Palatinate 848

Palatinate The UK and Ireland’s Best Student Publication, 2021

Thursday 10th February 2022 | No. 848

Indigo gets ready for Valentine’s Day Profile speaks to Edith Hall

Fygoing, going, gone

PALATINATE INVESTIGATION Max Kendix, Sarah Matthews and Daniel Hodgson For many students in Durham, it was a breath of fresh air. An innovative app that would apply student discounts automatically.

We are used to presenting codes or cards, or asking for that 10% off advertised on the window, but

Fygo had thought to make the whole process smoother.

It meant cheaper bills in Durham’s collection of independent business and restaurants, and in no time, students found their cashbacks racking up in-app. But as 2021 progressed, some doubts started to emerge.

Fygo’s guerrilla marketing tactics meant people arrived at what they believed to be normal house parties

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and realised they were sponsored by the start-up, with paid-up student ‘ambassadors’ walking round signing party-goers up.

The ambassador team was huge, the business had offices in central London, and the cashsplashing was surreal: so-called #fygofridays saw the company put out a cash giveaway of £150, to be won by a lucky follower every week. Throughout Michaelmas

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Term, what seemed to be teething issues kept popping up. Students were told the cashback was on hold for several businesses, but that they’d be back on tap soon.

And on 19th November, Fygo told all its users it was taking a break.

It aimed, it said, to be “back upand-running before the end of the academic year” while it got a “new rewards system in place”.

Continued on Page 4

Walkers found Windy Gap blocked after a tree was uprooted outside Durham Cathedral during the fierce winds of Storm Malik last week (Adeline Zhao)

Biggest donor cuts ties over Covid restrictions

Poppy Askham & Elizabeth McBride Editor-in-Chief & Investigations Editor

Mark Hillery, Durham’s biggest benefactor in recent years, has indefinitely suspended all support for the University in protest against its Covid-19 measures this academic year. The Collingwood alumnus has said he will not “visit

Durham again while there is a single Covid-related rule imposed on the students”. He has also resigned from Collingwood’s external advisory board and informed the College and University that he wishes to cease all dialogue.

The University received £7 million from Hillery between 2015 and 2021, making him its biggest individual donor during the time

period. The hedge fund manager has been an actively engaged alumnus for more than two decades, hosting numerous finance-related talks and gaining notoriety among students for regularly putting large sums behind Collingwood bar.

Collingwood has been the principal beneficiary of his donations, receiving £4 million in 2016, a record donation to the University, which funded a

200-seater arts centre, yoga and pilates studio, bar conservatory and expanded JCR common room and gym.

Most recently he sponsored the construction of a recording studio and music practice rooms which are due to be completed later this year. A Durham spokesperson expressed appreciation for Hillery’s philanthropy, describing

him as “a generous benefactor to the University” and adding that his “contributions have improved our students’ experience and will continue to make an impact for many years to come”.

The University also stressed that their Covid-19 approach “has always prioritised the health, safety and wellbeing” of students and staff.

Continued on page 5

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Thursday 10th February 2022 | PALATINATE

Editorial Inside 848 News pages 1-7 Satire page 8 Comment pages 9-11 Profile page 12 SciTech pages 13-15 Politics pages 16-18 PalatiDates page 19 Puzzles & Palstrology p20-21

Sport pages 22-24

Indigo

Editorial page 2 Food & Drink page 3 Film & TV pages 4-5 Features page 6

Go with the flow (Rosie Bromiley)

T

he experience has become so familiar that we could do it on our sleep.

Queue up, “yes I’ve switched off Test and Trace, no I haven’t got symptoms”, walk to the green booth, open the packet, swab nose and mouth, into and out the tube, drip onto the test, into the bag, write your campus code and time, into the pile and pray.

This has been the Durham student’s routine since the University’s Lateral Flow Test programme was first opened up in November 2020, a whole 15 months ago.

Getting your LFT feels engrained into the Durham psyche. It’s on our administrative to-do list whenever we think about events or college bar visits.

Some students may read this with a smirk, remembering the time they flashed an old QR code and got away with it, or even the rule-breakers who put others at risk with their copied and pasted NHS PCR texts with changed dates.

Perhaps this attitude helped us become the area with the highest Covid-19 rate in the country last summer.

So when students read today, exclusively in Palatinate, that the University plans to stop the whole thing by the end of February, they may just feel a sense of emptiness. Surely not? No massive marquee on Palace Green and the Racecourse? No

mental maths of what counts as ‘in the last 48 hours’.

One wonders if the financial and reputational hit Durham has faced during the pandemic will reverberate down the years.

If you didn’t know already, I will break it to you now.

Covid-19, that virus, for many our entire University experience, seems to be very nearly gone. I say this with some reticence, for a new deadly strain will surely land on our doorstep any day now. But from 24th March the government plans to scrap compulsory Covid self-isolation. So while the University’s scrapping of LFTs might feel premature, it’s actually about right.

The end of the University’s bizarre mask policy will surely accompany the decision. Face coverings are still compulsory in all University buildings, but not anywhere else, especially not

in the City’s packed pubs and nightclubs.

What’s slightly funny is that really, though the University words it as compulsory, it just isn’t, and certainly in the legal way we are used to. The latest official guidance for Higher Education settings states, “face coverings are no longer advised for students, staff and visitors” in teaching settings and communal areas.

Not only is adherence voluntary, but the guidance explicitly says that “no student should be denied education on the grounds that they are, or are not, wearing a face covering”. Hence the noticeable absence of Covid marshals around the library, grunting at seated, sociallydistanced students to mask up.

But the remaining Covidrelated restrictions don’t particularly bother most students. They are a mild inconvenience that we are well used to. Some students probably wouldn’t mind wearing masks in lectures forever. But for at least one alumnus, who has spent millions of his own money in improving extra-curricular opportunities, particularly for Collingwood students, the restrictions proved a last straw.

We reveal today that donor, Mark Hillery, has cut all ties with the University, offering a scathing rebuke of Durham’s remaining restrictions.

Books pages 7 Travel page 8 Interview page 9 Visual Arts page 10 Creative Writing page 11 Stage page 12 Music page 13 Style pages 14-15 After decades of dedication and relationships built with students and staff here, it can’t have been a decision taken lightly.

In October, the University quietly revealed it had spent around £7.5million on direct costs associated with the Covid-19 response since the beginning of the pandemic.

It is a cosmic irony, then, that it is almost exactly the same amount that Hillery has gifted to the University over recent years. The LFT scheme may come and go, and the next generations of students may never know it existed, but one wonders if the financial and reputational hit Durham has faced during the pandemic will reverberate down the years.

Max Kendix Editor-in-Chief

Palatinate is published by Durham Students’ Union on a fortnightly basis during term and is completely editorially independent. All contributors and editors are full-time students at Durham University. Send letters to: Editor, Palatinate, Durham Students’ Union, Dunelm House, New Elvet, Durham, DH1 3AN. Alternatively, send an e-mail to editor@palatinate.org.uk

Palatinate Editorial Board Editors-in-Chief Max Kendix & Poppy Askham editor@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Editors Harrison Newsham & Patrick Stephens News Editors Lilith Foster-Collins, Laetitia Eichinger & Waseem Mohamed news@palatinate.org.uk News Reporters Emily Doughty, Daniel Hodgson, Emily Lipscombe, Louisa Barlow, Sarah Matthews & Tiffany Chan Investigations Editors Kathryn Ellison, Elizabeth McBride, Frank Kelly & Sam Lake investigations@palatinate.org.uk Satire Editors Ben Lycett & Hannah Williams satire@palatinate.org.uk Comment Editors Ellie Fitzgerald-Tesh & Anna Noble comment@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Comment Editors George Pickthorn & Miriam Shelley Profile Editor Ethan Sanitt & Tom Hennessy profile@palatinate.org.uk Science & Technology Editors Cameron McAllister, Caitlin Painter & Will Brown scitech@palatinate.org.uk Politics Editors Maddy Burt & Joe Rossiter politics@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Politics Editors Eli Rasmussen & Mikhail Korneev Puzzles Editors Thomas Simpson, Hugo Bush & Katie Smith puzzles@palatinate.org.uk Sport Editors George Simms & Abi Curran sport@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Sport Editors Harvey Stevens & Mary Atkinson Sport reporters Sam Lake, Maddie Parker & Joe Harston Indigo Editors Honor Douglas & Samuel Lopes indigo@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Indigo Editor Adeline Zhao & Nicole Wu Features Editors Isobel Tighe & Miriam Mitchell features@palatinate.org.uk Creative Writing Editors Millie Stott & Ella Al-Khalil Coyle creative.writing@palatinate.org.uk Stage Editors Ben Smart & Saniya Saraf stage@palatinate.org.uk Visual Arts Editors Christian Bland & Cameron Beech visual.arts@palatinate.org.uk Books Editors Imogen Marchant books@palatinate.org.uk Style Editors Grace Jessop & Anna Johns fashion@palatinate.org.uk Food & Drink Editors Nia Kile & Emerson Shams food@palatinate.org.uk Travel Editors Gracie Linthwaite & Holly Downes travel@palatinate.org.uk Film & TV Editors Charlotte Grimwade & Grace Marshall film@palatinate.org.uk Music Editors Katya Davisson & Annabelle Bulag music@palatinate.org.uk Interview Editor Stephanie Ormond, Josie Lockwood & Lara Moamar indigo.interview@palatinate.org.uk Photography Editors Lainey Lin, Thomas Tomlinson & Rob Laine photography@palatinate.org.uk Illustration Editors Verity Laycock, Rosie Bromiley, Victoria Cheng & Anna Kuptsova illustration@palatinate.org.uk Social Media Officers Felicity Hartley, Georgia Heath & Hannah Davies businessdirector@palatinate.org.uk Heads of Advertising Thaddeus Dominic, Sophie Ritson Ben Stoneley & Kyra Onyebuchi advertising@palatinate.org.uk Heads of Alumni Relations Elena Liciu & Ben Stoneley alumni@palatinate.org.uk Finance Officer Sophie Garnett finance@palatinate.org.uk

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PALATINATE | Thursday 10th February 2022

News

Students paid £1,259,500 to tackle oversubscription Elizabeth McBride Investigations Editor Durham University paid out a total of £1,259,500 to students to manage the cohort size after A-Level results were released in August 2021, The University gave 429 incoming students £500 to reallocate their college, while 209 others agreed to take £5000 for deferring their place on an oversubscribed course.

Incoming students on courses such as Classics, English Studies, History, Music, Biosciences, Psychology, Management, and Geography were offered a £5000 payment, as well as the guarantee of their college of choice if they agreed to defer for 2022/2023 entry.

In September 2021 the offer was extended to those who met their offer for Computer Science, Law, Liberal Arts, Natural Sciences, Physics, PPE, and Primary Education.

As well as offering £500 cash payments for college reallocations, the University also sought to

disperse students more evenly through private accommodation.

For example, some Collingwood freshers were placed in Rushford Court, a self-catered Unite Students building, located a half an hour walk from Colgwood College.

44.8% of students received A* and A grades in 2021. This was an almost 75% increase from 2019 – the last time conventional exams took place – when 25.2% of students received A and A* grades.

It was also an increase on 2020’s unprecedented results when 38.5% of students achieved top grades.

As a result, figures released by UCAS reveal that a record 396,000 students had their first choice course confirmed: an 8% increase from 2020.

Durham had a similar scheme in 2020 when students who met their offer were offered deferral bursaries of up to 1,500 – however, these could only be used to discount college accommodation costs.

Schools were able to use a range of evidence for the grades awarded,

including coursework and mock exams. One in five schools had a sample of their grades checked by exam boards, of which 15% were queried but only 1% were ultimately altered.

The University gave 429 incoming students £500 to reallocate their college A-Level examinations were cancelled on the 4th January 2021, as England entered a nationwide lockdown and the schools were closed.

Paul Whiteman, the leader of

the National Association of Head Teachers, rejected these grades being characterised as “grade inflation”, stating that “the results in 2021 cannot be easily compared to any other year”.

The policy was criticised at the time by Durham Students’ Union. Both academic officers, Declan Merrington and Charlie Proctor, said that the University’s policy to try and reduce the size of the incoming cohort through offering payments for deferral was a “poor decision” using money “from current student fees to spend on mitigating the extent of overcrowding”.

A Durham University

Why students should oppose the higher education bill Jack Ballingham SU Opportunities Officer Since last May, the Government’s Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill has been moving through Parliament. Despite the name, this is a state powergrab that will infringe on the autonomy of students. It places students’ unions under the governance of the Office for Students, gives it fine-issuing power, and creates a new “Free Speech Director” to act as the government’s political officer on campuses.

“This is a state power-grab that will infringe on the autonomy of students”

The Race Course LFT testing site in Summer 2021 (Thomas Tomlinson)

University LFT sites to close in February Laetitia Eichinger News Editor Durham University will close all LFT centres, thereby shutting down its entire testing programme, by the end of February.

Staff at testing centres were told to get “as many shifts as possible” in anticipation of the closure, and the University confirmed to Palatinate that it is “committed to operating our testing sites until the end of February”. The sites first opened for all students in mid-November 2020, and have been central to the University’s Covid-19 response.

The University is set to review its Covid-19 measures, such as face covering rules and the ‘test to participate’ scheme this week,

following the Government’s lifting of Plan B restrictions from 26th January.

The University has been operating a ‘test to participate’ scheme for the whole of this academic year and the final term of last year. Students are required to show proof of a negative LFT test from a University testing centre in order to participate in Wider Student Activities including sports and entry to college bars.

A Palatinate investigation recently revealed that, despite consistent University messaging for twice-weekly tests, an average week in Easter Term 2021 would see just 401 students test twice weekly.

9621 individual students took a test at a University testing site during the term, but just 54 students tested twice every single

week.

A Palatinate investigation also revealed that the University spent over £580,000 on its LFT scheme last academic year.

A Durham University spokesperson said: “Our on-site LFT testing centres remain open and free to use for all University students and staff, except for the testing centre at the Racecourse which is closed until further notice due to planned works on Baths Bridge.

“We are committed to operating our testing sites until the end of February. As with all Covid-19 mitigation measures, our testing provision is kept under regular review. Any changes will be communicated to our community.

“The health and safety of our students, staff and wider community remains our priority.”

spokesperson said: “The measures undertaken in August 2021 were in response to unprecedented student success.

“All of our colleges are thriving communities of staff and students from all our subject areas.

“We determined college allocation in order to be fair to all students.

“The University is paying for the deferral scheme from its agreed operating budget for the current financial year. We have made and are making significant investments in academic departments and colleges to increase staff and other resources, including student welfare.”

Durham SU has been the loudest student voice opposing this new law, and we’ve been one of the only institutions fighting for college common rooms.

In that we’ve been successful; the Bill has been amended to remove them from its scope.

The Bill’s effects would have been even harsher for Durham common rooms, with fewer resources and volunteer officers, so this is a great advance in the fight for students’ interests.

The worst aspects of the Bill, however, haven’t been altered; the government voted down all of the major amendments proposed both by us and by the NUS. While common rooms have been removed from the direct line of fire, the Bill still applies to colleges themselves, and students will still be faced with state involvement in events on their doorstep.

Student societies and their volunteers will be hardest hit.

Much of campus discussion is driven by our student societies, who host debates, guest speakers, reading groups and protests. All of this is voluntary,

and done out of real passion.

Most societies are governed by their students’ union, including at Durham, so will be required to comply with the Bill too. What does this mean for debate at universities?

“Durham SU has been the loudest student voice opposing this new law” One real danger is that the Bill creates a new civil tort, allowing individuals to take legal action against students’ unions.

With this change, it is entirely possible to imagine a situation that begins with a society exec trying to set up an event and ends with a court case over free speech.

There’s no shortage of selfproclaimed free speech martyrs now. Newspapers are full of them, telling us that they’ve been “cancelled” or “no-platformed”.

This Bill seems specifically designed to give them the ability to haul students through the courts. This is a threat to the environment of open debate.

The government talks about a “chilling effect” on free speech, yet we are far more likely to see such an effect if costly legal action lurks around the corner of every guest speaker event and debate that students run.

The government has also focused on the “problem” of disruptive student protests.

While this Bill contains no measures to curb them, authoritarian policing legislation such as the “Spycops” Act and the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, give much reason to worry about the future of student protest.

We might have managed to make the Bill better for common rooms, but there is still a long way left to go. The only way to truly remove this danger to student debate is clear; kill the Bill.

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Thursday 10th February 2022 | PALATINATE

News

Durham’s fintech start-up pause Continued from front

The company planned to redo their entire business model, and relaunch. But with the app still out of action, doubts are growing about whether it will return.

On the student side, it was simple. You signed up to the app for free (though many were offered a bonus for signing up a friend). You spent £10 at a business offering a 10% discount, and £1 would appear in your Fygo ‘wallet’, which you could withdraw from at any time.

The business end was, in theory, also straightforward. Fygo made a small commission on every purchase at the partner business.

Businesses would sign up in droves because Fygo directed spending students their way. By attracting more customers, both would win.

In reality, this proved more difficult. Fygo was targeting small independent businesses in a tiny University town. Unlike big national brands, these stores could not always afford to lose money from commissions in exchange for long-term improvements in customer numbers.

The app itself was set up by a few budding student entrepreneurs, based in Durham and St. Andrews.

They were very well-connected, and after receiving £400,000 in seed funding from Charles Wigoder, a telecoms tycoon, the energy of the start-up was truly underway.

And in Easter and Michaelmas term 2021, it was hard to miss Fygo’s team of enthusiastic ambassadors on the streets in Durham. They could be found at stalls around student hotspots including pizza stalls outside the Bill Bryson and doughnut stalls outside colleges.

