borrowed for 1 week. A fine of 30p per day is charged on overdue recommended texts.

Don’t Feed the Mice – Don’t Bring Food into The Library! If you see anyone on Facebook in the Library, they are probably setting up another group to complain – like the one about mice in the Library. Recently, there has indeed been a vermin problem – and that’s all the more reason for you not to bring food into the Library, because that’s what the little creatures are after! So please don’t feed the mice by eating in the Library – take a break, leave the Library, have some food in a relaxed environment, and come back to your work later. After all, you’ll work better if you factor in breaks, and it’s an issue of welfare and care for other students, who probably don’t appreciate mice running over their hands while they type away on keyboards! Keeping Quiet, Not Hogging Study Space or Computers and Respecting Others Beyond not bringing in food, good library etiquette is pretty simple – try to keep the noise down, don’t talk on your mobile (except in designated mobile areas, like toilets) and show respect to others. The Library is a large, open building, and noise travels – so please try extra hard to keep it down! You will hear horror stories of massive arguments and even fights in the Library, especially at stressful times such as exam time. Many of these stories are exaggerated but to avoid getting into heated exchanges, follow some simple rules that reduce tension: • Don’t hog study space – try not to spread your books, papers and be-

Overall borrowing allowances: • Taught students: 20 items (undergraduate and taught course postgraduate students) • Research students: 30 items (MPhil and PhD students) • Staff: 40 items A combination of certain amounts of the following materials may be borrowed totalling 20, 30 or 40 as above. You can renew your loans online by using the Self-Service option on the Library’s online catalogue. You will need to enter your Library card number and PIN. If you do not have access to a computer you can telephone 020 7955 7225 (Monday-Friday, 9.00-17.00). Renewals and further borrowing is not possible you have accumulated £10 or more in fines on your account.

Electronic Library There is now an extensive Electronic Library, with Electronic Journals and Article Finders that can be accessed on and off campus using the various Library Passwords you can find in your LSEforYou account. See www.lse.ac.uk/library/elelib.htm for more.

•

longings across whole tables, as this stops others using that space. And if you leave, please take your stuff with you – if you leave a note saying “BRB”, that doesn’t make it any better! Especially at exam time, space is precious. Don’t hog computers – yet another Library-related Facebook group has been set up to protest again “BRB” messages being put on computers when people leave without logging out. Again, computers are prime real estate, but if you’re not using them, others could be. If you’re looking for computers, check out the boards in the Library lobby and computer room C120 that tell you where there are computers free in the School.

Senate House Library As an LSE student you can use any of the libraries of the various institutions and colleges of the University of London. However in most cases you will not be allowed to borrow books. One exception is Senate House Library located on Malet Street which is about 15 minutes walk from LSE. It uses a different system from the BLPES, and the fines are cheaper as well.

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

The School

History

Political influence, protest and Peace Prize winners...

The modify the old phrase – to know where you’re going to study, you have to know where it’s been! This is a quick history of LSE that was definitely not stolen from Wikipedia… In October 1895, the Fabian Society – a group of reformist socialists who believed that education was at the heart of transition to a fairer society – set up an institution called the London School of Economics and Political Science to promote research into the major social, economic and political problems of the day. Making the decision apparently on a whim at a breakfast party on August 4th 1894, and with the help of a £20,000 bequest from Henry Hunt Hutchinson, leading Fabians George Bernard Shaw (writer and Nobel Laureate), Sidney and Beatrice Webb, and Graham Wallas set up

the School. By 1900, it joined the University of London as the Faculty of Economics and, from 1902, it began to issue degrees. LSE originally occupied Number 9, John Street, Adelphi Terrace, and operated as a night-school to provide higher education for working-class people who would otherwise not benefit from such an education. The British Library of Political and Economic Science (BLPES) was built at Number 10 Adelphi Terrace in 1896, and new buildings were constantly added by Shaw until 1902, when LSE outgrew its humble surroundings and moved to its present location. By this point, LSE had already been the scene of momentous events, especially the founding of the Suffragettes Movement for women’s suffrage and liberation. Noting the stagnation of research and

teaching for the economic and political elite of the country at the time, and modelling themselves on the coverage of social sciences in the curriculum at the Sciences Po in Paris, the Fabians expanded into subjects beyond Economics – initially Geography in 1902, then Philosophy (1903). Under Director William Beveridge (later pioneer of the National Health Service, the NHS) in the 1920s, LSE expanded further. The Old Building was built and opened in 1922, and remains as LSE’s main building today. In fact, some LSE buildings are much older, including St Phi lips Building (1903, originally the Strand Union Workhouse), the Library (1916, originally a warehouse), Aldwych House and some buildings on the ‘Island Site’ opposite the St. Philips Buildings are from the Nineteenth Century! Beveridge hired Friedrich von Hayek as a Professor, and the Nobel Laureate’s debates with Maynard Keynes were the central economic clashes of the time, defining the development of contemporary economics as a discipline. At the same time, LSE continued its socialist tradition with leading left-wing academics, like Harold Joseph Laski. In the 1960s, LSE continued to expand with the building of the Clare Market Building and major rebuilding work on the St Clements Building. Meanwhile, LSE’s socialist tradition clashed with the wishes of successive Directors, who took a rigid line against student protest. Protest escalated until 1967 and the famous events of 1968 and 1969. In 1967, David Adelstein, Students’ Union President, and Marshall Bloom, President of the Graduate Students’ Association, were suspended for protesting against the ap-

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

The School

pointment of Director Walter Adams, during which time an LSE Porter died of a heart attack (caused presumably by over-excitement at the sit-in protests). Adams, as head of a university in white-ruled Rhodesia (before it became Zimbabwe), was considered by many to be complicit with the racial policies of the Smith regime. After a week long sit-in of hundreds of students and particularly a hunger strike of around 100, the LSE gave in, and removed the suspensions on Adelstein and Bloom. But 1968-9 would see more protests against Adams. Adams erected a security gate at the front of LSE, which students tore down in mass riots. This led to the School being closed for three weeks. Riots, sit-ins, occupations and other forms of mass protest received international attention.

Since then, LSE has continued to expand, with the building of the Towers, and now has around 9,000 full-time students. The Summer School was set up in 1989, and numerous academic projects have proliferated since. Today, LSE is the world’s leading social sciences institution, and has a huge influence in almost all areas of politics and economics – most recently, on climate change with Prof. Lord Stern and his Stern Report on Climate Change, and on ID cards, where research into its costs and disadvantages has provoked widespread attention.

Famous Alumni In the world of politics, 42 international Heads of State or Government studied at LSE, including John F. Kennedy, Kwame Nk-

rumah (first black African Head of State or Government) and Clement Attlee (British Prime Minister after World War Two). 29 current British MPs and 42 Lords are LSE alumni. Business and financial leaders like George Soros, Mervyn King (Bank of England Governor) and Stelios Haji-Ioannou (Easyjet founder) once sat in the same lecture theatres and classrooms that you will soon fall asleep/learn in. Cherie Booth QC (wife of Tony Blair) is one of many leading legal figures among LSE graduates, along with Charles Webster, one of the founders of the UN. LSE’s most famous philosopher is arguably Karl Popper, who in fact founded the Department here, although one could argue this has caused more problems than it has solved (Philosophy students: get used to Popper’s problem of induction, and bad jokes loosely related to it). Other famous alumni include Shami Chakrabarti (Director of Liberty, the human rights NGO), Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones (who was very able, and an invite is still out for his return), WWE wrestler Val Venus and TV naturalist Sir David Attenborough. In fiction, West Wing President Jed Barlett has a PhD from LSE. Recently, even Monica Lewinsky did a Master’s here! Overall, LSE boasts 15 Nobel Prize Winners – 2 for Literature, 3 for Peace and 10 for Economics – including Amartya Sen, Friedrich von Hayek and Bertrand Russell. It might seem hard to believe, but you too will meet people who will go on to change the world (once they learn to change their own clothes, of course)…

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

The School

LSE always has to be different – and that goes for its governance and structure, too. The top position at LSE is called the Director, currently Howard Davies (previously Deputy Governor of the Bank of England). At other universities, this is usually called Vice-Chancellor. The Director oversees the entire strategic direction of the School, and is its public face.

The big wigs lations After that, you get down to Directors of particular administrative divisions, like Director of Finance and Facilities Andy Farrell, Secretary and Director of Administration Adrian Hall, and Librarian and Director of IT Services Jean Sykes (the three of these are also menacingly referred to as ‘The Triumvirate’). The day-to-day running of the School is done largely by the Director’s Management Team (the DMT), made up of the Director, the Pro-Directors, the Director of Finance and Facilities, and the Secretary and Director of Administration.

Committees

Howard Davies, LSE Director Howard Davies, colloquially known as ‘Howie D’, appears at a UGM every term to be grilled by the students he serves – so come along to ask him any question you want! See p139 for dates, p42 for UGM. Beneath the Director are the three ProDirectors or Deputy Directors, each with a specific responsibility (other institutions have Pro-Vice-Chancellors or Deputy Vice-Chancellors). Currently, they are: • Professor George Gaskell – Pro-Director for Planning and Resources • Professor Janet Hartley – Pro-Director for Teaching and Learning • Professor Sarah Worthington – ProDirector for Research and External Re-

Peter Sutherland Court of Governors Chairman The highest decision-making body of the School is called Council - nothing happens at the School in any department or area without it being approved by Council first. Council’s membership comes from the Court of Governors where, funnily enough, the Gov-

ernors of the School meet and discuss key strategic matters and policy areas. Members of Court include the Senior Management of the School, Academic Governors and Lay Governors (former alumni or distinguished figures who are not directly employed by the School but help decide its future). Current Governors include Cherie Booth QC (better known as Cherie Blair, wife of Tony!), Shami Chakrabarti (Chair of Liberty), Loyd Grossman (TV chef), Stelios Haji-Ioannou (founder of Easyjet), Baroness Virginia Bottomley (former Conservative minister), Lord Frank Judd (former Labour Minister, as well as former LSE Students’ Union Executive member!) and Will Hutton (former Editor of The Observer). The Chairman is currently Peter Sutherland (Chair of BP and Goldman Sachs ). In the academic world, the highest body is the Academic Board, which reports to and is chaired by the Director, and discusses issues to do with courses, teaching, learning and academic standards. In theory, all permanent academic staff can attend and vote – it’s the UGM of academia! Under all of these big committees are scores of standing committees, advisory groups and ad hoc committees. There’s even a Wine Selection Advisory Group, although its meetings and membership remain a mystery to students! Rest assured, the Students’ Union and student representatives sit on almost every committee, however small, and we will work as hard as possible to unwrap the puzzle that is LSE and report back what happens to our students!

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Student Services The big glass fronted area opposite Waterstones is called the Student Services Centre (SSC) – and it could be very important to your life at LSE. The SSC houses a range of different divisions who deal with applications, fees, registration and progression, meaning basically anything and everything to do with your degree. Registration and Assessment – works to maintain your student record at LSE, from the moment you register, to your course choices and ultimately to your results. Its main contacts are: • Undergraduate course queries: ugcourse-queries@lse.ac.uk • Graduate course queries: pg-coursequeries@lse.ac.uk • Result queries: result-queries@lse.ac.uk • Documentation requests: registry@lse. ac.uk SSC Advice and Reception Team – deal with general or specific enquiries about any aspect of student life at LSE, and will direct you to the appropriate facilities that you need. They look after the Student Mentoring Scheme and the Student Progress Panel, which will decide on your progress if you do not automatically progress to the next year/ stage of study (i.e. if you fail a course or several courses, or did not complete a course requirement). See their website for more at www.lse.ac.uk/collections/studentServicesCentre/studentSupport/sscAdviceReception. htm. Financial Support Office (financialsupport@lse.ac.uk) – give advice on awards and scholarships, and provide guidance to anyone experiencing hardship.

Visa Office (visa.office@lse.ac.uk) – assists international students with any visa issues. Exam and Ceremonies Division (examinations@lse.ac.uk or ceremonies@lse.ac.uk) – timetable exams and run your graduation ceremonies (should you pass!)

Deans In the academic world as it relates to stu-

The School

highest positions that deal with the School’s relations with individual students, and deal with a wide range of academic and pastoral issues. The Dean of Undergraduate Studies is Dr. Jan Stockdale (Ug.Dean@lse.ac.uk), who can be found in room A203 (2nd floor of the Old Building). The Dean of Graduate Studies is Dr. Julian Fulbrook (Pg.Dean@lse. ac.uk), who lives in room A202. The Associate Dean for the General Course is Dr. Rafael Gomez (gc.dean@lse.ac.uk), available in room A201. You can contact them separately or go to see them during their office hours, displayed outside their offices.

Advisers to Women & Male Students

Jan Stockdale Dean of Undergraduate Studies dents, the Deans are kings and queens. Well, sort of – they are the top people to whom problems and issues of student progress and conduct are reported. Students can appeal to the Deans if they feel they have extreme difficulties, and they are available at all times to listen to any student problems. In a sense, the Deans are like the ultimate Personal Tutors, as they are a supplementary assistance to your own personal tutors and departmental conveners – they are the

If you ever have a specific issue or problem that you want to seek informal advice on before seeking professional help, there are the Advisers to Women and Male Students. The current advisers are: • Dr Shani Orgad (s.s.orgad@lse.ac.uk), room S110 (1st Floor, St. Clements Building) - Adviser to Women Students • Dr Matthew Engelke (m.engelke@lse. ac.uk), room A609 (6th Floor, Old Building) - Adviser to Male Students They will deal with any contact in the strictest of confidence, and, if necessary, will assist you in gaining any additional help. They deal with gender-specific as well as general issues.

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

The School

Chaplaincy LSE’s Chaplaincy is the guardian of all things spiritual on campus. Although it features Christian clergy, it caters for a number of inter-faith initiatives at LSE, and is open to people of all faiths and none.

Don’t forget... •

Rev John Scott (United Reform Church) Rev David Peebles is the full-time Chaplain. Above all, David is a very nice guy who knows a lot about LSE and living in London. If you ever feel the need for some completely hassle-free advice, go and see David in G9 (Ground Floor, 20 Kingsway Building) for a cup of tea and a chat!

Careers Service

Chaplains will speak to you in confidence about any matter – spiritual, academic, personal – and give informal help and advice. While they do organise some Christian services, like morning prayer sessions and Eucharist, they also run small lecture series on a variety of topics, social events and tours to historic and spiritual locations in the city. There are currently three Chaplains at LSE: • Reverend David Peebles (Anglican) • Fr Iain Matthew OCD (Catholic)

LSE has an excellent, and very popular, careers service. The reputation of LSE students as career-focused is not without foundation: LSE students have some of the highest starting salaries of any graduates in the world. The Careers Service aims to cater to this demand with a series of careers fairs, online resources and one-to-one sessions. Finance, law and consultancy firms are, inevitably, the most prominent recruiters on campus, but the Careers Service works hard to attract other organisations to campus. It organises the International Organisations Day - the first event of its kind - which showcased opportunities in organisations such as the UN and World Bank. However, public and third sector firms have limited recruitment budgets, so don’t expect to see them giving away smoothies on Houghton St. If investment banking or law doesn’t appeal to you, then be prepared to actively seek out opportunities, plug your contacts and receive multiple rejection letters. The Careers Service is also home to the LSE Job Shop for part-time vacancies and the Volunteer Centre. See p31

Alumni Relations Graduation at LSE happens in July and December (for twelve month taught postgraduates and some PhD students). It is a grand ceremony and you need to hire robes to attend. Your LSE experience need not end there, though. The Alumni Relations Office will keep in touch with you, sending you the LSE Magazine and giving you the occasional phone call. LSE has an active alumni community, with groups ranging from the Jamaican Alumni Group to the Environmental Initiatives Network. The LSE alumni community is an impressive one: lawyers, politicians, bankers and celebrities form a massive worldwide network which you will be part of. You just need to pass your exams first. The Alumni Office also host plenty of events and reunions for alumni to attend, with a special programme for Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD). Every LSE student also gets lifelong library membership with borrowing rights, should you find yourself with an urge to borrow that Microeconomics and Behaviour book one last time.

LSE Studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Union Guide 2008

STUDYING Your degree, reading lists, classes, lectures, exams...

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Studying

Your degree Ideas of spending the first term locked in the library emerging into the light of day only to grab a cup of coffee from the Quad are as unrealistic as they are inefficient. Equally the strategy of excessive snakebite consumption combined with 4 weeks of returning to halls only when the sun has risen is also academically ineffective. It’s best to find a happy medium between the two. Tempting as it is to blow your student loan on amassing textbooks, experience indicates that approach often leads only to disillusionment. Week seven burn out is a common phenomenon. Having worked solidly through the term students often find that by this point they have failed to develop any sort of life outside of the classroom and therefore have no place to rest their weary minds. Academic failure often ensues. In short, strike a balance! Taught students take courses adding up to the value of 4 units each year. Most courses are worth a full unit, some are half unit courses. Assessment is usually through unseen examination, sometimes with a coursework element. Marks are given out of 100 for each course. Exams, coursework and even unassessed essays are usually awarded a numerical mark based on the following scale: First Class Honours 70 - 100 Upper Second Class Honours 60 - 69 Lower Second Class Honours 50 - 59 Third Class Honours 45 - 49 Pass 40 - 44 Fail 30 - 39 Bad Fail 0 – 29

BSc/BA

Master’s

You will take 4 units each year, for three years. In your first year, your three best marks will be averaged to produce a mark for your first year, which counts as one whole unit. This will count towards your final degree classification. • For first class honours you will need five first class marks; or four first class marks and an aggregate of at least 590 • For upper second class honours you will need five upper second class marks (or above); or four upper second class marks (or above) and an aggregate of at least 515 • For lower second class honours you will need Five lower second class marks (or above); or four lower second class marks (or above) and an aggregate of at least 440 • For third class honours you will need Eight third class marks (or above) • A pass degree will only be awarded as a result of the application of the penalty rules. For more information regarding the rules and regulations for BSc and BA degrees please go to www.lse.ac.uk/resources/ schoolRegulations/BA-BScDegrees.htm

The regulations for Master’s Degrees differ and depend on your programme of study. For more information please see www.lse.ac.uk/resources/schoolRegulations/ TaughtMastersDegrees.htm The scale for marks awarded in a Master’s programme is as follows: 0 - x% Bad Fail (x +1)49% Fail 50 - 59% Pass 60 - 69% Merit 70% and over Distinction The value of x depends on the Department or Institute in which you are studying.

LLB The rules and regulations are slightly different for the LLB. For more information on the Bachelor of Law Degree please go to www.lse.ac.uk/resources/schoolRegulations/ bachelorOfLaws.htm

PhD Students initially apply for an MPhil/ PhD before being upgraded to a pure PhD student. The student has a supervisor who oversees the development of the research. It involves submitting a thesis of maximum 100,000 words, which is examined by 2 academics, who also have an oral examination of the candidate. If the candidate is successful, they become a Doctor; if the candidate does well in the oral examination, amendments to their thesis can be made if it wasn’t quite satisfactory; in some cases, the candidate may be asked to re-submit their thesis within 18 months, or take another oral examination; and if they don’t think it was really up to PhD level, you can be considered for an MPhil, or simply be failed completely. Many PhD students are also Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) who teach undergraduates.

LSE Studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Union Guide 2008

Studying

Teaching

Lectures

Classes

Seminars

Each course unit is usually taught by lecturers and then consolidated by smaller classes. Lectures are an opportunity for you to listen to an academic, take notes and then work on the material on your own later or discuss it in class. Although the lectures are not compulsory it is a good idea (as anyone who has realised how short the Easter holidays can become when catching up) to at least attempt to go to most of them. Lectures at LSE are given to between 50 and 1000 students at a time!

Classes are less formal and on average there are 10 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 15 people per class. At LSE the classes are less about receiving new information and more about discussing your ideas and opinions with other students which is often facilitated by a Graduate Teaching Assistant. Silences tend not to go unnoticed and students are expected to make regular contributions. Absence from two consecutive classes will elicit an e-mail which will be sent to you and your tutor.

Seminars are usually larger and longer than classes, lasting between 1 1/2 and 2 hours. These sessions are more of a forum for an exchange of ideas, under the guidance of a lecturer who specialises in the line of study. They often begin with the Lecturer speaking for an extended period followed by an interactive discussion pursuing the line of thought that the Lecturer has laid out.

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Assessment Essays

effectively worth 1/9th of the final degree you should try and use it as a gradual introduction into university life , as going back to books after a years unbroken hedonism can be a shock.

One of the meanings for essay in the dictionary is ‘to attempt’. As essay is an attempt to communicate and argument or knowledge of a subject matter to the reader. The mark you receive for an essay is not a reflection of your intelligence but rather your ability to communicate your knowledge effectively. Essays are a good way to learn. The process of writing will help you clarify your thoughts on a subject or topic. They show you can understand ideas on a certain topic. They are useful as a means of gaining feedback on your academic progress. At LSE for many courses they are an important part of overall assessment. Essays can be a cause of anxiety (especially if you have 4 due in week 5 of Michaelmas term). You may not be excellent at writing essays from the start - this is quite normal. But with plenty of practise and feedback on your writing in the formal academic style you may find you become a lot better. The LSE Teaching and Learning Centre provides sessions on Essay and Dissertation writing.

A problem set is essentially a list of problems or exercises which is based on the material that is taught in lectures and classes. The goal is to become familiar with the material in order to hopefully understand the topic better. You will usually receive these every week or every two weeks for some courses and many are done online via Moodle Many students work in groups to solve them but you will be required to hand in your own individual problem set. You will probably find that it is best to start the problem sets as soon as possible rather than waiting until 2 hours before it’s due in to begin reading the chapter that you will need to answer it. Although they are the bane of many a student’s life at LSE they often count as part of your final grade for that course.

Presentations

Coursework

You will also be expected to give presentations to the rest of the class on a given topic. Although this may seem like a dreadful prospect, such assignments should not be shunned as it is an excellent way to get to grips with a topic and gain real understanding. These assignments only really pose a problem due to their preparation time and are not as daunting as they originally seem. Although the first year for undergraduates is

You will usually have to submit the coursework both online via Moodle so that it can be electronically checked for plagiarism and a hard copy in person to your Department office. It is always best to start coursework as early as possible. Many students have coursework due in at the same time on the same day. In the preceding hours computers everywhere are occupied so it is best not to leave it until 15 minutes before the deadline

Problem sets & exercises

Studying

to print and bind it. Always make sure that you put your candidate number and not your name on assessed coursework as LSE operates an anonymous marking policy. Make sure your coursework is submitted in full and on time as failure to do so may result in you losing marks. If for any reason you are unable to submit coursework on time speak to your tutor as soon as possible.

Plagiarism LSE takes plagiarism very seriously. All of the work that you submit during your degree, including essays and dissertations have to be your own work. You have committed the offence of plagiarism if you use another person’s ideas, copy words or ideas from someone else without giving credit, fail to put a quotation in quotation marks, give incorrect information about the source of a quotation; change words but copy the sentence structure of a source without giving credit, or copy so many words or ideas from a source that it makes up the majority of your work. You must also ensure that the material is cited fully and in the appropriate manner for your course. Infringement of this requirement whether deliberate or not is plagiarism. Plagiarism also applies to work which you have previously submitted and is known as ‘self plagiarism’. You can use earlier essay work as an element for a dissertation as long as it is specified by the department and referenced properly. If you are accused of plagiarism you can receive help from the Education and Welfare Officer.

