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23 SEPTEMBER 2013, WEEK 1

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NEWS

BADGER

THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE STUDENTS’ UNION

FEATURE

A history of activism 10% Co-op discount 3 at Sussex announced for all NUS Page Extra card holders Page 10 Page 4

COMMENT

ARTS

‘The summer diary 14 of aPage uni kid’

We interview the “Harry Potter of beatboxing” Page 14

Pages 10

SPORTS TUNE IN ONLINE Memorial match for Alex Jansons

Page 18

Whistle blown on Rugby team Emily Sutherland Deputy Editor-in-chief The University of Sussex Students’ Union has disbanded the Men’s Rugby Club for a period of two years following damages on their summer sports tour. Members of the Sussex Rugby Team have been forced to pay over £15,000 in costs after players damaged a tour bus. The Students’ Union’s Trustees have since decided to ban the team for a period of two years, sending a clear message that it will not tolerate behaviour like this from any sports clubs. The Union’s trustees felt the team failed to abide by strict behavioural contracts signed by all members. The Students’ Union commented: “The Rugby Team has been disbanded because of incidents on the 2013 Sports Tour. All members of the team attending Tour had signed behavioural contracts due to incidents in previous years, and all had attended equality and diversity sessions prior to the incident. “Players were warned that they could be removed from the club if they broke their behavioural contracts – and all of them broke these contracts. The Students’ Union was faced with no other option following incidents over a number of years”. Concerns about the behaviour of sports teams from universities across the country have become increasingly prevalent in recent years, with numerous reports of dangerous initiation ceremonies and outlandish tour antics. However, disappointed Freshers stu-

dents, who had the intention to play competitive rugby for the University during their first year, are riled that the actions of other students have affected them. One rugby fanatic argued that all members of the team responsible for the damage should have been banned, rather than the entire club. A furious second year student, who did not wish to be named, laid bare his frustration with the Union’s “extreme” decision, swiftly adding: “The sun will shine, the rain will come and the Union will make a stupid decision.” Members of the Rugby Team are also said to be unhappy, with some pointing out that the University continues to operate sports tours with companies that actively encourage the ethos of binge drinking. Others, however, feel even more can be done to distance the University from such behaviour. The Union will review its decision in May 2014, providing the potential opportunity for the Rugby Club to reappear a year earlier than expected. A student agreeing with the decision commented: “I think that as a representation of our University, we should be able to be proud of our sports teams.” The Rugby Team ranks as one of the largest and most successful sport clubs in the University’s history. With the hope of having the ban overturned within a year, members of the Rugby Team have made steps to recover its tarnished reputation by organising core value workshops with the Rugby Football Union. This will involve encouraging members to take coaching or referring courses, which can then be

used to volunteer at the University and in the local community. The Rugby team have already made steps to change the mentality of the team by positively developing the culture within the club. The club aims to modify their socials by encouraging a more welcoming, inclusive atmosphere and intend to arrange a series of fundraising events throughout the year. Plans for a charity Touch Rugby tournament on 25 September are already underway. The American Football Club commented on the banning of the Rugby Club, stating: “We feel it’s a shame that Sussex University has lost a successful sports team as it helps towards the diversity of sports clubs at the University, and we hope that they are allowed to return soon”. Although the actions of the Rugby Team and the subsequent disbanding has come as a considerable blow for Sussex sport, some believe the decision could unleash a brighter new dawn for both the Men’s Rugby Team and other sports clubs, as well as increase the exposure of other less successful sport clubs on campus. While there will still be opportunities to be involved in men’s rugby in Brighton, the Women’s Rugby Club and lesserknown sports will undoubtedly enjoy a greater level of exposure. The Women’s Rugby team is a flourishing and successful squad, which may now gain a larger following from students still keen to support a Students’ Union rugby team.

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Freshers Fair on Campus last week. University of Sussex

the badger

23 September 2013

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the badger

23 september 2013

NEWS • 3

NEWS

Further letdown for LPS School Broken promises anger students as proposed move to Freeman Centre is delayed further

Brean Horne Students studying the subjects Law, Politics or Sociology will remain in the temporary mobile building Friston for at least the next academic year. University management had promised that the LPS department would move into the more attractive Freeman Centre from September 2013. Freeman, the currently unoccupied bricked building positioned opposite Falmer Bar, has been undergoing a £5 million refurbishment since 2012. The University has since emailed LPS students announcing that the Freeman Centre will be ready for

Building to house both schools due to the growth of LPS and BMEc. LPS would instead move to the Freeman Centre in 2013 which had previously been the academic building of the Science and Technology Policy Research (SPRU) department, which moved to Jubilee alongside BMEc in 2012. However, University management “allegedly” admitted there were too many Law students to fit in the new premises by accident. University management said Friston, opened in 2010, had an estimated lifespan of three years. However, three years on integral facilities such as staff offices, professional services, seminar rooms and IT rooms remain squeezed in-

at the University, lecturers tantalised prospective LPS students with the plans to move to the new academic building. Much detail was given over how the Jubilee Building would provide an improved

environment for social science degrees. Some felt these promises could have had a significant impact on students’ decisions in choosing Sussex over other similarly prestigious universities.

“Nobody was consulted, nobody was able to give feedback, no nothing. No wonder people are not happy about this!” - A SPRU student

Despite the disappointment of losing Jubilee, the forthcoming move to the Freeman Centre was said to have been still highly anticipated by LPS staff and students.

efitting from its academic facilities. Despite efforts from the Students’ Union to lobby senior management into holding off

“I think it is appalling what the university has done to LPS. Unfair and rude.” - A BMEc student

“The University has yet again misled LPS students about their place of study after false hopes of a move into the Jubilee building in 2012” the department by the 2014/15 academic year, with work commencing in January 2014, a year later than planned. Management have invited students to become heavily involved in “deciding how the social spaces are fitted out and furnished” in the building, insisting the move will be worth the wait with more “developed” plans than before. This comes as a double blow for LPS staff and students as the Jubilee Building was initially intended to be the department’s new home when the university’s newest structure – costing a hefty £29 million – was opened in the summer of 2012. However, three months before the new academic year was due to start, senior management at the University announced students in these disciplines would not move to the Jubilee building as had been initially promised and would, as a result, remain in Friston for the foreseeable future. Jubilee, the lavish building located in the centre of campus, was initially intended to house two academic schools: Law, Politics and Sociology (LPS) as well as Business, Management and Economics (BMEc). The decision was said to be based upon the inability of the Jubilee

side the grey two-storey building positioned at the northern edge of campus. The Jubilee Building, in stark contrast, holds 120 offices, 10 seminar rooms, private and social study space, and two lecture theatres. In addition, Jubilee was supposed to offer more specialised facilities such as a mooting chamber which would have greatly benefitted the Sussex Law School. The reviewed plan to relocate LPS understandably received negative reactions from both LPS staff and students, who were left disappointed, outraged, and questioning what the promises made by senior management were truly worth. At open days in 2011 and 2012

“The decision represented a total disregard for the promises made to LPS students.” There was a resounding sense of excitement and pride within LPS who were looking forward to the move to the new building and ben-

their decision until a formal consultation was conducted, no further communication with LPS took place and the move of BMEc and SPRU went ahead. In a feedback questionnaire designed by the Students’ Union on the revelation, students from across the board expressed their disbelief and disappointment in the decision. “At open days the school put such an emphasis on the fact we would be in the new building. Now I find myself asking why I chose Sussex when we aren’t going to get the facilities which we were promised.” - An LPS student

The Sussex Law Society issued this statement on the situation: “The University has yet again misled LPS students about their place of study after false hopes of a move into the Jubilee building in 2012. On behalf of our members, we find it unacceptable and a shame that our current facilities do not match the excellent reputation of our faculty.” Even if LPS do finally move to the Freeman Centre for the newly proposed date, a large number of students who had based their decision to study at Sussex on the promise of new and high quality facilities would have graduated.

fancy sniffing out news? Come to our writers meetings: Friday at 2PM in the Student Media Office in Falmer House

the badger

23 September 13

news • 4

The prices on the bus go up and up Students outraged as 23 and 25 bus route prices rise for the second time in only ten months. Amy Dunning The Brighton & Hove Bus Company has decided once again to increase prices on student used bus routes, despite the fact that it has only been ten months since the last such rise. From 15 September, students face a price rise of up of to 20 percent on the 23/25 bus routes – the route heavily relied upon by students. The Brighton & Hove Bus Company caused a wave of student criticism when prices were previously increased only last November. Ticket prices for the 23/25 routes will now be £3.50 for 1 day travel and £12.50 for 7 day travel with a 7 day student saver also being raised in price from £10.50 to £12.50. The fare for a journey on the N25 night bus has also gone up to £4. Martin Harris, Managing Director of the Brighton & Hove Bus Company, explained in a

Continued from page 1...