Marketing madness No student could walk through Durham without being confronted

by Fygo’s barrage of pink stickers, plastered across lampposts, bus stops, electricity boxes and the like. Ambassadors were given clear instructions to do so. “Start painting Durham pink on Wednesday”, wrote one message, “remember 50 photos of each sticker or flier posted in your allocated guerrilla location for evidence”. One ambassador

Expansion Fygo pressed on, and in a press release on 29th September announced it was launching in Bristol “in a BIG way”. Echoing Durham tactics, the company said it had “partnered with all of the main businesses in Bristol”, and were “enhancing the student experience

by setting up lots of parties, events and competition giveaways”. The company contacted all the main teams and societies to get them on board. On its website, Fygo boasted it was “there’ll be a ton of cash rewards available for students in October”. But the plans were quickly shelved, and Fygo has yet to carry out a successful launch beyond Durham. Staff who had spent weeks preparing for the big Bristol breakthrough were left feeling hopeless. One ex-staff member complained: “Bristol was two weeks into businesses being onboarded and the company changed direction, meaning Bristol was not a suitable launch location”. It never succeeded in making a mark on the city. Even before Bristol, a former employee told us that Fygo “had initially planned to go to Oxford and Cambridge so months’ worth of work had been done [and] then it all shifted to Bristol”. This shift, much like the shift away from Bristol, happened “a week after [Fygo] started onboarding businesses”.

The Cambridge U-turn was smothered with predictably corporate language: in Cambridge, staff were told ‘North Star Metric’, used to reach ‘maximal growth potential’, had changed and the city was no longer viable.

Eventually, the go-get-‘em attitude the company thought they needed to thrive started to have an effect on some of the staff at Fygo. This was despite dozens of full-time staff on team, and scores of ambassadors marching around Durham. By November, most of Fygo’s workforce had either left the company or been made redundant. Though some staff had been employed with years of experience, others were students who believed in the product and took time off University to work full-time for the company. But by the end, while teams got on well internally, many expressed a variety of concerns. As one told us: “I was brought on because of my experience so it became clear I had no future because I would not learn anything.

“We were too small a team to be acting like Facebook.”

dismissed as Fygo announced their break. They then set about to change the entire business strategy: “They were completely redoing the product and the business model, the concept”.

We spoke to several independent Durham businesses about Fygo’s November ‘pause’.

Nearly every store said they had not been contacted by the company to inform them of the break Fygo was taking.

The manager of one restaurant, on being told by our reporter that Fygo had paused operations, immediately started ripping down the company’s advertising sticker in the front window.

For ex-staff, the reaction to the news is a mixture of bitterness

and relief. One said, “I deleted Facebook and Instagram for a really long time because I was like ‘I don’t want to see these guys anywhere’, and they kept just cropping up everywhere.”

Some staff have found solace by forming a small, unofficial support group of exFygo employees, for emotional discussions and practical career advice. They have urged others who feel adversely impacted by their Fygo to reach out.

We contacted company for comment — the co-founder Jonah Lowenstein responded to reject the accounts of former staff members, calling them wild accusations from disgruntled exemployees.

admitted: “We just went nuts”.

What ambassadors may not have known is that this marketing tactic is defined as flyposting – the posting of illegal advertisements on public property. On their website, Durham County council say, “Flyposting is an antisocial activity, which spoils the appearance of an area and, where it is displayed near roads, can cause public safety issues to both road users and pedestrians.”

This illegal activity could result in a fixed penalty notice of £100, an action or removal notice, or the matter could be taken to court.

No action was taken against Fygo. But when a major Durham society had its stickers posted by misbehaving students on Durham public property just months before, the group was called into a police station and threatened with a fine.

Fygo’s ambition from the outset was to use Durham as a launching pad: a national, maybe international, student discount company, was in their sights. With excited investors pitching in to the young brand, they hired dozens of full-time staff to work in a kitted-out office near Bank in central London.

Three cities that were chosen, for their high density of students and bustling independent businesses: Oxford, Cambridge and Bristol. By the end of summer term, Fygo had signed up over 3,500 students in Durham and expansion seemed inevitable. The summer break saw preparations for the Bristol launch put into place. But a number of staff members left the company during the autumn, and progress stalled. One ex-staff member said the departure of staff was never addressed in the office. “Anyone who left was not spoken about […] overnight it felt like the entire sales team just dropped off the calls and it was never addressed why”.

Support group for ex-staff One former employee recalled Fygo’s marketing strategy to illustrate their frustration; “it was very much like this is the idea that I [Fygo] have in my head and, as opposed to coming up with a different idea, I’m just going to keep throwing loads of money and pink stickers at it.”

In November 2021, Fygo announced that they would be having a break in operations.

In the post that announced the break — since removed from all platforms — Fygo explained that “these updates […] require more of the team’s attention than we initially thought”. Ambassadors who were recruited to publicise and grow Fygo’s engagement around Durham were also

Council licence for new North Road takeaway

(Thomas Tomlinson)

Tiffany Chan News Reporter A new pizza takeaway business has received approval from Durham County Council to open until 3am from Monday to Saturday, and until 1:30am

on Sundays. The takeaway, to be situated on North Road, aims to cater to people leaving the various nightclubs located in the area.

According to The Northern Echo, takeaway entrepreneur Mohammed Shariff had originally applied for a licence to open until

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PALATINATE | Thursday 10th February 2022

es operations

(Thomas Tomlinson) 4am. David Wilson, who was representing Shariff, said: “We’re sitting effectively next door to the nightclub and we wish to have their trade, frankly.” Wilson noted that similar businesses were “the norm” along North Road, referring to the Wetherspoons pub and “at least two takeaways with 3am licences”.

While Durham Police originally objected on the grounds that “it could hold people in the city longer and affect crime, disorder, and anti-social behaviour”, they withdrew this objection when Shariff changed the proposed closing times so the takeaway would close slightly earlier than planned.

As the takeaway has the specific goal of catering to clubbers, Wilson said that front of house staff would be trained in “conflict management”.

He told the meeting convened to discuss Shariff’s proposal that, “There is provision here that if there are issues that are beyond our control, this will be monitored.”

Wilson pointed to the use of door supervisors, working with police, as well as signage and

incident logs to keep intoxicated customers in check.

In light of the decision to grant the licence to Shariff, a spokesperson for the Parish Council told Palatinate that “the Parish Council is keen to ensure that all new licensing applications conform with the County Council’s own adopted Statement of Licensing Policy — this includes a set of framework hours which all new applications should adhere to.”

In order to ensure that the takeaway will not be disruptive to local residents, the spokesperson said that “the Parish Council will be working proactively with licensed premises in the City to ensure that the licensing objectives are upheld and promoted and we will also be looking to see how we can advertise new applications in the future so that all of our residents are aware of these.” The Parish Council insists it wants to maintain harmony between students and locals. “Ultimately we want to ensure that we have a thriving early evening and night time economy for all to enjoy but in a way which does not cause our residents any disturbance”.

News

Top Durham donor: Covid-19 policy ‘unequivocal disgrace’ Continued from front Hillery told Palatinate, “It’s a very depressing state of affairs; I had always felt a very close connection and obligation to the university and its students [...] it feels odd to be so disengaged, but it is what it is now”, The alumnus had contacted the University criticising its Covid-19 measures on multiple occasions prior to his decision.

Hillery’s “step back” from his relationship with Durham University comes primarily in reaction to the decision to implement stricter Covid-19 policies than government guidelines in the 2021-22 academic year, including the decision to temporarily return to online learning at the start of this term.

“Urgency that should have been displayed to fully normalise [the University] to the same status as the rest of society has not been there. The same pedantic and ineffective policies that place the priorities of the paying students at the bottom of the pile are simply continued and refined […] it’s tiring to watch.”

Whilst Durham University restrictions largely fell within the Government’s guidelines last academic year, Durham’s Covid-19 measures this year have gone beyond official advice on numerous occasions.

The University returned to online teaching for the majority of courses in the first two weeks of this term.

This is despite the fact that in January 2022 in tandem with the removal of ‘plan B’ restrictions the Department for Education updated its guidance, telling higher education providers they should “ensure that they deliver face-to-face teaching without restrictions”.

Durham explained the policy

by citing the need to “monitor local and national case rates, with a changed community prevalence, and ensure that our Covidcontrols are appropriate”.

The Government also advised that “HE providers should continue to make efforts to reduce the risk of transmission where appropriate”, however stressed that “they should not put in place measures which limit the teaching and learning outcome for students, or significantly limit the wider activities offered”.

“The same pedantic and ineffective policies are simply continued and refined”

A ‘test to participate’ scheme has also been in place at Durham throughout the year which requires students wishing to participate in ‘wider student experience’ activities – including visiting college bars, playing collegiate sport, and attending formals – to have evidence of a negative lateral-flow test taken up to 48 hours prior at a University testing site.

Durham is not unique in having more restrictions than the Government legally mandates.

A BBC survey of 47 universities at the start of the academic year revealed that only 13 would be offering mostly face-to-face tuition.

For Hillery, the policy is “an

unequivocal disgrace”, saying “The Government was very specific about higher education establishments not resorting to online teaching again after the break; yet they virtually all did so anyway.”

Throughout the pandemic, Durham has insisted that its priority is the “health, safety and wellbeing” of staff and students and it has frequently worked with local authorities to determine measures and minimise community risks.

A University spokesperson said, “We have been guided at all times by the local trajectory of the pandemic which varied at different times across the UK. We have carefully taken into account a wide range of information and perspectives, including Government guidelines, prevailing conditions and advice from local Public Health colleagues.”

Last academic year, despite measures beyond government mandates, Durham City had the highest Covid-19 case rate in England towards the end of Easter Term.

Measures included the ‘Test to Participate’ scheme, a total spend of £580,000 on LFT testing centres, and student exclusions due to breaking Covid-19 government guidelines.

The Covid-19 rate in Durham peaked at 2169.6 per 100,000 people in the week before 19th June 2021 – significantly higher than the second highest in England, 1547.2 in Hyde Park in Leeds.

The University is due to review the current test-to-participate scheme and mandatory use of face coverings in University buildings at the end of this week.

Hillery acknowledged this but stated that, “If the University turns around in a few weeks’ time and finally drops the insanity as a statement of policy then great, but it’s all far too little too late”.

(Thomas Tomlinson) (Thomas Tomlinson)

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Thursday 10th February 2022 | PALATINATE

News

January housing release is a myth Lilith Foster-Collins News Editor

January saw no significant release of additional student housing, according to data collated by Palatinate.

On January 1st, 167 student houses were available on the online housing site Sturents for the next academic year. By January 31st just 68 houses remained, with a steady decline throughout the month.

Both Harringtons and Bill Free Homes confirmed they did not release any houses in January.

Bill Free Homes explained: “We may bring a few new properties to the market but these would either be newly developed properties where the details are still being finalised, newly purchased properties or properties from Landlords who are new to us.”

Of the houses available at the beginning of the month, 28 were

priced at less than £100 per person per week (pppw). By the end of the month this was just two houses.

The vast majority of houses in January were priced at more than £140pppw.

Bill Free Homes commented: “This year we did not plan to release until Early November, however we had 1062 registrations on the website] by 18th October 2021 and were left with no choice but to follow in other agents footsteps and release the properties.”

“We have found that student housing, or the lack thereof, has been a huge problem for the Student population this year.”

The estate agents that Palatinate spoke to suggested that the January housing release is a myth. Neither Harringtons nor Bill Free Homes have ever had a “second release”.

Bill Free Homes said “We are well aware of students believing that there is a “second release” in

January but this is not something BillFreeHomes have ever done nor are we aware of any other agents who do this.”

“Most landlords would not be comfortable with us holding their properties back whilst the majority of houses are snapped up in the Autumn term in fear of being left behind.”

There were very few larger properties available by the end of January, with no seven beds available during January. Most properties advertised were studios, one beds or two beds.

The availability of houses also differs by area. On the 31st January no houses were available for the next academic year in either the Whinney Hill area or Clapypath.

Bill Free Homes offered advice to students.“The best advice we can now give to students who are still looking for properties is to be as flexible as possible. You will often

find you get far more for your money by going ten minutes further away from the Centre.”

“Most importantly we need to ensure the seemingly false rumour of a second release is stopped, this is highly unfair on students (mostly first years) who do not know how the rental market in Durham works.”

In November, Palatinate revealed that the rush to sign student houses starts as early as late October. The number of student houses available on the online housing site Sturents rose until October 26th, and then began to decline steadily until November. At its peak, 967 houses were available.

Students expressed how the rush had affected them. First-years described the rush as “frantic” and “stressful”.

Harringtons acknowledged the problems with the housing rush: “Whilst we try to hold off with releasing the houses too early, to

give the first year students better chances to find strong groups, (who then don´t fall apart later) and to give our current tenants the option to stay on for their final year, the students essentially determine when letting season begins as it is the high number of enquiries that lead to the properties being marketed.”

Students have also faced increasing rents in houses advertised for the next academic year. Data collected by Palatinate shows that on the 26th October, the median rent price of houses was between £120- 140 pppw. In October, more than 42% of houses cost over £140pppw.

One landlord Palatinate spoke to confirmed that prices had increased, and said that while there are multiple factors, “the shortage of houses in Durham City Centre is also the major [reason] why they’re getting increased”.

SU backs strikes again Lizzie McBride Investigations Editor

(Anna Marshall)

Durham’s Student Union Assembly have announced that they will be supporting UCU members in their upcoming strikes. The latest set of industrial action is planned for the 14th-18th February, the 21st-22nd February, and the 28th February2nd March.

The SU also supported last term’s strikes, and has said that their “position in response to this round of action remains the same, because this is the same dispute.”

“It is being prolonged not by striking staff, but by the failure of both Durham University and Universities UK to meet UCU’s reasonable demands.”

UCU General Secretary Jo Grady said the Union does not “take this action lightly... Time is running out for university bosses to avodi more disruption this term.”

Durham Students’ Union has still not announced whether this support would extend to the marking boycott which the UCU recently proposed, which the SU voted to oppose in 2014.

Durham pledges against use of non-disclosure agreements to silence harassment complaints

Lizzie McBride Investigations Editor

Durham University has signed up to a government pledge promising not to use non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to silence victims of sexual misconduct, bullying and harassment.

26 UK higher education institutions have signed the ‘Can’t Buy My Silence’ pledge so far which is a commitment not to use “non-disclosure agreements to silence people who come forward to complain of sexual harrasment,

abuse or misconduct, or other forms of harassment and bullying.”

In 2020 the institution featured in a BBC investigation that revealed almost a third of UK universities had used NDAs to silence student’s complaints of sexual assult, bullying and poor teaching since 2016.

Durham paid out £20,500 to fewer than five students in the 2018/19 academic year and £156,800 to eight students in 2017/18. From 2016 to 2020, 45 universities paid out a total of £1.3 million to students as part of NDAs. Payments ranged

from £250 to £40,000.

Non-disclosure agreements, which were designed to protect business secrets, are legal contracts that stop people from sharing private information. Jeremy Cook, Durham’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Colleges and Student Experience), denied in 2020 that the University had used NDAs “in any student case involving sexual misconduct and violence”.

Minister for Higher and Further Education, Michelle Donelon, said, that “Sexual harassment is horrendous and complainants

should never be bought or bullied into silence simply to protect the reputation of their university.

“The use of non-disclosure agreements to buy victims’ silence is a far cry from their proper purpose, for example to protect trade secrets. I am determined to see this shabby practice stamped out on our campuses, which is why last year I wrote to vice-chancellors making my position clear.”

Donelan described the pledge as a “moral contract” and called on other vice-chancellors to “do the right thing and follow their lead”.

​​Concerning the new pledge a Durham University said: “We will not tolerate sexual harassment, abuse or misconduct, or other forms of harassment and bullying within our community. Where this occurs, we will always ensure victim-survivors get the support they need to report allegations, rebuild their lives, and stay safe.

“We would not use nondisclosure agreements to silence victim-survivors of sexual harassment, abuse or misconduct, or other forms of harassment and bullying.”

7

PALATINATE | Thursday 10th February 2022

Unique Durham music hub at risk of being demolished

News County Durham News Waseem Mohamed News Editor

County Durham submits 2025 City of Culture bid

County Durham has launched the Durham 2025 campaign, which marks the formal submission of their bid to become the UK City of Culture.

The intiative, which is being backed by Durham University, hopes to see County Durham become the first county to win the title, by using “the power of culture to transform lives.”

As part of the bid, Durham has set out plans for a year-long programme of events.

These include “spectacular opening and closing events, celebration of Durham’s 1,300year history of space science, international celebration of the bicentenary of the railways and a travelling fair that asks big questions about the local economy”.

A range of broadcast programming from the county and the biggest Lumiere festival yet have also been planned for 2025.

The events could draw as much as 15 million people, generating £700

“It’ll all be gone with the demolition”: a look inside Rocking Horse Recording Studio

By Laetitia Eichinger News Editor Rocking Horse Rehearsal Rooms and recording studio is facing the prospect of potential permanent closure.

Plans to demolish the building and redevelop the central Durham premises where Rocking Horse is based emerged last month.

Richard Combstock, owner and founder of Rocking Horse, spoke to Palatinate about his bid to save the company, and about the effect that the closure would have on the Durham music scene.

“Losing it would be a real blow to Durham and its students.”

Combstock explained that it would not be possible to finance a relocation of the premises currently occupied by Rocking Horse.

“We’ve built, from scratch, super soundproof rooms. It would be impossible to tear our work down and build again somewhere else.

“We wired the place ourselves, plumbed it, built every single wall inside the building. We’ve done a huge amount of work on the building and obviously thrown a huge amount of money at it.

“We’ll just completely

vanish. It’ll all be gone with the demolition.”

Combstock also said that it would be exceedingly difficult to find alternative premises in central Durham City that are affordable for the company, which was founded in 2011 and has occupied the same premises ever since.

Rocking Horse is the only establishment of its kind in Durham, according to Combstock.

He expressed concern that, without Rocking Horse, local bands would have to go as far as Newcastle, Sunderland, or Darlington to be able to access similar facilities.

Combstock also spoke fondly about working with Durham students at Rocking Horse on several occasions.

