Volume 20, Issue 7 (May '19)

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FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

Dear readers,

T

he closing months of my year at Bath Time have encouraged me to reflect on the year we’ve shared and the journey we’ve taken. It all began when me and our Lifestyle Editor, Nicola, first entered our office in late August - we were entirely oblivious to the stories we would share and the memories we would make in the coming year.

We began by clearing the office of all the junk left by the previous committee. Yes, we wanted to make this year our own, but we mostly wanted to find the sofa so we could sit down. As the rest of the team joined us, we moved on to planning our infamous Freshers’ Week leaflets. This led to a week that, in hindsight, could not be planned. We were thrown into the deep end together, writing and editing your crazy stories until 3am for 7 days straight. To say you learn a lot about a group of people in those circumstances would be a huge understatement.

Illustration by Elena Oliinyk, @lenlenstrations

We moved swiftly on to producing our first issue, covering the bus scandal that still plagues our daily routines. This remains our most frustrating story we had all a huge range of sources and insight, yet, no-one seemed to really know why everything had changed. With a crack team of contributors behind us, our first issue set an impeccably high standard. A standard that, I am proud to be able to say, our team exceeded with each and every single issue.

Our most exciting content doesn’t always make it into our print releases. Although I’m sure my predecessors would say we’ve had a relatively quiet year, we have come across some fairly shocking breaking news stories this year. The first attempt at dealing with such a story was back in February, when a politics lecturer decided to slate his first year students’ work on Twitter before providing feedback.

Watching that piece rack up 14,000 views was exhilarating, little did we know that was only a taste of what was to come.

Bath Time also investigated a painting that appeared in 4 West and, at the time, we didn’t think much of it. As this story grew, and we unveiled the cost of the portrait of our ex-Vice Chancellor, national press took the story and ran with it. To think that a story exposed from our dingy little office could hit national headlines will always surprise me.

Our final issues have placed a more critical and sceptical eye on the University’s activities, highlighting the lack of student engagement in the planning of the £70m School of Management building, and in this issue, the consistent failure of the Estates Department to act in a transparent manner. This is something I am sure will grow into a larger story in years to come unless change is made soon.

Such stories serve a key purpose of Bath Time and student journalism. We exist to entertain you, and to let our editors and contributors rant about politics, but our primary and overriding goal is to hold the University, and other organisations that serve students, to account. While this does lead to the most stressful stories; it is why we exist.

It has been a pleasure and an honour to lead Bath Time’s 20th edition - I have had an immensely exciting year as a result and will look back fondly on my time here, as I know the rest of my team will.

Over the summer, we welcome next year’s editors of the magazine’s 2019/20 committee. It is impossible to prepare them for the year ahead, but, having spoken to them at length, as they eagerly wait to take the reigns, I am safe in the knowledge that they will do an incredible job, continuing to keep you smiling and holding the University to account. Although, before that, they will first need to make their way through a fair amount of clutter that we’ve amassed in the office - it’s been a busy year.

Thank you for reading,

Glen McAlpine Editor-in-Chief May 2019 3

MEET THE COMMITTEE

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CONTENTS PAGE May 2019

COVER STORY

6

Serious Money

Look at the Estate We’re In

LIFESTYLE

11 14 18

BATHTIME

Book Club

by Robert Brett

Dating Rules from a Tinder Veteran Summer Ball Outfit Ideas

by Chloe Granger and Matt Kemp

FEATURES

NEWS & COMMENT

28 30 32

36

What is Blockchain?

by Ben Turner Body Image

by Holly Hughes We Care, But We Don’t Care Enough

by Seb Ward

39 43

Note: Photography in this issue has been sourced from unsplash.com, Wikimedia and other sources which do not require crediting unless otherwise noted.

Youth Strike for Climate Action in Bath

by Felix Keane LGBT+ Confessions Page Backlash

by Eloise Sacares Under Armour Team Bath Kit

by Freddy Campbell

May 2019 5

COVER STORY

SERIOUS MONEY LOOK AT THE E STATE WE’RE IN

By Eloise Sacares, Nicola Jennings, Darcey Stickley, Francesco Masala & Glen McAlpine

T

he buildings that form our University campus are ageing, and more are being constructed.

With £450 million being invested in campus since 2009, the cost of maintaining and expanding our campus takes up a sizeable portion of the University’s expenditure. Be it the cumulative, minor costs of general upkeep, the sprucing up of offices, or the significant investments in new construction projects, these costs may not be at the forefront of students’ minds. However, with student fees financing the majority of the University’s expenses, it is fundamental that the student community to know that those responsible for this work are transparent with decisions made and can justify the use of said money.

The group behind the strategic planning and management of our University property is the Department of Estates. They handle the procurement of all contractors for construction projects and deal with maintenance issues at all levels. The SU has listed the improvement of efficiency and transparency of the Estates Department in their top 10 for this

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academic year. With this being the case, and the historic governance issues at the University, Bath Time decided to explore expenditures and consider the transparency of those behind the maintenance and development of campus buildings.

THE SMALL THINGS The Department of Estates are responsible for the upkeep and decoration of University buildings. This can include installing new windows, painting rooms, and hanging (or removing) infamous portraits. In order to manage this, they charge other internal departments and the SU a fee for work done. This is often negotiated for each project, or for more regular tasks, fixed prices are applied.

In a recent email to staff spanning University departments, Estates stated that their one-time fee for plant installations, which included maintenance, was resulting in a £40,000 annual deficit in plant maintenance. To combat this, the initial £100 fixed charge for the installation of a plant is maintained, but in addition to this, departments now pay an annual fee of £230 to maintain high maintenance plants and £150 for low maintenance installations.

COVER STORY

The highlight of student life for many of us is one of two events; Freshers’ Week or Summer Ball.

Unfortunately, these events do come at a cost, with FW wristbands leaving us £65 out of pocket, and Summer Ball tickets £47. While some of the money made from this is used to hire Scouting for Girls, Pixie Lott, and other big names, a large portion is spent on more mundane activities. Estates have previously charged over £13,000 to lay the flooring (owned by the SU) in Founders’ Hall, and replace some broken pieces. Though this cost used to be shared with the University, now that Dame Glynis, ex-Vice Chancellor, doesn’t deliver a speech during Freshers’ week, the SU is going to have to take on the whole cost. In addition, this year, the estimated price for the laying and lifting of the floor has increased by over £3000. Meanwhile, the ticket price has stayed the same. Increases in costs such as these, which the SU have little control over, diminishes the budget available for other aspects which make Freshers’ Week so special.

This is a running theme with Estates; they charge the SU a small fortune to simply put a few screws in the wall and hang an item that the SU already owns, or something to a similar effect. As the SU building is technically owned by the University, the SU have to use Estates, or a list of approved contractors, to do such work. For example, screwing in two pin-boards

cost almost £30. This doesn’t seem to match up to the cost of a couple of screws and University wages for what should be under an hour’s work. Similarly, affixing four knife racks in the Plug kitchen cost £87, and when Estates went to evaluate the archery field to see if inflatables could go up there, they charged the SU £40 for the evaluation. The SU has so far paid approximately £79,000 to Estates for work done in 2018.

There are multiple potential reasons that this could be the case. One pressure on the inflated prices experienced by the SU is the potential for value added tax to be duplicated within one project. This occurs because the Department of Estates hire contractors or buy materials and pay VAT once, which they then charge the SU for, at which point VAT is charged again.

Earlier this semester, the SU renovated the cafe in Virgil Building and introduced Flo’s Café . The space underwent a redesign and new furniture was installed. The initial quote received by the SU enabled this project to be completed on a budget of around £1000; however, Estates insisted that the SU use one of their own approved suppliers despite their initial contractor having all the relevant Risk Assessment and Method Statement documents.

This led to the plans being unaffordable within May 2019 7

COVER STORY

the allocated budget and, in turn, seating was compromised. Complaints followed from students who rely on this hub as a city base and now can’t always be guaranteed a space.

Should internal charges exist at all?

The internal charges, while on a surface level may appear to be a good way of organising funds within an organisation, can lead to clunky, inefficient, and costly administration systems working to move money around within a single organisation.

Within our University, the “Agresso” system used can cause delays of up to 8 months for invoices to be raised, creating difficulties for staff members managing budgets and cash flow worries for University departments and the SU. This all raises the question of whether internal charges need to exist at all. An alternative could be for the University to simply manage budgets so that departments don’t need to charge each other for work, with effective communication and good working relationships between departments - this could save significant amounts of money on unnecessary administrative tasks and generally improve the efficiency of the University.

CONSTRUCTION & PROCUREMENT A large portion of what Estates do is the procurement or selection of contractors to work on the campus’ biggest building projects. For example: the School of Management building with a budget of £70m.

When investigating this building for our previous issue, we investigated the procurement process for the contractors working on the project, and it was

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confirmed that this was “all down to Estates”.

Bath Time filed a Freedom of Information request, asking for the names of contract holders over the value of £20,000, and a list of the top 20 contractors by value of contracts received over the past 20 years.

The University declined to name contractors on the grounds that it could open the University to be a victim of fraudulent crimes and that the information would take longer or cost more than they are required to invest in responding to an FOI request, despite recognising that disclosing this information would be in the best interest of transparency.

A quarterly capital project update can be found in the minutes of University Council meetings, however, this item never provides detail above “council NOTED the update on the status of capital projects”.

With minutes acting as an important tool for holding University management to account, the failure to provide more detail here provides cause for concern surrounding transparency on the issue.

Vinci and University council Vinci is a multinational construction company that have constructed a variety of buildings for the University. 10 West, Chancellor’s Building and Polden are the most recent projects to occupy space on campus, all with hefty sums attached. For 10W, the impressive Psychology building with grandiose decor and key card access to many of the rooms, the University paid £20 million. Slightly less was the cost of the Chancellor’s Building - £16 million. Lastly, with its 293 en-suite bedrooms and café, the new Polden accommodation comes in at a sizeable sum of

COVER STORY £27.5million.

The reason this draws attention (aside from price) is the regular relationship between the University and Vinci Construction UK. There are a few links between the two, predominantly through the late John Stanion, who was Chairman of Vinci plc until 2014. John also sat on the University of Bath’s Council from 2012, with various duties in the Finance Committee, Senior Academic Appointments Committee, Nominations Committee and the Remuneration Committee. When the Dame Breakwell pay scandal hit national press, this relationship was also highlighted, although it was found the Hefce (Higher Education Funding Council for England) investigation into governance did not look into Mr Stanion’s activities as he joined the remuneration committee after decisions were made on Dame Breakwell’s salary. Because of this, there was no suggestion of wrongdoing by the University or Mr Stanion within the Hefce report.

WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN? The Department of Estates is the antithesis of a student-facing department. You may see some of their staff moving chairs and hanging around the underdeck of campus - but this will likely be the most interaction you have with them. Yet, they manage the largest single-spend projects conducted by our University and maintain our ageing campus as issues arise. The sum of these activities creates a significant financial drain on University resources, a.k.a your tuition fees. The failure of Estates to be transparent in their procurement processes and decision making could be causing inefficiencies in spending and generating unnecessary cost. Without transparency, the scale of these issues cannot be

identified, and change cannot be made.

As a follow up to this investigation, we asked the University a few questions. Here is a response from a spokesperson: What steps is the University taking to ensure the utmost transparency surrounding procurement for contractors on construction projects?

The University follows public sector rules for all procurements which embed principles of fairness, transparency and value for money.

This is evidenced by public advertising of all contracts exceeding £25,000 for goods and services / £50,000 for works carried out, and our following of procurement processes that comply with UK and EU legislation.

Why do the University use internal charges despite inefficiencies of this system?

Recharging allows individual Departments to prioritise and to allocate resources in a cost-effective manner.

How does the Estates department calculate, and therefore justify, the fees it charges to other departments?

The Department of Estates does not hold a budget to carry out work required by other areas of the University. The costs of carrying out this work is passed on to the relevant department who are advised in advance, in so far as possible, of the costs likely to be incurred. Charges are calculated based on labour costs and materials used.

May 2019 9

LIFESTYLE

comptoir Libanais REVIEW

By Nidhi Arun

D

espite being an oasis for tourists with a diverse culinary palette, one thing Bath severely lacks is Arabic food. Most of our knowledge of it has been limited to 2 am kebabs from the cornershop and substandard falafel wraps from Fresh. But we were confident the middle-east had much more on offer. Determined to find a restaurant that guided us through the rich menu of the region, we found Comptoir Libanais. Situated in the centre of town, not far off from the railway station, the lively decor of the place invited us to surrender our appetites in the capable hands of authentic Lebanese gastronomy.

