Issue 1 - Fresher's 2007

THEMAGDALEN FRESHER’S EDITION FREE

SNOW PATROL HOW IT ALL BEGAN

HERE IN DUNDEE

BY SAM BROWN

HIGH SOCIETIES > THE EXEC > VETERANS > USUAL SUSPECTS > SPORT

Catch all the sporting action live

ON THE BIGGEST SCREENS IN DUNDEE

GRIPPING

STUFF!

MULTIPLE MATCHES SCREENED SIMULTANEOUSLY

IF IT’S ON - WE’LL SHOW IT

FRESHERS E D I T I O N 07 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Alexis Woods Rimple Palana Philip Engelholm Cheryl Barker Sam Brown Anna Anderson GRAPHIC DESIGN Alexis Woods Tom Metcalfe Dave MacLeod CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Tom Metcalfe Susanna Erkheikki Keshav Lewis Sam Brown PUBLISHED BY Dave MacLeod MAGDALENmedia PRINTED BY Woods of Perth

CONTENTS Welcome 3 Fresh*

The Lowdown on the new Magdalen and getting in on the act.

11

Whats happening in Freshers Week.

High Societies 7 Snow Patrol 14 Whats happening and how to get involved.

It all began here.

The Exec 8 Student Life 16 Milan, Dave, The Adams, Jordan, Monique, Rob and the Sports Union’s Anna.

Uni Life

10 Yes you will! 17

All part of being a student.

Line up

What on after freshers week in weeks 1 and 2.

MAGDALENmedia*

Things you need to know as a student.

The definitive list of things you will do as a student

11 Sport

18

The Lowdown on this years exec and whats happening in the land of the sports union

THEMAGDALEN

MAGDALENgigs* MAGDALENtv*

Front Cover: Tom Metcalfe Photo: Susanna Erkheikki

MAGDALENradio*

FRESHERS MAGDALEN 0 3

What’s New

Back From The Ashes After a difficult few years Student media in Dundee is back on its feet again. Last year the initial step was taken to ditch the Student Times and bring about the Magdalen. This year sees the launch and build up of Dundee’s Very own student media group. Magdalen Media will bring the Magdalen magazine, student radio, TV and live gigs to the Dundee students. This is an exciting time with lots happening so if you are interested in getting involved or just want to submit an article, contact the VPC at let him know!! This one off Freshers Edition is just a taster of what is to come in the new magazine, make sure you pick one up!!

WHAT IS MAGDALEN MEDIA? Magadalen Media is Dundee University’s newly formed student group. Headed by David MacLeod Magdalen Media aims to support the growth of a number of mediums through which students at Dundee can express themselves and their opinions.

To get involved contacht Dave on 01382 386003 or VPC@dusa.co.uk

What Are You Drinking Students are reminded to keep an eye on their drinks. Drink Lids and covers are available from Help Services and Level 4 of the Union.

04 MAGDALEN FRESHERS

NEWS News

Too Much

Infor mation

T

he Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is urging new and returning university students to protect their personal information as the new academic year approaches.

By safeguarding their personal information at a time when they are likely to be invited to sign up for new services and societies, students can lower their risk of falling victim to identity theft.

A recent survey conducted by the ICO revealed that young people appear to protect their personal information less well than any other age group. 56% use the same passwords for more than one account. One in five fails to properly destroy bank statements or receipts before throwing them in the bin.

David Smith, Deputy Commissioner at the ICO, said: “Protecting your personal information has never been so important. Almost every day we give out our personal details which can leave us open to identity theft, unwanted marketing and a loss of privacy. Students can be particularly vulnerable around this time of year.

It can also be very irritating being pestered by unwanted marketing calls, text messages and junk mail, particularly if it involves unwittingly signing up for a service you are then charged for.”

A free guide - the ICO’s Personal Information Toolkit – is available to help students protect and manage their personal information. The toolkit includes advice and tips on how to access the information that organisations hold about you, how to correct inaccurate information and how to reduce unwanted The personal information toolkit is available by calling 08453 091091 or at http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_ the_public/topic_specific_guides/ personal_information_toolkit.aspx

Freshers Freshers Ball Ball

The annual freshers ball is happening on the 20th September in The Hilton.

If you havn’t already got your ticket get one from from Jackie at the Level 2 reception during freshers week. £30.

SRC Elections Src Elections The SRC Ellections will be taking place at the first SRC meeting. The first SRC meeting will be held on the 1st October.

For more information See Page 5.

Get Involved If You want to know more about getting involved with the student union or the magdalen contact the vpc@dusa.co.uk

Sailing Trip Dundee University Sailing Club is running their annual ‘Booze Cruise’ weekend from the 5th October. The guys will be leaving from Largs and sailing to Tarbert on the west coast. To find out more contact the Commodore Cat Glen at sailing@dundee.ac.uk

Dundee University Student Advice Centre, Level 4, Dundee University Students Association Building.