Zach Fox, formerly music director of Durham University Big Band (DUBB), expressed his remorse about the potential loss of Rocking Horse: “Losing it would be a real blow to Durham and its students.

“Having recorded at Rocking Horse several times during my time at Durham, having a professional studio with such experienced staff be so accessible to students and so close to the city centre is amazing.”

Fox added that the studio provides a professional environment for students that is very different from the environment they might experience within the University music scene.

“I now work in the music industry and the knowledge I gained at Rocking Horse was not only invaluable to me entering the

industry, but I use it on a day to day basis in my job.”

Combstock also pointed out that the timing of this development is “particularly bad” because Durham “is going for City of Culture in 2025, and we’re pretty much the last local independent hub of its kind”.

A change.org petition titled ‘Save Rocking Horse Rehearsal Rooms! Durham’s musicians need a place to rehearse’ was set up shortly after news of the potential demolition emerged.

Combstock said: “The petition was the first thing I wanted to do just to get a general wave of support and to gauge how people feel about us staying.”

“We will continue to fight the demolition as much as we can.”

“Me personally, I believe that we should be cast an important thing for the town, but whether or not the people do is a different matter.”

Combstock said that the petition received over 2000 signatures within 48 hours of being posted.

“We’ve certainly provided important services to local musicians and students alike.

We will continue to fight the demolition as much as we can. “

million in revenue, which would create 1,800 jobs in the tourism sector and a further 2,500 jobs in the creative sector. Over 1,000 business can expected to be supported by the City of Culture title.

Reacting to the bid, Durham University Vice Chancellor Karen O’Brien said, “We are proud to be principal partners of the Durham 2025 bid for UK City of Culture.

Durham University is integral to the cultural vibrancy of the city and county...and we’re committed to sharing out learning and facilities to the benefit of the whole region.”

Councillor Amanda Hopgood also welcomed the bid: “County Durham has such a huge potential, an we are determined to bring together our extraordinary people, places and ideas to help transform not just the county, but the whole of the north east.”

“We want everyone who lives and workd in County Durham to be a part of our journey and to reap the benefits of a successful bid.”

Council seeks new powers in devolution negotiations County Durham Council has welcomed proposals from the Government to grant more devolved powers to local governments, as part of the Conservative Party’s landmark ‘Levelling Up’ policy.

Durham will be one of nine counties to enter negotiations with the Government to secure a devolution deal.

The so called “devolution revolution” will grant local governments extra powers to decide local policies, with the Government promising that “every part of England that wishes to have a ‘London-style’ devolution deal will have one.”

Councillor Amanda Hopgood said, “It is fantastic news that County Durham has been selected as one of the nine areas taken forward for a deal. We have clearly set out a strong and compelling argument

to get to this point and we look forward to further discussion with government. With more local control over economic regeneration, housing, infrastructure and resources, we can look to the future with confidence and optimism.”

Durham University has reacted warmly to the plans. ViceChancellor Professor Karen O’Brien said, “Durham University is proud to have worked with partners across the norther East for nearly 200 years to drive investment, innovation, job creation and development, and the adaptation of out economy for the challenges that lie ahead.

“We welcome the Government’s focus on Levelling Up and look forward to continuing discussions, locally and nationally, on how we can contribute to this [crucial] agenda.”

An annual report into public health in County Durham has revealed that despite improvements and local policy efforts, overall health in the County remains worse than the average of England, with high levels of health inequalities and deprivation being the main driving factors.

The report reveals that County Durham lags behind the rest of England on several health indicators, both in early and adult life, such as in prevalence of long-term illness.

It also notes the high levels of deprivation across age groups.

The report analyses the local response to Covid-19, noting “very positive and above average take up of the vaccine in County Durham” at the time of writing.

While vaccinations are having a positive impact on reducing the direct impacts of Covid-19, it acknowledges that “wider health impacts are still unfolding”.

There has been a marked increase in demand for mental health support, particularly amongst children. The risk of social isolation has increased and there have been “both positive and negative” changes to people’s drinking, eating and physical activity habits.

The report sets out further measures to meet the County’s health targets, with this year’s focus being on positive behaviours, alcohol usage and integrated healthcare.

Health in County Durham still “worse than average”

8

Thursday 10th February 2022 | PALATINATE

Satire

Palatinate Satire

Satire Editors: Benjamin Lycett & Hannah Williams For more satire, visit www.palatinate.org.uk/category/satire

Exposed: inside LNER first class BREAKING: Your

(an investigation by a self-aware student) Liv Montgomery Ever wondered what goes on behind the frosted glass doors of the LNER's first-class cabin?

Wonder no longer for I, a plucky young Durham University student, have shelled out a hefty sum from my sesh fund, to get you the inside scoop. Even if I have to take some more tutoring hours, or who am I kidding, ask my daddy for more money, it’ll be worth it to get you the truth from the heart of the action.

I am just far too quirky and relatable to fit in Standing on the platform in my Shoreditch-thrifted platforms, and my darling Depop leather jacket, I feel like a spy on enemy lines, a journalist of Gloria Steinem's ilk, determined to bring you, dear Palatinate reader, the hard-hitting truths from the life and times of the well-to-do.

Looking up and down the platform at Kings Cross, I note the sleekly suited sea of retirees and academics stood near my first-class carriage, probably discussing how hard it is to find

SIR BEER STARMER CLEARED OVER DRINK WITH DURHAM MP Police conclude that Sir ‘see it off’ Starmer is in the clear for the beer photo in Durham MP’s office. This came after Sir Keir Starmer pleaded that “I couldn’t possibly come to Durham having not tasted the sweet, sweet nectar of a Taddy’s.” Who could possibly argue against that!

KAREN O'BRIEN 'UNAWARE' SHE WAS NEW VICE-CHANCELLOR It has come to O'Brien's attention that, to her surprise, she is the new Vice-Chancellor of the University. In response, the Uni said that, "Quite frankly, we're not too sure who you are either Karen. I thought we'd asked WWE's John Cena to be the new V-C. That would've been pretty sick."

good quality cashmere these days, or where in the North East you can find the best foie gras.

I receive a couple of sideways glances, passengers scoffing at me as though I were a character out of Skins. I feel tempted to give them a real show, an Effie Stonem scowl, and light up, then I realised I left my baccy at that house party in Knightsbridge.

Damn. It is going to be a long train ride.

I board the train and take my place in a large, reclined chair, empathising for my comrades in left behind in the cattle carriages. More used to pres in the Viaduct with tin cocktails, and Tesco wine, I fearlessly sip gin and tonics with the intelligentsia, the elite of the North East. .

I take a gluten-free brownie from the complimentary food trolley, musing on the glorious day on which we will finally seize the means of production and brownies will be for all.

As I scroll through some gorgeous Brandy tops on Depop, a conversation between the passengers next to me caught my attention. They are in the process of selling their horse, and have just received an email from their solicitor:;the bourgeois pricks.

They catch me looking but thinking quickly I flash them a smile that said ‘horse girl’. A close call, they nearly worked out I was an imposter.

I only had riding lessons for two years as a kid until Mummy decided it wasn’t worth the money.

Or so I thought, they suddenly fall silent. I realised they may be seeing

FA CUP UPSET! It overheard someone calling it fat in the changing rooms after PE. It's now locked itself in its room and won't come out for dinner.

FEELING THIRSTY? Students spend ¾ of their time at the Billy B water fountains study shows. The study went on to remark that the fountains' water stream is so slow, that most students end up having less water in their bottle than when they started. Scientists say the poor water supply has actually made the library "a more arid environment than the Sahara."

CHECK YOUR GRAMMAR KIDS! MPs put Sue Gray into cryogenic hibernation and celebrate with dinner. After they had eaten Boris, rejoiced at a lovely meal!

through my disguise.

In a moment of quick thinking, I move one of my Camden Market rings to my ring finger, adopt the demeanour of a young heiress, then take a glass of wine from the complimentary drinks trolley.

"A Spanish Rioja?!" I scoff, "Surely with the amount we pay for these tickets, we at least deserve an Old World Bordeaux!"

I left my baccy at that house party in Knightsbridge.

Damn.

I expect them to stand and cheer, but I am met with an embarrassed silence. I forgot shows of emotion are frowned upon. I have blown my cover.

I tried my best to bring you the honest truth, but alas, they saw through my disguise. I am just far too quirky and relatable to fit in with posh people. A real Bridget Jones.

Fear not though, I am a true investigative journalist, and I will get this scoop, even if it kills me.

When I take the train back to London for Cordelia’s next sesh, I promise to brave first class again, to find you, dear reader, the answers you deserve.

partner lied about not wanting a gift and is now mad That’s right, despite making a big deal about not wanting anything for Valentine's, your partner is now really upset and disappointed that you didn’t read between the lines, even though the lines themselves seemed to be pretty clearly telling you the opposite.

It's hard to read between the lines when they're telling you the exact opposite thing After consulting a relationship counsellor to help translate your partner’s claim, Palatinate discovered that what they really meant by “Oh you really don’t have to get me anything” was actually: “Get me a good present or you’re on a table for one

this Valentine’s.”

In a revealing interview with Palatinate, your partner said that the Valentine’s card you got them was “good and all”, but that they would have preferred it if the card had been sellotaped to a new designer watch. They also asked us to tell you to stop doing that weird thing you do in the bedroom.

Not only this, but they were left less than impressed by your rather unimaginative decision to head to Spags for dinner, despite it being voted ‘Most Romantic Restaurant in Durham’ by Crap Boyfriend Magazine.

To help you improve on this year’s showing, your partner helpfully provided us with a brief list of acceptable gifts for the future: £150 in cash (adjusted for inflation), a bouquet of flowers but every petal is made out of a fiver, a novelty teddy bear holding a heart but the heart is full of £2 coins OR your love and affection (although they did call this the “lame option”).

Top Valentine's Day spots in Durham this year!

By Alistair Marshall It may be of interest to learn that it is in fact Valentine’s Day next week. In your futile attempt to ‘take the reins of the relationship’ you’ve left booking anything to the last minute to preserve a hint of spontaneity.

You’ll be disappointed to find out that those boring, organised couples have taken up all the best date spots in Durham.

Fortunately for you, this Palatinate exclusive has compiled all the remaining alternatives, so your other half won’t know the difference between your actual unprepared self and the hopeless romantic she wants you to be.

Limited time deals at TJ Hughes Nothing’s more romantic than a meal you can enjoy twice. Take advantage of the 2 for 1 sale on Tupperware at TJ Hughes and remind your girlfriend of your reheated attentiveness the evening after the big day.

The North-Easts Pont de Arcs Eternalise your love by padlocking the overpass bridge by Hilde Bede.

Support local business and acquire your passionate gesture from the Durham indoor market; purchase four locks and you’ll be rewarded with a complimentary body piercing.

A Tranquil Retreat Your girlfriend has been stressed out by summatives and you’re not prepared to pay for a spa day.

Kill two birds with one stone by booking her a private room

at the Billy B, with the 70% out celebrating their love there’ll be plenty of space and the pressure of her deadlines will distract her from your lack of planning.

Gary Vee at the Union Tired of explaining what NFTs are? Hand over your mansplaining duties to the Durham Union, where she can be exposed to both sides of the argument and finally understand why everything you say holds water.

Choose any combination of these and your relationship might last long enough to scramble something together for her birthday. You’ll have three padlocks left over to use in later relationships and your Tupperware was rather knackered anyway after your housemate used it to store day old tuna pasta.

Comment 9

PALATINATE | Thursday 10th Feburary 2022.

Formals: an essential or alienating experience?

Dhillon Shenoy

C

ombination. Ladies and friends … awkward? You might be wondering what I’m going on about.

But fellow Chadsians will likely recognise these as being just a small selection of the eclectic and occasionally quirky themes that characterise Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Moulsdale Hall.

I remember well the Fresher’s Formal held for us on day one.

A baptism by black gown, white tablecloth and the timeless yet dreaded introductory questions of “Which A levels did you take?”.

Now, let me be honest. I have been through one or two formals sat with a table that left me saying the closing grace “Deo Gratias” (Thank God) with sincerity - mainly for the imminent opportunity to leave with haste.

Yes - gowns, Latin chants, and formality itself can make the occasion stuffy and alienating, but a valuable insight I have obtained is that the unfamiliarity and weirdness of the whole thing is something that most (if maybe not quite all) students feel — and, importantly, can share in and bond over together.

So I want to argue that formals should instead embody something in our post-pandemic world that is of universal value

The defining feature of any formal should not be gowns or Latin.

to all students — the power of community and coming together.

For me, this hit home during my train journey back to Durham this January, when I found myself talking with a fellow Durham student and another passenger of a *slightly* more advanced generation.

None of us had ever met before we began our conversation.

Yet, much like in a formal, the discussion was deep, wideranging, and only occasionally vulnerable to controversy (the mention of the Sussex household may have produced some turbulence). Our older companion also took the time to tell us about her son — a soldier who has served our country around the world including in Afghanistan — and the sheer delight she gets from spending time with her grandchildren.

However, it was only upon her disembarkment at Darlington that she told my fellow student and I, not without some emotion, that we were the first people she had been able to have a meaningful face-to-face interaction with since early December.

Even before Covid-19, leaving home to go to university, and Durham in particular, could be far more isolating for some students than others. And let’s not pretend that this isn’t still the case. But now that we have all shared in a period, as our new

Vice-Chancellor well-articulated, “of instability, privation and sadness”. Surely we can no longer take for granted the nourishing effect of shared experiences, sometimes unusual and peculiar, with friends?

The same goes for challenging ourselves to reach out to new individuals — one of the things I have valued most about formals at Chad’s is the opportunity to befriend and connect with MCR and SCR members who might otherwise have remained undiscovered sources of wisdom.

And the ban on mobile phones at the table can only be something to embrace in this age where the digital world has been allowed too much encroachment upon our everyday social lives.

Having only been to formals at Chad’s, I have little to no idea of the formal traditions of other colleges (do Hatfielders really bang their cutlery on the table?)

— but I can promote some of the steps that our JCR has taken to make ours more accessible.

Second-hand gown sales that save the environment as well as the student budget, a brand-new formalwear lending service, not to mention that the cost of meals are included for livers-in. And in light of the lower frequency of formals at maintained colleges (not to mention the recent Covid-19 related cancellation of one at St Mary’s), tribute must be made to the accomplishments

Are formals a vital Durham experience?

of the Chad’s catering team who managed to keep up a formal dinner service twice a week last term, and have now just resumed following the lifting of the ‘soft start’ restrictions.

Should we see formals as a vital part of the ‘Durham experience’?

I have been told this is dependent on whether you are allocated a Bailey or Hill college. But I want to suggest that the defining feature of any college’s formal should not be gowns, prayers in Latin or underlying scrutiny and judgement from others, but rather the opportunity for introduction to and engagement with the passionate, funny and warm-hearted individuals that represent the best of what this University has to offer — a vibrant and enduring community that could not be more vital to any student’s time here, regardless of which college they belong to.

(Elle Fitzgerald)

Diversifying Durham: a half-step in the right direction Emerson Shams

B

AME, a vague acronym standing for Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic, is a current catch-all phrase being used by academic institutions in the UK to refer to multiple groups which have been underrepresented.

While the acronym itself is controversial as it happily groups together a wide variety of ethnic groups that are in no way similar, it also leaves too vague of a descriptor to recognise all underrepresented communities in academia. It has become quite the eye-catching in academia recently which attempts to improve representation in groups that are typically underrepresented in academia.

It has gained a renewed significance since 2020 and BLM [Black Lives Matter] and SEAH [Stop East Asian Hate] movements, with

increased pressure on improving representation of these groups in academic fields. However, these requests from people of colour are nothing new, and there has been an ongoing fight since the dawn of universities and academia.

Durham, like many universities in the UK, has been consistently ranked quite low for diversity. This is particularly evident in terms of ethnicity. As of the 2020-1 academic year, 30% of Durham students identified as "BAME", but only one third were 'home' students. A Tab article from 2020 showed that among UK students at Durham, 87.35% were white, ranking it 27th most white university in the country in terms of UK students.

The University has attempted to combat such low levels of diversity. The latest initiative is a £2.5m plan scheme to support incoming postgraduates from BAME backgrounds in the entire North East. And Durham is leading it.

This latest initiative hopes to provide financial support to incoming students, as well as fund programmes which should lead

to supporting more students of colour continuing their education.

Thus, an initiative like the one that’s just been put in place is brilliant. I, for one, am looking forward to the changes this might bring. It shows the University is recognising that students of colour need more support to continue education and they will benefit from such students continuing at Durham.

One of the key benefits to this programme is that it will start more conversations. When more voices are added to the conversation, so are new ways of thinking and new ideas. This will allow academic research to expand and increase what we are able to know. Additionally, such an undertaking is likely to set off a crucial chain reaction. With more people of colour being supported in academia, we can hope for a future where academic staffs of professors and researchers are educating and ensuring future generations have a well-rounded education.

While it is important to note that this is a great step in the right

direction, there is still so much more for the University to do to support these students. Starting with supporting existing students from ethnic backgrounds. There is more to making a diverse community than just simply increasing the numbers.

It is also about allowing people to flourish and be safe once they are there. The SU has done much in this regard by starting programmes such as decolonise Durham, but one way in which the University could support students of colour in their studies is to create EDIMH interns who are paid to work with the department to ensure that student welfare is being followed.

Furthermore, I wish this initiative was expanded to searching for more academics of colour being hired to work in the University. This would be the strongest way of solidifying more BAME uptake of postgraduate studies. Representation is key.

When people see others like themselves succeeding, they know they are also able to follow this route and succeed too. In

this case, it would be concrete evidence that after completing all this schooling they’ll be employable and get to do the jobs they are hoping for.

Lastly, it is important to note that one key area where things could get better would be through using terminology that isn’t incredibly ‘othering’. The conflation of so many people from different backgrounds does not help to increase diversity but to expand division.