Owing to the meat-heavy reputation of middleeastern cuisine, we were initially apprehensive about the availability of vegetarian and vegan dishes. However, the multitude of meat-free options Comptoir offered pleasantly surprised us and our preconceived notions were instantly dismissed. The menu boasted a variety of tastes so unexplored by the British tongue, we were spoilt for choice. We cleansed our palettes with their Iced Fresh Rose Mint tea and a Mira, which was a mint and orange blossom lemonade. Our choice of drinks set the scene for what soon proved to be a delightfully refreshing meal.

We chose to accompany our beverages with a Mezze platter which promised to serve us a combination of Lebanon's best appetisers. An aesthetic plate was presented to us with a generous helping of good old Hommos, the eggplant based dip baba ghanuj and greek yoghurt’s long lost cousin - natural labne. The dips came with cheese sambousseks, flatbread and pickles. The platter would have been incomplete without their famous falafels and quinoa tabbouleh.

As we tucked in we reflected on how great this platter

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would be as a revision snack.

Portions at Comptoir Libanais are quite big and this forces you to submit a long afternoon to the meal with blissful abandon. With every mouthful we felt our tummies fill up but our taste-buds crave more. The latter cried louder, so despite being caught in the dilemma of stomach versus soul, we ordered our mains. An aubergine fattet and a spiced lamb kofta. We recognised a common theme of aubergines and olive oil in arabic food - the two seemed omnipresent. But so distinct in form and taste in every dish, they could hardly be picked out. Unlike in the baba ghanuj, aubergines in the fattet were slow-cooked and tangy thanks to the tomato, pepper and onion moussaka they were doused with. The pita crisps provided a welcome crunch to the dish. Despite lamb not being the most popular meat in terms of taste, its kofta was infused different vegetables and spices, making it not only tolerable but actually quite tasty. The accompanying vermicelli rice was delicious and the differing tastes and textures in each bite complimented the strong flavours of the rest of the main dish.

Tempted by the menu we had promised ourselves at the beginning of the meal that we deserved a sweet-treat, but our tummies argued otherwise. An organised debate later, we weighed the pros and cons and resolved that dessert was for the soul and not the stomach. A scoop of vanilla ice-cream soaked in bitter orange and sultanas was ordered and that was by far the best decision of the afternoon. Simple yet so unique the ice-cream was infused with flavours of the dry-fruits and provided a necessary closure to our culinary journey through the middle-east.

Granted our coach only halted at a couple major stops, but the passion translated via food warranted we would come back for more.

LIFESTYLE

BATHTIME

Book Club THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA (1952)

By Ernest Hemmingway

I

n Cuban slang, salao is the worst form of unlucky.

Going salao is the unfortunate fate that has befallen the old man Santiago in this essential story of an ageing fisherman’s plight. As the novel begins, Santiago has gone eighty-four days without catching a fish. Everybody in Santiago’s village has given up on him apart from his young apprentice, Manolin. Despite Manolin’s protests, his parents have forbidden him from fishing with the spent old man. On the eighty-fifth day without a fish, Santiago therefore sets out alone in search of a great catch - and that’s where he spends the following three days, locked in an intimate clash with the everpowerful natural world.

The book reads like an allegory for something.

The main characters aren’t named – instead they’re referred to as the old man and the boy. This lends an air of legend to the tale, though Hemmingway often protested the notion of an undercurrent. The ‘deeper meanings’ gleaned by critics perhaps speak of the universality of the struggle between man and nature, rather than any intentional subtext. It is a scenario played out in different ways in each of our lives. So critics can provide as many readings as they like – for me, this book is about an old man trying to end an unlucky streak.

This intimacy between the old man and the sea extends to its inhabitants – even the marlin he is attempting to catch. Some of the most touching moments in literature are found in Santiago’s veneration of the creature which he hopes to kill.

This dichotomy between respect and a burning will to overpower is perhaps the oldest truth in the battle between humanity and nature. Reading this book brings it home in beautiful and subtle ways.

As Santiago muses - “Fish,” he said, “I love you and respect you very much. But I will kill you dead before this day ends.”

This classic book uses its deceptive simplicity to fully explore the mind of an old man through reflections on life, sin and the process of ageing. It also tells of an epic encounter between man and nature, between Santiago and the giant Marlin. A timeless classic as relevant now as it was seventy years ago.

REVIEW By ROBERT BRETT Gregorio Fuentes was Hemmingway’s fishing buddy and a likely inspiration for Santiago.

Zampa, Wikimedia Commons.

That might not sound like the most compelling read – a man alone on a boat. But reading this book it becomes apparent that the old man is not truly alone at sea. A lifetime of fishing has given Santiago an intimate and tender rivalry with the ocean. Santiago considers the ocean in these quotes - “He always thought of the sea as la mar which is what people call her in Spanish when they love her.” “The moon affects her as it does a woman, he thought.”

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LIFESTYLE

Interrailing in Spain What you need to be aware of

By Lisanne Heinz

T

he university summer holidays stretch over months and provide us with the perfect opportunity to take time off to travel. Whether you are only travelling for a couple of days or a few weeks, planning ahead for your trip abroad is essential.

I discovered the importance of this when going interrailing last summer in Spain. Here are some things that I recommend you be aware of if you are planning interrailing, or a city break in Spain.

Not everyone speaks English…

The common assumption when Brits go abroad is that everyone will be able to speak some form of English. However, it is safe to say that this isn’t always the case, so I would strongly advice familiarising yourself with at least the basics of the language.

Obviously in tourist hot spots it is more likely that locals will understand English but in areas where tourists don’t tend to go, knowing some Spanish really helps. I also found that people are often willing to help you if you at least try and communicate with them in Spanish! The fact that I study Spanish made it easier for me to communicate with locals and while I still sometimes struggled with the accent or the speed at which people spoke I felt more confident and comfortable travelling in a country where I could understand some of what was going on around me. To avoid getting yourself into trouble by misunderstanding situations you can read up about local laws and customs on www.gov.uk/foreigntravel-advice/spain

The political situation: Language awareness is not the only thing you need

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to be conscious of. Being mindful of the political situation is also important. This is especially the case for cities such as Barcelona. During my stay in Barcelona my sister and I witnessed peaceful demonstrations about the contentious issue of Catalonian independence. There were also protesters at key tourist spots and many buildings had huge flags hanging from the windows. Being attentive to the fact that there may be protests is highly recommended as it could have a knock-on effect on travel services. In order to be up to date with political developments the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website provides the latest information on any developments. Further information about this can be found by following the previous link.

Public transport: As mentioned previously, protests or large events could affect your travel plans, so it is always a good idea to check online to see if there are any disruptions. Furthermore, when it comes to pricing, city metros, local buses and trains are relatively cheap in comparison to British transport costs. The metros in Madrid and Barcelona are pretty self-explanatory to use and are nowhere near as vast as the London underground. When buying tickets there are usually always self-service machines that have an English option.

In terms of travelling from city to city there are a number of options available to you. There are highspeed trains that are referred to as RENFE after the company name. These are easy to use, very punctual and also comfortable. These are slightly more expensive but the earlier you book, the cheaper they are. You are also guaranteed a seat, which is handy

LIFESTYLE when travelling with luggage. There are also regional trains that are significantly cheaper than RENFE trains but can take much longer or require changes.

Buses are also an option and are similarly priced to the regional trains. From my own experience I would recommend taking the high-speed and regional trains as often the bus stations are outside of the city.

Moreover, in terms of buying tickets it is easier to get them directly at the station rather than online as the train company websites can be quite confusing.

Best time to go: While local and city public transport prices won’t vary, the high-speed trains will be more expensive

during the summer months as the majority of tourists travel. I travelled to Spain mid-June which was a perfect time to go. At this time the temperatures are bearable, and the full summer season is only just beginning. I would avoid going mid-July or August as these are both the busiest months and also the hottest. Especially in Madrid the August heat is stifling.

These are just a few aspects that you should take into account before going to Spain. You can visit the Travelaware website for more in-depth information, not only on Spain but also on over 200 other countries.

The Perfect Summer Staycation

By Dafne Swiers

I

f you haven’t yet planned any tropical summer trips abroad, spent all your money on drunken nights out or simply a postgraduate student whose course runs until September so you have to spend the whole summer in the UK, don’t fret! Here are 5 ideas for the perfect British staycation: 1. Edinburgh Fringe Festival With its picturesque, hilly streets and gorgeous architecture and parks, Edinburgh is a vibrant hot-spot all year round. If you’re yet to visit or have been planning to go again, summer is the ideal time. During 3 weeks in August, the whole city transforms into a hub of art, culture and creativity for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. With thousands of performers and shows, there’s something to suit everyone’s tastes.

2. Brighton Brighton is the perfect getaway for a sunny summer weekend in England. Spending a whole afternoon on the Pier, wandering around The Lanes or taking a cheeky dip in the sea are all great options. With colourful beach huts to take pictures of for the ‘gram, great places to go hunting for summer sales and an eccentric nightlife, Brighton is definitely worth a visit.

3. Cornwall A bit further away from Bath, but definitely holiday-worthy, is Cornwall. With breathtaking landscapes and the best beaches in the whole of the UK, Cornwall measures up to some expensive Mediterranean destinations. It’s the perfect spot for an active surfing holiday as well as for a relaxing break to disconnect with the rest of the world, where the Cornish breeze can help you let go of stress and reconnect with nature.

4. Cotswolds Even though most students flee Bath and the Somerset area during summer, heading up to the Cotswolds during the warmer months is a wonderful idea. Days can be spent strolling around in quintessentially British towns, exploring dazzling palaces and blooming gardens or recreating Pride and Prejudice in one of the many historic manors.

And all of this is only about an hour’s drive away from Bath!

5. Bristol Harbour Festival If you’re really running low on cash this summer, you can still make the most of it and head to Bristol for some free festival fun. From 19th to 21st July, the city centre turns into a massive, outdoor festival with music, dancing, street performers and food markets all along the harbour side. If that isn’t worth a little day trip to Bristol, I don’t know what is.

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LIFESTYLE

S

ome would say I have a bit of a rep. I would say I am just having fun - I enjoy the excitement of meeting new people, the stories and experiences they bring, some interesting, others not so much (Living in Surrey and going to a festival is not a substitute for a personality). I say this writing as a straight talking and straight - woman who is described as confident and decisive. I began navigating the dating scene when I started university, which was now, scarily, several years ago. I have done it all: meeting guys in clubs, blind dates, friend recommendations, sliding into DMs, all of the dating apps (fun fact: I have been temporarily banned of tinder multiple times for swiping right too many times) and have, at a high point, had dates with four different guys in the space of a week. In my defence, it was the first week of semester and there wasn’t much going on. Hopefully that sets the scene and you have an image of who I am - maybe a loose woman, but I’d prefer Dora the Explorer.

courageous amongst us). As you arrive, you are asked where would you like to sit, and you respond, “I don’t mind.” But the guy, instead of making a decision, nervously goes back and forth, debating where would be the best place to sit - the window for the view?

Or the corner for privacy? Literally, I’ve said I don’t mind, pick a table, I would like to get on with the date. When someone says they don’t mind, they quite literally mean they do not mind. Can you tell I prefer decisive men?

MENU TEST

I often frown upon people who provide their rules for other people’s situations, but I would like to share some observations with you of what I have learnt whilst dating in Bath. Feel free to use them if you find them helpful.

We have found a table, we sit down and menus are handed to us. A huge sign of the date going well is if you just carry on the conversation from your walk to when seated. You don’t really pause to look at the menu. A couple of minutes later, the waiter comes over to ask if you’re ready to order, you still haven’t looked down yet. Now, I don’t mean in a ‘talking at you’ kind of way, but shared general discussion where you feed off one another, and feel like you need to share the next thing. In short, you have chemistry. That’s a sure sign that the night is off to a great start. In my experience, it’s been a sure-fire way of forecasting success of the evening.

THE TABLE TEST (TTT)

TREATMENT

So you have agreed a time and place to meet up with your new snack; you’re all dressed-up, excited and ready to go. When you meet the individual, you get talking, maybe from your chat online, or the friend who made the connection. This carries on as you move to your place of choice for the evening, whether for drinks, or for dinner (for the more

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I believe that people’s characters are determined by how they treat those who can do nothing for them.

Watch how your date treats the staff; is it with respect and concern? I’ve left a date before because a guy treating the waiter poorly, but his excuse was that he didn’t treat me poorly so what was my problem? A slightly skewed logic to say the least. I don’t have a lot

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of time for disrespect, not towards me nor to others.

