Huddersfield Student, March 2009

Student

Written and designed for you by 12 Monkeys on typewriters. Pick this up, help the monkeys.

HUDDERSFIELD

March 2009

CENSORSHIP within our University?

Huddersfield Student asks just 2 students their experiences, and asks why our opinions can be stifled by the money-machine that is the average university.

PAGE 8

LOVE Music HATE Racism PAGE 15

www.huddersfieldstudent.com Huddersfield Research Festival

Monday 23rd March sees the start of the University of Huddersfield Annual Research Festival which runs until Thursday 2nd April.

PAGE 5

Team of the Month Ladies Badminton

ELECTIONS Who will you choose?

by Gaz Weeks

by Lauren Stewart & Anton Jidkov

As part of a new feature, brought to you by your very own Sports and Societies Vice President, every month in the Huddersfield Student, we want to celebrate the success of our booming sports and societies here at Huddersfield University Union.

Editor and Producer go mad this month and judge candidates on appearances rather than value...Isn’t that honestly how we all vote anyway??

DISCLAIMER- None of the candidates have agreed to this. The Huddersfield Student and those involved do not condone such acts of objectification, but do agree with it.

“This month, I have chosen the Ladies Badminton Team to be awarded this prize.” Gaz Weeks told the Huddersfield Student Continued page 25

Who’s hot, who’s not? Find out on page 6

SASTRE

A wide selection of quality student accommodation • Clean, modern & furnished houses • All close to Uni, shop, town centre & bars • Broadband Internet Access • All bills included • Parking Contact: 07500 927301

pnbee2008@yahoo.co.uk

Specialists in Student Lettings

QUALITY STUDENT ACCOMMODATION ✓ All properties close to the University ✓ Clean, modern & furnished houses ✓ Fitted security & smoke alarms ✓ 24-hour call out service ✓ Broadband Internet access ✓ Viewings 7 days a week

The Students’ Union: It’s all about you!

(01484) 544300 T:T: (01484) 544300 SMS: 077 2333 9758

w:W:StudentHaven.com StudentHaven.com

Huddersfield

Student Where you can find copies of the Huddersfield Student . . .

• Union – Entrance – Dumpbin • Union – The Venue • Union – The Shop • Union – The Lounge • Library – Dumpbin • Central Services – Dumpbin • Canalside West Common Room • Canalside East Common Room • Lockside Common Room • HUBS Common Room • Music Common Room • Media Building Entrance • Ramsden Building • Science Building Café • Harold Wilson Ground Floor – Dumpbin • Harold Wilson First Floor – Dumpbin • Firth Street Building • Health Centre • Zetland • Blob Shop • Varsity • Warehouse • Yates’s • Zephyr • Evos • Breads • Revolution • Flying Circus • The Cornerhouse • Verve • Vox • Coffee Revolution • Café Nero • Ottakars • Storthes Hall • Snow Island • Aspley Hall • University Centre Oldham • University Centre Barnsley • Huddersfield Examiner office

If you would like copies of the Huddersfield Student, please call Lauren Stewart on: 01484 473441

PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS IN

➤ The exciting paper for students attending the University of Huddersfield

NG NI IN W D AW AR

➤ 4,000 copies distributed to Halls of Residence and through pick-up points around Campus

!

➤ 28-page monthly tabloid newspaper written BY students FOR students

Call LAUREN HODGSON on 01484 437726

Page 3 www.huddersfieldstudent.com

The Newspaper Team!

Producer:

Lauren Stewart su-comms@ hud.ac.uk

What’s hot in this month’s Issue?

Music: UHSU to hold Love Music Hate Racism Gig PAGE 15

Editor:

Anton Jidkov anton.jidkov@ gmail.com

News and Features: Ben Hall

u0755412@ hud.ac.uk

What Lecture?: More mind boggling benders to confuse and agrgravate PAGE 27

E ditor’s Letter

Huddersfield is a new University: an angst-ridden and dreamy teenager that has a long path to tread before becoming an adult. However this is the reason why it is so exciting to be part of its ever changing environment. Even in the short time that I have been here I have noticed great changes, both outwardly visible and behind the Union scenes.

Courses have changed and grown, structures have been built and turf laid down. I have been excited by the possibilities that can be cultivated by the student body, if it is willing to speak out and clamour for progress.

Of course, due to this youth and open-mindedness, our university is at risk of being lead astray or manipulated by those who are selfish, sly and perhaps more savvy in the ways of the world. There will be dead ends and wrong turns but this will help develop our character and personality leading us through to maturity.

am happy to say, are genuine in their ambitions in realizing a better future for the union and university but they will need our help. We are the ones who ultimately decide what is happening and, from my experience within the union, one ordinary student can make a change.

And maybe it is not within all of us to devote our time to campaign and hold a position within the union but that does not mean that we are not interested, and certainly that we are not powerful. Please don’t forget that we are in such a unique position here in Huddersfield: we can actually make a change – be it individual or group led, creative or political, we can actually attain the change we want and make this university our own.

Get Involved!

The student politicians that are given a voice this term have talked of change, hope and ambition. Most, I

Music:

”Your Partnership to Success”

Sam Bethell

www.learnerdriver.co.uk

sam.bethell@ googlemail.com

Film:

Books & Fiction:

u0561774@ hud.ac.uk

Student Scribe Winners!

PAGE 19

Matt Lawson

ARE YOU PAYING OVER £20 AN HOUR TO LEARN TO DRIVE?

Pay only

Pe Hour r

£16.90

Learn to drive with us and pay only £16.90 per hour and save yourself some money!

Fashion Editor:

SUBSIDISE YOUR DRIVING LESSONS

Kat Affleck

Learner Driver Training Centres are able to subsidise your driving lessons – reducing your cost to £16.90 per hour

u0651429@ hud.ac.uk

Books &Fiction: Becky Wilson

u0562276@hud.ac.uk

Sport & Societies: Mark Bryans u0658159@ hud.ac.uk

Sport & society: An Idiot’s guide to Formula 1 PAGE 26

We subsidise your driving lessons Call Huddersfield: 01484 518760 or text drive to 8 10 66

BLOGS

Page 4 www.huddersfieldstudent.com

The Sabbatical Team!

NAME: Julien Boville AGE: 27 POSITION: President extrordinaire!

EMAIL: su-president@hud.ac.uk

NAME: Junaid Ejaz AGE: 25 POSITION: Vice President Internal Affairs EMAIL: su-intaff@hud.ac.uk PHONE: 01484 473424

NAME: Lauren Stewart AGE: 20 POSITION: Vice President Communications EMAIL: su-comms@hud.ac.uk PHONE: 01484 473441

NAME: Haneef Rashid AGE: 24 POSITION: Vice President Education and Welfare EMAIL: su-aawelfare@hud.ac.uk PHONE: 01484 473440

NAME: Gaz ‘Rookie’ Weeks AGE: 20 POSITION: Reverse Cowgirl Vice President Sports & Societies EMAIL: su-sands@hud.ac.uk PHONE: 01484 473456

What have we done for you this month??

President Julien Boville • This month I’m pleased to announce that following the SU strategic plan, we recruited 3 new staff members. This new team consists of an Activities, Involvement and Engagement Manager, a Democratic and Student Representative Co-ordinator, an Outreach and Development Worker for UCO and UCB. The 3 newcomers will join us on the 20th April.

• Elections!!! Nearly all Sabbatical Officers are contested this year which is an improvement on last year. One regret for me is the lack of candidates up for part-time positions but well… we will have by-elections in October ‘09 to hopefully get the full representation you deserve. One last key message from me… Go and vote online between the 16th and 19th of March!!!! Every vote count and can make the difference.

VP Internal Affairs Junaid Ejaz • Hello Friends! A brief re-cap ofmy doings last month. Firstly, I have been to Barnsley and Oldham council meetings to see what you have to say.

• Thematic review: I was part of the thematic review where the university was reviewing the feedback and assessment.

• And by the time you would have been reading this newspaper, the University of Huddersfield Students’ Union would have got a whole new lot of sabbatical officers. See you next time!

VP Communications Lauren Stewart • This month has seen developments in the progress of the radio station plans, a room has been allocated and cleared. The station should be up and running for September - nearly there!

• On green issues, we’ve made some headway on recycling. All the facilities the University has shall be in place in the Students’ Union by April.

VP Education and Welfare Haneef Rashid • Surveys on Assessment and Feedback have been distributed amongst students. We want to hear what you have to say on the subject. Find me upstairs in the Students’ Union if you have any questions.

• The Disabilities Conference is nearly ready, just the final touches to do now!

VP Sports and Societies Gaz Weeks • Varsity is on Huddersfield territory this year, and it’s my job to organise the event. It’s happening on 1st April at Lockwood Park. Bradford are going down this year, and we’re going to keep the new trophy I’ve just bought!

• ‘Wellbeing’ Week - I’ve more or less planned this now, it will be going ahead on 23rd March for the week, and will be held inside the Students’ Union. Get your BMI checked and grab some free fruit on Friday!

Page 5 www.huddersfieldstudent.com

News

Fancy that, your very own Moira Stewart reporting Huddersfield University news. Well, her real name’s Lauren Stewart...nearly there. Have the Stewarts taken over the University? One a Chancellor, one a Vice President. It has to be a conspiracy, I’ll tell the Vulcans.

Research Festival 2009

Monday 23rd March sees the start of the University of Huddersfield Annual Research Festival which runs until Thursday 2nd April.

What is research?

Have you ever wondered what life is really like as a research student?

What do academics do when they’re not teaching?

Why did James Mason make a film about Huddersfield?

What is a student poster?

Who will win the Vice-Chancellor’s prize for PGR Student of the Year?

Come along to some of the events of the festival and you may find out.

The Research Festival website is www.hud.ac.uk/researchfestival More information will be added daily and a twitter feed will be launched from 9th March - Twitter.com/ResearchFest You may be surprised to find out what is going on behind closed doors at the University of Huddersfield. Be inspired!

s be in

pired

Postgraduate Conference Saturday 28 March 2009 Your Research, Your Future; Time to Take Control A conference run by postgraduate students for postgraduate students Come along and make your voice heard. The conference is the ideal place to voice opinions and concerns; meet other postgraduate researchers and benefit from the expertise of academics who will be sharing their experience and ideas on the world of research.

•Canalside West Lecture Theatre •Registration 9.30 • Lunch and refreshments provided, followed by wine reception.

Details can be found www.hud.ac.uk/ researchfestival/pgr-conference

at:

To Register your interest email: pgr-events@hud.ac.uk Events include: •Key note address by Dr. Gordon Rugg, author of 'The Unwritten Rules of PhD Research', 'A Gentle Guide to Research Methods' and 'The Stress Free Guide to Studying at University' •Workshops on 'Exceeding Your Potential' • Seminar by Professor Chris Cowton, Professor of Accounting at the University of Huddersfield: 'Author, Referee, Editor: Lessons from the Journal Front Line' • Careers Advice

FINAL YEAR STUDENS Talk to Alf The Access to Learning Fund (ALF) is still open for applications.

Forms can be downloaded from the university website, under the Student Finance section. If you are in your final year and struggling with money, or struggling to support your family until you finish university, ALF may be able to help

enrolled on your course, have taken all the student loans / grants available, and feel you are in financial hardship, you should be eligible to apply. Check the university website for further guidance.

ALF - the 80’s icon!

ALF is a means-tested fund and is given to the university by the government.

The fund is discretionary, and there is no guarantee every application will be successful, although any successful awards from ALF would be non-repayable.

Priority groups for ALF include students with children and final year students, but if you’re

ALF can help with • Living costs • Childcare costs

ALF can’t help with •Paying for next year’s accommodation • Unsecured debts such as credit cards • Tuition fees You can speak to the finance office on 01484-471130 to discuss any financial problems you may be having. We could be able to help you with dealing with your creditors, negotiating reduced payments on unsecured debts, or budgeting advice.