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Studying

The Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment or Moodle as it is better known is a free open-source course management system designed to create a sort of online learning community. Moodle is somewhat distinct from Web –CT as it gives the opportunity to view information such as resources, documents, images etc along with providing opportunities to discuss that information in wiki-style one click forums, and chat spaces It is designed to help universities and colleges create an opportunity for interaction. Moodle was created on the principle that people actively construct knowledge as they interact with their environment as well as when they construct something for others to experience. Therefore Moodle is not merely just another source of information, it is an arena for collaboration, discussion, and debate. More and more colleges, universities,

Moodle and even businesses, are turning to Moodle to host and deliver courses online. Moodle’s open sourced software means that people can also develop additional functionality and customise it to suit their needs, though you will probably never need to worry about this. Not all courses use Moodle, if yours does you will be notified of this in the course introductory lecture. moodle.lse.ac.uk

Reading lists At the first lecture, class or seminar for each of your courses you will be presented with or directed to a document entitled ‘Course reading list’. Although you should not disregard its contents, you should treat it with a great caution. Don’t try and plough through every single item on the list; there’s not enough time. The key material that you

will need for your course is usually found in two or three books, articles or journals. Identifying these may prove to be a problem. Some lecturers will have been kind enough to highlight these ‘core texts’ on the reading lists whereas others will unhelpfully respond to enquiries into essential reading with ‘consult your reading list’. You can alternatively employ the common sense approach; don’t read a comprehensive three volume work on a subject if a 100 page overview is available. If you do have to consult longer texts, use them selectively as it is often enough to get the idea of an author’s argument.

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Studying

Departments Postgraduate At LSE there are 23 academic departments and interdisciplinary institutes. Each of them has a convener who holds the position for three years. Your supervisor is there to advise you on course selection and will monitor your academic achievement throughout the year. Your supervisor is the first point of contact for any academic or personal advice. Each department has a departmental manager who can help you with matters relating to your degree programme and the courses offered.

damental responsibilities of departmental tutors are to arrange regular termly meetings of the Staff-Student Liaison Committee and the nomination of a representative to the School’s Undergraduate Students’ Consultative Forum as well as providing a direct channel of communication between the School and any student who is encountering academic or pastoral difficulties. If you wish to take a course outside your degree regulations or transfer to another degree your departmental tutor will have to agree it first.

Common rooms

Undergraduate Undergraduates belong to one of 21 academic departments at LSE. If you are following a ‘joint’ degree, for example the BSc in Government and Economics, you will be allocated to one of the two departments, normally the first mentioned in the title. All departments have a course convener who normally holds office for a period of three years. In addition each department has a Departmental Tutor, who in addition to your tutor can provide advice on more complex academic and personal issues. Your departmental tutor is there to provide departmental induction programmes for new and continuing students. They also monitor the academic and pastoral care provided by members their department, including the provision of reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities. The fun-

SSLCs Student Staff Liaison Committees are termly meetings arranged by departmental tutors and are responsible for overseeing the nominations and elections of student representatives both to the departmental SSLC and the School level undergraduate student forum. Departments organise these differently depending on their size. For example the Economics Department can vote directly for candidates to represent their interests in elections that take place early in the Michaelmas Term and are held electronically. SSLC meetings are an opportunity for students to discuss all aspects of undergraduate teaching such as the quality of teaching in lectures and classes, Library and IT services and anything else that staff or students wish to raise. Feedback is an important part of this process and completing the ‘feedback loop’ is an important part of the departmental tutor’s role.

Socials Most departments have a room for use by their students for study and discussion, but these rooms are often used for teaching and meetings. The Students’ Union believes more social space and common rooms are needed at LSE. If you department doesn’t have a common room, speak to the Education & Welfare Officer so we can make your voice heard.

Most departments, usually near the beginning of the year, hold some sort of social event. This is an opportunity for you to meet and mingle with Academics researchers, staff and other students in your department in an informal setting. There is usually food and subsidised drinks and offer so it is well worth attending. Be wary of drinking too much at these events though, as telling a professor in no uncertain terms exactly what you think of the quality of their lectures may not go down well.

LSE Studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Union Guide 2008

Studying

Personal tutors Every student is assigned a personal tutor at the beginning of the year. Your tutor (in theory) is available for any advice or problems be they of an academic or personal nature and to refer you, as necessary, to the appropriate support agencies within the School. Your personal tutor should maintain regular contact with you through direct one-to-one meetings and other means of communication, such as emails, in order to keep a check on your academic progress. The number and nature of the meetings vary from department to department. Your tutor is also responsible for informing the departmental tutor and School if they feel your attendance or progress is unsatisfactory so if you have any problems which may affect either of these it is advisable that you see your personal tutor as soon as possible. They also comment on and provide a general assessment of your termly class reports via LSEforYou. The benefit one gains from this is dependent on the tutorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitments. Many tutors will ensure that they meet with their tutees regularly and discuss a range of issues with them over coffee. Other tutors see meeting once a term as sufficient and may sit down with their tutees to discuss their termly reports with them. Some students are satisfied with this arrangement knowing that they can approach their tutor at any time should anything arise. Some tutors seem unaware of who their tutees are. There are mixed opinions as to whether the tutor should be an academic advisor or not. Nevertheless, if a good relationship is built up between tutor

Tutors & academics and tutee it is of real benefit to students. Last year the LSE set up a Teaching Task Force which looked at the role of Tutors, how much contact time students had, as well as having volunteer only tutors. as a result of this over the next few years the role of tutors is going to be adapted to better suit student needs. If you are dissatisfied with your personal tutor or find them unapproachable, you can change them by contacting your departmental tutor.

Academics

Lord Desai, Emeritus Professor LSEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s academics are at the cutting edge of the social sciences; influencing opinion, helping shape society and sparking debate. They are frequently called upon to advise governments and international organisations

and provide an education grounded in the real world. LSE has internationally renowned experts in many areas and fields of study all contributing to wider debate through various media. Academics at LSE frequently publish books many of which may appear on your reading list and may be available in The Economists Bookshop upon their release. Undergraduate students tend to receive lectures from academics but classes are usually facilitated by Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTSs) whereas graduate students often receive both from an academic. However all academics have an office hour which is an opportunity for you to go and speak to them face to face about anything you want to discuss in regards to the course.

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Studying

Exams Most of the examinations at LSE are held during the summer term. Towards the end of the Lent term you will receive an examination timetable via LSE for You which will inform you of the room, your candidate number and seating details. You must take a copy of this to all of your examinations. Your candidate number must also be written on all of your assessed work as well as the examinations books themselves. This is to ensure anonymity during the exam marking process. Before any exam you should familiarise yourself with when and where the exam will be held. Make sure you take only permitted materials into the examination room. You will be told before the examination period exactly what you are allowed to take into the exam. Smoking is not allowed but you can take in drinks and sweets as long as you eat them quietly. LSE offers a series of lectures and follow-up practical/ clinic sessions on different aspects of study and learning. In addition to the website, information posters are displayed around the School, and further information is available from the Teaching and Learning Development Officer, Dr Elizabeth Barnett. If you have any special requirements for your examinations as a result of a physical, mental or psychological disability or condition you can contact the Disability Office up to seven weeks before the your first exam. If you have mitigating circumstances such as a temporary illness, personal difficulties, or a bereavement, which you feel may have affected your examination performance which you bring to the attention of the Board of examiners then you must write to the Student Services Centre within seven days of

your last examination. It is possible, in very exceptional circumstances, to sit the examination before or in the following Michaelmas Term. For example, if immediately prior to examination you experience a serious injury or bereavement. However, a number of conditions must be met in order to be eligible for this and the provision only applies to students who cannot otherwise graduate or progress because of the missing exam(s). Results for undergraduates and graduate students on a 9 month programme are published in mid July. Results for graduate students on a 12 month programme are published in late November. You will not be able to receive your results if you owe the School or University any money. Official confirmed results will be mailed to your permanent home address and published on LSE for You.

Mock exams For those who wish to experience an exam environment before stepping into the real thing, the Students’ Union offers a number of mock examination sessions in the Summer Term. You must bring along your own exam paper and writing materials, but we will provide a room, examination paper and an invigilator for an authentic examination room feel. These run parallel to sessions that are offered within departments. Mock exam sessions offered by the Students’ Union do not provide a facility for the papers to be marked but those taken within the department are often marked by your class teacher. Answering questions on past

papers tends to be a good revision method and many students tend to bring these to the sessions. They’re useful to practice with and allow you to try different approaches to the exam. For examination papers dating back to 1994 go to https://library-2.lse.ac.uk/ protected-exam/ but bear in mind that your course may have changed since those papers were written.

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Studying

Problems

Failing

Appealing

Failing a course or even your entire year is not the end of the world. There a whole list of options open to you if you find that you did not do as well as you had expected in exams. If you want advice and information on what to do if you fail, contact the Education and Welfare officer.

The grounds for appeal at LSE are extremely limited. There are a number of options you have when appealing a mark for an examination. You can ask for a re-calculation of your marks. If you would like a recalculation, please note that a re-calculation is not the same as a re-mark, as LSE is quite strict in that you are not allowed to question the academic integrity of the examiners. This is simply an administrative check to ensure that the marks given to you were added up properly. You should be aware that if the original calculation of marks was over the recalculated mark than it will be replaced by the recalculated mark that you will be given, therefore it is possible for the mark to go down after a recalculation. You could can also submit mitigation reasons late, and request that the Exam Board re-considers your classification in light of them. If you would like to do this then it is possible for you to send a letter stating the reason and the fact that you do not believe that the mark you were given was an accurate reflection of your performance in the exam. To make an appeal, you need to write to the Academic Registrar, Simeon Underwood (s.underwood@lse.ac.uk) within a month of receiving your official marks. You need to state which mark you are appealing and the course code. If you are submitting a letter of mitigating circumstances late, please remember to include dates of when things happened, and supporting evidence (i.e. a letter from a doc-

Mitigating circumstances During your time at the School you may become ill or experience other personal circumstances such as bereavement or an accident, which may affect your academic performance when completing coursework or sitting examinations. These are mitigating circumstances which are unexpected, significantly disruptive and beyond your control. If you wish to make the examining body of LSE aware of your mitigating circumstances then you must complete a mitigating circumstances form or write a letter detailing your circumstances and attach detailed documentary evidence (e.g a doctor’s letter) and submit it to the Course and Assessment team within the Student Services Centre on the ground floor of the Old Building. In you letter you should explain how the circumstances have affected you and you may wish to consider detailing how it has affected your studies during the year, your preparation for an assessment or examination and the assessments/examinations themselves. If you have an existing medical condition for which you receive special examination arrangements (e.g. rest periods), then you do not need to submit mitigation.

tor). Your letter will need to explain why you did not submit mitigation earlier, and should describe in detail how your circumstance affected your exam performance. A letter of mitigation tends to work best for borderline marks i.e 49 as the board of examiners may choose to exercise discretion and push up your grade in light of your circumstances. In your letter you need to include your name and contact address. The Education and Welfare Officer will be able to help you once you have drafted an initial letter. It is possible for you to submit a Freedom of Information Request to see your exam transcripts, however they might contain examiners notes on them. This can be a useful indication of what marks you received for your questions. Please note that you would not be able to use this information to appeal your exam marks. You will need to make a request via the Date Protection Officer in the Examinations Office to request this. Contact r.e.maguire@ lse.ac.uk You may wish to note there is a charge of £10 for this. www.lse.ac.uk/collections/ dataProtection/makingRequests.htm

CONTACT Emmanuel Akpan-Inwang Education and Welfare Officer LSE Students’ Union su.edwelfare@lse.ac.uk Room E299 | 020 7955 6709

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Help & support

Studying

TLC The Teaching and Learning Centre provides support on teaching and learning across the school helping to improve the quality of teaching at the school and enabling both staff and students get the most out of the LSE experience. The TLC also covers all aspects of academic learning including research and academic management. They provide a range of training for academic staff and study support activities for students and researchers. Advice is available for students with disabilities and dyslexia. Although the acronym relates to ‘Teaching and Learning’ the remit goes well beyond this, and covers all aspects of the academic role including: • Internal policy development and advice on developments in the Higher Education (HE) sector, both within the UK and further afield, concerning teaching and learning issues. • Academic staff development, including development related to teaching, research, administration and career/ personal development. • Educational development, which involves active work on developing teaching, learning and assessment at LSE, and research into pedagogic issues at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. • Student study support, including the Disability Office and the Student Counselling Service.

Language Centre The Language Centre can help you to learn or improve a second language or take a language as part of your degree. The LC offers English for Academic Purposes. They also offer French, German, Russian, Spanish as well as an English Literature degree option. You can if you wish take one of the many certificate options in Arabic, French, Spanish, Mandarin, Japanese, Italian, Turkish, Greek, Russian, Portuguese and German. These courses run from about October to June. The LSE Language Centre is in many ways unique; no other centre specialises in creating courses targeted at the needs of students. All teachers are native speakers and combine extensive teaching experience with a strong academic background in one of the specialisms offered at LSE.

TEACHING AND LEARNING CENTRE U600, Tower One tlc@lse.ac.uk www.lse.ac.uk/collections/TLC/ 020 7955 6624

LANGUAGE CENTRE 7th Floor, Clare Market Building languages@lse.ac.uk www.lse.ac.uk/Depts/language/ 020 7955 6713

ONE LSE International students, women, students with disabilities, LGBT...

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

International students

Apart from being a global city and major financial capital, London is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world! From music and entertainment, to politics and education; every aspect of London life is multi-cultural. Being a prime location for employment, a hot spot for tourism and a commercial ‘gold-mine’ results in a city where over 300 different languages are spoken! However what really puts a smile on my face is that London is home to the most international university in the world – LSE.

“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.” There will never be a moment when you can honestly say “London is boring.” Life in central London is unbelievable. It is something that you have to experience yourself, to cherish. The city never sleeps, and caters

for everybody’s interests! However, the rumours are true: the weather is pretty bad. Unfortunately the sun is invariably hidden behind gloomy clouds, and the one thing every Londoner possesses, is an umbrella! So it’s natural to see the streets packed with smiling people on a sunny day. As well as being one of the most diverse cities in the world, London also has a fantastic cosmopolitan atmosphere, which international students contribute tremendously to. LSE boasts of a very high academic reputation but it is still often said that LSE students learn more from sitting among friends and debating a topic, than they ever do during lectures and classes. All of this combines to make studying at LSE a brilliant experience, in its own unique way. The Students’ Union has an International Students’ Officer, whose main priority is to ensure that all students have a truly enjoyable and memorable experience this year, from when they first enter their halls or flats, to when they finish their last examination in June. It’s difficult adjusting to a new environ-

One LSE International

ment all of a sudden, so we hope this section - and the guide in general - proves useful. This city creates, stages and lives culture with a passion, and this is reflected in our Students’ Union. Being at LSE, amongst such a diverse student body, is a unique opportunity. Go out and mix with students from all over the world! Attend the Sushi dinner night; go and try out Capoeira; dance to Bhangra music; watch the Arabic movie; learn how to play the bagpipes; develop a passion for baseball! What makes LSE special is our international student body. What defines LSE, however, is our close bond with each other’s views, cultures, religions, and experiences. So, once again, welcome to the beginning of a new chapter. Your years here will be amongst the best in your life. CONTACT Ayushman Sen International Students Officer su.international@lse.ac.uk

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

One LSE International

UKvisas UKvisas is the Government department responsible for visa matters arising overseas. Its main aim is to make travel and migration work for Britain. In most cases, queries can be answered from information available on the UKvisas website: www.ukvisas.gov.uk Note: The UKvisas office in London is unable to process visa applications. The first step for all international students is to read through this website: www.ukvisas. gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf5students This site provides a detailed FAQ section applicable to all international students who need a visa.

Do you need a visa? You will need a visa if you: are not an EEA (European Economic Area) national • are stateless (you don’t have a nationality) • hold a non-national travel document, or • hold a passport issued by an authority that is not recognised in the UK. (Source: UKvisas) •

How to apply www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/ This website has all the necessary information on where and how to apply for your UK student visa. In some countries, it is possible to apply for your visa online. ‘Visa4UK’ allows applicants in many countries to apply for their student visa online. The government

Visas is on target to have Visa4UK made available to all countries by the end of this year. To see which countries currently support Visa4UK visit www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/CountrySupport.aspx For the countries that do not support online applications, they have to be made on paper and submitted to the visa application centres in your country of residence. To find the website for your country’s visa application centre, see www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/wheretoapply/

Fees As of 30th June 2008, it will cost all students a fee of £99 for a visa. This fee is subject to review and change, depending on local application centres. It is not refundable, unless you refuse to submit the required biometric data with your visa application (in which case you shall get a full refund). For more information about UK’s biometric data policy, please see www.ukvisas.gov. uk/en/howtoapply/biometricvisa/

Health screening Students applying for UK visas valid for longer than six months in certain countries now require a certificate to show that they are free from infectious pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). The screening process is a chest X-ray, which will determine whether signs of infection are detected. We strongly recommend that you get an X-ray done from home BEFORE you come to the UK, and make sure you get a valid signed and authorised certificate to bring

with you to the UK. You will not be allowed into the country without having an X-ray taken, or without a valid certificate showing you have taken the X-ray at home. During peak times (especially September) the queues for X-rays are huge. You could be held at the airport for many hours! www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/ tbscreening/

Visa extension At the end of your period of stay in UK as a student, you may wish to extend your UK visa. To apply for an extension to study in the UK you will need to apply using an FLR(S) application form. Once again, the website above is very comprehensive and has answers to any questions you may have. Postal Applications cost £295.00 and same day personal service callers (premium service at a public enquiry office) costs £500.00. Should your visa expire during your course of study the Students’ Union Advice Centre can help you make an application for an extension. You will need original documents showing your financial status, along with LSE registration documents. In unusual cases (such as examination re-sits), you may need a supporting letter from the School. bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/ extending/

Working in the UK As you may have read in the FAQ section of the UKvisas link, you may be eligible to work in the UK. If you have student im-

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

One LSE International

migration permission that allows you to take employment, you can work up to 20 hours a week during term-time and full-time during your holidays, a work placement which is part of a sandwich course, or an internship. To find out whether you have permission (as a student) to work in the UK, you must see the details on your passport visa sticker. Since most of the international students haven’t yet applied for a visa, the following link will give you a heads-up on what to expect on your visa: www.ukcisa.org.uk/files/ pdf/working/work_during_stamps.pdf If you would like to work part-time whilst studying, make sure you state that on your visa application. A visa sticker that says “Work (and any changes) must be authorised” or “Able to work as authorised by the Secretary of State” basically says that you will be able to work during your studies. If your passport sticker says “No work”, you can’t work in the UK. If you have already been issued with a student visa that will not allow you to work, contact the Students’ Union Advice and Counselling Centre. They will be able to assist you in making an immigration application that will allow you to change your condition regarding work. When applying for work in the UK, you will need to simultaneously apply for your National Insurance (NI) number. This number is necessary to ensure you get charged the right level of income tax and is for national insurance contributions (paid by every worker in the UK to fund contributory benefits such as Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA), and state pensions). www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/working_

during.php

Staying in the UK Some students can now remain in the UK looking for work for 12 months after their studies. Find out how you can remain in the UK as a post-study worker by having a read through www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/working_after.php

Schengen visa, see www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/immigration.php

Links & information •

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‘Schengen’ visa If you are not a European Economic Area national and want to travel to Europe, you may be required to apply for a ‘Schengen’ visa before you travel. This scheme will allow international students wishing to visit countries within the European Economic Area (EEA) to travel between these countries using only one visa (saves costs on applying for different visas for different countries within the EEA!) The 21 countries that partake in the scheme (forming the Schengen space) are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. If you are travelling to countries outside of the Schengen area, you should contact that country’s embassy in the UK for information about immigration procedures there. For a list of foreign embassies in the UK visit www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/londondiplomatic-list-june For an extensive FAQ section on the

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Students’ Union Advice and Counselling Centre: su.advice-centre@lse.ac.uk (+44) (0)20 7955 7145 www.ukcisa.org.uk – The Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides excellent, detailed advice to all international prospective and current students (and their families, and teachers). www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/information_sheets.php - link that provides useful information (advice) sheets on topics ranging from ‘Culture Shock’ to Financial Support for all international students. www.hmrc.gov.uk – HM Revenue and Customs: responsible for tax, customs and excise duties, frontier protection and National Insurance UKvisas contact details: (+44) (0)20 7008 8308 www.ukvisas.gov.uk/enquiries

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Studying abroad is both exciting and overwhelming. Unfortunately, you will be away from the comfort of home. This, coupled with adjusting to a brand new environment can often take some time to adjust to. ‘Culture Shock’ affects most international students, in a variety of different ways. What is important to remember is that you’re all in the same boat and it will pass with time. There is no fool-proof method to overcome this, but there are certainly measures that can be taken to minimise it. • Keep in regular contact with family and friends from back home. You will find that it will in fact help you to make new friends here. • Find out places where you can find some familiarity. The LSE Students’ Union website provides some links for restaurants serving food from your country, and other sites like Timeout London and Upmystreet.com will be useful. Check them out and see where you can find cultural activities taking place around London. • Make a lot of friends! Don’t forget that most of them are freshers like you! Also, remember that acquaintances come and go, but if you recognise true and honest friendship, hold on to it for dear life; it doesn’t come along that often. • Attend Freshers’ Fayre and explore the huge number of societies present within the Students Union. Join as many as you think you can be active in, and try and stand for a position on the committee! It will help you make friends, and will look good on your CV too! • Make the most of the Student Induction

Settling in

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Programmes. They’re designed to ease the transition from life at home to here at university. (Be sure to attend the International Students’ Induction, which I’m hosting!) Use the school support services - St Philips Medical Centre, Students’ Union Advice and Counselling Centre, and the Chaplaincy. They are there, of course, for your benefit! Your student mentor, school and departmental representatives and your personal tutor are all there to assist you in any way possible. If you’re facing problems with fees or visas, you can also talk to the Student Services Centre. Never ever hold anything in – if you’re facing ANY sort of trouble, talk to someone. It will undoubtedly be of help. Link with a faith community if appropriate. The LSE chaplaincy locates local Churches, Mosques, Synagogues, or Temples. There are also several active religious societies (for example – the Islamic Society have allocated a Prayer Room on campus for Friday prayers). Don’t forget that if feelings of isolation or disorientation persist and are affecting your studies, there are people here who can help you. We want you to enjoy your time at LSE, as well as get the most out of it. Like I said – never keep your thoughts and feelings bottled up.

Tips •

Buy tickets for the first few weeks club nights in advance, otherwise be pre-

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pared to queue the length of Houghton Street Register with the doctor and dentist this shouldn’t be left till needed! St. Phillips unfortunately cannot register every student at the LSE. It only registers you if you live within a certain area. Go have a chat with them to see which NHS centre you are eligible to register with. If you have a laptop, invest in a security cable to make sure it stays put (especially if you do not have possessions insurance)! Do any readings you have as you go along. This will save hours when it comes to revision. Make good use of the University of London Union (ULU) facility. There are many events, classes, and sports facilities that are cheap and fun (including the modern gym and swimming pool). Attend the various hall dinners, quizes and talks on the first night – it’s an amazing way to get to know people. Make careful selection of your courses - it will be prudent to attend lectures on different courses in the first few weeks, to make up your mind on which course to ultimately select. Attend the initial few lectures and classes so you have the chance to change if you don’t enjoy them! LSE lectures (in every single course) are there for all students, regardless of whether they take it or not.

