Issue 264

27th February 2018

York Vision 7 YEARS A...

MEET YOUR NEW YUSU PRESIDENT Issue 264

Letter from the Editor Dear Reader, If you are reading this then it means we did it- we got back into print.

As a fresher coming to University I had a lot of ideas about what the student media might be like.

However, since being elected as Editor-in-Chief of Vision, I have come to realise that these were all the imaginings of a bored teenager, wishing away what seemed like an eternal summer.

Unlike regular journalists, we don’t comment on matters which will define history.

Unlike most journalists we don’t get paid, though some work near enough full time hours.

Instead of Starbucks cups we carry bags under our eyes and countless Courtyard Coffee cups to the bins near Grimston House.

And yet, like all good journalists we tell stories that matter. Of course, how we tell those stories will differ.

Whether it be The Lemon Press, Nouse, or Circulation, we all aim to convey a message - whatever that may be.

Vision was created by a group of free thinking students who believed in balance. Whatever you think of this edition, or of Vision, I hope that when reading it you’ll remember that.

So, here. Here is my Vision.

Yours,

P.S. For those wondering, I chose the off-white background for our cover so that YUSU will finally pay for something other than white to represent it this year.

Editorial Team Spring 2018 Editor-in-Chief: Amelia Hubbard Managing Director: Lucas North Online Editor: Anna S owa e Scene Editors: & Cameron Gordon News Editors: Rifah Khalil & Issac Arnarchellum-Owen Deputy News Editors: Josh Mackenzie & Chris Haley

Opinion Editors: Sam Flint & Annabelle Heybourne Deputy Opinion Editor: Jack Galea Features Editor: Caitlin Sullivan Sports Editor: Zac Campbell Chief Sub Editor: Mike Green

Meet your new President

Gasps filled Hendrix Hall as James Durcan, former

Chair of James College, fought off Re-open nominations to become the incoming YUSU President. Many within the room, including Durcan himself, thought that it would be close. However, nobody could have expected the successs of the Re-Open nomination campaign, securing an unprecedented second place.

Durcan, a third year history student, follows in a line of former JCRC chairs who have taken the mantel of YUSU President. Unlike previous elections, Durcan faced much criticism regarding his JCRC past, with many, supposedly tired of the status quo, labelling it as problematic. When talking to Vision, Durcan recoginsed ‘the YUSU bubble’ himself, suggesting that the key to improving YUSU was the breaking of this cycle. However, given that James is now the seventh President in a row to have been a former College Chair, will he actually able to acheive this?

Policy Promises CUT STUDENT COSTS: Freeze Campus Rents, Build more affordable rooms, Stop hidden course costs, Tackle first bus, Scrap the £30 college fee.

BUILD A BETTER UNI: Better facilities for off-campus students, More storage space, New Students’ Union Building, Better accessibility.

IMPROVE THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE: YUSU on Hes East, Clear guidance to access support, Mental health training for uni staff, Quality events.

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Finn Judge, former Editor of Nouse, has been elected the new Activities Officer, having fought off competition from BNOC Jack Worrall... luckily for Judge, Worrall left his darts at home for the results night.

Activities Officer

Judge - a third year Politics and International Relations student from Alcuin College - currently serves as Print Media Representative on Media Committee, liaising between YUSU and the various media outlets on campus. When Vision spoke with Finn he commented, ‘YUSU can be a bit bossy and bureaucratic’, so it’ll be interesting to see how he works within this bureaucracy.

Activities Policy Promises Raise funds for Activities Access Grants so that students can enjoy the same opportunities regardless of finance, disability or circumstance.

Introduce YUSU discount cards for committee members of societies, media, RAG & volunteering groups.

Kick-start #RevolutionRAG by creating league tables between colleges and student groups, with annual awards for top student fundraisers.

Steph Hayle, third year Criminology student, is one of three

Meet your new

former James College JCRC members elected to the new sabbatical team, alongside James Durcan and Zac Sheppard.