1, 3 & 4 BEDROOM HOUSES TO RENT • No Summer Rent, Retainer or Fees • Double Rooms, Separate Lounges • Immaculate Condition • All Mod Cons Ring Ben on

0794 654 3828

for a viewing or information

or warwick.clifton@wanadoo.fr

Page 6 www.huddersfieldstudent.com

ELECTIONS - Who’s hot, who’s not?

Editor and Producer go mad this month and judge candidates on appearances rather than value...Isn’t that honestly how we all vote anyway??

DISCLAIMER- None of those below agreed to this. The Huddersfield Student and those involved do not condone such acts of objectification, but do agree with it. Also, those involved do not affiliate themselves with any of the candidates below, especially those in the ‘not’ section.

T O H

NAME: Mr Happy POSITION: VP Education & Welfare BIGGEST LOVE: Smiles!

NAME: Mr Silly POSITION: Editor BIGGEST LOVE: Clowns

NAME: Mr Bump POSITION: VP Internal Affairs BIGGEST LOVE: Padded Cells

NAME: Lil Miss Naughty POSITION: Union Chair BIGGEST LOVE: Vibrating inflatables

NAME: Mr Chatterbox POSITION: VP Communications BIGGEST LOVE: Telephones

NAME: Mr Cool POSITION: VP Sports & Societies BIGGEST LOVE: Motown

NAME: Lil Miss Sunshine POSITION: UCB Site Chair BIGGEST LOVE: Puppies and bows and crap

OR NAME: Lil Miss Helpful NAME: Mr Tickle POSITION: UCO Site Chair POSITION: VP Communications BIGGEST LOVE: Give it a Go BIGGEST LOVE: Armpits and Volunteering!

NAME: Mr Sneeze POSITION:VP Sports & Societies BIGGEST LOVE: The cold

NAME: Mr Messy POSITION: VP Internal Afairs BIGGEST LOVE: Inflatables

NAME: Mr Uppity POSITION: President BIGGEST LOVE: Snobbery, toffery and everything in between.

NAME: Big Miss Greedy POSITION:Environmental Officer BIGGEST LOVE: Everything?

NOT

NAME: Mr Rude POSITION: President BIGGEST LOVE: Hate

Elections baby! Who will you vote for?

Getting a Job In a Recession?

Think about Going Self Employed ?

The Business Mine continues it's free Business Skills programme every Wednesday afternoon at 4.15pm in the Firth Street Building at FS3/07.

It is open to all undergraduates and graduates up to 5 years after graduation who want to increase their skills and understanding of self employment and business start up. Why not come along and listen ?

The following events are:Wednesday 18th March " Taking Orders, Invoicing & Bookkeeping" Wednesday 25th March " Writing a Press Release" Wednesday 1st April "Getting Paid" Wednesday 29th April "Investment Readiness"

If you feel you have too many gaps in your knowledge or exams are too pressing why not consider the Yorkshire Universities "Entrepreneurs Boot Camp" 29th June - 2nd July? This is an intensive and residential Business development programme held at Bishop Burton near Beverley and costs £95, all inclusive of workshops seminars mentoring and B&B & board. Last year Alison Whitmarsh attended with her business idea "Propermaid" designer cakes. By November 2008 she had won a University Bursary for £2400 and the Huddersfield examiner award for "Best New Business Start Up 2008" as well as marketing grants and low costs loans for capital equipment. Alison says that attending the Boot Camp helped her focus her idea and turn her dream into a reality !

You could too and allow yourself the time to see if this path is right for you.

For more details contact enterprise@hud.ac.uk Web www.businessincubation.biz Tel 01484 473849/473907/473563

Page 7 www.huddersfieldstudent.com

Green for GO - Huddersfield Students’ Union is looking at a Silver Environmental award.

Lauren Stewart

Here at the University of Huddersfield Students’ Union we have a friendly-faced chap, an unassuming, kind fellow, who we like to call Ian. Ian Dyson is the Students’ Union Building and Safety Officer. You may have seen Ian rummaging amongst festive decorations and clambering up stepladders to make our Union both safe and seasonally accurate. What you may not know is that Ian is also the Union’s champion for all things environmentally sound.

Ian has been the main driving force behind the implementation of the biggest environmental change we have seen at the Students’ Union for some time. By April of this year there will be opportunity to recycle plastics, glass and paper anywhere in the Students’ Union building, just as there is in the University. We will also have a contract to work in partnership with the University to recycle all waste cans; many of our well used beer and coke cans making that a successful enterprise. Ian is currently working alongside the Elected Officers in the form of Vice President Communications, Lauren Stewart, and Vice President Sports and Societies, Gaz Weeks. The aim of this partnership is to bring into use new disposable cups, plates and cutlery made from potato starch. These amazing, innovative creations can biodegrade in 108 days – no need to remember to recycle, they will happily dissolve into the earth.

Talking with Mr Dyson, he stated that, “Since the time I started my employment at the Students’ Union, I have always kept in mind one question that I was asked at my interview. The question was “What would you do to improve environmental issues and recycling for the Students’ Union?” my answer was that I didn’t know but there must be some opportunities to recycle some of the Students’ Union waste, that I would do my best to find them. Even now, five years on, I still continue the search and make changes to improve the Students ’ Union recycling and energy saving.” True to his word, Ian has worked his hardest to get our environmental status recognised. This year, thanks to Ian’s efforts we are looking to be awarded a bronze or even silver Sound Impact Award.

The article on the right is a statement from Mr Dyson on the exact changes he has been making to benefit our planet. If you would like to get into contact with Ian for any issues you have on our Environmental stance, or any ideas you have for making us more environmentally friendly, ask for him at the Students’ Union reception.

We’d tell you where to go but the man is like Superman; you call, he comes to save the day.

Thanks Ian!

UHSU’s turning green! We love our planet.

Ian Dyson, Buildings and Security Officer lets us into the green issues we tackle here at the Students’ Union:

Cardboard & Waste Paper

A cardboard bailing machine was introduced to the union in 2005. The effect was near instant, our waste in all was nearly halved and we were able to use the same pickup arrangement to also send our waste paper, unwanted flyers and old newspapers for recycling.

Our waste paper is now put in its own 1100ltr skip and is taken away fortnightly for recycling at a small cost. In February 09 this will change again so that all cardboard and waste paper will be put into 1100ltr skips and the bailer will no longer be used. Although there is a slight cost on the extra 1100, the energy used to power the bailer will be saved.

Glass

The recycling of glass bottles has been in place for many years. The Venue bar recycle all glass and a pick up is phoned in as needed.

There have been some occasions when it has been difficult to get rid of glass due to the glass recycling market bottoming out and companies refusing to move it.

Apart from times like these where excess glass has been added to our normal waste bin, the bars still continue to recycle glass bottles at a small cost. We are now in partnership in waste with the University and take their glass too.

Plastics

Plastics are proving very difficult to recycle as there are so many different types of which need to be separated. But there are new up and coming companies that may change this in the near future. I have searched long and hard for someone who will take our waste plastics off our hands. Now plastic bottles will be recycled by the Students’ Union from February 2009.

Metal

All metal waste products are recycled through the University, this now includes cans and is also part of our partnership in waste with the University.

Others

We also recycle batteries, light bulbs and printer cartridges. From time to time we run charity collections to recycle other items such as mobile phones, books, Christmas cards and so on.

Recycling Summary

Our aim for the future is to recycle as much as possible. With our new found partnership in waste with the University, this should make things easier for both of us. Both bodies have recycling that the other has not and both can take advantage of this. Also communications have improved in this area and ideas are swapped between us.

In February 2009, new recycling bins that match the University’s will be put into place which will include plastic bottles and metal cans recycling.

Our recycling is not just saving our environment but is also proving cost effective and in some cases saving money in keeping our main waste skips emptying to a minimum.

Chemicals & Cleaning

The cleaning products we use are also environmentally friendly where possible. Most of our chemicals are made from natural products and will break down very easy. We avoid as much as possible any chemicals that do not do this, bleach is barred from the Union building. Paper towels and toilet paper are made from waste paper and bin liners are biodegradable.

We are buying a washing machine (of a good energy grade of course) so that we can wash cloths instead of throwing them away, also machine washable mop heads which are now available.

We are also working at improving awareness around the building towards saving energy in the form of gas, electricity and water.

Summary

In all we are moving forwards even though there are some obstacles to get over. Changes are being made, savings are being made and we are making a difference to the environment.

I would really like to see windmills on the Union building but we will have to wait and see if that one is possible, maybe when we become a charity we will be able to ask for a lottery grant.

Most of all the Students’ Union is doing its best to save on our environment and hopes to be able to make many more changes in the future.

Page 8 www.huddersfieldstudent.com

CENSORSHIP within our University?

Outrage Over “Sex Shocker” Scandal Censorship and Intimidation Sanctioned by the University in October 08

ANON

The University has declared there are no grounds to pursue a complaint against a senior lecturer, who is claimed to have censored and intimidated a student on the Queensgate campus, sparking widespread criticism over the decision.

The Computer Games Design student, Will Luton, was running as a candidate for the Newspaper Editor in the Union’s by-election last October when he received an email from the lecturer demanding the removal of “offensive” campaign posters from across campus.

The livid email, sent to the student’s personal and University email address, stating that due to a University-wide open day the c a m p a i g n materials must be removed as soon as possible and asserted: “This is not an option.

You HAVE to do this”.

The A3 posters which had been approved by union officials and placed across campus by a campaign team were a tongue-incheek pastiche of intransigent rightwing journalism, laid out in the style of a tabloid newspaper under the banner “Daily Nail”.

They featured a paparazzi-style picture of Luton, hand out, fending off the camera, with the headline: “LUTON SEX SHOCKER!” and tagline: “SICK PERVERT WANTS YOU TO VOTE HIM NO.1 FOR NEWSPAPER EDITIOR”.

“The reaction from other students was great… I still have people I’ve never met coming up to me when I’m on campus to laugh and joke. The other day someone asked me if it’s true that I’ve been dating Jordan, which was something I’d put on there!” Luton said.

The email was only one of several communications that Luton received from the staff member, which included a strongly worded answer phone message left at his parent’s home in Bristol. Luton responded via email asserting that he would not remove the posters and that he felt any attempts to do so on the staff member’s part was an infringement of his basic human right to freedom of speech.

He was later approached whilst canvassing votes outside of the Union by the journalism lecturer and was confronted about the poster.

Luton claims to have felt intimidated and told the staff member his actions were “bullyish”.

It was then discovered that at least two of Luton’s posters were removed from the staff member’s school (Music, Humanities and Media), despite rival candidates’ material remaining up in the same location.

Luton took his grievances to Registry through the official complaints procedure, requesting a written apology for himself and his mother, who he claimed had suffered distress due to the answer phone message. On the 17th December Luton learned that the University had found that there was no case to answer.

Speaking to The Huddersfield Student, Luton said: “I am obviously disappointed with the outcome… I feel let down by the University and disheartened that their interests clearly lie with their staff not with their students.

They don’t want to act to defend or protect us.”

Under the Students’ Handbook of Regulations all students have the right to appeal in such cases, however Luton has told The Huddersfield Student he will not pursue the complaint as he feels it would further distract him from his studies.

Julien Boville, the Students’ Union president said: “I can’t understand that the liberty of expression of one of our students has been denied and that the University is covering this.”

At the time of going to press Boville stated his commitment to continued talks with senior University staff over the issue.

The Huddersfield Student feels that this is a clear cut case of censorship and asks the University: How can censorship and intimidation ever be justified and what safeguards are being put in place to ensure this doesn’t happen again?

If you have an opinion on this or have suffered a similar injustice please get in contact via: su-comms@hud.ac.uk

Design Student told work is too damning to University’s name - Just how far can we go?