A normal and abnormal are made. It is also important to note that there are more than just ethnic demographics which are underrepresented in academic communities, and more work also needs to be done towards supporting them, as that is the only way to really expand education.

Initiatives like these are so important as they are the building blocks for humanity to enter a new golden age of knowledge. But alas, even with all the good this will do, the question remains: to what extent is this just the University trying to virtue signal?

10

Thursday 10th February 2021 | PALATINATE

Comment

The public purse is being strangled An increase in National Insurance will put further pressure on low-income families

Hollie Bullen

T

here are perhaps only two inevitable things in life: death and taxes. The Government has control over the latter. Boris Johnson’s administration has often faced allegations of being ‘reckless’ and ‘cruel’ with its policies and the public purse – there is perhaps no better example than ploughing on with the National Insurance increase, amidst a cost-of-living crisis.

National Insurance was introduced into the public sphere in 1911 by the National Insurance Act, intended and designed to alleviate the hardships on the working class. Currently, National Insurance is a tax paid by those over 16 who are either self-employed and turn a profit of £6,515 per annum or are employed and earn at least £184 a week. Personally, I am happy to pay it as it goes towards funding social care in areas such as state pensions and the NHS, services we will likely all one day rely on. However, in April 2022, the National Insurance contributions will go up by 1.25%.

In such unprecedented times, community and social care has been our life support. Schemes like the furlough and the NHS coping with a whopping 690k people being hospitalised so far during the pandemic have been crucial. It is vital we fund these services. Yet, squeezing more out of people who have already been pushed to the brink seems unfair and downright cruel.

People who earn just over £50k a year get taxed of a rate at 2%, but those who earn less get taxed at a 12% rate. This proposed increase will disproportionally affect the working class.

The average salary in the UK is £25,971 and the average household in the UK spends £2,548 a month on living expenses, including bills and food. With ever growing living expenses stagnant wages, the NI increase seems out of touch. From April the average worker will face an NI increase of £168.70. This increase alone could fund a weekly shop for just over 6 people, with the average weekly shop costing £26.50 per person. The reality is low-income families will be hit hard by such an increase.

This increase is also going to significantly impact small businesses.

Small business owners will not only have to pay insurance based on their profits but any insurance that is owed based on employee wages. How will they afford this when as previously discussed the price of overheads such as rent, and utilities are skyrocketing? This

could leave little to be desired about owning a business.

Is this really what we want to strive towards as a society? Do we want to be reduced to only the wealthy owning businesses or stuck just ordering from Amazon and lining Jeff Bezos’s pocket — who according to Forbes increased his net worth by $86 billion dollars in the pandemic. Amazon paid 0.37% tax-to-turnover rate to the UK in 2020. Surely Bezos could have paid more as he had enough money to go to space for a few hours. Surely the Government should attempt to encourage more people to start small business by increasing tax elsewhere. Yet, the Tories seem too preoccupied with the backlash to ‘partygate’. In recent weeks the news has been flooded with headlines about party whips allegedly threatening to withhold funding to constituencies that are represented by rebel MPs. Why should working class people be expected to provide more funding for services, just to have it dangled in front of elected officials in a bid to get them to stick to the party line instead of meeting the needs of the people who provided those funds?

The reckless spending of this government is frightening and their actions leave much to be desired Theresa May said “there is no magic money tree” — except there seems to be for this Tory Government. Rishi Sunak wrote off £4.3 billion in Covid-19 fraud debt, with the government being accused of writing off up to £10 billion on unusable PPE. The reckless spending of this Government is frightening and their actions leave much to be desired. The NHS is a vital service, and the UK would be unrecognisable without it, but why should the single mother trying to feed her children have to pitch in more when we were promised Brexit would provide an extra £350 million a week for the NHS? Why should the Tories be allowed to take more money from the people, just to misspend it and hold it hostage? Money that would be used wisely by those who need it and those who would miss it. If the Conservatives feel that this fair, it must also be fair that they, who get paid £81,932 a year, must be hurt just as much.

(Frederico Almeida)

Are our streets safe?

With a renewed conversation on street safety, is Durham doing enough to protect its students, particularly women and non- binary members of our community?

Lorna Petty

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alking home alone. The endless consideration when attending any event or gathering in the evening. The cries of ‘text me when you’re home!’, ‘let me know you get home safe!’ and ‘promise to get an uber back!’ never quite achieve the reassurance they intend. The dangers of walking home alone, particularly for women and non-binary folks, are a serious consideration when deciding whether to attend certain functions and what time to leave.

Categorically no one enjoys the fear, whatever the degree, instilled by walking home alone at night. No matter whether you are in a city or area you consider to be ‘safe’ or one you know to be a bit more risky, walking home alone is an anxietyinducing venture for many.

Fortunately, groups and organisations are emerging that help counter this fear and increase the safety of those walking home at night on their own. Groups such as Urban Angels, Nightline, and the Samaritans all provide ‘virtual walk home’ services and a space for people to report incidents when walking alone at night.

Personally, if I do find myself walking alone at night, I phone a friend, my partner or my parents to make me feel safer and less vulnerable. Unfortunately the efficacy of this method has been proven rather low, but even so it adds a level of protection and a calming presence which is certainly much appreciated.

Whilst obvious measures have been taken to make Durham and other cities a safer place for female, non-binary, and other students who feel vulnerable walking alone, more must be done before we can

truly claim that walking alone at night is safe or advisable.

Firstly, being physically walked home is preferable to a virtual service, and arguably is something a university could provide. A system akin to the ‘freps’ of freshers week would be a welcome addition to a regular evening. Of course, the job of soberly walking obliterated young adults home from clubs is not one I feel would draw the crowds.

Therefore, it would undoubtedly have to be a paid job rather than voluntary work.

Students would certainly take up this opportunity and their peers would be grateful for the service they provide. If this was shift work or flexible hours it could be a very attractive prospect for students looking for a part-time job alongside uni.

The frequent discoveries of scandlous groupchats , drinking games or societies which feature problematic tones demonstrates how pervasive this problem still is Arguably more important than putting in measures to help folk walk home on their own at night would be a drive by the university

and SU to increase education and training for students on tackling micro-aggressive behaviours and internal biases. The shocking statistic showed by a study in October that statistically one in nine male UK students admit to rape or sexual assault is a telling sign that this kind of awareness is desperately needed.

The frequent discoveries of scandalous group chats, drinking games, or societies which feature problematic tones demonstrates how this problem is still pervasive within the university sphere.

We can identify a significant threat before we even look outside the confines of the university itself, let alone the rest of the city and its fair share of aggressive individuals.

Whilst college consent workshops at Durham are welcomed and a good start to this process of training, there surely must be a stronger, uni-wide focus on educating students on how to make the streets a safer place for them at night.

Ultimately, the offenders of violence and sexual abuse are not abnormal individuals who are somehow inherently ‘more evil’ than your average person.

They are the minorly problematic individuals who go unchallenged; they are the friend who is just slightly too enraged by his exgirlfriend’s new fling; they are the lad who makes a subtle misogynistic joke in a group; they are the guys who make fun of their mates for their respectful attitude toward others and boundaries in jokes and discussions.

I could go on, but unchallenged behaviours at this low level can escalate to tragic violence. We can continue telling individuals how to be safe and use techniques to keep attackers at bay on the streets, but ultimately, walking alone will not be safe until the systemic problems which cause such violence are properly addressed.

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PALATINATE | Thursday 10th February 2022

Comment

Is it time to return to study as normal?

In returning to 'normality', the University is removing restrictions at a suitable pace for the current risk.

Anna Noble

Comment Editor

T Students at St John's participate in the mass testing effort. (Mark Norton)

A striking return: why students should support further strikes Anonymous

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hree more strikes are planned for this term.

These run February 14th18th, February 21st-22nd, and February 28th-March 2nd.

I am a student, but I am also a seminar leader. Teaching is something I love, and it is my number one priority to ensure that students gain confidence, have the proper pastoral care they need, and become enthused with their subject.

Last year, during the worst months of the pandemic, many of my 180 students underwent huge amounts of trauma relating to Covid-19, both physically and mentally. I did everything within my power to support them through these difficult times.

The hippocratic oath, which is traditionally applied to doctors of medicine, also applies as my general attitude towards teaching: “do no harm”. Thus, things must be acutely awful for me to support a strike, which will affect students negatively. The head of the UCU, Jo Grady, put it better than I ever could.

Studying for my PhD during a pandemic has presented its own set of challenges. We have a serious problem when it comes to supporting young academics at this University. When we cross the classroom, from students to teachers, the University’s duty of care seems to fall off the face of the Earth. In my entire time of teaching during the pandemic, I have not been offered any meaningful support, or been made aware of where to go for help. We had a short online training video to prepare us for our first ever time teaching students, and were then left more or less to our own devices. Many have been left feeling hopeless, isolated, and overwhelmed. As a postgraduate community, we have some amazing teaching talents,

but we have been left on our own to work out how to work everything out.

I am a member of a small army of postgraduate researchers, who teach on insecure, 'casualised' contracts. In the social sciences, only around 30% of PhDs are funded.

As a self-funded PhD student, I am paid a tiny amount each month to educate around 90 students. I teach 6 seminars per fortnight. I am paid for one hour of preparation time – yes we really are expected to do all of the readings and preparation in one hour. I am paid nothing for the admin work, or pastoral work I frequently undertake.

Teachers are just as much humans beings as students and they need to be treated as such The money I make pays half of my monthly rent, and I have to supplement this income with lots of other jobs. Last year I had 8 jobs in total, and 180 students as my responsibility in Durham. This issue is profound – PhD student Aimée Lê, of Royal Holloway, was forced to live in a tent whilst at the mercy of one of these hourly-paid contracts. She said to The Guardian: “I think the students had every expectation I was receiving a salary for my work. I think that is what students everywhere assume: that we are lecturers on proper contracts” We aren’t. In the social sciences, the majority of us are paying the University more a year in tuition fees than we earn a year in salary.

The University still have a chance to stop the strikes. They can ensure that they use their money to pay staff properly, and advocate for a halt on the pensioncut awaiting full-time academics.

They can ensure proper training, access to materials, and mental health services for young academics.

Teachers are just as much human beings as students, and, in order for them to be able to do their job, they need to be treated as such.

No doubt, the ruling class of the University will do none of these things. They will continue to treat this once-great University as a cold, hard, business. The National Union of Students has provided their solidarity. The only way we can ensure a fulfilling teaching and learning environment for all is to work together.

Students are going to be hit in the short-term by this, and the University should do everything it can to try and support them, especially finalists. Finalists will be able to speak to their dissertation supervisors during the non-striking working days in February, and it would be my advice to make sure they make the most of these opportunities.

Extra leniency on extensions should also be instigated as a University-wide policy for all year groups.

Education is such a wonderful thing, but this University is determined to suck the life and soul out of it. We have to unite to stop them.

he University has once again returned to in person teaching, and I must say, I am relieved. My motivation, productivity and general mental health are much better with the structure provided by in-person lectures and tutorials. The reopening of the library without having to use the dreaded booking system, also marked a rare moment of joy in the life of a law student drowning in summatives whilst attempting to write a dissertation.

Alas, despite my personal gratitude for a return to the ’new normal’ Durham, whether Durham is striking the right balance between caution and normality must be considered.

Covid-19’s presence can still be felt in Durham. I personally know more people who are currently isolating with covid-19 in Durham this week than I have potentially all academic year. However, if you look to the University’s published statistics, cases appear to be dropping. Over the past two weeks (as I am writing this article) the highest number of cases confirmed by a PCR test came on the 20th of January with 133 student and nine staff cases. The 1st of February, however, whereby the latest data is available shows just 48 student and six staff cases. There is also currently a downward trend in the seven-day-average of positive cases. This suggests that the removal of restrictions on the 24th of January did not result in cases increasing; in fact new cases have reduced relatively steadily, as has the sevenday-average.

Therefore, it appears that a return to ‘normal’ was justified and on balance the right approach. It also follows the recommendation of the government and correlates with the governments reversion to plan A. This, whilst it has been criticised for being an attempt to distract from ‘partygate’, is not entirely illogical if you look at the fact that whilst cases remain high, hospitalisations and deaths have not reached the same peaks as before thanks in part to better

knowledge and treatments and of course vaccinations.

However, the University has opted to retain masks whereas the England has elected to drop the compulsory mask mandate. Whilst this is controversial and I am sure some students are decrying having to wear ‘face diapers’ for a bit longer, I personally think the university is right.

Whilst deaths and hospitalisations in comparison to the number of cases is significantly lower than at other points of the pandemic, the treat of Covid-19 has not entirely disappeared.

Last Thursday there was 534 covid deaths, the highest amount in almost a year. That is still a significant number of deaths and something which shouldn’t be dismissed lightly.

Durham University is also a community where masks are important to help protect those who might be vulnerable. Furthermore, we are also a university situated within a community whereby people are also likely to be vulnerable and which includes elderly people. Maintaining slightly stricter rules to benefit our and the wider community is sensible and promotes respect. After all, how much of an inconvenience is wearing a thin bit of fabric over your nose and mouth? To be blunt, it is far less of a burden than having to be ventilated because of Covid-19.

Whilst some might argue that ‘masks don’t work’, consider this: why do doctors and surgeons wear masks? Why has there been significantly fewer flu cases since masking has become routine? Why have major supermarkets such as Tesco also elected to keep masks?

As a final point the university continuing its ‘testing to partake’ policy is also wise in order to minimise the spread of infection, whilst allowing a return to as normal as possible.

Therefore, I think it is fair to say that the University’s covid measures strike a fair balance in terms of giving us the best university experience possible whilst still being respectful of our, and the wider community.

The only way we can ensure a fulfilling teaching and learning environment for all is to work together.

(Elle Fitzgerald)

12

Thursday 10th February 2022 | PALATINATE

Profile

“If you can’t be a proper moral agent, then you’re never going to be fully happy” Thomas Hennessy speaks to Professor Edith Hall about Aristotle, the meaning of life, her return to Durham and inclusivity within institutional Classics.

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dith Hall is one of our greatest experts on the vanished universe of Aristotle and Aristophanes, author of 30 plus books, and frequent television and radio contributor. Yet she still lives very firmly in our own world, as she campaigns tirelessly for a just Classics bereft of the classism that has long plagued the discipline.

Profile initially spoke to Edith about her bestselling book, Aristotle’s Way. It was mesmerising to hear Aristotelian wisdom freed from dusty, leather bound volumes to be so emphatically applied to our every-day experience. Her every sentence was buttressed by decades of study and life experience, and I could not help but imagine myself as a disciple in the old master’s Lyceum more than two thousand years ago.

For Hall, Aristotle’s philosophy is uniquely suited to helping with modern life because “[He was] the first philosopher who tried to produce an ethics and ethical system that would be conducive to happiness without any reference to religion whatsoever”. As such therefore “it’s incredibly suited to a society, which is usually traced to the 1960s where people, very few people, certainly in Britain and in a lot of the world, find it very difficult to get a moral system that they really believe in and can put into action, out of religion. Religion has lost its ability, not of course, among all communities, but for the large number of people who don’t believe in a providential deity that you will punish them if they don’t obey a rule book. I think the other incredible positive of it, well, there’s many, but I would actually say there are two others. One is that you do it for yourself it’s not dependent on anybody else. Only you can think about how to become the best possible version of yourself, and you can do that even in really dark times. It can help you to find meaning and things without the need for other people, it’s a very internal kind of process. The third thing is I think he does not see the psyche as split into reason on the one side and emotion on the other, or the spirit, and then there’s the body and they’re separate. So he doesn’t say emotion bad, reason good, which is pretty much the Platonic position and the Stoic position and the Christian position.

He says that it’s all a continuum, and this is where the idea of the (golden) mean is so important, that it’s not a matter of saying being angry is bad,

right? Because in fact, he says, if you never get angry, you can’t be a proper moral agent. And if you can’t be a proper moral agent, then you’re never going to be fully happy”.

Only you can think about how to become the best possible version of yourself, and you can do that even in really dark times

Aristotle’s philosophy prizes realising one’s telos. This is usually translated as our purpose, but in its original Greek, it is a quasi spiritual concept of reaching the supreme end of the human experience, nothing less than the meaning of life. Very few students have even a semblance of their telos in the spiralling tumult of university life. Hall believes that we find this ‘by listening to yourselves, not all the adults around you, trying to pressurize you in lots of different directions’. She adds, “do not rush, do not let people pressurize you to going off earning large amounts of money. You know, you worry about that later when you’ve got responsibilities.

Most undergraduates are incredibly fortunate and they’re free to to risk precarity until they find out what they really want to do. I did loads different things. I did not start my doctorate till I was nearly 27. And everybody said, it’s too late, you’ll never have an academic career.

Rubbish.

Complete rubbish.

It took me that long to decide what to do with my life. And then,

of course, I did it very quickly and got into my first job at 31. In the first two or three (years after graduation) it is crucial that you don’t rush into things. That is when you’re really finding yourself. Do not rush and listen to your own heart”.

This concept of telos for Hall “means thinking about your deathbed all the time. Now that sounds really gloomy, but I’ve read a lot of books in order to write Aristotle’s Way about people who do end of life care and the dying people never, ever regret having tried something and failed”. She explains, “I’ve tried and failed many, many things in my life. But that’s so much better than wondering what would have happened if I just had the bottle? So deathbed thinking in a thoroughly positive way, how can I maximize my chances of a psychologically easy death knowing that I tried everything, gave it a shot? And therefore, it was bad luck, or it was out of my hands if I didn’t get what I wanted, but if it was in your hands and you didn’t get it, you only have yourself to blame”.

Her own telos is to expand access to classics through initiatives like ACE (Advocating Classics Education) and to tackle exclusionary practices in universities.

While the direction of travel is generally positive, “there are elite institutions the world over that seem to want to hang on to a very old fashioned image of Classics and erect all sorts of barriers, in particular knowledge of the languages, which in Britain is just ridiculous because you can only get them a private school.

