Issue 1466 Monday 24th March 2025
Free
Est. 1948 thecourieronline.co.uk
The decline of drinking culture within Gen Z Life and Style | Page 20
The rise of student activism Current Affairs | Page 6
Top telly to watch this spring
Culture | Page 31
Students share their experience with UCU strikes Megan Grimston - Sport Sub-Editor
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fter three weeks of UCU strike action at Newcastle University, The Courier continues to investigate the ongoing industrial action at Newcastle University, pinpointing the next steps the UCU has laid out, and the developing worry of the students. After their press release on February 11, the UCU has begun their planned industrial action across the University’s campus in response to the University’s declaration of voluntary severance. As voluntary severance has come to an end on March 21, the University will now consider moving into a phase of redundancy. The UCU suggested that Newcastle University says “6000 people are at risk of redundancy”. Future and current jobs remain on the line, both for current staff and current students who have been working towards careers in this field; undergraduate, masters, and PHD alike. What both UCU branch chair, Matt Perry, and secretary, David Bates, say to remember is that “all this pain” is shared between both staff and students. The Courier spoke to students from various schools about how they feel
the strikes have impacted them. A supervision for their project. A similar second year Biology student talked message was reflected amongst other about their thoughts on the growing students; expressing how unfair it absences in their timetable saying “it’s feels to know some students receive hard to pick apart a PowerPoint”. They full supervision, while others are left said that while they “wholeheartedly” to navigate unguided. A third year support the industrial action they are Media student expressed a similar having to “backtrack” on their learning. sense of dread, saying “it’s frustrating An international student shared for students who need more support”. their perspective with us: “I obviously A fourth year Modern Languages support the staff [members] that are student described being witness to striking, however the situation is very the experience as “eye-opening”. frustrating because I am losing valuable It’s become clear when speaking to teaching time in my final year. As an students at the University, the consensus international student it feels like I’m is that industrial action is necessary. putting my 100% in but I’m not getting the same back from the University. It feels like they aren’t trying enough”. For students who are working on their final dissertation, the emotional impact of the industrial action has never been more prominent. One third year Journalism student commented “I feel very abandoned” after explaining their minimal Image Credit: Ian McDonald (Newcastle UCU)
Some lecturers across the University have opted to send out an informative email while they strike, giving students some more information on the University’s financial situation from their perspective. “Their capital investment budget [is] higher than since the pandemic” stated one email, finishing with “Choosing to cut jobs is a choice.” Matt Perry said ultimately it comes down to this, “higher education needs reform”. The UCU have since launched a vote of no confidence against ViceChancellor Chris Day which is now open for everyone. If you want more information you can go to the Newcastle University website, nusu.co.uk, or the Newcastle University section of the UCU website, or, past articles from The Courier Online. A spokesperson from Newcastle University said: “We respect the right to take part in industrial action and we understand it is not a decision that is taken lightly. However, we are disappointed that UCU has
called for this action while we are still in a period of consultation. “Our goal during strike action is to minimise the impact on students’ educational experience, focusing on fair treatment for all and maintaining academic standards while enabling students to progress or achieve their awards. We are also reimbursing travel and other expenses, such as childcare, for any students who arrive on campus to find that all of the scheduled teaching events have been cancelled as a result of the strikes. More information about this and the other support we have in place is available on our website: https://enquire.ncl.ac.uk/en/can-i-get-arefund-of-my-travel-costs-if-i-arrive-atuniversity-to-find-my-lectures/seminarsare-cancelled-due-to-strike-action. “The financial challenges we are facing are being felt by universities across the UK and are based on a combination of structural underfunding, rising costs, and shifts in international student markets. Decisions on how we respond to these pressures are always taken with the long-term interests of our University in mind, including input from staff and student representatives on our governing bodies. We want to work constructively with our unions to build a more sustainable future while supporting our community throughout this challenging time.”
award. Moreover, they have also been shortlisted in the ‘Most Supportive University or Student’s Union’ category. The Amplify Awards shortlist has also reflected the dedication of individual members of NSR. George Brownless, the former Head of Technology, has been shortlisted for the ‘Outstanding Contribution’ category, whilst for the ‘Most Committed Committee Member’ category, Erin Reid, the Station Manager, has received recognition. Reflecting on her experience being shortlisted, Erin said that she felt: ““so proud of NSR, it’s not always been easy with different tech failures and issues - I think it just goes to show that you don’t need the fanciest tech, it’s really about the people and the ideas and working hard when it comes to student radio. “I am also amazed that I was shortlisted, I really didn’t think I’d make it but I’m so pleased. I can’t wait to go to SRAcon next week, where the awards will take place!” These nominations will only add to NSR’s growing collection of accreditations after they took home their first gold Amplify award for the ‘Best Student Media Collaboration’ in 2024. This year, there have been a record number of entries for the SPA National Awards, which will bring together
Courier since 2022, said: “I think I’m still in a bit of shock having being shortlisted but also so overjoyed. I started out as a timid volunteer writer for The Courier almost three years ago and I feel like I’ve come so far since then. “To have my work recognized is an incre dible privilege, especially with there being so much talent in this i n d u s t r y. Being given a platform to write and share my stories e v e r y week is something so special to me - and it makes me very grateful to be part of an amazing team. I can’t wait
for Exeter in April!” The winners of the Amplify Awards will be announced on April 1 at the SRA Conference, whilst the SPA National Awards winners will be revealed at SPANC on April 5.
The Courier and Newcastle Student Radio shortlisted for nine national awards! Trinity Eadie - Fashion & Beauty Sub-Editor
The Courier and Newcastle Student Radio have been nominated for national awards!
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he Courier and Newcastle Student Radio (NSR) are in the running for nine national awards at this year’s Student Publication Association National Conference (SPANC) and Student Radio Association (SRA) Conference. NSR has been shortlisted for five Amplify Awards and will be attending the SRA Conference in Salford from March 31 to April 2. Meanwhile, The Courier will head to Exeter for SPANC from April 4 to 6, where they are nominated for four SPA National Awards. NSR has been shortlisted across several categories, including the ‘Student Radio Resilience Award’, which recognises a station for overcoming challenges beyond their control, and the ‘Best Station Culture’
student journalists across the UK and Ireland to celebrate the work done across student publications. After being awarded for having the ‘Best Science Section’ nationally in 2024, The Courier has now been shortlisted for both the ‘Best Sports Section’ and ‘Best Culture Section’ awards. Alongside this, the publication has also received recognition in the ‘Best Design (Newspaper)’ category. Sarah Tunstall, one of the Heads of Culture at the Courier, recalled the moment they learned about the nomination: “My phone died as we were shortlisted, and as I charged it, I saw all the texts from Adam, the other Head of Culture, asking me to call him. I called him, confused, and he screamed, ‘We’ve been shortlisted!’ – I was over the moon.” “I find that culture sometimes goes unnoticed, and to see our paper there on the list made me feel so proud and happy to put ourselves out there. The work and dedication the team puts in is invaluable. I was lost for words but feeling so much at the same time.” One of The Courier’s Heads of Life and Style, Marina Snyder, has also earned an individual nomination for the prestigious ‘Best Reporter’ award. Marina, who has been part of The
Image Credit:Grace Boyle