EMERGENCY CALL

I have a friend who calls an hour and a half into the date (a reliable one!); by then I can usually judge if this is going anywhere or if “my house is burning down and I need to get back ASAP”. If the date is going well, I just let it ring through and my friends know I am enjoying myself. Maybe it is the fact that I am a woman and I am acutely aware of my during dates, but I think it is important to have that checkin place to make sure that you are safe, especially if you are meeting someone online for the first time in person.

FIRST KISS

I’m not one for avoiding kissing on the first date.

However, if you feel it, go for it. Chemistry is chemistry, kiss the damn guy, if he isn’t getting the hint (ask for it yourself, channel your inner Homecoming Beyoncé, it’s surprisingly empowering). We all know that if you’re waiting till the third date, you are going to be thinking about it the whole time. It also sends a signal to him about where you stand. So many of us have lost people because we were playing games, so if a kiss is what you want, read the room and attempt a peck that’s what you want. Being described as disparate is frustrating, confusing and frankly not something to be worried about. Treat yourself, as you would with that extra cookie or additional spoon of ice cream.

MY TYPE ON PAPER?

Having a list narrows your options (more so in a small place like Bath) you’ll surprise yourself on who you end up with, the list steadily dwindles and it becomes more about traits than prescriptive looks.

Some people offer things that you didn’t even realise you were looking for - though in my opinion, not much compares to a strong set of thighs and well moisturised elbows.

into, as should you. Saves you time if you find out earlier. Can you imagine if three months in you find that they are pro-life? That shit is cancelled. It’s 2019 and no one has time to be wasting on people who fundamentally disagree with your most deeplyheld political beliefs. However, I would highly recommend finding places where you disagree, because, if it’s not something you’re sensitive to, it can add some spice to discussion.

BOOTY CALLS* VS LATE NIGHT CALL

*booty calls, for those who don’t know, are late night visits to an ex or a person you are seeing for sex or cuddles. Can also be known as Netflix and chilling.

We often make fun of our friends who go on booty calls and insist it is just a visit and the debate goes back and forth. Let me lay it to rest. The cut off time is 10pm. If it is agreed online beforehand and they show up after 10pm, it’s fine. If they realise/agree after 10pm, it is a booty call. This is also irrespective of what actually happens when you are over there.

The fact that you are going there after 10pm and it is not for pre drinks, it is a booty call. Own it.

Please don’t take this as bible– it is a just some observations that I have learnt. Don’t play games. We aren’t on Love Island (applications are open if you would like to still apply). If you want something, ask for it, communicate. If you aren’t into them, don’t waste their time and cut it short. Don’t ghost them, cause karma isn’t kind. We are all adults here, speak to them, or, failing that, send them a text. Enjoy yourself, date widely, try new things.

CHAT POLITICS.

If politics mean a lot to you and is a deal breaker, I’d say plunge in. A great opening line on tinder is what they think about the hot topics, like leave or remain or abortion rights. Get politically freaky.

They should know what they are getting themselves

Illustrations by Alexey Medvedev, Dribbble.com

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A Comprehensive Review of Fresh Wines Ed Knaggs, with WineSoc

Everyone: Bath Time: Here is a comprehensive review of wines from Fresh

S

ome people like fresh wine, some people drink fresh wine, and others have large quantities of fresh wine thrust upon them and tell their friends and family that it is research for a Bath Time article and that everything is fine.

I had a panel of flatmates and members of the Wine Society committee to join me in my quest to find out which Fresh wines are worth buying. A quick life hack for you: it turns out the promise of a wine tasting is an easy way to get help at short notice. With my tasters ready, enough glasses found, and the white wines chilled, we settled in to the evening.

The first wine we tried was the Co-op own brand Chilean Sauvignon Blanc. A On an unrelated note I have taken it upon myself to quick look at the label told us that this put my taste buds on the line; I will write up a review wine was suitable for vegetarians and of the wines in Fresh so you can find the best wine vegans. Although all wines are essentially every time. I started by setting out a plan to cover as grape juice and might be assumed to be many vintages, grapes, and brands as possible all for vegan or vegetarian, many of them use under £6 per wine. Feeling prepared I strode boldly milk proteins or egg whites in the fining into big Fresh to make my selection of the finest process, removing impurities and natural wines on offer. When there, I quickly discovered particulates from the wine to ensure it is three things: not cloudy. These fining aides are removed from the wine but the damage is done and 1. 2018 must have been a very good year for grapes. the wine is no longer suitable for vegetarians. Having The majority of the wines on the shelves and all googled why wine isn’t vegan, the screw cap was the wines in this review were made in 2018. removed and the wine was poured. The wine smelt 2. Fresh does not believe in corks. Although this like a Sauvignon Blanc should; people could smell isn’t necessarily a factor in the quality of the wine, lime, grapefruit, green apple and some green bell the majority of Australian wines (even bottles pepper. It lacked this intensity when drunk. It was that cost £30+) have a screw cap. Sadly, this did light, crisp and refreshing. We all agreed mean that I wasn’t able to use my exciting, new it would be best drunk chilled by the lake corkscrew. after a hand in. An agreeable, inoffensive 3. If you buy six wines in Fresh at 11am you will start to the wines. So far, so good. 6/10 get a lot of strange looks - looks that say “Are you okay, mate?”

After the Sauvignon Blanc, we moved onto the Fairtrade Co-op Chenin Blanc Having selected the wines, I headed home to prepare from South Africa. This wine is not for the next stage of my plan: the tasting. When I suitable for vegetarians. Nor is it suitable arrived and set out the wines, the enormity of my for drinks by the lake like the previous challenge hit me. Six bottles of wine might just be too contender. Between us, we could smell much for a solitary man. After few hurried messages white stone fruit, honey, and maybe some

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LIFESTYLE apples - a promising start to the wine. However, we tasted none of this. Our wine society committee member found it ‘flabby and round’ and the fruit flavours ‘bitter’. Put simply - ‘I don’t like it’. It is more Chenin Bland than Chenin Blanc. This wine would need food to cover up its faults. Best drunk by someone else. However, the fact it is Fairtrade provides some moral satisfaction. 4/10 Next we moved onto the Lime Tree Australian Chardonnay. The final white wine of the evening. Also not suitable for vegetarians. This wine was much more promising; firstly, it had a name fit for the University of Bath campus. Secondly, it smelled and tasted like a chardonnay should. Across the tasting panel we found notes of peach, stone fruit, apple and vanilla. The wine was full-bodied but had some acidity to balance it out. A decent wine, best drunk to celebrate a hand in or with a pasta from Lime Tree. 7/10 Our first red wine of the night was the Co-op Chilean Merlot. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. This wine is more Mer-no than Merlot. We couldn’t get much out of the wine: ‘Is anyone getting raspberries?’ –‘Violets?

You can get that in wine right?’. I’m not sure. But we could all agree that it was definitely a red wine. It is best drunk to remind you that there are things worse than coursework and deadlines. 3/10 The second red, a Lime Tree Australian Cabernet Sauvignon, could only be better. But not by much. By

this point in the evening someone had put on David Attenborough’s Our Planet to add some much-needed gravitas and class to the evening. The wines had no chance against a national treasure like Sir David and my weak-willed tasting panel had lost focus. One tasting note kindly told me that ‘I [the Wine Society chairman] forgot to write anything’. I was on my own for the final two wines. Despite the alluring tone of David’s voice I remained strong and continued the vital research. The Cabernet Sauvignon had strong notes of blackberries, with grippy tannins (the things that dry out your mouth when you drink red wine) but no complexity. A slight improvement on the first red. 4/10 The final wine was a slight treat to say thank you to my, by now distracted, tasting panel. I had spent 35p extra (compared to the next cheapest wine) to buy a non-Co-op branded wine. The Andrew Pearce Shiraz from Australia. The 35p made a big difference. The wine is big and fruity with ripe blackberry, blackcurrant and cherry as well as a hint of liquorice. Well worth the extra money. Best drunk with some cheese to make your drinks more classy. 7/10 The final wine tasted and notes made I thanked my panel of tasters and started writing my comprehensive rev-...oh wait, I forgot to get a rosé!

So there it is, a nearly comprehensive review of Fresh wines.

WINE:

Chile, Sauvignon Blanc 2018 – 12% abv – Vegetarian & Vegan £5.25 South Africa (Fairtrade), Chenin Blanc 2018 – 12% abv £4.80 Australia, Lime Tree Chardonnay 2018 – 12% abv £5.25 Chile, Merlot 2018 – 12.5% abv – Vegetarian & Vegan £5.25 Australia, Lime Tree Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 – 13% abv – Vegetarian & Vegan £5.25 6. Australia, Andrew Pearce Shiraz 2018 – 13.5% abv £5.35 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

The Lime Tree and non-Fairtrade Co-op branded wines are 2 for £10.

May 2019 17

LIFESTYLE

S UMMER B ALL OUTFIT IDEA S

By Chloe Granger

A

s the final semester draws to a close, we can wave a hearty goodbye to deadlines, projects and all of the dreaded group work that made our souls ache. Now, exam season is encroaching upon us, however, after we endure a month of misery, revision and endless cups of coffee, we can well and truly throw all of our revision notes in the bin and enjoy Summer Ball.

We all want to dress up and look our best at Summer Ball -- after all, our exams will be no more and it’s a night of dancing, drinking and having a fabulous time with friends. Bath Time turned to two of our most fashionably aware contributors to rescue all of you out there who are spending more time on ASOS than Moodle. Chloe and Matt present some light advice followed by more in-depth analysis to see you safely through the pinnacle of black-tie season.

1. Don’t be afraid to shop the sales Sales are somewhat like Marmite; you either love them or hate them. I think they’re a great way to shop, as the prices are much lower and you’re more likely to land an item that isn’t fresh off a mannequin that everybody is wearing. The key is to dedicate a long amount of time sifting through the sale racks to ensure you don’t miss anything! They can indeed by quite hit-or-miss, but if you give it a chance you may actually find the perfect outfit at a fraction of the price!

2. Avoid typical high street stores Ever had that nightmare where you turn up to an event in the same outfit as someone else? Me too. If you don’t want to risk being somebody’s identical

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twin for the evening, steer clear from shopping in your typical high street stores, like Topshop, New Look or River Island. Try shopping somewhere a little different (might I interest you in a charity shop?), or at least a shop that has a large variety to choose from.

3. Go for an on-trend colour If you really want to be eye-catching at this year’s Summer Ball, choose a colour palette that’s on trend right now, so you can channel your inner fashionista.

This summer, it’s all about yellows, pastels (baby pink and lilac) and beige tones; so coordinating your outfit per these colours will ensure that you look fresh off the runway!

4. Raid your mum, sister or grandmother’s old wardrobe Unless your family members’ dress sense is absolutely diabolical, it wouldn’t hurt to raid their wardrobes for a little bit of inspiration. You may come across a pretty top or a cool dress that you could style right for Summer Ball. It’s even better if they’ve kept clothes from when they were younger, so the chances are those clothes will fit a little better and who doesn’t love vintage, anyway?

5. Accessorise!

It’s true that accessories can either make or break your outfit. If your clothes are quite plain, without pattern and in need of a little extra sparkle, try sprucing it up with a pretty hair accessory or a statement necklace. You don’t have to spend the big bucks on these either; Primark actually sell a lovely variety of belts, bags and jewellery that could absolutely do the trick!

LIFESTYLE

The Suit: It’s not that simple

By MATT KEMP

P

eople tend to think that choosing the right suit isn’t a complex decision and the suit that you wear is entirely dependent on the matter at hand.

The Summer Ball, for example, states the dress code is ‘black tie’ which, for many, means a trip into town or pulling up ASOS to find the tuxedo that captures the zeitgeist of yesteryears. To an extent, that’s fine – it gets the job done, doesn’t it, it satisfices the requirements. But do you really want to just satisfice?

Yes, the event sets the tone or picks the genre, but your personality, your position on aesthetics, what you want to say – that’s what should be the starting point for choosing your outfit. As Frank Ocean said, average is something to fall back on.

So, black tie. I’m not a crazed traditionalist but what does that even mean anymore? Even the SU don’t seem to know and quite frankly, I don’t blame them.

The official guidelines for dress code state: ‘This is a black tie event - this means dinner jackets, tuxedos (smart suits are also ok)’, indicating to me that, if there’s a tie, it’s probably alright. Essentially, there is more or less free roam within the formalwear department of fashion, and that leaves a lot of doors left open.