Hayle won by a large margin, trumping incumbent LGBTQ Officer Rowen Ellis to electoral success.

Having spoken with Vision prior to the election result, Hayle said that her new employer may ‘need a better public image’, so it will be interesting to see what Steph, alongside the other sabbatical officers, does to achieve this.

Community & Wellbeing Policy Promises Rework the Bursary & Hardship Fund so it can appropriately support all those who need it.

Streamline and support Exceptional Circumstances applications and extend “Keep Your Cool” into all key exam seasons and major deadline seasons.

Lobby to include a “maximum price” option in the initial uni housing application.

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Wellbeing Officer

With thanks to University Radio York for use of their Election Results Night photographs

Academic Officer

James Hare, current Comment Editor at Nouse and third year Politics and International Relations student, has been elected as the new Academic Officer, succeeding ‘meme master’ Julian Porch. Hare faced critcism for over his initial campaign slogan, “I’m with Hare”, apologising, he promptly changed it.

Alongside Judge, Hare forms part of the Nouse faction at YUSU HQ, trumped only by James College in terms of representation.

Academic Policy Promises Contract between students and their departments ensuring they receive at least 15 minutes of one-to-one feedback at the end of every module.

Making departments publish an annual breakdown of their expenditure.

Sabbatical Team

Creating a VLE fit for purpose, with all exemplars and past papers uploaded, complete lecture capture across campus, and an upgrade on the archaic Blackboard app.

Alongside Hayle, Zac Sheppard aides YUSU’s diversity quota by being the token ginger. Forming part of the James faction, he succeeds Laura Carruthers as York Sport President.

A third year History student, former YUSU College Sport Officer, and keen tennis player who describes York Sport President as his ‘dream job’. It will be interesting to see how Sheppard dodges attacks from student media regarding the behaviour of certain sports clubs.

York Sport President Policy Promises

Combining both college and uni clubs.

Integrating York Sport Union clubs with the local community, and looking to create a partnership with a local charity.

Sports President

Improving performance of clubs, by spreading performance benefits, and expanding college sport.

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Meet the Losers They came, they saw, they lost.

The election is over. RON came second and yet still a chorus echoes, who are they? Which college do they go to? Do they have Snapchat? Though Oscar Jefferson spoke highly of them, we cannot be certain even he knew.

Alas, Vision does not have the answers. For more updates, we advise you follow The Lemon Press on Twitter. No doubt, like our recent troubles, they won’t be letting go of this one for a while.

RON

Oscar Jefferson ‘I am asking for you all not to vote for me’. Mic drop.

Never have more controversial or contradictory words been spoken by a candidate in a YUSU election. Educated at St. Pauls, Jefferson is a third year History student from James College who ran a campaign for Re-Open Nominations. Though RON did not win, Jefferson managed to ensure people didn’t vote for him. Well, some people anyway. Still, his campaigning efforts ensured that RON secured an unprecedented second place.

Has’san Suhail Perhaps the most endearing of candidates, Suhail charmed a surprising amount of voters with his pragmatic policies and soothing voice. However, like Durcan, he faced much criticism for being too close to the YUSU bubble. Suhail is currently the incumbent International Students officer. Though he would have projected a more diverse vision to our increasingly multi-cultural student body, once again the middle class white college chair trumps to victory.

Hector Macduff Running on a platform of not being a “YUSU insider”, Macduff was unable to capitalise on the disatisfaction with the status quo that propelled the RON campaign to a second place finish. His campaign faced criticism from a number of international students for his poorly thought out ‘Half English Breakfast’ policy, in which Macduff envisioned YUSU providing free breakfasts for home and international students on the proviso that they sat alongside each other. Sadly for this Macduff, he did not ‘lead on’.

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Strike Action: A midlife crisis gone too far?