LSE Studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Union Guide 2008

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

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There are various mobile phone networks in the UK. The biggest ones are T-Mobile, 3, Orange, O2 and Vodafone. You can buy a ‘pay-as-you-go’ mobile, or one that comes with a fixed contract. Pay-as-you-go (as the name suggests) is a pre-paid phone which needs to be topped up with credit before you make calls. The fixed contracts usually require you to take out a fixed term contract with the mobile network provider, and each month you will be charged a nominal amount and given a certain number of free calling minutes and texts. (For example: £35 a month for 500 minutes and 500 texts). Usually this option is cheaper PER call/text message. However, the main drawbacks of this form of contract for international students are firstly that the minutes are strictly limited to UK numbers only, so other means of calling home from your mobile phone will need to be looked into. Secondly, since the contract will require a standing order payment every month deducted from your bank account (direct debit), the network companies are usually reluctant to set contracts up for international students unless they pay a refundable deposit (e.g. £150-£200), which will be credited back into your account after 6 or so months. The reason for this is that all new students will not have a credit history/rating in UK yet, and deposit is a bit like insuring that you will be able to pay the contract for the period of the time. Now there are many different combinations and deals that mobile networks devise and offer every day, and it’s quite difficult to keep up with the latest deals. To keep updated, have a look at www.carphoneware-

Phoning home house.com or www.phones4u.co.uk Carphone Warehouse is definitely the bigger and more popular choice. However, many students go directly to the mobile network shops (e.g. an actual ‘3’ shop) and buy phones from there – but note that this method will limit your choice of deals and networks, and hence from one international student to another, I would advise that you check out either of the 2 websites above before settling for purchasing a contract directly from a network. Also, some networks often have affiliated international pay-as-you-go mobile contracts. For example – www.mobileworld. co.uk is a network offering a sim card that allows international and local calls and text messages for cheap rates. Alternatively, what a lot of students like to do, is to purchase ‘Calling Cards’. However, be careful if you buy calling cards from newsagents and other shops. This industry is not well regulated - many advertisements which you may see are misleading, and some of the companies do not provide a good service to customers! Also, be wary of calling cards given to you (for free) people on the streets. They seem to be cheaper than everything else, but there is always a hidden cost attached, which is usually extremely high! For example: You need to pay for the cost of calling the UK access number (which you pay in the normal way from your phone) as well as paying for the international part of the call (which you pay using the credit on the telephone cards). So you’re actually paying a lot! Some cards have prices that are pretax. You usually have to add another 17.5%

VAT on top of those calling rates. Rates are often rounded to the nearest penny, so for example if it says 5p per minute, it may cost 5.5p per minute (10% more!)

Landlines Another facility that LSE Residences provide is landline calling. Every room in LSE halls of residences has a telephone (from which all LSE students in halls and other LSE extension numbers can be called for free). This telephone can be used to make local and international calls as well. Pick up a ‘PRIMUS’ leaflet from the reception of your halls, and this will have all the details on the service, including how to activate it and charges per call. Finally, to keep in touch with friends and family back home, you needn’t spend any money at all! There are many online applications, which allow unlimited voice chatting (pc-to-pc) for absolutely free. Some examples are MSN messenger, Yahoo Messenger, Gmail Talk and of course, the much loved, Skype! [www.skype.com]

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Global Show Global Week is an electrifying showcase of the cultural diversity and talent present within LSE. The Global Week Task Force organises the week’s exact schedule, and each year a new committee unites to prepare events that are bigger, louder, brighter and more encompassing those of previous years. Anybody can run for a position on the taskforce, via the UGM (Union General Meeting). From photograph exhibitions, to general global knowledge competitions; from public lectures on the development of Third World nations, to massive International Food Fairs; the Global Week has been there, and done

that! However, every year, undoubtedly, the biggest event is the one and only Global Show! The show, which is largely brought together by the International Society was so popular last year that it had to be staged twice to meet demand. It is the biggest official event on the LSE Students’ Union calendar, featuring acts from all over the world – including marital artists, singers, musicians, dancers and acrobats. Everyone is encouraged to participate, as each year we proudly maintain the our position as one of the most international institutions throughout the world!

One LSE International

Timeless Endorsed and fronted by the LSE Students’ Union Indian Society, Timeless Cultural Show was the biggest cultural show in the history of the LSE Students’ Union. Timeless displayed the artistic passions of LSE’s diverse student body and last year’s show comprised 160 performers! The show has been jointly organised by various LSEStudents’ Union societies and draws on the wealth of diversity and artistic talent of the School’s student body. The show’s proceeds raise money for charity.

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

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Students with disabilities

The Students’ Union Students with Disabilities Officer for 2008 is Jessica Brayne. She can advise about accessibility at the LSE or point you in the right direction for support. Jessica says “With dyslexia and talipes I have found the support I receive at LSE invaluable. I was pleasantly shocked by how good the provisions and understanding are when I first arrived. None the less, this does not mean that there are not frustrations which I’m sure many of you will meet with. Please feel free to come and talk to me at any time, about any type of problem.” Her priorities for 2008-9 are: • to co-operate with the Disability & Wellbeing Office, LSE Circles Network and LSE Students’ Union Disability & Well-being Society • organising the Disability Awareness Week • raise the profile of diversity of disabilities & wellbeing issues • to publicise resources available • to increase awareness & motivate disability friendliness with articles, posters, workshops & Students’ Union recognition awards • to encourage participation of non-disabled students through societies and a forum. • to hold accessible, weekly surgeries • to chair termly Students’ Union SWD forum before School’s Disability & Diversity Consultative Forum • to petition for more awareness training for all staff

CONTACT Jessica Brayne Students with Disabilities Officer su.disability@lse.ac.uk

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Disability & Well Being Office

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The Disability & Well Being Office is the first point of contact for all LSE students with disabilities. It’s the brilliant staff here who can help you acclimatise to life at the LSE, access further services you may require and arrange reasonable adjustments making teaching and learning more accessible for you. It’s based in A40, in the Old Building.

CSV Every year, the Disability & Well-being Office have a placement for a Community Service Volunteer who is on hand to offer varied practical personal and study assistance.

Sue Haines Disability & Well-being Office Manager Sue is the friendly person usually behind the main desk. She is very helpful in knowing who to approach with particular problems, if it’s not something she can sort out herself. s.haines@lse.ac.uk Room A40 | 020 7955 7767

Jean Jameson Advisor to Students with Disabilities/Dyslexia

Jane Sedgwick Mental Health & Well-being Advisor

Jean is the main person who sorts out access arrangements for students with long-term medical conditions or disabilities. Book a meeting with her as early as possible to discuss an Individual Student Support Agreement (ISSA). This will detail other services you may require, like: trying to make timetable arrangements more accessible to you; additional services at the library; access to rest rooms; informing teaching staff of particular requirements; setting out Special Exam Arrangements… The list goes on! Your ISSA has to be based on current medical documentation and will only be sent to people you agree to, once you’ve given your signed consent. See Jean early – some exam arrangements need to be organised months in advance! j.m.jameson@lse.ac.uk Room A40 | 020 7955 6034

Jane works in School and in Residences, assessing and referring students in crisis and monitoring progress and well-being, in order to help students stay on course. Mental ill health can be as debilitating as other illness/medical conditions/disabilities. j.sedgwick@lse.ac.uk Room A41 | 020 7955 6523

Linda Kelland Dyslexia Support Teacher If you are dyslexic, or think you may be, Linda is the advisor to ask for. She can provide a screening and referral service, and/or work with you on a range of strategies to help you make the most of your studying. l.kelland@lse.ac.uk Room U604 | 020 7955 7422

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Circles Network “Brings students together to solve problems, share resources and celebrate achievements” The LSE Circles Network is a peer support network for students with disabilities, to support others and be supported informally. The Disability & Well-being Office may refer you to Circles, but you can also contact them by email (see above). Circles aims to make it easier for students with a range of disabilities, medical conditions and/or special needs to study, survive and succeed at LSE, through practical assistance and support groups. Practical assistance can range from reading aloud to being a ‘human alarmclock’ to phone someone in the morning. Whatever assistance comes to mind that you can offer or require – get in touch with Circles. Success of support groups differs depending on need for the group and membership that year. A couple of examples are: a mental well-being group to reduce isolation and get to know other students experiencing and coping with mental ill-health at the LSE, and study groups for any Circles members to plan study time.

Speakers’ Bureau Students who are experts in their own disability are an invaluable asset in promoting disability awareness and contributing to staff training. Through participation in the Speakers’ Bureau, you’ll receive training to confidently and clearly describe the realities of living and studying with a disability, help-

Opportunities ing cultivate an appreciation of the diversity of experience within disability. Recruitment to the Speakers’ Bureau is done by Circles and the Disability & Well-being Office. Hopefully this is something you might like to consider getting involved with and would find an invaluable experience.

EmployAbility Leaving the secure environment of the LSE and entering the world of work can appear an extremely daunting prospect as a person with a disability. Will my employer be willing to pay for the adjustments that I need? Should I disclose my disability on my CV or at all? How can I account for the gaps in my education? What about assessment centres, online tests and telephone interviews – this is all new to me, will I fall at the first hurdle? EmployAbility exists to answer these questions and ease your transition from education to employment. A not-for-profit organisation, we support disabled undergraduates and graduates, providing practical advice and guidance through the entire recruitment process. We also work with employers to break down barriers to employment, creating a more inclusive working environment for people with disabilities. Our experienced team comes from a diversity of backgrounds and provides services and support covering many areas - including: • Internship and placement scheme opportunities with top employers within the investment banking, legal, chemi-

cals, media, public and other sectors Recommendations of disability inclusive employers • Help with CV and application form writing • Mock interview opportunities with key employers • Advice on how to perform well at interviews and assessment centres • Invitations for you to attend specialist recruitment events and workshops • Information, advice and guidance on disability issues such as disclosure of a disability, reasonable adjustments and any other issues This list is not exhaustive! Please get in touch with us if there are any employment and disability services you require! •

CONTACTs Circles: circles@lse.ac.uk Speakers’ Bureau: j.m.jameson@lse.ac.uk EmployAbility: info@eability.org www.employ-ability.org.uk

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Student activities

One of the best ways to get really stuck into the university experience and meet students with similar interests is to take part in Students’ Union activities. Sometimes, access can seem awkward at first sight. There are often ways round but if in doubt contact Students’ Union Students with Disabilities Officer, Jessica Brayne.

Media Group Unfortunately due to the nature of the East Building, the offices of The Beaver, LooSE TV and Pulse Radio are not wheelchair accessible. If you wish to get involved, contact the appropriate person for the media you are interested in or contact Jessica.

Societies Please note on the membership lists if you have an access requirement (e.g. rooms accessible to wheelchairs/rooms with induction loop etc) or you can email Jessica with a list of societies you join and she will notify societies of requirements, keeping you anonymous. To improve accessibility, students with disabilities/medical conditions may enter Freshers’ Fayre half-an-hour early with a special card – see Jessica or collect a card from the Disability & Well-being Office!

Athletics Union The Athletics Union has welcomed students with various disabilities before. Contact Jessica if you need specific help/info.

UGM The LSE Students’ Union is unique in still holding a weekly democratic forum for its members. Help form Students’ Union policy by proposing and voting on motions. Jessica can lend a hand drafting a motion about accessibility/disability and rally extra backing from other supportive students. Also contact her if you find the UGM inaccessible to you.

Further representation In Student Union terms, you’re represented at three different levels: the LSE Students’ Union, University of London Union (ULU) and the National Union of Students (NUS). Jessica Brayne is willing to share some tasks and insight with students who might be interested in standing for the post of LSE Students’ Union Students with Disabilities Of-

ficer in the Lent Term, so do get in touch! You can help make a difference to the lives of students with disabilities/medical conditions through all these areas, so contact Jessica for more information & guidance!

Forum Next year we will build on the work of the Disability and Well Being Society by setting up a Disability and Well Being Forum. The approach of this forum will be one of relaxed discussion, leading to campaigning. We encourage as many people as possible to come alon, whether they have a disability or not. Disability rights are far from boring!

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

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Tips • •

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Get involved with the Circles Network. Ask many questions, the smallest things can make all the difference to your experience at the LSE. Arrange an ISSA nice & early – you may find that Jean will think of help you require that you haven’t even thought of! If you need more help than you’re getting, go back to the Disability & Wellbeing Office and let them know you’re struggling. Circles Network is great for friendship, support and help from those who know what it’s like coping at LSE with a disability/illness. If you have a problem with mobility, it’s worth checking out alternative routes to the LSE. There can occasionally be obstructions. Use spare time in your initial days at the LSE to explore the buildings, familiarise yourself with accessibility and locate key venues. Take part in the Disability & Diversity Consultative Forum – you can really help make a change for you and others. If your a British citizen who requires more help than can be met through the Schools provisions, then contact Social services. Check out the mind-mapping software installed on PCs on the LSE campus. It’s really helped me plan my essays and prepare presentations. Don’t be discouraged by the highly

Tips & links competitive atmosphere with people chasing internships etc, we’re not all like that! Find the people who can help you and enjoy making the most of the university experience.

LSE Circles Network www.lse.ac.uk/collections/circles/ Disability & Well-being Office: www.lse.ac.uk/collections/disabilityOffice/ LSE Learning World: learning.lse.ac.uk

Your rights & careers Disability Rights Commission: www.drc-gb.org EmployAbility: www.employ-ability.org.uk Ouch student www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/lifefiles/student/ RADAR – the disability network: www.radar.org.uk National Bureau for Students with Disabilities: www.skill.org.uk Working Without Hearing: www.workingwithouthearing.com

Entertainment access: London Theatre Access: www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/access Tourism for All UK: www.tourismforall.org.uk

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Women At LSE we aim to raise awareness of current issues that specifically affect women and to encourage everybody, regardless of gender, to join us in our campaigns, events and struggle towards gender equality - on and off campus. There is a vibrant group of students at the LSE who campaign throughout the year on gender-related issues. Last year we focused, amongst other issues, on a woman’s right to choose (abortion rights), the gender pay gap and action against violence against women. We demonstrated outside of Parliament, opposed the LSE beauty pageant, and marched through the streets of London on the Reclaim The Night march.

Women at work Many women who graduate from LSE go into careers in the business world, yet they are often unprepared for the inequalities they face there. Did you know that the pay gap between men and women still stands at 18%, despite the introduction of equal pay legislation over 30 years ago? The Students’ Union is committed to raising awareness of this inequality and putting pressure upon both businesses and the gov-

ernment to rectify this inequality. The Careers Service at LSE can provide you with information and support if you want to pursue a career in business, where the glass ceiling frequently blocks women from attaining senior executive positions. The Careers Service office can be found at W610 in Tower 3. In addition, the Students’ Union funds and supports an extremely active Women in Business society which aims to expand its members’ understanding and awareness of industry across various disciplines. See p17.

Shocking facts... Data from the National Management Salary Survey in 2001 revealed that the average female manager earned £34,789, while the average male manager earned £40,289. Women managers therefore earned around 86% of the average annual managerial salary of men. In the FTSE 100 companies, just over one in ten non-executive posts and only one in 40 executive posts are held by women. In 2002, only one company had a female Chief Executive Officer, and only 7.2% of directorships are held by women. * Information taken from the Women and Equality Unit.

Reclaim the night According to the British Crime Survey (2001) there are an estimated 47,000 rapes every year, around 40,000 attempted rapes and over 300,000 sexual assaults. Yet our conviction rate is the lowest it has ever been, one of the lowest in Europe, at only 5.3%. The Reclaim The Night march gives women a voice and a chance to reclaim the streets at night on a safe and empowering event. This year LSE students will be walking through the streets of London on Saturday 22nd November. It is a women-only march against rape and male violence, which will be followed by a mixed rally. Join us for a truly empowering experience! See p104

Women’s Forum The Students’ Union operates a Women’s Forum designed to enable like-minded students, regardless of gender, to collectively decide on a campaigning agenda and which events to hold. It is a great opportunity to make the Students’ Union more representative as well as getting to know more of your fellow students. Women need a strong voice and everybody’s input is welcome! To make sure you don’t miss a meeting sign up to the Women’s mailing list during Freshers’ Fayre and look out for our posters! The Women’s Officer is there to provide help and support for female students. CONTACT Ruby Buckley Womens Officer su.womens@lse.ac.uk

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LGBT students

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender

The LSE Students’ Union wishes to ensure that all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, feel accepted and safe during their time at the School.

LGBT Society The LGBT Society is a forum for LGBT, straight and cisgender students to meet new people, share their experience, and attend social and careers events. If you’re new to London, you can get to know the city, and Soho in particular, at one of the pub crawls or nights out organised by the Society. The LGBT Society and LGBT Officer organise a number of social and political, as well as careers events, including the monthly Mind the Gap party, which welcomes students from a number of London universities. Mind the Gap takes place in Clare Market building every first Monday of the month during term time. You can join LGBTSoc at Freshers’ Fayre, or by emailing su.soc.lgbt@lse.ac.uk. Please drop by the Society’s Annual General Meeting to meet the outgoing committee members and to elect new ones for the new session. It’s a fantastic way to meet fellow students, and the ideal opportunity to give the society some input regarding the types of events you’d like to attend during the year, be they social, political, or otherwise.

Office Hours Lizzie Merrow, the Students’ Union LGBT Officer is here to ensure that your experience at LSE is a positive one.

She will be holding weekly office hours during term time. Whether you’ve encountered homophobic or transphobic sentiment on or off campus and want to talk to someone about it, if you have worries regarding coming out to friends or family, or if you’re interested in becoming more involved in LGBT campaigns or expanding the LSE’s LGBT-Straight Alliance, she is your first point of contact. Her office hours are advertised on the LSE Students’ Union website: www.lsesu. com. If you’d prefer to meet outside office hours, feel free to contact Lizzie.

LGBT Forum

ing the telephone will have an understanding of your situation. Our volunteers won’t judge you or tell you what to do; they will though provide suitable support, offer appropriate information, and discuss relevant options. The helpline operates from 10am to 11pm, seven days a week, 52 weeks year. Our helpline number is 020 7837 7324, the recruitment hotline for volunteers is 020 7837 7606, and our text phone number is 020 7689 8501. Our information web site queery.org.uk provides 24 hour access to our database of information and resources relevant to the LGBT community.

The LGBT forum offers students an opportunity to discuss the progress of ongoing campaigns, to coordinate the activities of different societies, and to propose and plan individual events. Would you like to see LGBT Awareness Week host a specifically LGBT-Straight Alliance event? Inquire about cooperation with the Amnesty Society on an informational event regarding LGBT rights worldwide? Suggest a pub crawl to Kingky, Trash Palace, or Ghetto? This is where to show up.

London Lesbian & Gay Switchboard LLGS provides an information, support and referral service for lesbians, gay men, bisexual people and anyone who needs to consider issues around their sexuality. All volunteers identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, so you know that the person answer-

CONTACT Lizzie Merrow LGBT Students’ Officer su.lgbt@lse.ac.uk

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

General Course & Mature students The General Course is a year long, study abroad course for visiting students, who undertake a year of study at LSE as if they were taking an undergraduate degree. All LSE services and facilities – and the Students’ Union – are open to General Course students. The first General Course students came to LSE way back in 1910, and its modern day equivalent sees over 300 students come to the LSE for a year of study and fun, and to see what it’s like at a British, yet international, university. The Students’ Union has a General Course Representative, elected in Michaelmas Term Elections in Week 4 of Michaelmas Term (the first term!). They are elected exclusively by Gen Course students, meaning that they are non-trustees and thus nonvoting members of the Exec. However, they are generally treated as full members who input into the entire workings of the Students’ Union – and long may that continue! Previous Students’ Union General Course Representatives have worked to provide top quality services and events for students, as well as helping to integrate “Gen Course” students into the rest of LSE life. With the School, the Students’ Union began ‘Tembo’, the Gen Course newsletter, published 9 times a year. Gen Course Reps in the past have organised Gen Course boat parties and, this year, a big Democrats vs Republicans Election 2008 debate! General Course public lectures are now being held to regularly make big names available to Gen Course students. If you are an aspiring activist in your home university, or just think you can do a good

job of providing a loud voice for the Gen Course population, then consider running for the General Course Rep position in Michaelmas Term Week 4 – email our Returning Officer, Ossie Fikret, via su.returningofficer@ lse.ac.uk to find out more.

Mature & Part Time by Luke Spyropoulos The Mature and Part Time Students’ Officer responsibilities are to advise, listen to and represent the interests of Mature and Part-Time Students. I aim to fulfill these roles through liaising with Emmanuel Akpan-Inwang, Education and Welfare Officer, and through the Student Union Executive itself. Mature and Part-Time students often face heightened and different pressures to those faced by other students. We are a minority: choosing to go to university in one’s twenties (or beyond) is not the ‘normal’ way of doing things. I myself returned to education in 2005 at the age of 28, whilst living in the North-East of England. I arrived at the LSE via something of an uphill battle involving access courses and the little- known LSE Undergraduate Entrance Exam. I came here to achieve nothing less than wholesale reconstruction of my entire life. In my gut I am sure that many of my constituency will feel the same way. What we are trying to do is not “usual”. We are not, in all likelihood, here because our parents thought it was a good idea! Though on several occasions it felt as though my chance had passed I had no alternative at all but to press on. This experience has given me an awareness of the different demands that Mature and Part-Time stu-

One LSE GEN COURSE & MATURE

dents often face; there are added pressures in terms of performance and for many extra burdens to boot in terms of childcare, work and accommodation concerns. With added maturity and a keen sense of both urgency and value we can, however, both achieve what we need and add much of value to the life of the School. In many respects, though, Mature and Part-Time students are similar to others: we have all come here to improve ourselves and our career prospects. For myself the experience of being around so many international and non-Anglophone students, this being the world’s most cosmopolitan university, has made me much more aware of what lies beyond these shores. My mind has been opened and my goals accordingly altered. Students of all ages are concerned about day to day issues like access to reading list books, the quality of lectures and classes and money. For us Mature and Part-Time students we have presumably learned that the worth of a night out is determined by the caliber of the company and not the quantity of alcohol consumed. Having said that, and despite my initial concerns, I have found no problem at all in relating to students ten and more years younger than myself because we are all here trying to achieve the same things; better ourselves and perhaps figure ourselves out too. Whatever one’s age isn’t that what university is for? CONTACT Luke Spyropoulos Mature & Part Time Students’ Officer su.mature@lse.ac.uk

DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T PANIC Your rights, money, safety, sex, drugs & alcohol...

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

Don't Panic

Advice & Counselling Centre •

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CONTACT & OPENING HOURS E297, East Building | 020 7955 7145 su.advice-centre@lse.ac.uk Term time drop-in hours Mondays and Fridays: 10.30am til 4pm Tuesdays - Thursdays: 10.30am til 1pm. Vacation drop-in hours Mondays to Fridays: 10.30am til 1pm.

The Student Union Advice and Counselling Centre, based in Room E297, East Building, provides a professional advice and counselling service to LSE students and can help you with a wide range of issues. Our experienced advisers can see you during drop-in hours or by appointment outside of these times. The service is free, independent, impartial and confidential. The ACC provides a free counselling service and hardship funds. We also provide legal advice and assistance in a number of areas such as:

Housing • • • • • • • • •

contract checking illegal eviction harassment disrepair rent arrears possession action tenancy deposits homelessness other landlord/tenant issues

Immigration •

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Entry clearance: for Prospective students who are abroad and in need of advice on policy and procedure in obtaining a student visa. Extension (Renewal) of Student Visa: the Advice and Counselling Centre offers advice on complex cases of visa renewal. If you believe your application is complex, you do not have the

•

• • • • •

supporting documents or for any other reason, please come to our office and talk to our advisers. Visa correction: if the British Embassy or High Commission has made a mistake and given you the wrong end date for your visa, you can get it corrected. Post graduate students should have been given a visa which is valid for the length of their course plus 4 months, for undergraduates, the length of their course plus 2 months. Appeal : for those whose visa application has been refused, The Advice and Counselling Centre can advise on procedure and policy on appealing to the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal. Working in the UK: the Advice and Counselling Centre can advise you on your legal rights to work in the UK, both as a student and after completion of your studies. Tier 1 (Post Study Work Visa)Tier 1 (General) Formerly HSMP Work Permits Training and Work Experience Scheme (TWES) Settlement Visas and Indefinite Leave to Remain Nationality

Consumer • • •

mobile phone contracts fitness club contracts other consumer issues

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With the increase to the costs of studying at University, many students find it necessary to take up part-time jobs in order to fund their studies. It can be difficult to balance work and study, ensuring you do not overcommit yourself. It is recommended that you avoid working more than 16 hours a week during term time so that it does not affect your study.

Jobs in the Students’ Union The Students’ Union is committed to employing students as part-time casual staff in the Bar, Shop, Advice and Counselling Centre, Entertainments, the Cafe and elsewhere. Please ask at Students’ Union Reception (Ground Floor, East Building) for information about vacancies, or look out for posters. The jobs are worth having because the LSE Students’ Union pays its casual staff more than any other university’s Union in the country!