Lauren Stewart

A student from the School of Art and Design, who would prefer not to be named, has this week seen just how far the University will go to save face.

The design student, who we shall call Student X, as part of a major project, displayed work recently to fellow students and a local company. Peers and company delegate showed much enthusiasm for the designs, which were t-shirt print images depicting a certain view of the University. Showing the capitalist side of the establishment (something that all Universities can confess to having) Student X was making a point that education is not the only thing we pay for; to some we are customers as well as students. By picturing Patrick Stewart as the Uncle Sam image in the famous American ‘We want YOU’ posters and transposing the origninal text with ‘We want your MONEY’, this point is seen to be made.

With the backing of the module tutor, Student X was aware they would cause a stir with these latest designs, and wanted it not to be a shock, but an interesting talking point; something that would make a statement, “a similar concept to a Vivienne Westwood/ Malcolm McLaren statement or the rebus style ‘I heart NY’ design created by Milton Glaser,” Student X told us.

However, not all lecturers were so happy with this idea, one called Student X in to a meeting to discuss why they had designed them. “ ‘Did I hate the University?’ I was asked. ‘No’, I told them, ‘I

like it here’, but I believe in what I have designed, and feel I should be allowed to pursue the project after I’ve spent so much time and effort on it.” Student X’s tutor disagreed and said they would not even be allowed to use them as development work.

On speaking with the Huddersfield Student, Student X explained just how this injustice affected them: “Well, speaking to [Tutor X] was a complete stress; I had no idea he would comment in the way he did. Everyone who saw my work said they thought it was really good and a bit of a talking point, which is the reaction I was after, but for [Tutor X] to suggest I could be put under disciplinary for my designs shocked me. I’m in my final year; I wouldn’t do anything to intentionally provoke my tutors to this degree, like everyone, I just want to get my degree without a struggle! All I can think now is that my work is either rubbish, as [Tutor X] told me, or that I’m being censored to save the University name.”

The Huddersfield Student believes, after seeing the designs, that this is indeed another of the University’s attempts to censor a student. Why can we not express our opinions to those around us?

Controversy is what sells, surely? When has it ever been acceptable to suppress one’s freedom of speech? Censorship is not to be tolerated. While the entire University is not of the same attitude as the tutor featured here, it is fair to say that censorship is prevalent in this institution, and it should be stamped out forthwith.

Page 11 www.huddersfieldstudent.com

INTERNATIONAL Column

Horror-Scopes!

Four European students from the University hosted a major charity event in Huddersfield in February.

Taurus (Apr 20 - May 20)

Trust charity.

Fashion Rocks combined the glamorous atmosphere of fashion and live rock music. Models from a local college stepped out on the catwalk while local bands provided the music.

Fashion Rocks 2009 was produced and hosted by Eva Nemcova and Sarka Linhartova both from Czech Republic, along with Sandra Bardy from France and Daniela Praslickova from Slovakia (pictured), who are all currently studying on the BA(Hons) European Business degree at the University.

As part of their module for Event Management and Marketing the students had to produce and host an event in aid of the Laura Crane

Daniela from Slovakia said, “This course has given us all so much experience, especially with the problem solving and challenges that you face when organising such big events. Fashion Rocks gave us all an insight into running a small business and helped us develop our organisational and networking skills.”

She went onto say that “Fashion Rocks has inspired me to continue my studies and go on to do a Master’s degree in Business Studies.”

Over 300 people attended Fashion Rocks which raised £1,000 for the Laura Crane Trust charity.

Student Depression Blog Student Depression Blog Ring Provides Vital Support During High Risk Period The acclaimed Students Against Depression website has launched a live blog ring formed by students living with depression www.studentdepression.org/ blog.php For students living with depression the start of the new year can be an extremely difficult time. The awardwinning Students Against Depression website reaches out to these students, offering comprehensive self-help information and advice.

The site’s blog ring features 11 anonymous students who share intimate experiences of living with depression and the strategies which are currently working for them in overcoming it.

HUDDERSFIELD’S OWN RECRUITMENT AGENCY ALL TYPES OF TEMPORARY WORK

Tel (01484) 351010 www.stafflex.co.uk

The bloggers’ diary-like entries are open for anyone to view. They offer a unique way for students to learn how depression may affect people like them and to begin to understand how to identify warning signs of depression if they are worried about either themselves or a friend.The blogs show other student sufferers that they are not alone, and allow them to gain insight into a wide range of strategies for combating depression.

Denise Meyer, chartered counselling psychologist, said – “Social networking via the internet is a part of everyday student life. The blog ring offers the student participants a kind of online support group, where they can share everyday student concerns, such as study stress, money worries or relationship issues , as well as supporting each other in their ongoing efforts to overcome the depression affecting them. At the same time, the participants are offering valuable experiences, strategies and inspiration to all those who access the site. ” Launched in 2005, the Students Against Depression website (www.studentdepression.org) continues to provide an extensive resource of self-help information: visit www.studentdepression.org

Your star trek and action figure collections persistently fail to attract mates. Your computer can be used for other things besides porn (really).

Gemini (May 21 - Jun 20)

There is a small hole in the bottom of your head. Your brains are starting to leak out and you are losing your mind quickly.

Cancer (Jun 21 - July 22)

I'm sorry to report that in the next few months you'll discover a large ugly lump on your neck.

It's your HEAD! So don't pick at it, it'll just make it worse.

Leo (Jul 23 - Aug 22)

Don't lock your doors, don't close your windows. The real murderous madman to destroy you is in the mirror... It's you, was I too subtle?

Virgo (Aug 23 -Sep 22)

You are the logical type and hate disorder. Your nit-picking attitude is sickening to your friends and co-workers. You are cold and unemotional and often fall asleep during sex.

Virgos make good bus drivers and pimps.

Libra (Sep 23 - Oct 22)

Forgot to read your horror-scope last month, didn't you? That would explain why it all went so very, very badly. Take some gingko-biloba and walk it off.

Scorpio (Oct 23 - Nov 21)

You are the worst of the lot. You are shrewd in business and cannot be trusted. You shall achieve the pinnacle of success because of your total lack of ethics. You are the perfect son-of-a-b***h. Most Scorpios are murdered.

Sagittarius (Nov 22 - Dec 21)

You are optimistic and enthusiastic. You have a reckless tendency to rely on your luck since you have no talent. You are worthless.

Capricorn (Dec 22 - Jan 19)

You are conservative and afraid of taking risks. You are basically a coward. There has never been a Capricorn of any importance.

Aquarius

(Jan 20 - Feb 18)

This weekend brings an excellent opportunity to get drunk and humiliate yourself at the top of your voice - unaware that your friends have bugged your coat and are broadcasting every word to your mum, your boss and your partner.

Pisces (Feb 19 - Mar 20)

You are sympathetic and understanding of other people's problems, which makes you a sucker. You are always putting things off.

That is why you will always be on welfare.

Everyone in prison is a Pisces.

Aries (Mar 21- Apr 19)

Flu season is almost over, but you can expect to feel lousy for at least another thirty weeks. If you think things couldn't possibly get any worse, then you don't know the meaning of pain… Ya big stupid head.

University Registered Student Accommodation Specialists We have been providing a student accommodation service to the Huddersfield Colleges and Universities for approximately 20 years

All our Student Properties are very close to the University We are committed to providing a friendly and quality service at the RIGHT PRICE We recommend you look at THE REST, then come to THE BEST!

PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE ON www.pennine-properties.co.uk

Telephone: 01484 300835 07767 845498

Page 12 www.huddersfieldstudent.com

Features

If you’re too cool for news but not quite cool enough for music, film or fashion; come to the Features section. We’ll give you something to read.

Features Editor

Ben Hall Welcome to the penultimate edition of the Huddersfield Student for the term 2008/09.

Somehow, month after month I astound myself with the quality of this section. I’m just that good. We’ve got a whole load of student events and research to get your teeth into and a look at what some of the transport design students have been doing with heavy machinery and the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service.

Kinky, no?

Read and enjoy. It’s been a good few months and I will miss it.

Hopefully, whatever happens, I’ll be back within these hallowed pages in some guise next year- even if I have to commit a crime to be so.

F

Does my Facebook look big in this?

A recent study by Psychology third-year Amanda Huntchbach has revealed a link between women, self esteem and Facebook. Ben Hall investigates.

With over 175-million active users worldwide, Facebook has, since its launch in 2004, taken the world by storm.

Though most popular with the over-30s, students count for a large percentage of Facebook’s success in the UK and worldwide.

Third year Psychology with Criminology student, Amanda Hunchback has looked at Facebook and its link to self-esteem for one of her final year projects.

More specifically,

course of a degree. She also aimed to find out information on gender differences in relation to the use of Facebook.

Aiming to get 150 participants, Hunchbach sent questionnaires to students at the University of Huddersfield to map their use, and reasons for use, of the social networking mega-site.

After analysing the results, Hunchbach was able to find what appears to be a link between females, self-esteem and the

Fun Facebook Facts • Average user has 120 friends on the site • More than 3 billion minutes are spent on Facebook each day (worldwide) • More than 850 million photos uploaded to the site each month • More than 7 million videos uploaded each month • More than 28 million pieces of content (web links, news stories, blog posts, notes, photos, etc.) shared each month • More than 2 million events created each month Hunchbach was looking to identify important factors affecting the use and reasons behind using Facebook; to see if self-esteem relates to the reasons for, and the amount of time spent using facebook; and, to see if the reasons for using Facebook change over the

Fresh-faced Facebook founder and CEO, Marc Zuckerberg

amount of time spent on Facebook.

“If I had a bigger sample size,” Hunchbach said, “my results would be more statistically significant,” but, it is clear from her results that females generally have lower self esteem than males and that, as a result of this difference, females are likely to spend more time on Facebook.

Joshua Jasper, a secondyear student seems to think the link is purely coincidental. His use of Facebook is mainly a result of being at a different University to his girlfriend.

Facebook, he admits, “helps people come out of their shell a bit more than they’re used to, but I think this could be said about men as well as women.”

“I think Facebook is an amazing tool of communication,” he continued. “It allows people to stay in contact with their friends and family, and I think this is why Facebook is so popular.”

Hunchbach’s findings also

Second year Psychologist Amanda Hunchbach says women are more likely to use Facebook due to self-esteem issues

highlight the role of family communication using Facebook.

Her results show that 132 out of the 150 participants were happy for their siblings to see their profile and only a slightly lower number would be happy for either of their parents to see it.

Not surprisingly, over half of the participants would not want their future employers to see their profile and pictures.

Eileen Jones, Public Relations tutor, is well-known amongst her students for warning against some of the dangers of Facebook.

“It does have notable benefits,” she says, “but my reservations are that students spend too much time on it.”

“I have had conversations with students who come to me and say they were struggling with work and had spent two hours complaining about it on Facebook when they could have been working.”

“But then, I am about to audition for the next series of Grumpy Old Women.”

Speaking recently, Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Facebook said, “users feel a real sense of ownership over Facebook itself, not just the information they share. At Facebook, we’re focused on giving people more powerful ways to share and connect.”

Page 13 www.huddersfieldstudent.com

Better that we ‘Brake’?

Ten people die on UK roads every day with hundreds more being seriously injured. Ben Hall takes a look at two PR students and a group of Transport design students who are trying to buck the trend.

BA (Hons) Transport Design students took a trip to Batley Fire Station on Thursday to take a hands on look at road traffic collisions and how safety measures, designed into vehicles to protect its occupants, can work against the emergency services.

Students were shown, in apparent graphic detail, how the human body reacts with vehicles in a collision.

"Our firefighters have a great deal of training and experience in extracting people quickly and safely from vehicles after a collision," said Crew Manager Paul Stevens, "so they are in the best position to pass this knowledge onto students who one day hope to work in the transport industry."