Having said that, there are classics for a reason – the black tuxedo can be the best option. ‘Black is not sad’ (Ann Demeulemeester) and can easily be the most elegant thing in the room/parade. But when choosing something so classic, I think it’s fundamental to focus on the details. The cut, the silhouette it gives, the fabric of choice, the subtleties of the collar – these things become more important than ever. While Donald Glover’s black, velvet tuxedo from last year’s Vanity Fair Oscar party is perhaps too laidback and cool for the high energy atmosphere of the Summer Ball, it serves as a good example, accentuating the characteristics one should look for in good formalwear. As Glover’s slightly falls into the next category, examples/inspo of fantastic, traditional black tie are: Rami Malek’s Givenchy or Ricky Martin’s

Berluti tux, both at the 2019 Golden Globes, or Andrew Garfield in Tom Ford at the 2017 Oscars – a picture speaks a thousand words.

Not wanting to portray this as a binary decision but fully aware that I’m blackening pages like a Russian romantic, I’ll turn to highlighting what to look for in something less traditional. White jacket is the traditional flamboyant I suppose, but it’s not for the faint of hearted. Frank Ocean dressed in Givenchy at the 2014 Met Gala pretty much sets the standard here – the finish and drape of that jacket are both perfect. Whilst personally I feel that midnight blue is a little too played out – Bond’s was Tom Ford if you’re interested for inspo or willing to drop a few grand – suits of that shade and lighter are always a safe way to stand out. I cannot for the life of me find out who designed it, but Chris Hemsworth’s suit from his latest appearance on Kimmel was gorgeous – more than can be said for Downey Jr.’s.

That suit in particular was more of a throwback in terms of both cut and colour, and is definitely a testament to the fact that a drainpipe silhouette is not always necessary. Having said that, for after-darkdecadence, look no further than anything designed

by Hedi Slimane or his successor at Saint Laurent, Anthony Vaccarello, for something more flamboyant – a tasteful take on the skinny silhouette.

So, to wrap up, take heed of the advice given by Chloe on the other page, particularly numbers 1 and 2. Shop around, buy second hand if you want something specific or adventurous. Accessorize but, personally, I’d veer away from over-accessorising.

Finally, in the words of perhaps the greatest, Christian Dior – a man responsible for a fashion house equating to 5% of France’s GDP in 1957 - ‘You can never take too much care over the choice of your shoes’, but that’s a whole different conversation.

The names I’ve mentioned above are, likely well above the price range of a student budget, so look for hints of them in more affordable options.

Please don’t just buy the first suit you see on ASOS. You’re better than that.

May 2019 19

LIFESTYLE

A Lesson from Every Month

By Eloise Sacares

I

won’t hesitate to admit that this column has essentially just been a monthly monologue of all the stupid things my friends and I have done, with some inspirational quotes and amateur life advice thrown in. So, for the final installation of this column, I’ve written a list of the lessons I’ve learnt for each month I’ve been at Bath University. Enjoy!

October – Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone at the start of university is so worth it in the long run; even if it doesn’t always work out for the best, it will lead to great friendships and opportunities. Carving a pumpkin is harder than it looks, and Halloween isn’t all it’s hyped up to be.

Finally, if someone in your flat or friendship group has an autumn birthday, get everyone to chip in to get them a £5 co-op cake for their birthday – it’s such a small amount of money to start a really cute tradition that could last all year.

November – However much you want to leave a club when you’re too tired, sobered up, or have just been rejected by your crush, don’t get a bus home in the middle of First Bus crisis, and end up stranded with a dead phone on Rossiter Road for an hour at 4am. More importantly, definitely don’t tell your mum about how scary it was, or else you’ll go home for the weekend to discover she’s bought you 6 rape alarms.

University will inevitably be the time for unrequited crushes, but whether you’re on the receiving end or the crushing end, the good news is, whoever it is will get over it, and it doesn’t have to mess up your friendship if you don’t let it. I know it’s easier said than done, but instead of freaking out, just take it as a massive compliment that someone likes you enough (and thinks you’re hot enough) to fall for you.

February - Sometimes things won’t go to plan, and that’s okay. Whether it’s an unexpectedly bad exam result, health issues, a falling out with friends or a break-up, it’s important to realise that university is not all going to be sunshine and rainbows. However, you will have most likely built up a really good support network throughout the year, so you’ll have the people to get you through.

March – Believe in yourself, or, failing that, let other people believe in you. This month I put myself forward for two committee roles because people told me that they wanted my influence, and for once December – Don’t be the nice person who puts ignored my normal imposter syndrome (which is up decorations in a communal kitchen, because definitely a thing, especially for women) telling me your flatmates will destroy them. In case you were I couldn’t do it, and I’m so glad that I did. At the wondering, pouring vodka into a Christmas tree same time, realise that you can only do so much, surprisingly doesn’t kill it, but not watering it because and if your gut tells you it’s not the right time to put you think the vodka killed it does. Don’t buy a ticket yourself forward for something, listen to it. to Klass and then get too drunk at pres, and then have the sad unused £5 piece of paper staring at I’ve had an amazing year at the University of Bath, you in your room for the next week as a constant and am so excited to come back next year, with reminder of your alcohol intolerance. more responsibilities (eek), more involvement with Bath Time as Online Deputy Editor and (hopefully, January – You can’t make someone fall for you, but probably not, if I’m being honest) fewer stupid just like you can’t stop someone falling for you. decisions. See you next year!

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LIFESTYLE

Agony Aunt If you have any questions for Beatrice, please send an email to su-bathtime-lifestyle@bath.ac.uk

I’ve liked this guy for ages but he’s not my usual type. My friends think he’s a bit of a geek and socially awkward but I like him a lot. What should I do?

Firstly, let’s take a closer look at the definition of ‘geek’. It generally describes someone who doesn’t conform to the mainstream and is eccentric. But if every single guy was the same, life would be incredibly boring. I say embrace that he’s different rather than being afraid of it. If he’s socially awkward around everyone else, who cares? It’s more important that he can be himself around you because that’s what really counts. Don’t hold back because other people and what they think. Forget about everyone else and just focus on the fact that you like him. If you like him a lot, it’s surely worth seeing if there is something more between the pair of you. You never know, he might just like you back.

I’ve decided to meet up with a girl I’ve been chatting to online. The problem is I’m not completely over my ex. I don’t want to upset the girl by telling her the truth but if I go on a date with her am I inadvertently getting her hopes up?

The ‘ex’ factor is never an ideal situation to find yourself in. Since you’re yet to meet this girl away from the internet, there’s a high chance that you might see her in a different light altogether when you meet. The future of this relationship/friendship will rest on your transparency. It’s so important

to be honest. By keeping your feelings secret, you may find yourself stringing her along. If you’re still keen to meet up with her, I’d say keep the initial few meetings as ‘getting to know each other’ rather than labelling it as dating. That way, you both have an equal and fair chance to test your current feelings for each other.

I’m really worried about coming back to uni next year. I’ve signed up to a house with people I no longer get along with. I don’t want to feel uncomfortable but I’m worried that we’ve made a mistake choosing to live with each other.

Before you move in, I think it’s important that you and your future housemates have a chance to air any of your concerns. You may find that, by doing this, any pre-existing tensions disappear which means you can start next semester afresh. If you find that a friendship with your housemates simply isn’t salvageable, remind yourself that there are loads of other people studying at university too. Joining societies, sports or chatting to your coursemates may help you to find other students with similar interests.

Anything that gets you out of the house may be your saving grace. Strive to make a civil living space to avoid a hostile environment, it might make things a little less awkward. Learn to a compromise and keep in mind that it’s important to be fair to each other.

It’s only your house for a year, which, believe it or not, will go by very quickly!

With love,

May 2019 21

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GAME THEORY 101: Jane

By Nidhi Arun

I

t used to be a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. In such a lopsided world, you’d think ancillary groups like women were left defenceless. But this is where you’re mistaken my friend. For in their possession, the damsels of Jane Austen’s world, particularly those of an inferior class, had Game Theory – a ‘weapon of the weak’.

Jane Austen was arguably one of the most feminist writers of her times. What made her female characters so strong was that, despite the society they lived in, Austen did not rob them of their power to make strategic decisions. Her most celebrated novel, Pride and Prejudice, centres on the ubiquitous conflict of marrying for love over marrying for economic reasons. Mr. Bennet is unable to pass on his estate to any of his five daughters and so they are pressured into finding security in “good” marriages.

Elizabeth Bennet, the spirited protagonist of the story struggles with societal pressures of marriage, and quite frankly finds it bizarre. The book’s premise sets up a fertile ground to explore strategic thinking.

This may come as a surprise, because game theory kind of sounds like something a scientist devised to land a mission on Mars; but it really is just an economic concept that reflects our interaction with society. Yes, Jane Austen was indeed a Game Theorist, whether she knew it or not. She has carefully established the theory’s core concepts, like choice, preferences (a person chooses an action with the highest payoff) and strategic thinking (before taking an action, a person thinks about how others will act), in her writing. For instance, when Lady Catherine commands Elizabeth Bennet to promise never to become engaged to Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth

Austen Edition

defends her right to choose by saying “I am only resolved to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness, without reference to you, or to any person so wholly unconnected with me”.

Being able to make a choice is almost always a good thing for Austen and she sees power in doing so. She remarks, it is “a great deal better to choose than to be chosen”. It is also something that Elizabeth appreciates about Mr. Darcy; “I do not know anybody who seems more to enjoy the power of doing what he likes than Mr. Darcy”. Austen adds that the strength of competing feelings is best revealed by a person’s choice. The idea of ‘revealed preferences’ in economics is further developed when she writes that even affection is inspired unconsciously, a person’s decision reveals its strength.

There are so many strategic plans or “schemes” in Austen’s books that can be deliciously devoured by an economist. As self-aware as her writing was, her characters even deliberate over the disadvantages of strategic thinking - it takes mental effort, gives you a more complicated moral life, allows you to better create excuses for others’ misdeeds, and enlarges the scope of regret.

One of the most cruelly kept secrets from women and girls is the fact that nearly every ache we feel today has been deliberately constructed by the world and felt by almost every woman who lived before us. They’ve all written out their own escape routes, some of which may even seem to borrow from cold economic principles. If the strategic realisation ruins your chances of wholly consuming the classic for the romantic saga it is, that’s on me. But I for one found it truly awakening and powerful for its hidden lessons in game theory.

Inspired by Michael Chwe’s Jane Austen, Game Theorist

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CAFÉ RACER 19

An Unconventional Guide to Prague

By CG

P

rague’s a weird place to non-natives. To me? It’s close enough. What follows is what I should write to honour it, sure - personal stories, straight from the tip of the pipe, but that’s for another time. For now, let me illuminate you on Gavrilo Princip’s favourite weekend-break spot, or ‘Prague’ as some call it. It’s a special place for people like me - a hedonistic refuge for the freaks and the fowl, and I wouldn’t be able to write this if it hadn’t been.

Prague is beautiful, insulting to say otherwise.

From its inconveniently placed gothic church to its prime-era, metal-baby-encrusted communist communications tower, Prague has an indescribable feel to it. It is a clichéd European capital city in many ways, yet it’s more than that. I’m not going to talk about its history - I’m more fearful of ‘now’ than ‘then’. What I will tell you is that Prague is an inspiringly stubborn city, with irreplaceable structures that are so gracefully bizarre you ask how a city could have ended up a mixture of the most beautiful and strangest architecture? But this is all garbage you can read online, on some vacuous blog written by @travelling_soul<3 or whatever – that’s not what Prague is about.

Prague is a place for the misfits; a hedonistic hub for faceless vagabonds. It facilitates a way of life only comparable to Kerouac’s On the road – despite having a free bed, I was constantly on the road, figuratively and literally. You want cheap beer, disappointing DJs and 24/7 kebabs? Then go to Zante, not Prague - it’s more than that. You want to see some of the best jazz in Europe? Then come lounge in the chair that, like so many others, Sonny Rollins once graced at Reduta Jazz club. You feel guilty that all you’ve done is drink and smoke? Then culture up and hit the exhibitions

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- you’ll find them tucked away behind labyrinthian bars modelled on 1993’s Doom, mirroring Prague’s rogue nature. One I attended showcased photos of refugees as they attempted to jump fence into Europe and safety. The photographer, risking his freedom and life in the process, was humbly understated – only right that such work was exhibited here.

The idea that encapsulates the culture of Prague’s visitors is simple; to escape your world for the pilgrimage to the promised land of ‘whatever the hell you want’. But don’t forget, these crazed souls have dreams too. They want a different life - one unimaginable to those in the rat race. They’re trying desperately to swallow the final drips of the hippy revolution which are so rudely dissolving into the twenty-first century. But the joy of life is the journey, not the finish, right? I suppose that’s why the rich own Teslas.