Students are facing up to a month of strikes due to lecturers’ refusal to face the hard, but very serious economic reality; their pension scheme has an eye-watering deficit of up to £7.5 billion.

The deficit is potentially larger than the UK’s annual foreign aid budget and almost two thirds of the size of our nation’s total transport expenditure. The simple fact is that the scheme is unsustainable; just insuring the scheme is estimated to cost a whopping £100 billion.

Whilst I entirely support the academic’s right to strike, the motivation behind it is flawed. The pension cuts academics are facing are by no means pleasant, but they are necessary – academics need to bite the bullet.

The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), which recommended the reforms, is an independent body. The reforms are not politically motivated, they are essential.

We know the current scheme cannot continue – it would be foolish to deny this – and the USS’s reforms aim to give academics the best pension possible. Whilst it is evidently not as beneficial as the current pension scheme, it is the best outcome of a bad situation.

Academics need to recognise this, and stop living in a fantasy world.

It would be nice to allow the current scheme to continue, just as it would be nice to own a gold plated yacht with Moët on tap – it’s time to get real! In order for the current pension scheme to continue, the USS has said there would need to be an increase of 11% in pension payments, raising the total payment to 37.5% of annual wages. We must ask ourselves, how would universities bridge this gap? Either the quality of the services that the university offers would decline or, as seems to so often happen, tuition fees would increase.

As students, a demographic known for being broke, do we really want to subsidise the fat-cat pension pot of university lecturers?

Do we really want to fund a pension so unsustainable that it’s unheard of in the private sector? Do we really want to risk the quality of our education just so that our lecturers are that little bit comfier in later life?

Our lecturers obviously do. The common jargon of “it grieves us to affect our students’ studies” is utter rubbish. It comes down to one simple fact: striking lecturer’s prioritise their money over our education and are willing to risk our degrees in favour of it. It’s as simple as that.

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If you think this is all melodramatic guff, consider why their strike action is focused on disrupting students. As many students have already pointed out, the academics could disrupt general university activity. They could disrupt the admissions process or the university administration, but, instead, they have chosen to disrupt students. They have chosen to put our degrees at risk and they have chosen to put a part of our nine grand to waste.

Additionally, I find it odd that lecturers are willing to strike. If they get their way, they risk the wellbeing of the UK’s higher education industry – does it not seem like a contradictory act of masochism to risk the industry you’ve devoted your career to? Where is the principle? Would you be happy to make your industry struggle in order to get that cosy Cotswolds cottage, or that trip to St Tropez? I know I wouldn’t be.

As students, we need to respect the academics’ right to strike, but that in no way means we shouldn’t criticise their underlying motives. If they get their way, our education and bank accounts are at risk! We should additionally ensure that the effects of the strikes don’t affect us in the long run. This includes making sure that lecturers are not allowed to include content we are forced to miss in exams or, alternatively, that we are given access to said information by other means.

I also question YUSU’s reluctance to adopt an official position: what is the point of a union that shies away from issues which directly affect its membership? They have a responsibility to get a census of student opinion (perhaps a poll of some kind) and represent them. There is no point in cowardly pussyfooting around controversial issues. How can you represent students if you don’t even make an effort to identify student opinion?

Whilst academics may want to relive their youth of the ‘70s, this is a midlife crisis gone too far. They need to stop throwing a tantrum and realise the economic reality. It is very hard to understand something when your coin depends on not understanding, but these strikes risk the future of students and, what’s more, the future of our university system.

It is simply not appropriate for them to throw their toys out of the pram, especially in an act which poses long-term harm to the industry they have devoted their careers to. Wake up and stop whining!

Joseph Middleton

SCENE

Editor’s Note We’re in print, THANK GOD. It’s already been a heck of a year filled with booze, weed and sex (and it’s only February.), but considering those were my new year’s resolutions this year I think I’m doing pretty well.