Road Traffic Collision Section Head Darren Armstrong explained to the students the different safety features built into vehicles and how these affect his

“We can...see and hear a new awareness coming through in their final design projects” team during an extraction.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service's PR Officer Kelly Thornham said this could range from roll cages to undeployed air bags that explode during the evacuation of a vehicle.

Students also learned about kinematics (the transfer of force between one object and another) and were given a brief overview of the human body.

Hugh Colquhoun, Transport Design course leader said, "A lot of the work we do on the Transport Design course at Huddersfield revolves around the styling of cars and creating the emotion and desire that sells a brand” The day with West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, he continued, was to raise the students' awareness of their responsibility beyond that initial sale and consider what happens to a vehicle and its occupants when it is involved in a collision.

“The opportunity offered by WYFRS has been hugely beneficial in achieving this and already we can both see and hear a new awareness coming through in their final design projects currently underway."

Second year Public Relations students, Kathryn Hindle and Laura Honeysett are looking to work with ‘Brake’ in their final year to raise the Huddersfieldbased road charity’s profile and make young drivers aware of some of the dangers of driving.

“I think the idea behind this trip is something we could use,” said Honeysett.”These students have had firsthand experience of how the fire service react to a RTC and that’s something we could maybe tap into.”

“We’re having to create a TV commercial and work on a PR campaign and this type of thing is definitely a benchmark for our work.”

More info @ www.brake.org.uk

Above:Transport design students given a talk by Fire and Rescue workers Top: Transport design taking a hands-on role with West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service to learn more about the dangers of car safety devices

Best of British Year after year the best in British music is rewarded at the awards ceremony to end all award ceremonies. This year, Rosie Marsh (who you may remember from January's XFactor feature), gives us a run down of the night.

A few years back you could be nominated for the Best Band category at the Brits just by turning up; now, it’s actually a contest between a group of deserving contenders.

This year’s ceremony was spectacular and gave us a chance to see how far music can progress in just one year. It’s hard to believe this

“They were dressed as quirky as ever...roll on 2010” time last year Duffy was nowhere to be seen on the musical radar, The Last Shadow Puppets were merely a twinkle in the eye and Florence and The Machine were still a work-inprogress.

Fast-forward twelve months, add a pinch of girl power and a dollop of South American charm, and you’ve got the Brits 2009.

Kylie Minogue, and those two rather annoying chaps from Gavin and Stacey, James Corden and Matthew Horne hosted the show. Hats off to Corden who managed to insult the legend that is David Hasslehoff moments after he had dragged himself up in a tight red latex dress - tasteful.

U2 opened the show with an electrifying performance of ‘Get On Your Boots’ they demonstrated, however, that not every man can get away with wearing eyeliner or ‘guyliner’ as it’s also known. Johnny Depp does it, David Bowie did it and Brandon Flowers is doing it, best leave it to the pros Bono.

Welsh singer Duffy took home three prizes. Incredible for an artist whose songs all sound more or less the same. Meanwhile Coldplay, who had equalled Duffy with four nominations, failed to win a single award on the night.

Their

performance of ‘Viva La Vida’; however, proved that they were worthy contenders.

Girls Aloud won their first Brit award (it only took them seven years but it’s better late than never ladies.)

Visually they looked very 1920s on stage and their performance of ‘The Promise’ was show stopping.

It also seems that Elbow have finally received critical acclaim. What with their Mercury Prize win of last year, coupled with their Brit Award win this year, who knows what could happen next?

The night rounded off with The Pet Shop Boys who won the Outstanding Contribution To Music award. They were dressed as quirky as ever and were joined on stage by Brandon Flowers, a self confessed ‘Pet fan’ and Lady Gaga, whose outfit wasn’t leaving much to the imagination - roll on 2010.

Matthew Horne and James Corden hosts of the Brits 2009. Kylie? Nowhere to be seen...

Page 14 www.huddersfieldstudent.com

Decade-long Storthes Hall rivalry to be settled?

Second year Events management students are hosting an event to put an end to the ‘bitter rivalry’ at Storthes Hall. Ben Hall takes a ring-side seat at the ‘Battle of the Blocks’.

Students living at Storthes Hall will be battling it out to prove which of the 11 blocks is to be crowned ‘the Best’ through an evening of rivalry, competition and games.

The friendly banter between the blocks has been going on for over a decade, since Storthes Hall opened in 1995, but only now is there

“We are a very strong team each with very individual and unique skills...” an event that will crown the winning block.

The money raised at this event will be going to help the wellknown childrens’ charity Barnardo’s who have kindly invested £100 into the event. Event managers hope to raise approximately £700 from ‘Battle of the Blocks’.

With 1,400 fresh faces moving into these student halls each

year, the ‘Battle Of The Blocks’ event will create a legacy - each year seeing the new students battling out for block supremacy.

Rival Events, the company behind the event, comprises five enthusiastic second year students of (BA) Events Management. In a short space of time the fantastic five have brought this event to life while juggling the rest of their coursework and busy social lives.

General Manager of Rival Events, Maciej Mikolajczak said: “We are a very strong team each with very individual and unique skills. We are all equally excited about Battle of the Blocks 2009.”

During the evening there will be a series of games, including quizzes, apple bobbing and many many more.

Overall, Rival Events hope to put on “a fun filled evening which will climax with winning block being crowned the ‘Battle of the Blocks

Battle ground from above: Storthes Hall rivalry is to come to a head in a bloody night of apple bobbing and gameplay in Rival Eventsʼs ʻBattle of the Blocksʼ

winner of 2009’.”

“I think it’s a brilliant idea,” said Storthes representative Steph Badlow. “So many students are

excited about this event taking place and the staff that work at Storthes Hall think it’s about time.”

A grand evening Cotton Factory this month played host to European Business event Fashion Rocks. The night was well-attended and raised a good deal of money for charity - just under £1k to be more precise. Ben Hall takes a peek backstage.

One of the few pictures we managed to snap on the night. Models preparing for the catwalk backstage. What pretty clothes they have.

For the latest features, updates follow-ups or to join in a debate featured on these pages

www.beam.to/hudstud-features

The Huddersfield Student is not a big publication. In fact, few people actually recognise it as any serious kind of news source and so it was no surprise that I was not allowed into the photography pit of European Business event, Fashion Rocks.

Three rows of people back, it was difficult to actually see any of the catwalk action but, I was assured by the eagerness of the people stood right at the front, that it must be worth watching.

More surprisingly, Audit Control, one of the bands playing at the event, seem a little keener to support my journalistic needs. “We love playing live,” says one member of the band whose name I cannot catch over the hubbub of the crowd. “And it’s for a good cause so that makes it all the more worth doing.”

“And,” interrupts one of the shorter members, “there’s loads of naked girls walking around which is quite appealing too”- rock and roll.

With such a large crowd it is understandable that none of the organisers can spare much time for a quick chat. One member of the team, dressed as if she should be

dancing down the runway herself, mentions how busy Cotton Factory is and says, should I want to talk to anyone about anything for the paper, I should just hover near the front; which, when attempted, does not go down well with any of the onlookers.

“They’ve raised nearly £1,000,” Kimberley Binns, President of the Marketing Society who sponsored the event, tells me a few days later. “A good percentage of that will be going directly to the Laura Crane Trust which is just brilliant.”

For those who don’t know, the Laura Crane Trust is a Huddersfield-based Cancer charity founded in memory of 17-year-old Laura Crane who died of the disease in 2005.

For more information about the Laura Crane Trust, visit www.lauracranetrust.org.

For more information about the Huddersfield Marketing Society and more upcoming events they are hosting or sponsoring, visit www.huddmsoc.co.uk

Page 15 www.huddersfieldstudent.com

Music

Covers everything apart from advert soundtracks... and Enya. I don’t hear any arguments.

Music Editor

Chickenhawk + Errander + Rats for Candy @ The Parish, Huddersfield 18/2/09 Kevin Smith

Sam Bethell There seems to be an overwhelming fear in today’s musical climate that no bands are putting out classic albums any more. Well, a certain band called Thursday from New Jersey are doing their utmost to dispel this myth, even if everyone’s favourite turd-polishers U2 seem intent on affirming such trepidations…

Elsewhere, sales of brass are up 150%. Yes, it’s award season and it’s been a frantic few weeks for clogging up the mantelpieces of everyone but The Ting Tings (turns out there is a God.) I can’t help but feel the NME got it wrong again. I mean, saying The Cure are ‘Godlike Geniuses’ is a bit like saying cheese on toast is haute cuisine. Nothing against The Cure, but ‘genius’? Bit strong I think.

So that’s the fans of three bands who won’t be reading this again then…

Apologies to Toni Spencer who wrote last month’s Fightstar gig preview; an editorial mix-up ended up with my name being placed in the by-line instead of hers. Sorry Toni!

Don’t forget to occasionally pay cash money for your musical gratification you filthy bunch of thieves!

Sam Bethell, Music Editor sam.bethell@gmail.com

Huddersfield’s own Rats for Candy (7/10) aren’t like your average band.

Their drummer is a laptop (the laptop doesn’t literally play drums; their preprogrammed drums are played through it!). Tonight Rats for Candy show us some of the cons of having your drums played by a laptop because when the wonders of modern technology let us down the results can sometimes be devastating. But credit to the band, once the glitch is sorted they finish their set like pros. This is an art they’re still trying to perfect but its clear that they are getting better with every performance (this is the 4th time I’ve seen them). They’re well worth checking out if you like prog-punk.

Think odd time signatures, unconventional song structures and a mixture of clean and hardcore vocals.

Errander (6/10) are another local band( well, they’re from Barnsley) I’ve seen before, in this very venue. Last time they were supporting The Mirimar

Disaster and they impressed me. This time around I’m not quite feeling it.

It’s not as if the ear splitting performance was worse, it’s just that they don’t seem as into it as they did last time and neither do tonight’s punters. The sheer intensity of the music they’re creating manages to hoist them through tonight’s gig. Fans of Converge should actively seek to see this band next time they play Huddersfield.

I really didn’t know what to expect of the headliners tonight when they were setting up. Talking to a friend beforehand, he says they sounded like a stoner rock band in their sound check. But one of the guitarists looks like he’s just been kicked through Top Shop! With a band name like Chickenhawk (9/10) you never quite know what you’re going to get, but a couple of songs into the Leeds boys’ se,t it hits me that I’m listening to some of the least genre specific music I’ve ever heard. It’s Hardcore, it’s Punk, it’s Metal, it’s Doom, it’s Sludge, it’s

schizophrenic... it’s bloody brilliant!

The handing out of masks adds an interesting dynamic to the gig as apparently “we sound different when you wear these”. There’s impressive guitar work throughout and you get a clear sense of this band’s confidence, not letting their performance falter even when playing to a room of impressed but bewildered admirers.

It’s music like this that could be the answer to heavy music’s current state of mediocrity. Check. Them. Out.

Love Music Hate Racism @ The Students’ Union Tuesday 24th March!!

On the 24th of March the Student’s Union will be the venue for the famous charity Love Music Hate Racism. The night will start at 8pm and only costs £2 to get in. Love Music Hate Racism has held huge gigs around London, Leeds and other major cities in the U.K; Huddersfield has now opened an official branch. The S.U will see three bands; The Cliques, D*Nile and The Funk Regulators playing a fantastic range of live music. The Cliques are one of the biggest bands coming out of Yorkshire, with an eagerly anticipated album to be released in the summer. They have strongly been involved with LMHR and play upbeat, feel-good Indie music.

D*Nile hailing from Harrogate have played two huge sell-out gigs at their Town Hall and have recently released their fantastic debut album. The lads

have been together for several years and have achieved a lot in that time.

The Funk Regulators are a Huddersfield based band and were recently crowned the battle of the bands winners at the Student’s Union on the 13th of February. There is still a very special guest to be confirmed, who is strongly connected with the Love Music Hate Racism charity.