Prague is more than your interrail or ‘lads’ holiday’. It is a gateway to possibilities on offer from a different time, unknown to us, gone perhaps forever – certainly unattainable for most of us.

Smoking with a local writer graced me with some wisdom about Prague: its people are proud and welcoming while the city is anything you need it to be, and everything you want it to be.

But what of the few rovers who journey to this heart of hedonism, desperate to be devoured by life? Who cares? They certainly don’t. There are a few golden enigmas still drifting round, chasing their dreams through the witching hours of Saturday in dreadful basements, high on life – you would be lucky to meet them.

So, go now before the windows and doors shut – this breeze won’t last forever.

FEATURES

The unexpected societal benefits of ground-breaking physics

By Rob Brett

A

s a physicist one of the most common things I’m asked is “what’s the point – how does society benefit?”, generally in reference to expensive projects like CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC).

This conversation has come up a few times since the publication of the first image of a black hole, with people unable to believe the 40-million-pound price-tag that the image cost to produce is justifiable.

I completely get where this cynicism comes from and I used to share it myself but scratching below the surface shows how work in these abstract and societally meaningless areas of science has a huge trickle-down effect on a plethora of technologies.

And this ultimately benefits a ton of people.

Medical physics is a huge thing. From diagnostic scans to cancer treatments, millions have benefited.

CERN have a strategy for development of medical technologies called MedTech. Over 600 institutions around the world benefit from access to CERN and a number of those will be concerned with development of medical technologies. Developments in high energy physics (the bulk of what CERN investigates – by clattering high speed particles into one another) can have an obvious impact. Most large hospitals will contain a cyclotron – a high energy particle accelerator – to create positron emitting isotopes for PET imaging (used in diagnostics) and the most useful of all radio-isotopes, Technecium-99.

So there’s that. As well as applications in medicine CERN’s work has been applied to the creation of novel biomechanical sensors for water safety, as well as irrigation techniques and cooling systems for clean energy generation that are actively combating climate change. CERN technologies have even been applied to art restoration projects, surprising as it sounds. And the thing is with developments in

fundamental physics – it’s uncharted territory. The universe is a huge puzzle, and when you haven’t got access to all the pieces the overall picture remains obscured. The benefits of physics often show up years later, when everything slots in to place. Fundamental work happening now could revolutionise society in a hundred years.

Now – you’re convinced CERN is worthwhile.

Surely astrophysics is useless? Though humbling to appreciate the extent of our universe, isn’t it an indulgent field, consuming millions* of pounds that could be better spent elsewhere? Unfortunately for the cynic in all of us that couldn’t be further from the truth. CCD’s (essential components in all modern cameras) were invented for astronomy, and most courier services rely on an algorithm originally written for a telescope. X-ray security systems in airports were developed for astronomy. There are many similarities between the physics of scanning for faint objects in the sky and probing inside the human body. Tons of telescope technologies that have found their way into our hospitals, underpinning the fundamental operation of diagnostic scanning.

Not to mention the reliance of the entirety of engineering and manufacture on physical principles that have historically required experiments to validate. So, there is a point to physics beyond academic self-indulgence. It’s just hidden below the surface. Like the innumerable tumours caught in time to save lives thanks to particle accelerators and telescopes. * And sometimes even billions – to put the James Webb telescope in orbit will cost $8.8billion, and a launch system carrying the Orion spacecraft costs $38 billion alone. For some perspective, the NHS costs around $100 billion to run annually.

May 2019 25

FEATURES

AUTONOMY IS NOT A NO FOR ME

By Nicola Jennings

T

oday Elon Musk announced that Tesla would be placing self driving ‘robotaxis’ on the roads next year. It’s a bold claim, and indeed a highly unlikely one, but with the technology in place, why aren’t fully autonomous vehicles being rolled onto the streets already? Facing issues of public perception and how to prepare for the unpredictable, the world of autonomy eternally seems on the brink of a breakthrough. So where do the motivations and complications lie?

Around 1m people die on the roads each year, a staggering 30,000 of which are in America alone. Over 90% of these accidents are down to human error, but surveys have suggested that people are still more likely to trust an unknown taxi driver than a ‘driverless car’. Even the notion of ‘driverless’ as opposed to ‘self-driving’ has riskier connotations, but minor points like these create overall distrust in the public eye. A 2018 survey

by CARiD (in America) revealed that over 50% of respondents would rather drive

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themselves than be driven by an autonomous vehicle, but concerns such as cyber-security and software failure often mask the huge benefits they could bring.

Something people often overlook when it comes to autonomous vehicles is the opportunity they could provide for independence. Ironically, whilst some may fear the control gained by ‘robotic cars’ and software developers, others will see the chance for more freedom than ever before. For example, blind and certain disabled people will not have to rely on others for transport arrangements - they would quite literally have doorto-door service. What is more, research has shown that taxi drivers are often more likely to drive past disabled people since accommodating their needs can take up too much time; worse still, they have been known to drop blind people off nowhere near their desired location.

It is worth shining a light on medical issues that self-driving cars could aid: say you were behind the wheel and had a heart attack, the self driving car could take over and rush you straight to A&E or, say you’d just broken

FEATURES

your leg, you wouldn’t have to rely on an ambulance coming to find you. In fact, over 80 conditions can inhibit you from driving, according to the DVLA, so autonomy could be hugely significant to those looking to regain some forms of control.

When it comes to solving congestion issues, we need to zoom out and look at self-driving vehicles as a collective fleet rather than a set of isolated machines facing unpredictable interactions. Researchers are looking into the idea of ‘connectivity’, wherein the vehicles will be in touch with one another and integrated into systems which also oversee traffic lights etc.

Theoretically, if a self-driving car was aware of the exact timings of traffic lights, they would never have to do the classic ‘speeding up as the light turns red’ or even ‘slowing down in anticipation of a change’.

Everything would be smoother and more efficient, and, in turn, safer and better for the environment.

On the environmental issue, a bit like with Uber, total journey numbers could be reduced drastically if one car could pick up multiple commuters who lie on the same route. For the commuters themselves, the added small talk is hardly a price to pay when they could be saving on petrol and insurance. Not to mention the amount of work they could achieve during the commute, instead of staring at mindnumbing queues. At present, the average person spends 6 working weeks driving, and when ‘time is

money’, this is not to be ignored.

Whilst some people may raise concerns about job loss when it comes to increased autonomy, research for the UK Society of Manufacturers and Traders indicates that the development of autonomous vehicles could help generate 320,000 jobs in the UK and create a market in excess of £51 billion. It’s simply a case of employment opportunities shifting.

Indeed, thousands of jobs are evolving around the the first major hurdle ‘self-driving cars’ face: the testing. It’s not just a case of ‘Can this vehicle move from A to B?’- that’s the simple part- but rather ‘What happens if this vehicle encounters a plastic bag in the road? Or complex weather conditions’? Or a drunk driver not following a clear path?’. There will be accidents in the process, and we will run into the familiar ‘trolley’ dilemma, but ultimately it’s project for saving lives on a truly immense scale.

So, Elon Musk may once again be overestimating his capabilities, but by no means is he overestimating the benefits ‘robotaxis’ and similar vehicles could bring.

Reduced congestion, reduced environmental impact and reduced interference with daily lives, maybe even First Bus will take an interest.

All facts have been confirmed by researchers I am in contact with, but this piece was designed more to provoke thought than unveil statistics.

May 2019 27

FEATURES

What is blockchain?

And why does it matter?

By BEN TURNER

I

f you think blockchain is just for for nerds, then think again.

Without going into the finer details, blockchain is a computer system that facilitates highly secure and efficient financial transactions. By doing so, it has the potential to revolutionise not only the banking world, but also ethical consumption, democratic elections and international aid.

Blockchain offers a decentralised way to carry out economic transactions – all of which are carried out with bitcoin, a cryptocurrency that has been soaring in value since 2009.

This is better explained by stepping out of the blockchain spiel. Say you’re doing a group project report with six other people - if you use Google Docs, then you’re kind of using blockchain.

Ownership is shared, meaning that it is more secure, efficient and transparent.

Blockchain provides a digital ledger of economic transactions, which is shared by several computers.

This means that transactions incur less cost and fewer resources, and it can overcome issues of fraud or embezzlement by allowing everyone to see what changes are made in the ‘chain’.

So why does it matter?

Firstly, it’s changing banking. While trading stocks typically takes at least three days and can be vulnerable to fraud, blockchain may help reduce this time and increase the security of transactions.

Secondly, blockchains may help consumers and companies clean up their supply chains, reducing

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the chance of child labour or conflict minerals being used. It’s currently very difficult to track the exact route of materials, but blockchain could change this as each step is recorded and shared with everyone.Thirdly, and untested, some have argued that elections could be transformed by blockchain.

Allegations of electoral fraud and misuse of votes undermine the democratic process. Blockchain may help to produce a more accountable method of e-voting, where voting ‘tokens’ are assigned to each person and traded in for the voter’s preference. Finally, the aid sector, which is riddled with accusations of corruption and embezzlement of funds, could benefit from this technological development. The current system involves dealing with many unaccountable actors, but blockchain could make it easier to track aid money and thieving culprits would be easier to track down. It’s no wonder people are excited about blockchain when you consider how many different areas it could affect.

However, blockchain isn’t without its shortcomings.

It certainly faces a technological drawback, given that running blockchains requires a large amount of computer power and therefore is restricted to big businesses with the money and resources to afford it.

Also, despite being more secure than normal bank transactions, there is the issue that, if something does go south with a financial transaction, there’s no customer service number – your funds could be lost if there is an error with the system.

All in all, blockchain is an exciting development with potential to transform a number of sectors. Despite a few drawbacks, it could represent the new direction of financial transactions and maybe, if successful, it should.

FEATURES

the stumps are all geared up

By Aayushmaan Choudhury

W

ith less than 5 weeks left for the inaugural match of the Cricket World Cup 2019, to be held in England and Wales, the hype for yet another clash of the best cricketing nations across the globe could not have been bigger. Beyond the obvious excitement around the outcome of the 4th biggest sporting event in the world, this tournament brings much more to the table than most of us might know.

To begin with, the format of the world cup has been changed wherein all teams play at least one match against every other team in the preliminary stage from which the top 4 teams qualify into the semifinals of the world cup. Besides being a fair approach to the format as opposed to the previous allocation of teams in groups of 4, it also ensures that fans worldwide do not miss out on crunch games with arch rivals that they would love to witness.

Over the last month, cricket boards of all participating countries have been releasing their squad and fans cannot help but speculate names that might make a difference going into the tournament. However, before we jump into analysis and prediction, it’s important to address the conditions under which the tournament will be played. Although English pitches are popularly associated to favor seam and fast bowling, this year, the International Cricket Council (ICC) will be attempting to standardise all pitches in order to strike a fair balance for all teams. It is also

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:

predicted that these pitches might get drier as the tournament progresses, which means operating conditions might almost tip in favor of wrist spinners and allow us to witness high scoring games as batsmen take purchase from the pitch.

Having established that, some key performers have proved their mettle at being game changers for their side. Starting with batsmen, the top three of India, have statistically proven to provide their side an almost invincible advantage, with the inclusion of their captain Virat Kohli, who appears to recreate batting feats for breakfast. However, Joe Root (England), Kane Williamson (New Zealand), Steve Smith (Australia), Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan) are all players to watch out for, too. In the bowling department, the spin duo for both England and India in the likes of Rashid and Ali and Chahal and Kuldeep aim to provide their teams with wickettaking options in the crucial middle overs of the game. Almost every side has been fueling up on pace with the likes of Rabada (South-Africa), Mitchell Starc (Australia), Wahab Riaz (Pakistan) and Bumrah (India) leading their bowling units.

Going into this world cup, each side has prioritized adding balance to the team with the addition of more 2-dimensional players who offer both runs and overs to the captain. Although experts and analysts have been narrowing down the hosts – England, India, Australia and Pakistan – to be favorites for the tournament, it is safe to say that the game of cricket is as much a clash of temperament and strategy as it is of skill and effort, which might make the difference for any team in this much awaited tournament.

May 2019 29

FEATURES

By Holly Hughes

B

ody image. It’s an issue embedded in modern life, intertwined with the growth of social media. This is linked most particularly to the commonly-used site of Instagram, with almost of third of all users aged between 18 and 24. Selfies and other similar photos engulf this stream of social media, with celebrities, or ‘influencers’ as they’re more commonly spoken about on this platform, exposing themselves to their millions of followers. Not only has this created a general perception of a ‘perfect’ body shape but has also been used to promote products to apparently achieve this body image.