This exciting development brings the Students Association’s HELP service and a team of Student Services Personnel to the same place to offer a one-stop-shop for students in need of advice and help.

DUSA’s Executive Committee welcomes the Student Services team to the DUSA building. The new front line service will see advice on funding, international, private accommodation, equal opportunities, harassment and bullying issues, health and welfare, complaints procedures, peer connections, support available in the university residences and practical support also available to students with personal or emotional concerns which may be affecting their studies or relationships with others.

Michelle Bazeley-Gray, DUSA’s help coordinator will continue to provide the same high level of support to the students that she has done in the past. Now with the Student Services team in the same location, the level of support available will become more comprehensive.

Irene Donaldson, who is reesponsible for managing the Universitu’s Student Services Team based in the Union, welcomes the move seeing it as “An important step which will benefit the student body by making services more highly visible and accessible.”

Irene Donaldson can be contacted on 385487 or email i.donaldson@ dundee.ac.uk.

Michelle Bazeley-Gray can be reached on 386040 or mbazeley@ dusa.co.uk Student Advice Centre reception 386060 Centre opening hours: 9am - 4:30pm Monday to Friday

FRESHERS MAGDALEN 0 5

Uni Life YOU’VE HAD BLUE DAYS, YOU’VE HAD RED DAYS, BUT HAVE YOU EVER HAD A YELLOW DAY? Rimple Palana

W

e’ve all been there, the first daunting yet exciting day of university. You arrive fresh eyed and ready for a long adventure and begin by settling into your new accommodations, shopping for the essentials and saying goodbye to your parents. As I said, a daunting experience. But imagine being met by happy, cheery people dressed in bright yellow t-shirts. That is exactly what Peer Connections offers; from your first day to the last, we are the students out there for the students.

For Connectors the experience is rewarding as well as challenging. From day one, induction and training, Peer Connections is an eye-opener. You meet fellow Peer Connectors, new and old, and begin to feel part of a team who is there with the same goals as you.

Peer Connections is about helping students who are having trouble settling in, are feeling lonely or homesick. It also goes above and beyond that; it isn’t an organisation that once you’ve finished Freshers’ week, just lets you get on with it. If you are happy and fine at university, so are we; but if you’re not, Peer Connections will endeavour to change that so that each and every student, whatever year or course, gets the possible experience of being a student.

Your first experience of Peer Connections is in Freshers’ week when we meet and greet anxious new students and their parents. Both parents and students alike show gratitude and appreciation of not being left to their own devices when looking for their new flats and trying to find their way around campus. Long time Peer Connector Adam described one of his favourite moments as ‘the happy look on parents’ faces whenever I show students to their flats on their first day on campus!’ From then on, the parents might not remember us but the students definately will. One of the most important works a Peer Connector does is their part on a hall team. A hall team will pay regular visits to their halls of residence and begins by helping them set up a hall committee. Each hall committee member is nominated and then elected into their position.

They then organise events throughout

06 MAGDALEN FRESHERS

the year for the rest of their halls of residences. I have certainly enjoyed my time last year on the Heathfield Hall Team, spending time getting to know the new students, letting them know we are here for them and sometimes even getting a cup of tea and a biscuit. I am going to be on the Heathfield team this year and I’m looking forward to meeting all the new faces around.

Being a Peer Connector may be a lot to do about giving but we get a lot out of it as well. For some it is being a part of team of people who make a difference.

Some say they get a lot from being able to take the opportunity to expand their skills; the Training Opportunities for Student volunteers (TOPS) courses and the Applied Suicide Intervention Training (ASIST) have both been taken advantage of by many Connectors.

Peer Connector Liz agrees about taking advantage of being part of this team and being connected to a student, ‘I have fond memories of exploring the city, and seeing sights such as Verdant Works, which I might not have thought to visit otherwise.’ Most Peer Connectors would agree that it is about the feeling they get from being able to help and offer support to others. As my friend Claire put it ‘even stopping for random chats can cheer people up and put a smile on their face, probably when they most need it.’

Perhaps the most significant aspect of being a Peer Connector is being approachable. This is why PCs volunteer for the job; they know they want to and are able to help and that is what makes them approachable. It is precisely this desire which means that PCs are bright, bubbly, cheerful people. They are people’s people who want help, make a difference, and ensure a happy, healthy student experience. And of course being approachable goes hand in hand with being visible. This is exactly why during their induction Peer Connectors are armed with bright yellow t-shirts, badges and ID cards (so everyone knows our names). We get mixed responses about the yellow, some are cheered by it and some are simply scared. It does, however, stand out, and this is especially important when the campus is reaming with crowds during Freshers’ week. The colour is the epitome of Peer Connections; it is ‘fun, happy and cheery’. It may not be the best colour but it is both noticeable and cheerful.

