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NEWS 05
IT’S BACK!
St David’s Day launch of Swansea-Cork ferry
York University – Nouse
Alun Rhys Chivers News Editor
York University’s RAG week had a controversial start, after their attempt to hold the “worlds largest toga party” was poorly attended and accused of being misleading in nature. The World Record, which stands at 2,166 was planned to be held at a venue with a maximum capacity of 800. It doesn’t seem like York were ever in for a chance of breaking the record, as only five people turned up to the event.
WHILE SWANSEA is gearing up for a sea of red around the city on St. David’s Day, the re-introduction of the SwanseaCork ferry link will ensure that there will be a hint of green in the mix. The Swansea-Cork ferry ran into financial difficulties in 2006, meaning that the service, which was first established in 1987, came to an abrupt end. A campaign was launched by a private investment consortium in 2008 to re-establish the sea link, with £3 million of the target coming from campaigns in both Swansea and Cork. Now, thanks to businesses and private investors, Swansea students and other travellers will soon be able to enjoy easy access to and from Ireland throughout the year. The 28 year old MV Julia ship was bought by Fastnet Line Ferries earlier this year for £6.9 million, having previously sailed the Baltic Sea and parts of Scandinavia. The MV Julia, which is 154 metres in length and longer than Croke Park, is designed to carry 1,860 passengers and 440 vehicles. Its facilities include a cinema and casino. The new overnight service, which it is estimated will bring £50 million to both the Welsh and Irish economies, will be launched in Cork on March 1st, returning to the Emerald Isle from Swansea on March 3rd. The new service will no doubt be of great benefit to students looking to travel between Swansea and parts of southern Ireland.
Cambridge University – Varsity
ALMOST READY TO SET SAIL: The MV Julia ship that will make the journey to Ireland One such student is Karl McDonald, as an alternative to an already well- students are from families in the Southwho says he is likely to use the service established and popular St Patrick’s West region who will benefit directly and occasionally. “It’s great because it’s Day trip that we offer every year. With indirectly from the reconnection with so close to the Uni, so I think it will the recent establishment of AEGEE Swansea and the expected resurgence in encourage more people to come to Abertawe, a society with a European business and travel to Cork. “As a major international Swansea from Ireland, students or focus that collaborates with over 235 other European cities, the return of the university, UCC collaborates with otherwise.” The reintroduction of the ferry could well serve as a vehicle, in its numerous universities and institutes in Swansea-Cork ferry could prove to be beneficial to both Swansea and Cork physical and metaphorical sense, to offer the UK on joint ventures, especially in Swansea University students a greater the research and development arena. Universities. “The opportunity to travel Swansea University’s student experience and links with the by car between Cork and Swansea International Officer told The Waterfront, Emerald Isle”. The President of University on such a well-equipped ship is an “I believe that, as a Student’s Union, we College Cork, Dr. Michael Murphy said, attractive proposition for students and could now possibly investigate whether “I am supporting the Cork to Swansea their families, encouraging visitors to we could improve on the variety of events our Travel Shop offers by route with Fastnet Line because of its stay longer in the area and explore the offering weekend breaks to the beautiful manifest benefits to the region as a whole educational options available in the Munster region. This could also serve and to the University in particular. region.” “Many of UCC’s 19,000
Union to apply for Green Awards Angharad Jones News Reporter THE UNIVERSITY’S Environmental Society is competing for recognition in this year’s Sound Impact Awards. Sound Impact is an environmental accreditation scheme, with an awards element designed specifically for nationwide Students’ Unions. The aim of this environmental organisation is to prompt unions to encourage and celebrate good practice and a greener environment within universities. The Sound Impact Awards is entering its fourth year and hopes to see up to ninety Students’ Unions involved in the programme in 2010. Launched in 2006, NUS’ Sound Impact scheme aims to bring SUs to the forefront of social and environmental campaigning. The three awards available are bronze, silver and gold which will be awarded through a points based system. This year will be Swansea Students’ Union’s ninth application for the Sound Impact awards, however following
UK uni round up
last year’s loss by a mere three points, Environment and Ethics officer Steve Cushen is confident that Swansea will receive recognition this year after many improvements. He tells The Waterfront “I am really optimistic that we will finally get the recognition that our Union deserves, and as it’s my last year as an officer it would be great to feel that I’ve made a difference!” In a 2009 Students General Meeting it was agreed that the Sound Impact Awards would enter the top 100 priorities of the Students’ Union and as a result, attempts to make the SU greener have improved through more energy efficient utilities, raising awareness among staff, encouraging recycling in student accommodation and establishing an Environment and Ethics committee for the first time in ninety years. For many students applying to university, the green credentials of an institution are of increasing importance. Swansea SU will be sending the evidence of their greener development by the 26th February and are hoping to succeed in their attempts later on this year.