Expect a good time at this night and show your support for a great cause.

Proceeds from the ticket entry fee will be donated to the charity. Also if you are a user of Facebook or MySpace add the profiles and don’t be afraid to ask any questions. Search: Lmhr Huddersfield and www.myspace.com/lmhrhuddersfield

Gigs

Page 16 www.huddersfieldstudent.com

Vagabond + The Farrs + LazyBaby @ Leeds Cockpit, 11/02/2009 Sam Bethell

Presumably, LazyBaby (3/10) got their name from one of the band members’ 4 year old nieces. Rumour has it that ‘The Choo Choo Train Band’ was a close second choice. I mean, ‘LazyBaby’? Seriously? Not too many great bands have crap names, and LazyBaby aren’t exactly challenging this ideal. The singer has a fairly good voice but she insists on using it all the time; almost every second of music is accompanied by her nasal Amy Winehouse meets Joss Stone style vocal, to the point where the brief moments of silence between the songs are near utopian. She introduces their fourth number by saying “this is a song about those girls who try to nick your fella”. Yeah, well maybe if you weren’t so annoying, love… and the cringefest continues; is there anything more embarrassing at a gig than when the only people ‘getting down’ are in the band? As a saving grace, the guitarist’s ‘101 Funky Barre Chords’ book has been put to good use. Or should that be ‘hysterical overuse’? Oh dear…

At least The Farrs (6/10) have one redeeming feature to save them from appearing like a thousand other indie bands in the country; their frontman.

Brimming with panache/Carling and with ants in pants, he bellows his way through the set in uberconfident fashion. The Farrs do, however, seem restricted by the basic nature of the beats their drummer is capable of. Their final number is bubbling away just fine until the singer’s best mate is handed the microphone and proceeds to perform a laughable rap to spoil it. A bitter aftertaste to what was otherwise a decently performed

bunch of indie rock songs. Shame.

What I thought were just the faux-interested friends and family of the first two bands stick around for the headline act, Vagabond (8/10), forcing me to consider that maybe the supposed ‘buzz’ around these London boys does exist. Their set opener affirms this; verses of acoustic ‘power-balladry’ interspersed with a very memorable soulrock chorus. ‘Sweat (Until The Morning)’, which is to be the band’s first single, is assuredly delivered if perhaps overrehearsed, while ‘I’ve Been Wanting You’ shows off Alex Vargas’ voice as their most admirable asset. While they won’t be winning any awards for lyrical content, Vagabond’s victory is in the way they structure and perform; like seasoned veterans, and with supreme confidence.

Their slower songs prevail not only as their stronger material, but potential pop hits.

Vagabond’s biggest test will be to produce a cohesive album of such songs and be brutal in eliminating their weaker material.

Simply put, Vagabond have the potential to be huge. Everything the mainstream could possibly want is packaged right here- a welldressed, good-looking bunch of lads playing commercially viable and soulful pop-rock complete with an incredible velvety vocal.

My biggest qualm is that they opened with their strongest song.

A support slot for James Morrison on his April tour wll do them no harm at all.

REVIEWS ThursdayCommon Existence (CD Album) Sam Bethell

Rated 9/ 10 Perhaps the last remaining band still worthy of the ‘emo’ tag, veterans of the ‘scene’ Thursday return with their sixth studio album ‘Common Existence’.

If it weren’t for Thom Yorke, Geoff Rickly would be modern rock’s biggest misery-spouter; but this is not a put-down. Everyone has their skill, and Rickly was born for melancholic singing. The man could make ‘Happy Birthday’ sound glum, which is exactly what Thursday’s music requires- full of minor chords and lustreless subject matter.

Album opener ‘Resuscitation Of A Dead Man’ belies the quality of the remainder of the album, but come ‘Last Call’ and ‘As He Climbed The Dark Mountain’ Thursday are offering up incomparable swirling portraits of down-in-the-mouth post-hardcore. Elsewhere, ‘Love Has Lead Us Astray’ nominates itself as one of the best slow songs the band has ever produced.

No strangers to political songs, Thursday charge into single ‘Friends In The Armed Forces’ with the brazenness that comes from having covered this territory before: “There's a purple heart on the stars and stripes tonight/It's pinned to the chest of the latest liar”. They’ve taken the themes from ‘War All The Time’ and moved it on a level; resulting in a bitter and personal tell-all: “You say you're defending me/I'm sick of tying yellow ribbons”.

It’s hard to believe that ‘Common Existence’ could be anywhere near as good as their classic albums ‘Full Collapse’ and ‘War All The Time’, but it is.

Listen. Admire. Wish your band were this good.

REVIEWS Empire Of The Sun – Walking On A Dream (Album) Alex Diffley

Page 17 www.huddersfieldstudent.com

Lily AllenIt’s Not Me, It’s You (CD Album) Rosie Marsh Lily Allen’s first musical endeavour in 2 years sees her grow as an artist, delving into taboo areas such as drugs, politics, celebrity culture, and the very bitter ‘He Wasn't There’, a song about growing up with a famous father and feeling lonely with no-one to talk to. Perhaps this will inspire Keith Allen take a good hard look at himself, and ask if it was all worth it?

‘Everyone’s At It’ is set to a synth-heavy backing track The Killers would be well within their rights to sue over, and that’s not the only familiar track; ‘Who’d Have Known’ is a borrowed melody taken from Take That’s ‘Shine’, although this time, it was consented!

Rated 9/ 10 We’ve all heard MGMT, the Klaxons and Foals, now we lift the curtain to ‘Empire of the Sun’ from Down Under, with their debut ‘Walking on a Dream’. This Electro-Pop duo is the start of a wave of ‘New-Rave’ heading our way in 2009.

All the elements are in place; Nick Littlemore and Luke Steele create the 1980s synth-pop feel, with drug-infused lyrics and a look that would have sent Bowie green with envy.

Added to a mix of drum-fuelled experimentation and inspiration from the likes of Daft Punk - you just have to get up and dance along.

‘It’s Not Me, It’s You’ is full of social commentary and witty observations; only Lily Allen could get away with writing a song about premature ejaculation and turn it into a heartfelt track, it’s part of her charm! She’s the one person you can rely on to restore your faith in pop; the thing you should always be able to rely on to make life taste a little bit sweeter!

The most noticeable thing about this album is just how incredibly honest it is. It differs from her previous album, ‘Alright, Still’; less frantic but just as exciting.

In these songs Allen isn’t just a young woman, she’s every woman.

The Maccabees – No Kind Words (CD Single) Stef Brown Someone please give Orlando Weeks a packet of Smarties.

‘No Kind Words’ has the capability to shine if it wasn't for the miserable vocals of the lead singer. If you wish to listen to a song that will plunge you further into the depths of depression, then this is it. However, the sombre undertones and jangly guitars do save the song; it wouldn't sound out of place on a compilation of 80s shoegazers.

Rated 5/ 10 La Roux – In For The Kill (CD Single) Toni Spencer

Rated : 7/10

It’s still hard to believe she’s only 23.

With tracks like ‘Tiger By My Side’ and ‘Walking On A Dream’, the album shows true potential to stand out above all the competition- namely, American hotshots ‘Hockey’ and ‘Passion Pit’.

There has been a lot of hype about this album’s release, I was worried it would disappoint but with slower numbers like ‘Without You’ we see that not only do we have a pair of great experimental musicians using as many drum machines they can get their hands on for their euphoric energy burst tracks, but also two great songwriters.

It opens the world of electro to the mainstream more then anyone since Moby in the 90s. Personally, I love this album. For me it challenges the dizzy heights of Foals’ debut ‘Antidotes’. The world of ‘New-Rave’ has certainly won me over – I can do nothing but recommend.

Rated 8/ 10

Metric – Help I'm Alive (CD Single)

‘In For The Kill’ goes down the synth-pop, catchy-as-sin route.

The vocals are a little on the cringey side with super-falsetto in abundance; it’s almost unnatural. However, on further listens, you begin to see its brilliant potential. Is La Roux the new popprincess? Perhaps; her up-coming support slot on tour with Lily Allen is one very smart move, and could see her propelled to chart-topping success.

Rated : 7/10

Stef Brown ‘Help I'm Alive’ is the lead single from Canadian based outfit, Metric. Their official website describes the album Fantasies as a “heavy amalgam of psychedelia, disco, electronic and rock” with ‘Help I'm Alive’ as electronic-rock. The melancholic verses intensify to a peak but then leave you feeling unsatisfied, much in the same way as Bowie's ‘Let's Dance’. The lyric “beating like a hammer” is guaranteed to resonate in your being for hours; definitely a band to watch out for.

Page 18 www.huddersfieldstudent.com

Books & Fiction Books & Fiction Editor

“To all young Cinderella’s, you shall go to the Graduation Ball!”

English and Media Graduation Ball for third year students!

Becky Wilson Well it’s that time of year again, no not Christmas, but time for the Easter Bunny comes to visit and leaves lots of chocolate eggs lying around just begging to be eaten up. And the supermarkets are not really helping when you can buy four for a fiver! It’s meant to be the period of lent yet with all this chocolate laying around and cheap it’s so hard for us chocolate addicts.

The Huddersfield Literature Festival has been and gone and has been another brilliant success with the launch of University based ‘Grist Anthology’ featuring stories and poetry from the latest new writing talent around. Not to mention a few other famous authors and poets too. You can find out more on its release in the April edition as I am sadly writing this editorial a full two weeks before the festival arrives and these words won’t be printed until the week after the festival. But let’s not forget the festival spirit so eagerly!

Tickets are now available for the English/ Media Graduation Ball which is taking place on Saturday 30th May at the George Hotel (next to the train station). That’s a week after the exams finish so perfect timing to reward ourselves for all our hard work. Tickets are £30 per person. This includes: Three-course Meal DJ Photographer Room Hire Tickets are available from the School Office on floor one of West Building - Tickets must be paid in full at the time of purchase.

- Tickets must be bought as soon as possible as the hotel want full payment in March.

- Tickets are non - refundable.

You may or may not remember the Student Scribe competition I ran here at the university over Christmas till the 22nd of February. Well it has been a moderate and pleasing success. Not that I received entries by the thousands or even hundreds but those that did enter did not disappoint me. Surprisingly enough I got ten times as many entries for poetry as I did for short stories but on a disappointing note I did not receive as many entries that required any serious judging. So I am going to honour these brave writers who stood out from the student crowd proudly proclaiming their writing talent by making them all winners! You can read these new talents in the rest of my section.

The ball is open to any one that has studied either English or Media - this includes Journalism, creative writing etc. Any particular teachers you would like to invite then, please feel free to invite them to buy a ticket.

Partners etc are more than welcome to buy a ticket.

We also have a very interesting book review regarding healthy eating, Chinese approaches to eating and calories submitted by Clive. And a special announcement for all third year students in the English and Media departments, you are all invited to attend THE graduation ball of the year! Read on to find out more details about this special event – I’ve already got my tickets!

- to keep updated on ball please add your self to the group we have created on facebook. http://www.facebook.com/home.ph p#/group.php?gid=49012108636

Hope you all have a nice Easter, stuff yourselves with chocolate and somehow manage to keep up with course work that’s flying in from every direction like I’m doing. Speak to you all again for the final edition of the year in April!

The hotel have offered us the chance to book a room at a special rate - this is £75 for a double room which includes breakfast the morning after.

Any questions please email Sally at u0650099@hud.ac.uk or Diane at u0568854@hud.ac.uk

Student Scribe Short Story Winner: Dilemma in the Library

by Brian Pickering None of the books looked interesting. I didn’t feel comfortable wandering round a public library on a Saturday. On the other hand I had it in the bag that not another person would be here so I could really get to grips with the subject matter – the Roman Empire. The only evidence of civilization was the Saturday Librarian who was busying herself in the children’s section. I glanced at the entrance to see that it was opening. It was Sarah Skyler, the cutest girl in school who possessed the magical combination of beauty, intelligence and low self-esteem.