SRC

STUDENTS REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL

The Student Representative Council (SRC) is the main body for representing students and discussing student issues.

Its first meeting will take place on October 1st in the Meeting rooms in DUSA at 6 PM. The SRC will this year be made up of 34 members, plus the 7 members of the Executive and the President of the Sports Union. There will be 16 school Presidents to represent each school across the University and these positions will be elected within each school.

However, most of the other positions will be elected at the first meeting of SRC on October 1. These positions include: 1st Year Representative Welfare 1st Year Representative Representation 1st Year Representative Services 1st Year Representative Communications Student Staff Representative Student Welfare Representative Student Services Representative Ethics & Environment Representative Media Representative International Students Representative Post Graduate Representative Taught Post Graduate Representative Research 3x Student Interests Representatives There will also be 2 representatives for student halls which will be elected from the halls committees and also a societies representative which will be elected at the first meeting of Societies Council.

To find out more about the roles of these positions, visit the Help and Representation section of the DUSA website at www.dusa.co.uk or contact the VPR on vpr@dusa.co.uk.

High

Society

JOIN IN! Philip Engelholm

N

ow you’re at uni and you’ve probably found out that there’s a lot more to uni life than just studying!!

There are loads of interesting people at Dundee uni with loads of different interests, so why don’t you meet up with some of the people that share your interests by joining one of the countless societies that we have here in Dundee? Or better yet, why not expand your horizon by joining a society that you know absolutely nothing about? The important thing to remember is that all societies affiliated to the student’s association are open to all students regardless of your social, cultural or religious background! So just click into the DUSA homepage and find out how you get in touch with the Society of your Dreams! You’ll find contact information at www.dusa. co.uk/activities/societies Or if you’re not quite sure on what society to join, then come along to the Freshers Fayre on Saturday 15th September in The Union and meet all the different societies!

“If you have a brilliant idea for a new society that Dundee uni simply cannot do without then contact Dave MacLeod at The Union and he can help you set up your very own. Just email him at vpc@dusa.co.uk or pop by his office on level 4 in The Union!!”

DARE SOCIETY IN ROMANIA

Societies council The first meeting of the society’s council will be on the 18th September in DUSA meeting rooms.], all new societies should have their affiliation application in before then. Societies this year will be given a handbook which will offer useful advice and guidelines in a bid to make sure the year runs as smoothly as possible. As well as this all societies are to send at least one representative to Society Treasurers induction which will be held in DUSA meeting rooms on the 25th September. Another point to note is the deadline for finance applications which is 12 noon on Friday the 5th September.

Societies

There are a huge variety of Societies at Dundee Univiersity, but what do they get up to and why should you get involved?

Accountancy Society • Amnesty International Society •Bands Society • Big Band • Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament Society • Catholic Society • Chamber Choir • Chinese Society • Chocolate Eaters Society • Comedy Society • Conservative Students Society • Debating Union • Development and Research Expeditions (DARE) Society • Engineering and Physics Society • English Film and Literature Society • Finnish Society • Forensic Society • Geography Society • Hellenic Society • Hispanic Society • International Students Society • Islamic Student Society •Labour Students Society • LGBT Society • Life in Performance Theatre Society • Med-Sin Society • Mooting Society • Music Society • Opsoc Musical Society • Planners Society • Platonic Society • Poker Society • Politics Society • Psychology Society • Role Playing Society • Scottish Country Dancing Society • Self Defence Society • Socialist Students Society • Sri Lankan Society • Young Entrepreneurs Society • Zoological Society •

The Exec

“H

The Executive 08 MAGDALENFRESHERS

The Exec El President All hail our Ruler Milan The President Of Dusa “I think we elected him but i don’t remeber voting for him” Favourite Line “Do You like my new socks?”

MR COMUNICATOR IF YOU TELL HIM HE WILL TELL US The Vice President Of Communication “Through Communication i can be President and then rule the world” Favourite Line “I’ll have a wipped cream hazelnut latte”

Seniorita CV Rullling the world through Education The Vice President For Education and Careers “Headed for the top maybe the next aprentice” Favourite Line “Remain Blessed”

DA VPS ADAM PATRIC IN DA HOUSE YO The vice president of services “Vini, Vidi, Drunkey, I came I Saw I drank” Favourite Line “MMM MAGNERS, Vodka, Beer In The Same Glass“ EL VPR Everyones favourite SRC whip The vice president of representation “He is very fond of the SRC I think thats some kind of commitee” favourite line “Have you joined the SRC yet? Why Not... Why Not“

El Wannabe All hailThe Rulers Goafer The Deputy President “When its not important enough for the president” Favourite Line “Free Condoms For all”

MR Secretary I think he organises the president Sporty spice The Honorary Secretary All things sporty and beyond He make’s sure everything is written down then gives The President Of The Other Union it to millan” “I played sport once it increased the amount i favourite line drank” “Hello sweetie“ Favourite Line “It wasn’t quickest but it was the best”

FRESHERS MAGDALEN 0 9

Uni Life

The Enterprise GYM When I heard of Enterprise Gym, my initial thought was not about entrepreneurialism or business management, but rather of an actual gym. E-Gym is not completely dissimilar, but rather than a physical toning we provide a mental one. Our aim is to help students develop their business minds to promote better employability and confidence when seeking a job after university. Perhaps most of you have not even considered the outside world yet, or are not even worried about getting a job, but it is never too early to start thinking about it - many young people miss out on job opportunities due to weak interview skills.