Rugby team disbanded Meanwhile, the University’s American football team, the Sussex Saxons, could well be the biggest benefactor in the face of the rugby team’s suspension. There are even fears that a number of students defecting to the Saxons might lead to problems with reasserting the Rugby Team’s prestige when the ban is lifted. The Union’s decision has paved the way for an increased enthusiasm for less traditional sports on offer at the University more generally. Rugby, football and hockey may be well known, but the Union offers a whole range of opportunities ranging from Fencing to Ultimate Frisbee.

released statement that previous prices were a special limited time introductory offer, and that they were always going to be adjusted to the full price eventually. Explaining the rationale behind the pricing increase, he commented: “We continue to invest customer’s fares in improvements to the services. “This calendar year we have invested £7m in 38 new buses, to continue to improve services for our customers and improve air quality, and in response to customer suggestions we have added a number of extra journeys to improve a number of services both this spring and this autumn.” The Brighton & Hove Bus Company was contacted personally to defend the fare increase on University routes, but did not respond at the time of going to press. Some students at the University of Sussex were utterly shocked that the prices are on the increase yet again. One student commented that it would be cheaper to travel around Brighton by train than bus, especially if they have a railcard. Another student derided the Brighton & Hove Buses for what he branded as a “monopolistic pricing strategy”.

The Brighton & Hove Bus company is now the only compnay that supplies buses to campus after the Lemon Bus ceased to run a route to campus. Students are facing continued finanical pressure as the costs of living continue to spiral. According to a recent study, Brighton is now the 5th most expensive city to live it, with only London, Guildford, Cambridge and Exeter topping it. Undergraduates in Brighton tend to fork out £20 more than the national average student spend per week. Sophie, Students’ Union Welfare Officer, who is looking for ways to lobby Brighton & Hove Buses in response to the continuous price increases, said that in order for her efforts to be successful she needed as much student support as possible. Sophie is also championing the ‘On Your Bike’ campaign, as another way in which Sussex students can protest against the problem of extortionate public transport pricing. With a variety of places to leave bikes on campus and safe cycle routes to the University, it seems likrely that the start of the new year means many more students will be getting on their bikes.

Ussu

Physics department: a force for good Thomas Pearson Deputy Editor-in-Chief The University of Sussex came 21st in the UK for overall student satisfaction, the 2013 National Student Survey has revealed, with the department of Physics and Astronomy taking the top spot. Having surveyed 1,861 final year students at Sussex, 89 percent of them answered that they were satisfied overall with the quality of their course and a record 87 percent satisfaction rating was given to the University’s learning resources. This comes after a £7.4 million refurbishment of the library, and £1.3 million investment in campus wi-fi

since 2011. The particularly high scores received by the department of Physics and Astronomy ranked it highest in the University, with 100% of students saying they were satisfied overall with the quality of the course. “I'm delighted, of course, with our relative success", said Philip Harris, Head of Department, "and particularly that we were able to score 100 percent in overall satisfaction. “We aren't complacent though; the score for Assessment and Feedback was poor, and we have already put new measures in place to address that in this coming year. I think the ultimate key to a good NSS score is a very close dialogue between students

and faculty; the students know that we take their feedback very seriously, and we act upon it as appropriate. “We have developed a reputation as a very friendly and supportive Department, and maintaining that atmosphere in an era of rapid expansion is a top priority for us." Further 100 percent scores were given to the department in four categories: staff enthusiasm for the subject, how intellectually stimulating students found the course, organisation of the course and the ability to access specialised equipment when needed. Craig Waldie, a fourth year Mphys student, said: “It is no surprise the department scored so well. The

sense of community which comes with very approachable staff, our study and kitchen facilities as well as the social atmosphere feels unique to physics at Sussex. “However, with student intake increasing year on year, it will be interesting to see if the department can maintain such a tight knit and amiable feeling.” Outside of the physics department, eight more 100 percent scores were achieved with Law, Spanish, Anthropology, Chemistry, German, Italian, International Development and Philosophy also ranking in the UK’s top 10 for their respective subject.

10% off at Co-op ‘Savvy Sussex’ start up Emily Sutherland Deputy Editor-in-chief

Excellent news for Sussex students: the Co-operative has become the first British supermarket to offer student discount. In an attempt to give cash strapped students a helping hand and attract younger shoppers, NUS cardholders will now be able to claim 10 percent discount off their Co-Op shop simply by showing their card when paying. With some 600,000 students already holding an NUS card, the offer is one of the biggest ever launched by a supermarket chain.

The head of commericial grocery at the Co-op commented: “We want to help students, many of whom are living away from home for the first time, help at living and cooking on a budget”. Delighted though the majority of Sussex students will be at the idea of the inevitable trips to the campus Co-Op being a little less expensive, the move has already attracted some criticism. Alcohol Concern has commented on its frustration of what they regard as yet another attempt by supermarkets to cut booze prices. You can buy your card from the Students’ Union now.

Tom Foster

The Student Life Centre, in response to growing anxiety over financial issues, has begun a new initiative labelled ‘Savvy Sussex’. Savvy Sussex is a legacy project funded by University of Sussex Alumni who believe that they didn’t receive enough financial advice during their studies. Savvy Sussex aims to tackle the issues surrounding student financial difficulties by running eight workshops, which will be a mixture of formal discussion and activities, focusing on topics ranging from budgeting to transport costs.

The Student Life Centre is also working in conjunction with an upcoming personal and business development brand ‘Whatever Life Throws’, to create new online content giving financial advice. The student demographic is particularly vulnerable to money issues, as is reflected in a Lloyd’s TSB report, which found that half of all student struggle with day to day living costs. A YouGov SixthSense report estimated collective student debt to be £20 billion for the 2012/13 academic year. Furthermore, collectively, students were spending an additional £1bn more than their income; which is

around £726 of debt per student just from excess spending. Samuel Bullen, an International Relations graduate, who helped establish Savvy Sussex, wanted to stress that these were not going to be dreary financial lectures, He asserted: “Both the workshops and online information are there to help Sussex students bridge the gap between being at home and living independently more easily. The first of the Savvy Sussex workshops will commence on Wednesday 14th October at the Meeting House from 3:00 to 4:30 and run every Wednesday until 4th December.

THE BADGER

23 SEPTEMBER 2013

NEWS • 5

Chartwells: new campus caterers Sussex in top 10 for

Emily Sutherland The new term sees Chartwells move on to campus to become the new provider of catering and conference services on campus. The company already provides catering services at UCL, Manchester and Cambridge and was named as the new catering provider in July after months of complicated negotiations. The University claims that Chartwells presence on campus will create a noticeable improvement to the quality of food and dining on campus. This will lead to a “greater variety of food and choices”, “substantial investment in campus cafes” and system improvements such as allowing debit and credit card payments. In a statement, Registrar John Duffy

explained: “After many months of detailed discussion, we feel confident that we have found the right choice of partner for Sussex. “Chartwells is an innovative, worldclass organisation with extensive experience in higher education. They have demonstrated that they have the right approach, systems and processes and management to make a real difference at Sussex.’ Despite Duffy’s assurances however, the introduction of the company on to campus marks the end of a three month long battle between University management and those opposing the outsourcing of university services. Sussex began the process of bidding for external contract companies to run several parts of campus services in May 2012, which led to a wave of protests.

These protests gave rise to an eightweek long occupation of the conference centre in Bramber House, a campaign which received national attention and noteworthy public support from comedians Frankie Boyle and Mark Steel, the academic Noam Chomsky, and political activists such as Owwen Jones and Laurie Penny. Penny publically commended the courage of students involved in the protest in an article for The Guardian. It appears the Chartwells presence on campus by no means spells the end of the Sussex Against Privatisation movement. The Occupy Sussex Twitter page has recently advertised campaign meetings and several messages of resistance such as ‘Michael Farting got a reminder of the campaign today.More to come’ and ‘ Hi Chartwells, just to let you know students and staff at Sussex will do everything we can to actively oppose your presence on campus.’ The new contractors were keen to attract student support by offering tasters of their new menu at the Freshers Fair. Views are split on whether this term marks a significant end to the antioutsourcing movement, or a fresh start to a long and bitter battle.

politics and nightlife

Hannah Rose Shaw An online guide for prospective students has ranked the University of Sussex among the top ten universities in the UK for nightlife. Due to Brighton having the liveliest music and clubbing scene on the South Coast the main problem students face is to navigating through the vast choice available: Shoosh, Digital and Coalition as prime examples. Nightlife here is fantastic and well worth exploring, with something to do every night of the week. According to a Sussex physics undergraduate: “Brighton is a wonderful city with great transport links and nights ranging from jazz to comedy to your classic pubs.” Sussex also featured in the top 10 of the most politically engaged universities in the UK. The array of political groups on campus range from the main national political parties, to the Students Socialist Workers and anything in between. ‘It is very political - there is a lot of

student involvement in changes to the University. There is a large range of societies that caters to everyone’s likes,’ is the comment from one second year Clinical Psychology student. There is a long history of activism at Sussex; in 1973, 500 students physically prevented a government adviser, Samuel P. Huntington, from giving a speech because of his involvement in the Vietnam War. Students’ are still upholding this reputation - just last year, the university saw the Occupation of the Bramber House Conference Centre and a national demonstration against the privatization of Sussex services. Over 16,000 undergraduate students took part in the Which? University survey, where universities are rated in categories such as creative arts, sports, activities and student unions. It works in partnership with the National Union of Students and gathers opinions from student unions as well as comments from over 8,000 students to gain an insight into life and experiences at university.

