QMessenger Issue 59

Issue 59

Bethnal Green remembers historic tragedy Page 3

Monday March 12th 2012

Should pro-life groups be involved in pregnancy counselling?

Page 7

The Newspaper of Queen Mary Students’ Union

Confusion over SMD cuts » » SMD gives different reasons for the redundancies

UCU complains about lack of transparency

The College has said that 43 redundancies may be necessary in order to keep the School of Medicine and Dentisty financially stable but UCU has alleged that the process has been less than transparent. Image courtesy of Queen Mary.

Rosie Reynolds A number of staff at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry (SMD) are facing redundancy after extensive restructuring across Queen Mary, QMessenger has learned.

SMD has completed a rigorous review as part of a restructuring programme aimed at achieving a £3m saving. The College say that the process is critical if the School is to remain financially stable and continue its upward trajectory in a very competitive environment.

Staff and unions have been told that 43 possible redundancies are necessary because of a shortfall in funding for teaching from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).

The School has written to its academic staff to indicate whether or not, at this stage, their post is considered to be at risk as part

of this process. At this point, 43 the UCU QM Committee Executive.

HEFCE-funded posts are at risk “The School has been communicating and follow-up meetings have been regularly with staff and unions arranged with individual staff throughout the restructure process affected. However, the University through email and in person,” said and College Union (UCU) and other Kerry Noble, QM Communications unions have serious concerns over Manager. “Chief Operating Officer both the treatment of SMD staff and Dr Rob Bennett attended all four the consultation associated with the consultation meetings plus open restructuring. In an email sent out and informal meetings. to members of UCU’s Queen Mary Professor Richard Trembath, Vice committee, the executive says that Principal (Health) was available for “the whole exercise must be regarded both the staff open meetings and two as a sham.” of the formal meetings with Trade UCU are concerned that Unions/Associations. HR Director management have given different Chris Pearson also attended both reasons for the redundancies to the the open meetings and two of the government and the unions, casting meetings with unions and Head doubt on both statements. They of HR Operations, Marissa Harris have complained that meetings attended all four meetings with the have been too few and far between, unions.” and at inconvenient times. “On too UCU criticise the School for not many occasions senior management providing basic evidence about the were not present and Professor restructuring or being forthcoming Richard Trembath, the head of the with it when requested, and accuse School, hardly attended and only in the School of not adequately response to a union request,” said planning for the future or consulting

with the NHS Trust that employs many SMD members.

The email from the UCU Executive rejects the claim that the redundancies are necessary because of HEFCE cuts, saying that if costs were reduced then the rise in tuition fees for medical students would cover the shortfall. One of the schemes that UCU suggested axeing is a reward scheme for bringing in funds that is only supposed to operate when the School budget is in surplus. However, UCU say that this is being retained despite the budget being in defecit, and that the money spent on the scheme could have saved 15 jobs.

“Most shocking of all, management have rejected the option of a recruitment freeze,” says the UCU email. “ Indeed, management have made clear that they intend to recruit new posts in SMD and possibly in the very areas of research/teaching of those staff that have been made redundant.”

UCU are demanding more and better information, and that the College “will treat its staff with more respect.”

Professor Richard Trembath, Vice Principal (Health), Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London, said: “These possible redundancies are the result of a thorough and painstaking review which we conducted in response to significant changes in university funding. Although there a number of people at risk, the School has continued to recruit for new posts where alternative funding and a strong business case exists essential to keep the School moving forward.

“Maintaining and improving the education we offer has been paramount throughout this process and we are confident that students will not experience any deterioration in the quality and quantity of their time with teaching staff.”

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QMESSENGER MONDAY MARCH 12 2012

News

Editorial Team: • Executive Editor - Sam Creighton vpcommunications@qmsu.org • Managing Editor - Caz Parra editor@qmessenger.co.uk • Sub Editors - Lauren Mason, Robert Pritchard and Maria Sowter subeditor@qmessenger.co.uk • News Editors - Rosie Reynolds, Kaamil Ahmed and Ariane Osman news@qmessenger.co.uk • Comment Editors - Kashmira Gander and Stephanie Rankin comment@qmessenger.co.uk • Satire Editors - Ben Richardson and Aaron Barber satire@qmessenger.co.uk • Sports and Societies Editors - Shafi Musaddique, Hollie Carter and Ashley Sweetman sport@qmessenger.co.uk • Photography Editors - Keeren Flora and Bethia Stone photography@qmessenger.co.uk

The Cloud How you fit into the news.

Traditional Canadian outdoor ice hockey is on the verge of extinction due to rising temperatures shortening the time lakes stay frozen during the winter.

The amount of damage made by the coal and mine industry to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is to be investigated by a UN research team.

You should be writing for us.

Email any of the above email addresses to sign up to our award winning team and get your career in student media off to a flying start.

Alternatively find us on facebook.com /QMessenger twitter.com/QMessenger

British athletes competing in the Olympics have been told to avoid shaking hands with their competitors in order to limit the risk of infections that could affect their performances at the games.

QMessenger is printed at Mortons of Horncastle Ltd, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, LN9 6JR. Tel: 01507 523 456. Each issue has a print run of 1,000 and costs £445 to print and deliver.

Any views expressed in QMessenger section are those of the individual writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the paper, the editorial board, Queen Mary Students’ Union or Queen Mary, University of London.

@QMessenger In this digital age of ours it would be remiss for us not to keep an eagle eye on our online presence. So, here are the best messages tweeted @QMessenger this week.

Judging by @QMessenger’s article, looks like I missed a great @mileendgroup event with @ edballsmp Nominated for best editor of @QMessenger with @KaamilAhmed of news and @ben_ richie of satire. Find out at Awards&Honours 19 March!

Only 1 issue of @QMessenger left! How time flies...

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Scientists have found that foreign plants and small animals are starting to establish themselves on the edges of Antarctica due to warming temperatures.

Scientists at Queen Mary have discovered that in the battle for territory between carp and crayfish, two of the most invasive animals in the world, carp successfully beats its rival.

A survey has discovered that thousands of people in the UK are dying of cancer that could have been treated if they had overcome their fear of the disease and sought medical help earlier.

Established in 2008, QMessenger is the free weekly newspaper of Queen Mary Students’ Union. We are proud of our editorial independence and endeavour to always hold the College, Union and external bodies to account and to provide the best news and analysis to the students of Queen Mary, University of London.

QMessenger is created entirely by students and the publication retains all copyright of design, text, photographs and graphics, along with the individual contributor.

An investigation has found that millions of pounds of government subsidies are being paid out to people who have bought farmland but are not using it.

Farmers in Aberdeenshire have shot what they believe to be the biggest fox in the UK, weighing 17.2 kg and measuring 1.4m, after it attacked some lambs.

The snout of Sawfish has been discovered to both sense their prey and attack it by impaling it on its sharp edges.

The government is furthering its concessions on its proposed NHS bill in order to appease Liberal Democrat opposition.

By Ariane Osman Images by: President Clinton Shakes my Hand by MrSchuReads (flickrcc) Carp IMG_2484 by OZinOH

QM students raise cans for Syria Alannah Francis Students at Queen Mary have grouped together to collect food for Syrians who have been forced to leave their homes due to ongoing violence.

Over three days, a group of students were able to collect 650 cans of food which were sent to refugee camps just outside Syria.

Though the “1000 Can Campaign” fell short of its target the organisers were pleased

with their efforts after they collected food supplies in Library Square.

An earlier convoy of food and medical supplies led by the International Red Cross and Syrian Red Crescent entered the Baba Amr district of Homs, the city that had been the focal point of violence until the Syrian army seized control.

Many Syrians have fled the city fearing that the army will seek violent reprisals. Those inside and outside the city are said to be struggling in conditions that have left many struggling to buy food and basic necessities.

Queen Mary students collected the cans as part of the “1000 can campaign”.

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QMESSENGER MONDAY MARCH 12 2012

News

UCU in official dispute with QM Kaamil Ahmed Tensions over the restructuring of several schools and departments at Queen Mary grew last week after the universities’ union declared that it was officially in dispute with the college.

Queen Mary’s branch of the University and College Union (UCU) made the announcement after the college rejected requests that it committed to not making compulsory redundancies part of the planned changes and that it did not put into place a performance management scheme without engaging in negotiations with UCU beforehand.

In a public statement, UCU said: “the reasoning for the restructurings have been and are flawed, that they have not involved effective and appropriate consultation, that the (retrospective) criteria upon which redundancy decisions have been made are inappropriate and unfair, and that management has failed to demonstrate that they have exhausted all reasonable options in avoiding redundancies.”

They claimed that the college has launched restructurings of 17 schools and departments and could possibly bring in changes for nine others.

The Union has repeatedly emphasised its belief that departmental restructurings will be detrimental to students’ education: “We have tried to persuade senior managers to strengthen Queen Mary in a way that doesn’t damage students’ edu-

London Met launch new anti-terror campaign Kaamil Ahmed

UCU announced last week that they are now officially in dispute with Queen Mary over proposed redundancies.

Image by Keeren Flora. cation, undermine academic values and treat staff as disposable. But they won’t listen.”

