THE ISSUE 209 - FREE
SAINT
The independent voice of St Andrews students since 1997 THESAINT-ONLINE.COM Photo: University of St Andrews
ST ANDREWS, 16 February 2017
TALKING TRUMP WITH MICHAEL FALLON In a lecture at the University of St Andrews on 2 February 2017, Sir Michael Fallon, the secretary of state for defence, said that US President Donald Trump is “right” on the need for engagement with Russia and the costs of NATO. His comments follow the less aggressive tone that the UK government has adopted towards Russia following Mr Trump’s election. Mr Trump made friendlier relations with Russia one of the centerpieces of his foreign policy agenda, praising President Vladimir Putin and appointing Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson, who has received the Russian Order of Friendship from Mr Putin, as his secretary of state. Mr Trump has also been highly critical of NATO, describing it as “obsolete.” During his lecture, Sir Michael, a graduate of the University, said, “Great nations
like the US and Russia will talk. Indeed, they must talk to preserve the rules-based international system underpinning our security and prosperity. The UK too needs to engage with Russia, including military to military.” The defence secretary also said that Mr Trump is a “realist,” adding that “he knows engagement is an equation of risk versus reward with the outcome decided by a nation’s deeds, not its words.” The remarks, made as part of an address on “Russian Resurgence,” also condemned Russian actions in the annexation of Crimea and the country’s interventions in eastern Ukraine and Syria. Sir Michael argued that this aggression was part of a strategy used by Russia to reassert itself on the world stage. “Russian efforts have not been confined to Syria and Ukraine, nor limited to military means,” he said. “Russia’s doctrine advocates co-ordinating multiple instruments – military and non-military – as part of a hybrid approach.” Sir Michael included snap exercises and
University principal Professor Sally Mapstone has expressed “concern” that the UK government is not prioritising higher education enough in its Brexit negotiations. Professor Mapstone also confirmed that options “remain open” regarding the fee status of EU students after Brexit. She described several of the University’s priorities in Brexit negotiations, including maintaining access to EU research funding and ensuring continued ease of movement
across Europe for staff and students. The remarks were made during a Brexit forum held by the Students’ Association on 7 February. Panel members included president of the Students’ Association Charlotte Andrew; Professor Mapstone; Academic Registrar Ester Ruskuc; Quaestor and Factor Derek Watson; vice-principal and proctor, Professor Lorna Milne; and Vice-Principal International Dr Anne Mullen. The forum addressed a variety of concerns surrounding Britain’s contentious exit from the European Union. A common theme throughout
the night was uncertainty, with few substantive answers regarding future policies. The event began with an introduction from Ms Andrew and Professor Mapstone and moved to answering prepared questions. The majority of the event, however, consisted of the panel fielding questions from the audience. The first question of the evening revolved around potential international fees being charged to EU students who wish to study at St Andrews. Professor Mapstone said that though plans for next year’s fees
News editor
are solidified, plans for the following years are definitely not. “We are already putting a lot of pressure on the Scottish government and the UK government to clarify what they want to say about fee status of EU students from 2018 onwards because, of course, we’re starting to enter significant application rounds soon,” she added. “The options remain open. I completely understand the anxiety that there will be in people’s heads about the notion that EU students could be charged >> see BREXIT, page 5
>> see FS, page 3
“hybrid” attacks, including the “weaponising” of information, as Russian tactics used in a “post-truth” age. The minister also specifically condemned Russian cyber-attacks on western nations, including France, Holland, Bulgaria, and Germany. “There is the use of cyber weaponry to disrupt critical infrastructure and disable democratic machinery,” he said. Sir Michael also accused Russia of trying to test the NATO alliance. He said, “Russia is clearly testing NATO and the west. It is seeking to expand its sphere of influence, destabilise countries, and weaken the alliance. It is undermining national security for many allies and the international rules-based system. “Therefore, it is in our interest and Europe’s to keep NATO strong and to deter and dissuade Russia from this course.” However, the defence secretary also warned of the need for reform within >> see FALLON, page 4
Principal calls for prioritisation of higher education after Brexit
PAIGE SMITH
JONATHON SKAVRONECK
Just thirty minutes before guests were slateed to arrive, the St Andrews Charity Fashion Show for spring 2017 was cancelled due to unsafe weather conditions. In a statement released via the event's official Facebook page, the FS committee expressed regret that "wind and inclement weather" caused concern for safety. The last-minute decision to cancel was apparently made after discussing the foul weather conditions with the University, the event's privately-hired security, and the production company in charge of the show. A bartender working the event told The Saint that high winds caused alarm at around 5:30 pm, and event staff were ordered to evacuate the large marquee tent on Lower College Lawn. Organisers made this decision after convening an emergency meeting to discuss weather conditions. In a Sunday press release, an FS spokesperson explained that the decision was made at the latest possible time in order to allow the show to proceed if conditions changed. Ultimately, the committee “felt that postponing the show was the only option given the high wind levels.” According to the Met Office, St Andrews experienced gusts of up to 37 mph on Saturday. These gusts continued well into Sunday morning. The FS committee published no additional information after the cancellation notice, which left many of the more than 1,000 individuals expected to attend in a state of confusion and anger. Some commenters on Facebook Saturday night expressed discontent with the method and timing of the cancellation, while others applauded the committee’s decision to put safety first. Calls for further information about a potential refund or rescheduling of the event were met with a Facebook post on the event’s official page early Sunday afternoon. In a press release, a spokesperson for FS said rescheduling was dependent on a large number of factors. Both the Fife Council and the insurance company covering the event had to
Secretary of state for defence says Trump “right” on engagement with Russia, ties with NATO JOSEPH CASSIDY Deputy editor
FS rescheduled due to poor weather conditions