Raunchy and more on point than we ever have been, SCENE is back to give you the goss on life and style around campus. From the ballers already making money in their first year to the lowdown on York’s club nights, SCENE is edgier and saucier than before. But don’t take our word for it just look at our cover page. We’ve got chatting with those students who are actually doing something with their lives already (and not just wasting their livers and maintenance loan in Salvos) and have the hottest take on what to eat, watch and wear. After all, we wouldn’t be Scene if we weren’t trying to make you deep throat all our opinions, would we?

Like the true millenials we are, we’re diving, tongue first, into the world of youtube, vintage clothing and sex toys with a cheeky wink and a spank on the arse - so…

Cinch in those corset strings, tighten those straps and secure those ball gags.

Scene is back.

Love and full frontal kissing,

In this issue we: ...p ick o ut the best of Netf l ix ...sit do wn w ith a student sex w orker ...give yo u o ur best sexu al h eal th advic e ...p ro file a YouTu be star on c ampus ...sp ea k to U rvM istry ...regurgitate York’ s nightl ife ...go v intage ...take an in depth l ook at men ’ s fash ion ...sho wcase CHMS sister act

NETFLIX AND CHILL

By Christopher Haley “As though there’s anything worth watching on there other than ‘It’s Always Sunny” said my friend, acting as though an elusive former ambassador of the United Nations, plagued by hours of browsing and now bored by my line of questioning. In truth, I too scoffed when asked to write an article on what people should stick on during ‘Netflix and Chill’. I mean, how could I? I’d only signed up to Netflix this past christmas, after my housemate had recommended it as an excellent procrastination tool, not to mention another drain on my already dwindling maintenance loan.

And yet in this time I have come to realise that selecting something to watch on Netflix is a long and arduous task, with choosing what to recommend reserved for masochists or those with few contact hours. Add trying to select shows and films that you can “chill” to makes the process even more difficult. Alas, I gave it a go. Here are the fruits of my labour.

T h e T ru e Lov e V ett er - I n B r u g es Starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, the pair act as hitmen hiding out in the beautiful Belgian city of Bruges after a hit gone wrong. Yet it is Oscar-winner, Ralph Fiennes who steals the show, in his role as their boss. A film filled with the most twisted of vices, this is for those of you who love dark humour - and perhaps, those of you looking to test if your friend is worthy of something a little darker than Netflix and Chill.

T h e I n s p i r at i o n - C h ef

Wholesome in nature, this heart warming film is second to any Disney classic in terms of heart melting moments. Centering around Jon FaT h e H o m e R u n - I t ' s A lways S u n n y i n P h i l a d e l p h i a vreau, whom, after quitting his job at a prestigious restaurant, launches a food truck business with his ex-wife, best friend, and son, ‘Chef’ brings Following the lives of three narcissistic friends, who happen to be led by living legend Danny warmth to the coldest of student rooms. My editor points out that Chef DeVito, around an Irish bar might possibly be the peak of comedy screenwriting. Though the proves that the classic staple of the student diet, pasta, can indeed be series starts off somewhat grounded, when “the gang” let underage drinkers into the bar it seductive, though I question whether we did not already learn that from soon descends into the surreal, climaxing at a later episode with DeVito waterboarding his own Disney’s The Lady and the Tramp. This film is guaranteed to make you daughter in the toilets. Possibly positioning itself as the most original content on Netflix, and yearn for something starchy in your mouth. most importantly for Netflix and chill, this series is highly rewatchable.

T h e O ld Sta n d by - Fr i en d s This time it is the lives of six narcissistic friends, with a one off appearance by DeVito, that screenwriters have chosen for our enjoyment. You will be hard pressed to find someone who has not watched at least one episode of ‘Friends’, making it the perfect background noise while you pursue the “chill” with your beau.

T h e R ea li ty - Fr es h M eat

T h e W i ld Ca r d - L o u i s T h er o u x Theroux, whose cult following amongst students was affirmed last year when the University of York saw the first ratified Louis Theroux student society, is a stable for any impressionable undergraduate. Though predictable, Theroux’s presenting style remains fresh and on point even when tackling hard-hitting issues.