Jobs at LSE There are jobs available at LSE for its students. Some of these will be advertised through posters; some Departments send emails to their students looking for workers. There are some excellent, well paid jobs open to LSE students within the School, including Conference and Events (working as a steward on high-level public events), bars (George IV and in Halls), jobs within Halls (including reception work), jobs with the Office of Development and Alumni Relations (ODAR), work showing prospective students

Part-time work around at open days and more. The Careers Service Job Shop is a valuable resource for finding part-time and temporary work in London. It is used by employers to find LSE students, and employers specifically tailor their advertisement to our students. You can use its search function to find jobs at the right time (morning, afternoon, evening or weekends), of the right type (from care work to telephone sales) in a specific area and with key words relevant to the kind of job you want. Check out the Careers Service Job Shop at www.thecareersgroup.co.uk/lse/jobshop/ Page23.asp for more.

Know Your Rights If you work outside the Union, be careful! Students can get a raw deal if you are not vigilant, so you should know your rights, particularly if you’re in temporary or agency work. Advice on employment is available from the Students’ Union Advice and Counselling Centre or from Unite the Union’s Student Worker Campaign at www.uniteworkingstudents.org. Simple advice is to: 1) Make sure you have a clear contract with your employers, and that they stick to it. 2) Make sure you are being paid at least the minimum wage – you should be paid a London Living Wage of over £7.40 per hour. Under the Employment Rights Act, you are also entitled to receive a fully itemised pay slip. Make sure you read yours carefully and question anything you don’t know. 3) Before you start working, ring the

Inland Revenue and get them to send you a tax code . All local tax office phone numbers listed on the HM Revenue & Customs website at. Without the correct code, you will probably be put on emergency tax, which is much higher than most students should be paying. Waiting to claim tax back is frustrating. Ask your employer to complete form P38(S) which means your wages will be paid gross. 4) Part time workers are entitled to holiday. Their entitlement to holiday is pro rata - so if you normally work three days a week, you get 12 days a year (the equivalent of four weeks’ working days). 5) Under the Working Time Regulations, you are entitled to at least a 20 minute break if you work more then six hours in one shift, and you shouldn’t be asked to work longer than eight hours in 24 if you work at night. However, there is no requirement under the minimum standards that your employer must pay you for this break. 6) Students are entitled and encouraged to join trade unions, who can assist you with issues of wages, taxes and conditions, bargain on your behalf, and protect your health and safety. You can join Unite the Union, the UK’s biggest trade union, for as little as £10. See www.amicustheunion.org/ Default.aspx?page=3136 or www.uniteworkingstudents.org for more details. The National Union of Students (NUS), of which LSE is a member, recently successfully lobbied to get the Agency and Temporary Workers (Equal Treatment) Bill passed through parliament, one of the biggest rebellions by Labour MPs against their government since 1997, which will lead to changes to improve rights on these issues.

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Banks Most student bank accounts offer all sorts of freebies and great deals. As an LSE student most banks know that you’ll probably be earning a considerable amount of money after you graduate. They also know that it is human nature not to bother to change accounts once you graduate. Because of this the Banks want you, ‘banking’ on the fact they’ll be able to get any money they lose on your account back (with interest) when you end up buying one of their crappy fixed rate mortgages in twenty years’ time. As a result, you should make sure you get the best student account possible. Here are a few tips so that you avoid potential pit-falls: • An advertisement isn’t an endorsement - bear in mind that over the summer a number of high street banks will have visited Students’ Unions all over the country, exchanging briefcases full of nonsequential, unmarked fifty-pound notes for a space at the university during Freshers’ Fayre. This has been known to impair the judgement of cash strapped Unions and they have even been known to except offers from banks that don’t provide the best deal for students. It could even happen at a university you are attending… • Forget freebies – don’t ever go for a bank account based on the goodies, a free railcard sounds like a great idea but just remember they’re trying to bribe you for a reason…. • All about the overdraft – when things get tight this will be your lifeline. A few free cinema tickets may look great now but in a couple of months it won’t be

•

able to pay for the shopping. The real prize in student banking is getting the biggest interest free overdraft. Having this larger safety net will ensure that you are less likely fall into the territory of unauthorised loans, which will mean huge penalties (roughly £30 a day). Even if you’re “minted” and unlikely to need worry about overdraft limits it’s worth considering the company with the biggest 0% overdraft. It is effectively free money after all – why not take most of it out then dump the money in a high interest account for your three years at uni? Multiple accounts – this student classic is currently on the wane as banks have tightened up the application processes for student accounts. You now have to guarantee your only account is with them, bringing an end to the days of the £4000 overdraft... the bastards.

International Students On your arrival in the UK you will need to open a bank account as soon as you can. Although many banks offer student accounts certain benefits and free perks, most of these are not the same as an international (or international students) account. Each bank has different policies when dealing with international students. A few handy notes about the banking system: In central London, there are ‘cash-points’ everywhere. A cash-point is basically an ATM machine, and allows free cash withdrawals. Some ATMs however, charge you up to £2

for a withdrawal. We advise you to walk a few more steps and find a free one! Ways of transferring money from abroad to a UK account include electronic transfer, a banker’s draft and travellers’ cheques. This will obviously depend on a lot of factors. Be sure to ask your bank what their arrangements and charges are concerning sending money to and from home. The overdrafts on many student accounts may not be available to international students. Each branch of each bank will have a sort code. When providing details for standing orders/direct debits, you will often be asked to provide your sort code and account number. The sort code would look something like “11-22-33” whereas the account number is a simple 8 digit number. British banks have introduced strict regulations about opening bank accounts. Security procedures have been implemented which can lead to delays for students who try to open an account on arrival in the UK. Hence, processing the required documents, and allowing for your account to be set up could take anything from 2-4 weeks! So make sure you come prepared with some cash in hand (for daily expenditure, at least until you get your bank account sorted out), or apply for a ‘gift card’ (an instant pre-paid card on which money can be transferred from home). The bank will probably ask for documentation that confirms things like your identity (passport), student status, London address and overseas permanent address.

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Living in London is expensive, especially if you’re paying international fees! Getting a part time job can be one answer but you will also need to budget your expenditure carefully as it is very easy to run up massive debts. Try and maintain a daily or a weekly budget of allowable expenditure, and separate them into categories. It will be hard preparing for your budget now, but within a month or two, I’m sure you will become proficient in keeping a budget! FINANCIAL SUPPORT OFFICE The School expects students to have sufficient funds to study, but financial help is available from the Financial Support Office and the Students’ Union Advice Centre. The Financial Support Office (FSO) is responsible for administering a range of scholarships and hardship funds. A Drop-in service is offered between 1 and 2pm Monday to Friday, in the Student Services Centre (Monday, Wednesday and Friday during vacations) where students are able to consult a member of FSO staff. Students are advised to ensure they have visited the FSO website before attending.

Scholarships Once the academic session has started, no further scholarships are generally available. Students are expected to ensure that they have sufficient funds to cover both their fees and living costs for the full duration of their programme.

Financial support Undergraduates

Student Support Fund

Undergraduate students in particular must ensure that they have secured sufficient funds to cover the cost of leaving LSE accommodation after the first year of study and the annual increase in tuition fees. There are no scholarships available for subsequent academic years of study.

For students experiencing financial difficulties which could not have been foreseen. These funds provide assistance to support the following groups of students: Students who have registered with sufficient funds for the duration of their programme of study where something unexpected has subsequently occurred to disrupt these arrangements or to cause additional expenditure. The unexpected circumstances must have occurred after the date of first registration at the School. The School cannot assist students who have knowingly registered without sufficient funds for their fees and living costs; Students who require assistance with an emergency, one off cost (e.g. a plane ticket home). Please note that there is a separate application form for emergency, one off costs. International students are expected to ensure they have additional funds to cover disability related costs before beginning their programme. If you do not fall into any of these categories (e.g. you are an Overseas student experiencing financial difficulties which may have been foreseen), you are unlikely to be eligible for support.

Taught Postgraduates Taught Postgraduate students who are studying on a two year programme may apply for a scholarship for their second year of study, providing they meet the eligibility criteria for one or more of the scholarships being offered for the session. Information about the scholarships to be offered for a particular session is available on our website from the preceding November.

Postgraduate Research Postgraduate Research students may apply for a scholarship for a subsequent year of study, providing they meet the eligibility criteria for one or more of the scholarships being offered for the session. For 2008/09 overseas students may be particularly interested in the Overseas Research Student Awards Scheme (ORSAS) amongst other awards. Information about the scholarships to be offered for a particular session is available on our website from the preceding November.

Short Term Loan An emergency Short Term Loan facility is available for students. Students may apply for a loan of up to £500, repayable within four weeks. Students must provide evidence of how they will repay the loan. All application forms are available from

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the Student Services Centre website at www. lse.ac.uk/collections/studentServicesCentre/ financialSupportOffice/internal/EmergencyAssistance/emergencyFinancialAssistance. htm

Students’ Union funds The Students’ Union Advice and Counselling Centre administers a number of annual hardship funds. Each fund is subject to annual review. Only LSE registered students can apply for these funds.

Women’s Right to Choose Fund For students who are pregnant and need help with maternity costs or the cost of a termination. This fund is available all year round.

Medical Cost Fund For unexpected medical costs; available all year round.

Small Claims Fund For court issue fees for students suing landlords for deposits; available from the second term.*

Immigration Fund The fund is intended to assist students who incur financial hardship through making an ‘in-country’ postal application for extension of their student visa. In addition the fund is also intended to assist students who are seeking asylum and whose funding is limited - available from the second term.*

Housing and Home-

Repeating student

lessness Fund:

Fund

The Fund is intended to assist students who are homeless or at the risk of becoming homeless due to hardship in meeting housing costs. This fund is available from the second term.*

For students who have re-sit examinations or re-register for an academic year without adequate funding. This fund is available from the second term.

Council Tax Fund For full and part-time students who incur a council tax liability. This fund is available from the second term.

Disability Fund The fund is intended to assist students who incur extra additional cost as a result of disability. This may includes the cost of equipment and travel. Available all year.

*Although these funds run from the second term, emergency payments may be possible from the first term. A Welfare Panel interviews all applicants except for the Women’s Right to Choose fund and the Students with Disabilities Fund in those cases where attending an interview would cause undue hardship. All applicants are means-tested, except for the Disabled Students and the Women’s Right to Choose Funds. General advice is also offered on debt, grants, loans and other possible sources of financial help.

CONTACT Financial Support Office (FSO) Atrium, Old Building www.lse.ac.uk/financialSupportOffice financial-support@lse.ac.uk Students’ Union Advice & Counselling Centre E297, East Building 020 7955 7145 su.advice-centre@lse.ac.uk

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TV Licence You need a TV Licence to watch or record TV programmes, irrespective of what channel you’re watching, what device you are using (TV, computer, laptop, mobile phone or any other), and how you receive them (terrestrial, satellite, cable, via the Internet or any other way). If you use television-receiving equipment without a valid TV Licence, you risk prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000, plus court costs, and you will need to buy a TV Licence if you still need one. A colour licence costs £139.50. Students requiring further information should contact TV Licensing on 0844 800 6734. To find out about the many ways you can pay for your TV Licence, including Direct Debit, visit www.tvlicensing.co.uk/students2008

Income Tax/NI if you do get a job during your time at University you will no doubt be hit by income tax and National Insurance. If you don’t work for the entire year it’s extremely likely that you will be overtaxed (due to HMRC cunning pro rata system) – always remember to apply for a tax refund at the end of the tax year – which in the UK is April.

VAT Because poor people, like students, do not contribute money enough to the running of the country through the income tax system - 17.5% tax is added to everything sold in

Tax & bills the UK except children’s clothes (so if you’re short you’re quids in). This is almost always already included in the price, so usually you don’t even notice.

from Tiscali. Always remember that if you terminate the contract before the end of the stipulated period you will pay a cancellation charge.

Council Tax

Electricity/Gas

See p116

Internet Costs With banking, shopping and paying your bills online this is something you’re going to have to sort out early once you’ve moved into a new house. Free internet There are a number of municipal and localised free wi-fi services. Upper St, Islington, many bars, cafes and libraries offer free wireless internet access. It is not advisable to ‘steal’ wireless internet without permission from your neighbours. Although many people leave their wireless box unprotected, you may be breaking the law. Paying If you’re unwilling to rip off someone else’s internet – the best way to get the best deal is to get a phone/broadband bundle.

Telephone For most students a mobile phone or skype is perfectly adequate for keeping in touch with friends and family. You will, however, have to pay line rental if you want the internet. At the time of going to print the best deal for an internet/phone package was

Always check your meter when you move in and out of any new place, just to make sure you don’t get ripped off. Given the ongoing rises in fuel costs it might be worth trying to sign up with a company which caps its prices.

Water Yup, you can’t live without but you will have to pay for it. Again, always check the meter when you move in. For both water and energy companies will usually try to “estimate” the amount you have used instead of collecting a proper meter reading. Always double check and complain if they’re over charging you.

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Safety Cash machines When you go to a cash point try to go in daylight if possible. Always be aware of people standing too close to you and always conceal your PIN when you enter it into the key pad. There are many cash point thieves operating in London, often in pairs, one distracts you while the other steals your money so please be vigilant.

Out and about Try not to go about on your own at night, but if you have to walk near groups of people. You will be safest in bright, well lit and busy areas. Look and act confident – look like you know where you are going and walk tall. You might like to spread your valuables around your body. For example, keep your phone in your bag, your house keys in your trouser pocket and your money in your jacket. Carry bags with clasps facing inwards, or the strap over your shoulder. Ensure it is shut at all times. When you are sitting place the bag between your feet. If someone tries to take something from you, it may just be better to let them take it rather than to get into a confrontation and risk injury. You can use reasonable force in self-defence. Don’t give people the opportunity to steal from you. Make sure you keep a close eye on your property – especially mobile phones, money, and laptop computers – when you are at home or out and about. You are allowed to protect yourself with something you are carrying anyway (for example, keys or a can of deodorant), but you

may not carry a weapon. Be aware that your attacker might be stronger than you, or may take what you are using in self-defence and use it against you. It is often better just to shout fire’, ‘police’ or ‘who are you?’ rather than ‘help’ as it can get more results. loudly and run away or use an attack alarm. Try not to listen to a personal stereo when out jogging. It will help you to stay more aware of your surroundings. If you think you are being followed, check by crossing the street – more than once if necessary – to see if they follow. If you are still worried, go to the nearest place where there are other people – a pub or anywhere with lights on – and call the police. Don’t call from a phone box where the attacker could trap you inside. If a car slows down or stops beside you and you feel threatened, shout to gain other people’s attention. If you have a personal attack alarm, set it off. Get away as quickly as you can. If you can, make a mental note of the number plate and description of the car and write down details as soon as possible afterwards.

Drinking Never leave drinks unattended in pubs or clubs. Try to have your drinks in bottles and cover the top with your thumb or an anti-spiking lid when walking around. If you suspect your drink has been spiked, contact a member of staff or tell a trusted friend. Always take care when drinking.

Theft and burglary Mark your personal property with your postcode, or your parents’ postcode. Use an ultraviolet pen. For mobile phones, note your IMEI number and your phone number and keep them in a safe place away from your phone. On most phones, the IMEI number (15 digit serial number) will be displayed when you key in *#06#, if not, look behind the phone battery. Register your phone with your network operator. Make a note of all relevant security numbers for your phone, video, laptop and any other valuables that might be targeted if you were to be burgled. Do you know the number to call to cancel your cards if they were stolen? Keep the emergency number for your credit card company, bank, and your mobile phone company where you can find it quickly. Make sure that your belongings, such as your television or radio cannot be seen through a window and never leave cash or credit cards lying around. Try not to use a computer case when carrying a laptop, use a less obvious bag and never display items of high worth in public.

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Harassment Reported incidences of sexual harassment at the School are low but they can happen to both male and female students. Harassment covers a wide range of unsolicited behaviour from unwanted comments and gestures of a sexual nature to demands for sexual favours and sexual assault. In short is is behaviour which violates an individual’s dignity, and/or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. Harassment can cause distress and harm to those on the receiving end. Other forms of harassment include racial harassment, harassment on the grounds of sexual orientation, bullying, age harassment and harassment of disabled people. Such conduct is unacceptable and you do not need to stand for it. Many people are often unsure if what they have experienced constituted harassment but any incident can be reported to the Education and Welfare Officer, Women’s Officer, LGBT Officer or Anti-Racism Officer. You can also choose to resolve the issue informally and will not become formal until you decide. We can all prevent inadvertently harassing others by being sensitive to the reactions and needs of others and making sure that our words and actions do not cause offence.

Sexual assault Despite popular beliefs, rape by a stranger is very uncommon. Around 97 per cent of callers to the Rape Crisis Federation Wales and England knew their assailant. Women are not the only victims of sexual

Harassment & sexual assault assaults. Men are also sexually assaulted, or experience violent relationships in their lives. Sexual assault and rape are more likely to happen in less busy areas. You can reduce the risk of this type of attack by following the general guidance earlier in this section. If you are attacked, you must decide whether to defend yourself, which may put you at risk of further injury. Or it may not be possible to defend yourself. Either way, you did not ask to be raped or assaulted. It is not your fault. You did not deserve it. If you have been raped, you may or may not want to report it to the police, or to see a nurse or counsellor. The police are specially trained to work with those who have been sexually assaulted. If you want to report the crime straightaway, whether you get medical help or go straight to the police, try not to wash or change your clothes. If you want to report the crime at a later date, this is okay too.

RAPE CRISIS 08451 221 331 www.rapecrisis.org.uk

Taxi safety If you are going to be out late, try to arrange a lift home or pre-book a cab. Cabs in London are either Private Hire or Taxis. By law, only taxis can display an illuminated Taxi sign. They are insured, mechanically sound and drivers are vetted by the police. They also have a meter showing the

cost of the journey. Private hire cabs should be pre-booked. Use a reputable company. Avoid cabs that tout for business at bus stops or outside venues. If you are at all uneasy about the cab or the driver, don’t get in. If you get in, always sit behind the driver. If still uneasy, ask to be let out where there are lots of people in a well-lit area. See p118 On Friday nights the LSE Students’ Union runs an hourly night bus from the Peacock Theatre to the halls.

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Emergencies Emergency services In the UK, the emergency number to call for police, fire or ambulance is 999. Please make sure your call if a real emergency before phoning. The LSE emergency number is 666 from any internal phone.

Fire safety The School has sophisticated fire safety systems installed in its buildings. These systems vary from building to building. If you see fire or smoke: • Sound the alarm immediately by pressing a fire call point • Leave by the nearest exit • Do not use lifts • Only try to tackle a fire if you can do so without endangering yourself or others • Go immediately to the fire assembly point • DO NOT re-enter the building until told that you may do so by an LSE Fire Warden. The location of the fire assembly point for each building is displayed near each fire call point. Fire call points are to be found near each entrance/exit.

Out of hours working If you decide to work in any School building during the evening or at the weekend, remember that you can only enter and exit the School via the Old Building entrance. Fire exits may be locked. Make sure that you know two different open routes out of the building.

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Property lost and found can be a problem. Over 5,000 items are lost and found every year at LSE. There is a Property Office in Room AO50 which is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 12 noon and 2pm to 4pm during term time – outside these hours speak to Reception staff. Laptop computers are the HOTTEST items at the top of every thief’s list of property to take. Do not leave a laptop unattended – even for a moment – it will go! Even locked rooms at LSE are not safe places to leave a laptop. Look after it or lose it. Laptop locks are available at the Students’ Union shop. Bicycles are always parked on and around the campus. Over 100,000 bicycles are reported stolen every year in the UK and these parked bikes attract thieves like a magnet. Thieves will especially target bikes which look expensive. If you use a bike, be careful where you park. Do not leave your bike unattended for hours. Visit your bike regularly. Make sure that it is secured with a substantial lock and preferably two locks wherever it is parked, particularly if left in racks around the campus. We would advise using a sold secure gold rated lock, see www.lcc.org.uk or www.soldsecure.com Lockers are widely used inside the School. Do not put valuable items into lockers, particularly wallets, purses and laptops. Please do not use the lockers in or near the changing facilities as permanent storage lockers – anything left there overnight will be removed by security staff. When you have found your locker, secure it with a strong lock of at least six millimetres thickness.

Your property The campus is very open, especially during the working day. In common with all other large cities, ‘walk in’ type theft is a feature of the environment. ‘Walk in’ thieves are trespassers who walk into any buildings from the street looking for chances to steal. ‘Walk in’ thieves thrive in a relaxed environment. Don’t let them get away with it – talk to each other and watch out for each other in a sensible way.

Insurance It is a good idea to take insure your belongings against theft and damage. If you are in halls of residence some of your belongings are insured, read your policy to find out which ones. Endsleigh are the only insurance provider recommended by the National Union of Students, and have a number of products and services geared towards the needs of students.

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Health St. Philips The St Philips Health Centre offers a comprehensive service for LSE students and staff within the local catchment are and covers more medical problems that the Students’ Union Advice centre can. You will be required to register before your first consultation, so have some documentation with you. You can phone to book an appointment with a doctor any time between 9am and 5pm. The health centre is staffed by 3 professional GPs who provide 24 hour care for their registered patients. Other students and staff can use the Medical centre during the day but should contact their own GP for home visits and out of hours requests. Appointments with the Medical Centre are available every weekday but it is advised that you book a few days in advance. It is possible for the GP to visit you at home should you become to ill to come in. If you require a home visit you should call at the first available opportunity. Clinics for urgent medical appointments are held at 11.00am & 3.00 pm, each day Monday – Friday. A Saturday morning clinic emergency clinic is available at the University of London Union. There is also an urgent clinic every day that is suitable for medically urgent problems, requiring immediate attention. These are operated on a first-come, first-served basis. There are two sessions, 11.00am to 11.30am and 3.00pm to 3.30pm. If you are a UK citizen it is strongly recommended that you register with your local medical centre. If you return home on holidays or weekends you can be seen by your home GP as a

the Advice Centre, has a Counselling service staffed by four professional counsellors. A first appointment can be arranged within one week and urgent cases can be seen each day between 4pm and 5pm. Not all LSE students can register with St Philips: it depends which part of London you live in. The Medical Centre will, however, be able to advise you on alternatives.

NHS

temporary resident. If you have never lived in the UK and/or do not have a NHS (National Health Service) number you will need to register with the medical number to receive one. NHS Medical care is free and available to anyone residing in the UK for more than 6 months. Please do not wait until you are ill before registering. St Philips run a Contraception Clinic daily during term time and an Osteopath clinic on Thursdays. You can also make appointments for the Dental Service by telephoning 020 7955 7444. Gynaecologists, nurses and osteopaths, are available at the surgery by appointment. Dental treatment is provided. The fees payable are specific for staff and students of the LSE but are no longer National Health Service (NHS) fees. The Health Centre, like

St Philips Medical Centre is part of the National Health Service, a publicly funded organisation that provides healthcare to the residents of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The NHS is committed to providing quality care that meets the needs of everyone and is based on a patient’s clinical need, not their ability to pay. Founded in 1948 out of the long held ideal that good health should be available for all, it provides medical treatment and advice for free at the point of use and will not exclude people on the basis of their ability to pay, although you may have to pay for prescriptions or dental charges. The NHS is controlled by the government through the Department Of Health which in turn controls Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs). The NHS provides the majority of healthcare and services in England including primary care, long term healthcare ophthalmology and dentistry. CONTACT St Philips Building, Sheffield St 020 7955 7016 www.lse.ac.uk/collections/medicalCentre/

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Alcohol Although it is socially acceptable, alcohol can be just as powerful as any other drug. The health guidelines on alcohol consumption are that as a rough estimate, a pint of ‘normal’ beer is two units and a measure of spirits or a single small glass of wine is one unit. A unit is the amount of alcohol that your body can process in 1 hour. These guidelines suggest that men should consume a maximum of 21 units a week and women around 14. If you drink a lot more you may be causing damage to your body. Alcohol acts as a relaxant and reduces feelings of anxiety and inhibitions making you feel more sociable. Alcohol will often exaggerate the mood you were in when you start drinking. Long term excessive consumption can cause liver damage, heart disease and other illnesses. If you are concerned about your own or someone else’s drinking then there are specialist helplines who will discuss any matters with you. They are confidential and you do not need to have a serious problem before you contact them. You can also contact the doctors at the Health Centre for help and advice.