UCU have begun planning a campaign against the college’s policy towards restructuring and expressed their desire to run a ballot on industrial action at Queen Mary.

While up to a third of staff of staff at the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences (SBCS) could lose their jobs, UCU also claimed that 43 staff members, including 29 academics, were notified that their jobs were at

risk shortly after the school revealed a £6m budget deficit.

Some second-year SBCS students have complained that the uncertainty surrounding the restructurings is worrying them as they try to prepare for final year projects.

In a letter to the head of SBCS, students urged him to reconsider the plans and said that they were worried about the impact they would have on the quality of teaching in the future. They also pointed out that temporary “bought-in” teaching

to replace full-time academics could be ineffective: “We have all had experience of bought in teaching and it has been notably poor in quality and unreliable” Academics have also said that worrying about their job safety has placed a lot of emotional stress on them.

However the college has claimed that the restructurings are necessary and will improve the quality of education for the schools and departments in question.

London residents have received anti-terrorist leaflets as part of the Metropolitan Police Service’s Counter- Terrorism campaign, launched last month.

The four week campaign which centres on the slogan, ‘It’s probably nothing, but…,’ aims to address the reluctance that many people have in notifying the police about suspicious activity or behaviour.

The Metropolitan Police said they were aware that many people were hesitant to report questionable acts, because of fears they may be found out of doing so by their friends or family.

A 40 second radio advert aired on Kiss FM, Capital, LBC and Gold and adverts in local and ethnic minority press are other elements of the multimedia campaign.

DAC Stuart Osborne, Senior National Co-ordinator Counter Terrorism said: “The terrorist threat to London and the UK generally, remains real and serious, so it is vital that everyone continues to be vigilant and aware.”

He added: “Terrorists live among us. We want you to tell us about anyone or anything you see which is out of place in your normal day to day lives.”

Bethnal Green honours tube tragedy “ Terrorists live among us. We Construction of a monument to commemorate the Bethnal Green tube disaster will begin this month, on the 69th anniversary of the tragedy. The memorial will be replacing the current temporary memorial as a permanent fixture adjacent to the tube station.

The Bethnal Green tube disaster was the worst British loss of civilian life in WW2. The sounding of an unfamiliar siren caused a crowd of approximately 300 people to rush towards the safety of the tube station, in the ensuing crush 173 people died, 62 of whom were children. The unfamiliar siren was later identified as the salvo of a new type of secret anti-aircraft rocket situated in nearby Victoria Park.

There was no official monument at the site of the disaster until 1993 when a plaque was placed over the entrance to the tube station. Flowers however, have been left regularly at the tube station by family members of the deceased and locals. The Stairway to Heaven Memorial Trust, the charity responsible for the new project, es-

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tablished itself in 2007 in order to create a permanent memorial.

The Stairway to Heaven memorial has been designed by local architects Harry Patticas and Jens Borstlemann.

The memorial will be a landscaped, planted area with a large plinth in the centre, with a bronze stairway placed at the top of the plinth. There will be 173 points of light within this stairway, one for each person who died in the disaster.

The Stairway to Heaven Memorial Trust hopes that the memorial will be completed within approximately three months. The project has received full planning permission, and the first dig commenced on the 1st March.

The Trust is funded by donations and has currently raised £500,000, enough to complete the plinth, landscaping and plaques. A further £60,000 is needed in order to build the bronze stairway that will complete the memorial.

The 3rd March 2012 marked the 69th anniversary of the disaster and a memorial service was held in St. John on Bethnal Green Church on the 4th March.

want you to tell us about anyone or anything you see which is out of place

“

Ariane Osman

A monument will be constructed to commemorate a tube disaster at Bethnal Green.

Image courtesy of Iain Mullan (flickr cc)

Critics of the campaign have argued that it calls for the public to be distrustful of their fellow residents. Ross Speer said: “It’s probably nothing but...report on your neighbour anyway.”

There has been widespread concern about the security of the London Olympics which will take place in London this summer.

The total expenditure for security alone is estimated to be more than a billion pounds, with military personnel providing additional support to Olympic Games security.

Anyone with any information or concerns over possible terrorist related activity is asked to call the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.

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QMESSENGER MONDAY MARCH 12 2012

News

Go Global is a universal success Alannah Francis Queen Mary went Global on Friday 2nd March with an international event celebrating the University’s cultural diversity.

The Octagon hosted 17 stalls from cultural societies and representatives, with performances taking place on a stage in the centre of the hall.

Patrons were given a Go Global passport which they were required to get stamped at every stand in order to be eligible for entry in a prize draw and the chance to win £100, £150 or £200 in STA Travel vouchers.

The event which took place from 4-7.30pm was well attended. The crowd was mesmerized by performers from the Belly Dancers Club, representing the Barts and the London Asian Society (BLAS), and the Nepalese society enchanted the audience with their traditional dancing.

There were also performances from the Polish and Kazakhstan societies.

Grace Clark, a third year student, admitted that she was enticed to attend the event because of the competition. “I attended because the idea of collecting all the stamps and getting a discount on flights,” but look-

Belly dancing was just one of the performances at the Go Global event. ing back on the event she said: “I enjoyed the entertainment and the interesting free food.”

An array of authentic regional dress was adorned by the performers and at each stop visitors were invited to sample international foods.

Meats and cheese were on offer at the Italian stall and French pastries from the Francophone society.

The Ivory Coast, West Africa stand exhibited handmade artefacts

from the area, including a piece used to bat away flies from the faces of leaders. Eye-catching fashion was a main feature of the BL African Caribbean Society (BL ACS) and QM African Caribbean Society (QM ACS) booth, which showcased shoes re-clothed in vibrant prints.

Some stalls made participants work for their stamp by asking them questions which related to the country or culture represented. Competi-

Image courtesy of QMSU. tion hopefuls were required to guess the identity of famous individuals at the German stall and recite phrases in foreign languages at the Nordic Society stand in order to get their Go Global passports stamped.

All representatives expressed passion and enthusiasm for their countries and the event was a cultural learning experience for those who attended.

Ashley Weatherly, an internation-

al History student said: “An interesting stop was the ROMA booth, as in, Romany Gypsy. They were very informative and quick to inform me that “gypsies” are more than a group of no-good vagrants. While some sects may have evolved into a people which has forgotten its roots, many seek to integrate and defeat prejudices inflicted towards them.

I was shocked to learn that in some central European countries, “gypsies” were not even permitted inside cafes, as their dark skin quoted their origin. It is an issue often forgotten, but thousands of gypsies were targets of the Nazi regime during World War Two. Anyway, I don’t think I’ll ever watch an episode of My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding with the same view in the future!”

She added: “My favourite stall, and I think many will say this, was Nepal, because they were the friendliest and most informative on their culture. I was introduced to their traditional dress for marriage ceremonies, as well as their cultural icons.

Perhaps most interesting about the Nepal booth was how I learned that 1000 rupees could not only buy me a coffee, but also two entire meals!”

The winners of the Go Global competition will be notified after the 16th of March.

NHS reforms will exclude patients, says QM expert Kaamil Ahmed There is no evidence that competition for the provision of health care services will improve the NHS, according to Professor Allyson Pollock.

Professor Pollock was speaking on Channel 4 News last week about the coalition government’s proposed NHS reforms.

She said that there should be focus on improving the NHS from within rather than bringing in external suppliers.

“It is a very attractive proposition to think that bringing in new providers, charities, etc, will improve things,” said Professor Pollock, “but all evidence shows that if you move to that new model, over time they become squeezed, their behaviour changes and they become much more like for-profit organisations.”

The expert in Public Health Research and Policy has been outspoken in her opposition to the NHS reforms in recent months, and wrote a column in the Daily Mirror early this month claiming that most doctors did not agree with the government’s stance that competition will be beneficial for the NHS. She claimed that the government’s reform bill will allow the NHS to offer fewer services and ef-

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fectively exclude some patients.

Professor Pollock said: “The Bill rips up the principle that everyone has a right to free and high quality health care.”

She emphasised the point that she and other other health professionals believed that the health bill would severely damage the current health system.

Professor Pollock implied that the survival of the current system was threatened by quoting Anuerin Bevan, the Labour politician who drove for the creation of the NHS after the Second World War, saying that the NHS would survive as long as people believed in the system.

The professor said that GPs would become reliant on consultants and private companies to make decisions and as a result patients would suffer.

Those with chronic illnesses, disabilities and injured soldiers were amongst those in a lengthy list of patients which Pollock claimed could be unsure about whether they would receive treatment if the health bill is passed.

Professor Alsion Pollock, Queen Mary lecturer, says the NHS reforms proposed by the government will worsen the service for normal people.

Image courtesy of Queen Mary.

In a nutshell: NHS reforms Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) in England are currently in charge of the health budgets in their local areas.

PCTs plan services such as GPs and buy health services from hospitals and other providers. The proposed reforms will abolish PCTs and give the money to groups of GPs. Newly created GP consortia will be put in charge of purchasing care up to a value of £70-80bn. If you need treatment, your GP can choose to purchase from a range of private and public providers.