She scampered her way over to my section of the library. This place was enormous, why did she have to invade my thumbnail of it?

I had not made a proper impression on her yet but when I looked down to see a green T-shirt drenched in chocolate stains and a book on the achievements in Rome, now was not the time. She had gotten so close that I could hear the new Blur song seeping out of her headphones draped around her neck. My armpits were moist and my heart was pounding at my chest.

She slid two books from off the other side of the shelf, the shelf I was using for a wall to conceal my presence. Oh shit! She’s seen me. One of the books slipped from her grasp and onto the floor. Sarah gave a quiet sigh and bent down to pick it up. In an impulsive, desperate jump I moved into the next aisle to put two bookshelves between myself and her. I took a moment to think.

What was she doing here?

She normally spent her Saturdays shopping with her dad’s credit card and logging face time in the popular teenage

congregation points. Maybe she led a double life: she was a popular, wealthy, outgoing girl during the week. An intelligent, hard working student at the weekends. She sat down and began to read. Her long, blonde hair dangled over her shoulders and delicately tickled the pages as her eyes glanced across every line. She looked so lovely. I was beginning to feel a small amount of guilt about hiding behind the book shelf, spying on her, but what were the alternatives?

If I went out there I’d be permanently seen as a sloppy geek in her eyes for the rest of time. If I stayed, there is no limit to how long I’d be hiding for, maybe there was a ‘staying time’ and the librarian would drag me out by my ear in front of her.

I glanced around and discovered the lifesaving other side of the bookshelf.

There was a clear path from there to the exit. The library never denied me a slice of serendipity. I tiptoed to the other end of the bookshelf and briskly walked to the exit.

“Find what you were looking for?” the librarian called to me My body went into a mild spasm. I was almost out; she must have seen me now. I looked back to see Sarah walking towards me, smiling delicately.

“Hey, are you doing your project on the Roman Empire too?” Sarah asked.

Page 19 www.huddersfieldstudent.com

Student Scribe Champions!

Poetry Entries Happy to Leave

Internal Struggle

by Nicola Powell

by Chasinga L Kasande Efforts otiose to bring about change, Endangering our lives as we watch, Helpless by our own, Nevertheless hope appears to be upon us, Stories have been widely told, Death is what it cost Him and willingly he lay, You and I, are we worth dying for?

A Different Me

by Alison Bunn Yesterday I was a different me.

Everything bathed in a loving glow.

We made the seasons go faster; Running through autumn fall, Loving by the winter flames, Sweet kisses in fresh spring rain and Dreaming in the sun.

Never thinking of tomorrow, Wishing our lives away.

Yet, I am a different me today.

Yesterday I was a different me.

Even the diamond with its glassy glow Weighs heavy and does not fit so well.

Laughing life without taste or colour Rushing past me in a smothered picture.

Evaluating memories of each mishap Places where it came undone, Everything grey and empty and numb But today you left so easily.

Yesterday I was a different me.

The clouds tonight

by Androula Chrysostomou The moon is up high Hidden by the clouds Stars all around it Trying to help it out The stars are singing with it The song the clouds dislike Everything in the sky is unhappy Yelling for light to shine Everyone closed the windows Singing the clouds to leave Even the kids are crying God can see the clouds are mean

Happy to leave Even if it’s unfair Rarely do you find this Sorry you don’t care Ever so unaware Even when you use your eyes Since the beginning of the world Dimming of the stars and skies Shapes don’t fit To the holes they mirror Randomness proceeds happily Yet I do not care, as I no longer live in fear Really can’t you see?

Everything in front of you Understanding might be hard Don’t expect it to be easy You deserve the colours Save them, clutch them

Now we can see the sun Nearly coming out The clouds are mean and ugly Yelling hipip horey You and I, do know it The clouds have won again Now the moon is gone Everyone is waiting for another night to arrive

Discovery!!!!!

Andrew Wood The air was rather hot, clouds were very rare Even water was evaporating! But they didn’t care Everyone was bathing, in the deep blue sea Archimedes, Plato, and Sophocles made three.

Every body part got all sandy, said Archy, ‘how bout that?!’

Truly I must need a bath,’ and so he donned his hat The bath was filled with water, and he took off all his clothes So he had a wash, had a shave and plucked the hairs out of his nose Eventually he noticed something, something very new, Well he was shocked, threw his rubber duck and sank his toy canoe Eureka! Then he shouted, and ran round about The water gets deeper when I’m in it, of that I have no doubt!

True, Archimedes dances and sang, he knew how to shake it.

The problem was, unfortunately, we was bloody naked!

Affirmation for the Future

by Burgette Matthews Now it is the most unexpected of places Since the snow-sleet and rain Ne’er cease, to find summer in my heart Through the hustle-bustle of Hudders’, rustlings, Saying the future is ready for the taking Get set lets go!

Over those Pennines I drive, over those hills I climb, Beckoned to my destiny I have faith, Here I the future take.

Even though it looks like all the other towns with its multitude of peoples, Since the struggling and the strife is never far in fearful hearts, So just remember love is in all things, Sending faith-hope and fulfilled wishes just short of texting, Get set lets go!

Our goals are in easy reach, for they were always meant to be, Believe me this is the start of our futures even when the doubts seem strong, Get us to where we’re already going, Get us to where we’ve gone.

Easily I see the path that was meant to be, Elucidated and illuminated Dispelling those ’never meant to be‘s‘, Sun-shining-smiling-self-belief, Feeling the future is there ready for the taking, Get set lets go!

Over those Pennines I drive, over those hills I fly high!

Harkened to my destiny I have faith, Here I the future take!

Book Review:

Page 20 www.huddersfieldstudent.com

‘Why The Chinese Don’t Count calories’

By Clive on behalf of Extreme Reading

Some time ago Fiona Lee wrote a review about the book Why The Chinese Don’t Count Calories, written

by Lorraine Clissold, [published on the CNReview blogsite, listed below.

Being all about food makes it very close to my heart and Chinese food in particular, makes it even more important. The essence of the book is that all traditional styles of eating are better than ‘dieting fads’ and Clissold illustrates her point with Chinese cuisine.

Contrast this to an American or British diet which relegates vegetables to limp supporting roles for meat”.

The backbone of all the Chinese cuisines is vegetables and meat is used sparingly [this is not what would be found on the menu of Chinese restaurant in the USA or UK]. Originally this will not have been out of choice but simply a matter of economics; most Chinese people could not afford meat. This is also the reason the Chinese people eat everything which is eatable and throw nothing away offal, wild animals, insects; if birds and other animals could eat these things and thrive then surely it was possible for people to find a way of doing the same. This, of course is in complete contrast with the modern western diet which is based on large quantities of meat and factory ‘food’.

3 “balance is the key - Clissold invokes

Chinese way, simply follow Pollan’s advice given in his book In Defense of Food, “Eat [real] food. Mainly plants. Not too much.”

Lee sums up the contents of the book under five headings 1 “strong cultural and culinary identities- Traditional cuisines pass on the collected food wisdom of a culture from generation to generation, and China is no different.

As scientists begin to learn more about nutrition and how nutrients work in tandem with each other, much of what is passed on in Chinese cuisine is backed up by modern nutrition. The Chinese also talk about food as being determinative of a regional identity– like the strereotype of Sichuan people having fiery tempers because of all the spicy food they eat. By way of contrast, in The Omnivore’s Dilemma, Michael Pollan makes the point that because Americans do not have a unifying food culture, Americans tend to be particularly vulnerable to savvy food marketers and diet fads (think Atkins, South Beach diet, etc)”.

Like all other traditional cuisines Chinese cooking is the accumulated mass of lore and common sense gathered over the last few thousand years. Examination of any country which has a strong culture and adheres to its traditional forms of eating will show that the population is in a much more healthy state than that found in a country where traditional food has been replaced by diets concocted by nutritional ‘experts’.

2 “vegetables, vegetables, vegatables - Chinese cuisines tend to make vegetables the star of the show, with meat as a flavouring or compliment. Part of this is because of historical patterns of consumption, until very recently the average Chinese person simply could not afford vast amounts of meat.

the Chinese concepts of yin and yang. A properly balanced meal includes both yin foods (cooling foods) like cucumbers and lettuce and yang foods (heating foods) like spicy foods and meats. If you eat too much of either one, then your body will become unbalanced. The Chinese way of eating family-style with shared plates also allow for greater opportunities to balance yin and yang versus a Western-style oneplate meal”.

Every dietary ‘expert’, no matter what they are selling you, says a balanced diet is essential for healthy eating. This sounds grand but then what exactly is meant by ‘a balanced diet’. Talk to a chef or expert on Chinese food and sooner or later the notion of yin and yang will come into the conversation, as it does in Clissold’s book. Talk to a Chinese peasant farmer and he/she will explain it in a different manner, but the end result will be much the same.

There is nothing random about the way foods are mixed together in Chinese cooking and, in my own experience, there is a lot of levelheaded common sense and logic behind it. Balance is an essential feature of Chinese cooking; esoteric explanations are not.

4 “eat all five flavours - On a related note, the five flavors are bitter, sweet, pungent, salty, and sour. Each of these flavors addresses a specific part of the body. For instance, a bitter food like bitter melon feeds the heart, while a sour food will nourish the liver.

Again, balance is important–if you eat too much of one flavor then you are only feeding one part of the body”.

The point about the five flavours could have been rolled up under the

previous heading as again Clissold emphasizes the need to eat a mixture of foods rather than homing in on a few favourites.

5 “eat until you are full and enjoy your meal - This seems like a no-brainer, but Clissold is specifically addressing the different attitudes that Chinese and Americans and the British have regarding food. While Americans and the British food cultures often incorporate guilt and unhealthy cycles of binging and purging, Chinese people just plain enjoy their food. They talk about food all the time, and a common Chinese greeting is “Have you eaten yet?”

Make eating a pleasurable activity, instead of one that induces guilt”.

about modern western eating, that in the west we are the victims of a conspiracy, driven largely by the food manufacturers but also by dieticians, journalists and other ‘experts’.

Following any traditional cuisine from anywhere in the world will give you a better chance of good health than eating a western diet of meat and industrialised food, but to achieve that benefit it is essential to accept the whole package and not just a few favourite dishes from here and there.

For those who want to eat healthily but not necessarily follow the Chinese way, simply follow Pollan’s advice given in his book In Defense of Food, “Eat [real] food. Mainly plants. Not too much.”

On the face of it, this is more a matter of culture than cuisine, but no less important. If you have faith in what you are eating there is no excuse to not enjoy it and no reason at all for counting calories and measuring everything as you go along.

See these websites for further information.

All of which ties in with what Professor Michael Pollan has written and said

cnreviews.com/food/why_the_chine se_dont_count_calories_20080905.ht ml http://www.michaelpollan.com/

Page 21 www.huddersfieldstudent.com

Threads

Things we like in March!

Wood

Animal PrintsBy this we do not mean for you to adapt a Bet Lynch style leopard print ensemble. Looking, however, at Yuchi’s Autumn/Winter ‘09 collection and Christopher Kane’s stamen gorilla tee; wearing big animal prints is the way to go.

Iif you haven’t visited this store yet, do it! Wood is a hub of trendy street-ware selling top brands including Stussy. Hidden away in the arcade opposite peacocks this is a store not to be missed.

Topshop This gorgeous chic bag from Topshop is something we love. Also, Topshops interactive widget service you can download this straight from their website and receive daily fashion fixes great to keep up to date with the latest trends.

Katrina Affleck

Hello and welcome to this month’s issue of Threads. February was a great month for fashion, playing host to London Fashion week. So this issue were bringing you an over view of some of the hottest designers. and looking at trends to for Autumn / Winter 09. Look out next month for our competition to win some lovely merchandise from our friends at the ethical fashion company Cause and Effect; so get ready to give us your best ethical style tips for your chance to win. And don’t forget if you are interested in writing for this section feel free to email me at u0651429@hud.ac.uk See you next month, Katrina

Want to feel good about the week ahead?