Officer Comment

Sussex Question Time event: So what is a University? There are many unexpected parts to the job of being a Full-time Elected Officer, and Freshers Week has demonstrated this. We have found ourselves working on the bar, giving welcome talks to what felt like thousands of students, and attending University committee meetings as though 5000 students hadn’t just arrived. For me, the most remarkable moment of Freshers Week was on Tuesday morning, when I found myself sitting on a panel at the first of our Sussex Question Time events, debating a question on which I certainly am not an expert... ‘What is a University?’ In this job, we work close-

ly with the senior management of the University and represent students at committee meetings. Sometimes we agree on how things should work for students, and sometimes we disagree. However, it certainly feels that we don’t spend anywhere near enough time establishing what it is that we are talking about. In the day to day running of the University, it’s easy to lose track of the bigger picture. So we hosted Sussex Question Time to discuss ‘What is a University?’ We invited Clare Mackie, ProVice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, and Dr William McEvoy, a lecturer in Drama and English, to sit alongside me and represent a student, staff and management perspective on what a University really is.

Sophie, the Students’ Union Welfare officer, chaired the discussion, firstly by reminding the room of our safe space policy, and then by observing that this panel was by no means an expert panel. She remarked on the value of lived experience, and indeed, as I sat on the panel, lived experience was all I had. The conversation ranged from the transformative and immeasurable nature of education, to the value of a community which should not differentiate between its members, and the longevity of the impact a University education can have on its graduates. Of course, we could have told you that the best parts of this event were the audience discussion – a genuine, frank and inquiring discussion of the different factors that make up a University,

and of the unique freedom of inquiry that should differentiate University from school. Clare Mackie noted Scotland’s retention of free healthcare and education, and commented that free healthcare, education and welfare were marks of a civilised society. Our amazing freshers commented on the difference between having Universities market themselves to you at college, and arriving to find they were actually joining a community in which you are expected to engage. Bill McEvoy commented on the battle of maintaining dialogue between student and lecturers on the introduction of tuition fees, and the anxiety that surrounds the notion of ‘value for money’. When talking about community, we cannot help but consider

Juliette Cule Education Officer

the recent outsourcing of services. These discussions focused on the legitimacy of marking and separating our services staff from other University staff, and the impact this has on our sense of community. An hour was not nearly enough. I urge you to continue discussing this question throughout your time at Sussex and beyond, and I hope you can feel as optimistic as I do that we will never truly be able to define a University, and nor should we ever want to.

the badger

23 SEPTEMBER 2013

Letters • 7

LETTERS

‘Go card or go home’ Dear Badger, So it’s time to leave for a night out after pre-drinks, and what happens in those crucial five minutes before departing is a ritual familiar to us all.You know the drill: Down the rest of your drink, have a quick wee and perhaps a cheeky primp in the mirror, followed by the standard “phone, keys, money, ID” pat-down and you’re good to go. And more often than not, there’s that one annoyingly organised person waiting at the door screeching “GUESTLIST CLOSES AT 11 GUYS COME ON COME ON COME ON!” in your ear, so it’s all a bit of a rush. In my experience, at this point I’m drunk enough that it doesn’t always go too smoothly, and generally ends up a scene of frantic grabbing and stuffing in pockets, with any overspill getting tucked in my bra, (if you knew me you’d appreciate that I can’t be trusted with a bag of any sort). But please, fellow students, no matter what happens in this space of time, I urge you desperately to at this point try your utmost to engage whatever tiny part of your brain is still at all capable of sober cognitive function, and tell yourself a defiant “No chance” when you contemplate bringing your student bank account card. Or any card, really, but now and again we all forget to do the sensible thing and get cash out beforehand. Just say no. Unless, that is, you have money coming out of your ears and can afford such frivolity, (in which case, screw you). I learnt the hard way that drunk me loses all concept of what is a reasonable amount of money to spend on a night out, and that drunk me paying by card is very easily persuaded. Anticipating no more than £20 worth of damage one morning after, I checked my balance only to be presented with a whopping transaction of £60 paid to Shoosh nightclub, sending me over my overdraft limit, and started to recall things I hadn’t even realised I’d forgotten. “Oh… yeah.”

A friend and I had managed to sneak into the VIP balcony area – quite craftily I might add – and had beelined for the bar, where he somehow convinced me that buying a bottle of posh champagne was a tremendous idea. I half-reluctantly handed him my card, practically yelled my pin number to the world, and the deed was done. And I only had about two sips of the stuff – no longer than ten minutes had gone by enjoying VIP life, sipping guzzling my lavish purchase, when the bouncers sussed me out and ordered me back downstairs with the rest of the peasants. The champagne remained upstairs, where it was promptly polished off by my inebriated so-called friend who hadn’t yet been caught out, and who refused to relinquish the luxury of VIP to come down and share it with the rest of our group. This is the worst of several similar episodes, all resulting in head-inhands moments upon seeing my dwindled balance the day after a cardfunded night out. So listen up: if you want to avoid nasty overdraft charges and you want to be able to afford next week’s shopping, don’t make the same mistake. Leave the card at home, and take the minimum amount of cash you will realistically need. Otherwise you’ll be waking up the next day with a whole lot more regrets than that one night stand. Nicola Hill

Welfare Officer on page three debate Response to: Should page 3 be banned – a sex positive feminist perspective Dear Badger, My answer is no – but not for any reasons found in Paul Millar’s feministslamming, sensationalist response in the last Badger. Nor for any feminist sentiments expressed in the Lucy Wilde’s yes piece. As a sex-positive feminist, I don’t

The views and opinions expressed in this publication do not nessesarily represent those of the Student’s Union, unless explicitly stated. University of Sussex Students’ Union Falmer, East Sussex, BN1 9QF

email: badger-letters@ussu.sussex.ac.uk

BADGER

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have any qualms about nudity. My parents tried to instil in me that nudity is natural and normal and, as a young’un, I didn’t have to look away whenever it came on the telly or draw any attention to it. I recognise that in Western culture, there is a major discrepancy in how female nudity is represented in the media compared to male nudity, and that this is problematic. It needs to change, I agree. But in Laurie Penny’s words: “I am not of the school of feminism which believes that the answer to the ubiquity of sexist imagery is to slap bans on everything we don’t like.” It doesn’t solve the root of the problem. Glamour models are overwhelmingly female, white, and thin because this is what’s deemed to be beautiful by our culture. We consume imagery of these models like we buy cappuccinos – quickly, routinely and unthinkingly. We have been socially conditioned to accept a very rigid model of beauty that marginalises and excludes a great deal of society. Feminism is crucial in raising our awareness about this issue. I also don’t accept the ban because it’s classist. Do feminist campaigner, those who presumably stand up for all women, want to put glamour models out of work? Many of them might be struggling to launch their career and page 3 might be their only route to stardom and work. Why ban page 3 but not GQ? Let’s campaign for a page 3 that features a spectrum of skin colours, body sizes and genders – that is feminism for me. Sophie van der Ham

“Freshers was sh*t” Dear Badger, Expecting a Freshers Week of fun and frivolity, by the end of the tent party I was a broken (wo)man. I am also a very angry woman. This week, thousands of students have all landed in an area of natural beauty, the Sussex Downs, only to vomit, piss and sh*t all over it. It’s like Lord of the Flies. Felicity Price

#sussexfreshers the week in tweets @EmmaTullis Happy birthday @LolaTracey who’s currently on her 5th sick of the morning @Emzarr The highlight of my night had to be doing the cha cha slide with 1200 other people #insane

Editor-in-Chief Aubrey Allegretti

badger@ussu.sussex.ac.uk

Deputy Editors-in-Chief Emily Sutherland badger-news@ussu.sussex.ac.uk

Cat Gough

badger-arts@ussu.sussex.ac.uk

Tom Pearson

badger-opinion@ussu.sussex.ac.uk

@_kirstymorrison My hangovers hangover has a hangover #dying

Head of Publicity Amy Bracewell

@LexDANCE_ I’ve already been told “Alex, if you don’t dance like that when we’re out in the week, I’m going home.”

News Editors Yasmin Centeno, Lucy Hartland, Jack Williams

@_ConnorPerry Whoever isn’t wanting to go to uni they should! The first 48 hours is worth all the money!

badger-publicity@ussu.sussex.ac.uk

badger-news@ussu.sussex.ac.uk

Letters & Societies Editor Deborah Batchelor badger-letters@ussu.sussex.ac.uk

@WhoTheBelle Seriously just harlem shook with @ Chris_Stark... Harlem shook? Harlem shaked...? Does it have a past tense?

Features Editors Holly Davis-Bollard, Nicole Estwick

@ _ConnorPerry There is a reason why Sussex is in top 10 night life!

Comment Editors Nick Godshaw, Paul Millar

@cateanna lol i thought i would look silly in my wellies at #sussexfreshers welcome party.... #ivegotthelastlaugh #rainysussex #WELLIES

Arts Editors Will Fortna, Tom Powell, Heather Gwyther, Cesca Rampley, Victoria Rodrigues

@abbyhenney I moved all my furniture to facilitate a pre, and now i can’t get to any of my things #sussexfreshers @lhawilson welcome team having a bit of a dance at international social. @jamiewyatt4 Probably picked enough free stuff to last me 3 years, lovely jubbly! @Emzarr You know you’re gonna have a good week when you win an iPad #sussexfreshers #round2

GOT AN OPINION? If you’re troubled by seagul strife, want to air a campus grievance, or want to respond to an article in the paper, send a carrier pigeon to:

badger-letters@ussu.sussex.ac.uk

badger-features@ussu.sussex.ac.uk

badger-opinion@ussu.sussex.ac.uk

badger-artspages@ussu.sussex.ac.uk

Science Editor Katherine Hardy badger-science@ussu.sussex.ac.uk

Sports Editors Yara Karoliina, Michael Morrow

badger-sports@ussu.sussex.ac.uk

Photo Editors Naomi Horsfall, Mina Rassouli badger-photo@ussu.sussex.ac.uk

Publicity Team Zoe Mallett, Jemma Rix, Annie Pickering, Hannah Shaw Online Editor Steve Barker Students’ Union Communications Office Imogen Adie

the badger

23 September 2013

FEATURE •8

FEATURE

A history of activism Since its opening, Sussex has been a hub of activism and protest. This week, The Badger asks how this came to be.