An independent NHS Commissioning Board will commission some services, dole out the £100bn NHS budget to GP Consortia and hold them to account.

The NHS will cease to be an organisation with a management structure. Instead it will be a market of competing health service providers. Overseeing it all will be a new health regulator run on the lines of energy regulator Ofgem.

The reforms only affect England.

Health in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is controlled by their devolved assemblies.

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QMESSENGER MONDAY MARCH 12 2012

News

Universities “discriminating” against private school students

HGVs kill more cyclists than any other vehicle The greatest risk of death and serious injury to cyclists are High Gear Vehicles (HGVs).

Around one in five collisions with cyclists involve HGVs and these casualties had more severe injuries, a longer stay in hospital and a higher death in comparison to those involving other vehicles.

A study by researchers at Queen Mary and Barts and The London NHS Trust is the first to show the types and severity of injuries caused by collisions.

It was carried out over a period of six years and involved a total of

265 patients.

The study showed an increase in the number of seriously injured cyclists over time, a worrying prospect for students who use bikes to get to university.

Those injured in collisions with HGVs were more likely to die 21 per cent compared to six per cent of car collisions. HGVs were also more likely to cause severe injuries to the torso, pelvis and limbs.

The research comes following the death of two cyclists on Bow Roundabout last year.

Never-ending dance track invented at Queen Mary Can you imagine dancing to a track that sounds like it is accelerating forever?

Dr Dan Stowell from Queen Mary’s Centre for Digital Music (C4DM) has created a track which is based on an audio illusion that can make a rhythm sound, impossibly, as if it speeds up to hundreds of times faster.

The researcher explained that: “Your brain has a preference to focus on rhythms of a particular speed, so as the tempo changes your attention is naturally drawn to events in the mid-tempo range, even when you are

trying to follow a beat that is always accelerating.”

“Some researchers have studied what happens when tap their fingers to these weird rhythms, but it would be even better to see what happens when people try and dance to it.”

The loudness of the different rhythms is also manipulated to keep the recording from turning into a pile-up of an infinite number of sounds. For comparison, the Greek tune Zorba’s Dance famously speeds up as it goes along, but from 100 bpm only goes up to around 170 bpm.

EastEnders actress may be body found in Regents Canal Cambridge, along with Queen Mary, is planning to increase the number of students from disadvantaged backgrounds being admitted into the instituion.

Image by foshie via flickr(cc)

Ariane Osman Universities planning to increase their tuition fees for the next academic year have been asked to draw up initiatives in order to accommodate students from disadvantaged backgrounds, prompting worries from the private school system that their pupils will be discriminated against.

Queen Mary University of London is one of the 32 research institutions including Cambridge, Durham, Exeter, University College London and Warwick that are planning to increase the number of state school students they accept in the next five years.

The private school system argues that the measures fail to take into account pupils from low-income backgrounds who receive bursaries in order to study in private education.

Students from independent schools will be unable to apply for

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scholarships to a number of universities.

The private system also disagrees with the popular notion that all pupils who are educated in the state system come from poor backgrounds and said they would fight against what they view as discriminatory measures.

“Queen Mary is committed to ensuring that its admissions assessment methods are reliable, non-discriminatory and give an accurate reflection of potential to succeed. Applications are all considered individually and we have admissions tutors dedicated to offering advice to applicants who may have unusual or non-standard backgrounds or special circumstances.” Said Marlon Gomes, Head of Admissions at Queen Mary, University of London, “All programmes of study have specific entrance requirements, however all subjects will pay particular attention to: academic ability and

potential; motivation and suitability for the chosen programme of study; commitment and self-discipline; evidence of knowledge and understanding of the applicant’s chosen subject area; and the ability to cope with the challenges of a university education.”

It has been discovered that Universities have continued to accept a growing number of students educated in the private system and it seems that this number will increase in the next academic year.

“By encouraging more qualified students from state schools to apply to us through outreach and access schemes, our universities will have a wider pool of applicants from which to select the brightest and the best.” Said Wendy Piatt, director general of the Russell Group, “We know that even with good grades state school students are much less likely to apply to top universities than those at independent schools.”

A murder investigation has been launched after a headless torso feared to be that of a missing EastEnders actress was pulled out of Regents Canal.

The limbless body was discovered at 2.40pm on 6 March, close to stretch of the canal near Broadway Market.

A police spokesperson said: “At this early stage officers believe they know the identity of the victim but must await further forensic tests before formal identification can take place.”

The Eastenders actress has been missing since 1 March.

Gemma McCluskie, 29, of Bethnal Green, starred as Kerry Skinner in 30 episodes of the popular soap back in 2001.

Missing posters depicting the actress have been placed around the Queen Mary campus to raise awareness and gather information which could help with the investigation.

A 35-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the body found.

Gemma McCluskie has been missing since 1 March.

Image courtesy of ParaÃba via flickr (cc)

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QMESSENGER MONDAY MARCH 12 2012

Comment

The Great Debate

Remember Me? What do you want to be remembered for? No I don’t mean in the grandoise “end of your life” kind of way, but more in the little things.

It’s got to be scary coming to the end of your time at university, with the real world looming all we want to look back and feel like we’ve acomplished something. Something that will stay behind after we’ve left.

That will show other people how badass we were. Who doesn’t want to be glorified throughout the ages?

It can be something as simple as arguing an issue you care about at Union Council, or as complicated as founding a club or society. Or something else entirely, like getting your name in a plaque on the wall, or helping your team win the merger cup. Big things, small things, all these make up our lives at University, and when all the drinking, parties, last minute essay deadlines and crazy relationships are done and dusted all we’ll leave with is a degree and our memories. So wouldn’t it be nice to leave something more tangible behind? Think about it, and the next time someone asks you to get involved, stand up and be counted, who knows, you might be rememebred forever?

Kony Or Baloney?

If you haven’t seen the KONY 2012 video that’s blowing up the internet you are either lucky, or have been living in a place with no electricity.

This 30 minute movie has taken everyone by storm and the backlash has got us all questioning who and what Kony is, what we can do about it and whether we should be doing anything at all.

Simply put, the video puts across an issue who’s factual basis is coming under severe scrutiny for being out of date and incorrect.

To summarise some of what is being said in response to the video, Invisible Children is a charity with some serious issues of its own, who’s goals (however admirable in spirit) translate into less than admirable real life solutions. Some examples of this would be the proportion of funds that actually go into improving the lives of the people they raise awareness of, and the tactics that they are advocating in order to capture Kony and bring him to justice. One of the most questionable being the promotion of a US military intervention in Uganda.

But should we let that deter us from taking part in the KONY 2012 campaign? Many are divided over the issue, claiming that raising awareness is a big part of the battle, and others stating that misrepresenting the issues is almost as bad and this new form of Slacktivism is potentially more damaging to the charitable aims of the movement in general. The debate goes on.

Should anti-abortionists have a role in pregnancy counselling?

Yes

AnnaHarry Honorby

At the risk of offending many and making myself look like an uninformed idiot while letting my opinions dictate my argument, here I go.

The words anti-abortion will undoubtedly have everyone on edge as they grab their swords and shields ready to defend their side of the fence. I’m not here to argue on the matter of abortion though, as my opinion lies somewhere hopping along said fence. The thing with opinions is, when they differ from our own we instantly are on guard to strike back and convince the other person we’re right. The thing that is most important is that people listen to each other’s opinions and accept that you might not be able to change someone’s mind.

Now apply that logic to people in a room discussing pregnancy. Without getting het up. The OED’s first definition of counsel is that it is an “interchange of opinions on a matter of procedure; consultation, deliberation.” Therefore, by definition, there is no harm in discussing your worries and options with someone who doesn’t agree with you.

First, if you’ve already decided that you want an abortion, then talking it out with someone who is willing to tell you the reasons why they don’t think it’s a good idea surely cannot do any harm? If you’re unsure, having someone to talk to is going to be useful regardless of what their belief is. However, having someone who strives to make you think twice about a matter you are so sure of might give you the confidence you need in your decision.

Second, if a woman isn’t happy

with her counselling, she can always change who she is seeing. If there are any personal issues with the person who is providing the counselling there would undoubtedly be ways of making complaints, to ensure the counsellors are respecting the women they are working with.

Finally, it is always, and should always, be the woman’s decision.

She is the one who has to live with whichever choice she makes, but the more deliberation on the subject the better.

I see no problem with anti-abortion organisations being involved in the process of womens’ journeys through pregnancy, however they should announce their beliefs and should not be used in place of medical experts. There is much dispute as to the legitimacy of information being spread by these organisations, which is why it is important that they do not take precedence as a source of health knowledge. Any information that is used should be backed up with data and statistics that are authentic. As much as they can try to convince someone what they should do, they should not contest any final decision made.

I would like to stress that I am not taking into account the extremists that exist out there. As anti-something as you can be, you can also be empathetic. As irrelevant a comparison as it may be, there are vegetarians who are against eating meat and are willing to talk their reasons through with you without forcing you to do the same. It’s about understanding, acceptance and helping others to know what they truly want.