Alcohol & drugs getting into. Please remember that ignorance is not an excuse when it comes to drugs and the laws that cover them. Drugs also vary widely in terms of legality and social acceptability as well as the experience and, as a result, we’ve assembled this ‘cut out and keep’ guide so you’ve got a reference guide so you know what you’re being offered the next time you go to Camden. Please note, all the drugs we have mentioned here (with the exception of alcohol) are illegal.

Your own mental and physical health Your mood and expectations of the drug Where you are and who you’re with

Amphetamines aka. Speed. An off-white powder that can be swallowed, snorted, injected or smoked, ‘dodgy’ drug dealers some times mix it with chalk or talcum powder. Popular around exam time due to stimulant effects. But what goes up must come down and you’ll be feeling pretty low for a number of days after taking this substance. Be warned; it places strain on the heart and can trigger latent schizophrenia. Street Price: £15 per gram of powder – purer versions are obviously more expensive*

Cannabis

Drugs Let’s face it we all take drugs, even your mum takes drugs. From the caffeine in your iced frappuccino to heroin in your school playground: drugs are everywhere. It would be a lie to say that no students experiment with drugs and although the Students’ Union does not condone taking illicit substances we believe that you should know what you’re

• • •

The Experience Before we start it’s worth remembering that any drugs related experience depends greatly on a number of things: • Quantity and quality of said drug

aka. Skunk, Weed, Hash, Marijuana. Comes in either the form of dried leaves (Marijuana) or a resin (Hashish). The drug itself induces feelings of relaxation, hilarity, introspection and paranoia. Long term smoking can cause lung cancer and the current strength of the drug available on the street is believed to trigger serious mental health problems. Street price: Cannabis is doubly illegal because it is the only drug which, much to the chagrin of the European Commission, refuses to adopt the metric system. From £15 an ‘eighth’ of an ounce for resin and £25 an eighth for marijuana.

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Cocaine

Ecstasy

LSD

aka. Coke, Charlie, Showbiz Sherbert Cocaine most commonly sold as a white crystalline powder: cocaine hydrochloride. The drug is often finely chopped with a razor blade or NUS card, and then snorted through a rolled banknote. This produces an instant feeling of elation, confidence and indifference to pain, as well as an imagined sense of competency. Frequent use affects your libido and regular use could lead to the membrane between your nostrils falling out – not pretty. Street price: prices fell in the late 1990s when the dotcom bubble burst to around £50 per gram and despite the ongoing credit crunch it has now stabilised at around £40 per gram.

aka. E, Dolphins, Pills Available in pill form and despite word on the street often contains little or no MDMA. Its effects are a mixture between those of LSD and amphetamine creating a feeling of euphoria, followed by calmness. When under the influence judgment is greatly impaired. As well as a possible immediate feeling of nausea, raised body temperature can in a club situation cause dehydration which is fatal in extreme circumstances. Also, large doses can lead to anxiety, panic and confusion. The long term effects of use are currently uncertain. Street price: the price of one tablet can vary between £5-£10.

aka. acid, also by the print on the tabs LSD is made from the parasitic fungus ergot and usually is taken as tabs (squares of paper). Its name is an abbreviation of its German title, Lyserg Saeure Diathylamid. A “trip” begins within 30 minutes and can last for 12 hours. Bad trips are of course more likely if the user is either unhappy or anxious. Paranoia, depression and dizziness also accompany the more well known hallucinations. Reliving previous trips when not on the drug can also take place. Street price: Between £2.50-£5 for a tab

Crack

Heroin

aka. Rock, Pebbles, Bam Bam Crack is cocaine made into a smokeable form which means you can transfer a high dosage very rapidly to your brain. Smoked in a pipe, its highs and lows are similar to those of cocaine but due to increased purity are far more intense. As a result, the come down can vary from headaches to panic attacks with most users ‘binging’ to reduce the effects. On top of respiratory problems, binge use can be hard to finance. Street price: these vary considerably depending on the size of the ‘rock’ but average price is around £20

aka. Smack, Gear, Golden Brown Pure heroin is a white powder but it usually comes in the form of a brown powder containing caffeine as well as other delightful ‘cuts’ such as stone and glass. Injecting heroin into your system delivers a short feeling of “orgasmic” pleasure. Mixing with other drugs like alcohol makes the risk of an overdose far more likely. Large doses can also make an individual fall into a coma. Street price: Once £80-£100 per gram the price of heroin, as a result of the invasion of Afghanistan, has now dropped to £40.

Ketamine aka. Special K, Vitamin K, or just plain old K Most of the Ketamine available on the street, which comes in form of a white powder, is illegally produced. It causes both changes in perception and hallucinations as well as a floating sensation, sometimes described as “an out of body experience”. Side effects include being physically incapable of moving, and high doses can make it difficult to breathe which can cause heart failure. Street price: £15 – 40 a gram CONTACT National Drugs Helpline: 0800 77 66 00 Release: 020 7729 9904 QuitTel: 0800 00 22 00 Alcohol Concern: 020 7928 4644 Alcoholics Anonymous: 020 7833 0022 Drinkline: 0800 917 8282

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There are many myths (and some legends) surrounding sex at University and you can rest assured not everyone is having sex all the time at LSE so you should not feel pressured into doing something you do not feel comfortable with. Condoms are available for free from the Education and Welfare Officer, Women’s and LGBT Officers and hall of residence welfare reps. Safe sex is sex using barrier methods of contraception (such as condoms) to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STIs). Without these there is an increased risk of exposure to a number of STIs, including the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the virus that can lead to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Different people prefer different methods of contraception. If you are unsure which to use you can visit a family planning clinic where advice on sex and contraception are free. Below is some information regarding different methods of contraception.

Withdrawal The male withdraws his penis shortly before ejaculation. Simple, highly unreliable and not recommended. No protection against STIs.

The Pill About 100million women worldwide use this method. In the UK roughly 1/3 of women of reproductive age take the pill. Although there are several types of pill available in Britain there are two main types of pill. First-

Safer sex ly there is the oestrogen and progestogen pill which, if taken regularly, stops ovulation. It’s easy to use, does not interfere with intercourse and is 99.9% effective. However there are side effects such as headaches nausea and possible weight gain. It is unsuitable for those with a family history of strokes and high blood pressure. No protection against STIs.

The Mini Pill Containing progestogens only it makes it difficult for the sperm to enter the womb and also for the womb to accept a fertilised egg. Once again it is easy to use and no interference with intercourse. Side effects include irregular periods. It is estimated to be 99% effective. No protection against STIs.

The Morning after Pill This form of contraception is an emergency measure to stop you becoming pregnant if contraception fails or was not used. It contains a high dose of hormones and although it is referred to as the ‘morning after’ pill it can be taken up to 72 hours after intercourse but the earlier it is taken the more likely it is to work. No protection against STIs.

Coil A coil (intrauterine device or IUD) is a small flexible plastic and copper device, sometimes T-shaped, which is inserted by a doctor into the uterus. It works by preventing the egg from settling in the womb. There is no interference in intercourse but is unsuit-

able for with heavy periods or a history of pelvic infections. The coil can be inserted up to 5 days after intercourse as ‘post-coital contraception’ and is about 96-98% effective. No protection against STIs.

Intrauterine system This is a hormonal device that is placed in the uterus and works by releasing progestogen. It also needs to be fitted by a Doctor. If it is fitted in the first five days of the menstrual cycle it works immediately. The IUS is proven to be over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. It normally works for up to five years. No protection against STIs.

Male Condom The most popular forms of contraception it is a thin latex sheath that is put over the condom prior to intercourse. It works by trapping the sperm during climax. When used properly and with spermicide it is 99% effective. Oil-based lubricant, such as Vaseline, creams or lotions can make holes in latex condoms. There may also be problems if the sheath comes off ruptures and some sensitivity is often lost. However it offers considerable protection against STIs during vaginal or anal intercourse.

Female Condom Often referred to as the Femi-Dom they are made of polyurethane, and not latex. So it is unlikely to provoke allergies, and should not be damaged by oil-based lubricants. When used correctly they are about 95%

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effective. Although not as popular as the male condom some women are keen on using it as a way to control their own fertility.

Diaphragm The Diaphragm is soft rubber device, fitted into the vagina before intercourse to cover the cervix. It must be used in conjunction with spermicide which is a substance that kills sperm. The cap need not interfere at all with intercourse and may protect against cervical cancer. The Diaphragm itself can be slightly messy and will initially need to be fitted by a Doctor. It offers little or no protection against STIs however it is 97% effective when used properly.

Contraceptive Injection Known as ‘the jag’ in Scotland this form of contraception is injected into the muscle (usually the arm). The Injection contains hormones which, like the pill, prevent a woman from becoming pregnant. In Britain there are two types the first is Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone), which is by far the more commonly-used. It protects you – almost fully – against pregnancy for 12 weeks. The other is Noristerat (norethisterone) - which provides contraceptive protection for eight weeks. The Injections are about 99% effective. No protection against STIs.

Contraceptive Patch A relatively new form of contraception it often described as the skin version of the pill. It comes in the form of a self adhesive patch.

The patches last about a week at which point it will need to be replaced with a new one. Because it is so new there is not much information as to what the potential side effects are. About 2% women’s skin reacts badly to the patch causing them to suffer irritations. The patch can also fall off without this being noticed thus ceasing to act as a contraceptive. No protection against STIs.

Natural Family Planning Also known as the rhythm method, now a widely discredited theory, it works on the principle that ovulation can be predicted and intercourse avoided at this time. However it can be up to 90% effective if you have a highly regular cycle. No protection against STIs.

Dental dam A dental dam is a thin latex sheet used to limit transmission of bodily fluids during oral sex or mutual masturbation. In cunnilingus or analingus, a dental dam covers the vulva or anus to allow oral stimulation of these areas. In female-female genital contact, also known as tribadism, the use of a dam as a barrier inhibits the transmission of genital fluids and thereby offers protection from STIs. During tribadism with another body part, a dental dam can be used as a barrier to decrease the risk of transmission, especially if a woman’s partner has open cuts or sores on the applicable body part, for instance leg or stomach, or if the woman has vaginal cuts or sores. Lubricant can be used between the stim-

ulated area and the dam to create a higher level of sensation. When used correctly and consistently, dams decrease the risk of HIV and oral-to-genital or genital-to-genital herpes transmission, as well as genital warts and a number of other STIs. You can also make your own dental dam by vertically cutting open a condom and spreading it flat, or by cutting the fingers off a rubber glove and slitting open the little finger side, leaving the thumb finger on the glove to be placed in the vagina. Remember to check all barrier methods, including condoms and dental dams, for holes or perforations before use.

Toys Sharing sex toys, for example vibrators, is always a bad idea. Be sure to clean toys before using them on your partner or yourself, especially if they have come into contact with vaginal fluid, sperm, or menstrual blood. Barrier methods such as condoms and dental dams can also be used on sex toys.

Sexual Transmitted Infections Trust us, you don’t want these! STIs are prevalent amongst sexually active young people. The best way to avoid getting one (or more!) is to use a barrier contraception. Condoms are the most common and effective, but using more than one form of contraception is even better. See www.brook.org.uk for more information, support and advice on sexual health.

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Lectures, Classes, Essays, Debt, Homesickness, Jobs, Late Nights, Early Mornings… sometimes at LSE it can seem like it’s just one thing after another! Life as a student at LSE can be a difficult and stressful experience. Just as it is important that you work, it is just as important that you relax and take time out when necessary. This year student welfare is a top priority so the Students’ Union will be providing regular enrichment activities to improve your experience as a student here. The Students’ Union is always there to provide help, support, information and advice or just somebody to listen. What follows is some information and advice that may make your time here a little less stressful.

Counselling People sometimes experience emotional or personal problems that they find hard to cope with by themselves. These problems may be to do with changed circumstances (setting into university life), difficulties in relationships, unexplained changes in mood, such as feeling low, anxious or stressed. When this happens, you may feel it useful to see a professional counsellor. For students with deadlines to meet and the constraints of the examination system, such difficulties can at times feel overwhelming and have a serious impact on their ability to sustain academic performance. Counselling can help by exploring with you the problems you experience and your attempts to solve the problem. New ways of coping will also be explored. The approach to counselling at the Students’ Union is based on systematic and cognitive

Well being behavioural therapies and is focused on problem solving. What happens in counselling? Counselling involves talking, thinking and doing. The counsellor may prompt you by asking questions and making observations that will help you to look at things in different ways in order to help you to find alternative ways to deal with your problems. You will be actively involved in all aspects of the counselling. What is a counsellor? A counsellor is a trained professional experienced in dealing with a wide range of emotional and personal problems. Sheila Gill is a nationally accredited counsellor and trainer. She has co-authored a number of books on the theory and practice of counselling. She subscribes to the ethical code of The British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists. Length of counselling Counselling may take less time than you think. This will depend on the nature of your problem and will be discussed with you during the first session. Sometimes one session will be enough to restore your confidence in order to solve your problem. At other times several sessions may be needed up to a maximum of 6. A session lasts about 45/50 minutes. Students will be invited to arrange a review date to ensure progress is maintained.

Is the service confidential? The service is absolutely confidential, which means your identity and anything you talk about with the counsellor will not be shared with anyone. All documentation will be kept locked away. To ensure that the counselling service is appropriate and effective, the counsellor meets regularly with a trained supervisor external to the institution. From time to time it is necessary for students to be referred to another agency either within or outside LSE. If this occurs, the counsellor will ask for the student’s consent. What if I feel embarrassed? People sometimes feel embarrassed talking about intimate matters. The counsellors are trained to respect your feelings and discuss any topic you may raise without judging or criticising you. Who seeks counselling? Students, both undergraduates and postgraduates, from diverse national groups and academic disciplines seek counselling. Problems and difficulties students in the past have sought help with include: • Settling into LSE/London • Loneliness and homesickness • Depression • Unexplained change in mood such as feeling miserable/tense/tearful • Anxiety/panic • Exam stress • Harassment • Issues about sex and sexuality • Unplanned pregnancy • Self harm • Suicide (If you have suicidal thoughts/

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thoughts of self harm/currently self harm, it is advisable to make contact directly with your doctor. • Acute concern on behalf of another student • Disability • Serious medical conditions Note: It is advisable for every student to be registered with a general practitioner. Students who live in the catchment area of St Philip’s Medical Centre can register with a doctor there. Does it cost anything? The counselling service is free to LSE students. Where is it located? The Advice and Counselling Centre at the Students’ Union. See p97 How do I make contact? Either telephone or drop into the Advice and Counselling Centre. The counsellor is available on Fridays 10am-3pm. Sheila Gill is a trained counsellor experienced in dealing with a range of emotional and personal problems. She is available on Fridays at the Advice Centre, between the hours of 10:00 – 15:00.

Disabilities If at any point during you time at LSE you become ill, develop a disability, mental health problem or become aware of a possible learning difficulty, contact the Disability and Well Being Office. They will be able to help! They will talk through any problems

you are having and help you find solutions. If you suspect you might be dyslexic they will be able to test you and then help put into place the relevant provisions. See p89

London Nightline London Nightline has offered a telephone helpline, and now an email service, to students in London since 1971. They are a confidential listening, support and information service. Nightline receive thousands of calls each year from students like you, from all over the city who are looking for information or just someone to talk to. Calls can be about anything and everything, including academic work, relationships, health and deNIGHTLINE Open 6pm-8am every night of term: 020 7631 0101 Listening@nightline.org.uk Free calls via Skppe via our website: www.nightline.org.uk

pression.

LONDON Living, eating, drinking, transport, shopping, outer London...

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Living in halls The LSE offers a portfolio of ten halls, with various prices, facilities and location as you’ve seen from the Accommodation website. LSE has the best ratio of students to hall space of any London university, and most students really enjoy their experience. Your committees, as well as the Warden team and staff within the hall will be on hand on your arrival to point you to the nearest shops, bars and attractions, so do go and ask them questions/use the information given to really get to know your new home. You can find info on who’s who by digging a little deeper on the Accommodation website, and also searching for your hall through Facebook.

need a chat about life at LSE. In addition to this, the Warden team is responsible for ensuring quiet-times in LSE halls, and the general safety and security of residents. Again, these friendly and approachable people can signpost you to particular services, including contraception, health services, counselling... If you are experiencing any problems within your residence, do approach the committee and Warden if possible. If you feel that you need to escalate the matter, contact the Residences Officer who will be able to further advise you. All matters will be treated in complete confidence.

Support and Advice

Sustainability

Committees are made up of students of the hall who are in their second or third year of study, or are postgrads elected soon after arrival, having been elected to particular positions on the committee, such as President, Treasurer, Social Secretary, Environment Officer, International Students’ Officer, etc. These devoted individuals stay in halls to form a committee responsible for the spending of the common room fees (be that on TVs, boat parties or film nights). Remember that the common room fee is YOUR money, so if you have an idea of fun events then don’t be afraid to raise them with the President or other committee member in your hall. Due to the varied composition of the student body in the hall there may be different activities and events which are more popular. They can also signpost you to advice services within your hall, the Students’ Union or LSE, in confidence, and can be a friendly face if you

The LSE Students’ Union is committed to environmental change, and what better place to start than at home? Sustainability Champions within each hall volunteer to promote particular simple changes to make a big difference to the carbon footprint of the hall. If you want to get involved in this project, for some great experience and to meet people within your hall contact the Justus, the Students’ Union Environment & Ethics Officer.

University of London Halls UL halls offer a more varied student body than the social scientist dominated LSE, and this community really enables you to expand your network in London. However, LSE halls have tended to have a better pastoral/

committee system, so if you encounter any difficulties during your stay in UL halls, do let the Residences Officer or the Education and Welfare Sabbatical know, and the matter will be taken up. CONTACT Residences Officer su.residences@lse.ac.uk LSE Accommodation Office V210, Tower 2 020 7955 7531 accommodation@lse.ac.uk www.lse.ac.uk/accommodation/

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Although accommodation is guaranteed for all new students, once your time is up within halls you will have to look for private accommodation. When renting privately there is a correlation between living further out and cheaper rents. There are no particular ‘student’ areas of London, but Camden, Holloway, Highbury, Shoreditch and Kennington are quite popular areas with good transport links to LSE.

Finding a flat Most flats are advertised through letting agents and various property websites. Letting agents will usually charge an administration fee of between £30-100 per person when you sign a contract. Good websites include www.gumtree. com, www.blackkatz.com, www.ononemap. com, www.findaproperty.com and housing. london.ac.uk.

Contracts Most letting contracts for shared flats will be Joint Liability Assured Shorthold Tenancies. Bit of a mouthful, but essentially it gives you some legal protections (landlord can’t just chuck you out) and also some responsibilities. If one person doesn’t pay up, everybody in the flat is jointly liable. Do get contracts checked before signing, and look out for further information about rent, guarantors and landlord obligations when considering private accommodation. Due to the high turn-over of property within London, contracts can be started at any time so there’s no real rush once your hall contract

Renting finishes. The Students’ Union Advice and Counselling Centre offers a FREE contract checking service. The University of London Housing Service also offers contract checking and advice.

Guarantors If you are a student without a regular income, you will need to show your landlord proof of how you will pay your rent. Usually, this will take the form of a guarantor: a person willing to cover your liabilities and provide proof of their income. Often, it is a requirement to have a UK national as your guarantor. This is a particular issue for international students: please seek advice at the Advice and Counselling Centre if you have any problems.

Rent & deposits Rent will almost always be paid monthly, in advance. You will also be expected to pay a refundable deposit of six weeks rent in advance. This means you will have to pay around 10 weeks rent when you sign a contract on a new place. Wave goodbye to your Student Loan! Expect to pay at least £100 per week per person anywhere in London. Rent depends on location, how many people you share with, living space and how few mice and cockroaches the flat is infested with.

Council tax Council tax is a regressive tax based on

out-of-date and inaccurate calculations of property values. The average annual levy on property in England was £1,146 in 2008. Registered full-time students are exempt from paying council tax in most cases. However, if you are living with non-students, council tax is payable (with a 25% discount if there is just one non-student in the household). Students cannot be held liable for council tax in this situation, but would normally be expected to make a contribution. In order to claim your council tax exemption, you need to print off your certificate of registration from LSE for You. Then you’ll need to take it along to the Student Services Centre with your LSE ID card to get it stamped. Then, finally, you can send it to your local council. Don’t put it off: many LSE students have ended up with court hearings over council tax bills they weren’t even liable for. There are particular issues around council tax and students who are writing up their PhDs. Again, if you have any problems, speak to the ACC.

Squatting Squatting is a free, but sometimes insecure way of living. However, there are many legal risks which you should be aware of. There are many squats in London, you can usually find fellow squatters in social centres. The Students’ Union does not advise students to squat in properties that are not legally empty. For more information on squatting in London see www.urban75.com/Action/squat.html

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Transport London is a very congested city, and given LSE’s very central location, almost everyone commutes. Running a car in London is unaffordable and impractical. It is advisable to walk whenever possible. When that isn’t possible, London’s public transport system is one of the best in the world (when it works). However, it tends to get overcrowded during peak times. The main forms of public transport are the Tube, Buses, Trams and Docklands Light Railway. London is separated into ‘zones’ by Transport for London. The closer to central London you are, the lower the zone number. There are 9 zones in total, spanning the whole of London. The prices of fares and travelcards reflect how many zones you are travelling through.

Oystercard & discounts An Oystercard is an electronic card which can be loaded with credit to spend on travel. It is undoubtedly the cheapest and most convenient way to travel on public transport, so get one! Students are entitled to apply for a Student Oystercard, which entitles you to a 30% discount on Travelcards or Bus Passes (for one week or more). However, you cannot obtain a discount on 1-day travelcards or pay-as-you-go journeys. Applications for Student Oyster Cards can be made online at tfl.gov.uk/photocard or alternatively a form can be picked up from the Students’ Union reception. There is an application fee of £5. Oystercards can electronically store Bus Passes, Travelcards and pay-as-you-go

credit. Even if you plan to make very few journeys, you should get an Oystercard. A typical tube journey which costs just £1.50 with an Oystercard, will set you back £4 if you are paying cash. If you are paying for your travel with your pay-as-you-go credit, the Oystercard has a nifty thing called ‘daily capping’. It means that however many journeys you make in one day (4AM to 4AM), you will not be charged more than the price of the Day Travelcard or Bus Pass for the zones you have travelled through. To get even more out of this, present your Oystercard and your 16-25 Railcard (see below) to a ticket office at any tube station. They will then register your Oystercard for an additional 30% discount on the daily cap (off-peak only). Bargain! You can check the balance on your Oystercard and add more credit at any tube station, many newsagents and also (hopefully) the Students’ Union Shop in the NAB. When travelling by bus and tube, every time you touch your Oyster card before travel, the remaining credit balance is displayed. If your balance is too low to make a journey, your card will be refused at the entrance and you will need to add more credit.

Bus Buses are often the easiest and cheapest way of getting around. London’s bus system is very well designed, and you will usually find a bus going where you want to. Some buses run 24 hours, while others change from a day bus to a night bus. Night buses are prefixed with an N, have the same number

but sometimes slightly different routes. When travelling on a bus using an Oystercard, touch it once against a card reader. It is not necessary to touch again before you leave the bus. If you do, you’ll be charged for the price of two journeys!

Most buses have a front door and a middle door. As you will soon find out, you should enter the bus through the front and leave through the middle. The exception to this are the long, articulated ‘bendy’ buses. On these, you can enter and leave through any door.

Tube The Tube or ‘underground’ is the world’s oldest and longest underground railway sysContinues overleaf

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tem. Using the tube is extremely easy and usually quick, reliable and safe. It is best for medium to long journeys but can sometimes end up taking longer if used for short journeys.