Nicole Estwick, Holly DavisBollard and Thomas Pearson Features Editors In October 1961, fifty two arts students met in two rented houses somewhere in Brighton to begin what would be a revolutionary course of academic study. Since its opening as the first plate glass university Sussex has built a reputation for radicalism and activism, which can be traced back to its second vice-chancellor, Asa Briggs. Having been hired by John Fulton (The University of Sussex’s first vicechancellor), Briggs led a team of intellectual rogues with a common goal; to instigate a program of interdisciplinary teaching and research, where students could major in a course whilst forming a more contextual understanding of the related disciplines. Such a plan meant Sussex was seen not to conform with conventional learning structures, and perhaps this is how it built a student demographic who refused to conform in general. Though, one could argue that the atmosphere at Sussex was merely systemic of the decade it was created in; a petri dish in which to grow new strands of resistant bacteria. Either way, as if on purpose, The University of Sussex opened in time to witness the iconic marches of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. A year after the first student CND march, in 1963 multiple Sussex students alongside two faculty members

were arrested whilst protesting the world’s arsenal of nuclear weapons. From this point onwards, students at Sussex consistently made there voices heard, opposing the Vietnam war and increasing rent prices amongst other things. One issue in particular has not only become associated with our university, but with Brighton as a city; the fight

“Sussex has main-

tained an ethos of challenging the problems of society head on”

for gay civil liberty. In 1972, the Sussex Gay Liberation Front- compiling of members from the University of Sussex and LGB members from Brighton- organised the first gay demonstration in Brighton as well as Brighton’s first Gay Pride march in July 1973. The march has now become an integral part of Brighton’s yearly calendar, which highlights the open tolerence and maturity which is spread across the city. With a community so willing to listen to an opinion different from their own, it’s no wonder the students feel free to opine.

Free us from fees

Margaret Thatcher’s rule as Britain’s prime minister lasted from 1979 to 1990, and with it brought numerous controversies that sparked the passions of the general public and, significantly, students all across the country. Sussex University was no exception, with the university housing around three hundred young protestors after the ‘Right to Work’ demonstration outside a Tory party conference in 1980. It was not until 1999, however, that striking comparisons could be made between today’s protests and the developing history of Sussex activism. Tuition fees were introduced to universities in 1998 under Labour government, to which students occupied Sussex House to demand that no student would be told to leave the University if they were unable to pay the new fees. It is worth mentioning that this was not necessarily the norm, with some top universities considering the introduction of tuition fees as a way for them to compete globally. It is impossible not to see parallels between then and now, with Sussex students taking a physical stance to defend those who were in the firing line to lose their rights as educatees, just as students in the past year hosted sit-ins in Bramber House to protect employees from the possibilities of lost jobs and benefits. What sets Sussex apart from other Universities, is certainly its preoc-

cupation with activism and liberality, and it is interesting to question why this might be. Since its founding in 1961, the golden era of political activism, Sussex has maintained an ethos of challenging the problems of society head on, and nothing is more telling of this than the recent introduction of the First Generation Scholarships by Professor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Clare Mackie. Mackie was the first of a large family to attend University, and faced the struggles of making ends meet with a family who were not able to support her. Sussex established itself then, as it does now, as a university built for those who cannot always afford what has become the luxury of study.

the 235 debate Since its humble beginnings, Sussex University has continued its political activism into the present day. The year 2011 (Sussex’s 50th anniversary year) would mark a new stage for its political agenda where students and staff would defiantly stand as one against issues of job security, pay cuts and privatisation. March 2011 saw students join staff on the picket lines in a stand-off against management and the clash of interests between these groups culminated in the ‘tug and war’ of the 20122013 academic year which can only be described as an amalgamation of protest, injunctions, boycotts and debate across all areas of the university com-

munity. The privatisation storm began to brew in May 2012 when the university announced plans to outsource its Facilities Management and Catering provisions to external providers by August 2013 (now underway with the transfer of Catering Services to external partner Chartwells); a move which would spark uproar amongst staff and students who learnt that services would no longer be run by the University but by private providers and with this 235 jobs would be affected. A conflict between profit vs. the people became, and still is at the centre of a fierce debate which has attracted interest not only from internal students and staff but also further afield with Brighton and Hove MP Caroline Lucas and other well-known figures showing their support. The result of this year long battle falls largely in the favour of the university, however all is not lost as Sussex is now widely recognised as a leading university in terms of political activism- a feat that is purely down to the passion, defiance and radicalism of both students and staff. John Fulton and Asa Briggs’ desire to go against the grain some 50 years ago still lives on today as Sussex students continue to live according to the values of equality and justice, standing up for the rights of students on important local, national and international issues.

the badger

23 september 2013

Comment • 10

COMMENT

The summer diary of a uni kid hot chocolate. That’ll show the stupid economy.

7 JUNE

Met up with my old secondary school friends. A lot has changed in the past few months. One’s in the army, one’s had a baby and another’s joined a commune and now goes by the name Moonflower Elbowgrease.

8 JUNE

Naomi Horsfall

1 JULY

Elizabeth Medhurst

1 JUNE

This summer will be different, I know it. Okay, so I wasted the last one by being both parts drunk and drunker, but I’m determined to make a difference this time! I’ll get a summer job, socialise and even learn a few heartwarming life lessons later documented in the BAFTA-winning film of my life. Time to get to work!

Attempt #2 at getting a job. It looks like there aren’t any openings at Greggs. Jumbo sausage rolls have forever been soured for me. Mashed pig testicles will never be quite the same. Well, today I walked the dog, I think that counts as a win.

2 JUNE

Today I ate some chicken dippers

4 JUNE Attempt #1 at getting a job. I admit I may have aimed a bit high applying for Senior Policy Officer at Advancement of Realistic Social Economics. I kicked their coffee machine on the way out and now it only dispenses

10 JULY

Ugh, time for our boring family holiday with my boring parents who boringly love me very much. In these tough times we don’t have enough £££ to go to Mallorca or Majorca or New Yorka, but have decided to try out this new ‘staycation’ concept instead and go to deepest Cornwall.

Hope it goes well!

18 JULY

Rain, rain again; seventh day running, can’t think, not even a sodding wi-fi signal, reduced to playing monopoly, bloodshed imminent

20 JULY

Home, but I’ve caught a summer cold because of the rain. As a result I am finally fulfilling my true potential as a student by staying inside and watching old episodes of Jungle Run on CITV. Some loser team just got trapped in the temple, roflcopter.

5 AUGUST

Attempt #204 at getting a job. Apparently unpaid internships are now too costly for companies to spare, so the new way of doing things is paying them to hire you. Sadly I was all out of pocket money as I had used the remainder on a novelty penis hat at Brighton Pride.

Naomi Horsfall Amy Dunning Britain has a history of sticking its nose into other people’s business. We really just can’t help ourselves.

We see trouble; we decide that it is our moral obligation to help out those poor innocents, regardless of whether they would actually like our help in the first place.

13 SEPTEMBER

Finally, finally succeeded at getting a job! Alright, it may involve giving sponge baths to elderly people at respite homes, but I just think of it as contributing to our wonderful private care sector. Now with 40% less cockroaches and despair!

14 SEPTEMBER

Back to uni soon. I’ve missed the goings-on and goings-out. I’ve had to quit my job, but the experience will have been worth it, even if I only had it for one day due to spending the rest of the break searching for said job. Also the smell.

18 SEPTEMBER

You know, in retrospect, I probably just should have stayed drunk.

20 AUGUST

I just spent the very last of my spare change on a shoehorn shaped like Ed Miliband’s face. Why? Why did I buy this? What possible use does

Britain finds its backbone Jolly good show old chaps, you really have pulled one out of the bag this time, really gone the extra mile, and lady justice is pleased. Yet it seems that perhaps we have come to our senses. We have left Syria alone. What madness is this?! We, a nation constituted of moral righteousness and vanity have decided that perhaps we are not wanted. We are not needed. Have the Commons finally accepted that we are no longer the mother of the world? We are no longer the keeper of peace? In recent years the British public have sat back and watched as the US puppeteer controls us. We are no longer that great nation that once ruled half the world. We live in shadow of the US; we bend to their every whim and fancy. Dave can often be seen making tea for Obama at the UN conferences, just to make it 100% clear which side he is on. But Britain has had enough it would seem. Despite Dave putting up a good fight in the Commons, bless him he really wanted his own Prime Minister’s war to mark him in the history books, but the people said no. He graciously admitted that “it is clear that the British parliament…does not want to see British military action”

it serve? WHAT EVEN IS A SHOEHORN???? More importantly, why won’t someone hire me?! I’m much nicer than everyone else with a job!

which must have really grated his nonexistent backbone. Perhaps Dave’s gallant retreat had ulterior motives. Perhaps he has realised that our best hope now lies to the East, amongst the new rising tyrants China and Russia. Has his allegiance switched or has he finally come to his senses and realised that Britain has little interest in the outside world. The majority of us have bigger fish to fry than what is happening across the deep blue. We have £9000 a year tuition fees to eventually pay for, we have an economy that is just about holding on as it gradually climbs the steep slope of recovery. We have a government that is as close to shambolic as you can possibly get and what’s more the X-factor has returned to plague our screens. Of course I am not saying that we should ignore Syria. The destruction and devastation that is occurring within that country is truly horrific and it is a disgrace to the name of humanity (which really is saying something, because most of the time I would rather not classify myself as a human if possible). I am merely suggesting that perhaps Dave and his chums in power should perhaps grow a pair and decide that we are better off alone.