Yuchi

Yuchi

Christopher Kane

Something we ae seeing on the catwalk for Autumn/ Winter ʻ09 is the use of not only animal prints as we have witnessed in recent seasons, but also images of animals, as a tatement design feature. Christopher Kane gives a great example of how designers are using images of animals to lift a plain and simple garment this Autumn/Winter

Feel it every Monday only in

The Huddersfield Daily For Advertising/Sponsorship, please contact Lauren Hodgson,Tel 01484 437726 lauren.hodgson@examiner.co.uk

Page 22 www.huddersfieldstudent.com

Paris Fashion week Vivienne Westwood Vivienne Westwood brought back the St Trinian’s look at her Red Label collection show at London Fashion Week. The show was held at the National Hall exhibition space in Olympia and amongst the models was famous up and coming models Alice Dellal and Dasiy Lowe. Models wore uniforms from school to sport with the usual Westwood twist. Edgy

BALENCIAGA , AUTUMN/WINTER 2009-10

striped blazers were teamed with above the knee skirts and “chaos” armbands. Green blazers were worn with matching scarf’s trousers and knee high boots. Westwood ended the show by joining her models in celebration still proving to be one of fashions big players after decades in the industry.

Kahki tones and traditional woven fabrics combine with stylish tailoring to bring the school look to a new mature generation.

A selection of the best from Paris Fashion week, forecasting what we will be wearing in the Autumn/ Winter season of this year to next.

Dior, Autumn/Winter 2009-10

Rick Owen, Autumn/Winter 2009-10

Westwood’s signature tartan comes through with its usual impact!

The single buttoned, lowbreasted blazor brings femininity to the tailored trouser suit

Page 23 www.huddersfieldstudent.com

Videogames

We go by many names... sometimes we’re James Bond, sometimes a chubby purple dragon, but mainly we’re videogames.

Videogames Editor Paddy Costelloe First off, I’d like to make a correction to last months issue and the game section there in. the review of ‘Saints Row 2’ went unaccredited and I wish to give the proper respect to Leon Somi who wrote the article and put his time and effort into it.

This month I thought I’d do something a little different. You see gamer are naturally whiners and wingers.

Nothing is ever perfect enough and we always complain. So I have invited a few of our writers to have a good old fashioned rant about what gets their goat when it come to the gaming industry. I would also like to hear anything you have, as readers, to say about your own personal hate of aspcts of the game industry, so get in contact.

Unfortunately I was hoping for a bit more spirit from our writers but they have been slowly beaten down with huge volumes of work. So, if anyone is still interested in writing and reviewing for the student papers games section id really like to hear from you and try and get you involved. Hopefully there will soon be an online version of the paper. A place where we can publish work and reviews, so your hard work will see the light of day, either in print or on the net.

By Paddy Costelloe Tempst8032@hotmail.co.uk

V

Government Oppression

By Nathan Mclean human race on this planet and we can’t keep our balance books in check. This fact doesn’t even bother me however, whenever there is an attack on the gaming industry itself, I ask this question: What’s the difference between the mediums?! People interacting with one another is what makes us human- gaming allows this event to enfold with the added perk of an escape from the norm and thus allowing us to participate in activities we normally wouldn’t get involved with. Comparing this to scenes of death, murder, politics and greed, etc. on the news, can we really differentiate from the two?

ups” they use misunderstood STATISTICS to group their research and this may make up their numbers but it doesn’t alter the reality that in the real world; statistics mean nothing to the individual. The influence, through findings, is what really empowers these people and once they can persuade, only a few people, they I totally can start a domino effect where wrote this someone or something can hinder amazing the development of such an article! industry.

What really makes me laugh is when a company such as “Rockstar” creates an almighty unethical game such as the ‘Grand Theft Auto’ series; where the protagonist and the antagonist can Personally all those ‘hardcore freely walk round and murder, gamers’ who play games such as cheat, steal their way to the World of Warcraft realistically have organised crime pinnacle. Now issues. I mean who has that much don’t get me wrong, it isn’t the free time and money to blow on a game that makes me laugh but Global recession has officially game anyway? The introduction of because children get their mitts on embedded itself into the minds of the Wii clearly demonstrates that it, groups of parents and the media everyone and yet the gaming games can be enjoyed by a wider- openly criticise the game. Can’t industry kicks on with increasing demographic; it isn’t just a small you people see that you’re just annual profits. I personally thank all niche that the news is berating providing free advertisement to this game and because those people such as myself who are low on “I DID IT, I AM GUILTY, I’m ashamed of myself. I was your glamorising the fact that its funding and yet still only 8, and after playing Street Fighter I kicked a forbidden to these scrape together the youngsters, like the kid and went on to massacre the masses like in sacred cash to holy forbidden Grand Theft Auto, Oh wait?!

No I didn’t I went to purchase these games. apple that This dedication is what I college got A-Levels and now I am at University effectively drove this enjoy about our “future doing a respectable course.” world to its doom, (if proof” industry. you believe in that) Although the gaming sector has anymore, but now it’s those masses then surely your just baiting the kids officially become an integral part that enjoy the entertainment. It just to defy orders and rebel the norm to any human development within makes me wonder what new to effectively become the essence The our technological age, the direction the abuse towards games of cool with their friends. will come.

If youngsters are being precautions taken to protect these bureaucrats still define computer games as a social deviant. violent and this blame is coming kids is what defies the point of a Normally when they decide to from playing on games and being child, yes the game details death target an audience at least there is anti-social, then really this is due to and cruelty in a harsh way but with some conviction behind their the government’s lack of control socialising taking the absolute most verbal diarrhoea such as “chavs”, over parents who willingly allow importance with kids these days, “drugs, sex and rock n roll”... ok their kids to play 18+ games.... I DID then they are just learning as if they maybe the last one was a bit too IT, I AM GUILTY, I’m ashamed of were watching the news. Games much but aren’t you sick of the myself. I was only 8, and after have the potential to become an same old bullshit? To be honest, the playing Street Fighter I kicked a kid educational tool and the sooner news is the most powerful medium and went on to massacre the the world realises this, the sooner which brain-washes its viewers to masses like in Grand Theft Auto. Oh we can aid in the development of believe there is no hope left for our wait, no I didn’t I went to college such applications to diverse this approach of this pitiful, war enraged planet. I mean got A-Levels and now I am in negative expanding market and vitally prove University doing a respectable two things have annoyed me: those pig-headed idiots wrong 1) when was the last time there course. about the influence of games on was good news on the TV? I cannot put across my children.

And 2) how we’re the only bloody transcending hate for the “higher

Taking it TOO Seriously

By Daniel Hartley Roleplay games can be very immersive and it can be easy to find yourself wrapped up in the game. Whether it is a MMORPG like World of Warcraft, or an ordinary roleplay game like Oblivion, S.T.A.L.K.E.R or Fallout 3. The same thing goes for non computer roleplay games like tabletop roleplay like Dungeons and Dragons and Live action roleplay games. If you get into the game, it has been said players can get so attached to their characters that they feel what their characters feel and even get upset if they die. This is perfectly natural, just like crying or getting scared at a film or book. However some people have a tendency to go too far.

I hate it when you’re playing a game and there is that one player who just thinks he is the dogs bollocks. You know what I mean, that one player on his microphone shouting about how good he is, how he’s going to kill you or whoever . . . and then he starts losing, or even worse dies all together. That’s when the Mr Hyde personality takes a hold and they become a monster.

I hate it when they start screaming and swearing at the game and every other player within earshot about how rubbish the game is and how it’s so unfair and how the game is wrong and how that shouldn’t have happened. I have witnessed this on so many different games and there is even a video on Youtube of some kid flipping out for about fifteen minutes when he’s playing Halo on Xbox live.

I have also personally witnessed people taking it too seriously in live action roleplay, on a number of occasions. The funniest was a player who had had a character for a number of years and had in the previous year murdered a number of characters for his own gain.

When the Militia (police) went to arrest him for execution he threw a ‘hissy’ fit, ran away back to his camp like a kid who’s spat his dummy out and went “out of character” which means his character was no longer in play - a bit like logging off in an online roleplay game. It was one of those moments where he made such a fuss in front of so many people that I actually felt embarrassed for him. He did all this because his actions in the game had eventually caught up with him, because the other players were having fun too by getting to arrest a murderer.

What I’m trying to say is yes, take the game seriously and have fun, but when you take it too seriously and it stops being fun then it’s time to rethink why you’re playing. When you start getting annoyed at a game you really need to stop as you are taking the fun out of the game for yourself and other players around you. Always remember, it’s just a game.

E P HY

Page 24 www.huddersfieldstudent.com

Don’t you just hate it!?

By Paddy Costelloe across roofs and through the streets he runs until, he is finally cornered, or so it would seem. The doors behind him open and a mass of people spill out.

Altair melts away and disappears.

I watch this in awe mouth open, I instantly went looking for info and found what I was after. The website for the game talked about the people of the city helping or hindering Altair depending on his actions. Soon my mind jumped to this huge dynamic city with amazing crowds where the populace would gather around you and allow you to melt away like a ghost. A true assassin, disappearing like a ninja in the smoke.

If you’re a gamer you have heard it.

Hell, even if you’re a friend of gamers, you have heard it. It spreads like wild fire, gets exaggerated, blown out of all proportion and then it’s an anti-bloody-climax, like when someone comes home early preventing you from completing a task that can only really be completed in private.

Sorry for that outburst (control your self Paddy, control yourself). To all those who don’t know what I am on about, it’s called “hype”, and it’s not just in the games industry. This thing gets into every mainstream media entertainment. The reason I’m talking about it here is because gamers like myself seem to be stupid enough to buy into it more than anyone else.

We may be fools but is that any reason to take advantage of us in such a blatant way?

The difference occurs because with video and music there is a limit to what they can show. They can only show what they have, footage or actual audio, but in the game it’s impossible to tell what’s real and what’s just a CGI they had together before the development even began. The problem with hype is it’s a love/hate relationship. You love what you see and you want more and more, but then your imagination

takes over. You think of all the cool things you could possibly do with what you have seen. Then you start adding bits, hearing rumours and reading previews. Then you are doomed.

The question is: who is at fault? Is it us for believing all we see, or is it on the developers and publisher who get our hopes up with hints and trailers only to dash them when the final product doesn’t live up to expectations?

To give a personal example of hype that pulled me in let’s take a look at ‘Assassin’s Creed’. The first I saw of this game was a cinematic that got everyone’s attention.

The main character takes out a king in the middle of a medieval castle whilst the aforementioned king is lecturing the serfs. The graphics are beautiful as the camera changes to view to show Altair looking down on the scene. Suddenly he is gone just like any assassin and is amongst the crowd. He makes his way forward straight towards his target. Taking out the guard with a few swift easy moves, then with ease puts an end to the tyrant.

Job done, Altair flees the scene with the whole city in hot pursuit. Up walls,

Then after all the waiting I finally had the game. I marvelled at the graphics and loved what I was seeing, until I reached the first city.

There I discovered this amazing AI was six drunken fat blokes who hang around in back alleys and molest passing guards for a while - if you’re smart enough to lead them that way when you’re in a hurry. After they have copped a feel for thirty seconds they just let them go and so you’re left running for you life again.

And as for blending into crowd, this feature happens to be impersonating a priest with four monks. No one seems to see the difference between the monks and you, even though you happen to be armed to the teeth with knifes, a sword and a massive dagger which make it look all the more suspicious that you are stalking priests around the city.