There I managed it! Seven television shows and films that I recommend you watch during “Netflix and Chill” narrowed down from a catalogue This Channel 4 comedy resonates well with students. A topical show – the first series sees of thousands. There is a distinct possibility that I may have not been the university freshers move into an off-campus house as the university’s accommodation is best person to ask, but frankly are you really going to be paying attenoversubscribed. Unfortunately for the characters featured, there isn’t a barren wasteland down tion to your television? the road filled with empty overpriced accommodation. One character even becomes President of the Students’ Union, allowing us insight into the antics that go with it. Like any show set at university it features a lot of awkward sex – how relevant, hey?

T h e T r as h y b u t Tasty - C h ea p est W ed d i n g s My housemate recommended this one, describing it as “Don’t Tell the Bride but tacky.” So, I was sold. Am sold. Slight disclaimer, Vision cannot be held responsible for your loved one getting certain ideas about snap marriages...

Working 9-5: no longer a way to make a living?

In 2016 the National Union of Students published research offering an insight into

outlets have given them. In my opinion, those who stigmatise sex work tend to totally misunderstand it. So, I’d probably want them to open their minds, hearts and ears - so that we can start a more reasonable discussion. And to listen to sex workers on issues before they “speak on our behalf”.

Do you ever feel unsafe?

It’s normal to feel nervous before meeting a client for the first time; however, there are measures we can take to make ourselves safer. For example, there are text alerts you can get where you get advised about bad or dangerous clients. I always text someone when I’m meeting a client with how long I should be and where, something which is an industry standard. And always keeping your phone on you, charged, and within reach.

one of the least discussed areas of student life: sex work. In this study it was revealed that 5% of students engage in sex work at some point during their time at UniversiWhat advice would you give to someone considering sex work? ty. Given that there are currently 19,903 students at the University of York, it would follow that near 965 students have engaged in some form of sex work. Given that University is increasingly unaffordable for many in society, such work offers an interesting There are plenty of online and in person communities where you can meet people involved in sex work, and speak about what it’s like before alternative for some to shift work. getting involved. Make sure you stay safe, and check out how any websites you’re planning to use allow you to screen clients. We’ll never try to Scene talks with one such worker regarding their experience of this double life. scare you off, but having a frank discussion with a current sex worker When did you first start? can make sure you don’t start off badly.

When I was eighteen. I started meeting guys on the side during the last few months of If money was no object, would you still do it? sixth form to get some extra spending money when I came to University.

I don’t know. Certainly some of the motivation would be gone, for sure.

However, I am sure the perks would still be there and so would the desire.

Remember, many manage to live a life few lead with sex work; one I know Craigslist – I put out an ad and got a few responses, and met my first guy about a week I’d not have access to without sex work. Frankly, I find meeting influential later. After that I continued on Craigslist, SleepyBoy, and word of mouth. people on the arm of a rich man is a more rewarding experience than simply having money to spend.

What was that first experience like?

How did you first start?

Do you know of many students who do it?

My first meet was a ‘boyfriend experience’ – the client wanted me to be his date to a dinner, and so I was dressed up nicely and hanging on his arm all evening. We didn’t Yes, definitely. In fact, you’d be surprised how even the most vanilla of actually have sex, but there was some dancing involved (I remember being quite nervous places has active sex work communities. Take York, for example. If you that I’d make a mess of it). It was probably the best way I could have started, as I wasn’t are a tourist visiting what is the first thing you think of, perhaps the Minquite so nervous and knew the whole time that I had an easy way out. ster? Or the Shambles? Not sex work, or sex workers. However, we are here. Everywhere, even. Given that the industry is so diverse, with lots of Were the motivations wholly financial? different kinds of people offering lots of different kinds of services, from platonic escorting services, to penetrative sex, the pool becomes larger They were largely financial, certainly at first. But there are other perks to the job – such and richer in nature. as attending posh events which you’d never normally be invited to. I was also just someone who enjoyed sex, and thought I might as well get paid for it. I’d never say I was only doing it for the money, there was always something more rewarding outside of the extra cash.