Society of the Week Rob Frost President of The University of Sussex Labour Society The Labour Society managed to sign up 160 new members during last Wednesday’s four-hour Freshers Fair. That’s more than all of the other political societies - Liberal Democrat, Conservative and even Green - put together! Even the presence of Caroline Lucas couldn’t improve the Greens’ fortunes. Things couldn’t have been more different last year. The Tory Soc enjoyed their best year ever, while Labour collapsed before we relaunched it in May. And how! We’re riding on a wave of momentum having brought the popular Chuka Umunna onto campus in June to a crowd of nearly 100. Next in the pipeline are Ed Balls and Alan Johnson. But before that to kick off the year, ‘Lab Soc’ will host a workshop with Shadow Cabinet member Angela Eagle MP focusing on young people’s disengagement in politics, next Monday at 5pm in Falmer House. At this point I cast my mind back to a comment made by Tony Blair on the night of his landslide election victory in 1997: ‘A new dawn has broken, has it not?’

the badger

23 September 2013

comment • 7

THE BIG DEBATE Should suspected paedophiles be given anonymity? The Badger asks whether individuals suspected of a sexual offence, like Michael Le Vell who was cleared last week, should be given anonymity before being found guilty

Yes

Paul Millar “There’s no smoke without fire”. The taint of suspicion will hang over Michael Le Vell for the rest of his life. But the actor, better known as mechanic Kevin Webster in Coronation Street, has been spared the worst. If Le Vell wasn’t such an iconic character in such an iconic TV programme, his reputation may well have been tarnished forever. Le Vell also, unlike many actors, is well liked and has a fortunate likeness to his popular alter ego. Let’s for a moment consider what the last six months for Mr Le Vell have been like. From a proud public figure, Le Vell was sent into total social destitution when the allegations hit. Whilst on bail, the enormity of the accusations – the details of which were later shared in a public gallery – must leave somebody desperately unhappy. If victims are protected in these cases, so should suspects, especially in the extremely sensitive area of sex abuse allegations. Michael Le Vell, and potentially others still facing charges, may have a black cloud hanging over them for the rest of their lives. Human beings

should not be treated in this way, whether they are in the public eye or not. The amount of emotional pain one must feel while fighting a false allegation of this sort is unthinkable. Granted, by censuring the name of Jimmy Savile, it would have dissuaded others from coming forward, such was the hold he had over the institutions that run our lives: the government, the NHS and the tabloid press. But besides Savile being an extreme example, offending during a time in which male and female gender roles were far more unnaturally defined, any judges could still have found him guilty of the original charges. The Savile case does rather leave a sour taste in the mouth. While the man was quite clearly a predator, trying the deceased via the gutter press leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. Some have remarked Savile couldn’t have realistically abused as many victims as came forward, without the justice system being able to smell a rat. You’d hope so, anyway. Victims have the burden of reponsibility to others, besides themselves, in reporting crimes of this magnitude. What the police, government and media need to do is work together to create an environment so that victims feel confident in doing so. Last year, of 473,000 people who say they were the victims of sexual assault, only 54,000 was recorded by police.

WRITE FOR US We are a paper written and edited by students, for students. We hold weekly writers meetings for people who want to get involved. To find out more bookmark The Badger and visit us at:

www.badgeronline.co.uk

No

Jamie Brown Anonymity is a luxury that should be afforded to victims and victims only. The fallout from the Le Vell affair has sparked pro-anonymity rhetoric even in the face of Operation Yewtree; the police investigation in which 589 sexual abuse victims were identified in connection with a string of worn out TV personalities including the late disgraced Jimmy Savile. It is widely acknowledged that the transparency of the investigation had encouraged many of the victims to come forward, such that any anonymity given to the accused would have hindered the carrying out of justice proper. Of course in a different turn of events, actor Michael Le Vell was recently acquitted on all 19 charges of sexual assault after having been publicly identified before any verdict was passed. This has caused high profile figures like Maura McGowan, the chairman of the Bar council for England and Wales, to try and herald the introduction of defendant anonymity as she claims that the “level of unavoidable stigmatization warrants a change in the status quo”. Now as much as I hate to sacrifice the ideal notion of a perfect justice system, I am willing to concede that a certain amount of collateral damage must be allowed in order for victims of sexual abuse to be given the best provisions possible, and so that justice can be served as best as it can to the perpetrators of sexual violence. With deep regret the system shoulders a proportionately small amount of instances where individuals are wrongly accused, but I cannot accept that this regret has precedence over the

support and encouragement of victims. Last year there were an estimated 473,000 victims of sexual assault in the UK. The crime is endemic and thus any measures taken that are assumed to hinder victims in their coming forward are nonsensical. The charity Rape Crisis echoed this notion in a statement saying anonymity for defendants would discourage people from reporting sex crimes and “victimise victims further”. According to a home office report only 15% of sexual assault victims report the crime to the authorities. I wonder how low this figure would drop if anonymity for the defendant was installed? Ideally the reactivity of the public would be such that any sexual assault accusation, preverdict, would be perceived equitably and that the media would remain impartial observers. You would have the facts but no more, and a true ‘innocent until proven guilty’ narrative would rightly follow. Unfortunately this isn’t how our society works, but in acknowledging this we can take steps towards promoting fairness in justice and by putting pressure on the media to change the way they frame legal proceedings. There is no question that individuals like Le Vell, and many others in less high profile cases have had their lives adversely affected beyond comprehension. We must the regard them as victims of a different sort of crime who deserve ample support and compensation in the rebuilding of their lives. That said, it is the victims of sexual assault who must take priority in all regards during the legal process due to their sheer number and the horrific nature of their grievances, and that any divergence from this priority would be a travesty.

the badger

23 September 2013

SCIENCE • 12

SCIENCE

Phages going viral?

Daniel Stuart Viruses are sometimes seen as nature’s punishment, with effects ranging from the inconvenient to downright deadly. However, they are not all bad. Let’s face it, from time to time we have all taken part in that age old

Nobel Laureate of the Week

tradition and for centuries now, my father, his father and his father before that have been using the likes of the rhinovirus or the cytomegalovirus to “pull a sickie”. Combined with some creative acting over the phone, the viral community can form the perfect excuse and up until the early 20th century, their useful-

You all know the name. 1932 saw him win the Nobel Prize in physics for “the creation of quantum mechanics” and undergraduates haven’t forgiven him since. His greatest achievement? Being used as a pseudonym for a crystal meth cook in a popular television programme. Puts his work into some sort of perspective I suppose...

infection due to a combination of antibiotics’ ability to kill several types of bacterium and also fears that the phages would change sides and turn to infecting humans. Now things are a little different. Science and the knowledge of viruses has come on leaps and bounds since then and the overuse of antibiotics has lead to an increase in resistance and the emergence of ‘superbugs’ like MRSA. Therefore medicine has tried to seek out alternatives and has revisited the use of phages. Phages act on bacteria just as a virus infects a cell, they latch on to the bacterium via a number of sites including proteins, lipids or even the flagellum (tail). They then inject their genetic material into the bacterium and replicate it producing more phages. In many cases the phages will be in their ‘lytic’ phase where they burst the cell after reproducing however, some reproduce in the lysogenic phase, where they will reproduce without harming the cell.

Nevertheless, it has been discovered that UV light can cause those phages to get back in line and undergo the lytic phase again. This means that they are experts in fighting off bacteria that have been trained into antibiotic resistance. Not to say that the bacteria can not become resistant to the phages. However, as the phages are living organisms themselves, they can also evolve to overcome the pesky NDM1 gene, which grants antibiotic resistance. Researchers in the lab at places like AvidBiotics, are working on combining the specific grabbers with a family of bacteria called pyocins that are even better at fighting off not just bacteria, but fungi as well. There is even thought that phages can be used in research for manipulating human cells for fighting genetic disease. The possibilities for phage use do not even stop there.