The E-Gym is a small management team including both staff and students at the university dedicated to helping develop the skills of others. Our aim is to promote and execute all the up and coming events around the university and we even have key members working on a national scale who liaise with other teams around the country to achieve broader goals. The University of Dundee is at the forefront of achievements and skills development, and for the last year has set the standard nationally. We can be seen around the campus via our signature symbol 0189230 that can be found on posters and flyers which promote our upcoming events; equally on our newsletter which details the success of past events, information on upcoming activities and general advancements of the Enterprise Gym. All functions take place in a friendly and comfortable atmosphere and our weekly Half-times are now also in D.U.S.A. These events help to develop skills and always have the added perk of free food, drink and great company.

Half-times have had varying themes in the past including speakers from local businesses - helping to promote the entrepreneurs amongst us and set them on the right track - and even fun challenges for students to get involved in, like a dash of debating. As well as this we also hold workshops, lunch-time coaching events and we will let members know of any upcoming national events.

Throughout Fresher’s Week there will be leaflets and stalls within the university encouraging everyone to take that step and get involved. Also you can sign-up and visit us online at www.enterprisegym.com

10 MAGDALENFRESHERS

Legal Content Download on demand reaches UK what is the best legal way to get content at University

By Alexis Woods

In the last couple of weeks download on demand has reached the UK, We ask what’s the best way of getting your content legally onto you computer. With many American companies coming forward to launch their own download services offering a host of movies and TV to download at a price it seemed that it would not be a million years before it reached the UK. However is buying downloads the best way to go much like music copying has been a touchy subject with many in the industry today so have TV and movie downloads that have begun to explode in the last couple of years. Some people however prefer not to buy downloads as there is no physical copy that you can simply carry around to a friends. The portable entertainment markets is currently one of the fastest growing sectors in the entertainment industry today and with Microsoft set to launch its HI-Def download service for its Xbox 360 console it seems that many would argue that disc format media is not what the future holds. However there is an alternative and a way of escaping the paid download market all together. Those with media centre on their PC’s and an Xbox 360 already networked will no doubt be aware that they can play some movie formats on their 360 direct from their pc.

Those of an apple persuasion may have been embracing Apple TV as a way of viewing their PC movie content. I’m sure that the vast majority of people joining us at Dundee this year may have an IPOD and some may have a video IPOD. What may surprise you all is that there is a way of getting all those lovely DVD’s onto not just your IPOD but also your computer. What’s more the application is free and from what I have heard perfectly legal. What most of you will be aware of is that it is illegal for you to copy Music, TV shows and Movies without paying for them what may surprise most of you is that you are allowed to make one back up. Now, provided you own the original there is nothing wrong with making one copy for your personal use. I accept no responsibility if you’re caught selling dodgy copy’s down the pub on a Friday night. So you’re thinking what is this application called and how do I get it. The application is called handbrake and can be downloaded from the following website (http://handbrake.m0k.org/). Simply put

in the DVD point to the disc and copy to any of the formats the program offers. On the plus side ITunes does offer a way of getting parts of seasons you’ve missed from Greys Anatomy to South Park at a reasonable price, Each episode on Itunes is (£1.89) and yours to keep you can even back them up be warned however ITUNES can be very addictive it’s very easy to blow £20 on a mater of hours watching a season from start to finish.

On the upside it sometimes good to get that fix of south park after a hard night at the union. ITUNES is also a better way of getting your content if you’re in halls and on a budget rather than plugging in that credit card number take my advice by the gift cards they give you a certain amount of credit much like a phone top-up and will stop you over spending, So what does Microsofts service hold for downloading well a lot if you have an HDTV and Xbox 360 and are not in halls but to be honest you will probably need to invest in a new hard drive for the console and that pushes the price up even more. My advice to all you students is to couple handbrake with ITUNES giving you the best of both worlds.

With a small investment in Apple TV box you can easily share all your content with a communal room or even the hot people downstairs for that cosy movie night.

N A M

n ma i l l p o T rd w ou ll y on ca n t . ate a for lati c o u yg ws tricu d i s Urra e t n ma 1 5 % n M u o ea Gr . Yo u a e is o e s y d fan g e t dun AN PM O T

P O T

Line Up

WHAT’S ON....