67% said they were motivated to work in the Do you think that the monetary pressures placed on students influenced this sex industry to pay for their living expenses. decision?

35% said it was to pay for their university fees.

I think they do for some people. For me, I was more doing it to build up some spending money before University and I’ve continued since to maintain a certain lifestyle. Certainly 22% thought it would improve their confidence if my student loan was bigger or I got more support from my family I might not need to of self-esteem. carry on, but I might well do so for the other benefits the job brings.

60% of respondents felt safe ‘very often’ or What would you say to those that criticise the practice? ‘always’ while at work.

FACT VS. FICTION

Let’s be frank. Most of the conversations surrounding sex work centre around rhetoric intended to stigmatise and drive it underground. It is the world’s oldest profession, and like any industry it has its dark side. These are what we should be talking about. All of us are against trafficking and forced sex work; however, what people seem to forget is that the majority of people involved in sex work choose to do so. If you look at the language used by some feminists on this issue it soon becomes clear that their intentions are exclusionary in nature, rather deserving of the nickname ‘SWERF’ which some

58% had experienced sexual harassment while at work.

73% had told close friends about their sex work.

Less than 15% felt supported by their University.

ALTERNATIVES York Vision recommends safer sex The Definitive York Vision Guide to Dental Dams Dental dams, the little-known cousin to the regular condom, are a form of protection for oral sex. They’re available online, or from YUSU, though are rarely seen in shops due to how few people know about them. Vision, always keen on promoting safe sex, have sought out and tried a few different flavours of these latex wonders to bring you: The Definitive York Vision Guide to Dental Dams.

Mint:

These are the best. It’s undisputed. Or at least, I won’t listen to any disputes. Honestly though, these have quite a refreshing taste, and smell quite nice too. 10/10, would ‘taste’ again.

Strawberry:

And recommend regular sexual health check ups at: YorSexual Health, Monkgate Health Centre, 31 Monkgate, York, YO31 7WA You can also obtain a postal kit from www.freetest.me

PrEP Trial Comes To York YorSexual Health, the York sexual health service provider, has been chosen to host the PrEP Impact Trial as part of a national trial of the HIV prevention drug.

The trial is open to those classed as being at high risk of contracting HIV, and will enrol a maximum of 10,000 patients to study whether the drug should be rolled out on the NHS. Those wishing to take part in the trial will need to commit to attending the clinic they enrol at every three months.

Anyone wanting further information can ask about the trial at the Monkgate branch of YorSexual Health, with no appointment necessary.

Strawberry flavour dams can be quite weak in flavour, and so it can taste like licking a dentist’s glove. But, when you get one with a strong flavouring these are great – it’s like the taste of spring right there in bed (or wherever else you happen to be using a dental dam). Like a jelly bean, you never really know what you’ll be tasting.

Chocolate:

Not my favourite, I’ll be honest – I don’t tend to like chocolate flavoured products that aren’t actually chocolate. It’s not quite the same betrayal as when a chocolate chip cookie turns out to be raisin, but it’s still bad. Overall, these taste okay, if you don’t mind feeling a little peckish during the act.

Grape:

These are an interesting flavour – not one I’d normally associate with flavoured products, but certainly not an unwelcome taste.

They don’t really have a grape smell to them, and smell a little overpoweringly of latex – which isn’t too bad if you’re more focused on other things.

If you want to try out dental dams, you can pick them up from any YorSexual Health center, or you can roll out and cut the ends off a condom then cut it longways to make your own.

TO ABSTINENCE Safe Sex-ting After being given this article to write, my immediate response was “Is this a joke?” Of course, my editors face said it all.