RAG week is here!
Laura Morgan News Reporter
RAG’s WEEK of fundraising events is back, with plans to be bigger and better than ever. For those of you that don’t know, RAG is a fundraising society run by students all year round, the forthcoming week being the biggest in RAG’s calendar! RAG Week 2010 will be taking place from Monday 22nd to Sunday 28th February. Last year RAG week raised an outstanding £2120 for charity and they hope to break that record this year! They are encouraging students and staff to dig deep into their pockets and give anything they can towards helping raise money for the charity. Simon Maughan, RAG’s Publicity and Media Officer, told The Waterfront “RAG week is a great way to get to know what we do and to get involved in a number of events to raise money. With a diversity of events, it is one of the highlights of the year.” Fundraising events run throughout the week, including Monday’s ‘gnoming all day on campus’ involving people dressing up as gnomes, pinpointing students around University by any means possible – and only stopping once
they’ve been paid. That evening also sees Diva’s host the RAG Slave auction, where familiar faces from around the university will be up for grabs, for the right price. This event will be held in conjunction with the Christian Union, who are also holding events throughout the week, as they host a fashion show during the intermission in which clothes can be purchased. Another fundraising event for the calendar is the ‘AU versus SU President RAG Ransom’ on the Wednesday, whereby the Presidents will be kidnapped and have to raise a ransom release of £250 each! Following the sudden and traumatic Haiti Earthquake, RAG joined forces with the UNICEF society last month and raised a phenomenal £813.66 in a one day collection from the RAG Raid. Speaking to The Waterfront, RAG President set out their aims for this year, “We hope to raise over £2000 again from the events during the week.” He also gave the paper an insight into why he initially joined the society, telling us that “It’s a great way to do something different for charity, and RAG Week is how I originally got involved.” Students can get involved by either participating in the societies events or making donations.
A controversial academic, infamous for his condemnation of Israel, spoke on Monday night at Clare College, for an event held by the Islamic Society. Dr Azzam Tamimi, director of the London based Institute of Islamic Political Thought, had been invited to talk by the University’s Islamic Society. He discussed the consequences of the Gaza conflict, changes in the region, and the possibility of an amicable resolution. The talk was not well received by either the Christian Union or the Israeli society.
London School of Economics – The Beaver As universities across the UK plan to cut courses, scale back campuses and lay off staff, The London School of Economics has recently announced that they have no plans to do so. To deal with the financial climate, the school is instead looking at ways to use resources more efficiently and to moderate expenditure growth.
Edinburgh University – The Student Another university has passed a motion for Facebook to be banned in their Library. Facebook is now banned between 10am and 4.30pm, after the motion was approved at Edinburgh’s AGM. It is hoped that this ban will free up computer space and allow students to become more focused on their work.
Newcastle University - The Courier The leader of the council has hit out at claims suggesting they have an antistudent agenda. A strategy has called for up to 6,000 purpose built bed spaces to be built in Newcastle. Head of the Liberal Democrat city council, John Shipley, denided the council’s housing strategy was trying to force students out of residential areas into purpose built studetnt accommodation.