I mean, it’s just nonsensical. 93 percent of all kids go to state school.

So, are we going to say that they have no right to learn about the ancient Greeks and Romans?”. Her A People’s History of Classics, exploring classical reception among working class and marginalised communities, aims to dissipate elitist perceptions of Classics. It is to “give us a back story that I hope will make people realize [Classics] belongs to all of us, not just to that ghastly, privileged few of whom, sadly, our prime minister is one of such a prime representative.

The Etonian Classicist, who drops Latin tags to prove how clever he is, horrible”.

Throughout her rise to become one of Britain’s leading public intellectuals, Hall was very conscious that she was breaking the mould as to what a Classicist was expected to be, namely a male, bespectacled, tweed clad aristocrat.

Her humour, Aristotle hoodie and daily commute by bus could not be further from this stuffy convention. Yet, she is aware that her path within the discipline is not complete. “My power is what’s called soft power. Nobody in institutional Classics might want to give me a promotion or give me a chair at Oxford or Cambridge.

Or put me on a big grant giving body like the human trust or the HRC. None of those people can actually stop the BBC asking me on to radio shows.

I just write a lot and people like it, so the publishers ask for more. But I actually haven’t got, as I say, executive power, and that is so dominantly still in the hands of, I’m afraid those tweedy men. It really is.

She recalled her last really big rejection, “the rejection letter actually said, ‘you’re not what we’re looking for’. They actually used that verb. ‘Look’. They actually used that verb. So they were looking for something.

I think male and less funny. I was once interviewed for a job at Harvard, I didn’t even know I was (Orinta Gerikaite)

being interviewed, they invited lots of us over. We didn’t know we were being interviewed and I was told that no, she won’t do was because she is too like an actress. What does that mean? What does like an actress mean? Too charismatic? too good at communication? Maybe too sexy when I was younger? You know, I simply don’t know what too like an actress meant, but I was too like an actress to be taken seriously, despite my first class degrees and my prize-winning first book, as a member of faculty at Harvard.

The rejection letter actually said ‘you’re not what we’re looking for’

Hall returned to Durham as Professor of Classics this term, and she glowed with enthusiasm for her “homecoming”. She revels in new Vice-Chancellor Karen O’Brien’s “vision for widening access rights and for the idea of a community university which extends its roots into its region’.

Her former employer King’s College London, “didn’t seem to be supporting my Advocating Classics Education campaign to get classical civilization and ancient history into British state schools. They just weren’t. At that very point, this opportunity opened up at Durham, so it was a no brainer, actually”.

She also cherishes returning to a corner of the world where bus drivers call you flower and buskers are applauded in Market Square. I think that it is fair to say that King’s College’s loss is our gain.

Hall is giving a public lecture titled: ‘Anything to do with Goat Sacrifice? A New Perspective on the Etymology of Tragedy as Billy Goat Song.’, in Newcastle University on 23rd March. It is also available to attend on Zoom. Additionally, she is appearing on BBC Radio Four’s ‘In Our Time’ to discuss Sophocles’ Antigone next month.

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Thursday 10th February 2022 | PALATINATE

SciTech

The power of love: can science cure heartbreak?

Summer Revely Love is so consuming that you may feel it is a ‘force from above’.

Rejection causes us physical pain — sometimes equivalent to that of losing a loved one. But why is love so powerful? And if we can explain love biologically, can we actually mend a broken heart?

Robert Palmer’s depiction of being ‘Addicted to Love’ was fairly scientifically accurate. The release of the hormone norepinephrine in a fight or flight response also occurs during attraction, meaning that we sometimes quite literally ‘can’t sleep’ and ‘can’t eat’ when in love.

The saying ‘dumb love’ can be true too; attraction turns off regions of the pre-frontal cortex that control critical thinking,

Rejection causes us physical pain

(Verity Laycock)

self-awareness, and rationality.

Decreased serotonin in the initial stages of love correlates with decreased levels in those with obsessive compulsive disorder, which some scientists have linked to the extreme infatuation of falling in love.

Dr Helen Fisher at Rutgers describes romantic love in terms of three categories — lust, attraction, and attachment — with different hormones being released in each stage.

These hormones can bring about a biological ‘addiction’ to love.

Hormone release in those with strong attraction to an individual mirror those released during a cocaine high. As attachment to a partner rises, oxytocin increases like during the euphoric MDMA experience. It is therefore not

abnormal to crave attention and presence from your partner like an addict in withdrawal.

But not all love is a fairy tale.

Just as drug withdrawal is a long process to get through, so is heartbreak. We must actually alter our neural circuits to not be in love and addicted to a person anymore with time and distraction. Recently heartbroken people’s cortical regions (the area of the brain associated with addiction) light up under MRI when shown an image of their rejector.

Whilst nobody knows directly what causes the common physiological symptoms during heartbreak, like chest and stomach pain and nausea, it is believed that changes in activation of the autonomic nervous system upon loss of a partner cause it. In short, being dumped hurts.

In more extreme scenarios of heartbreak, usually in cases where a long-term partner is lost, people can even get ‘broken heart syndrome’.

This is when the heart stops pumping blood efficiently after an emotional shock. In some severe cases, this can result in death. But recent scientific breakthroughs may suggest we can, in fact, mend these broken hearts.

In a Spanish study with initial intent to alleviate traumatic memories in PTSD-sufferers, administration of a sedative used for anaesthesia meant that participants were significantly less able to recall their trauma 24 hours after administration. Theoretically, this could be used in ‘broken heart syndrome’ sufferers to overcome the memories of a loved one to make the heartbreak hurt less.

Similarly, small-scale tests on neurofeedback — a technique

We must actually alter our neural circuits to not be in love

where participants wear a helmet with electrical wires to retrain brainwaves — appear to be helpful in participants with PTSD and depression.

The removal of unwanted brain activity in this method by electroencephalography works similarly to the sedative described previously. It is used with intent to make participants feel less effected by past memories, which could be used to target memories regarding heartbreak.

When this technique was tried on rapper Dessa for nine sessions with intent to stop romantic obsession, she told The Guardian that she felt “less compelled and fixated” on her ex, and she “didn’t have the same surge of adrenaline” upon seeing them again. Whilst clearly this needs more trialling, initial work seems hopeful.

With new technology constantly in development, more anti-love biotechnologies appearing in the future seem very probable.

However, Brian Earp, a psychology, philosophy, and ethics Professor at Oxford University points out ethical concerns regarding these treatments: “Might drugs one day be used to intentionally sever a romantic bond?”. He also describes how we learn from past experiences and adjust our future behaviours in new relationships. But, if used in a controlled manner, perhaps with protocols, anti-love biotechnologies potentially could really help sufferers of many mental health disorders.

For now, we must learn to overcome the challenges thrown at us by love and heartbreak. But with understanding of the science of love increasing greatly with time, this may not be the case in the future.

Genetically modified transplant fixes broken heart Helen Wright Currently, 17 people die every day in the US waiting for an organ transplant. A further 100,000 are on the waiting list. Scientists have been pushing the boundaries of genetic engineering to alleviate the pressure on the world’s organ supply, with a major breakthrough made in recent weeks.

For decades, scientists have been developing the process of xenotransplantation, the practice of transplanting animal organs into humans. However, attempts such as a baboon heart transplant in 1984, and more recently a pig kidney transplant in 2021, have been met with little success. It is, therefore, no surprise that the science world is gripped by the news of the first successful xenotransplantation.

David Bennett Sr., a 57-year-old man from the US, was diagnosed with terminal heart disease last

year. Despite their best efforts, doctors had exhausted all treatment options and deemed him ineligible for a human transplant. Although pig hearts are anatomically similar to humans and pig heart valves are commonly used in modern medicine, the desperate leap to a pig heart transplant was accompanied by innumerable risks.

The key issue arising was organ rejection, an obstacle surgeons face with all transplant procedures. To optimise the chances of successful organ acceptance, scientists employed genetic engineering techniques to prevent triggering an autoimmune response that would attack the implanted tissue.

Pig cells were genetically edited, carefully removing three genes and adding six others, all designed to promote organ acceptance.

Embryos grown from these cells then developed into fully mature, genetically-engineered pigs.

These pigs were raised in a highly monitored, bio-sealed environment, and the heart was harvested from

the chosen animal on the day of the operation. The seven-hour surgical procedure took place without complications in early January this year, and amazingly, Mr Bennett is recovering well. This transplant marks the culmination of years of expensive and timeconsuming research and could be a turning point for patients whose alternatives are wearing thin.

However, like many gene-editing stories, xenotransplantation does not exist without a degree of ethical controversy. The treatment is incredibly risky but provided the patient is aware and consenting of this, it can be justified. Before the surgery, there was rigorous tissue and animal testing to ensure it was safe to proceed, and doctors confirmed no corners were cut in the preparation stages.

In an additional debate, PETA criticised the pig heart transplant, calling it “unethical, dangerous, and a tremendous waste of resources”.

Campaigners condemned this genetic manipulation of animals,

only for them to be killed and their organs harvested after a short and restricted life. Although animal welfare needs careful consideration here, the meat industry is arguably much more problematic in this respect.

These ethical issues will need reconciling if xenotransplantation

and the genetic-engineering of animals have a hope of gaining traction. However, the success in the past few weeks has demonstrated the incredible potential for this to be a genuine treatment and not solely a hypothesis. Perhaps in future, more of us will be part pig than ever deemed possible.

(Kenneth Schipper Vera, Unsplash)

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Thursday 10th February 2022 | PALATINATE

SciTech

Carbon colonialism

How the Global North are hiding their carbon emissions Emerson Shams It is no secret that most of the ‘wealthy’ countries today were the same countries which colonised nations across the Americas, Africa and Asia and 'earned' their capital through the exploitation of labour, resources, and the people in those places.

The result? We have been left with many dividing the world into the Global North and South.

The qualifications which are used to define where a country sits on this spectrum are not based on geographical location, but instead mainly follow socio-economic trends. This same country categorisation follows the exact trend of which countries were the initial colonisers and colonised.

Another common term that is used to make this differentiation is ‘developing’ and ‘developed’ nations. But as geographer Doreen Massey points out, this is not some quantifiable continuous spectrum where the result of development leads directly to being equal to Western countries. What hope is there for the Global South to catch up?

The Global North is still hiding behind their outsourced labour

The latest way the Global South has come under scrutiny has been their high emission rates in relation to countries in the Global North. Yet, this scrutiny lacks all the details. The factors used to dictate emission levels only account for the ones released within the borders of the country mentioned. The main factor being ignored in these numbers is the fact that a majority of emissions produced in the Global South are through the production of goods or raw materials for the Global North; suggesting the responsibility for these emissions do not belong solely to the country where emissions

are made. Indeed, when these are due to high rates of mining, factory production, and the like, which takes place in many of these countries as a key form of income, then it must be questioned: who are they producing all the raw materials and goods for? What are the other options that they have at their disposal? How much of their emissions are caused from factors outside of the production and manufacturing of raw or assembled goods for other countries?

In truth, the answers all lead to the conclusion that a very small percentage of damage being done to the earth in these countries has roots within these countries.

They are sending these goods out, primarily to the West, and they don’t have much choice due to the systems left in place when the colonial powers left. Yet, the countries which are importing the goods, either directly or indirectly, take no accountability for these emissions. The United Kingdom recently said that they would cut their emissions by 78% at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, but none of their figures took into account any emissions of products that were being imported into island, which is the third highest consumer of imported goods. Additionally, this takes no account for emissions caused via international transport of these goods. So there is a dissonance in the claim that there is active work to lower emissions. Western countries have turned developing countries into scapegoats to blame for high emissions, even though the emissions are still being caused by them inadvertently.

This is significant to the climate change problem, especially as the production of goods accounts for 22% of carbon emissions according to Carbon Brief.

This is no new issue either; American political scientist Michael Parenti famously spoke (in 1986) of how Western theory has misbranded the rest of the world in order to conceal the West's own actions using cheap resources and labour to its advantage. He said “Poor countries are not ‘underdeveloped’, they are over-exploited”.

And it seems that 36 years later, this hasn’t changed.

The Global North is still hiding behind their outsourced labour and making these countries pay the price for their desires. It just seems that the most recent desire is to appear to be eco-warriors, rather than take accountability for their practices and make an active difference.

(Verity Laycock)

The best way to measure our impending doom? This glacier.

Isaac Hampton In January 2020, the Doomsday Clock was set forward to 100 seconds to midnight, which means that a board of expert scientists have judged humanity to be the closest to extinction by man-made catastrophe that we have ever been. The clock was designed to scare us into action, and yet it is continually speeding up. Perhaps it is too intangible for us: we have become so desensitised to the idea that our planet is edging towards oblivion that we see no difference between two minutes to midnight and one. If this is the case, then we need a more concrete symbol of our encroaching doom.

Fortunately, or more accurately unfortunately, we have one. The Thwaites Glacier is a palpable monument to how close we are to extinction at the hands of climate change. Fitting for a horseman of the apocalypse, the Thwaites Glacier is huge: it is the widest glacier in the world, the size of Britain. Or at least, it is for now.

Melting at its current rate, it contributes 4% to the annual rise of global sea levels, and this rate is speeding up. If it collapsed, it would not only raise ocean levels by two feet but would most likely drag other glaciers with it through ice cliff failure, a process by which chunks falling from one glacier exposes the glaciers behind it to increased melting. This domino effect would take out most of West Antarctica’s ice in a devastating chain reaction that would raise global sea levels by up to 10 feet, wreaking complete destruction on global coastlines and flooding major cities like New York and Tokyo.

Recent research by the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration (ITGC) has found that we have a lot less time than we thought. The glacier is braced

by an ice shelf which acts as a support against its collapse, but the ITGC have found that this brace is weaker than anticipated. This is compounded by the discovery of growing glacial fractures, and a pumping mechanism by which the floating portion of the glacier rocks up and down, pushing more warm water to the grounding zone (a weak spot where the glacier meets the seabed). The result is that instead of the previously imagined decades, experts now believe that we have as few as five to ten years before collapse.

Our Doomsday Clock is running perilously close to midnight

In response to this discovery, in January the ITGC embarked on another international effort to survey the glacier. If there was ever a sign that we didn’t take climate change seriously enough, it is that one of the fleet of ships tasked with this vital role in our planet’s future is Boaty McBoatface. The submarine which the public turned into a practical joke is now tasked with penetrating deeper than ever before under the ice shelf to gather more accurate data. It isn’t the only strange recruit to this $50million team: due to the difficulty of steering a huge research vessel through impenetrable ice sheets, scientists have recruited seals to do their work for them, tagging them with measuring equipment to report back ocean conditions around the glacier.

But there is only so much data

can achieve. The aim of the ITGC’s project is to provide accurate predictions of this glacier’s condition in the hope that they will influence global policy makers’ climate change policy.

However, given the increasingly short time scale which we have, it is unlikely that any meaningful policy change could occur before the glacier is already gone. Even if such policy changes could be speedily passed, the damage is already done; glaciologist John Moore says that "even if the world immediately halted the greenhouse gas emissions […] that wouldn’t do anything to thicken and restabilize the Thwaites’s critical buttress".

Moore argues that instead we need to stabilise and repair the ice sheets themselves, rebuilding and reinforcing key glaciers. But several scientists have already criticised this proposal, saying that such significant tampering with ice sheets is risky and may do more harm than good.

Glacial geoengineering is also only a partial solution, "akin to plugging a couple of holes in a garden hose riddled with them" according to research scientist Twila Moon. There is also the issue of such a project’s immense economic and logistical cost.

Moore’s team estimate that it could take 30 years to raise the required public support and funding, and like policy change this reconstructive work would have to be the effort of multiple countries, subjecting it to the same diplomatic delay.

Neither potential solution is quick enough to undo the centuries of damage climate change has caused. Ultimately, unless there is a monumental global effort to find new solutions, the Doomsday Glacier will collapse before we can intervene. Our Doomsday Clock is running perilously close to midnight: in more tangible terms, we have five to ten years.

15

PALATINATE | Thursday 10th February 2022

SciTech

“Your generation is pressuring governments to adopt more sustainable technologies” Caitlin Painter speaks to Professor Alan Lowdon about receiving an OBE, his role helping Durham students make links with industry and his experience working in the renewable energy sector.

I

n the most recent New Year’s Honours list, Durham alumnus and Professor in Practice Alan Lowdon received an OBE for services to UKUS offshore wind collaboration.

An impressive list of career roles and university affiliations shows Lowdon’s lifelong dedication to the energy sector, all stemming from his passion for applied mathematics.

As a maths student myself, I’m always interested to find out why others choose to pursue it.

It’s a subject like no other, and meeting others that decided to go down this strange, but wonderful, route in life is exciting. “[Maths] is fantastic”, says Lowdon. “It’s the purest of sciences and, I always say this — it’s the thing which underpins all scientific endeavour.

If you can do maths […] you can do what you want really.”

I’m often told you can do anything with a maths degree, and as Lowdon puts it, “if you can solve hard partial differential equations, you can do most things”. But after years of hearing ‘finance’ and ‘teaching’ dominate conservations around careers for maths graduates, I really valued hearing Lowdon’s experiences of being such a highly trained mathematician leading a field where his colleagues don’t have a maths background.

He is, however, keen to stipulate that he is an applied mathematician, not a pure mathematician — “That’s a different breed all together!”

Lowdon met his wife in a nightclub in Newcastle, who at the time was shocked because he didn’t “look like a guy who’s an applied mathematician”.

“They expect people to be sitting in the corner of a room with a pencil”, he says. Whilst a significant amount of my day is taken up puzzling over problems with a pencil (thankfully not in any corners), I really enjoyed listening to Lowdon expel all notion of a maths stereotype.