AnnaHarry Honorby is a second year English and Drama student and a member of the Theatre Company.

Image by Maria D’Amico

No

Bethia Stone As an individual, I am not sure that abortion would ever be the right choice for me. Then again, I can’t see how it is appropriate for personal beliefs – whether they belong to Pope, priest or paediatrician – to impact upon the rights of all women to make a choice which suits them and their lifestyle.

This is not to say that there are no grey areas in abortion legislation.

The discrepancy between the gestational date for viability of a premature foetus (roughly 23 weeks, although more premature have survived) and that for the final abortion cut off date (24 weeks), for example, represents a failure to keep legislation up to date with medical advances. Regardless of such moral ambiguities, I consider reproductive choice to be among a woman’s rights, and believe balanced support should be provided for what is often a difficult decision. When this choice and support is legally withdrawn, after all, it does not discourage women from obtaining terminations; it simply pushes them to seek them elsewhere.

It is not enough that pregnancy counselling simply exists. It must be balanced, sympathetic and understanding of the needs of the individual. The service ceases to be useful if women leave feeling ashamed or judged, and yet worse if they have been nudged in the direction of a decision which does not sit comfortably with their lifestyle, finances or emotional state.

Those with a pro-choice outlook are much more appropriate candidates for participation in such a service because, simply put, their be-

liefs respect the idea of individual choice. As Jess Ashman put it in Issue 58, the only person “fit to give advice is someone […] dedicated to giving impartial advice”. Those whose beliefs are pro-life cannot be suitable counsellors because their beliefs with regards to abortion fundamentally disagree with individual choice by condemning the concept of pregnancy termination.

The argument is not one about the alleged sanctity of life against a woman’s reproductive choice. It is not an argument about the morality or immorality of abortion. It is about pregnancy counselling services and how valid they remain to be if those involved on any level have a preferred outcome. If a person’s religious or moral beliefs prevent them from feeling able to get an abortion, this should be reflected and accounted for in the counselling process, but there is simply no logic to involving anti-abortionist individuals or organisations in the counselling process. Any individual with a pro-life, anti-abortion outlook is prioritising these beliefs over their ability or willingness to provide a balanced support service to those seeking help with their reproductive choice, a choice the pro-life individual presumably disagrees with.

Until such a time as abortion becomes an unacceptable procedure to the majority of British voters, it is important that our government continues to provide the nation’s preference for choice. To involve pro-life individuals or organisations on any level is to fail to make provision in an appropriate manner.

Bethia Stone is a second year EnglishLanguage and Linguistics student and Photography editor for QMG.

comment@qmessenger.co.uk

8

QMESSENGER MONDAY MARCH 12 2012

Comment

Why the City of London should leave the UK Oscar Williamson High earners at the top of the pyramid are ruining it for the rest of us.

The Scottish government want to leave the UK. Not because they dislike the English, Welsh or Irish people (although some do); not because they dislike the Queen, or Britain’s history, or because of the rugby. They want to leave because they hate Britain’s politics.

Britain’s population is 83% English, and English voters have a tendency towards right wing government, with Tory rule for 57 years of the twentieth century. Labour won in 1997 not because the country chose to break from Thatcherism, but because Blair chose to break from socialism. Today, England is overwhelmingly ‘blue’, with patches of Labour seats marking out the places where we used to make things. Wales is an even split between Labour, Conservative, Lib Dem, and Plaid Cymru. Ireland is doing its own thing with its own parties. And then there is Scotland, with its single lonely Conservative seat in the Borders – i.e., as far south as one can be in Scotland without being in England.

So why have they decided to go now? They want to leave because they hate Britain’s politics. They blame us for the recession: for a financial crisis caused by smug Tories deregulating the economy to help their mates in the City, with the collusion of the citizens who voted for a consumer debt bubble.

Scotland isn’t facing any pressing need to go – in fact, they’ve done quite well lately. They have partial independence and their own Par-

is “Scotland leaving because

they think the English are pricks and they don’t want to spend any more time with us

”

liament. They have free higher education, free prescriptions, and free parking in hospital car parks. They have EU membership, a peaceful geopolitical neighbourhood, and North Sea oil. And, crucially, they receive more in state spending than they pay in tax. They aren’t leaving because of the money. They’re leaving because they think the English are pricks and they don’t want to spend any more time with us.

If anywhere has cause for com-

plaint, it’s the North of England.

They have had a bad century and half. London’s economy began accelerating faster than the rest of the UK in 1870 and hasn’t looked back since. The gap really took off in the 1970s, when an increase in cheap imports drove Northern manufacturing to the wall. At the same time, deregulation in the 1980s saw the City of London zoom off into the stratosphere of international finance. Since 1985, the gap between the most and least productive regions of the UK has grown faster than in France, Germany and, surprisingly, the U.S. While Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, York and Sheffield have enjoyed growth, London has gobbled up such a growing share of the pie as to make this success look like a failure.

This has some weird effects on the economy. The City’s high valueadded sectors - hedge funds, private equity, consulting, and investment banking and the like - have more in common with their customers and competitors in New York and Hong Kong than with the rest of the UK. For accounting purposes, they are in an export industry, and because their exports are in high demand, their activities inflate the price of the pound. The level of the currency is, very loosely, the average of the value placed on all the different exports, so British goods and services that cost more than that median appear cheap, and anything below that level seems overpriced.

This is fine for financial services because they are internationally competitive, but it’s a big problem for manufacturing and primary industries that are less able to compete with foreign imports, because their products seem unjustifiably expensive compared to the products of other countries.

The Tory response to this disparity was to suggest that people man up or die. If there are no jobs in your town, go to a better town. If there is no market for your skills, learn new ones. New Labour’s policy was to let the ‘wealth creators’ crack on, but tax them and spend the proceeds on social programmes. They Top: The City of London, what does the future hold? Below: graphy depitcing change in gross value added 1995-2008 offered tax breaks for greenfield in- Image courtesy of bluebus via Flickrcc and graph sourced from BIS and CLG. dustrial sites in areas with high un- ity of Londoners who are on or be- to be coping. They have compli- move to London and offer to work ance departments and structured for free. Scotland’s desire to leave is employment, and built government low the average national wage. entirely understandable. There are The government recognises this, offices in areas hollowed out by pit things about the UK that make it closures and competition. The idea giving key workers – nurses, teachdamaging to be involved, but many was that business would bail peo- ers, firemen –a London allowance of those things can be traced back to ple out of their own lack of ambition. to offset the cost of living here. Stuthe Square Mile.

But then the financial crisis hit, and dents get the London weighting But the solution isn’t to leave and the people bailed the businesses out on their loans. London Citizens, a let them keep the nice bits. The socommunity group, campaign for of their own lack of restraint. lution is to make their effective inIt isn’t only the North that suf- workers to receive a minimum of dependence from Britain official, fers from the distortionary effects £8.30 an hour in recognition of the for the good of everyone. the City has on prices; the majori- difficulty of having a good quality of ty of people in London don’t benefit life in a city this expensive.

This abusive relationship isn’t either. The efforts of the companies Oscar Williamson is an International Relations graduate and current QMSU and their high-earning employees entirely one sided. Those in the fiVice President Education and Welfare. to outbid each other for housing, nancial service sector don’t paroffice and retail forces prices up be- ticularly enjoy being heckled, reg- tax schemes. They have their pick He assures us he will not be working in yond what is realistic for the major- ulated and taxed. But they seem of British graduates, who blithely a bank next year.

comment@qmessenger.co.uk

Tory “The response to this

disparity was to suggest that people man up or die

”

9

QMESSENGER MONDAY MARCH 12 2012

Comment

It isn’t easy being blue Kony 2012 and Max Burman Rather foolishly arriving for the Government’s NHS summit through the front-door, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley was last week comically accosted by a heckler that sent political geeks of all colours into a fit of ‘The Thick of It’ hysterics. Hilarity aside, the proposed NHS reforms have reached a critical point, and this is far from a laughing matter.

The Government may have sparked controversy by apparently neglecting to invite to the summit those who were well-known critics of the Bill, but it appears the groups that were invited to Downing Street nonetheless ensured wide held concerns were raised.

Despite the discomfort such, admittedly polite, disagreements may have caused some, the Prime Minister seems unfazed. Leading the charge for the Coalition’s new rhetoric, Cameron said “I support Andrew Lansley and I support the reforms”, argued there “are a few myths we need to bust” and claimed “reform is never easy”. He was followed in a similar vein by senior colleagues the next morning, and it is clear that at last the Government has a coherent and aggressive strategy to counter the criticism they are facing.

For evidence of just how necessary a new strategy was, one needs only to look at the latest polling on the issue. An ICM survey revealed that 52 per cent of people believed the Health and Social Care Bill should be abandoned compared to just 33 per cent in support of it.

Conservative “The party can’t afford controversy; the NHS cannot afford the policy.

”

Such bullishness from the Prime Minister may be seen as long overdue, but with public support for his party dropping in line with support for the reforms, even some Tory colleagues seem wary of the damage pressing boldly ahead could do to the Conservatives’ electoral chances come 2015.