So, as any good campus journalist would do, I ran to courtyard, phone in hand, to begin researching ‘sexting’. This primarily consisted of messaging my closest friends, all of whom unsurprisingly spoke underwhelmingly of the concept. So, the chorus echoed, ‘don’t do it’.

Whether through past experiences, or just knowing the general dangers, all unanimously agreed that it was an unnecessary ordeal with greater risks than rewards. However, being caring people that they are, they proceeded to offer me a host of tips on how to be a not-quite-good-but-also-not-disastrous sexter. So I present to you: How to be a not-quite-good-but-also-not-disastrous sexter:

No nudes- After fact checking this on the interweb this seems to be unanimously accepted, not only because of the potential embarrassment or you might receive if leaked, but because wearing some clothes presents an alluring sense of the unknown. Which, when carefully executed, is far more stimulating than any full frontal shot.

Use a safe app– “go for End to end encryption with an app that is not easily hackable” my second year computer science friend confidently informed me. Admittedly, my knowledge of technology is somewhat limited, so lets just go with this.

TRUST THE PERSON YOU ARE SEXTING- I feel as if this goes without saying, however, having fallen victim to far too many failed trust falls, my ribs are far too bruised to accept this as fact. Remember, though trust isn’t an absolute, you should be confident enough to press send- any hesitations, stop and pause.

Consent is twofold... The receiver must want it. If they didn’t ask for it, don’t send it. Never forget this rule.

Anonymise the photo – the obvious: no faces, no obvious birthmarks, piercings or features that might implicate you, and the less obvious: make sure the background is generic, so it’s not quite obvious that it’s your mess of a bedroom. Remember to remove all embedded personal information in the photo i.e. EXIF data. Just a quick google will explain how to do that. In fact…

Remove all encryption, history, evidence of photos- so apparently a champion safe sexter has to be a bit of a tech whiz to navigate all the encryption codes that must be removed, so it can’t be traced back to you, but with time, patience and practice, this should become second nature to you Only if you are a serial sexter, of course. If in doubt, there is undoubtable a handy guide for this on Buzzfeed. I mean, what haven’t they got an article about?

Of course, this is a controversial topic. Of course, there is a high chance I have gotten something wrong, but if you can take anything from this article, know that you alone decide the final rules, not me or any other person for that matter.

Dylan Reeve-Fellows Campuses very own Youtube Star Dylan’s Guide to YouTube Survival Dealing with the haters

If you haven’t heard of budding YouTube star (and official BNOC - i.e. Big Name on Campus) Dylan by now, you might be living under some kind of wifi-free rock. Under his main account, StudentVlogs-Dylan, he has amassed over 17,000 subscribers, and is on course to reach 21,000 by the end of May. Or, to put it another way, he will have a following bigger than the town of Newquay watching his every move, taking in his study tips and watching him go about his day to day life. How does someone so busy manage to combine academic success with such a time-consuming online presence? In a York Vision exclusive, Dylan revealed all…

Organising life For many, the first year of university is a chance to kick back, skip a few seminars and enjoy having a blood alcohol percentage high enough to get a referral to Alcoholics Anonymous. Not so for York’s very own internet celebrity: In order to meet his minimum quota of 8 videos a month, Dylan has resorted to a level of organisation that would put an OCD clinic to shame. Between the six hours spent either editing or recording (or both!) each day, creating videos takes up as much time as a part-time job in Dylan’s life. When you add in his athletics and his degree, it is no wonder that self-made timetables cover the walls of his room in James College, making sure he keeps to his self-imposed routine including two hours of revision a day. However, it is clear that this workload comes at a cost: his top aim is not to get drunk more than once a week or go on a night out more than twice - a feat of self-restraint that would impress any student.