Lowdon notest that he comes from a mixed academic background. He was sponsored from first degree to PhD by Northern Engineering Industries (NEI) in the steam turbine generator division, so he was “in energy from the word go”. This took him from Aston, Teesside and Newcastle universities to Northumbria, and eventually Durham for his MBA. His first degree was in applied mathematics, where he discovered that “fluid dynamics was the stuff I took a shine to, and it took a shine to me”. He followed this with a PhD in fluid structure interaction — “I just love doing it”, Lowdon tells me.

“Then I got increasingly involved in new industrial technologies for power generation and the utilities

Trump's direction had made it very difficult to push through these offshore wind schemes

sector, and ultimately that takes you into the latest tech, which is wind.”

In recent years, offshore wind has grown in importance globally as a greater awareness of the climate crisis accelerated renewable energy production.

Lowdon has been instrumental in delivering the first offshore wind collaborations between the UK and US, and is currently director of strategic development for the National Offshore Wind Institute in Massachusetts.

It is his passion and dedication to offshore renewables, together with his huge involvement in UK-US relations, that meant Lowdon was awarded an OBE. I ask him about the importance of transatlantic collaboration in offshore wind.

“Even in a pre-Brexit world it’s a really important thing, because the big collaborative activity is the fact that the UK has developed its offshore wind industry over the last 15 years or so […] and being able to bring those learnings to the US to avoid them making the mistakes that the UK made.”

“But, more importantly, bringing UK supply chain companies to the US to allow them to impart their knowledge and services and products to the US market is extremely important.

And it kickstarts job creation both in the UK and the US.” Lowdon took up his role in Massachusetts in 2019. I was curious to find out what working in the US’s renewable energy sector during Donald Trump’s presidency was like, and whether he saw repercussions from Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement.

“There was a bit of a psychological break on the system there to accelerate offshore wind.

The Federal Government, under

Trump’s direction, of course, had made it very difficult for the regulatory authorities to push through these offshore wind schemes quick enough to make them commercially attractive.

So there was a tolerance of this situation, because I do think that people […] didn’t think that Trump would get elected a second time”.

“Immediately when he was out of power, then the foot was put to the gas on bringing these offshore wind schemes forward quickly with funding.”

It’s clear how important the visibility of government backing is to bring these schemes forward, but in order for renewables to move forward even more they need full backing from the public as well.

There was a lot of pressure put on the onshore wind industry to stop building, since turbines were seen to be visually unappealing and environmentally damaging.

Lowdon says that “offshore wind was the big saviour, because the turbines are going in the ocean […] out of sight, out of mind”.

But people’s perceptions are changing.

“Your generation and generations to come are equally pressurising governments and pressurising systems to adopt more sustainable technologies.”

That being said, we are still a long way off from being completely powered by renewable sources.

Regardless of public opinion and governmental climate pledges, the UK is still heavily reliant on gas-fired power stations, which are “easy to build, the technology is proven, they’re insurable and there is still sufficient gas left in the system to make them economically viable”. “It’s quite a delicate subject”, Lowdon says. “I think we’re not going to be seeing the day dawn when there’s no gas, that’s for sure. The UK could not function without gas-fired stations at the moment.”

With the energy price cap rising further still, and predictions that energy bills will become unaffordable for 27% of UK

(Sophie Draper)

The UK could not function without gas fired power stations

households, it may seem easy to think that the UK should start focussing more on generating energy from renewable sources.

“In many ways it's a function of being held hostage to gas, which is coming in from [certain] geopolitical parts of the world.”

“The economic volatility of gas prices will throw a lot of people into fuel poverty over the next six months or so in the UK, and in other parts of Europe, but I do think it will make people sit back and think about the viability of offshore wind, wave and tidal.

And also onshore wind will get a renaissance on the back of this.”

Lowdon could be right that this is the push the country needs to pursue renewable sources further, and recent graduates could be the key.

His role as Advisory Board Chair of the Durham Energy Institute (DEI) and Professor in Practice at DEI aims to increase Durham’s networks, enhance the research and industry impact, and provide support and mentoring to students and researchers – “[the role is] to connect Durham to the world!”

Lowdon says it’s possible to come at the renewables sector from a number of angles.

“Think of a subject and you can weave it into a wind farm permitting process.”

For anyone wanting to enter it as a career, this is great news, and as Lowdon alluded to, our generation will do anything we can to improve sustainability in power generation.

Despite the current situation of despair caused by rising energy prices and the threat of climate change (and climate change denialists) to our planet, my talk with Lowdon was illuminating.

There is hope for a stronger reliance on renewable technologies, and it does seem possible. The work done by Lowdon throughout his career so far, and his commitment to helping younger researchers achieve their innovative ideas, promises that we can reach global climate targets.

16

Politics

Thursday 10th February 2022 | PALATINATE

Student

University booster clinics: an effective investment?

Chloe Holbrook Receiving the Covid-19 booster jab has been a non-thought for most age groups — an unremarkable action and easy way to protect oneself from the virus, or an opportunity to uphold civic responsibility. For others, it takes great courage to consider attending the appointment.

After abundant availability for months, the percentage of 18 to 24-year-olds who have received a booster vaccination remains incredibly low. Therefore, the question arises of whether Durham’s walk-in clinics are an effective investment, and if similar sites nationwide can be considered valuable.

It is the accessibility of places like these that mean they hold such power in improving current numbers. No pre-planning or appointment is necessary, thus appealing to the often chaotic student lifestyle. This allows for higher numbers of individuals, who perhaps due to vaccine hesitancy, laziness or disinterest to receive their dose in a more informal setting. Taken at face value, this is the ultimate solution.

However, there are claims that these sites are merely rooted in symbolism rather than making

a practical change to vaccine uptake. Are new walk-in clinics the government’s attempt to appear in control, or has a powerful impact been made?

Whilst walk-in site numbers are increasing, this does not necessarily translate into higher injection rates. Just 36% of 18 to 24-year-olds have received their

27th of January, temporary clinics were opened in the TLC and the Student Union. Methodological placement of these clinics in areas of heavy foot-traffic encourages large numbers of students to drop in as they pass by.

This is especially important, and perhaps optimally timed,

Just 36% of 18 to 24-yearolds have received their booster dose booster dose. The increased effort to vaccinate young adults has meant resources and funding are being poured into a project producing little return. More generally, these sites could be seen as not worthwhile — if there is already existing disengagement from young people, increased availability of vaccinations means very little.

On the other hand, smaller centres in Durham that target university populations could be the ideal solution. On the 26th and

considering rising positive Covid- 19 test numbers within the student body. The week of

Rising positive Covid-19 test numbers January 24th, the 7-day average within Durham University was 105 positive daily cases. Some colleges, such as Castle, at one point even began to offer £10

vouchers to be spent on self-care items when numbers began to increase.

With this being said, the question unfortunately remains: what is the value of such sites if, overall, there is an apathy towards them among young people? This reflects a much wider issue. Likely due to the lower risks associated with getting Covid-19, there seems to be a growing, misguided consensus that the vaccine is simply not worth taking. This is a serious point to consider by both Durham, and clinics across the country if vaccine uptake for further doses is as high as it can be.

(Anna Kuptsova)

The gambling industry is targetting students John Cartin As a student at university, your experience is most likely of being away from home for the first time and learning independently, a large part of which means managing finances.

That experience can be transformative, but for many students, it can also mean that they encounter predatory industries like gambling without guidance and help to fall back on.

Modern gambling has drawn comparisons to tobacco smoking at its peak in the UK. While the UK bans any form of tobacco advertising and many organisations like the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) have finally followed suit, gambling sponsorships are rife in modern sport, especially football.

(BluDawson via Flickr)

This is despite strong arguments from the House of Lords that gambling laws need review and that Premier League clubs should remove gambling shirt sponsors.

This measure faces resistance at lower levels of competitive football, as the English Football League argues that working with gambling sponsors on related harm is of “greater benefit” than a ban, also acknowledging the huge impact of this money in lower-division football. Football Index, self-styled as “the stock market of football”, collapsed in March of last year, leaving thousands of people drawn in by advertisements focused on dividends rather than the real risk involved.

While most people who gamble can do so with moderation, where these companies make

Gambling outlets are far more prevalent in the most deprived areas

their money is from the select group that struggles with addiction issues. In the UK, gambling outlets are far more prevalent in the most deprived areas of the country than in the wealthiest, deliberately targeting people who are more vulnerable to addiction and false sense of control involved.

If it’s part of the strategy for these companies to target vulnerable individuals, it’s hardly surprising that they’ve become increasingly interested in students. Tapping into social media hype, plugging rumours on deadline day, and making silly gags designed to rile up attention, the market is seeping into younger environments.

Recent research indicates that gambling is intensely popular among UK students, with 80% of those surveyed saying they gambled and 20% saying they spent more than £50 a week on it. Should more be done by the government regarding gambling advertisement, and is it possible to directly protect university students? A difficult argument presents itself here: it is not desirable to prioritise one subgroup over another.

Everyone can suffer equally from the consequences, but students are often without an income to supplement the costs of gambling, and are, by the nature of university, given

Recent research indicates that gambling is intensely popular among UK students

a large loan with no previous financial experience.

Preventing people from placing bets without proof of ID could put a hard age lock on betting, but there’s no guarantee that people wouldn’t get around that by using gambling companies not based in the UK. The same goes for the risk that gambling companies would provide incorrect information to regulators, such as William Hill did when asked to hand over regular analysis of the impact of Covid-19 lockdowns on customers.

Amidst this debate, the Department for Media, Culture and Sport is engaged in a review of almost every aspect of gambling law which looks likely to significantly alter the legal landscape.

Despite concerns from some, including the British Gambling Commission, that the expected strictness of the review might push consumers to unregulated online markets, the government has also indicated a willingness to increase the budget of regulatory bodies to punish grey-area companies.

If the review when published can achieve limit the danger of self-destructive and addictive behaviours for students and beyond, there is potential that gambling can lose its association with the harm it so often causes to the lives of those the industry is built on.

17

PALATINATE | Thursday10th Feburary 2022

Politics

Domestic

Inflation to hit 7.25% in April 2022 Inflation in the UK has been rising dramatically, peaking at 5.4% in December of last year. UK monetary authorities blame global supply chains disruptions and raise interest rates accordingly.

Mikhail Korneev Deputy Politics Editor Inflation in the UK has been rising dramatically, hitting 5.4% last December. At a meeting in early Feburary, the Monetary Policy Committee voted to double the rate of interest and reduce the £895bn quantitative easing program that has been active since the Global Financial crisis in 2008.

but also the speed of its sharp rise that is concerning. The observed figures in the 4th quarter of 2021 are substantially higher than the Bank of England (UK central bank) has anticipated. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) estimates inflation to rise further to 6% in February-March this year before hitting its peak at 7.25% in April. The MPC is a part of the Central Bank that makes decisions on the Bank of England’s interest rate.

The economy may shift to a high-inflation regime Observed and expected CPI in the UK, 12.202004.2022

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) observed in December has been at its highest since the 1990s. CPI demonstrates how much the prices for the key consumer goods have risen since the same date a year ago.

A 5.4% rise in inflation means that if an item had a price of £1 in December 2020, in December 2021 that same item cost a consumer £1.05. In aggregation, this can seriously affect the welfare of individual citizens through increased costs.

It is not only the level of inflation

the rise in inflation is transitory in nature. This means that if the rise is caused by external global recovery factors, then the prices should return to normal as the global economy stabilises. However, in the UK this process has been amplified by the rise of domestic fuel prices.

Additionally, the Omicron variant has introduced unanticipated economic disruptions. This pushed Andrew Bailey, the President of the Bank of England, to acknowledge in January that the inflation may remain high for longer than expected.

The danger of the persistent level of high inflation is that workers and firms will incorporate the rising cost of living in wage renegotiations.

This may internalise the problem and shift the economy to a highinflation regime (defined as inflation consistencly above 5%). In combination with a sequence of

substantial forecasting mistakes of the Bank of England in 2021, this may question the transitory narrative of the central bank. The dynamic of prices this year is likely to validate or dissipate these concerns.

The Bank of England has so far adhered to its traditional position of prioritising the stability of prices.

The shift in Bank Of England interest rate on 2nd February from 0.25% to 0.5% and the suspension of the quantitative easing program aims to increase the cost of borrowing for private agents, calming the market. This is a standard approach employed by central banks to address the rise in inflation. It is worth mentioning, that four out of

The current inflation shock is driven primarily by bottlenecks in tradable goods and supply chain disruptions caused by Covid-19. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the global economy has been in decline. When many countries began to recover this year, increased global demand has created bottlenecks in the supply of commodities, intermediate goods and transport. The firms have been seeking to secure supplies contributing to the sharp rise in prices.

From the perspective of the MPC,

five MPC members voted to raise the rate of interest to 0.75% last Wednesday. Hence the current increase is relatively modest and might well be followed by further tightening of the monetary policy when the Bank of England adjusts to price dynamics in March 2022.

(Anna Kuptsova)

‘Levelling up’ and devolution in Durham Maddy Burt Politics Editor Until this week, the term ‘levelling up’, although a key facet of the Government’s 2019 mandate, has largely lacked substance. While funding remains in question, the 332-page white paper released by Michael Gove fleshes out an array of policies which aim to reduce regional inequality and boost opportunity across the country.

These include English devolution and greater spending aimed at areas outside London, the success of which will be measured by 12 policy objectives.

Durham has been selected as one of nine areas invited to apply for a county devolution deal. These deals offer the opportunity for local communities to gain power over transport services, infrastructure, productivity and skills, and could build on other devolution measures like the introduction of more metro mayors. However, their success relies on funding and trust from the Government in affording local authorities greater autonomy to make their own decisions.

Traditionally, the Conservatives have been more sceptical of the

Success relies on funding and trust from the Government

potential of local authorities and so an ideological struggle will persist through handing power over in devolution.

The position of universities in relation to the premise of ‘levelling up’ is important, and although touched on in the white paper, it is a regretful omission that their role did not receive more detailed attention.

Universities serve to boost local skill provision and can assist in research and development geared towards the area. Further, they support schools and colleges and are large employers.

As a result, universities have a responsibility and should be instrumental in developing local areas. Durham University is well positioned to play a crucial role in the ‘levelling up’ agenda, and statements from the new Vice Chancellor suggest there is a recognition among the leadership of the potential for change: “We are actively engaged with our local communities to tackle inequalities and embrace new opportunities...We are at the forefront in boosting education, employment and infrastructure in Durham”.

The University is committed

to projects, such as the Northern Accelerator, to support the region.

However, as Palatinate reported last week, London sends the highest number of UK students to Durham.

The majority presumably return down South, and there remains clear disconnect between the transient student population and the local community, and a significant lack of long-term contribution into the community from students.

The white paper is ambitious, and rightly so, but it risks amounting to little if not backed up by funding that is put into the hands of local authorities.

By definition, ‘levelling up’ must not become a top-down, paternalistic imposition on disempowered communities from Westminster, and, if not properly funded, the term will become a byword to represent the failure to redress economic inequalities it ostensibly sought to fix.

There are also outstanding questions relating to time frame. The rhetoric around ‘levelling up’ has already taken over two years to distil into policy proposals. Realising the potential of this vision will be even more fraught with difficulty, and the lofty, idealistic language of Durham University and the Government risks perpetuating existing cynicism if there is a failure to fulfil promises.

Durham University is positioned to play a role in the ‘levelling up’ agenda

(Mark Norton)

18

Thursday 10th February 2022 | PALATINATE

Politics

International

Profile: Éric Zemmour Does France’s right-wing firebrand stand a chance in this year’s elections?

James Meakin Éric Zemmour was born in 1958 in the eastern suburbs of Paris to Berber Jewish parents who had recently migrated from French Algeria.

He gained admission to the prestigious grande école, Sciences Po, and graduated from the same institution in 1979. Afterwards, he became a journalist, essayist and television presenter.

With a column in Le Figaro and a nightly television show on CNews (loosely resembling Britain’s Daily Telegraph and GB News), Zemmour gained notoriety across France and was widely touted as a possible challenger to incumbent President Emmanuel Macron in this year’s French Presidential election.

On the 30th November 2021, the polemicist cast his die and announced his candidacy for president in a YouTube video.

Zemmour’s hard-line views on immigration, abrasive style and ubiquitous controversy (he was convicted of hate speech by a French court on the 17th January) have often led him to be compared to Donald Trump. Looking at Zemmour’s background and writings, there are some key differences between the two. Zemmour was the son of a paramedic, Trump the son of a prominent New York real estate developer. The former considers himself an intellectual who is imbued with the writings of France’s greatest literary minds, the latter a crude mudslinger on Twitter.

The French Suicide, his commercially successful 2014 polemic, provides an insight into Zemmour’s views on France’s recent history.

Like Trump on America, he crafts a narrative of French decline since the student demonstrations of 1968 at the hands of France’s political, intellectual and economic elite.

The first part of chapter one, entitled “the death of the father of the nation,” uses the funeral of General de Gaulle as a metaphor for the death of France. Zemmour says, “France was in the process of dying but it still did not realise it. The nation would no longer exist without General de Gaulle… it was France that was buried alongside De Gaulle.”

The next part of the same chapter, entitled “the death of the father of the family,” blames the “great captains of industry” for introducing female emancipation – which has in turn led to the destruction of masculinity and the nuclear family. This section shows that Zemmour is openly anticapitalist. Trump, despite his criticism of free trade deals,

was generally supportive of capitalism and even castigated his Democratic opponents for their “socialism.”

What is intriguing about Zemmour’s anti-capitalist statements regarding the death of the family is that it puts him in direct opposition to Trump – an ostentatious property developer with several marriages. On economic and societal questions, Zemmour is not merely different to Trump, the former president is his problem.

The over-arching message one receives when reading The French Suicide is the author’s despair. Due to the ideas 1968 introduced into French politics and society, France is dead and buried with General de Gaulle.

However, Zemmour’s most recent work, France has not had its last word, suggests that the pre-1968 France can, in fact, be exhumed and reborn. But how can this France come back from the dead? Zemmour argues that he, as president, can do it.

The market for a socially and culturally conservative presidential candidate in France does exist.