As I check Instagram today, Kim Kardashian currently has 134 million followers, whilst her sister Khloe has a staggering 91.3 million… combined, that’s over three times the UK’s population. When just two people infiltrate the social media streams of so many people, it is no wonder that they have manipulated the ways in which individuals look at their own bodies. The Kardashians are just a small handful of body influencers on Instagram but are also the best examples due to their huge following.

Scrolling through just a months’ worth of photos is enough to understand why they have such an impact on the way that young women look at their bodies: curves in all the ‘right’ places, flat tummies (despite both having given birth to children), toned legs and spotless skin. Yet why do we see this as ‘perfect’?

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Because, until recently, there wasn’t anyone telling us anything different.

Today, there is a voice on social media shouting out to women and men, telling them that body image is what you make of it. You don’t have to look like celebrity X with 100 million followers, just be happy in your own skin. Instead of wasting my words ranting about the false idea of body image created by those irresponsible enough to promote ridiculous products such as ‘flat tummy shakes’ (who ever heard of a balanced diet), I’d rather highlight the positivity being bred across Instagram to promote all body types, not just that of those who can pay for a PT every day of the week. One person promoting the right kind of body image is Chessie King. She is famed for her side-by-side pictures which compare a typical ‘Instagram worthy’ image, to a more relaxed image highlighting what some might identify as their imperfections. These imperfections, Chessie highlights, are simply things that make you you; rolls when you sit down, a double chin when you laugh or maybe stretch marks… that are, in fact, not imperfections at all. Clearly social media can be positive in promoting a positive outlook on one’s’ own body shape, teaching you to love yourself and your curves wherever they may lie. Body image is, therefore, becoming less about what the celebrities look like, and more about if you’re happy the way you are, so KEEP DOING YOU.

Illustration by Vivian Shih

Body image is more about YOU and less about THEM

FEATURES

TURNING UP THE VOLUME: Bath’s silence on diversity and the role of student Action

By ADONAY BERHE

O

ur city deserves the international recognition of UNESCO heritage status: from all corners of the world come flocks of tourists, perhaps for the connection to Aquae Sulis of Roman times or the Bath Abbey of early-Medieval Britain. The University of Bath similarly maintains a strong reputation, namely the touting the estimated 30% of International students of our student body. The statistic itself is opaque about racial diversity; to the chagrin of many, the University refuses to release information about specific demographics. Opening a prospectus is to give the impression of a diverse student body basking in sunny British weather; is this misleading?

In a UK-wide study from 2017 by the Equality Challenge Unit, it’s evident there are disparities among students attaining a First or 2:1: with 78.8% of White UK students reaching those degree outcomes compared to 63.2% among BAME (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic) students. This leads to some inevitable questions: is the university aware of the attainment gap and how proactive are they in response? Does their refusal to publish statistics or reports suggest inaction?

Most of the heavy lifting in helping the integration of minority students has been done by student-led societies, whether it’s Holi, run by the Asian Student Society (BUASS), an annual celebration of Hindu tradition in exuberant color, showcases of dance by the African Caribbean Society (ACS) or playful arguments during the Arab Soc’s football games.

In my opinion, they all deserve wider support and recognition from the Student Union. At their best, such societies can feel like second families: they’re

a source of strength because you’ve found a safe space to make friends, relax and feel comfortable expressing your culture.

One such student society has been the Race Equality Group, founded in 2013/14 to ensure that all students “feel empowered and supported” and address “poor integration, harassment and the attainment gap”.

They recently hosted a BAME Forum in April where minority students gathered to express their concerns: some complained about the lack of a wider cultural context to their studies, while others put the onus on departments for not making it easy to register complaints of insensitivity or harassment. There were also concerns raised over issues of academic support and the lack of success in peer mentorship programs.

Some additionally stated that BAME students lacked the confidence to run for student committees or positions as academic reps.

For too long, individuals had kept their frustrations to themselves. The isolation of minority students across different courses and year-groups had contributed to a chilling silence. The Race Equality Group, alongside other diversity & support groups, enable students to come together, where in unity, they found their strength, to see these problems confidently and comfortably aired. It was inspiring to attend and the need for change was palpable.

Despite the throng of tourists and diverse student body, the city of Bath is white in the demographics of permanent residents and frankly, in its reputation, too. This is neither notable or an issue, per se. The unspoken truth, however, is that Black, Asian, Minority and Ethnic students aren’t having their voices heard.

May 2019 31

FEATURES

We care, but we don’t care enough

By SEB WARD

Recently, climate change protests facilitated by Extinction Rebellion has dominated our news. So far, over 1000 of their members have been arrested and it doesn’t look like they’ll be stopping any time soon.

They’ve been the topic of many a conversation I’ve had and it’s been interesting to see the divide between friends and family: on the one hand, some have argued that the activism is actually having a negative impact as it is aggravating the public rather than encouraging them to join in the movement, whereas others have argued that disruptive action is needed if anything is going to get done.

All this talk about our inevitable extinction brought me to a rather bitter conclusion: we care, but we don’t care enough… or at least the majority of us don’t.

This is a pill I have found very hard to swallow.

If asked about our planet’s demise, I’m sure you would most likely say that it is horrendous and then cite one of the many David Attenborough episodes that have recently aired. Don’t get me wrong, I love David Attenborough and I think it’s great that people are backing Earth, however, what we say and what we do tends to be very different. Nearly all of us want to reduce the speed at which our home is heating up, but we’re probably not taking the necessary actions to do so, and I am just as guilty as most. Whether that’s because we’re eating meat, buying imported food, going on multiple holidays, or using single-use plastic when shopping, the list seems endless. Now, I know it is unrealistic to expect everyone to radically change their lives freely and I also think it’s great that many people are making positive change, even if they’re small. Yet, if statistics are to be believed, we are currently experiencing an international

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emergency that we all seem too scared to face up to, and small changes just won’t cut it.

There are only two ways we will realistically take the steps we need to save what’s left of our planet. Either we will get to the stage where our lives are threatened (a scenario many in the Global South currently face) and we have to change in order to survive, or those who hold power and money decide to make a stand.

This takes me back to my first sentiment. There are definite problems with the Extinction Rebellion protests: they are isolating themselves from large swathes of the general public, especially with some of the vandalism they’ve taken part in, and it seems hypocritical that they’re disrupting public transport.

Nonetheless, I do understand their motive and support their protests. The government needs to listen and something needs to be done if we have any hope of our children growing old. Even if something does pass through Parliament, there’s a chance that those who value democracy will argue that the legislation needed to alter the path we are currently on impinges on their personal freedom.

Therefore, as a species, we need to make a decision: how much of our liberty are we willing to sacrifice for the survival of our planet? How much would you be willing to sacrifice? Would you happily give up that trip to the Caribbean? Would you complain if your favourite fruit is no longer stocked in the supermarket? What about your Sunday roast no longer containing meat? Whilst they seem menial for now, they are all questions we will need to start asking ourselves sooner than we think. We need to stop hesitating. Our planet is not playing chicken with us, and even if it was, there is no doubt as to who would win.

Panorama of Extinction Rebellion Oxford Circus on 18 April 2019, Andrew Davidson

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NEWS & COMMENT

LOCAL NEWS

1. APPROVAL FOR SPOONS TO STAY OPEN LATER

4. NEW BATH ALES 4X440ML CANS LAUNCH IN TESCOS NATIONWIDE

The Wetherspoons in Bath has received the council’s approval to stay open later than the current time of 11:30pm, which was set in 1999. Spoons will open until 00:30am Sunday to Wednesday and 1am Thursday to Saturday, although it is not yet decided when this change will come into effect.

Local brand Bath Ales has launched four-can packs of Amber Ale in 600 Tesco stores, while the Lansdown West Coast brand will be sold in 250 stores. This comes after the companies’ current bottled products saw strong supermarket sales this year, which comes as a victory for the wellestablished company. The new product is also fully plastic-free.

2. A VERY POSH PROBLEM The A303 closed on April 22nd because a Land Rover reportedly exploded. Firefighters successfully put out the fire, which is believed to be accidental.

Hopefully the Waitrose shopping bags were salvaged in time.

3. NEW PROGRAM TO TACKLE DOMESTIC ABUSE LAUNCHES IN SOMERSET Domestic violence charity The Hampton Trust and Avon & Somerset Police are teaming up for a pilot program aimed at preventing re-offending. The Cautions and Relationships Abuse model (CARA) will be offered to offenders, aiming at making them aware of their own abusive behaviour. The University of Cambridge found that, for every 1000 first-time offenders who went through with CARA, 380 assaults were prevented. In 2017/18, Avon & Somerset Police reported 17,651 cases of domestic abuse.

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5.KOMEDIA BATH BECOMES COMMUNITY OWNED A crowdfunding campaign has secured the former cinema, Grade II-listed venue Komedia as fully community owned. £379,000 was raised to recapitalise the business and invest in its long-term future. Owners set out to disperse ownership on the community level in 2017, with plans to extend the current offer of 400 events per year and further community benefits.

6. THE NEST TO BE CONVERTED INTO A PUB After The Nest owners unfortunately fell short of funds to refurbish the ageing, 50-year old club, they decided to sell it on to a “big multi-national company” to be converted into a “pub/restaurant”.

The club held its last evening on 6th April. The owners, though disappointed to be unable to rehabilitate it themselves, said they were confident in the new owner for the redevelopment.

NEWS & COMMENT

COMMENT

WHY NOTRE-DAME MATTERS SO MUCH and why the money should not have gone towards saving the polar bears

By Félix Keane-Vincent

I

t is believed that originally, a temple for Zeus stood where today Notre-Dame stands bare and blackened. With the Christianisation of the Gaulle, a Romanesque cathedral was erected on the Ile de la Cite, which was replaced in 1160 by the Gothic structure that survived Monday 15th April’s fire.

The monument has seen and suffered many of France’s most crucial hours: it was heavily pillaged during the French Revolution, it was the stage of Napoleon’s self-coronation, and the setting for Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.

While the cathedral was still functioning in the early 19th century, it was the enormous success of Hugo’s 1831 classic that led King Louis Phillipe to order its restoration. A bit over a century later, at the liberation of Paris from the Nazis, a special mass was held in the Cathedral, which Charles de Gaulle attended.

As a religious institution, the Cathedral is the centre of the Catholic faith in the Paris region; as a national symbol, it is the most visited monument in France and the second most visited in the world. The sadness and shock which has now played on every screen across the planet shows the significance of Notre-Dame: it demonstrates how deeply history, culture and symbolism run in the fabric of the French.

I would stop the conversation about the Notre-Dame fire here and praise any reconstruction effort, notably financial donations from the private sector, which are set to cover the majority of the billion-euro project.

Many observers have, however, felt the need to take

us by the hand and enlighten us into the deeper meaning of how the Notre-Dame reconstruction should unfold. As a French Catholic, I am all ears.

These observers, mostly individual online users, voiced their criticisms of philanthropy towards Notre-Dame, with many surprised at how easily such sums could be freed up and donated to a cause.

Philanthropy is the use of private wealth for public good, which often comes with a comfortable tax break, and it’s in this way that French billionaire families have pledged hundreds of millions for the reconstruction of the cathedral. This is where we learn from critics that this money should have been donated to virtually any other cause than that of rebuilding Notre-Dame: isn’t our planet dying? Isn’t homelessness a widespread problem in France? What about ongoing humanitarian crises? In other words: there are more pressing issues than Notre-Dame’s reconstruction which require rich people’s money.

Simply put, this rhetoric greatly underplays culture as an area worthy of investment. Yes, there are very serious social and environmental issues which require more funding, and yes, there are immensely rich French families out there. But if billionaires decide to donate to a cultural initiative, from all point of view but Marxist, that is their generous choice. Many Catholics have watched a piece of their own house burn as many French people have seen how easily a part of their culture can be destroyed.

Criticising the social license of philanthropy towards Notre-Dame, therefore, amounts to nothing more than undermining the worth of cultural heritage.

May 2019 35

NEWS & COMMENT

YOUTH STRIKE FOR CLIMATE ACTION IN BATH

By Felix keane, Photos by athenias mangin

S

chool children and university students joined forces on Friday 12th April for another “Climate Strike” protest. People gathered in front of Guildhall, blocking the street to protest over environmental inaction. The protest is part of a global movement with strikes being held across the world.

How the protest unfolded After practicing their chants, the protest headed onto North Parade and engulfed the Abbey square, where the speaker read out the first request of the movement: that a state of climate emergency be declared by the government. A street singer, who at first seemed surprised at the flood of young people, accompanied the demands with music, to the bewilderment of tourists and shoppers alike.