I’m far from an expert on health policy, but given the plethora of voices railing against the reforms from one angle or another, it seems this may have nothing on the damage that could be done to our National Health Service. With economic confidence hard to come by, anger over the Government’s workfare scheme and their political op-

direct democracy

ponents beginning to show at least base levels of competence, the Conservative Party can ill afford for the NHS to remain so high on the political agenda come the next election.

Cameron’s insistence that “reform is never easy” seemed to be indicative of the Government playing it cool amidst fierce criticism.

If you will allow me to digress for just a moment, then Coldplay can indeed serve as a useful indicator of how the Government should now act.

As the lyrics go; nobody said it was easy, no one ever said it would be this hard.

This Government came to office vowing to cut the deficit and deliver substantive reform. As both promises flounder beneath the reality of policy and the rancour of opposition, Cameron has chosen to plough on regardless. It is time for a rethink on the Health and Social Care Bill. The Conservative Party cannot afford the controversy; the NHS cannot afford the policy.

It may well be true that reform is never easy, but Cameron should not think such consternation is standard practice. As the very same song instructs; oh let’s go back to the start.

Kony 2012 video takes advantage of social networking and has sparked worldwide debate overnight. Image courtesy of Brad Bethell Photography Max Burman is a first-year Politics pen that somebody, somewhere student and a member of the Labour Georg Berezkin reads even slightly more than he society. needs to and voila! we have a poWho is Joseph Kony? Well, who litically more aware Facebook user. cares, he is just another tyrant evil- Of course this will not make anydoer that humanity has to bear. body a foreign policy expert, but any political statements that might What is truly unique about him? It everybody needs to start someis not his personality or the extent where and this campaign provides cause distress (real or feigned).

The SU representative remind- of his atrocities, it is the way soci- a great context to do so.

This however is only one side efed us of an incident at LSE three ety decided to deal with him.

The campaign that “Invisible fect of this campaign. What is masweeks ago when anti-Palestinian students threw water bombs and Children” started to hunt him down, sively underestimated are the constreamers at some students taking consists of a movie merely half an sequences of Kony’s arrest on globpart in an Israeli Apartheid Week hour long and a website that pro- al society. If this whole campaign is stall. To clamp down on campus vides a so called “Action Kit”. But successful and Kony gets arrested activism in response is bizarre, the success of this campaign can and put on trial, this will create maand rewards the assailants with not be explained through the way jor repercussion across the world.

For the first time in the histoit was conducted. There are tons exactly what they wanted.

We were told we should have of NGO and social movements that ry of humanity, public will, voiced gotten permission for the stunt pledge for a more ecological, more directly by the people, can lead (the stall itself was authorised). vegan or any other type of world. to military intervention. This efThis is nonsense: free expression Many of them are well aware of the fectively means that the internet more and more establishes itself subordinate to the approval of bu- usage of media and the internet.

What is different about this cam- as a means for direct democracy. reaucrats is not free at all. Where is the line drawn? Will I have to paign though is that it is not try- And with other groups like Anongive three months notice signed in ing to force you into accepting cer- ymous or Wikileaks there is a clear triplicate to wear a Che T-shirt in tain social norms or change your positive trend that individual parlifestyle, it is simply asking you to ticipation in global politics is takDrapers? en as serious as it has never been Student Council recently af- take notice.

This creates a crazy effect, that before. This will lead as an examfirmed its belief in the right to protest; the irony of the SU clamping makes you part of a movement by ple for future campaigns and prove down on spontaneous political ac- simply acknowledging it. And even that public will is not simply a partion on campus seems lost. The though some might argue that ty poll or pressure group, but an inpurpose of an SU is to stand up for the watching YouTube videos or formed and collective decision.

True. Arresting Joseph Kony students, not to stifle free expres- changing statuses will not change sion under the spurious and risible anything, the most important con- might not create a better world, sequence of doing so is neglected, but it will create a more democratpretext of student welfare. namely the creation of a potential ic one. interest.

Sam Playle is second-year Ph.D. Reading about Kony means find- Georg Berezkin is first-year Physics student, the President of the ing out a tiny little bit about Ugan- International Relations student and a Palestine Solidarity Society and QMSU’s da. Who knows, it might even hap- journalist for New Turn Magazine.

Postgraduate Officer Elect.

Bureaucracy trumps freedom of speech...again Sam Playle QMSU has an unconventional interpretation of free expression on campus.

Some of us ran a stall to raise awareness of administrative detention of Palestinians by Israel. 309 people – of whom 24 are elected representatives in the Palestinian legislature – are currently locked up without being told what they’re accused of, without being given a chance to defend themselves in a trial.

I have to give “ Will three months signed notice in triplicate to wear a Che T-shirt in Drapers?

”

One detainee, Hana el-Shalabi, has been on hunger strike since she was imprisoned on 16th February.

Britain first imposed arbitrary detention on Palestine in 1945 and Israel simply continued it, so

we have a particular responsibility to act.

To grab people’s attention, a couple of us blindfolded ourselves and bound our hands with cable ties (as the Israeli army does to its Palestinian detainees). The stunt seemed to be successful with many people asking what we were doing and after a little conversation, countersigning letters to the Israeli military Judge Advocate General.

While a small number told us that they disagreed, no-one indicated displeasure at our presence (indeed we were in no way disruptive). Until, that is, representatives of the Students’ Union arrived. We were ordered to take off the blindfolds and untie ourselves because they feared people were finding it “distressing”.

Quite right too: arbitrary detention is distressing (the real thing, that is). The proper response is to take action to end it, not to complain to the SU whenever someone has the audacity to remind you of the harsh world beyond the boundaries of campus. Principal Simon Gaskell recently wrote “the democratic right to freedom of expression and debate is one Queen Mary strongly upholds and promotes.” It’s not clear how this can work if we’re stopped from making

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QMESSENGER MONDAY MARCH 12 2012

Comment

It’s been a great week for QMSU - and there’s a big one ahead too Sophie Richardson President

Last Week Last week saw QMEquality leading on the International Women’s Day celebrations on campus. The group hosted Festival51, a week’s worth of events celebrating women and International Women’s Week, and it was absolutely brilliant. QMEquality, led by Wanda Canton, our fantastic Women’s Officer, deserve a massive congratulations for all their hard work in organising the week and putting on some really fascinating events.

The week put women in the spotlight, and it’s these kind of events we need more of, not just to educate people on the issues and challenges but also to make sure the campaign continues.

Thank you to everyone involved!

This Week This week sees the launch of the QMSU Big Survey, our annual survey in which we ask you for your opinions and feedback on all the different areas of the Union, from the bars and

cafes to the representation and societies. The results of last year’s survey helped guide the Union in going forward, not just in terms of strategy but also in our budget-setting process and in the development of the Union more generally. So 10 minutes of your time would really make a difference to the future of the Union and students at QMUL too. Head to www.qmsu.org/bigsurvey now!

Finally, this week sees us taking part in the National Walkout in

which we are encouraging students to support both the national campaign against the changes to higher education and the local campaign against the changes to the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences. On Wednesday please join us in Library Square for the campaign and from there we will head down to University of London Union together to join the ‘Education for All’ rally.

Sophie @PresidentQMSU

I have been assured that redundancies won’t effect our education George Ryan BLSA President

Last week I had a meeting with the Warden (VP Health) Professor Richard Trembath and The Dean for Education Professor Warrens, and both have been keeping me up to speed with what’s going on.

Professor Warrens is as passionate about education as we are; the school is a big part of the institute he manages and it is in his best interests to ensure teaching does not suffer as a result of these cuts. 43 members of staff have received let-

ters warning them they are at risk of being made redundant. Over the next week these staff members will have a meeting with senior management in the school and it will be decided who will be asked to leave.

Professor Warrens was unable to tell me how many or who would be made redundant as this had not been finalised.

He has, however, given his word that the effect on education will be minimal. In choosing who to cut (for

want of a better word) he has asked for a guarantee that the educational responsibilities of the member of staff in question can and will be taken up by someone else from their department. Staff who are asked to leave will do so at the end of their academic year, giving the school the summer to make any readjustments that need be made to fill any gaps in teaching.

Professor Warrens believes this transition will be seamless, causing

no disruption to the delivery of education.

Several issues have already been raised by the Student President’s Council and will be taken to the school to be addressed. I want you to have the opportunity to have your opinion heard and acknowledged by the school. If you have any pertinent questions please get in contact, I am more than happy to discuss the situation with you all and help make this process as transparent as possible.

If the sabbs want a community they must be a team - we weren’t this year Dom Bell VP Student Activities

Two columns left. Three weeks to the end of term. I feel like I should leave some wise words.

Looking through our newly elected Sabbatical’s policies and following their interviews, it’s interesting to see where there is commonality and where there are differences.

They have all talked about community, and my advice on this would be that if this is what they really want to do, it’s not going to be easy and they will need to work as a team. Something we’ve lacked this year.