Fresh*

8 Sep 2007

9 Sep 2007

10 Sep 2007

11 Sep 2007

Mono

Fresh Meet

Tall Paul

Maximo Park DJ Set

The BCM World Tour

Floor 5

Closed

Babyshambles DJ Set

Chris Fountain DJ The Hoosiers, Set The Envy Corps, Figure 5

The Liar

Euro 2008 Premiership Bar Open as qualifiers and Football and usual Rugby World Cup Rugby World Cup

Rugby World Cup

Air

Seek and Presents DJ Set

Concrete Streets Bar Open as DJ Set usual

Karaoke

12 Sep 2007

13 Sep 2007

15 Sep 2007

16 Sep 2007

Mono

Ralf Little DJ Set

Dan Greenpeace Zane Lowe’s Home Tapping Tour

Slam

Closed

Floor 5

DJ Blakey

Shameless

The Spicey Girls

Closed

The Liar

Euro 2008 Bar Open as qualifiers and usual Rugby World Cup

Rugby World Cup Rugby World Cup Premiership Football and Rugby World Cup

Air

Reproduction DJ Set

None of the Above DJ Set

12 MAGDALEN FRESHERS

Bar Open as usual

14 Sep 2007

Floor Filler

Beat Repeat DJ Set

The Sunday Session

Fresh Meet

Kicking off over a week of partying at the union. Drink, dance and make merry with everyone here at Dundee.

Best get them freshers passess early.

Tall Paul

not to be missed

Fresh* Babyshambles DJ set

Adam Ficek the glue that holds the band together apears at Dundee Union to spin the wheels of steel.

Chris Fountain Aka Justin from hollyoaks comes to Dundee to spin some of the latest tunes.

This one is definatley one for all you ladies out there.

Superstar DJ Tall Pall arives in Dundee to spin the latest tunes not to be missed. A must for any dance music fan and a chance to relive the summer.

Maximo Park DJ Set

Duncan Lloyd and Tom English will be spining the tunes for all you lucky people.They are set to rock your socks off.

This years BCM world tour features DJ sets from N-Trance and Ultrabeat.

They will be mixing it up for all you lucky people who bought a Freshers Pass and for anyone else who manages to pick up a ticket on the door.

Ralf Little DJ Set

Two Pints star ralf little comes to dundee bringing trakeys and all to play all the latest tunes.

Dan Greenpeace

The reason for mash-up is here live to launch reproduction. Dan is an icon and this is his 3rd visit to Dundee Uni.

Zane Lowe

Get on board with zane there is no excuse for missing this we know you dont have lectures tommoro and if you only go to one night make sure its this.

The Hoosiers Suported by The Envy Corps and Figure 5 one of the hottest groups of the years comes to Dundee. Doors Open at 8pm.

really unmissable

The BCM World Tour

Freshers Pass Only £42

DJ Blakey One of the hottest club and battle DJ’s roles into The Union for a night of mischief.

Shameless For all the tune you are ashamed to admit you love.

The superstar DJ has officially left the building.

The Spicey Girls Spice up your life kicks off with a hommage to all things 90’s. We love it and so will you.

For Futher Information Visit www.dusa.co.uk

FRESHERS MAGDALEN 1 3

Sam Brown on the birth of DUBS and its biggest success story, Snow Patrol

I

f you’re keen to get a band started, you’ve come to the right institution. Dundee University has built up a good reputation for starting new bands - so good that some students have claimed it swung their choice of university. Famously, Dundee University has been the launchpad for one of the biggest bands of the moment, and the best-selling band of 2006: Snow Patrol. Since Radio 1’s Big Weekend last year and the success of The View, the Dundee live music scene has really taken off, and more and more bands are placing it on their gig schedule. The turnaround has been dramatic.

When I first came to Dundee in 1990 there was nothing for budding band members: nowhere to meet like-minded musicians, no facilities to rehearse, and virtually no gig venues. The only option for a student guitarist was to sign up for the Music Society’s Jazz band and strum along to nerdy chord charts. Frankly, the situation was dire.

By chance, in my second year, I met a very talented singer-songwriter, who happened to know a good drummer. We played our first gig at a charity event in the Chaplaincy with only 3 days’ rehearsal and no bass player (we couldn’t find one!). We gained a loyal following but had very little chance to play. We rehearsed in a cramped caravan in Fife, and when we played gigs we relied completely on favours from established bands. Despite our fan-base, we couldn’t endure the pressure and we split in a Commitmentsstyle implosion after only a few months.