Transport during the summer, so always carry a bottle of water. Maps of the Tube are available for free at Tube stations and online. Unfortunately we are unable to reproduce them in this guide due to copyright restrictions. There is also a Tube Access map, which details the 48 stations which have step-free access to the platform. tfl.gov.uk

Rail

Tube services run from 5am-12am approximately. Often, servicing and planned engineering works make the tube unavailable for public use. These are usually carried out at weekends or on public holidays. During these times, replacement bus services should operate, but journey times may be longer than normal. The Tube network is separated into various lines – each of which has a specific route. Many stations are interchanges between lines. Often, to reach your desired tube stop, you will have to change lines within the underground network – at no additional cost. When travelling on the Tube, you must place your Oystercard on the reader both at the start and end of each journey. There are a few stations which have no ticket barriers. At these stations, it is imperative that you find the card reader and place your card on it. Otherwise, you may have to pay a fine of £20 or face prosecution. The Tube gets very crowded and hot

You can travel outside of London by train or by coach. Though coaches are cheaper, trains are much faster and deliver a more comfortable journey. www.nationalrail.co.uk A 16-25 Railcard (available to 16-25 year olds and all university students) allows all tickets to be reduced by a third of the price. In 2007 this card cost £24 for a year. The only restriction is that if you travel at or before 10am Monday to Friday (except during July and August) a minimum fare will apply. www.16-25railcard.co.uk Booking in advance (sometimes up to 12 weeks for maximum savings) on to specific journeys will save you incredible amounts on train fares. Buying two single tickets may sometimes be cheaper than a return. www.megatrain.com and www.virgintrains.co.uk offer very cheap fares on certain routes. For example, a standard open return to Manchester can cost £230. Booking in advance, you could pay as little as £2 for the same journey. Currently, only some of the National Rail stations in London accept Oystercards. If you plan to use some local London train services as part of your journey it may be

cost-effective to buy a one-day travelcard, because these are valid on trains, bus and Tube services within the zones shown. By 2009, Transport for London aims to install Oyster Card Readers in all London National Rail Stations.

Taxi Taking a taxi will probably get you to your destination quicker than any other form of public transport, and is definitely the safest option to take when travelling home late at night. There are three types of taxis in London: Black cabs, minicabs and unlicensed taxis. Black cabs can be hailed on the street. They are reliable, safe and driven by expert drivers who have taken extensive training (‘the Knowledge’). They are also quite expensive. Alternatively, you can opt to travel in a licensed minicab. They are cheaper than Black cabs, but not as reliable. A minicab must be booked in advance. You can order a minicab by telephone, or from outside the Minicab company’s office. A minicab driver is not allowed to pick up customers directly from the road. Make sure you agree the fare before starting the journey. You can find a list of local companies from Yellow Pages, which is available online at www.yell.com (under the category “taxis and private hire vehicles”). Never get into an unlicensed illegal mini-cab. A licensed minicab should have a yellow licensing disc on its windscreen. Last year over 200 women were sexually assaulted in illegal minicabs. Often these situations start off with a random stranger asking

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Transport whether you’d like a lift. Never accept these offers: they may be criminals in disguise.

Cycling The healthiest and greenest way to travel around London. But most certainly not the safest, so take precautions. After years of cycling around London you’ll learn a few facts, but for those not in the know here’s the low down. If it is big, red, moves a lot faster than you and fills you with fear, chances are it’s a bendy bus. Best not get into a race with it, it’ll always win. Make sure you are always in sight of the driver, watch the bus indicators and never ever try and pull in front of a moving bus. Those green tracks scattered around London are cycle-lanes, they’re for you. Stay in them and you’ll be safe. Be aware of your surroundings constantly – a pot-hole is no problem for the four-wheel drive, the same is not true of the cyclist. Never ever drink and cycle. It is against the law and a danger to everyone on the road, yourself included. Despite being about as unfashionable as possible – a cycle helmet can save your life – make it a rule that you never get on your bike without it on. Traffic lights apply to all road users. Red means stop and is applicable to everyone. So don’t speed through a red light dodging innocent pedestrians. Not only is it dangerous, but is damn well annoys everyone else. If you are stuck at traffic lights, your best bet is to position yourself ahead of all the traffic, that way you are making everyone aware of your presence.

Always carry a bike lock/chain. The most effective way to secure your beloved two wheeled transport is by using two different types of lock, this is certain to deter a would-be-thief. Always attach the cable/ lock around the wheel as well as onto the main frame of the bicycle. And for your own sake attach it to something secure. There are several places around the LSE campus for safe securing on your bike. If you cycle during the dark evenings, remember you are legally obliged to have lights attached to your bike and to wear something bright. Despite the many horror stories, cycling in London is getting better and is an excellent way to keep fit. For the best cycle routes from your hall/residence to the LSE visit www.tfl.gov.uk/journeyplanner and edit the search options so that only ‘Cycling’ is selected. This will chose the route most recommended by cyclists. You can also get cycling maps of London delivered to you, for FREE. Again, simply go to tfl.gov.uk

Coach The two main coach company networks that provide for travel all around UK are: • National Express - the largest coach company. Students have the option of buy a Young Person’s Coachcard as well. www.nationalexpress.com • Megabus – cheaper than national express. A limited number of tickets on each bus are available at £1! However, the cost rises as more people book seats and as the date of travel gets closer. Tickets can be booked starting about 6 weeks before the date of trav-

el. From London, coaches depart from the Greenline Coach Station (nearest tube is Victoria). www.megabus.com

Europe

Once again, the two main ways (excluding air travel) to travel to and from Europe is by train or by coach: • Eurostar - direct railway service from London St. Pancras to France, Belgium and Netherlands (via Channel Tunnel). www.eurostar.com • RailEurope - railway service to the following places – France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Hungary and Croatia. www.raileurope.co.uk • International Rail - for travels to other European cities. www.internationalrail.com • Eurolines - operated coach services from London throughout Europe. www. nationalexpress.com/eurolines NOTE: To travel outside of UK – you may require a ‘Schengen’ visa. This will depend on your nationality (passport). For more information, see ‘VISA’ section.

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COFFEE CART Clement’s Inn (outside Tower 1) Term time: Monday - Friday: 8AM - 3.30PM If you’re looking for the best pure grade A Colombian on campus this is the place to go. With new seating and umbrellas, this is the smokers choice and the tastiest coffee on campus. You can also enjoy the finest Monmouth coffee whilst soaking up the “architectural beauty” of the three Towers. It’s a great place to go if you’ve missed breakfast and have to dash to an early morning Russian class in one of the Towers. QUAD CAFE

3TK

The Quad, East Building Term time: Monday - Friday: 9AM - 6PM

Underground Bar, Clare Market Building Term time: Monday - Friday: 12 noon - 5PM

If you’re looking for fine dining, look elsewhere. However, the Quad Cafe is the home of affordable, healthy and tasty lunches. There’s also a huge range of hot and cold drinks on offer - and they can even make smoothies on demand. The Students’ Union cafe offers breakfast, lunch (long live the Greek Box!) and serves paninis and other hot food until the early evening. The food is reasonably priced, and there’s a good range of healthy food as well as some cakes for when you’re feeling particularly decadent. Filled bagels cost about £1.50, salad boxes and sandwiches around £2.

Open from lunchtime down in the Underground Bar, the 3TK serves its speciality group platters which are great for sharing with friends. It also serves pasta, pies and pancakes and even has a pretty expansive salad bar.

The best of the rest...

Howard Davies enjoying a 3TK nacho

Wrights Bar next to the old building entrance The prices may fluctuate with the weather but without a doubt this is an LSE institution. This is the favoured venue to pick up lunch for a huge spectrum of LSE society, from some of our most famous professors to our cleaners. Maria and Giuseppe may not

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be serving traditional Italian cuisine but at these prices you can’t complain. Their all day breakfast is the stuff of legend...

THE OUTLET FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE Brunch Bowl 4th Floor, OLD building Under going extensive redevelopment this summer from its current form as the LSE’s school canteen into a “new multi functional catering, social and study facility”. Will look very swanky... surely anything is an improvement upon the prison canteen we had before? Hare Krishna outside wright’s bar, houghton st Just before 1 o’clock you may notice groups of students milling around on Houghton Street pretending to look busy. No matter how they try to dress it up they’re only waiting for one thing and that’s free food from the orange Krishna tricycle. Whilst visually not the greatest advertisement for vegan food, it is all organic and has certainly built up a cult following amongst masters students. However, not everyone’s happy with the Krishna’s free food peddling - expect a continuation of last year’s turf war with Wright’s bar.

Garrick aldwych

On the site of the former ‘Columbia Bar’ the Garrick is the LSE’s premium catering experience. It was also paid for by an LSE alumnus who met his future wife in the Brunch Bowl and wanted to create another social space on campus where students could meet in an alcohol-free environment, and also meet future spouses. If the intention was to bring people together its equally certainly true that the Garrick divides the LSE population into two. Those who eat in the Garrick and those who think its horrendously overpriced. Having said that the Garrick comes into its own when you’re looking to get an all expenses paid meal courtesy of the Bank of Mum and Dad. The ‘grab and go’ option in the morning is also a godsend for early morning lectures in the Old Theatre.

starts to wander during a Saturday revision session. There’s a good range of fair trade teas and coffees although the sandwiches are a bit on the expensive side. One top tip to remember is that if you’re on campus on a Sunday its usually worth visiting the plaza before it closes at four because they give away all the sandwiches which they haven’t been able to sell for free. Cafe Pepe 3rd floor, clement house Most students will probably spend their entire time at LSE without ever finding out where Cafe Pepe is. This is not surprising given the fact that it’s hidden on the 3rd floor of Clement House - its not even open early making it useless as a venue to get your preclass caffeine fix. It does, however, serve hot soup and panini and the fact no one goes there makes it the perfect spot for dangerous liaisons. Cafe Amici 1 Kingsway Despite the Italian name their pasta is average, go for the baked potatoes instead which are always fantastic.

Plaza Cafe outside the library Fulfilling all your dietary needs when you need a quick five minute break from the library. The best thing about the plaza is that it’s open every day of the week, so you can always nip in for a coffee if your mind Continues overleaf

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Think England has bad food? Think again!

Near LSE Ecco 186 Drury Lane Extremely close to High Holborn Hall and about 10 minutes walk from campus is this great little pizzeria where you can pick up a fairly authentic 11” pizza for around £4. The furniture’s a little weird but this place is a little gem. Don Quixote 101 Kingsway Their ‘club sandwiches’ are made right in front of you and are always a good option for lunch. The fact this place stays open ridiculously late make it the ideal destination after Fresh or a late night library session during the exam period. You probably don’t want to go there if you’re on a diet. Hummus Bros Southampton Row The UK’s first (and only) hummus bar. Eat in or takeaway their yummy topped hummous at very low prices. Half price salads and drinks for LSE students between 11am-12 noon and 2pm-10pm. Fire & Stone 31/32 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden Nice pizza place with a twist: the toppings for each pizza is based on a different country. Some weird ingredients, but it usually works. Check their website for special offers: every lunchtime you can get a beer and a pizza for £5.50.

Bierodrome 67 Kingsway Belgian bar and restaurant with an amazing selection of (expensive) beers and a couple of good offers on food. Beat the Clock is the one to go for: arrive between 5.30pm and 7.30pm and pay for the time you order (e.g. 5.30pm = £5.30). Try the mussels or the spitroast chicken. Wagamamas 1 Tavistock Street, Covent Garden Healthy noodle place. Check their website for frequent buy one get one free offers. Knight’s Templar 95 Chancery Lane Part of the Wetherspoons pub chain, does standard pub grub at ridiculously low prices. Toilets are award winning; the decor is amazing. Go on Tuesdays for Grill Night.

Elsewhere Franco Manca 4 Market Row, Brixton, SW9 The best pizza in London. Organic buffallo mozzarella, home made lemonade and gorgeous sour doug pizzas baked in a Neapolitan brick oven. Very quick service, very cheap prices (around £5 each) and huge portions make this place incredibly busy every lunchtime. Alishaan 30 Osborn Street/Brick Lane, E1 Brick Lane is a bit of a minefield, but you can’t go wrong with Alishaan. Delicious

four course Indian meal with a free drink for £9.95. You can even bring your own booze as well. Indian Veg 92-93 Chapel Market, N1 An all-you-can-eat vegan Indian place, very popular with Rosebery residents due to the attractive price tag: just £3.50 each. Sappho Meze Bar 9 Clapham High Street, SW4 Family run Greek meze restaurant. £10 per head for an enormous meal of whatever they’ve cooked that day! Too many courses to remember, let alone eat. They will cater for veggies and vegans. Best Tava 17 Stoke Newington Road, N16 One of countless Turkish places around Stokey/Dalston. Good food cooked in front of you. Try the lahmacun (turkish pizza, £1.40) or one of the grilled kebabs. Bodean’s 10 Poland Street, W1F The best ribs in London. Sit upstairs in the diner and go for the ‘pig out for a tenner’: full rack of babyback ribs, fries, slaw and unlimited soft drinks for £10. Go on Tuesday nights for half price steaks. Hawksmoor 157 Commercial St, E1 The best steak in London. Hugely expensive but worth it! Ginger Pig meat, triple cooked chips and huge desserts.

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Halal & kosher Halal Holborn, being located right in the commercial centre of London, has a variety of Halal food outlets than you wouldn’t find in greater London. Here are the reviews of places to eat, courtesy of the Islamic Society, close to LSE: • Chicken Cottage – This is your regular Halal fried chicken and chips shop (one of many all over London), at reasonable prices. This is located on High Holborn, opposite Sainsbury’s, just past the RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) cash machine. • Subway – There are 2 subway branches within 5 minutes walking distance from each other, on Kingsway, around the corner from LSE. They do not serve Halal subs, but you can still make your own sandwiches using tuna or veggie fillings. There are also countless Subway branches, all over London. • Ola Café and Bristo – Located at the end of Shaftesbury Avenue (and just around the corner from High Holborn halls). It’s good for a bit of variety, and the quality of the food is high, but so are the prices. • Café Pepe – In Clement House (D building), which serves great Panini’s. The Quad and the Students’ Union shop also serve Halal food – wraps and paninis. Aside from that the Brunch Bowl also serves some Halal sandwiches and wraps. • Café Banzai – Next to Blackwells on High Holborn Road.

Outside Holborn: • East London (Whitechapel and Green Street): There are lots of Halal Indian Restaurants and fried chicken shops, and its very cheap as well! All you need to do is hop on the district line from Temple station. • Tinsel town: American style halal diner which serves great food and milkshakes. The nearest train station is Farringdon. • Brick Lane – Known as the ‘Curry Mile’ around some parts of UK. It’s a massive line of Bangladeshi restaurants serving great curries and South Asian delicacies for reasonable prices. A lot of the restaurants are Halal, but make sure you ask before you eat, just to be on the safe side. It’s reachable by hopping onto the District Line or Hammersmith and City Line and stopping off at Aldgate East Station. • Edgeware Road – Mini ‘Middle East’ with rows of Arabic restaurants and supermarkets, providing excellent kebabs (and sheesha too!). It can be a bit expensive, hence students avoid going there on a regular basis. Reach by getting the tube to Edgware Road tube station. Also, you can have a glance at www. citymuslims.org/halalfood.asp

Quad Cafe serves Halal and Kosher

Kosher • •

•

Courtesy of the Jewish Society The Quad Cafe sells all types of the traditional DD’s sandwiches. Tesco’s on Goodge Street (tube to Goodge street tube station, or 15 minutes walk from LSE) has a Kosher section where one can buy dips etc, but does not have a dry Kosher food section. Euston Hillel - situated on Endsleigh Street, nearby UCL, sells a variety of Kosher foods at lunchtimes, ranging from sandwiches to hotdogs and vegetarian burgers (nothing meaty). Ruebens - Kosher restaurant situated on Baker Street, a few minutes walk from Baker Street station. Downstairs is a somewhat expensive restaurant, whilst upstairs is a cheaper deli selling a wide range- of Kosher traditional meaty foods. Six-13 - Kosher restaurant on Wigmore Street, with a wide range of delicious food, but is extremely expensive. Bevis Marks is a large fancy restaurant situated in the East End of London. It sells mainly ‘meaty’ dishes, and the food is delicious, but it doesn’t fit most students’ budgets. It is right next to Bevis Marks Synagogue, on Bevis Marks Road.

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George IV Portugal Street From the outside this is the most beautiful pub on campus although unfortunately most of its old gin palace interior has been ripped out. It serves a great selection of ales and the staff are all very friendly with the regulars. The George is also pretty small, so if you go on a Friday expect to have to stand outside.

THE THREE TUNS

THE UNDERGROUND

Clare Market Building, Houghton Street Term time: Monday - Thursday: 11AM - 11PM Friday: 11AM - 2AM

Opening hours: various

In the beginning this WAS the Students’ Union. Things have moved on a little bit since those days but ‘the Tuns’ is still a focal point on campus. It’s comfortable, if slightly dilapidated, sofas make this the best this is the place to go if you want to some to get some restbite in the middle of a hectic lecture schedule. You can also bring in your own food during the day (as long as you buy a drink!) giving you somewhere comfortable to enjoy your Greek box from the Quad. There’s also a quiz night every Tuesday.

With a wider drinks selection and nicer environs than the Tuns – this is the venue for the drinking connoisseur… sort of. At any rate it’s certainly more a little more intimate and a great place to go for a more relaxed night out. The Underground is also the venue for the hugely successful Postgrad party and Exilio, London’s only LGBT Salsa night, as well as great number of society events. The Students’ Union has recently invested in a decent sound system and will be redecorating this bar over the summer to make this into the ultimate events venue for societies on campus.

The White Horse St Clement’s Lane For years this place, despite being incredibly close to the library, banned students which meant that it was always empty. This year a new landlord has moved in and the draconian legislation has ended and slowly this pub has built up a bit of a cult following amongst Teaching Assistants and PhD students. With its dark red tinted walls and fireplace, The White Horse is extremely popular for those looking for a more traditional pub atmosphere. The fact it’s open at the weekends also makes it very popular with hardworking postgrads. Apparently its new menu is also pretty good for those looking for a bit more than the standard beer and burger. The Seven Stars Carey Street One of the few buildings in the area to have survived the Great Fire of London, this pub is over 400 years old and a little gem to boot. Its a big favourite amongst the lawyers who work in the nearby inns and its impossible to get a seat on a Friday evening. The Seven stars also serves a great selection of real ales, be warned though; as a law-

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Drinking Elsewhere

yers’ pub you should expect to pay lawyers’ prices.

Wetherspoons Or ‘spoons for short, this is the ultimate pub chain, with at least one pub in every town in the UK – which means there a hell of a lot of these in London. Whilst the typical Wetherspoons feels like a soulless warehouse exclusively dedicated to ensuring the inebriation of manic depressants, the ones close to LSE aren’t actually that bad. They’re also open late which is fantastic for those of us who like to practice “Mediterranean style” drinking. With daily meal deals and a huge selection of ales, wines and spirits their definitely worth a visit. Here’s the low down on the ‘spoons in our local area: The Knights Templar Carey Street

Is the classier if more expensive option, with high ceilings and fancy decor. It’s the favoured option as venue for LSE Students’ Union society events.

The Shakespeare’s Head 63 Kingsway The more traditional Wetherspoons of the area with gratuitous use of “mood lighting” to hide how disgusting the furniture is. A number of students have also had purses and wallets stolen here as well. Avoid.

Cittie of Yorke 22 High Holborn

The Penderel’s Oak 283 High Holborn Surly staff but it’s open till 1AM everyday.

Sam Smiths The yin to Wetherspoons yang – these pubs are packed full of character and charm. If you’re looking for the traditional English pub experience you can’t go far wrong with visiting of these pubs. Also, most of them are concentrated in London’s theatreland which is in LSE’s back garden. Sam Smiths also make all their own drinks which is the reason they’re able to sell you the cheapest pint in London. Don’t be put off by the lack of brand beers, their Sam Smith incarnations are far better. Here’s the top three in the local area: The Princess Louise 208 High Holborn With its Victorian partitions and extremely cheap drinks there may be very little room to move when it busy (which is often) but this is one of the best pubs in London. Just get there early, grab a booth and enjoy the sumptuous surroundings.

With its cosy cellar bar and train compartment style booths, this is a great pub to go to with a small group of friends. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Wine Office Court, 145 Fleet Street Hidden away, just off fleet street this pub is what the word ‘quintessential’ was invented for. With sawdust on the floor, a myriad of small rooms on different floors and in winter an open log fire, this is the classic English pub. A must visit.

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Clubs

Get your rave on!

Fresh This year we’ve got a brand new club night and you’re invited to the launch party! Every Friday from October we’ll be hosting what we modestly believe will be the best students’ night in London. For all the music that’s currently topping the hit parade and well as a few student classics head on down to The Quad. If it’s fresh new sounds you’re after pop down to the Underground where there will be new monthly residencies in this new look venue. And for those who want a break from the music there’s you can always chill out with friends in the Three Tuns.

Afterskool Klub Saturday night is when the fashionistas from all over London come out to play. If you’re tired of the H&M indie scene this is your chance to hear great music from artists you’ve never heard of although to make sure it doesn’t get too obscure they also play classics from the likes of Bloc Party, Daft Punk and the White Stripes.

Exilio Hola! If you came to London to experience new and exciting things then Exilio as London’s premier (and only) Saturday night LGBT Straight Friendly Latino Club is probably a good place to start.

Chuckle Club Twenty-three years old and still going strong the Chuckle Club hosted by the ubiq-

uitous Mr Cheese. Once you’ve got over the ordeal of the Chuckle Club song this is actually a very good (and inexpensive) comedy night. Also, once the comedy’s over you can always pop down to the Afterskool club for free...which is nice.

Everywhere else! It is hard to describe just how much London has to offer for those that enjoy a late night. The party scene on your new doorstep makes vibrations in club and music circles all around the planet. Whether you are into techno, salsa, hip-hop or dub-step, there is a place that caters for your tastes. Friday and Saturday are usually when the big nights are on at the major clubs, but there are plenty of cheap student nights throughout the week to keep your feet moving until the weekend. It can be difficult at first to find nights and clubs that are up your street. A good starting point is to pick up a brown ‘Don’t Panic’ pack from the Three Tuns, in which all the upcoming month’s parties are listed and advertised and info on where to find out more about the club scene – plus, you get a cool poster for your new room. Checking online on your favourite clubs’ website or going to fanzines and forums is really useful, as is browsing events on social networks. But the best finds are often spotted by those keen-eyed party animals who scan the city’s walls for fly-posters detailing the most secret and special events, or just by simply meeting and chatting to likeminded clubbers when you are on a night out. Clubs can cost anything up to £20 to get in, depending on the venue, day of the

week, and acts on that night. Most of the big clubs charge in the region of £12-15 on a weekend night, whilst smaller places on a weeknight may only charge £3-4. Drinks will almost certainly be more expensive than the pub, but there are some good offers at some of the smaller nights during the week. Whilst it is very rare to hear of bad incidents at clubs, do be aware that you will normally be around people who are drunk and using drugs, so be a little wary and make extra-sure that all your personal belongings are safe. Some people go out and take things too far, so just make sure that you have a good bunch of mates with you if you plan on going over the edge. Similarly, be sure you know how to get home should you need or want to at any point.

OUR FAVOURITE CLUBS IN LONDON Roxy (just off Oxford Street) –Intimate club that has some great drinks offers in the week Fabric (Farringdon) – The best soundsystem on this entire island SE1 (London Bridge) – Vast club buried within a brick tunnel The Coronet (Elephant & Castle) – Puts on a huge array of events and club nights The End (Tottenham Court Road) – Pumping out tunes every night of the week Electrowerkz (Angel) – This derelict warehouse holds some of the finest underground parties such as Bang Face. Koko (Camden) – A converted theatre that specialises in the Indie scene

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e t t e u q i t E

Britain is a green and pleasant land, where the monarch rules with an iron fist and the lower classes look up to their masters. In fact, Britain is no longer any of these things (apart, perhaps, from the class hangup), but there are certain norms and customs which every one in Britain should be aware of, if only for the sake of amusement.