The chances of Zemmour having the opportunity to fulfil his destiny of the exhumation of Gaullist France are slim. After coming a close third to Le Pen and Macron in some polls during the autumn, Zemmour has slipped into fourth place behind the aforementioned candidates and Valérie Pécresse of Les Républicains.

The market for a socially and culturally conservative presidential candidate in France does exist. Last February, the French Minister for Higher Education, Frédérique Vidal, critiqued the proliferation of “Islamo-leftist” ideology in French universities.

French politics is taking a turn to the right on culture yet the irony of Zemmour, by salami-slicing the French right’s constituency, is that Macron may be the greatest beneficiary of his candidature. If he believes the incumbent president is entombing pre-1968 France for eternity, Zemmour’s candidacy may ensure France will have had its last word after all.

(IllianDerex via Wikimedia Commons)

Who will Biden nominate to America’s highest court?

Rory McAlpine With American Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer now confirmed to retire, President Joe Biden has a window of opportunity to mark his place in the history books and nominate a replacement. In line with his track record of diversifying top positions in US politics Biden has pledged to nominate the first black woman to the Court. Ketanji Brown Jackson, Leonarda Kruger and Michelle Childs are the current favourites to be selected as his nominee. For any of these women to be nominated would be historic: they would serve as the first black woman to sit on America’s highest court.

The process of confirmation to the Supreme Court would require a simple majority in the Senate.

Currently the Democrats and Republicans split the chamber with Vice President Kamala Harris’s tie breaking vote giving the Democratics a thin majority.

With the Republicans expected to take the Senate in the midterms, Democrats will be keen to secure a nomination and confirmation swiftly to elect a Justice in line with their ideology.

Educated at Ivy League Harvard Law, Ketanji Brown Jackson is a strong contender with a track record that marks her out. She has served in private practise, as sentence commissioner vice president and as a public defender.

However, perhaps her greater advantage lies in her apparent bipartisan support. She has already been successfully confirmed to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, endorsed by all 50 of the Democrats’ caucus and three Republicans. This cross-party support serves to boost her chances and alleviate any fears for Biden if a Democrat rebels.

Leondra Kruger is a second contender, currently serving on California’s Supreme Court.

Similarly educated at an Ivy League school – this time Yale Law – she is no stranger to making history as a black woman having previously served the first black female Editor-in-Chief at Yale Law Journal. Her previous experience presents a shiny record, serving as Acting Deputy Solicitor for the Obama administration and with 12 Supreme Court arguments under her belt. Experience and a history of success mark Kruger as one to keep a close eye on.

Anna Kuptsova

The third contender is Michelle Childs. If class diversity is one of Biden’s considerations, Childs is from a blue-collar background, an underrepresented group on the Supreme Court. Unlike her opponents, Childs did not attend an Ivy League school, graduating from the University of South Carolina. Childs was nominated

by Biden to join Jackson on the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, but this process is now on hold, potentially pointing to the president strongly considering Childs as his nominee.

Yet, despite being considered an outsider, Childs crucially holds an accolade that the others lack: her endorsement by Jim Clyburn, which hugely bolsters her chances. Clyburn is the majority whip in the House of Representatives, third ranking Democrat in that chamber and a close ally of Biden having helped him revive his candidacy with a crucial primary win in South Carolina almost two years ago.

Having such influence, and a man who holds Biden’s admiration as well as his ear is certainly beneficial.

With Democrats holding a Senate majority Biden’s nomination will likely encourage very little resistance

by Republicans due to such obstruction being futile. So, the Democrats will have their pick.

Yet it will not change the strong 6-3 conservative majority in place and affect upcoming rulings that will decide controversial issues such as abortion.

However, Biden’s choice could hold great significance in other ways. With his approval rating and that of his party plummeting, an election of a black woman, following through on his diversity pledge, may mitigate the damage projected at the upcoming November midterms, and generally boost his poll numbers.

But more importantly perhaps, although it may not change the current ideological majority, electing a black woman could help shape the law in the future, especially regarding minorities.

PALATINATE | Thursday 10th February 2022

James on Grace

19

PalatiDates

Grace and James from Stephenson meet for a Valentine’s date at Revs.

What were your first impressions of your date?

She loved to tell dad jokes. As soon as we sat down she hit me with a classic ‘knock knock’ joke and wouldn’t stop laughing. I respect how much she backed her own sense of humour.

What did you talk about?

All the important first date topics: life, dreams, aspirations. Oh, and she wouldn’t stop gushing about some bloke called Navid from The Apprentice. Made me a bit jealous…

Gave me strong Year 6 disco vibes.

How would they describe you?

Probably that I relate every conversation topic to Immanuel Kant or Game Theory.

Grace on James

What were your first impressions of your date?

Smelt like Lynx Africa (grow up).

What did you talk about?

Many topics were covered: the Apprentice; weekly food shops; our hopes, dreams and aspirations; game theory; politics.

How would they describe you?

A bit quiet (probably was a bit hangry at the start), but easy to talk to.

How would you describe them?

Kind, confident, easy to talk to, nice face :)

How would you describe them?

She was quiet but funny, and had an infectious smile.

Most awkward moment?

James asked to hold my hand when we left the restuarant – gave me strong Year 6 disco vibes.

Most awkward moment?

At one point, I almost fell asleep while she was talking about how much money she’d saved shopping at Aldi instead of Tesco.

She caught me yawning. Not a great look.

If they were a Durham night out, which would they be?

Klute, any night. He said he was a massive Dominic Cummings fan.

If they were a Durham night out, which would they be?

Her sense of humour reminded me of a night at Klute.

Fun, or just corny? Still can’t quite decide. I’m here for it though!

Which Durham College would you place them in and why?

Hatfield – massive Tory.

Which Durham College would you place them in and why?

She gave me strong Chad’s vibes. Something about the way she seemed to have her life together.

If you could change one thing about the experience, what would it be?

He kept relating everything to game theory which was a bit annoying, nice that he’s so passionate about his degree though.

If you could change one thing about the experience, what would it be?

Her taste in cocktails. She kept trying to get me to buy the ‘milk maid’. I like alcohol, and I like strawberry milkshakes, but they dont’ belong in the same glass.

What were you hoping for? Did they deliver on expectations?

I was hoping for someone who I could have good chats with and James delivered (minus the game theory).

Did you kiss?

Indeed!

Did you kiss?

Yes.

Would you like to see them again?

Sure, I’d be open to that!

Would you like to see them again?

Maybe ;).

Marks out of 10?

10

Ellie on Max

Ellie from Grey and Max from Trevelyan meet for a blind date at Bar 33.

What were your first impressions of your date?

Nice shirt and very clean shoes, although wasn’t wearing a coat... in Durham?

Who got there first?

He did, I’m always late though.

What did you talk about?

The global shortage of CPUs, his change of dentist and drunken nights out.

“A second date has already been planned”

Max on Ellie

What were your first impressions of your date?

Good fit – very stylish.

What did you talk about?

Our love for communism, Van Gogh cutting his ear off, conversation flowed really well so there was no standout moments , it was all good.

How would they describe you?

Sk83r boi.

How would they describe you?

Warm (jealous of my coat), hilarious and talkative.

How would you describe them?

Sk83r girl fit, nice rings, fun to talk to.

How would you describe them?

Very chatty, good sense of humour and cold.

Most awkward moment?

She started talking about her exes.

Most awkward moment?

Maybe when I went to the toilet just as the bill came.

If they were a Durham night out, which would they be and why?

Bailey bar crawl.

If they were a Durham night out, which would they be?

Jimmies – I’ve actually seen him there before.

Which Durham College would you place them in and why?

St Johns, she’s very religious, told me no kissing until marriage.

Which Durham College would you place them in and why?

Cuth’s – I’ve never met a bad person from Cuth’s.

If you could change one thing about the experience, what would it be?

The price of the cocktails ! They were relly good though .

If you could change one thing about the experience, what would it be?

I offered to pay so she bought the most expensive drinks.

Would you introduce them to your friends or family?

For sure! My mum thinks he’s very handsome from the photo I sent her!

Would you introduce them to your friends and family?

Absolutely!

Did you kiss?

Sadly not.

Did you kiss?

No.

Would you like to see them again?

Definitely!

Marks out of 10?

10

Marks out of 10?

10

(Rosie Bromiley)

Would you like to see them again?

A second date has already been planned.

(Anna Kuptsova)

Marks out of 10?

10

Thursday 13th January 2022 | PALATINATE

Puzzles Chess Puzzle

Try out this puzzle from the romantic period of chess! Checkmate in 2 - white to move.

Anagrams

Puzzle Editors: Katie Smith, Hugo Bush & Thomas Simpson For online versions, answers and more puzzles, head to www.palatinate.org.uk/category/puzzles @palatinatepuzzles

3 1 7 6 2 3 6 7 5 2 9 3 9 6 9 7 2 6

Can you solve these anagrams to find 5 famous Romantic poets?

a twitter brazening hobbler rail slowworm width thanks joe cheerlessly hypes by bond lorry

Valentine Quiz Rose are red Violets are blue In Despicable Me Steve Carell voices ___

Arrow Word

Match Official

11

-2

root

are squ

double it

÷9

cu b it e ha l it f

1/8

6 1/

The highlighted cellls are something you might recieve on Valentines Day

↓

Metaphysical being of a person

↓

Unlocking device

↓

Dispel doubts

Theme, correlation

↓ “Buzz ___”, Go away

→

1/

cu it be

÷5

0 -4

×3

1. Oli loves coffee. Especially a mocha.

2. Jo is allergic to flowers.

3. Sarah’s date is massive plant person.

4. Oli is only attracted to men.

5. Maria is excited for tacos.

6. Lizzie’s handwriting is very bad.

7. Yusuf met his date at a chocolate society event.

8. Matthew’s favourite cuisine is Italian.

Meanwhile, Noor hates it.

9. One of Jo’s favourite hobbies is calligraphy.

10. Matthew has a green touch.

11. Lizzie speaks Spanish and wants to impress her date.

An arrow word works the same as a normal crossword, except that the clues are written in the boxes. Each answer appears in a straight line next to each clue, in the direction indicated by the nearby arrow.

Mr Blue Sky’s band

→

Maths Maze

A guest puzzle written by Emerson Shams

→

Roses are red Sunflowers are yellow In ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ They repeat the word ______

? 220

Help pair our four couples up - with gifts of chocolate, flowers, a letter and a teddy bear send them off to Spags, Flat White, Barrio Comida or Tango

7 6 4 3 8 1 2 1 5 7 1 1

Western English County

Test yourself with these Valentine Quiz Poems Roses are red Daisies are white John Boynton Priestley Was a noted ________

Roses are red Tulips are pink Romesh’s game show Is __ _______ ____

Matchmaker Puzzle

Sudoku 848

Sentence Sleuth

↓

Old coin

Arcane writing character

Use an oar

Score of zero

↓

↓

→

→ Join together (metals)

→

Find the 5 playing card suits or values in this story about a secret admirer

I think in general it’s wise to not anger your postman. I don’t know if I made an insulting gesture that my windows weren’t opaque enough to hide, but he seemed to absolutely hate me. I regularly heard loud crashes as my parcels were hurled against the wall, items like my new £20 foot spa destroyed in the process.

Furthermore, all these crashes occurred while I was in Zoom meetings. How did he know the time of every call I did? “I am on DS Postie’s permanent watchlist”, I thought. In reality, it transpired, he timed his deliveries to listen to my voice during the meetings, and the crashes were just from distracted clumsiness (not a braniac, evidently). He told me all this some months later, on one knee, with a ring in his hand as he asked for my hand in marriage. It was the most romantic thing that had ever happened to me. “Bit creepy though, Dave” I said.

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21

PALATINATE | Thursday 10th February 2022

Palstrology Anna Johns taps into her mystic side to reveal what the stars have planned for the week ahead...

Aquarius

Taurus

Leo

Scorpio

20th Apr – 20th May

23rd Jul – 22nd Aug

This is the week to stop compromising. You can’t make everyone happy. Cut ties. Block numbers. Stop sending your friends your lecture notes.

You’re quick to snap this week. Hold off on playing devil’s advocate to the fit girl in your seminar. Some things just don’t need debating.

Things seem lighter this week.

Old grudges fade and forgiveness gets easier. You might even let that Oxbridge rejection go.

Finance and romance align as a rich suitor enters your life soon. Maybe join Polo Society. Or start lurking outside Hatfield.

Pisces

Gemini

Virgo

Sagittarius

Emotions are running high. Keep away from alcohol unless you’re comfortable with your first -year crush seeing you crying in the smoking area. Worse things have happened.

With Venus in Capricorn, it’s important to keep security and stability in relationships. Ignore the ick. Don’t quit your situationship just yet.

This is a period of prosperity so it’s time to get serious about finances.

Make long-term investments. Fire up your- LinkedIn. Maybe even learn what an NFT is.

This is a week for taking risks and thinking outside the box. Do something crazy. Skip a seminar. Go clubbing on a Tuesday. It’ll pay off.

Aries

Cancer

Libra

Capricorn

With your ruler Mars in Capricorn your actions become more measured.

An old flame reappears this week.

Ignore them. Leave the club early.

Nostalgia is heavy this week. Be especially careful when stalking your ex’s Instagram. Keep fingers away from the like button.

Seek peace, space and quiet. Remind your flatmates the walls are thinner than they think. Do the washing up that’s been festering for weeks.

Breathe.

Forbidden desires seem logical. You suddenly become drawn to people you’ve overlooked. Perhaps it is far enough through the year to get away with flatcest.

20th Jan – 18th Feb

22nd Dec - 19th Jan

23rd Sep – 23rd Oct

22nd Jun – 22nd Jul

21st Mar – 19th Apr

22nd Nov - 21st Dec

23rd Aug – 22nd Sep

21st May – 21th Jun

19th Feb – 20th Mar

24th Oct - 21st Nov

(Images: Nicole Wu)

Q

MILDERT

Dear Violet, I’ve just found out my housemate swabs his nose before his mouth while doing an LFT. How do I explain to my landlord that I need immediate release from the contract without further fees due to these terrible circumstances?

Please help, I currently can’t do an LFT without wanting to throw up from the thought of it all!

A

Dear suffering friend, I’m so sorry this has happened to you, and please don’t feel conflicted about taking these extreme measures. I suggest that you and any other housemates immediately flee the situation — any landlord is bound to understand why you need to depart from the house.

Regarding your friendship with the said offender, I would propose that you minimise all contact and attempt to move on from this current life. They are not only a rule breaker but also a threat to society and everything it means to be a student at one of the most prestigious universities in the UK. After two full years of a global pandemic, there really is no excuse.

Q

HATFIELD

Dear Violet, please help - I am stuck behind a group of slow walkers on Kingsgate Bridge and there’s no room to overtake!

A

Dearest speedy student, Kingsgate Bridge is notoriously bad for achieving those speed walking goals. The bridge is not only hideous from an architectural perspective, but also terrible for passing all the horrendously slow fresh trundling back from a Nikita vodka haul at Tesco.

My main piece of advice would be to use Old Elvet Bridge as a fool-proof way of making sure that no-one will ruin your power walk to lectures. Often it’s not a huge detour, and any good speed walker knows how to make up for lost time with slightly more arm swinging and a higher tempo tune blasting through your headphones. If all fails, simply cough loudly while stuck behind a slow group and watch them turn back and part ways with a look of shock, turned to admiration: You will hold all the glory as you saunter past at breakneck speed.

Ask Aunty Violet

PalatiPets Think you have the cutest pet? Email editor@ palatinate.org.uk with three pictures and 100 words explaining why for a chance to be featured in print

Chester He is a 10-year-old Golden Retriever who loves napping, stealing slippers, and paddling in rivers. You’re likely to find him wherever there is food; even after 10 years, his puppy dog eyes never fail!

Have a problem for Aunty Violet?

Fill out the form via the QR code!

Neville If you’ve been followed down Redhills Lane, or into the Viaduct by a tabby and white cat pretending to be starving and neglected, it’s probably Neville. Follower of passersby, found by the concerned public as far away as County Hall, Mary’s College and the northbound Station platform, he is a fixture of the Redills graveyard. Don’t be deceived.

He has a devoted family and several meals a day. He barely ever bites or scratches and just loves people.

Kate

Millie

22

Thursday 10th February 2022 | PALATINATE

Sport

Trevs Floodlit triumph over John’s in fast-paced affair

Joe Harston Maiden Castle hosted potentially the game of this season’s Men’s Football Floodlit Cup on Sunday night as Trevs edged St John’s 3-2 to reach the semi-final.

This tie was entertaining throughout, and the intense tone was set from the offset. Trevs started on the front foor and Olly Lester got on the end of a rapid counter-attack in the first five minutes, forcing a great close range save from John’s keeper Luke Sandys.

Shortly afterwards, St John’s got a chance to scare their opponents.

Finn Gordon caught out the Trevs back line and bolted towards Max Watson in the opposition goal, but the keeper got off his line and came out of his box very quickly. Gordon looked as though he had made it past Watson, but the keeper’s outstretched boot brought him to ground. There were cries for a red card from the Bailey support, but only a booking was given.

But it was Trevs who opened the scoring, and in spectacular fashion.

A short, bouncing clearance fell to Harry Senior on the edge of the box. After swinging his foot at it, Senior’s ambitious effort swerved and dipped towards the near post.

Despite the best efforts of Sandys, it ricocheted off the crossbar and over the line.

Two chances then came in quick succession for Johns, and the game was all square once again. Two very similar counter attacks down the

right wing caused Trevs some serious issues.

Gordon lifted the first over Watson, but it was cleared before reaching its intended destination. Their goal came a minute later. Captain Theo Tobias had his shot saved from point blank range, but it fell to Columba Morling, who snapped up the loose ball and found the back of

The intensity continued into the second-half, but the goals didn’t (Joe Harston)

the net. Back to level pegging.