It was just too hard to get anything done. That’s when I had the idea for the Bands’ Society. My aim was to bring student musicians together, centralise our resources and form an established agency to handle promotions. I hoped to help get bands get up and running on the gig circuit, but I also knew we’d have the clout to stage bigger events and get real talent noticed. The first year was very difficult, mainly because the students’ union failed to provide the support they had pledged at the beginning. I had to call in favours from mates in the local music business, fund rehearsals personally and find alternative venues. Within two years we were finally up and running and holding showcase events for fledgling bands - one of which was to become better known in later years as Snow Patrol. They provide a fine example of what can happen when the scheme works at its best. At the first DUBS meeting of 1994, a couple of freshers from Belfast called me over to say they were jamming together and things were going pretty well. I had already met Mark McClelland, who lived a couple of doors down from me in West Park Hall, and found him very friendly and constuctive.

The shy, slightly evasive, guitarist beside him introduced himself as Gary Lightbody.

I heard what they were doing and was

FACTS ABOUT SAM HE SET UP DUBS IN 1992 FOR WHICH HE RECEIVED THE WIMBERLEY MEDAL IN 1997 HE GRADUATED IN 2007 WITH A DISTINGUISHED PHD

“I HAD ALREADY MET MARK MCCLELLAND, WHO LIVED A COUPLE OF DOORS DOWN FROM ME IN WEST PARK HALL. THE SHY, SLIGHTLY EVASIVE, GUITARIST BESIDE HIM INTRODUCED HIMSELF AS GARY LIGHTBODY”

Gary Lightbody & Mark McClelland Graduate From

Snow Patrol playing a DUBS gig in mono in 1995

Snow Patrol

THE TALENT FA C T O R Y Student Bands are back in the Union, brought to you by the same society that nurtured Snow Patrol.

encouraged, so I pledged to promote them personally if they got a set together.

They recruited a drummer, Mike Morrison, from the DUBS ranks and called the new band ‘Shrug’. By this stage, a new Ents manager has arrived at DUSA and was revitalising the student entertainment scene. DUBS was offered a couple of gig slots at an all-building event, supporting professional bands. Although itwould be a daunting debut platform for a new band, I decided to take a chance on Shrug. As it happened, they got the best reaction of the whole night (partly because the audience was packed with their mates). They had such a level of support and determination that I knew they would serve as the proof

of concept for the Bands’ Society. Over the next few months I booked them into other venues under the DUBS banner. I wrote to the press, provided equipment, painted their posters and played in a support band. At their first headline gig, they received a great review (written by my then-girlfriend) which prophesied that they were definitely a band to watch out for.

Over the next couple of years, I pushed Shrug to the forefront of scoieties’ activities.

They went down well at the huge end of year showcase in Mono, even though as a threepiece they struggled to compete with the pomp of the bigger bands. Even then they were making a good impression

because of their trademark sensitivity.

DUBS also part-funded their first demo recording, The Yoghurt vs Yoghurt Debate (which has the unmistakeable sound of an early Snow Patrol - hear it at the Fresher’s Fayre). By this stage, they had accrued plenty of momentum, and were managing themselves independently, but still participating in DUBS meetings and events. Changing their name to Polar Bear, they started playing further afield and launched a debut single Starfighter Pilot. They played a few more gigs in DUSA, including a support slot for the comedian Phil Kay, and a prominent role in the massive DUBS showcase called Dundee-stock (headlined by a band...

Student Life featuring a very young KT Tunstall), but the clubscene was dominating the student scene and the gig opportunities dried up. By the time they graduated they had changed their name to Snow Patrol (for reasons well documented in their debut album Songs for Polar Bears) and were they would label-mates with Belle & Sebastian on Jeepster Records. Fed up with the lack of opportunity in Dundee, they eventually relocated to Glasgow.

When they went global many years later it had nothing to do with DUBS, but it’s unlikely they would have survived the early stages without the turbo-boost we provided at the beginning.

Of course, they’re not the only successful band that started with DUBS: the indie musos’ favourites Laeto followed hot on their heels. Many of our former members have gone on to release records and play at festivals (Mercury Tilt Switch, One Inch Volcano, Page 6) and some have even gone professional. Others earned a good supplementary income and are still playing in venues around Dundee, picking up new members along the way. When the scheme works, it’s a great launchpad for talent. In its heyday, DUBS had plenty of activity and loads of equipment. We were being offered gigs in choice venues.

Sadly, things started to wind down when a new and inexperienced committee took the reins and didn’t have the confidence to put on gigs. It meant that talented members abandoned the society in frustration after only a few meetings and at the AGM only the committee members showed up and duly voted themselves back in, suffocating the society for another year. A lack of cooperation from DUSA, and a selfish attitude from a few new members, contributed to the decline.