Trapped in a mental illness Dani Warren

Werner Heisenberg

ness extended to simply being utilised as this handy scapegoat. That was until 1915, when a British microbiologist, Frederick Twort analysed some ‘magic water’ from the Ganges. Scientists and onlookers alike were amazed, as sufferers of diseases such as cholera were treated upon exposure to the river’s water. He analysed samples and observed that some agent in the water reduce or even stopped the growth of bacteria cultures. Although he did not know it at the time, Twort was observing the actions of bacteriophages, a group of viruses that have evolved to kill bacteria. This first discovery lead to research from the likes of Felix d’Herelle, which in turn heralded the use of ‘phages’ in commercial medicine in the 1940s, helping to treat soldiers during the second world war. However, the advent of antibiotics meant the discontinuation of phages as a treatment for bacterial

The image painted of psychiatric wards is not a pretty one. Insanity, screaming, neglect, maltreatment and no escape is associated with closed wards. Depicted in many sources, they were formerly known as “lunatic asylums”. Such as in Nellie Blys’ book “Ten days in a mad house” and Lori Schiller’s autobiography “The Quiet Room: A Journey out of the torment of Madness”. Despite previous maltreatment and instances of unrightfully admitted individuals, due to their apparent false civil rights beliefs, modern psychiatric wards should portray a different picture. Upon spending a few weeks interning in such an institute, it was clear that patients suffering from mental disorders (such as schizophrenia and borderline disorder) are treated with respect and dignity; as patients with a temporary illness that need extra attention and support on their way to recovery and independence. It is difficult to react to the statements of some individuals; acute patients with hallucinations, disorganised thought and speech or even persecutory ideas cannot tell the difference between what is real and what is not. This can resort in an individual feeling misunderstood, to the extent that

they feel betrayed and locked up against their will. This is a very hard time for both the patients and the caretakers. Consequently, distress and fear can follow, leading to the patients raising their voices out of despair or anger; the voice of inner torment and the feeling of being alone. Effectively great care is taken in listening to their statements and checking whether they are true and coherent, in order to avoid maltreatment and leading them to understand the extent of their illness. Albeit ethical treatment methods, due to the lack of staff the individual’s needs and worries cannot always be addressed. This could improve their recovery by making them feel understood and supported. The patients go through ups and downs in a matter of days, whilst taking a mass of different medications until the one they respond to best is found. This causes a reduction of confusion and agitation. Only to then go through the delicate process of weaning off the acute medication onto neuroleptics with fewer side effects. This provides them with the possibility to live their lives outside of the torment of madness again. During the initial medication the re-

duction of confusion and agitation is usually combined with a lack of initiative and limited range of emotion. This is the picture commonly associated with psychiatric wards, whereby it is believed that patients wander the

halls in a tranquilised and numb state. The thought of confronting mental illness may be unsettling, however we must keep in mind that although seeing it in others is hard to grasp, it must be even more tantalising experiencing it.

the badger

23 September 2013 ARTS • 14

ARTS Exclusive

interview: Shlomo

Music preview The 1975 Concorde 2

28th September Having just released their debut album, and having sold out shows across the nation, Manchester artpop quartet The 1975 are coming to Brighton. Their newest release, co-produced by Arctic Monkeys collaborator Mike Crossey, has been said to cement their status as ‘the breakthrough band of the year’. The 1975 have released three acclaimed EPs so far, “Facedown”, “Sex” and “Music For Cars” and their songs have had over 1.5 million plays on Soundcloud. Whilst “Chocolate” has been the

Vikki Rodriguez Arts Editor

in festivals, do you think that beatboxing is evolving?

A phenomenal performer nicknamed the “Harry Potter of beatboxing”, Shlomo is coming to Brighton with his latest show, Human Geekbox. His idiosyncratic looping techniques and contagious on-stage enthusiasm have attracted critical acclaim far and wide. A Guinness World Record holder, Shlomo has collaborated with the likes of Jarvis Cocker, Bjork and even The Mighty Boosh (please come back Noel and Julian!). Following a busy festival season including both Glastonbury and Edinburgh, The Badger had the pleasure of interviewing the man himself.

All the time. There are so many different styles and approaches now; it’s developing into a really fascinating art form.

What appealed to you about beatboxing? I grew up in a very musical family and got my first drumkit aged 8 years old. All I wanted to do was play my drums on Top Of the Pops. Only problem was it was on at 7pm, and I wasn’t allowed to practise my drums after 6, so I instinctively started making noises with my mouth. I didn’t know it was called beatboxing until much later. Was it hard to swap astrophysics for beatboxing? I was 18 when I moved up to Leeds to study Astrophysics, but after a few weeks at uni I was offered a place on a world tour as the beatboxer in the hip hop group Foreign Beggars, and never really looked back! With your extensive involvement

Do you prefer working on solo projects (having more control) or collaborating with other musicians/artists? I’m a natural collaborator, so even on my upcoming solo tour I couldn’t resist the idea of working with other artists. I’m using digital media to help find a different collaborator each time I do the show. I’ve set myself a slightly ridiculous challenge: to co-write, perform and release a new song in 2 hours with a different local artist in each town on the tour. After each show, the music will be released digitally in aid of War Child. My guest for Brighton is Zee Gachette . How do you deal with creative block? Creating terrifying deadlines for myself, like announcing a tour or launch party before writing the show or the songs. I can’t get anything done without a healthy dose of fear and panic. How did your new project Human Geekbox come about? I was born into a line of certified geeks. My grandfather, Professor Kahn, was an astronomer and they named a planet after him, called Planet Kahnia.

When I was a kid I thought I was going to go and live there. His story has inspired my new one man show, which is called #HumanGeekbox and tells the story of four generations from my grandfather to my little boy. Would you say that all negative connotations with the word ‘geek’ are non-existent for you? What about in the world of beatboxing? All beatboxers are Geeks, whether they admit it or not! Is the technology you use always easy to feature in your work? When it works! I’ve had it cut out in front of 10,000 people at Glastonbury. I’ve been working with looping technology for nearly a decade. A couple of years ago I entered the World Looping Championships and somehow came out the World Champion. Since then I’ve developed my rig, and I now have a table stacked with various gadgetry designed to process, warp and mash up my voice. Where do you want to take your particular style of beatboxing? I want to keep pushing the boundaries and widening people’s perceptions beatboxing, and to eventually teach the world to beatbox so that we stop bombing each other and all make music together instead. Shlomo will be playing at the Brighton Dome on the 27th September from 8pm. Concession tickets are available online for £12.

crossover hit of the year so far (it was on the Radio 1 playlist for 8 consecutive weeks, reached the top slot on Hypemachine (and its video has had over a million views on Youtube). Though they formed as a punk band whilst still at school, there’s no straitjacket to their current sound, which veers between brooding art rock, crisp electronica, dancefloor R&B, helium hip-hop, shimmering balladry and 80s gloss pop. are. It is the sum of our combined experiences,” says Healy. The band of the year are only just getting started. Tickets to their Brighton show are sold out, but you can read our interview with them in The Badger from the 7th October.

the badger

23 September 2013 ARTS • 15

Reviews TV

CiNEMA

Blue Jasmine

Charlie Brooker Black Mirror Screening and Q&A

Duke’s at Komedia From 22 September

Duke of York’s Picturehouse

Will Fortna Arts Editor

12th September

Heather Gwyther Arts Editor Quite why I was so keen to attend a double-bill screening of Black Mirror followed by a Q&A with its creator, Charlie Brooker, is a mystery. It took one sitting for me to have watched it in its entirety. Rarely have I anything to ask people about technology aside from “Do you think I put too many pictures of clothes on Instagram?”, which is perhaps more of a cry for help than a question anyway. Part of the Brighton Digital Festival, the event itself was presented by the Brighton-based digital culture agency ‘Lighthouse’ in partnership with Picturehouse cinemas. In other words, the kind of thing only the cultured among us will pay attention to, until there is a minor celebrity involved. Having been escorted past ‘security’ into the auditorium and towards an inflated sense of self-importance, even a bout of intense eye contact with Charlie Brooker himself failed to have any effect on me. That was saved for the woman to

Heather Gwyther

my right. Maybe I should stop reading strangers’ texts, but one sent by this woman referred to Konnie Huq as Brooker’s ‘hot Korean wife’ – she’s Bengali. Of course, it was the same woman who insisted on eating crisps throughout the screenings and cackling at anything Brooker said during the Q&A. From pointing out Wikipedia errors to pausing for a quick selfie, digital culture commentator and technology critic Bill Thompson moderated the Q&A with great success. While he was quick to chastise those whose questions he deemed unworthy, this attitude ensured the event was that much more focused.

Indeed, his questions were often more interesting than Brooker’s answers. Photo: Heather Gwyther When asked to state which episode he was most proud of, all he could muster was “they’re all different”. Then again, he did refuse to extrapolate which ideas would have been “too risky” to include in the series on the grounds that he wanted to do more in the future – I can forgive him for that. The episodes shown were ‘Fifteen Million Merits’ and ‘Be Right Back’. Not that it really mattered, because as Brooker said of Black Mirror when it first aired, “nobody watches it, just thinks about what to say of it”. And here we are.