We have to remember the total number of students who voted didn’t reach 19% of the student body, and there’s a tendency for the student body to forget who and what they voted for. Furthermore, hopefully another 8,000 new students will walk on to our campus in September. It’s easy to get sucked into a load of other important tasks thrust upon you by the college, staff, council, and students, and before you know it your time is up. There’s a long time between submitting your

manifesto, getting voted in, starting your term, and implementing your policies. Things change, including student opinions. This is why it’s so important to keep your eye on the bigger picture and to dedicate yourself to a project without being dragged away from it. At the same time, if you don’t look at what’s going on around you, something might slip you by and you’ll be wondering why you were left out. I repeat, if the new team want to do something about community they need to come

up with a joint vision and work together right from the start. But they are right to tackle community, because the fact that they were voted in on less than 19% shows a shortage of student engagement which, if they can better, will start to resolve some of the problems QMSU has.

The question is, how to make this happen? Still, I’m buoyed by a real confidence in our new leaders. It’s just whether they can come together. They are also headstrong people with different priorities.

Should all those dicks stop dicking about on Facebook in the library?

Oscar Williamson VP Education & Welfare

It’s frustrating to go to the library to print something and find all the computers full with people dicking about on Facebook. We asked 1,000 students what they would do about it. The responses were mixed.

It turns out History students hate it most: 60% want to ban it, followed

by Law and Maths. Almost 75% Medics and Dentists want to keep it, although they use a different library to the rest of the respondents.

Of those who wanted to keep it, half

considered it useful to contact people on their course, club or society. The other half said it’s the person’s own time they’re wasting, that we’re adults, and that the university should let people learn the hard way.

An alternative could be to provide more computers, but we already have 1,500 open access computers on our campuses and they don’t all get used. The issue is that they’re excessively concentrated. Many are in teaching labs, which are booked

for lectures. If half the class don’t turn up for their 9am lecture, thirty computers sit unused for two hours.

There are more in the Physics building, the Hive, Francis Bancroft, ArtsOne and in the Queens building, which tend to have the shortest queues. However, people pile in to the Mile End library because they know there a lot of computers there.

The current approach of the library – to turn the ground floor into a wild ecosystem where people can

run around as nature intended – is meant to provide an overflow tank for people who don’t want to work, keeping them away from diligent students on other floors. The problem is, if the ground floor isn’t seen as a workspace it removes any stigma of Facebook-based procrastination. You’re more likely to be able to shame a Facebook-user if they’re isolated than if they are in a group of similarly minded people.

Hemingway was definitely talking about student media at Queen Mary Sam Creighton VP Communications

So, for me this is a weird one. The last QMessenger comes out next week but as I’m on work experience again starting Monday I shall be in the office only fleetingly in the evenings to look it over. For the first time in four years I won’t be working on a QMessenger.

I’m pretty in love with all the student media at Queen Mary but it’s not a secret that QMessenger and QMTV have a special place in my heart - I did after all set them up

comment@qmessenger.co.uk

and have seen then both blossom into the most successful media outlets on campus (certainly the ones that have garnered the most praise and commendations beyond our campus).

QMessenger has done some pretty amazing things: we have helped security guards keep their jobs, we have helped pressure the university into allowing a student to resit their exams when they would have otherwise been forced to leave the

country, we have helped overturn the university’s decision to charge students for dyslexia tests...The list goes on, but suffice to say QMessenger has done a lot to improve the lives of students on this campus and I am eccstatically proud of the part I have played in that and even prouder of people like Kaz Gander who are going to carry it into the future.

Student media is where it all starts, QMessenger has had stories

picked up by The Daily Mail, QMTV has had footage used by Sky News.

People who had their first experience in journalism at Queen Mary now work in national newspapers, magazines and television programs (hopefully with Quest alumni we can soon add radio to this list too!)

In the (sort of) words of a rather great man: “The world [of student media] is a fine and worth fighting for and I hate very much to leave it.”

So, TTFN, maybe see you around.

Advertorial

Taking a global perspective Earlier this year a competition was launched to choose a group of students to travel to China for the summer, to teach conversational English as part of Queen Mary’s long term partnership with Nanchang University. The response was overwhelming.

Three hundred applications were submitted for only six places. Applicants had to explain how they understood ‘Taking a Global Perspective’. Amongst the answers they gave were: ‘participating’, ‘broadening your mind’, ‘fighting against injustice’, ‘appreciating other cultures’, and ‘knowledge of international affairs’.

of the value of operating in more than one language, build a deeper knowledge of the diseases of migrant populations and help them to understand the impact that culture, economics, politics and ethnicity have on healthcare around the world. The changes that this project will introduce to Global Health from September 2012 will help to give Queen Mary medical and dentistry students the competitive edge in an increased globalised market for clinical practitioners, researchers and educators.

The School of Languages, Linguistics and Film, in collaboration with Careers, have piloted pre-placement sessions for language students undertaking work placements as part of their year abroad. Work placements give students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the language and culture of their chosen country whilst gaining practical experience. In these sessions students were taught how to construct and tailor their CVs to their target countries and prepare for interviews. Students who attended felt that they had increased their cultural understanding of applying for placements abroad.

That some students on a college campus where over one hundred languages are spoken already have their own global perspective should come as no surprise.

The diversity of our student body is one of our strengths. But we are also committed, as part of the Queen Mary Graduate Attributes Programme, to ensuring that all students are given the opportunity to develop a full sense of their place in and responsibilities to the world. This includes understanding the value of operating in more than one language, recognizing the need to work effectively in diverse communities and engaging with professional envi- The School of Electronic Engironments. neering and Computer Science is developing a final year module to Why does having a global per- equip students with a better unspective matter? Emily Huns, derstanding of the industrial conHead of Careers, believes that it text of their subject area which will help you get a job: ‘For re- will help them foster a globcruiters operating in an increas- al perspective in terms of their ingly global market, hiring gradu- awareness of the professional ates who are able to take a global world. Similarly, students in the perspective can enhance profita- School of History can take an opbility, opportunity and the diver- tion in their final year that sees sity of their client base. It’s often them contribute research to the one of the things employers mean creation of new galleries at the when they ask for candidates with Imperial War Museum. Dr Dan “commercial awareness”’.

Todman, course organizer, says ‘Students not only gain a greatBecause the university recogniz- er understanding of public hises the importance of you hav- tory and the heritage sector, but ing a global perspective, we are also of the different international maximizing the opportunities audiences and interest groups to for you to develop and demon- which the museum has to speak’. strate your awareness here on campus. Many students can al- Many extra-curricular activities ready choose to learn a language available on campus will also enas one of the module options hance your awareness of the widduring their degree, but schools er world. Queen Mary Students’ across the university are also un- Union helps to recruit student dertaking projects to build ad- volunteers for several organisaditional opportunities into de- tions that support international gree programmes. The School of refugees. ‘The refugees that we Medicine and Dentistry, for ex- support through a wide-range of ample is currently planning de- activities and partner charities velopments across the curricu- come from diverse backgrounds la, led by Dr Mark Carroll, that with a wide range of experiencwill increase students’ awareness es, and different reasons for leav-

ing their home countries’, says Jay Downs, Queen Mary Students’ Union Volunteer Co-ordinator, ‘Student volunteers vastly help the refugee community whilst gaining a global perspective grounded in reality’.

READ International and Queen Mary’s SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) team are two studentled projects that help students to develop as global citizens. READ International collects books from local primary and secondary schools to send to Tanzania.

Each year, eight students are given the opportunity to fundraise and go to Tanzania to help distribute the books to schools, offering them international experience first-hand. The Queen Mary SIFE scheme includes a project

led by Anita Ballard, a final year MSc Pharmaceutical Chemistry student, that teaches basic English skills to Bengali and Somali women from the Ocean Estate in Mile End. Anita and her team teach women how to make doctors’ appointments, describe their symptoms and take part in parent-teacher meetings at their children’s schools. These are crucial in enabling them to take care of themselves and their families and play a fuller part in the community. This project serves as a reminder that having a global perspective is not just about learning what happens abroad, but also acknowledging what is happening on our own, uniquely diverse, doorstep.

Which brings us back to the Nanchang competition. For the lucky

and talented six who were selected, the process of preparation for China is already under way. Andrew George, Director of Study Abroad and US Exchanges Programme and Acting Head of International Partnerships, believes that this is a ‘fantastic opportunity for the participants to develop their Graduate Attribute profiles giving them exposure to one of the world’s most exciting and dynamic countries’.

To improve your own sense of global perspective check out the information available via www. mindthegap.qmul.ac.uk and on the volunteering pages of the Students’ Union website. Take responsibility, value diversity, get involved. Become a global graduate.

12

QMESSENGER MONDAY MARCH 12 2012

Satire

All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Please don’t mistake anything on this page for fact.

Aaron Barber

Also in the news this week...

“Corfu sold to Turkey at ‘good price, yes’ as Greek economic crisis worsens.”

“Margaret Thatcher’s state dildo, designed by British Aerospace in 1980, to be sold at auction.”

“Evicted Dale Farm gypsies set up camp in teaching collection of QMUL library”

“‘Colours and Honours’ renamed ‘Oh Aren’t You Good, Get a Grip’.”