There is still a lot of talent in the ranks watch out for Colour-Coded, Durera and Stop Tracks in particular - but procedural difficulties have kept society activities to a bare minimum. It’s only a temporary lull, though. This year the Bands’ Society is ripe for a resurgence. We have a much more supportive relationship with DUSA thanks to the vision of the new VPC. We’re going to hold the AGM at the start of the semester and put the society firmly in the hands of its active membership. I’ve seen what DUBS can do when it works, and I look forward to signing up the members of our next signed band. Keep an eye out for the DUBS stall at the Freshers’ Fayre.

The Bands Society meets every Tuesday starting 18th September in Floor 5 So if your the next big thing why not come along.

16 MAGDALEN FRESHERS

The Annual Fresher’s Ball Will Be taking place at the Hilton this year.

We will be there covering the ball and finding out why this is a must for all freshers. Thursday 20th September will be an affair attended by the whole exec committee and a chance for you lucky people to have a fantastic night of entertainment culminating of a night of music at the union. The fresher ball consists of a meal and dance. Black tie is a must and if your feeling adventurous you can even wear a kilt. Not only is

this a chance to enjoy a night with the exec, but also one of the hottest tickets in town, with supplies limited to only 300. It is one of the most exclusive nights in the university calendar.

So don’t delay and get your ticket today.

Student Life THINGS YOU WILL DO AS A STUDENT Tick as appropriate.

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Choose a wine based on percentage and price.

Get the Freshers’ Flu Claim to be totally skint whilst out drinking double vodkas and red bull Do your essay ‘tomorrow’, clean the flat ‘tomorrow’, go to the pub now.

Fancy someone you have no chance of ever pulling.

Shag someone else to make up for it.

Go out for ‘just the one’ and come back blind Apply for an extension on an essay.

Refuse to give a tramp money as he’ll only ‘piss it up the wall’, then go and piss it up the wall yourself.

Start a days drinking earlier that you ever have before.

Get on first name terms with you banks’ student advisor.

Wake up with a traffic cone/road sign, and a random in your room.

Mistakenly blame mid-morning vomiting on food poisoning, rather than the tequila episode the night before. (Girls should seek medical advice if this persists – Tequila can be held responsible, but it won’t pay child support.)

Join a club or society to avoid sitting in the union getting drunk, then realise that most meetings consist of sitting in the union getting drunk.

Go running up Perth Road naked and wonder why you got arrested Sit and watch an entire series of a program in a day.

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Try a drink you have never tried before.

Never drink it again.

An Irish Student.

Not check your bank balance at the cash machine for fear of what you might find out.

Receive a scary letter from your department.

Ignore all scary letters.

Have a crush on a lecturer.

Get lashed on cider like your fourteen again.

Tell you parents you spend a lot on ‘books’, when what you really mean is ‘booze’.

Get stressed because you’re drinking too much.

Drink because your too stressed Grow to consider two meals a day as more than enough.

Only pay bills when issued with a court summons.

Wake up beside a really tasty kebab.

Boast about the bands you’ve seen and then have a mature student piss on your chips by revealing he was at the first ever Oasis/Iron maiden/ Beatles gig.

Make punch in a washing-up basin and forget that its strength is directly proportional to how harmless it tastes.

Hide from TV licensing people.

Let your friends cut your hair.

Rock up to the library, having mistaken if for the union.

Go to HELP Services because you needed free condoms and you knew buying them would cut into your drinking fund.

Magdalen in no way endorses this sort of behavior; however this listing is

FRESHERS MAGDALEN 1 7

Sport

Club of the Year The ski and snowboard club ran away with the club of the year award, this club throughout the year have hit the balance just right between taking part for fun and taking part to win.

In December 2006 the ski club took over 90 students away to France on a recreational Ski Trip. The organisation was phenomenal and everyone that went had an awesome time. The trip included complete beginners,

Sport at Du The Sports’ Union Executive

The Sports Union Executive 2007 – 2008 are a versatile group of students who dedicate their free time to organising sporting events. Heading up the Sports’ Union this year is Anna Anderson, who can be found between 9am and 5pm in the Sports’ Union office on level 4 of the Union.

Working tirelessly along side Anna is Nici Rymer the SU administrative secretary. Between these 2 fine females you’re sure to get an answer to any sporting questions you may have. The SU is easily contactable 24hrs a day (although they would rather you stuck to office hours!!!) via sportsunion@dundee.ac.uk 01382 386048 or n.rymer@dundee.ac.uk 01382 386049 The SU website www.sportsunion. dundee.ac.uk has information on all

the 44 sports on offer here at Dundee University. There is also information on up and coming fixtures and events and is a quick and easy way to find results of your Uni teams previous fixtures.

This year the SU are being more dynamic in their approach to Sport.

The executive have a huge part to play in the delivery of up and coming sporting events. Make no mistakes about it, although on a typical Wednesday night you will find the SU exec unable to string a sentence together and more than likely in fancy dress or dancing like Michael Jackson on speed, they are usually to be found working behind the scenes to further develop YOUR sport here at Dundee.