•

• •

Conversation The cliché is true: the Brits love to talk about the weather. If you are ever stuck for something to say, a polite comment about how rainy or sunny it is often goes down well. There are certain things that the British don’t like to talk about with people they barely know. Topics to avoid include, but are not limited to: money (especially earnings), age, appearance, sex and anything personal. Really, it depends on context and how well you know someone: at dinner parties, animated conservations about politics are considered bad manners. At LSE, there are many students from a variety of national, cultural, religious, political, economic and parental backgrounds. Bear this in mind when speaking to people: it’s not nice to offend, so tread carefully!

Eating • •

•

Don’t talk with food in your mouth - it’s very bad manners. If there are several knives, forks and spoons set out at your place, use the outside cutlery first, then work your way in for each course. If there is a plate for bread, use the

one on your left hand side. Your glass should be on the right hand side. At very formal occasions, it is common to start the meal with a toast to the Queen. Ask to be excused to go to the toilet. When you get your bill, if it says “service not included”, you should add around 10% for a tip, unless the food or service has been particularly bad. Waiting staff earn very low wages and depend on these tips to supplement their income, so don’t penny pinch!

Do • •

•

Stand in line. The Brits love to queue. Open doors for people, especially those with disabilities or mobility problems. Say please and thank you lots, especially to people who are nice to you or serve you in shops, bars and restaurants. Shake hands, but beware that some religions prohibit women from having contact with men.

Drinking

Don’t

•

• •

•

People in Britain tend to buy drinks in rounds - when you go for a drink it is common to ask those you are drinking with what they would like. When it is their turn, they should do likewise. If you spill someone’s pint, offer to buy them another. You don’t need to tip at pubs and most bars. If you are at a flash venue, your drinks are delivered to your table or you get your change back in a little silver plate, then tipping is at your discretion. One of the most annoying parts of going out in Britain is the toilet attendant. They stand by the sinks in clubs and bars waiting for you to wash your hands, expecting a pound tip for giving you a squirt of soap and perfume. Tipping is usually expected if you use their goods.

•

• •

Burp, fart, pick your nose or spit in public. It’s not nice! Invade someone’s’ personal space unless you know them very well. Hugging, kissing and touching are off limits, sorry! Reserve study or computer spaces then disappear for hours. It’s so annoying. Speak loudly in the Library - it’s not a common room!

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Shopping On campus

member or friend’s birthday. Downstairs is the place to go if you want to pick up adapter plugs as well as most other things to make your stay in London easier. You can also find newspapers and magazines, like the LSE favourites the FT and The Economist, at discounted rates. There’s also a good selection of stationery, cold drinks, sandwiches and other snacks.

ALPHA BOOKS Quad Mezzanine Floor, East Building Term time: Weekdays, 09:30 – 18:00, Holidays: Weekdays, 10:30 – 17:00

Students’ Union Shop E68, East Building Entrances on Houghton Street & in the Quad www.lseshop.com Term time: Monday - Friday, 9AM – 17.30PM Holidays: Monday - Thursday, 10AM – 17PM Friday, 10:00 - 16:00 Split between two floors this is the Students’ Union’s very own mini-market. On the top floor (level with Houghton Street) there’s the full range of LSE branded products from mugs to hoodies and caps. You can also find diaries and an impressive selection of greetings cards for whenever you forget a family

NEW ACADEMIC BUILDING Shop Ground Floor, NAB Corner of Kingsway and Sardinia Provisional opening hours: 08:45AM-6PM With the New Academic Building comes the Students’ Union’s brand new shop. Just pop in when you’re looking for newspapers, magazines, sandwiches, ice-cream, stationery, cigarettes and oyster card top up. Run by the ubiquitous Simon Coady, Al-

pha Books is the place to go on campus to your core course texts on the cheap. There’s also a good selection of prose, poetry and plays for the more arty amongst us. If you are looking for a particular book, the crowded nature of the shop makes searching on your own quite a challenge. If you feel a little overwhelmed it’s probably for the best if you speak to Simon who has an encyclopedic knowledge of what books are available and where they can be found.

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Shopping

..or how I blew my student loan in one afternoon.

Around LSE

Further out

Oxford Street has everything that you could possibly desire in terms of High Street names, including the massive flagship stores of: Topshop, House of Fraser (which closely resembles Nordstrom’s), H&M, Benetton, Niketown, and if you’re on more of a shoestring budget, Primark. It’s also home to more tourist souvenir shops than you could shake a stick at, so you’ll never be at a loss for shot glasses with Tower Bridge on or ‘I <3 London’ T shirts Covent Garden is like a mini, closer Oxford Street, but if you’re not a high street person, it also houses lots of vintage shops nearer to Endell Street or designer boutiques towards Seven Dials.

A short bus ride will bring you to Spitalfields and Brick Lane, which are, for the scenesters amongst you, veritable cornucopias of fashion. With everything from the so-called ‘low street’ of young designers featured at The Laden Showroom and Lik + Neon to probably the highest concentration of retro/vintage shops in London. Camden will fulfil the needs of anyone who’s still wearing punk/goth fashions but is handy to pick up obscure posters, trinkets and less savoury paraphernalia type things… A word of warning, pretty much as soon as you step out of Camden station you will be approached by people selling ‘cannabis’. Unless you want to be sparking up a joint full of oregano, don’t buy it. If you’re feeling a little more flush with

cash than is normal for students, then head over to West London and take a gander at Dover Street Market, which exhibits everyone from Christopher Kane to Valentino and has super marked down sample sales on occasion. Then of course if you’re just Ab Fab Dahhhhling, then you must go to Harvey Nic’s in Knightsbridge.

Furniture/gadgets etc. Apparently shopping isn’t just about clothes. You may find yourself in need of things like bookcases, saucepans and lamps as well. If so, places like Ikea and Argos are great. Both have online stores, and you can get stuff delivered to, and signed for in, halls. Ikea tends to have its branches out past even the suburbs, but there are branches of Argos everywhere.

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Food & markets You can’t eat out every night

Food shopping The cheapest place to buy food in London is usually from one of the big supermarket chains such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrissons and Asda. These stores can be found in most places around London. Several also offer online shopping in case you feel like lazing around at home instead of going shopping. The nearest supermarket to LSE is a mid-sized Sainsbury’s, located opposite Holborn tube station – 5 minutes walk from LSE. There are also discount supermarkets scattered around London. They usually stock unknown or own brand goods at very good prices. These goods are quite often of the same or higher quality than known brands (usually produced in the same factories). Aldi and Lidl are the kings of this market and are particularly good for cured meats, alcohol and continental ingredients. Netto and Iceland are best avoided. Learning to cook will be a good skill to have during your time at university. Not only will you save loads of money and eat the food you want to, but you’ll also find yourself extremely popular, too! If you use the same supermarket regularly, you should apply for its loyalty card. Show this each time you shop to collect “points”. The more you shop, the more points you accumulate and eventually you will be granted free shopping coupons based on how many points you have. Most supermarkets sell food that is near its expiration date cheaper than its original price. Every supermarket branch has specific days on which most of their edibles expire

and hence those days are usually busy with customers buying reduced food in bulk! For example, Sainsbusy’s usually bring in fresh stock on Mondays. Therefore Saturdays and Sundays are ideal to grab some cheap food. Fruit and vegetables are usually cheaper and fresher if bought from a market or at a greengrocer rather than from a supermarket. In most of the busy streets, there are fruit-sellers that sell fruit for very low prices. In fact, there is one right next to Holborn tube station.

Markets There are over 300 markets in London selling a vast variety of goods (food and more!). These markets are located away from the bustling high street branded shops and hence are ideal for students to find bargains on fresh food, and other goods such as plants and antiques too. • Billingsgate Fish Market: Trafalgar Way, Isle of Dogs, E14. Open Tuesday – Saturday (5 am – 8:30 am). Almost every type of fish and seafood sold! www.billingsgate-market.co.uk • Borough Market: 8 Southwark Street, SE1. Open Friday 12pm-6pm and Saturday 9 am-4pm. One of the city’s oldest and largest (sheltered) food markets selling food from all over the world. www.boroughmarket.co.uk • Brixton Market: Brixton Station Road, SW9. Open Monday to Saturday (9am-sunset). Visit one of Europe’s largest Caribbean food markets that has local art displays and reggae music in

the background! Greenwich Market: Church Road, Greenwich, SE10. Open ThursdayFriday 7:30am-5:30pm and Saturday-Sunday 9:30am-5:30 pm. Pretty undercover market packed with handcrafted items, collectables and antiques. www.greenwich-market.co.uk • Portobello Road Market: Portobello Road, W10 & W11. Open Saturday 5:30 am – 5pm. (Shops are open Monday-Saturday). The largest market in London selling everything from antiques and clothes to food, books and bric-abrac. www.portobelloroad.co.uk • Shepherd’s Bush Market: Uxbridge Road & Goldhawk Road, W12. Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (8:30am-6pm) and Sunday (8:30am-3pm). Go there and feast your money on exotic fish, Halal meats, Afro-Caribbean vegetables and lots more. Also, be sure to visit a Farmers’ Market. These are places where the farmers and growers come along to sell a wide variety of produce directly to the public. They offer fresh, seasonal and often organic food that are high in quality. Everything from meat, cheeses, fish, fruits, vegetables, breads and vegetables are sold. Be sure to visit www.farmersmarket.net, www.lfm.org.uk •

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Stop Press! There’s more to life than Covent Garden...

North London Perhaps an area of London which is rough around the edges, but with its many parks and open spaces along with interesting and affordable market places coupled with affordable rents, North London is becoming an increasingly popular place to live amongst students. Home to both Arsenal and Tottenham football clubs you may find that you will be forced to ally yourself with one or the other. Many trendy bars and restaurants line the streets from Angel Islington all the way to Old Street and which tend to attract a mixture of people. Must do in North London While you are at LSE: Visit Camden Market, one of the most popular visitor attractions in London, which sells craft and clothing amongst other items.

East London One of the most diverse places in the world; over 300 languages are spoken here on a daily basis. An incredible range of food is available for the many restaurants that line its streets. This part of London has a rich and fascinating history playing an intricate role in shaping modern Britain from its involvement in the formation of the Labour Party to the enfranchisement of women. East London was traditionally one of London’s most deprived areas but now the area is in a state of regeneration and the Canary Wharf development (a destination for many LSE students) is testimony to that.

The 2012 Olympic Village will be based in East London creating at least 3,000 new jobs and 4,000 new homes. Home to many notable galleries such as the White Cube and the Whitechapel Art Gallery many Young British Artists live and work in this area and this gives it a cutting edge feel.

cally active areas outside of central London with much of London’s office space located here as well as Heathrow airport. Some of London’s best museums such as the Victoria and Albert Museum as well as the Natural History Museum are in this part of the city so it is well worth a visit. Must do in West London While you are at LSE: Visit the Natural History Museum. The NHM is a place which promotes the discovery, understanding, enjoyment, and responsible use of the natural world. Explore their world-class collections, fantastic exhibitions and cutting-edge research at their landmark buildings.

Must do in East London While you are at LSE: visit Brick Lane, London’s curry capital with a vibrant art and fashion student area. It also contains some of the city’s most fashionable nightclubs such as 93 Feet East and Cafe 1001.

West London A leafy relaxing part of London containing many residential suburbs. Due to its relatively expensive housing not many students from LSE choose to live here. However it has traditionally fashionable areas such as Notting hill which is also the scene of The Notting Hill Carnival, an annual event attracting 1.5 million people making it the largest street festival in the world. It also contains the principle operating centre of the BBC and a vast, brand new shopping complex. West London is one of the most economi-

South London South London is generally the area south of the River Thames. The world famous Ministry of Sound can be found near to Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre, a great place to find cheap deals on food and clothing. Alternatively there are a number of markets such as Borough or Brixton Markets which sell food from all over the world. If you wish to relax you could check out one of South London’s ‘commons’. Although there are not many underground stations it does have an extensive tramline and overground suburban rail network. Must do in South London While you are at LSE : Head down to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich and stand on both sides of the meridian line.

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132 London

Living in London can be a challenge – and trying to live ethically and environmentally friendly even more so. All the shopping opportunities; all the waste and packaging. Recycling in the street? Consuming ethically? Even volunteering or getting involved in your local community? Sounds harder than it is. But sometimes it can be cheaper! Use the Route Planner at www.tfl.gov.uk to get around to some of the addresses below.

Ethical London

Cycling and Critical

outlets at www.whyorganic.org/involved_organicDirectory.asp. For a directory of London organic shops and food outlets, see www.infolondon.ukf.net/organic. Vegan London offers a directory at www.veganlondon.co.uk. Other guides for organic and vegetarian/ vegan options include www.alotoforganics. co.uk and www.happycow.net/europe/england Some of the main organic shops, like Planet Organic, are listed here by London region:

Mass

Central

In order to keep fit and benefit the environment, you could consider cycling! Several Boroughs, such as Camden Council, offer free cycling training. One great way to have fun, exercise and take political action at the same time is the monthly Critical Mass Bike Ride through London (not only bikes, but also wheelchairs, skaters etc). See www.criticalmasslondon. org.uk for more.

•

Organic Shops, Cafes

•

and Restaurants Organic food is not only much healthier due to the lack of pesticides, but it also helps keep farmland in a healthy condition, instead of risking erosion and the loss of rich soil due to intensive, industrial farming. Lots of information on organic food can be found at the Soil Association’s website (www.soilassociation.org). The Soil Association provide an online directory of organic

•

Alara Wholefoods – 10-15% student discount and hot food within 10 minutes of LSE. 58-60 Marchmont Street, WC1N 1AB. Neal’s Yard Wholefoods – 21-23 Short Gardens, Covent Garden, WC2H 9AS. Food For Thought – renowned vegan and organic café with takeaway available. 31 Neal Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9PR. Dayles Ford Organic – raw food and organic. 400 Oxford Street, W1A 1AB. www.daylesfordorganic.com Mildred’s – vegan, organic, international, with beer/wine and take-away available. 45 Lexington Street, Soho, W1F 9AN. Fresh & Wild - Soho – wholefood store and cafe. 69-75 Brewer Street, W1R 3FL. www.wholefoodsmarket.com/freshandwild. Planet Organic Torrington Place – 22 Torrington Place, WC1E 7HJ.

West London • • • •

Beatroot Vegetarian Café – 92 Berwick Street, W1F OQD. Wholefood Butchers – organic Butchers. 31 Paddington Street, W1M 4DR. Villandry Foodstore & Restaurant – 170 Great Portland Street, W1N 5TB. Planet Organic Westbourne Grove – 42 Westbourne Grove, W2 5SH.

North •

• •

Planet Organic Islington - Opening September 2008. 64 Essex Road, London, N1 8LR. Antimony Balance Organic Juice Bar – 47 Farringdon Road, EC1M 3JB. Saf Restaurant – vegan, organic, international, with beer/wine and takeaway available. 152-154 Curtain Road, EC2A 3AT. Near Old Street.

Islington • •

Mother Earth – 282 St. Pauls Road, London, N1 2LH. Tony’s Hemp Corner – vegan and organic cafe, with salad bar and takeaway available. 10 Caledonian Road, N1 9DU.

North East •

•

Mother Earth Health Food & Organic Market – 5 Albion Parade, Albion Road, Stoke Newington, N16 9LD. Food For All – 3 Cazenove Road, Stoke Newington, N16 6PA.

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North West • • • •

inSpiral Lounge – 250 Camden High Street, Camden Lock, NW1 8QS. Organic Pizza – 404-406 Finchley Road, NW2 2HZ. Wild Organic – 73 Prince of Wales Road, NW5 3LT. Earth Natural Food – 200 Kentish Town Road, NW5 2AE.

East •

•

Futures Vegetarian Take Away – vegan, organic and international, and do deliveries. 8 Botolph Alley, EC3R 8DR. Rootmaster – vegan, pan-Asian, international and organic. Just off Brick Lane and in a converted bus! Elys Yard, Old Truman Brewery, E1 6QL. POGO Cafe –vegan, organic and international, with live music on some nights. Open Wed-Sat 12.30pm-9pm, Sun 11am-9pm. 76 Clarence Road, E5 8HB. Sparkes GG – also do home delivery across London. 020 8355 8597. 24 Old Dover Road, SE3 7BT. Well Bean Health Foods – shop and home delivery within 3 mile radius. 020 8858 6854. 9 Old Dover Road, SE3 7BT. Dayles Ford Organic – café. 44B Pimlico Road, SW1W 8LP. www.daylesfordorganic.com Orgasmic Organics – organic store. 020 8297 5225. 26 Staplehurst Road, SE13. G. Baldwins & Co. – organic shop and

mail order. 020 7703 5550. 171-173 Walworth Road, SE17 1RW. www. baldwins.co.uk • SMBS Foods – Traidcraft produce and wholefoods. 75 Lordship Lane, SE22 8EP. Though organic food is certainly expensive, many organic shops have bins where packaged food in perfectly good condition can be found and taken for free. It sounds weird but the art of ‘Skipping’, as it is known, is very environmentally friendly, since perfectly good food is often mistakenly taken to landfill. Moreover, there are weekly free food actions, such as Food Not Bombs, an interesting group at www.londonfnb.org

‘Veg Box’ Schemes ‘Veg Box’ schemes are boxes of organic vegetables and fruits delivered weekly – a great way to get your healthy vitamins delivered to your door. Here are some good examples: • Abel and Cole – free delivery. 020 7737 3648. www.abel-cole.co.uk. • Farmaround Ltd – 020 7627 8066. www.farmaround.co.uk. • Fresh Food Company – 020 8969 0351. www.freshfood.co.uk. • Green Adventure – 020 7277 2529.

Social Centres Social Centres are a good way to get involved and meet like minded people: • London Action Resource Centre – hosts weekly meetings of climate change or-

ganisations like Rising Tide and Social Ecology Reading Group. 62 Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel, E1 1ES. www.londonarc.org • The Autonomy Club – Angel Alley, 84b Whitechapel High Street, London, E1. Nearest tube: Aldgate East. • RampART: an occupied building in East London hosting cultural and political events, including a community cinema, exhibitions, benefit gigs, discussions, meetings and workshops. www.rampart.co.nr • 56a Infoshop – a resource for local people, campaign groups and projects as well as selling books, music and clothing. Includes a radical archive of international info, a seed trading project, Fareshares whole foods co-op and a DIY bicycle repair workshop. Open Thursdays 2-8pm, Fridays 3-7pm & Saturdays 1.30-5.30pm. 56 Crampton Street, London SE17. www.urban75.org/london/ - great resource for various groups.

Organic Clothing • • •

Clothworks – 020 8299 1619. www.clothworks.co.uk Greenfibres – 01803 868001. www.greenfibres.com Natural Collection – 0870 331 3335. www.naturalcollection.com

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

134 London No matter the size of your overdraft or how rich mummy and daddy are, you’ll find living in London an expensive past time, with things inevitably getting tight as the end of term approaches. To help you out during the lean times we’ve put together a list of all the things it’s possible to get for nothing or nearly nothing in London. If you are experiencing genuine financial difficulties, we recommend you apply for financial support. See p100

The illegal but free bus Boris Johnson may hate them but students and poor people love them. If you’re willing to take the risk the ‘bendy’ articulated bus could be your free ride home. Some less savoury members of the LSE Students’ Union have been known to not touch in on their Oystercards when they get on the bus (which is extremely easy due to the number of doors). Please note that ticket inspectors do periodically get on these buses, and the fines are extremely heavy if you get caught and you could face a court order. Ouch. The Students’ Union does not condone fare evasion, and students should beware that they could end up with a criminal record if caught.

Food Free Hare Krishna food – not only do they drop by campus, if you’re away from LSE you could visit them outside SOAS. Their central London temple on Soho Street which is just off Oxford Street also serves free vegetarian meals. All you need to do is get there between 12.30 and 13.00 every Monday to

Saturday. If you miss this slot their restaurant next door serves pretty cheap food all day. The only downside is, with its metal plates and (surprisingly) miserable staff this isn’t a very good venue for a date. Conferences and Events – join the LSE gravy train! To pull in the best speakers LSE has to put on the best spread. Plenty of LSE events have a food related after parties – usually in the atrium (where the Student Services Centre is) or the Shaw library. All you need to do is flirt with one of the stewards guarding the entrance and you’ll get access to all the free wine and hummous related dips you can consume. Also, never underestimate the power of the departmental party. Although some (like Government Department) are underperformers never, ever turn down an invitation to an IR party. Plaza Café – on Sunday evenings it has been known for sandwiches to be given away for free with your tea in a desperate bid to ensure that they aren’t binned. If all else fails Sainsbury’s 8p noodles are the poor man’s (or woman’s) staple food of choice. Also, if you want free ‘Jelly Beans’ check out the Jelly Belly website: www.jellybellyuk.com and click on the ‘samples’ link. Everyday they send out 100 free sample packs to a lucky few.

Health Just because you’re poor doesn’t mean you have to be unhealthy. Visit www.lafitness.co.uk/vouchers. aspx?voucher=1daypass and you’ll a one

London on the cheap

London is one of the most expensive cities in the world... not if you are as cheap as us!

day free pass to an LA fitness gym of your choosing. Our local LA fitness at the Waldorf also runs free Pole Dancing sessions every Wednesday evening. The mind boggles… If Tim Henman’s woefully poor performances at Wimbledon achieved anything it was scaring politicians so much about the future of British tennis that they actually let people play on public tennis courts for free. Unfortunately most of the central London courts don’t do this but check out www.tennisforfree.com to see if your Borough Council is signed up.

Free gigs/music The iTunes Festival – this festival has only been running for two years but it’s already extremely popular fixture of the London festival list. For the whole of July Apple give anyone with an iTunes store account the chance to win tickets to see a huge variety of bands playing in Koko. During this marathon 31 days of music you could see anyone from Pendulum to the Zutons. All you have to do is go to this website: www.ituneslive.co.uk from the 1st of June to apply for tickets and then sit back and wait to find if you win. Even for those who don’t apply 200 tickets are held back to be given out on the door. Rise Festival – held in July Rise is currently one of the largest free festivals held in London, with over 100,000 people in attending. This year it was held in Finsbury park and saw both CSS and Jimmy Cliff play, as well as numerous other artists spread across a number of stages. If the sun is shining there aren’t many better days out than this. Rota – held ever Saturday this is a free

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

London 135 club night held at the Notting Hill Arts Club (nearest tube Notting Hill Gate) in which up and coming bands selected by the Rough Trade label play their latest songs. Although some bands don’t make the grade the intimate nature of this venue makes this event. The only problem is the extortionate drinks prices although the regulars seem to get round this by smuggling in hip flasks.

Free TV shows London is essentially where the vast majority of the UK’s television shows are produced. And as TV license holders why not go and see shows being recorded? The following websites provide a good introduction to this world of free entertainment but you will have to check these website regularly as tickets tend to come up fairly sporadically. Bear in mind this is TV so there’s a lot of dross out there. The Applause Store: www.applausestore.com BBC Shows: www.bbc.co.uk/tickets Be On Screen: www.beonscreen.com Clappers: www.clappers-tickets.co.uk Lost in TV: www.lostintv.com SRO Audiences: www.sroaudiences.com TV Recordings: www.tvrecordings.com

Cinema The Scoop – every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in June this “amphitheatre” right next to City Hall has free open air screenings of a number of film classics such as Withnail and I and The Sound of Music. Kidsam at Vue Cinemas – every weekend you can watch films absolutely free. The

only catch is that you’ll have a find a child to go with you (who pays £1.50) and you’ll have to watch some uber dross like The Spiderwick Chronicles. Only really worth it if you actually have kids. www.myvue.com/kidsam to pre-book.

Free clothes Swap-a-rama at Thursdays at Favela chic – ok, so it does cost money to get in (£3 before 9pm , £5 after) but this night has to be the most cost effective way of dramatically overhauling your wardrobe. Its like any normal club night but when the klaxon sounds you have to swap an item of clothing with the person nearest to you. By the end of the night you’ll be wearing a completely different outfit, although bear in mind it’s harder to tell when clothes clash in the darkness.