My whole point is that I enjoyed ‘Assassin’s Creed’. But felt let down because they sat it on this awesome podium. This detracts from the game and made me feel a little cheated. If they had put more effort into advertising the awesome free roaming platforming side of it I wouldn’t have felt so let down since this is great and feels just like you’re a roof hopping ninja.

I’m sure nearly every gamer has been disappointed by games they have been waiting for. They build up expectations from the little tid bits given which makes them build their own perfect game in their head.

In conclusion I don’t know who is to blame but I still want to kick someone in the nuts for it (lets just hope it’s not all my fault because then I’m going to kick myself).

Page 25 www.huddersfieldstudent.com

Sports and Societies Does anyone else think that Golf is a poor man’s Croquette?

Just a thought....

Sports & Societies Editor

Team of the Month Ladies Badminton

Gaz Weeks

Vice President Sports and Societies, Gaz Weeks awards Ladies Badminton the new award of Huddersfield Students team of the Month.

Mark Bryans Hello to all and welcome to the March sports and societies section. Crunch time for both sporting seasons and university deadlines is edging ever closer so good luck to all in getting that coursework in!

Congratulations to Manchester United on winning football’s first silverware of the season. England’s tour of the West Indies has proved a lot more eventful than we could have imagined and the buyout of Honda has dominated the motorsport world.

I’d like to thank Rob West for getting in touch and providing us with a candid preview to the new Formula One season, if anyone else would like to get involved with the section, drop me a line.

Varsity is working its way ever closer to the front of the university sports team’s minds and keep a look out for more information on how you can get involved, it is going to be a big one!

S &S

As part of a new feature, brought to you by your very own Sports and Societies Vice President, every month in the Huddersfield Student, we want to celebrate the success of our booming sports and societies here at Huddersfield University Union.

something prestigious, and also an amazing result. It shows their commitment and enthusiasm for the sport.” BUCS, for any one who doesn’t know, stands for British University and College Sports, and is the main body to bring this level of sports together to compete nationally.

“This month, I have chosen the Ladies Badminton Team to be awarded this prize.” Gaz Weeks, Sports and Societies Officer told the Huddersfield Student earlier this week. Jane Beck, Administrator for all things sport and society related also commented, telling us that “Ladies Badminton are the only team to reach the quarter finals of the BUCS Conference Cup,

To date LB have played 11 matches, winning 4, drawing 2 and losing 5.

Huddersfield Student salutes, and wishes you luck for the future!

Want to know how your sport or society can be nominated for Team of the Month? Email su-comms@hud.ac.uk for information, or do something worth reading about!

Review Section Ali As mentioned in last month’s edition I promised to find some really interesting sports entertainment for you.

I recommended a book last time out, so this time I thought something a little lighter would suffice.

Muhammad Ali: Champion of the Century has only recently been released and is the best documentary charting the career of the great man.

Follow Ali from the beginning through to the heights of his career, with stunning footage of some of the best fights of his career. Watch him battle against Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier, Henry Cooper, Floyd Patterson, Doug Jones and Chuck Wepner (the real Rocky Balboa) to name but a few...

Much better than the film starring Will Smith, this is a true boxing story which can be enjoyed by any sporting fan.

Page 26 www.huddersfieldstudent.com

An Idiot’s Giude to Formula 1

By Rob WEST If you follow F1 then just skip to the last paragraph. If you see F1 as a money fuelled, boring race we’re cars go round and round in circles and seemingly do nothing, here’s an idiots guide to why F1 is Fast, ‘Green’ and Fantastic.

F1’s image of the past few years has been dominated by one Michael Schumacher and Ferrari winning all the races by 50 miles passing everyone five times and making the Germans even more unbearable to talk to.

Wrong. Actually the past few years have been dominated by Renault, and/or some bloke called Fernando Alfonso. Even when he was at a different team, ‘Nando kicked up enough fuss through dodgy back hand deals, to cause a full blown court case.

Then he decided to ram his teammate off the track because he was winning, sulk, complain, lose his title to a drunk Finn, go back to Renault, demand that they hire someone utterly rubbish to drive with him. All from one of the twenty two guys who each had their own tiffs, mishaps and crashes, in one year. Boring?

Of course, all this excitement wasn’t totally on the track so the fat cats in charge have revamped the rules. The wings which create ‘downforce’ have been made into odd shapes so they don’t actually work that well. The idea is that car will therefore be closer and will overtake more. Erm, no. When you

head home in your Corsa, and a Mercedes glides past you on the motorway, is it anything to do with the spoiler you took off when you bought it from a boy racer? Or is it just the fact the other car is better?

So you need power to pass.

Amazingly the fat cats realised this. And using a system to compliment biofuel, and conserving energy and fitting in with being ‘green’ (barring the fact that the cars are flown and transported around the world using planes and trucks).

KERS is very complicated, and is so advanced technically that it’s still killing people in development as you read. But basically it takes the braking power and turns it into extra engine power, making everyone’s Corsa into a Mercedes at the push of a button, at least for a couple of seconds at least!

So the rules haven’t really changed F1 at all. In fact all they’ve done is moved the goalposts. So everyone’s going to take 5 races to adjust and get back on track and then we’ll have a return of Fernando Alfonso and Renault winning everything. Boring.

If you’re not an idiot however, you’ll realise F1 is the pinnacle of technology, speed and car safety, KERs will be on your Ford in a decade’s time but it won’t kill you and for once, Britain’s good at something, because Lewis Hamilton is the new Schumacher.

Right on track…Can Lewis Hamilton retain his F1 crown?

An Antidote to Football Football still seems to dominate sporting sections up and down the country and within the West Yorkshire region. Here we look at alternatives to football, looking at national and regional progression. Our first instalment is darts; look out next month when we take at look at cricket.

FLIGHTS OF FANTASY – DARTS TAKES CENTRE STAGE Professional darts is becoming one of the most increasingly popular sports in Britain. Some do not consider it a sport, how can beer-bellied, middle-aged men throwing metal into a board be classed as a sport they ask. But the facts are there in black and white. The television viewers are tuning in and live audiences have swelled to such a degree that the PDC’s Premier League of Darts is now played in arenas and music venues throughout the United Kingdom.

Former PDC number two seed Roland Scholten believes darts owes the majority of its growth to television: “A lot [of the success] is due to television’s interest and investment. Darts can grow as big as football, golf, snooker and tennis, as long as the television companies stay interested.”

Comparisons could therefore be drawn with football and rugby league, two sports which have also benefited greatly from the investment of television, especially that of Sky. Current Premier League star Terry Jenkins believes there are other reasons why the sport has developed: “The player’s abilities are now respected.

There is an increased interest thanks to the promotion through Sky Sports, but darts is building a better reputation,” he said. Jenkins, known as ‘The Bull,’ has made a big impression in the sport over the two years. He was runner-up in the World Matchplay, Grand Prix and Desert Classic in 2007.

It is the emergence of these new talents which have also aided the popularity of darts.

“Phil Taylor was dominating our game, and some supporters began to get bored. It is this same in any sport, Manchester United in football and Schumacher in F1. But when new challengers emerge it makes it all the more entertaining,” said Jenkins.

There is certainly an abundance of new talent entering the rankings in both the PDC and BDO. James ‘The

He’s got the Power…Phil Taylor won his 14th PDC World title in January

Machine’ Wade has arisen as a constant performer in PDC tournaments and the BDO events are well known for unearthing quality talent.

It is refreshing to see a sport played without animosities, cheating and arguments. Darts has its fair share of ‘rivalries’ but only because each man is as competitive as the next. The undeniable escalation of interest in darts is proven when these rivalries are re-ignited in tournaments hosted in far off places such as Las Vegas. A pub pastime with a beer and a cigarette has been replaced by a sport watched by millions and churning out prize-winning cheques of up to £100,000.

Jenkins said: “There is a better atmosphere in the venues and arenas nowadays. Many fans get their first darts experience at local exhibitions and then really get a taste for it.”

But Jenkins is less optimistic than Scholten about just how big their sport can become: “It [darts] can continue to grow, but it can only go so far. It will never reach the heights of football, we have to be realistic about that,” he said. Although sounding slightly pessimistic it is hard to argue against the point. Darts, for so long a pub game, has started to turn the corner. It is even being touted as a potential Olympic sport, but surely two slightly burly (or just fat) men throwing tungsten into a numbered target has its limits? For now though, the sport is definitely on the up.

But is there an increasing interest in amateur darts in West Yorkshire? The Halifax Premier Darts League has been running for over five years, but organiser and star-player Roy

Greenwood believes the glitz and glamour that now surround the professionals is yet to reach the local level: “Interest has definitely waned in Halifax, there aren’t many young players coming through. The professional game is sparking more interest to a certain extent but not around here.”

The Halifax Premier Darts League has its faithful following; it has players who have represented West Yorkshire and England. Greenwood said: “We had Graham Collins playing for us and he went on to become the youngest player to ever represent England.”

Although he has seen the interest dwindle in Halifax, Greenwood believes amateur darts still has a good future ahead: “It is picking up; there are a lot of people interested, just not in Yorkshire it would seem.” As for the professional game, Greenwood has a feeling the game will get even bigger: “The only thing holding them back is the separation. I just wish they [the PDC and BDO] would amalgamate and come together again.”

So despite the apparent dip in amateur darts, it is undeniable that the professional end of the sport is going from strength to strength. Gone are the days of the cigarette smokescreens blocking our views of the board, and the pints of bitter on the drinks stand have been replaced with mineral water.

But the passion remains and with ever-increasing sponsorship and soaring attendances and viewing figures, darts truly can begin to take centre stage.

But in a head to head fight against football, sadly it will always come up short. Still, hopefully the IOC will allow darts to become an Olympic sport in time for London 2012.

At least there would be a very good chance of a British gold medal!

Lecture? What Lecture..

Let go of the education side of Uni and take a look at these mind benders

In this image there are 100 cryptic clues that depict 100 diferent films. Can you find them all?

There’s a special prize for those who find them all. Email Matt, HS Film Editor on u0561774@hud.ac.uk

Answers:

Crossword!

Last month’s crossword - SOLVED!

Dow

n

s s o r c A

By Matthew Bowers

ACROSS

DOWN

3 • Within the law (5) 6 • Most popular non-alcoholic drink (6) 7 • Rye and Juniper berry spirit (3) 10 • Magician (8) 12 • End (6) 15 • Horsey chess piece (6) 16 • Highest English mountain (7,4) 18 • Ringed planet (6) 20 • Tear (3) 21 • First number one singer (2,7) 22 • Keeper of bees (9) 23 • Last wifeless prime minister (8,8) 24 • Not neutral or acidic (8) 25 • Capital of Serbia (8) 26 • Eel offspring (5)

1 2 4 5 8 9 10 11 13 14 17 18 19

• Sport of long and short corners (6) • Dell Boy’s son (6) • Occupant of Scatterbook Farm (6,8) • A Fox’s tail (5) • This IS a small land (6) • “Thank you”... in Le Francais! (5) • Harry Webb is better known as who? (5, 7) • Sport of the Fosburry flop (4, 4) • Aurthur of Ben Hur (3, 7) • Raise to higher rank (7) • The official language of Brazil (9) • Moby Dick”‘s coffee shop (9) • Profession of ‘SOCO’s’ (6)

FIRTH STREET, HUDDERSFIELD, just a stone’s throw away from the University

Super Deluxe, Deluxe, Standard and Studio rooms all en suite 24 hour Security CCTV and double security door entry Internet access with 2 packages to choose from Phone in each room with free internal calls Fully fitted kitchens with dining tables in all flats Elevator access Car park available on both sites Sufficient storage space in all rooms Security fencing around both premises No deposit or booking fee Air conditioned gym with monthly membership Swimming pool Sauna Steam room Jacuzzi

es star t pric G UT from £7 7.30/week ILITY IN LUD BILL S

INC

Prices start from

£77.30 per week

www.opalstudents.com

AND I NSURANCE