“Ostrich punched to death by security in Francis Bancroft building.”

satire@qmessenger.co.uk

New chemistry building open

Rolo Wigwam

Babe_kl

It has been announced this week that the ‘KONY 2012’ campaign was a complete hoax.

A spokesperson from the organisation of pranksters who produced the video and campaign released the following statement earlier today: “A worldwide viral campaign has stolen the hearts of millions.

It’s known as KONY 2012. Joseph Kony is a tyrant, a brutal man who brutalises brutality and must be stopped, brutally. But he can’t be stopped, because he doesn’t exist.

We made it all up. Now, wasn’t our video great? Did you think you could make a difference? YOU CAN’T CHANGE ANYTHING. YOU ARE ALL UNDER CONTROL. WE CONTROLLED YOU WITH OUR VIDEO.” The statement continued, “We’re all for ending war and stopping massacres and all that, but why does it take a well made video with a cute kid for all of you fuckheads

out there to realise that war is bad?

Don’t any of you read the news?

Don’t any of you look at what’s going on in Syria? Why the fuck didn’t you react this way when Tony Blair and George Bush told you all that we were going to war with Iraq, to fight against a nation who had weapons of mass nothing?

We realise that there were huge protests against the war, and there are still ongoing protests against Western involvement in Afghanistan, but for Christ’s sake, stop getting a hard on and get off your high horses just because you’ve watched a video about one young boy from a war-torn African nation.

We said jump, and your only question was how high. LOL. If you want to campaign for human rights and be anti war, by all means do, but please educate yourself a little further than watching a video.”

It seems that we’ve all been had.

I’ll take the posters down now I think.

Leif Halverson

Usain Bolt will not be competing in the London 2012 Olympic Games after failing to qualify. The athletics star, famous for his “To Di World” pose and jogging over the finish line (yet somehow still breaking world records) came dead last in the qualifying session.

The Jamaican sprinter lead the pack all the way but stopped just a metre before the finish line, refusing to cross the line until all his

competitors had passed him.

Many of his critics have slated Bolt, claiming that this is just a ‘progression of his laziness’. Sports journalist Gary Lansbury had this say: “From jogging in Beijing to skipping in Berlin and his famous walk across the line in Daegu, Usain is just seeing what he can get away with.”

When questioned, the 25 year old said, “I felt like I should quit whilst ahead,” adding, “Also, Stratford is still a shit hole, and Shakespeare wasn’t born there.”

Tine Hemeryck

Aiofe

Aiofe

Kony

Usain Halt Image by Bob Ramsak

Phoney

Eye on 2012 A few more campaigns to look forward to in the coming year.

“I’m drowning in cum thanks to the people at British Aerospace”

You may have noticed the three year demolition of the old chemistry building (now deceased), but this week saw the opening of the brand new advanced chemistry facility on the Mile End campus.

Hailed by architecture critic, John Smegh, as a ‘glorious re-imagination of brutalism painted on a canvas of chip board and PVC’, the elegant yet cunning design allows the building to be moved. There are only windows on one side, as there are plans to rotate it between the seasons to allow more light into the building as architect Barnaby Tompkins explained, “Umm, yes, it rotates to umm, let light flood into the bulidishit I’ve dropped my iMac, oh no as I bent over my iPhone fell out of my

blazer pocket. Umm goodbye.”

At the opening, college principal, Professor Simon Gaskell praised the contractors for finishing the build on time and on budget. Afterwards stating: “This advanced facility will propel Queen Mary to the forefront of chemical science, the building features advanced chemical storage facilities capable of holding Demestos Max strength, Mr Muscle and Cillit Bang in relative safety.” The speech was cut off by tremendous applause.

Some students such as Laura Hoverbin, however, weren’t so pleased. “It’s not a storage facility; it’s a cleaning cupboard with hazard symbols on it. There isn’t even fume cupboard; we have to do all our experiments dangling out of the window. Its stupid,” adding, “I turned down a place at UCL for this!”

Cross Figure

Cartoon by Maria D’Amico

Really Difficult Bridges

Sudoku

Last week’s answers

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QMESSENGER MONDAY MARCH 12 2012

Societies

The Beat Generation

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Do you want to create a music record as a project, using software such as Reason, Logic and FruitLoop among others? Whether you are a beginner or a pro, the Creating a Beat Society is here to bring creative minds together to make and deliver music. We are a student community with an interest in bass, electronic and computer music and we hold weekly meetings, in which we deliver workshops to teach music production and DJ skills, offer a range of music production software to interact with and use, and encourage members to share musical interests and projects We are looking to recruit new members in order to establish a successful society and create a sense of community in the near future. If you are interested in joining, please come to one of our weekly meetings on Wednesdays from 7 – 9pm in FB 1.01.2.

Society in the Spotlight: Nepalese Society

The Nepalese Society enjoying a society event

Sanoj Thapa The Nepalese Society of Queen Mary, University of London, provides a platform for the young and energetic Nepalese diaspora with common aspirations to share

their plight and problems as well as their achievements and successes.

Nepal is country with a stunningly beautiful panorama and boasts the world's highest mountain Everest. It is the homeland of a hard-working, friendly and multicultural people who practice

societies@qmessenger.co.uk

Image Courtesy of Nepalese Society the two faiths of Hinduism and Buddhism, with a very subtle line between these two which is unique amongst the religious practices of the world.The rich cultural heritage of Nepal has evolved over centuries. Various ethnic, tribal, and social groups inhabit

different altitudes, and this manifests itself in various forms: music and dance, art and craft, folklore and folktales, languages and literature, philosophy and religion, festivals and celebrations, and foods and drinks.

The Nepalese Society of QM

aspires to foster an environment where this rich cultural heritage can continue to flourish and create a bond among the young Nepalese of London, while interacting with the diverse multicultural youth groups from all over the globe that come together in this city.

15

QMESSENGER MONDAY 12 MARCH 2012

Sport

The Perils of Professional Sport Kumari Tilakawardane Professional sport was intended as a way of turning beloved hobbies that united people into a way for the athletically talented to earn a living.

On paper, the benefits are plentiful: televised sport is the best it’s ever been; athletes are in their best shape which improves the quality of sport; elite sport is available for all to watch. The list goes on. However, professional sport has a cost.

In today’s world the terms ‘professional sport’, ‘bad role model’ and ‘obscenely rich’ have practically become synonymous.

It’s increasingly difficult to turn through the non-sporting pages of a newspaper without being confronted with a sensationalist article on a footballer’s affair or a rugby player’s sojourn into the world of ballroom dancing, to name but a few recent examples.

From an athlete’s point of view, professional sport can potentially provide a better quality of living than another career; corporate sponsorship and endorsement are an integral feature of any pro-sports career in 2012. From a spectator’s point of view, a sportsperson’s astronomical salary can often alienate athletes from the fans and cause resentment, particularly in such times of economic austerity.

Samuel Eto’o became the highestpaid footballer when he signed for Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala in

Too many figures in professional sport, such as John Terry, are setting bad examples to follow.

Image by Ronnie MacDonald via Flickr(cc) August 2011, earning a salary of €20 million after tax.

The tragic death of Welsh national manager Gary Speed thrust the pressure on athletes into the limelight. Stan Collymore, a fellow former professional footballer had only the day before Speed’s death publicised his own struggles with depression via Twitter. “Patience, time, kindness and support. That’s all we need. No ‘pull your socks up’, no ‘get out of bed you lazy git.’” Collymore’s actions and the impact of Speed’s death on the sporting community prompted

the Professional Footballers’ Association to provide leaflets and counselling to battle depression amongst footballers. Being in the public eye with an emphasis on masculinity and physical perfection can stop athletes looking for help with depression and other mental illness, which can tragically lead to death. The recent suicide of former Sale Sharks winger Selorm Kuadey highlighted the importance of support for professionals, as often life after sport can leave athletes lonely, disillusioned, and without guidance. Whether or not Speed or

Kuadey suffered from depression is unclear, but it is undeniable that they and other athletes are under pressure to maintain appearances.

In the era of digital cameras, social-networking and tabloid press, the private lives of sportspeople are often targeted. Brian Moore, at a recent talk he gave at the London School of Economics, ruled that the main difference between his life as an international rugby player and the lives of England stars now is the modern phenomenon of camera phones. This point was all the more poignant given the fall-out from

photographs of Mike Tindall with a blonde who was not his wife Zara Phillips, leading to weeks of tabloid speculation which was not helped by further reports of Tindall’s involvement in ‘dwarf-tossing’ and other misdemeanours by England players. This was rounded off for England with the emergence of photographs of Leicester Tigers centre Manu Tuilagi’s ill-conceived dive from a ferry in New Zealand, which culminated in a great deal of police and press attention.

The now infamous Ryan Giggs superinjunction case is another example of the lack of privacy in a sportsman’s life. Giggs’ name has been irrevocably besmirched with the bad publicity, whilst Imogen Thomas’ career has seemingly thrived. Had Giggs been a plumber or an office worker, it seems unlikely that his extra-marital affairs would have become public knowledge and tabloid fodder, but it was his status as a role model that led to his employment of the superinjunction to block his transgressions from the press.