Haircuts Training academies – hairdressers in London are either expensive or awful. You could do what some students do and let the hair grow till the holidays or you could visit one of the training academies. The training academy haircuts vary from free to the low sum of five pounds. There can of course be problems, these people are training after all, but as long as you don’t mind having your styled to match whatever is currently in vogue you should be fine. • Toni & Guy Training Academy – New Oxford Street - (0) 20 7836 0606 • Vidal Sassoon Advanced Academy Grosvenor Street – (0) 20 7491 0030

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Vidal Sassoon - Brook Street – (0) 20 7399 6903 • Wella Studio London - Mortimer Street – (0) 20 7637 7172 If, however, you don’t want to take the risk of the Training academy there’s always: Hair by Fairy which offers an excellent hair cut and blow dry for £12.50. It’s also nearby LSE in Neal’s Yard, Covent Garden which makes it doubly nice.

For everything else... Freecycle! www.freecycle.org On the series of forum websites which are part of the freecycle network members offer items which they no longer want or can request things that they’d like to have. These forums are organised on a local basis so you can easily track down items in your local area. Students have managed to pick up all kinds of furniture and huge TVs on there. MoneySavingExpert! www.moneysavingexpert.com Run by former LSE Students’ Union GenSec, Martin Lewis, this is an amazing and resource for, as the name suggests, money saving. Discounts, coupons, loopholes and all sorts of other tips are outlined in loving detail. Sign up to the weekly email newsletter to as many of the tips are time sensitive.

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136 The useful bit

LSE Switchboard

Contacts T 020 7862 8880 www.lon.ac.uk/accom/

T 0845 1 30 40 16 www.relate.org.uk

Shelter - provides advice about all housing issues, including homelessness. 24 hour service. T 0808 800 4444 www.shelter.org.uk

Sexual Health Family Planning Association- the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading sexual health charity working to improve the sexual health of all people throughout the UK. www.fpa.org.uk 0845 310 1334

020 7405 7686 or 0 from a internal phone

LSE key numbers Accommodation Office (V210) Deals with everything related to LSE Halls of Residence, and can assist students in finding private-sector accommodation. T: 020 7955 7531 E: accommodation@lse.ac.uk LSE Financial Support Office For students experiencing financial hardship. T 020 7955 7751 financial-support@lse.ac.uk www.lse.ac.uk/admin/financial-support

Alone in London find out what service near you will be able to offer support if you are thinking about living in a squat. 020 7278 4224

Health

LSE Nursery Parish Hall, St Clements Lane Tel: +44 (0)20 7955 6392 Email: Nursery@lse.ac.uk

NHS Direct - nurse-led helpline providing confidential healthcare advice and information. 24 hour service. T 0845 4647 www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

LSE Disability Office Jean Jameson (LSE advisor to students with disabilities and Dyslexia support tutor) Room A40, Old Building T 0207 955 7767 E j.jameson@lse.ac.uk

Samaritans - offers confidential emotional support to any person who is suicidal or despairing. 24 hour service. T 08457 909090 jjo@samaritans.org

Accomodation University of London Accommodation Office Information and advice about private accommodation in London. Extensive database of properties to rent.

National Aids Helpline T 0800 567123 International Students UKCOSA - the best advice service for international students. www.ukcosa.org.uk Meningitis Meningitis Research Foundation 080 8800 3344 The MRF fund research to prevent meningitis and septicaemia, and to improve survival rates and outcomes. They promote education and awareness to reduce death and disability, and give support to people affected

Nightline - Confidential listening support and information for students in London 020 7631 0101 listening@london-nightline.org.uk

British Council - more information about studying in the UK. www.britishcouncil.org.uk T 0161 957 7755 general.enquiries@britishcouncil.org

Relate - advice about relationships. Check the website to find your local centre.

The Department for Education and Skills (DFES) - information about fee status and

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Contacts government policy on international students. www.dfes.gov.uk/international-students Legal Affairs Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) - offer free, confidential, impartial advice. To find your nearest CAB, consult the website. www.nacab.org.uk http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk or www. adviceguide.org.uk/ Equality and Human Rights Comission - can provide advice and assistance in cases of racial discrimination. www.equalityhumanrights.com T 0845 604 6610 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) Students London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard 24-hour information, support and referral service. T 020 7837 7324 The Pink Practice A counselling and psychotherapy practice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Leeds and London. Lines open Mon-Thur 9am-7pm. 07005 968 111

Money Worries Student Loans Company LSE Studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Union Guide 2008 T (general enquiries) 0800 40 50 10 T (your account) 0870 24 222 11

www.slc.co.uk

Crime

National Debt line - for advice about dealing with debt. T 0808 808 4000

Victim Support is the national charity which helps people affected by crime. We provide free and confidential support to help you deal with your experience, whether or not you report the crime. T: Telephone: 020 7268 0200 www.victimsupport.org

Students with Children The Daycare Trust - campaigns for high quality affordable childcare for all. Great source of information. T 020 7840 3350 www.daycaretrust.org.uk

Travel Transport for London - all the information on buses and tubes. T (24 hrs) 020 7222 1234 www.londontransport.co.uk Black Cabs: 0871 871 8710

Depression www.studentdepression.org CALM The Campaign Against Living Miserably is targeted at young men aged between 15-35. The campaign offers help, information and advice via a phone and web service. Anyone, regardless of age, gender or geographic location can call the line. T 0800 585858 www.thecalmzone.net

National Rail Enquiries - 24 hour information on fares and timetables for mainline trains T (24hrs) 08457 484950 www.thetrainline.com

Mind 08457660163 http://www.mind.org.uk/

National Express Coach Services T 08705 808080

Alcohol and drugs

Drugs DrugScope provides information on a wide range of drug related topics http://www.drugscope.org.uk/ Tel: 020 7520 7550

Talk to Frank - Talk to Frank Tel: 0800 776600 (free, open 24 hours) National Drugs Helpline (freephone) - 0800 776600 RELEASE (help in dealing with the police, the

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courts or drug problems) Helpline: (0207) 603 8654 ADFAM (for the families and friends of drug users) 0204 7405 3923 Know Cannabis This website can help you assess your cannabis use, its impact on your life and how to make changes if you want to.

Drinkaware - Unit calculator Drinkline 0800 917 8282

Disability Skill A national charity promoting opportunities for young people and adults with any kind of impairment in post-16 education, training and employment. 0800 328 5050 http://www.skill.org.uk/ Dyslexia Dyslexia Action is a national charity and the UK’s leading provider of services and support for people with dyslexia and literacy difficulties. www.dyslexia-inst.org.uk The British Dyslexia Association www.bdadyslexia.org.uk Helpline Tel: 0845 251 9002

Contacts Homesickness PHONE: 020 7250 5700 http://www.thesite.org/

Self harm Harmless Harmless is a user led organisation that provides support, information, training and consultancy to people who self harm, their friends and families and professionals. http://www.harmless.org.uk/index.php T 0115 928 2468

Smoking QUIT helpline - 0800 776600 Smoking cessation 07980 308620 ASH Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) is a campaigning public health charity that works to eliminate the harm caused by tobacco www.ash.org.uk

Others The Muslim Women’s Helpline Provide confidential information and advice to women of the Muslim faith. 0181 9048193 0181 9086715 Support line Work with callers to develop healthy, positive coping strategies (020) 8554 9004 or E-mail info@supportline.org.uk

National AIDS Helpline (freephone) - 0800 567 123 Terence Higgins Helpline - 0207 242 1010 Cruse Bereavement Care Cruse Bereavement Care exists to promote the well-being of bereaved people. Young Person’s freephone helpline 0808 808 1677 Email: info@rd4u.org.uk anyone bereaved by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss.

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Calendar 2008/9 SEPTEMBER S 7 14 21 28

M T 1 2 8 9 15 16 22 23 29 30

OCTOBER W T 3 4 10 11 17 18 24 25

F S 5 6 12 13 19 20 26 27

JANUARY S

5 6 7 12 13 14 19 20 21 26 27 28

W T 1 2 8 9 15 16 22 23 29 30

F S 3 4 10 11 17 18 24 25 31

FEBRUARY

4 5 6 11 12 13 18 19 20 25 26 27

7 14 21 28

T 1 8 15 22 29

F 2 9 16 23 30

S 3 10 17 24 31

MAY S

NOVEMBER

S M T 1 2 3 8 9 10 15 16 17 22 23 24

3 4 5 10 11 12 17 18 19 24 25 26 31

6 7 13 14 20 21 27 28

F S 1 2 8 9 15 16 22 23 29 30

S 7 14 21 28

M T 1 2 8 9 15 16 22 23 29 30

2 3 4 9 10 11 16 17 18 23 24 25 30

W T 4 5 11 12 18 19 25 26

F S 6 7 13 14 20 21 27 28

5 6 12 13 19 20 26 27

7 14 21 28

S 1 8 15 22 29

W T 4 5 11 12 18 19 25 26

F S 6 7 13 14 20 21 27 28

JULY W T 3 4 10 11 17 18 24 25

F S 5 6 12 13 19 20 26 27

29 September - 10 October 2008 2-3 October 2008 29-30 October 2008 1PM 6 November 2008 1PM 12 February 2009 4-5 March 2009

7 14 21 28

M T 1 2 8 9 15 16 22 23 29 30

W T 3 4 10 11 17 18 24 25 31

F S 5 6 12 13 19 20 26 27

W T 1 2 8 9 15 16 22 23 29 30

F S 3 4 10 11 17 18 24 25

5 6 7 12 13 14 19 20 21 26 27 28

AUGUST M

5 6 7 12 13 14 19 20 21 26 27 28

Important dates

APRIL

S M T 1 2 3 8 9 10 15 16 17 22 23 24 29 30 31

FRESHERS’ FESTIVAL TERM TIME: LECTURES & CLASSES

Freshers’ Festival: Freshers’ Fayre: Michaelmas Term elections: Howard Davies at the UGM: Howard Davies at the UGM: Lent Term elections:

MARCH

JUNE M

DECEMBER

W T 1 2 8 9 15 16 22 23 29 30

F S 3 4 10 11 17 18 24 25 31

S 2 9 16 23 30

3 4 10 11 17 18 24 25 31

5 6 12 13 19 20 26 27

7 14 21 28

SCHOOL BUILDINGS CLOSED EXAM TIME: SOME CLASSES & LECTURES

S 1 8 15 22 29

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Symbols

Index C

24 Hour Library Campaign 36

campaigns 35, 36 careers 68 chaplaincy 68 Charity 24 Chuckle Club 23 Circles Network 90 Clare Market Review 29 classes 72 clichĂŠs 3 climate change 41 clubs 126 coach 118 commercial services 39 common rooms 75 Communications Officer 45 computers 58 condoms 110 Constitution & Steering Committee 48 contraception 110 Copy Shop 60 Council 49, 66 counselling 112 course reps 49 coursework 73 Court of Governors 49, 66 crime 103, 106 culture 30 cycling 118

A Academic Board 49 academics 76 accessibility 56, 90 accommodation 115, 116 Advice & Counselling Centre 97 Advisers to Women & Male Students 67 aerobics 20 Afterskool Klub 23, 126 alcohol 108, 124 alumni 68 an-Najah University 40 anti-racism 51 Anti-racism 40 anti-war 36 appealing 78 arts 30 Arts Week 30 Athletics Union 18 AU Colours 32 AU nights 19 awards 32

B banks 98 Bernard Levin Award 32 Bernard Shaw 26 bills 102 books 62 BSc 71 BUCS 18 bus 117

Directorate 66 disabilities 88 Disability & Well Being 88 diversity 40, 51 drama 30 drinking 103, 108, 124 drugs 108

E East Building 37 eating 120 Education & Welfare Officer 45 elections 50 email 58 emergencies 105 EmployAbility 90 energy 57 entertainments 23 environment 41, 57 essays 73 ethical 132 ethical investment 41 etiquette 127 Europe 118 events 23 exams 76 Executive Committee 47 exercises 73 Exilio 23, 126

D Deans 67 degree regulations 71 demographics 53 departments 53, 75 depression 112 Dev Cropper 32

failing 78 Fair Trade 41, 132 fees 36 Finance & Services Committee 48 financial support 100 fitness centre 20

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Index flats 116 food 120, 130 freebies 134 Fresh 23, 126 freshers 3 Freshers’ Fayre 6

G gay 94 Gay Liberation Front 38 Gender Neutral Toilets 54 General Course 94 General Secretary 3, 45 Global Show 86 going out 126 graduation 68 grants 100 green 41, 57, 132 gym 20

journal 29 journalism 26, 27

K King’s College 38 Kosher 123

part-time students 94 part-time work 98 personal training 20 personal tutors 76 Peter Sutherland 66 PhD 71 photocopying 60 plagiarism 73 poetry 32 policy 42 presentations 73 printing 58 Pro-Directors 66 protests 64 publication 29 public lectures 23 Pub Quiz 23 pubs 124 Pulse Radio 27

Language Centre 78 lectures 72 LGBT 94 library 60 literature 30 living wage 36, 41 LLB 71 lockers 54 London 131 LooSE TV 28 LSE 53 LSEforYou 58

M manners 127 markets 130 Master’s 71 mature students 94 media 26, 27, 28 Media Group Awards 32 mitigating circumstances 78 mock exams 76 Moodle 74 motions 42 multiculturalism 40, 51 music 27, 30

I International Students 81 internet 58 IT 58

H Halal 123 halls 115 harassment 104 health 107, 110 history 38, 64 Honorary Life Membership 32 Howard Davies 42, 66

New Academic Building 54 newspaper 26 New Union Building 37 NUS 42, 48

Q Quad 23

R radio station 27 RAG 24 rail 118 Raising and Giving 24 reading lists 74 Reclaim the Night 93

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Index Timeless 86 TLC 78 toilets 54 transport 117 Treasurer 45 tube 117 TV 28

renting 116 restaurants 122

S Sabbatical Officers 45 Sabbs 45 safety 103 scholarships 100 seminars 72 senate house 63 sex 110 sexual assault 104 shopping 128 shops 128 showers 54 skybridges 54 Socially Responsible Investment 36 societies 6–16, 32 Societies Officer 6 society committees 17 Speaker’s Bureau 90 sports 18 SSLC 75 STIs 110 Student Services Centre 67 Students’ Union 35, 38 sustainability 57

T Task forces 48 tax 102 taxi 118 Teaching Task Force 36 telephones 86 television 28 The Beaver 26 Three Tuns 23

U UGM 42 ULU 18, 48 Underground 23

V Visas 82 volunteering 31

W Walter Adams 38 welcome 3 welfare 35 well being 112 Wes Streeting 42, 48 Winston Silcott 38 wireless internet 58 women 67, 93 Women’s Forum 93

LSE FRONT ENTRANCE, 1967

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

144 The useful bit

Jargon

The meaningless acronyms and abbreviations that litter HEIs

3TK Three Tuns Kitchen AAG Arts Advisory Group AcBoard Academic Board ACC Advice and Counselling Centre AGM Annual General Meeting APRC Academic Planning and Resources Committee BA Bachelor of Arts BLPES British Library of Political and Economic Science BSc Bachelor of Science BUCS British Universities and Colleges Sport C&S Constitution and Steering Committee CCAW Climate Change Action Week CMR Clare Market Review, LSE Students’ Union Journal Comms Communications Officer CSSA Chinese Student and Scholar Association CV Curriculum Vitae Director Highest position at LSE, equivalent to Vice-Chancellor DMT Director’s Management Team E&E Environment & Ethics E&W Education and Welfare Officer EdWelf Education and Welfare Officer ENS Education Not for Sale Ents Entertainments Exec Executive Committee F&S Finance and Services Committee FE Further Education FOSIS Federation of Student Islamic Societies FSO Financial Support Office FT Financial Times/Fair Trade Gen Sec General Secretary GNT Gender Neutral Toilet GP General Practitioner (local doctor) GTA Graduate Teaching Assistant HE Higher Education HEFCE Higher Education Funding Council for England HEI Higher Education Institute HKPASS Hong Kong Public and Social Services Society ISoc Islamic Society ISSA Individual Student Support Agreement JSA Job Seekers’ Allowance JSoc Jewish Society KCL Kings College London LARA Lager and Real Ale LG Lower Ground Floor (Library) LGBT Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender LLB Bachelor of Laws LLGS London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard

LLM LooseTV MA MGAs MMA MPA MPhil MPT MSc NAB NHS NI NOLS NSS NUB NUS ODAR PGR PGT PhD Pro-Directors Pulse RAG Sabb SRI SSC SSLC STI Strand Poly SU SWD SWSS TfL The Beaver TLAC TLAS TLC UG UGM UJS UL ULU

Master of Laws LSE Students’ Union TV Station Master of Arts Media Group Awards Mixed Martial Arts Master of Public Administration Master of Philosophy Mature and Part-Time Master of Science New Academic Building National Health Service National Insurance Number National Organisation of Labour Students National Student Survey New Union Building National Union of Students Office of Development and Alumni Relations Postgraduate Research Postgraduate Taught Doctor of Philosophy Three Deputy Directors LSE Students’ Union Radio Station Raising and Giving Sabbatical Officer Socially Responsible Investment Student Services Centre Staff-Student Liaison Committee Sexually Transmitted Infection Unofficial name for Kings College London Students’ Union Students with Disabilities Socialist Workers’ Student Society Transport for London LSE Students’ Union Newspaper Teaching, Learning and Assessment Committee Thinking Like a Social Scientist Teaching and Learning Centre Undergraduate Union General Meeting Union of Jewish Students University of London University of London Union

LSE Studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Union Guide 2008

The useful bit 145

Connaught Hall ULU

British Museum

Sh af tes bu ry Av e

500

Av e

Westminster Bridge Houses of Parliament

Waterloo East

Bridge

Waterloo

Millennium

National Theatre

Royal Festival Hall

London Eye

Blackfriars Blackfriars Bridge

ge Brid

Northumberland House

City Thameslink

Victoria Embankment

King's College Somerset House

Embankment

Westminster metres

d an Str Charing Cross

Whitehall

all eM Th

Temple

loo ter Wa

Trafalgar Sq all ll M Pa

Royal Courts of Justice

Leicester Sq

National Gallery

British Council

ne y La ncer Cha

d ss Roa g Cro Charin

eet Str ent Reg

Royal Covent Opera Garden House

St Paul's Cathedral

Fleet Street

Grosvenor House Residence

Piccadilly Circus illy cad Pic

Chancery Lane

LSE

ay gsw Kin

High Holborn Residence

Barbican

Farringdon

n High Holbor Holborn

Street Oxford

Oxford Circus

Road Clerkenwell

d Roa ld's a b eo Th

et tre rS we Go

d Roa urt Co

Senate House

Tottenham Court Rd

Green Park

Ro seb ery

Russell Sq

SOAS

College Hall Birkbeck College

Goodge St

International Hall

d nn R y's I Gra

ham ten Tot

UCH

Yor k Rd

University College

Carr-Saunders Hall

Rosebery Avenue Hall

Passfield Hall

Euston Sq Warren St

Hughes Parry, Canterbury, Commonwealth Halls

d Roa ton Eus

Euston

Aldwyc

ÂŠ Crown copyright

Location map

Tate Modern Bankside Residence Sout hwa rk S tree t

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

146 The useful bit

Lord’s Cricket Ground

Halls map King’s Cross Station

St Pancras Station

REGENT’S PARK

Sadler’s Wells Theatre

British Library

Euston Station Madam Tussaud’s

Carr Saunders Hall

A40(M)

Hughes Parry Hall

Passfield Hall

College Hall

Farringdon Station

University of London

British Museum

Paddington Station

Oxford

High Holborn Grosvenor House

Street

LEICESTER SQ

Royal Academy

Bank of England

LSE

Blackfriars Station

Cannon St Station

ST JAMES’S PARK

Buckingham Palace

Fenchurch St Station Tower of London Hay’s Galleria

Bankside House

Festival Hall

London Bridge Station

GREEN PARK

KNIGHTSBRIDGE

Lilian Knowles House

CITY

St Paul’s Cathedral

COVENT GDN Charing Cross Station

Northumberland House

HYDE PARK

Liverpool St Station

City Thameslink Station

LINCOLN’S INN

Royal Opera House

SOHO MAYFAIR

Rosebery Hall

Riv

Tha

Butlers Wharf Residence

Guy’s Hospital

Waterloo Station

St Katharine Docks

mes

Sidney Webb House

Houses of Parliament

Victoria Station

one kilometre

HALL Bankside Butlers Wharf Carr-Saunders Grosvenor House High Holborn Lilian Knowles House Northumberland House Passfield Hall Rosebery Hall Sidney Webb House

ADDRESS 24, Sumner Street, SE1 9JA 11 Gainsford Street, SE1 2NE 18-24 Fitzroy Street, W1T 4BN 141-143 Drury Lane, WC2B 5TD 178 High Holborn, WC1V 7AA 50 Crispin Street, E1 6HQ 8a Northumberland Avenue, WC2N 5BY 1-7 Endsleigh Place, WC1H 0PW 90 Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TY 159 Great Dover Street, SE1 4WW

PLACES 617 281 156 220 448 360 370 197 315 450

SINGLE RATE up to £134 up to £100 £98 £158-£207 £144-£160 £128-£140 £123-£151 £133 £133 £113-121

MINUTES FROM LSE 25 25 25 5 10 25 20 20 25 30

INTERCOLLEGIATE HALLS Canterbury College Hall Commonwealth Hughes-Parry International Lilian Penson Nutford House

11 – 18 Cartwright Gardens, WC1H 9EE Malet Street, WC1E 7HZ 1-11 Cartwright Gardens, WC1H 9EB Cartwright Gardens, WC1H 9EF Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AS Talbot Square, W2 1TT Brown Street, W1H 6AH

228 270 414 300 410 330 199

£132-147 £130 £130 £130 £130 £108-£116 £129

20 20 20 20 15 25 25

LSE Students’ Union Guide 2008

The useful bit 147

Campus map QH

Queens House

NAB

Linc

New Academic Building

Clar

s w

eM ar

a y

Old Building

ke t

St Cl emen

H Connaught House

hn W Pl a at k za ins Lane

t’s

Clare Market C

S N

Tower One

t’s

Inn

Tower Three

Columbia House

LSE main entrance

Tower Two

Clement House

Disabled access

After 6.30pm, please call 020 7955 6200 to ensure the disabled access doors are open

ur t

Jo Ramp

t’s

East Building E

Connecting bridge

Lionel Robbins Building

Hou

Entrance

Disabled lift

St Clemen

eet

MAIN LIBRARY

et tre

Str

ield S treet

eet

g i n

l S

Sheff

K Po

ga rtu

ug ort

Str

Stre

tsm

Entrance to LSE Research Lab (floors 4 and 5)

30 metres

Y X

lds

eet

Fie

ght

Str

Po r

nia rdi

Inn ln’s

Aldwych

Towers One, Two and Three

Old Building Houghton Street

King’s Chambers Portugal Street

St Clement’s Clare Market

Aldwych House (floor 3) Aldwych

Lincoln Chambers Portsmouth Street

The Lakatos Building Portugal Street

Columbia House Aldwych

50 Lincoln’s Inn Fields Portsmouth Street

Tower One Clement’s Inn

The Anchorage

Tower Two Clement’s Inn

New Academic Building Lincoln’s Inn Fields

Tower Three Clement’s Inn

A AH C

Clare Market Houghton Street

Clement House Aldwych

East Building Houghton Street

Parish Hall Sheffield Street

St Philips – Medical Centre, Sheffield Street

20 Kingsway

1 Portsmouth Street

St Philips – South Block, Sheffield Street

Connaught House Aldwych

Sheffield Street

St Philips – North Block, Sheffield Street

Peacock Theatre Portugal Street

Queens House Lincoln’s Inn Fields

Cowdray House Portugal Street

Lionel Robbins Building Library and LSE Research Lab

NAB

Prefix letters indicate the building eg. H500 is in Connaught House