The protest then took to the South Gate shopping centre, in front of Urban Outfitters. A student speaker targeted the shops around her as instigators of environmental degradation through their “fast fashion” industrial practises; the utilisation of heavy

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machinery, water and chemical dyes, combined with the carbon footprint of international shipping have been accused of causing a rise in environmental damage over the years.

Wera Hobhouse, MP for Bath, joined the protest at its next stop, by Kingsmead Square. She stated “I’m here to listen to you, I’m taking your fight into Parliament and making sure our parliament listens up. I wish more of my colleagues would actually take notice as well. I think the government has failed us so far. I understand urgent action is needed.”

The choice of Bath media not to cover the event No local media outlets, apart from Bath Echo, decided to report on the event. While many professional photographers were present on the day, there was a conscientious choice from editors not to publish the story. Bath Time can confirm that the editors of an important local news website and paper decided not to publish the story over fears pictures of children would present a legal challenge.

NEWS & COMMENT

We can suppose, however, that minors attending have parental approval to skip school, and that parents are aware of the possible mediatisation of a political demonstration. In our view, the supposition that parents would take legal action against a small local media outlet, over the publication of a picture featuring their child in a crowd, slightly misreads the purpose of families’ attendance.

In regard to the scale of the protest which took place on the 12th April, it can be assumed that the age of the protesters discredited them in the eyes of older members of the press; undoubtedly if a middle-aged group this size took to the streets of central Bath tomorrow, more than one outlet would decide to cover it. This example is likely to be symptomatic of a wider trend: young people’s voices are not sufficiently reaching the decision-making sphere because many

don’t consider these voices “serious” enough.

Bath Time chose not only to send a reporter to capture the Bath climate strike, but also to make these pictures the central feature of the article.

Bath has declared a climate emergency Dozens of areas, including Bath, have declared a “climate emergency”. While there is no definition of this status, it broadly entails the acknowledgement of the problem, and puts the environment at the forefront of a council’s agenda. Areas of London and Manchester have also declared a state of climate emergency.

Locally, the movement is supported by the MP Wera Hobhouse, various councillors, as well as many headteachers who are encouraging students to attend.

May 2019 37

NEWS & COMMENT

POLITICS LECTURERS END THEIR UNITS IN WEEK 8: SHOULD ALL UNITS FINISH ON THE SAME WEEK?

By Magdalena Rojas

I

t is common to have different holiday periods than our friends in other UK universities, but now disparities have become intrinsic, as differences in when unit lectures end are not only happening between departments but also within. It seems like we do not have to look very far to see students with a completely different year plan.

Within the department of Politics, Languages and International Studies (POLIS) there happens to be a 2-week difference in lectures delivered. Those studying politics (with all its adjacent variants) have officially finished their compulsory attendance sessions during week 8, leaving them with several pieces of coursework due in the next couple weeks.

A second year Politics and IR student told Bath Time “I think our staff are very up there in their academic fantasy land, wanting to get back to their research and stop teaching as soon as possible. Many sound more like researchers forced to teach than lecturers allowed to research”. International studies’ undergraduates in this department, however, have lectures scheduled during weeks 9 and 10.

Students enrolled in other Humanities and Social Sciences courses still have pending lectures with a mismatch between revision sessions and content delivery. For instance, those studying economics have had all lectures during week 9, several lectures

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scheduled for week 10 and revision sessions pending after the break. Within the Social Policy and Policy Science department, content delivery lectures practically finished in week 9. Whilst there are still some odd modules wherein content is yet to be taught, the last week of term corresponds to exam guidance and coursework explanations. In the Management department the situation is similar, but with the inclusion of time-consuming group courseworks, which demand significant timemanagement skills.

These end of year disparities call to attention how our courses are taught. Shouldn’t the university give equal treatment to their students regardless of degree choice? It is difficult to comprehend why some courses are allocated less time for content delivery. While some might be glad it has ended, others with approaching lectures might look to their peers chilling by the lake and lack incentive to continue working. Does this situation affect results negatively? Potentially yes. With the year coming to an end and exam season approaching, maximum concentration is desirable but it is difficult to achieve if fellow students have two extra weeks of free time. These disparities point out to incongruent University policies and a certain aggregate lack of professionalism that could seemingly be easily corrected in the future.

NEWS & COMMENT

COMMENT

LGBT+ confessions page receives sustained backlash

by eloise sacares

Y

ou only have to look at the comments of the Bathonestly post asking ‘How do I tell my boyfriend I’m bisexual’ to understand why some LGBT+ people wanted to create a safer environment for LGBT+ confessions. I know very few people that would argue the new page is an absolute necessity for the community; most of us just think that it’s simply nice to have our own space, where you can post something about a same-sex attraction without people tagging their straight friends, who respond with ‘laughing’ reacts, because of the seeming hilarity that it could be them who’s gay or bi, implying being queer is something to be made fun of. These microaggressions can end up having a cumulative effect on LGBT+ people’s confidence in their identities.

However, the page has created some problems. The LGBT+ community at Bath is a small part of the University, and the members of the LGBT+ Diversity & Support Group can be tight-knit. This means that nasty posts that could be directed at anyone on a page with 12K likes, can also be much more specifically aimed in a community of 200 or so, where only a few people share the same first initial.

This begs the question as to whether these pages could become something similar to what ask.fm was in the early 2010s – which, as we know, didn’t end well. As well as this, some people have taken the page to be their personal venting grounds for everything

they dislike about the running of the LGBT+ D&S group. While some of the points may be useful feedback, committee members put a lot of time and effort into the group, and it seems unfair for people to rant about them on a confessions page rather than the issue being raised in a professional manner on, for example, the confidential feedback form posted into the LGBT+ group page earlier in the year.

Very few people currently know who the admin is, as they wish to keep their identity private (an understandable choice given the controversy). At first, they seemed to be relatively respondent to people’s worries, deleting posts highlighted as being too directed. When it comes to what they view as ‘political matters’, they are brazenly determined to be unbiased, and this has raised a number of issues with letting posts that could be potentially very harmful to the perception of the LGBT+ D&S group, people of a certain identity, or even the community as a whole, as shown in the screenshots. In my opinion, a community that is as vulnerable as this one doesn’t need to be painted in a way that further questions its validity.

It doesn’t look as though this page is going to go away anytime soon, so it seems the only thing we can do is keep questioning posts that seem inappropriate and hope that this ends up just being a fun outlet for confessions, without any more damaging posts slipping through the net.

May 2019 39

NEWS & COMMENT

Are testosterone rules for female athletes unscientific?

BY Emily Godon

N

ew rules from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) state that women must have no more than five nanomoles per litre of testosterone in their blood in order to compete.

After causing a significant amount of controversy, experts have reported in the British Medical Journal that these rules lack proper scientific evidence.

The University of Bath’s Dr Sheree Bekker, from the Department for Health, and Professor Cara Tannenbaum from the University of Montreal have expressed their concerns by arguing that these rules are unreflective of the medical profession’s approach towards sex development.

Women athletes with higher testosterone levels are now required to lower their levels using hormone treatment, based on the idea that high testosterone and androgen sensitivity give them a performance advantage over their competitors. Otherwise, if they choose not to take the medication to reduce their testosterone levels, those female athletes will have to race against men or change events. The rules apply to track events from 400m to one mile and athletes must maintain this level of testosterone “for at least six months prior to competing”. Often cited in the media, South African 800m runner Caster Semenya has been banned from competing for almost a

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year for exceeding the testosterone threshold. After contesting the plans, the ruling on her case from the Court of Arbitration for Sport has been postponed.

A lack of reproducible scientific data, experts say, means that it cannot be determined that testosterone directly causes an advantage. While testosterone increases muscle mass, strength and haemoglobin, there are many other genetic and environmental factors involved in sports performance, so testing the effects of testosterone is not always fully representative. In fact, they point to the frequent overlap between natural blood testosterone levels in men and women, with 16% of men having low levels and 14% of women having high levels.

Ethical concerns have been raised, specifically concerning Semenya’s right to compete. The danger is that this will “set an unscientific precedent for other cases of genetic advantage”.

Moreover, biological sex and physical function are not medically defined by testosterone levels alone, meaning that the regulations challenge the evidence and the medical practice’s benevolent ethos. The United Nations Human Rights Council even determined that these plans “contravene international human rights”. Evidently, this is a controversial issue which deals with sensitive subjects like gender identity. As a result, a generally accepted decision is unlikely to be reached in the near future.

NEWS & COMMENT

SCIENCE NEWS

By TOM LANGER

A LEAP FORWARD FOR CARBON CAPTURE

1993. He predicted that a certain type of radio emission would be generated close to the black hole Following the IPCC assessment of Carbon Dioxide and that this radiation would be powerful enough to Removal systems as a necessary part of any plan to be detected on Earth. The black hole chosen for this keep the global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees project is called M87. It is 500 million trillion km Celsius, companies have been racing to find cost away and, with a mass 6.5 billion times that of our effective methods of extracting CO2 from the sun, is thought to be one of the largest black holes atmosphere. One company, Carbon Engineering, has in existence. No single telescope has the capability recently received multi-million-pound investment required to observe M87, so a network was created from fossil fuel companies after successfully to combine 8 of the world’s most sophisticated radio demonstrating a method of capturing carbon dioxide telescopes and for 10 days, they scanned the same from the air for less than $100 per tonne. The main section of sky. So much data was collected that it had obstacle in the development of economically viable to be flown to Boston and Bonn for analysis where systems is the relatively low concentration of CO2 in an algorithm, created under the supervision of Dr the atmosphere. Carbon Engineering have solved this Bouman, was applied to turn the radio signal data problem, using hydroxides to produce solid calcium into a meaningful image. The result is the “ring of carbonate which can then be heated to produce fire” photograph of a black hole, the first of its kind, liquid CO2. Carbon captured in this way could either as well as a gateway to exploring one of the most be stored indefinitely or used to produce synthetic fascinating, mysterious and (now) beautiful objects crude oil without the extraction of further fossil fuels. in the night sky.

The concerns surrounding carbon capture systems remain: earthquakes and mining activity could release any carbon dioxide we “store”, and they will never remove the need for more sustainable energy production. But in the current crisis, every technological advancement that might mitigate the effects of climate change ought to be celebrated and developed.

A BLACK HOLE PHOTOGRAPHED FOR THE FIRST TIME How do you photograph an object from which no light can escape? This is the question that physicist, Professor Falcke, has been trying to answer since

BERESHEET SPACECRAFT CRASHES ON MOON

Only 3 nations have ever successfully landed spacecraft on the moon: the US, the USSR and China. The team behind the Beresheet (Hebrew for “in the beginning”) probe hoped to make history by being the first ever privately funded moon mission, as well as making Israel the fourth nation to make such a successful landing. After weeks spent reaching the moon, the spacecraft suffered a technical glitch on its final descent, causing the engine regulating its velocity to switch off. Despite a successful restart of the engine, the craft was still travelling at 500 km/ hour only 150m above the lunar surface, ensuring that the landing would be disastrous.

May 2019 41

NEWS & COMMENT

I’M ONLY MICROBE AFTER ALL - DON’T PUT THE BLAME ON ME Did you know a large part of you is actually not human?

BY Sam Pakenham-Walsh

W

hen Rag’n’Bone Man devised the distinctive and captivating lyric ‘I’m only human, after all’ in 2016, he obviously hadn’t been keeping up to date with the latest developments in the field of science.

Indeed, we all consider ourselves human. Our brain keeps us conscious and unique, the heart acts as the powerhouse driving the blood around the body, and the lungs enable us to breathe efficiently.

However, how often do we think about the plethora of bacteria scattered all over our bodies including in the gut, on the skin and in the reproductive organs? This population of microorganisms is collectively known as the human microbiome, and is fast becoming the focus of attention in the medical world.

Scientists involved in the human microbiome project revealed in 2007 that the microbiome comprises a staggering 500-1000 species in our bodies at one given time, with the overall population exceeding the number of human cells! While this remains an estimate, it is indicative of the importance of the non-human presence in our biology.

It may seem rather unsettling at first, as we tend to subscribe to the notion that microorganisms are detrimental to our hygiene and are a major contributor to the development of infectious diseases, yet many of our body’s microorganisms are in fact essential to maintaining a healthy body. For instance, they have roles in aiding food digestion, regulating the immune system, and ironically, protecting us against pathogenic bacteria.

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Given these significant functions, it is now believed that human microbiome alterations, or changes in the ways it interacts with different systems in the body, may influence a person’s susceptibility to a wide array of illnesses. These range from irritable bowel syndrome to cancer, from diabetes to major depressive disorder.