Professional sports can be a great thing: it can inspire children, unite a nation, and provide talented athletes from all walks of life with a better lifestyle. But all the glory, fame and money comes at a price: the threat of injury, blackmail, unpopularity or the destruction of personal relationships are all very real threats to those who take to the field, pitch or court to make their dreams come true.

The State of Sri Lankan Cricket Kumari Tilakawardane Sri Lanka loves cricket. It’s more than just a sport; it is a unifying power, a pastime that has provided relief from the strife many of the country’s poorest have had to deal with in the past decade. During the bloody civil wars that ravaged the island for decades the Tamil Tigers called a temporary truce while the 2007 Cricket World Cup was in play.

The tiny nation has provided the cricketing world with some of the most talented, charismatic and often controversial players in the 30 years since achieving test status.

But in spite of the wonderful heritage of cricket in Sri Lanka, the game has faced its most dangerous threat in recent times. Not from war or tsunami. Not even the gun attack on the team bus in Lahore two years ago posed as serious a threat as this.

Political and financial corruption within the bureaucratic ranks of Sri Lanka has filtered into the cricketing

body.

The national side’s recent loss of form has many fans bemoaning the players, the captain, and the coach.

The finger of blame, however, must surely be pointed at those ‘higherups’ who have limited the progression of this talented side.

Kumar Sangakkara is considered a hero in Sri Lanka for his exploits on the field: he has topped the list of Test batsmen on several occasions; ‘Sanga’ lies only behind the great names of Donald Bradman and Brian Lara in the record-books for reaching double-centuries; he recently scored a century against South Africa, meaning he has reached triple figures against all the major test-playing nations. However, it is not merely for his sporting endeavours he is revered in his homeland; Sangakkara became the first Sri Lankan to be asked to deliver the Cowdrey Spirit of Cricket Lecture in July last year. His speech highlighted not only the glorious past of Sri Lankan cricket, but also the problems the sport faces with

“detrimental cricket board politics” and the interference of the Minister for Sport, Mahindananda Aluthgamage.

The bravery of Sangakkara to speak out against the corruption that is ruining the reputation of sport in this country is refreshing, and something other players should be courageous enough to emulate.

Mr Aluthgamage and the rest of the Sri Lankan government unsurprisingly were displeased with Sangakkara’s comments, but his points are unavoidable. For over a decade, Sri Lanka’s national sport has been organised and run by a group of bureaucratic, unelected and often unqualified officials. As Sangakkara said before a rapt audience at Lord’s: “In Sri Lanka, cricket and politics have become synonymous.” This is a problem that has been noted by the ICC themselves, via an order to all cricket playing nations that cricket boards must be “free from interference from government” by June 2013.

The players from the national

side, in addition to being subject to scrutiny and interference from politicians on the board of selectors, had not been paid their fees from the World Cup since March last year.

The ICC stepped in on December 16th 2011, and paid 42.36% of the fees due to the players, which equated to around $2 million US dollars. In a step that emphasises the fear of corruption and financial turbulence in the administrative ranks, the fees were paid directly into the players’ personal accounts, rather than through the usual route of passing the money to the SLC (Sri Lanka Cricket) authority.

The beginnings of the financial strife plaguing Sri Lankan cricket can be traced back to co-hosting of the World Cup in 2011. The small island was left with staggering debts after three new stadiums were built for the tournament, leaving many critics asking why pre-existing stadiums had been ignored. Not insignificantly, one of the new stadiums was built in Sri Lankan president Mahinda

Rajapaksa’s home region of Hambantota, and was named after him. These three stadiums were handed over to the armed forces in Sri Lanka in November last year, after the government could no longer afford to maintain them.

Former World Cup winner Arjuna Ranatunga, now campaigning for the opposition political party, has cited political interference as a huge problem in this issue of stadiums as well as in “any issue in this country”.

For a country that has provided the likes of Ranatunga, Sangakkara, Muralitharan, Malinga and countless other legends of cricket, the current situation both on and off the pitch is dire. Sri Lanka won the World Cup in 1996, just 15 years ago. Given the current political climate on the island, with talk of war crimes and mass murder, the last thing the government needs is more controversy. If Sri Lankan cricket is to rise again to its former glory, the political interference and corruption has to end now.

sport@qmessenger.co.uk

16

QMESSENGER MONDAY 12 MARCH 2012

Sport

One team, two cups »

Queen Mary Football Club have made it to two cup finals

Sean Mahoney Liverpool 1984, Germany 1996, Italy 2006, QM 2012. Some teams just don't lose penalty shootouts. 3rd March 2012 was the day Alex Garbutt fired in the winning penalty to send the fifths to a famous cup final. The day started off in a controversial manner with RSM neglecting to inform QM that the game would be played on an artificial pitch. This ruined Ashley Sweetman’s morning - Ash hadn’t been this excited since the release of the first QM History journal. Sam Lowe was too nervous to give a team talk, so up stepped unofficial captain Sean Mahoney to give a Mourinhoesque team talk to calm the nerves.

Rumour has it even the classic football manager line “these are the moments you’ll remember when you eventually hang up your boots” came out. QM had the better of the first half, despite losing Adrian Childe’s doppelgänger Mitch Ingram to a knee injury.

The half ended 0-0, but there was still time for the quiet and athletic Adam McDaid to cause a fight with his own team. Despite having tears his in eyes come the restart, it was McDaid who put QM ahead with a scuffed effort five yards out. Although the goal was fairly average, it didn’t stop the controversial northerner celebrating in true Balotteli fashion. The travelling fan – Mitch Ingram – thought that it

QMFC have made it to not one, but two, cup finals. Somehow.

Image by John-Morgan via Flickr(cc)

would be one way traffic from then, but QM found themselves 2-1 down within ten minutes. Sam Lowe started to panic. QM’s cup dream was fading, but Ariq Hussain was having none of it as he volleyed in a dramatic equalizer. It finished 2-2. QM had the best chance of extra time as Hussain had a shot cleared off the line which compelled the tie to penalties. Sam Lowe was the first to volunteer, despite the team insisting he didn’t. Lowe stepped up to take QM’s first but produced a penalty that made Charlie Adam’s look like a great attempt. Lowe turned round to a chorus of boos with Mike Manning hurling horrific obscenities at the disgraced skipper. Everybody knows Lowe is notorious for missing penalties – he just hasn’t got the bottle. Luckily, Lowe was let off when Dexter from Dexter’s lab skied one over the bar to level it. McDaid, Manning, Hussain and Huckstepp all did what Lowe couldn’t - score from 8 yards. RSM missed the first penalty in sudden death which meant Alex Garbutt was one kick away from winning it. He was never going to miss. The shoot-out win sent QM into what can only be described as a passionate eleven man bundle.

QM are going to Wembley and surely it’s no coincidence Chelsea sacked AVB the day after Ashley Sweetman led QM to a historic final...

The Final is on Sunday 18th March at Chislehurst

QMFC Seconds in the ULU Reserves Cup Tom Bassam Queen Mary Seconds made very light work of reaching their third ULU Reserves Cup Final in three years. A penalty from Tom Street and a Numan Ali volley brought the 2nds a routine 2-0 victory against Imperial Medic’s Seconds. The scoreline in last Saturday’s semi means they have scored 11 goals and conceded just one in their route to this year’s final.

The 2nds have had far more challenging games this season

sport@qmessenger.co.uk

than the one given to them by an ISCM side rooted to the foot of the ULU Weekend 2 League, a fact not missed by their co-captain Junior Gurrizan. He said: “It feels kind of odd to win such an important game so easily, it’s a slight anticlimax to be honest.”

Despite the score being 2-0 it was not really an accurate reflection of the game. A saying usually wheeled out by the losing side, but in this case more than applicable to the winners.

The 2nds created enough chances to have made double figures

and dominated the game with patient build up play, easily moving the ball across the pitch to create space in the ICSM defence throughout the game. In the first half Mo Alsharif and James Bird combined on several occasions to get in dangerous balls from the right but the 2nds could not find a finish to match their approach play.

Brian Lattanzio’s huge throwins also caused ICSM problems, showing the 2nds have a direct side to their attacking arsenal to match their neat build-up.

All of the 2nds’ powerful trio of strikers Numan Ali, Junior Opara and Lolu Onabolu will feel as if they could have made a bigger mark on the score sheet. Onabolu may be the most aggrieved as he missed enough chances for a hattrick after his second half introduction. On the occasion he did manage a decent effort on target, his stinging volley was unlucky enough to find its equal in the ICSM ‘keeper.

Fortunately for the 2nds, they had built up a first half lead thanks to a well-taken Street penalty af-

ter a blatant handball in the area from a cross by Lawrence Oligbo.

Ali doubled the 2nds’ lead with a sweet volley from 18 yards after strong work to win the ball from the ICSM backline.

Undoubtedly QM 2nds deserve their place in the final and can only beat what is put in front of them, which they have done with aplomb. Back-to-back Reserve Cup wins are well with in their grasp and whoever awaits them in the final will have an almighty test trying to prise their hands from the trophy.