Woody Allen is on form. Following 2011’s crowd-pleasing if slightly insubstantial Midnight in Paris, the legendary director offers Blue Jasmine – a superb contemporary adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire. Allen clearly delights in contrasting a wealthy Upper East Sider (Cate Blanchett) with her down-to-earth, working class sister (Sally Hawkins) – and the results are both comedic and tragic. The former is especially evident early on. The opening scenes in which Blanchett’s character struggles to adjust to life in her sister’s San Franciscan apart-

ment, and the clash of cultures when she meets her sister’s mechanic boyfriend and friends, are vintage Allen. It is the pathos however that elevates Blue Jasmine above Midnight in Paris. Thanks to an acting tour de force from Blanchett, we see – through flashbacks ­– her character slowly crumble from an elite banker’s wife living the high life to a nervous wreck roaming the streets of San Francisco, mumbling to herself. As ever, Allen pulls together an allstar cast, including Alec Baldwin and Louis CK, and the dialogue and cultural references are as quick-witted as anything in Allen’s late-period filmography. And whilst Blue Jasmine clearly doesn’t challenge the likes of Annie Hall and Manhattan for status as one of Allen’s very best films, it is nevertheless a powerful character study and an enjoyable tragi-comedy. Free memberships for the Duke of York’s cinemas are available for freshers from their ticket office.

Sony Picture Classics

Music

Fuck Buttons Concorde 2

16th September Cat Gough Head of Arts, Deputy Editor-in-Chief

Andrew Hung cooly yawls into the microphone, nodding his head in slow motion to the pulsating, languorous march of ‘Brain Freeze’. He abruptly looks up from the entanglement of cables, effects peddles and keyboards in front of him, out to his audience. His gesture seems peculiar, out of sync. This inquisitive gesture breaks the unassailable, intense rhythm of their prolific electronica. Halfway through their set at this sold-out show at Concorde 2, this delicate gesture is the only point at which Fuck Buttons seem to seek or anticipate any acclaim from their au-

Rhyddian Pugh

dience. Their set is uninterrupted; sewn so seamlessly together, each song amalgamates indefinitely into the next, allocating no time for applause or whooping. Fuck Buttons’ music was notoriously used to excite the euphoric millions at the London

Olympics Opening Ceremony last summer. Their album, Slow Focus, hit the ‘Top 40’ this year and has been a constant ‘best seller’ in Brighton’s most eminent record store, Resident Records, since it’s release. They open their show on Monday night with ‘Hidden Xs’. The Elysian-

like drone starts with a colossal intensity, striking through bodies. It’s galvanising volume is so potent it vibrates ribcages and pierce through skulls. Such a physical invasion makes Fuck Buttons‘ live shows a somatic experience - it is utterly stimulating. It is an experience that so physi-

cally involves the audience that when the set ceases after the entirety of Slow Focus is played out, and Fuck Buttons mutedly exit the stage, the packed out floor of Concorde 2 stand motionless in quiet disbelief, electronica still ringing deafeningly through their ears.

the badger

23 September 2013 ARTS • 16

LIFESTYLE

A guide for freshers: what not to do in Brighton Hannah Rose-Shaw

It’s your first week in Brighton. Fun, freedom and a bunch of new flatmates are all at your disposal. After hearing about everything from the iconic tourist attractions to the thriving nightlife, you’re ready to explore the city. But what not to do in Brighton? It goes without saying that Brighton is an exciting city, so don’t miss out on any of the big events. Shakedown, Pride and The Great Escape are just a few of them! Because of the pebbles, be sure not to visit the beach without thick soles. It’s always busy on hot summer days, but grab a group of friends for a lazy afternoon of ice-cream and sunbathing - there’s always a great atmosphere. Do not attempt to feed the seagulls. There are three stages to their menacing ways: 1. Swooping down in the hope of stealing your chips. 2. Attempting to become your friend. 3. Lashing out in anger when you finally gull-zone them. There are good clubs and bad clubs

JOIN THE CLUB Oceana

in Brighton. If you didn’t get the chance to go to Brightonian Nights, Oceana is a good place to start. Approach it lightheartedly and you’re guaranteed to have fun - even if that ‘fun’ comes from watching other people’s terrible dancing and critiquing their outfits. Due to its constant onslaught of premarital parties, it is generally wise to steer clear of the war zone that is West Street. That being said, there are plenty of top-draw drinking destinations elsewhere in Brighton - many of which are enlivened by thousands of students. Night buses in Brighton are always jam-packed, so if you’re thinking of getting a taxi be sure to use the ones registered to Brighton & Hove council - they’re everywhere. Do not be stingy when it come to enjoying yourself: first year is about letting go and having fun before the work really starts. Appreciate this time while you can and make lots of memories with new friends.

Jessica Sutcliffe

BBC

The ‘Third Wave’ comes to Brighton Culture

Feminism 3.0 Brighton Dome 14th September Heather Gwyther Arts Editor “There’s a feminist feeling across society,” declared the columnist Suzanne Moore as she sat on stage in Brighton Dome’s Corn Exchange. She’s not wrong, but in an age where everything we do is relayed on Facebook and Twitter, how much does even that owe to social media? In what was billed as a debate on precisely that issue, what the audience instead received was a polite discussion by three white middleclass women on their own achievements within the contemporary Feminist movement. I say three because Suzanne Moore was perfectly concise throughout.

Heather Gwyther

If you ask me, any one of the other panellists should have been replaced by her friend Julie Burchill - if only

for the bitchiness. Lucy-Anne Holmes seemed intent on hijacking the debate with her No More Page 3 campaign. While her gratitude for the ‘free tools’ of the internet was relevant, the campaign’s beginnings - or how she used to ‘[not be able to] tell men [her] needs’ - weren’t really. Another campaigner on the panel was Lilinaz Evans. She is fifteen. When I was fifteen I was wondering how anyone would ever love me; Lilinaz is campaigning to have Consent included in the National Curriculum and the founder of the Twitter Youth Feminist Army. The latter is predictably no Society for Cutting Up Men, but they have empowering memes - a keystone for success in our times. With her refusal to accomodate audience members who preferred to engage in lengthy rhetoric instead of asking actual questions, Helen Lewis - deputy editor of The New Statesman - was an excellent chairperson.

Not that the debate itself really needed her, because much of it was reiterations of what anyone who identifies as a feminist believes: misogyny is bad; rape threats are disgusting - I could go on. Bridget Christie, winner of the Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award, was at least able to add another dimension to the aforementioned by considering the ‘thought’ that must have gone into the more ‘imaginative’ rape threats. “You used to have to buy a stamp to send hate mail,” added Suzanne Moore. Most annoying of all, however, was the complete lack of disagreement amongst the panel. Its consensus was this: the internet is great for the feminist movement, but it can also be bad. As true as that is, what I really craved throughout was a group like FEMEN storming on stage to shake things up - if only for a little while.

Ah, Oceana. CarmelH Even the word brings to mind memories that are best forgotten. Being the greatest yet grossest club in Brighton, it bubbles with embarrassment. Of course the outfits are horrific, but it’s the plastic shot glasses you’ll never want to see again after sampling the alcoholic beverages on offer. Nevertheless, each Wednesday the club is transformed into the very lifeblood of local universities when ‘#YOLO’ brings people of varying gender identities to the yard. It is on this hallowed day that the majority of sports teams at both Sussex and Brighton congregate. Expect the athletically prodigious to be dressed in ridiculous outfits and either celebrating or commiserating the results of their mid-week fixtures – we can only hope that Sussex knows little of the latter. Like Cinderella after her encounter with the Fairy Godmother, it is on these nights that Oceana is transformed into an actually-aright-place-to-be. The cheesy tunes played in the Disco Room suddenly become retro; the ironically named Ice Room gains the atmosphere of a festival stage. If you can bear it, there’s even free entry before 10.30pm with 2 for 1 cocktails and dancing to the accompaniment of (literally) no one watching. Don’t get me wrong it’s still kind of gross, but we are students after all – why not slum it for a night?

THE BADGER

23 SEPTEMBER 2013

ARTS • 17

Sussex Showcase - ‘Bloom’ Horizon What say you the fresh Hor izon the land that runs the buddin g mass, are my hopes too short for you r expanse? or too far-fetched for me to walk? I will sit and heed your silent words, I will climb and fall off every note, you are the tongue that plays the muted steer and I am yours to suffer with no respit e. But wait...who holds you r form to lust? Which life must giv e your breath it’s charm? Your plain is born inside my stare, behold Me the master of my will! -anon

Kim Nelson

A Sonnet for September. beginnings; Every September is full of lies and Falmer’s false promises of new . howling Autumn by drowned The grey lachrymalevolence as Summer’s songs are direction, which in into, evolve I am forced to grow but not told what I should become, guestlist. night’s last on ourself found and Nor with whom. So, I grew out of myself into you skin their lose jeans tted fi and in This is a place where standing out becomes fitting bowls in the damp. To be resold at 30% off and rehoused, then dropped down by ceramic air max 1’s; nike ks, rucksac hats, Dirty Harry’s boys have a seedy uniform: 5 panel during the tennis. on Wimbled at and races They pay rent with tickets they win at the horse she plays toast, morning in knows Amanda never read Joris Karl, the only grain she es alone. pleasur her nding fi pier old the With herself at dusk on Brighton beach, watching zing us, critici and us trying lves, The library looms over us with its infinity of bookshe ed & unalike, unsettl unsure, , outside the from Success blossoms there but we are here gazing in mdandyis liberal of garb this under Neither understood nor undermined, nonetheless united y salivates silentl tongue virgin his lilies, calla Leopold Bloom stirs with relish his broth of Durban waiting to be picked & devoured. At the bell of the unknown, his spoon swirling in the abysssoup - Azad Sharma

For all of you out there who have been tempted to release those creative juices of yours but have been hesitant to do so, now is the time to do it! Every week this page will showcase works by you, based loosely around a theme to inspire. This can vary from anything such as a limerick, abstract photograph or charcoal drawing! Whether you wish merely to feast your eyes on the talent we have at Sussex or get involved by contributing your own piece, is up to you. Good luck with your artistic pursuits, looking forward to seeing the outcomes! - Cesca Frampley, Arts Editor. Send in your poetry, short stories, photography, illustrations and designs to frampley@gmail.com Cat Gough

the badger

23rd September 2013 Arts •18

Arts

The agenda This week’s cultural highlights that are a must see

Pop

Pop Prince Fatty’s Rub-aDub Club Blind Tiger, Saturday 28th £6

Fuck Buttons

Pop Wire Concorde 2, Monday 23rd, 7.30pm £14.50

Classic Post-punk outfit tours new album Change Becomes Us.