Additionally, according to a study in St Louis, USA, different microbe populations have been identified in people who retain fat more compared to those who are leaner, suggesting a person’s microbiome could be a contributor to obesity.

What is particularly exciting to researchers and clinicians is that no two people possess the same microbiome. This individuality opens a myriad of doors to help preserve or improve a person’s health and wellbeing on a patient-specific level.

But despite a lot of recent interest in this area, the true contribution of the microbiome in disease is still vastly unknown. Indeed, some bacteria can have opposing effects in different circumstances, with one study revealing that a specific skin microbe can promote immune and anti-microbial responses to pathogens, but in other contexts, may aggravate diseases such as eczema or skin cancer. It is clear that more extensive research is required to elucidate how and why select subspecies of bacteria are configured to either promote or damage health and wellbeing. Even though we have barely scratched the surface of the diverse and complex behaviours of the microbiome, it is clear that researchers must make it a principle consideration when discovering new drugs and designing clinical trials in order to treat diseases. Are we human after all? Mr Bone Man, I’m afraid we are not.

NEWS & COMMENT

New team Bath kit to be provided by Under Armour

BY Freddy Campbell

T

he University of Bath has recently agreed a new partnership with Under Armour as the kit provider for its sports teams, following in the footsteps of London Wasps, Southampton F.C and Canada’s Olympic team.

SU Sports Officer Andy Galloway led an extensive and thorough process to replace the current contract with Surridge, expiring this January. A survey of 420 students identified the demand for a high-quality product, and following lengthy meetings and trials, Under Armour and its teamwear partner Dreamsport beat out rival competitors such as New Balance and Skins to secure the contract from the 2019-2020 season.

Athletes now join the ranks of The Rock, James Haskell, and Tom Brady in rocking the Under Armour merchandise. Dreamsport Director Roderick Bradley stated: “We are delighted to be working with University of Bath. It is clear that sport is a central part of the student experience at the University and we hope to contribute to this culture.”

The University of Bath was named the UK’s top sports university in The Times & The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018. Following the recent £3.5 million expansion to the sports training village, this further cements Bath’s position as a pinnacle of university sport, with some of the best products and facilities in the country.

May 2019 43

NEWS & COMMENT

COMMENT

Study reveals Bath is the worst city in Britain for littering

By Adonay Berhe

I

t was around 4am on a Thursday. Waiting for a bus, I killed time by talking to a surly security guard. Seagulls were picking apart McDonald bags, a hedonistic haul of beer cans and spirits followed the walk from the Student Union to Arrivals Square.

This side of campus had been overrun by Scorebound students from the previous night. There was litter everywhere.

“It’s not really their fault,” the security guard mused, “it’s pretty much the law of large numbers… a small city, small campus, loads of students. Littering is inevitable.” While most of us students were sound asleep, the break of dawn would bring cleaners and campus staff. Without complaint, they began their work: throwing away the cans, one at a time.

What responsibility do students have to deal with littering on campus? Do we take pride in our city being clean? A recent report by “The Solar Centre”, an eco-lighting brand, has ranked Bath as the worst UK city for fly-tipping and littering. Their analysis came from adding up incidents via the website “FixMyStreet.com”, self-reported by local residents.

Littering is an issue that affects the city’s reputation for tourism and our sense of pride in the university campus. More generally, 30% of UK residents perceive it to be a problem, with an estimated cost of £682 million every year to clean up.

From March 2019, “Litter Police” began work across Bath and North East Somerset, in the words of the council, “to educate and fine persistent offenders” and increased investment in street cleaning services to “keep Bath free of litter.” In fact, from July of last year, the council started to issue a maximum fine of £150. The first offender was a young woman who dropped a cigarette butt in the city centre, to which an “eagle-eyed” officer reacted with an “on-the-spot fine.” The council have upped fixed-penalty notices, too; any offenders caught fly-tipping may face fines

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of £400, especially to encourage student houses to dispose of their waste. In the council’s report, they wish to “stress the harm caused by (such) antisocial behaviour, encourage people to take personal responsibility for their waste… and make best use of available legislation.”

Perhaps, if such policing and fining is heavy-handed, could the answer in improving community relations and promoting awareness? Maybe we could take a cue from residents’ associations, like in Twerton, who do their own litter picks? It is also fair to say that some littering is inevitable; all the complaints from local residents could and maybe should concede the economic benefits and cultural contributions that we, as a student community, bring.

It’s important to add that the council rejects the report from “The Social Centre”, arguing “[its] analysis is inaccurate due to other councils having separate ways to report waste-incidents.” Even if Bath is not the “trashiest city in Britain”, all of us have a shared responsibility to help in keeping it clean. Should there be more bins and collection points when the Plug and Tub is having a club night?

Probably. Should the council ramp up enforcement with their “litter police”? Unsure. Let’s start with ourselves and our own efforts in making Bath a cleaner place to live in.

LIFESTYLE

EROTICA: Thorough Examination

By Peanyle Disfon-Ksion

Chastity, a young, ambitious yet innocent young woman explores the intimate pleasures of being a University of Bath student.

C

hastity was about to take her last exam, and her nerves were hanging on a thread. She stared at the big red numbers of the clock ahead: two minutes to go until they started. She caressed the sides of her candidate sticker. “Chastity Lahoe- Candidate 69”.

She saw her year, and the people she had met- the mysterious rower in the gym, her library beau, the SU candidate Ron who had swept her off her feet.

So many memories which flushed to her cheeks and heightened her senses. Stress emanated from the rows of students around her- she could almost see it, like mist, swirling upwards into the warm air of Founders Hall. It was as if she heard the pearls of sweat rolling slowly down foreheads like pebbles against a cliff, stress screaming to be released under the thin summer fabrics. The girl to her right was nervously flinging her pencil against her plump

lower lip. The boy to her left pounded his rugby thighs together in a desperate effort to release unwanted energy.

One minute to go. Chastity started tapping her library card furiously against the desk, joining the chorus of pencil flinging and thigh clapping. She wondered whether she was allowed a toilet break before the start of the exam. She turned and met the unexpectedly burning gaze of the invigilator, who was stroking his big pile of handouts while looking back and forth at the stress orchestra of pencil, card and flesh. She burned. Thirty seconds.

The boy and the girl now stared at each other intently, sandwiching Chastity, who was basking in the dark eyes of the invigilator. He ran his thick fingers against the corner of the pile. Twenty. The boy’s thighs accelerated. Ten. Chastity let go of her library card which flew into the air, consumed with passion. The girl’s pencil suddenly snapped. “You may now start” screamed the invigilator, not letting his gaze eyes leave hers. The clock flashed four.

May 2019 45

LIFESTYLE

Although exam season is around the corner, try not to stress yourself out too much, Aries.

Ensure you are diligent with your revision in order to keep your mind calm. Craft a comprehensive revision timetable and make it your priority to stick to it as best as you can. Preparing yourself well for exams will enable you to feel much more at ease and confident in yourself, allowing you to better suppress any stress you may harbour.

You’re full of energy this month, Taurus, and there may be many activities that you have to do. Try and sustain a good rhythm and balance of getting these tasks done, so as to not become too frantic. Keep yourself organised, so you know exactly what you’re supposed to be doing and when, but make sure you save a little time for yourself, too!

Determination is your buzz word of the month, Gemini. Sustain a positive, hardworking attitude and you will see the successes! In terms of exams, really try to give it your best shot and to be proud of the work you’re handing in - with a little bit of determination, you can do it! Start revising early and go along to any extra revision sessions to really go above and beyond.

You may receive a lot of good luck this month, Cancer. This is most likely because you’re getting compensated for all the good things you have done, and karma is taking effect. Enjoy soaking up all of the positivity and the happy feelings you have from your good luck this month, and you’ll notice a real change in your day-to-day life when you allow yourself to sit back and feel grateful for it.

It’s been a long year Leo, but it’s given you plenty of time to forge new relationships.

Whether these be romantic, platonic or just in that weird ‘not-quite-friendship-but-Iappreciate-your-presence’ zone, don’t let ties be cut or closeness fade throughout the long summer. Make it a challenge to visit as many of your new acquaintances as possible and enrich yourself in their home culture. Or don’t, just forget about them.

Forget ‘summer bod’, Virgo, and bring on ‘summer tripod’. This is the season to develop your photography skills.

When you have children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren or just cats, the only glimpse of your past they’ll ever experience is drawn from photographs.

Make them worth it: goodbye dog filters and trout pouts, hello rule of thirds, long exposure and motion blur. The only shots you’ll have are the ones you’ll be snapping.

Scales represent you, Libra, and indeed you have managed to balance things well this year. Well done, you are already perfect.

You have reached a crossroads. This may lead to some indecision which is causing some anxiety. Be careful to distinguish between what you think others expect of you, and what you desire. Learning to tell these two apart will bring you good fortune in the coming weeks.

That thing you’ve been wanting to do for a while will soon present itself as a new exciting opportunity.

Be sure to throw yourself into it, and do not be afraid of failure and bring others along for the journey.

Relative to other signs, you capricorns have had a smooth year, featuring steady secret admirers appearances, drama-free score nights, and mediocre grades. This dull contentment might not be what you expected from University life, but throughout exam period, you’ll be glad you had the rest. This month will leave you exhilarated, perhaps you’ll eventually meet the one at Summer Ball after waiting a long four years, or you could even make friends with a duck by the lake. Either way, May will be the highlight of your academic year, capricorn.

You might be feeling like there’s some big hurdles ahead of you. But remember, you are your own worst enemy. Be careful not to let your perfectionism drive you into the ground, you will need your true friends around you during this time to maintain your perspective and hold onto hope.

As the full moon approaches, you will find yourself getting in touch with your more primal instincts. At their best, these can be harnessed as raw Pisces power, allowing you to reconnect with your purpose and realign your values to get you where you need to be.

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ADVERTISEMENT

Every time we release an issue of Bath Time, members of the University Council receive a copy. The Council are a combination of University senior management, staff, student representatives, and lay members. Together, they are responsible for the University estate and have oversight of investment decisions. Instead of using our back page to recruit contributors, we thought it best to use the last page of our last issue to address the Council.

Dear University Council,

W

e hope you have enjoyed the writing of our contributors this year as much as we have enjoyed putting these magazines together.

Throughout our time of doing so, we have heard a wide range of stories and concerns from the University community. While many of these stories have already been articulated in our magazine, we thought we would provide a quick summary of what we have discovered this year.

• As the year began, students were hit with the unprecedented challenge of navigating broken bus routes. These had safety implications for those enjoying the city’s nightlife, and also made accessing University more difficult for some disabled students. While the majority of these issues were resolved in January, students living in Twerton and some areas of Oldfield still depend on a lengthy and unreliable U2 service or a U1/X service that often fails to meet demand. While this may not be a critical life or death scenario, it leaves the majority of students, and some staff, with unnecessarily long commutes at either end of their working days.

• Our third cover story, “In Mind”, released the Alterline survey results for Bath University. The University should be proud that we perform better than other universities in the prevalence of serious consequences of mental health issues, including self-harm and suicide attempts.

However, our University appears to fail in helping students manage academic pressure and fostering positive relationships between pastoral and academic staff and students. These concerns were mirrored and amplified in the personal stories told by anonymous students who reached out to us following the release of Issue 3. While only one of those was released, “How uni failed me, yet here I am”, we can assure you we had multiple students come forward seeking to tell

similar stories. Curriculum transformation could go a long way in resolving this, and cannot come soon enough.

• Issue 6’s cover, “Well-managed?”, investigated the School of Management building that is currently under construction. While the site will provide clear benefits to postgraduates and staff, the perks to undergraduates seem less clear; concerning given the size of the investment. The prevailing theme throughout this investigation was the failing to meaningfully engage students in the design process of this project. Our University scores incredibly well in terms of student satisfaction, but we cannot expect this to continue into the future if students are not engaged and considered in future investment decisions.

• The cover story of this issue, “Serious Money: Look at the Estate We’re In”, investigates a department that we’ve heard rumours about since arriving at the magazine. The Department of Estates poses serious challenges to the success of the University, be it through their inefficient internal charges system, or through their repeated failure to be transparent. We are sure more will be revealed about this department in the coming years, but, until then, we hope they can work to improve their transparency, especially surrounding procurement of contractors for large projects.

Again, we have thoroughly enjoyed putting together these magazines, it has been an experience we will all cherish for a long while. We would like to thank you, and our other readers, for taking this journey with us and enjoying our content every step of the way.

Yours sincerely,

The BATHTIME Editorial Team