The score only remained level for seven minutes in this chaotic match-up. Trevelyan found themselves back in the lead after a set-piece. As far as corners go, it couldn’t have been much simpler.

Harry Day’s ball in was put over the heads of the watchful defending side and right into the path of his captain, Callum Adamson. An emphatic, straight-forward finish had Trevs fans chanting once again as their side took the lead.

Of course, following the trend of this crazy tie, the lead didn’t even

last until the break. Gordon cut into the box from the right-hand side and dribbled past Watson, who was quick off his line once again. Despite some almost heroic goalkeeping, the ball was eventually squared to Theo Tobias. Another captain leading from the front, he didn’t hesitate to drill the ball into the empty net, bringing his side level into half-time.

The intensity continued into the second-half, but the high volume of goals did not. Both defences stabilised and the chances for both sides became far less clear cut.

St John’s did look more likely to score. A good chance from a set

piece was cleared off the line, while a close-range chance a minute later was squandered over the bar.

The midfield battle began to heat up. This led to Trevelyan’s Xavier Watson being booked after a late challenge on the left side halted a potential counter-attack.

On 75 minutes, Morling brought some life back into the attack. His winding run resulted in a shot on target, however it was straight into the safe hands of Watson.

Eventually, a second half breakthrough was made. It was Trevelyan who took the lead for a third time, just 11 minutes from the final whistle. Explosive pace and impressive

footwork by Lester was too much for John’s to handle on this occasion. He darted down the left wing, cut in and found himself baring down on Sandys. His front post finish was cool and collected, unlike his team’s fans who surged onto the pitch in celebration. They were convinced that it would be enough to book their place in the final four.

And they were right. Despite some late pressure from the John’s attack, Trevs’ defence stayed solid throughout this battle’s conclusion.

The semi-final spots are filling up nicely, leaving just Wednesday’s tie between Stephenson and Collingwood to decide the final spot.

Infantino refugee comments expose FIFA ignorance and greed Orlando Bell “We need to give opportunities and we need to give dignity [...] not by giving charity, but by allowing the rest of the world to participate. We need to give hope to Africans so they don’t need to cross the Mediterranean in order to find, maybe, a better life, but more probably death in the sea.”

These are the extraordinary words of FIFA President Gianni Infantino when pitching a biennial World Cup. Within them the weight of institutionally-embedded preju-

The migrant crisis has been normalised to the point of being desensitised dice comes to bear. Even from an organisation that has shown itself unfit for purpose on such a number of occasions, the level of ignorance and insensitivity displayed by Infantino is depressing.

The response from Human Rights Watch is almost comical

given its obvious absurdity. Media Director Andrew Stroehlein tweeted: “my colleagues at Human Rights Watch interview refugees around the world pretty much every day [...]

They never mention the timing of World Cup tournaments.”

Mr. Stroehlein is being polite.

Infantino’s comments reflect gross misunderstandings of African history and of migrants. Perhaps the obvious place to start is the reductionism of viewing Africa in such homogenising terms. In addition to the vastly different economies, environments, political configurations, and distances that differentiate the continent - the 7600 kilometres that separate Tunis (Tunisia) from Cape Town (SA) is approximately the same distance as between Brussels and Beijing such generalised descriptions of Africa have a deeply problematic history.

Academics broadly agree that ‘Africa’ as a term and concept was really an invention of the colonial era. Pre-Colonial North African history was much more deeply intertwined with Mediterranean trade and war than it was the rest of Africa. East African history is similarly intertwined with the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian Ocean, much more than say South or central Africa. There are a multitude of other complexities that make modern ‘Africa’ as an analytical unit necessary or inevitable.

Terms such as ‘The Dark Continent’, coined by nineteenth century explorer Henry Morton

Stanley, popularised an image of the continent as a single historical unit - unified by a lack of European knowledge, inaccessibility, and danger. This image was a myth from its inception, an arbitrary uni-

The fact that his assumption on migration went unchallenged at the Council of Europe is similarly concerning fication determined by normative European perceptions. Yet its underlying preconceptions of Africa as a single unit, foreign to European familiarity, somewhat backward and in need of change through outside interaction, problematically remain in ignorant discourse.

As Infantino speaks to his audience at the Council of Europe about the “dignity” of a continent being raised by a sports tournament, and when “charity” is the only alternative he considers, history and structural power make his ignorance

and prejudice inexcusable.

The fact that his assumption on migration went unchallenged at the Council of Europe is similarly concerning. The mid 2010s saw a wave of largely right-wing antiimimgration politics break across the European continent. As Brexit, Marine le Pen, and the Syrian refugee crisis broadly converged, the European discourse on refugees and migrants became dominated by debates over immigraiton’s impact on host nations and the nature of economic migrants versus ‘true’ asylum seekers. Legitimate debates about the impacts of economic migration, retaining salience from the large-scale eastern European migration of the Blair years, became falsely entangled with the plight of asylum seekers.

The brutal reality of the desperation behind those crossing the Mediterranean became lost in this discourse, and continues to be lost today. The migrant crisis has been normalised to the point of being desensitised. To cross the Mediterranean uproots families, involves leaving behind communities and connections, and facing extreme danger on the road and the sea.

It is rarely, if ever, an act of truly free choice, but rather one of desperation. Those that face these challenges, for the future of their own lives and for that of their families, do so with more ‘dignity’ than Infantino of FIFA have ever possessed.

Infantino’s core assumption as to the benefits of a biennial World

Cup hinge on the additional £3.3 billion pounds the tournament would generate. This, it is argued, would be reinvested into burgeoning football nations, creating investment and opportunities and a lasting socio-economic impact.

In the context of nearly a century of failed ‘development’ schemes

Infantino’s language, false pretence, and ignorance must be roundly condemned imposed on Africa by outside organisations, and in the context of the true complexity that leads to migrant crises in these regions, Infantino’s notion that this would truly make a socio-economic difference is laughable.

FIFA wants this revenue for its own ends - to compete with UEFA and to promote its own brand. The ‘dignity’ of Africans - whatever that may mean - is not the priority of the organisation. Infantino’s language, false pretence, and ignorance must be roundly condemned.

23

PALATINATE | Thursday 10th February 2022

Sport

Inside Aggression Sessions

Sport talks early mornings and fundraising targets with the Aggression Sessions exec and boxers ahead of this year’s event Abi Curran and George Simms

Aggression Sessions is back in Durham. After a two-year hiatus, the largest student-led charity boxing event in the UK is ready to, once again, turn the spotlight on the ring for a night which is not to be missed in the student calendar.

The night, held on 18th February, will be led in the name of charity with proceeds going to Papyrus, a suicide prevention helpline for young adults, and Team Durham’s chosen charity, Sport in Action.

Palatinate headed down to Durham’s Community Boxing Club gym and spoke to the students making Aggression Sessions happen this year. You could tell that this wasn’t the first 8am wakeup for the 30 or so boxers sparring and training under the tutelage of coach Paul Lysaght. There are four official training sessions weekly, three at 8am and an 11am treat on a Sunday. Many of the boxers also join community sessions throughout the week. We, on the other hand, just complained about how tired we were and got in the way.

The sparring is the bit that I’m not that keen on!

The challenge of hosting Aggression Sessions this year is bigger than ever. Due to the pandemic, there is a whole new student body to promote to, students who were perhaps unaware the boxing event even existed before this year. This did not seem to put off President, James Nugent, as he anticipates Aggression Sessions’ most successful year in terms of fundraising, boxing quality

and entertainment. Speaking to Palatinate, he said, “It’s like a huge, really intricate clock and if one cog drops out the whole thing could fall down. It’s making sure the event can actually go ahead, that’s been the biggest challenge” The exec have made changes to ensure that the event’s charity aspect has been at the forefront of its planning, “In previous years, it’s been a bit of a spectacle rather than a fundraising exercise, so I think this year is different in that respect.

We are just focusing on raising as much money as we can for charity.”

Papyrus was Aggression Sessions’ chosen charity in 2020, but the event was cancelled due to Covid-19.

“We said we were going to raise money for them last year and we didn’t, because obviously the event didn’t go ahead. We felt like we wanted to give back and pull through on our promise.”

As for the boxing itself, Aggression Sessions welcomed boxers with little to no experience of the sport: “The benefit of everyone starting from scratch is that you can teach them the basics well. They’re learning the sweet science in its best possible form, which is great.”

This year, the exec have taken precautions to ensure the safest possible event, “There are no mismatches, there are no two or three kilo swings in the fight, everyone is the same weight and they are going to produce the best and the safest fights. We’re an ABA registered fight compared to other charity events where it would just be that they’d have an ambulance there and that would be the only safeguarding they would have.

Every boxer has a medical and they register as an amateur boxer on the England Boxing site.”

Palatinate also spoke to Alice Craig, Aggression Sessions’ fitness and boxing coach. From training in Hild Bede’s Caedmon Hall to Go the Distance gym, Alice has seen the standard of boxing improve considerably from October.

“I think the boxing this year will be of a really high calibre. We’ve

seen Fight Night and stuff like that occur and we want to surpass that, we want to show that people who train for longer are better quality boxers. Being in the gym right now you can see everyone’s progress from the start. They were really hesitant to get into sparring, whereas now they’ll jump into the ring without hesitation.”

Of course, training has not come without its challenges. “I think the biggest challenge that we faced was the Christmas holidays. That was a time where we didn’t really know what training they were doing. It was tough getting back in the ring in January and seeing

I’ll just get in the ring and secure the win

some people had kept their fitness up and some people hadn’t, getting them back up to that same level.

Obviously there has been injuries and dropouts and that’s devastating for the boxers but, not to be callous, it is inevitable.

“I’m really excited to just have it all come together, I’m really excited for my friends to see it even though I’m not fighting, just for them to see what I’ve been working on. I’ll be quite sad when it’s over. I’ll be like, ‘what’s my role now?’”

The boxers have all picked their walk-out music and ring names.

They vary from threatening to absolutely nonsensical, but that’s boxing for you. This is their big moment, and they get all the bells and whistles that come with it. Walking out flanked by close friends in front of hundreds of fellow students, they become Durham’s rockstars for one night.

With just two weeks until they step through the ropes, we spoke to some of the fighters. Basil ‘El Jefe’ Stevens has raised more money for charity so far than any other exec member or boxer, one of two boxers to raise more than £1000 personally.

He told Palatinate: “I didn’t do much training last term and then hit it really hard this term and it’s just been a baptism by fire. I wrung out my clothes the other day because they were so sweaty. It’s been really good, they push you pretty hard in the gym, and there’s lots of 8am/7:30am wake ups which is pretty early, but it’s been really good. I’ve really enjoyed it so far.”

“I’m probably most looking forward to the walk out. I’m just going to walk out, hopefully with a hood up, not look at anyone and just be completely focused. I’ll just get in the ring and secure the win.”

Madi ‘The Menace’ Barbé is another of this year’s fighters. She spoke positively about the disciple and training that boxing requires.

“Because I like the training so much, I kind of got caught up in the whirlwind of the whole thing, and now I’m fighting in it and I’m like, actually, the sparring is the bit that I’m not that keen on! It hurts.”

“I’ve loved being able to come here and Paul’s a great trainer, I think I’ll probably take a few weeks off, but I’ve come to a few of the community sessions here, and they’re great – as I said, I really like the training aspect of it. Definitely I think I’d like to be able to come back.”

“Even if you don’t want to do aggression sessions, coming along to the community gym here is a great way to get into it. Paul will keep an eye out for you and make sure you’re doing ok, and yeah, get stuck into it.

We asked her what it’s been like balancing a burgeoning boxing career alongside her degree: “I’ve kind of put my degree to the side. I haven’t really found it that bad. It is a time commitment, but it’s also just an hour a day, and with

an 8am wakeup – are you going to be up at that time anyway? Probably not.”

Even with just a couple of weeks before they’ll step into the ring together, that doesn’t seem to be getting in the way of the camaraderie amongst the boxers.

Months of early mornings and bloody noses have brought the fighters together and they’re all keen to cheer each other on.

Alice emphasised the feeling of togetherness among the boxers and the Aggression Sessions exec.

“We’re such a community, we’re all really good friends with each other and from personal experience, it will definitely improve confidence outside of the ring.”

Aggression Sessions has been one of the highlights of Durham’s social calendar for some time now, and this year looks set to be their biggest yet. It’s a great night, for a great cause, and looks to have converted the 36 fighters still standing to the wonders of pugilism.

They’re learning the sweet science in its best possible form The event looks set to smash its fundraising targets. Among the boxers, an initial collective target of £5000 was set. This has been doubled to over £10,000. James told us, “As for the actual event, we’re estimating to smash any previous record and have the biggest year, raising over £50,000. The last event we had raised £35,000, so to beat that by £15,000 would be amazing.

I’m so proud of what everyone has done.”

L to R - Madi Barbé, James Nugent, Alice Craig, Basil Stevens (Aggression Sessions)

24

Sport

Thursday 10th February 2022 | PALATINATE

“They’re learning the sweet science in its best possible form” Sport talks to Aggression Sessions exec and fighters

“The semi-final spots are filling up nicely” Joe Harston reports on Trevs’ 3-2 Men’s Floodlit Football Cup win over St. John’s

Spectator ban for Hatfield and Castle after Floodlit chaos • Castle A vs Hatfield B Floodlit Cup rugby tie marred by fan abuse and violence • Castle told students that, “public urination is absolutely inappropriate”

George Simms and Max Kendix All Floodlit Cup rugby matches this season involving Hatfield or Castle will be played without spectators after “unacceptable” behaviour during the Castle A vs Hatfield B match on 28th January.

It is understood that the game, which already comes with a longstanding rivalry, coincided with Hatfield’s ‘Old Boys weekend’, where former rugby club members come back to Durham for the weekend.

One spectator described the scenes to Palatinate: “At the start of the game, there were many chants and a lot of light-hearted insults being thrown about by fans from both Hatfield and Castle. However, in the second half, the atmosphere got more raucous and the chants a lot more personal.

“It didn’t take long before a few people started to invade the pitch, with one Hatfielder trying to poke the Castle winger’s arse with a corner flag he had stolen. This certainly wasn’t helped by the fact that the cordons were drunk Castle students who were certainly in no shape to stop people from getting on the pitch.”

“The behaviour continued to worsen on both sides. Any time there was a line-out, the hookers had tinnies lobbed at their heads.”

After the game, the floodlights were switched off, and several faceto-face confrontations occurred.

Whilst the two teams were shaking hands, a few Hatfield ‘old boys’ approached a Castle student in an attempt to get hold of his beer helmet. The student was scratched badly on his neck and bruised on his eye.

Palatinate understands that punches were thrown and some fans were urinating on the stands at Maiden Castle. Sources say insults and “nasty chants” came from both sides, but that the violence was caused predominately by the Hatfield old boys.

A Durham University spokesperson said: “We believe everyone has the right to work, study and enjoy their leisure time in an environment that is respectful.

Where behaviour falls below the standard we would expect, we take swift and decisive action.”

Team Durham added that, “The ban was set against a clear set of expectations for crowd behaviour and there were several breaches on this occasion.”

In an email to Hatfield students this morning, College Vice Master James Armitage said, “We ask that students respect this decision and do not attend matches. Any attempt to do so would constitute NonAcademic Misconduct, and may result in additional sanctions for HCRFC and a spectator ban for other sports.

“We hope that our players on the pitch are able to compete successfully – the best way we can support them is to allow them to play without the distraction of anything that could result in further sanctions.”

Castle students also received an email condemning the “unacceptable” scenes: “Please know that for all sports fixtures, fans are to remaining the designated seating areas behind the side line fencing, alcohol in glass containers is not permitted, rubbish is to be disposed of properly, and public urination is absolutely inappropriate”.

But representatives of University College Rugby Football Club (UCRFC) told Palatinate that the ban was “disproportionate” and that events have been blown out of proportion: “Although we do ultimately shoulder some responsibility for the events, it seems to me that the biggest issue was Maiden Castle’s facilities’ lack of foresight in a ferocious derby game in deeming it unnecessary to have security at games with 400-strong crowds.

“Consequently, we feel it is unfair for the players and the fans, who are thoroughly disappointed, to have shouldered all responsibility when Maiden Castle’s incompetence clearly had an input into the events that occurred. Sober or not, two student stewards could not have prevented some of the crowd behaviour from the Old Boys”.

Team Durham were keen to add that, “In general these events have been well marshalled and provide the students taking part in an unbelievably unique experience.

There is not another university in the UK that has such spectator support and it’s something that we would absolutely want to protect and ensure that we can help Colleges find the right balance.”

(Joe Harston)

Football

Synners in trouble Northern League Division Two side Billingham Synthonia are fighting to survive after their main sponsor suddenly pulled out. The club are a year from their 100th anniversary, but currently surviving on donations and will be without a home by the summer.

Football

Durham Women back to winning ways Durham Women FC picked up a much needed three points , just their second league win since October, to stay in the FA WSL Championship chasing pack. The Wildcats beat London City 2-1 thanks to a Beth Hepple brace.

Cricket

Men’s Cricket team win BUCS Indoor title Durham’s Men’s first team won their 14th consecutive BUCS Indoor Cricket National Championships.

They did so scoring 122 runs, the highest of all the finals games.

Rugby

Durham trio feature in U20 Six Nations Three DURFC players featured in the U20 Six Nations tie between England and Scotland on Friday evening. Prop Mark Dormer started for England, whilst Tom Banatvala and Jake Spurway both featured for Scotland. England won the game 41-24.

Futsal

DUWAFC win futsal league Durham’s Women’s futsal first team won the BUCS Women’s Premier League North futsal. A 7-4 win over Nottingham and a 3-0 win over Loughborough was enough to see them claim top spot.

Rugby

DURFC captain breaks BUCS try record Durham’s Men’s first-team captain, Fred Davies, scored his 30th BUCS Super Rugby try against Leeds Beckett to become the all time leading BSR try scorer. The hooker then added his 31st in the 30-17 win over Loughborough.