Prince Fatty throws a party back in his hometown, expect Dub and Reggae classics, as well as exclusive dubplates and brand new remixes.

Literature Lit Flash Fiction Slam Latest Music Bar, Thursday 26th, 7.30pm £4

Quick fiction slam competition with DJs.

Film Bondax

Pop Swim Deep Concorde 2, Wednesday 25th, 7pm £10

Baggy styled music to help bring back the sun.

Film Clock Tower Cinema The Quadrant Monday 23rd, 8pm FREE

Shopping

You’ve won the world beat-boxing championship. You’ve written, recorded and released critically acclaimed and original music, both as a solo artist and as a member of various groups. You’ve toured the world, and you’ve worked with musical icons ranging from Bjork to

Late opening at the Museum, go down between 7 and 10pm for Visual Art, DJs and an ‘interactive story space’.

Club

CLUB I am Arcade Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar, 8pm Free

Club/Pub/Coin-Op arcade with free play and tournaments.

Spend the day looking for new records to play..

PREVIEW: Shlomo - Human Geekbox Friday 27th September, Corn Exchange Raymond Jennings

Visual Art Digital Festival Late Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, 7pm £5-7

Dance

Club Donuts Green Door Store Tuesday 24th, 11pm FREE

Donuts is a weekly night named after J Dilla’s last living album. Expect the best of Instrumental and Alternative Hip-Hop.

Jazz

Dance Cubashe Funkyfish Bar Tuesday 24th, 9.30pm £6/3

Head to Funkyfish for a lesson in Cuban Salsa followed by a Salsa club night.

Comedy

This week, Japanese animated classic Howl’s Moving Castle

SHOPPING Brighton Records and CD Fair Brighton Centre Sunday 29th, 9.30am £2 Giant Drag

Visual Art

Jarvis Cocker. Where do you go next? The moon, apparently. As part of the Brighton Digital Festival, Buckinghamshire born beat-boxer Shlomo will be looking at his own history and reliving his journey from budding astrophysicist to the master of mouth music, all in the hope of finally taking his ever evolving live show out of this world.

Jazz Herbie Flowers’ Jazz Breakfast Corn Exchange, Sunday 29th, 11am £6.50

Start your Sunday with a coffee and live Jazz.

PREVIEW: CocoRosie Friday 27th September, Brighton Dome Tigan Palmer In 2009, CocoRosie were named one of the most influential artists of the 2000s by better Propaganda; The XX, among others, have recalled them as an inspiration to their music. They have, since recording their debut album in a Parisian bathroom a decade ago, toured constantly and received posi-

tive reception. Despite this success, their albums have fallen between just 2.3 and 5.1 on Pitchfork’s outof-ten scoring system. Their live shows are known to be an experience that spurs one to either reverence or antipathy. I’ll find out which on the 27th.

Comedy Krater Comedy Club Komedia Saturday 28th, 8pm £5-22

Rob Deering, Mandy Knight, Stu Goldsmith & MC Stephen Grant

watch, write, review Get involved in the Arts team by joining us at our writers meetings or searching on Facebook for :

“Badger Writers”

THE BADGER

23 SEPTEMBER 2013

SPORTS Memorial Match for Alex Jansons Michael Morrow Sports Editor

In amongst all the emotion, excitement and chaos which traditionally goes along with the first official day of Fresher’s Week, a small corner of the Sussex Campus remained remarkably shielded from the mayhem. Slightly away from the heart of campus and all the commotion which this day (Saturday 14th September) brought with it, the football pitches at the Falmer Sports Complex provided the perfect setting for which to hold a memorial football match in honour of Alex Jansons, who tragically passed away over the summer. Alex was a maths student at Sussex and had completed his first year at the University, he was also a proud member of our University football team; and it was not hard to tell that he was a much loved and valued member of this certain uni community. The match was played out in Alex’s honour by two teams, both of which Alex had represented on numerous occasions: our very own Sussex University Men’s first XI versus Alex’s team of play, through activities such as the weekly Wednesday night socials, the annual sports tour and the dreaded Fresher’s initiations mean that members of a sports team become a close knit group of friends. The fact that Alex was to be the football social secretary (a role as important as club captain, just ask anyone involved in sports societies!) just shows how much of a valued member of this group he was. Alex’s teammates, from both the teams which took part in the match,

lay a wreath in honour of their friend, and through that managed to put into words their tribute to Alex, "Tenacious on the pitch, genuine and friendly off it. We will all miss you but you're free spirit and wonderful attitude will never leave us". The memorial match in honour of Alex Jansons symbolised the fact that the Sussex University football team and all those who knew and loved Alex have tragically lost a dear friend, but that his memory will be kept and treasured for a very long time.

Sussex Sporting bucket list 2013 Michael Morrow Sports Editor

press Community Stadium is situated a mere stone’s throw away from campus and is well worth a visit on match 5) Watch Brighton and Hove Albion day, or any day during the week if you F.C. train at Falmer Sports Complex fancy a look round the club’s megastore also situated at the stadium. You’d have thought a team of Albion’s quality would have trained 4) Go and watch Sussex’s ‘Mohawks’ at a state of the art fitness complex compete in an Ultimate Frisbee match somewhere in Hove, but yet they are seemingly content with the facilities To the untrained eye, Ultimate Frisat our humble University. bee could just look like a very well Alongside training in the gym it- organised trip to the park. However, self, the Albion team use the pitches any patron of Sussex will tell you that at the back of the Sports Complex it is very much a competitive sportto train on a regular basis. It also and a sport that we happen to thrive should be mentioned that if you at. haven’t noticed already (you probWith high quality men and womably have), Albion’s American Ex- en’s teams, the Mohawks feature

SPORTS • 20

from his hometown of Penn, Buckinghamshire. It was clear that whilst both sides were very much up for the challenge of a competitive match, there was no chance of anyone forgetting the real reason why the two sides had gathered on this day. Both teams wore blue training shirts with the name ‘Jansons’ printed proudly on the back along with the number 8. The two sides took to the field to warm up before gathering in the centre circle prior to the match’s kick off to pay tribute to Alex with a minute’s applause, which was observed by allboth on the pitch and on the sidelines. The match itself was an entertaining affair with Sussex eventually triumphing to claim a 5-4 victory. It is well known not just in Sussex but in universities all over the country that being a member of any university sports is about much more than simply playing the sport itself with a group of fellow students. Students brought together in a sports team develop a relationship which stretches way beyond the field

Womens Football Coaching sessions Listen up all the Sussex girls keen to take after Keira Knightley in Bend it like Beckham and sharpen up their football skills. A series of women’s football sessions will start on the 23rd of September. The course will run for eight weeks and offer friendly, qualified advice for beginners and casual players. No need to worry if your football skills are more broken than Beckham, the sessions are designed to be fun and improve confidence.

Head down to Falmer Sports Complex on Mondays 5-6pm. regularly in National championships. And don’t be surprised to see the team add to their already full trophy cabinet; the Mohawks are always in the mix to claim the trophy, or in the case of the 2010/11 year, where they won no less than 4 National championships, they are in the mix to claim many trophies. So make sure to check out our team, and keep an eye out for a match report in The Badger! 3) Go to Oceana on a Wednesday night Ah Oceana Wednesdays, much like Halloween in that you only look like a fool if you go and are not in some sort of fancy dress. Wednesdays are the days when all Sussex sport teams will compete against other universities in the BUCS competitions- whether celebrating victory or drowning their sorrows af-

ter defeat, you can be sure to find all sport societies at Oceana afterwards dressed appropriately according to a weekly theme as chosen by each society’s social secretary (think caveman, wild west, etc). Always packed out, it’s just yet another night out in Brighton which you can’t afford to miss! 2) Get involved in Varsity! Each year, our very own University of Sussex takes on our arch nemesis, Brighton University, in a sporting battle to the death. Of course not literally, but it does get fairly intense as every spring term the two universities do battle in a day of sporting drama. Each individual sports team faces off against the other and whichever team wins, they earn a point for their uni. At the end of the day after many breathless encounters the scores are

added up and the winning university are crowned varsity champions and claim the all important bragging

rights. Ok so Brighton currently hold said bragging rights, but with your support we’re going to change that this year! 1.) Win a game for Sussex! Everyone loves to win. For all you Fresher’s out there skilled enough to be representing Sussex this year in any sport, wouldn’t it be a great start to your university career if you could win a competitive match?

CONTACT BADGER SPORT Like us on Facebook ‘Badger Sport’ If you or your society are doing something you want Badger Sport to write about, e-mail us at: badgersports@ussu.sussex.ac.uk