If you think something can be done better or you want to get involved and have big ideas for events, website develop, etc then get in touch.

Fancy yourself as a bit of a photographer, designer, commentator, sports writer or such like, then DPTsport is for you! At Dundee Uni we realise the importance of Sports’ Promotion. The Design and Promotion Team tackle many areas of promotion from match reports and filming for play back in the Union to animated adverts, website development and many other projects. This is a great opportunity for you to become involved in sport without wearing the shorts. This out of school hours opportunity will allow you to further develop your life skills, visit other Universities in Scotland and Britain, meet new people with similar interests and it will be amazing for your CV. Get in touch with Tom Metcalfe at dptsport@dundee.ac.uk if you want to be involved.

From Left to Right: Peter Graham - Safety & Mini Bus Convenor Katie Barker - Events Coordinator Megan MacKie - Vice President Anna Anderson - President Matthew McIlwaine - Vice President Richard Gallagher - Communications Officer Tom Metcalfe - Honorary Secretary

Sport

who came away being able to ski or snowboard, to very experienced racers and off pieste snowboard extremists. With only one broken leg and one dislocated shoulder the trip was considered a roaring success.

Look out for this year’s trip on the ski and snowboard website www.dundeeunisnow.co.uk or email them skisnowboard@dundee.ac.uk.

Apart from the increased membership

and participation rates the ski club have enjoyed medal positions in various competitions over the year including dry slopes, indoor ski arena at Glasgow and further a field at the outdoor real snow events. This club have produced British Ski Champions over the years who have won nearly every award Dundee has to offer from Fresher of the Year, Sport’s Woman of the Year and not to mention many

Merits, Colours, Half Blues and the infamous Full Blues!

The best thing about this club however is the nature of the people involved, whether you come and go as you please or are committed and 100% dedicated, you will be accepted and welcomed for who you are.

Without a doubt a model club and indeed deserving of Club of the Year.r!

Sports Fayre: Friday 14th Sept.12-4pm MONO

big night out before you start thinking about your Christmas exams. It will be a night for every member of the Sports’ Union and is a chance for everybody to dress up smart, eat good food and dance the night away!

For further details speak to your club Captains or come and see us in the Sports Union.

the Sports’ Union. It is a night where the sportsmen and women who have excelled in their chosen sport and contributed to the overall success of sport at the University of Dundee are awarded for their efforts. This has consistently been the busiest night the Sports Union puts on so it is advised to get tickets early! For further details speak to your club Captains or come and see us in the Sports Union.

ndee Uni The Sports Fayre is held every year and is your chance to find out more information on all the clubs in the Sports Union. If you are unsure about joining a particular club this is definitely the best way to see what it is all about. The members who run these clubs will be at hand to answer any queries you may have.

Play before you Pay: Wednesday 19th Sept. 1pm, ISE

Play before you Pay is exactly that, an opportunity to have a go at any of the sports within the handbook before you have to pay membership fees.

Not sure which club to join? Then why not try them first! No experience or equipment needed just bring yourself and maybe a change of clothing.

Wednesdays within the Uni are dedicated to Sport, not just playing but spectating too, let’s start the year the way we want to continue, with a banter filled Wednesday of sport. We’ll finish off with a BBQ (weather permitting) and then all head to the Union for some sporting entertainment!

Sport’s Dinner:

Thursday 8th Nov. APEX Hotel With this dinner being held in week 8 it gives everyone a chance to settle into the sporting calendar and a final

Blues and Colours Ball: 27th March Invercarse Hotel This is the biggest night of the year for

thegame: Every Wednesday in the Union.

Institute of Sport and Exercise Sports Centre: Located at Old Hawkhill opposite the Belmont Hall of Residence. The Sport’s Centre has two sports halls and a fitness suite.

These facilities can be booked for a wide range of activities, including indoor football, basketball, volleyball, badminton and martial arts.

On completion of the ISE extension, the facility will also boast a state-of-theart gym, strength performance centre, two exercise studios, three squash courts and combat zone.

Tennis: The floodlit all weather tennis courts are located on the opposite side of Belmont Halls of Residence than the Sports Centre. All players must carry their matriculation card with them.

Swimming Pool: ISE manage the University’s swimming pool (25m).

This is situated on the ground floor of DUSA. The access times to the pool vary so please check the timetable card available from the pool and the Sports Centre reception.

The ISE hold various exercise classes and events throughout the year for more information see the website http://www.dundee.ac.uk/ sportexercise/ or contact Cindy Wilson c.a.wilson@dundee.ac.uk

Riverside Sports Grounds: Located on the banks of the River Tay, 15 minutes walk (down Roseangle) from the University Main Campus. Pitches can be booked for football, rugby, hockey, cricket and Gaelic football.

Catch the Latest Uni matches Every Wednesday from 9pm From October on the Big Screens

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