gair rhydd Monday November 01 2010 | freeword – Est. 1972 | Issue 934
Obama’s Dramas With impending midterm elections in the US, Politics takes a look at Obama’s presidency so far. << 2)3%'54
!"#$%&"'()*'+,--,.)-%/%**'0,&"-)0",-*''0)#*%'01),* << 2)3%'4 Inside this week:
Animal testing We get your thoughts on Cardiff ’s controversial animal experiements which were revealed in last week’s issue News, page 4
A great gamble Our resident columnist talks about disproportionate tuition fees and highlights the plight of the Humanities undergrad Columnist, page 11
PHOTO: KATHARINA JOITE
Is love dead?
Fury over fees Pippa Lewis News Editor Students and Elected Officers have voted to pass a motion in favour of fighting against fees and cuts. An Emergency Members Meeting was held on Tuesday October 26 in the Great Hall at the Students’ Union in an attempt to formulate a policy and response to the recent Lord Browne Review. The meeting, the first of its kind, provided students and Elected Officers the opportunity to openly discuss the ongoing issue of higher education funding and the proposed rise in tuition fees. The motion to fight against fees and cuts was passed with an over-
whelming majority, providing the Union with a mandate on which to oppose the fees. A second motion was then passed in which members voted to lobby the Welsh Assembly Government against a rise in tuition fees and funding cuts in Wales. The success of the meeting was questioned however when many students left before the first motion had been passed and the second motion had to be rushed through without the proper debating time due to dwindling numbers. During the meeting Olly Birrell, Students’ Union President, emphasised the unique position that Cardiff University holds as the largest and only Russell Group University in Wales.
The proposals put forward by the Browne Review, if implemented in their entirety, would mean that universities have the ability to charge variable top-up fees with no cap limit. Figures released by the Union state that many first year students from Wales could suffer over a 100% increase in fees when studying in England. The Welsh Assembly has a history of wanting to support higher education in Wales and Welsh students, but it is expected that if the Westminster government votes to pass the recommendations outlined in the Lord Browne Review then Wales will have to follow suit in order to remain competitive. The Comprehensive Spending
Review, announced earlier this month, outlined cuts of 40% to the overall budget of higher education (excluding research) compared to average cuts of 20% across other government departments. As a result, tuition fees are expected to rise in order to bridge the gap in funding. The Union argued that the abolition of the tuition fees cap would create a ‘market within higher education effectively creating a two-tier system among universities with the privileged elite charging more,’ as well as effectively pricing poorer students out of the running for top universities.
Continued on page 3
Can a relationship at University really stand the test of time and distance? Opinion finds out... Opinion, page 9
Fair treatment? Politics discuss the sexualisation of female politicians who may have equal rights in their work, but are scrutinised by the media Politics, page 13
Lazy in reality Features examine reality television programmes and think about whether we are a lazy nation when it comes to entertainment Features, page 17
Tipping point Science discuss the threats to our rainforests, and contemplate the impact that these threats could have on Earth’s biodiversity Science and Environment, page 20
The FA Cup Alex Winter gives us a little footballing education. This week: the ‘lifeline in the struggle for survival’ Sport, page 29 And more, in Wales’ number one independent student newspaper