Like anyone who spends much of their private life under the public eye, Dylan has had to face his fair share of trolls and hatred. As a college student, he has had to endure the brand of savage WhatsApp group abuse (or “banter”) that many readers will be familiar with.

Even worse: like every YouTuber Dylan has to deal with the online hate brigade as well, something that is not always easy.

“Those extra two dislikes can hurt your feelings”, he admits, explaining that internet trolls would ask why a student getting B grades was giving revision advice. Luckily, after years of blocking out the haters, his story has a happy ending. With his acceptance into university and similar success with his channel gaining subscribers, the abuse began to be replaced with well-earned respect. When he had to announce his YouTube career to his new flatmates, the reception was more positive: “It was a bit of a meme”. Even the anonymous abuse concerning his revision advice despite being a B grade student subsided as people were more willing to listen to a student from a Russell Group University.

Avoiding the Controversy Since Logan Paul’s infamous escapades have become the stuff of internet legend, it seems every video-maker on YouTube has had to do a bit of soul-searching about where the boundaries of content-creation are located, and Dylan is no exception. “There’s kind of unwritten boundaries”, he explains, “You have to judge what your followers will react to”. Unclear YouTube policy about what is acceptable content has led to blurred lines across the site: while Dylan says he would never break any laws while filming, lots of YouTubers do. However, it seems that YouTube is starting to clamp down on the more outrageous content, with Logan Paul’s most recent rat-tasering controversy leading the site to stop the former Disney star gaining ad revenue from his videos. In short, as long as you play it by ear and refrain from mutilating small rodents on video for your 10-year-old fans, you can probably avoid the controversy surrounding the website.

The Money Side As for the money Dylan makes from making videos, the reality is less glamorous than some might imagine. Although some videos like his GCSE results vlog go viral, the average video takes so long to edit and

is always the possibility that if his channel keeps growing, Dylan may be able to make a living from it, but currently his focus is on making it in the banking world. Many YouTubers find that after getting to half a million subscribers it is easy to grow fast and make more money, and Dylan is in the difficult “in-between” phase. Working against the YouTube search tool to be seen is a slow grind with moderate financial gain, meaning that only the most passionate and hard-working can succeed.

The Future For a channel built on educational content, what is the future for Dylan?

Until now, he has survived by relying on his vlogging about school and exams, which was what first catapulted him to fame. “It’s always a worry,” Dylan admitted, “That’s always in the back of my mind, what happens if after university I lose my unique selling point?” Although there are many YouTube channels vlogging about everyday life, Dylan plans to have gained a strong fanbase by the end of his time at University, who will stay with him on his transition from education to the world of work. That’s not to say that he plans to live a quiet life: a goal he is already working towards is taking a trip to Australia, as much a holiday for him as it is a workspace for his videos, giving him an upper hand in the battle to stay relevant.

Dylans top three survival tips If you’ve managed to keep organised and the endless swarms of trolls haven’t forced you off deactivating your YouTube channel, congratulations! You are now in a position to enjoy Dylan’s top three tips for growing a successful YouTube channel:

Get good lighting...

Any Instagram junkie will know about and appreciate the importance of lighting in photography, and YouTube is just the same. Struggling to find the perfect lighting? Watch some other video-makers at work, “just kind of copy them, they know best”.

Figure out your editing style and stick to it.

Whether you want the seizure-inducing chopped-up style that many vloggers go for nowadays or the more cinematic style of wannabe film makers, getting your video style right is the key to success. Look to other YouTubers for inspiration: Dylan looked to Logan Paul (before the suicide and rat-tasering controversy, it must be added) and Casey Neistat to perfect his look.

The most important thing of all?

Dylan believes every YouTuber should have a unique selling point, or USP to the business savvy. Having a strong USP is the key to staying relevant to your fans. For Dylan, this was vlogging about education and aiming to represent the typical experience of the British education system, which Dylan credits his channel growth with: “I was one of the only people doing it from the perspective of not being unique, which made me unique”.

URV mistry - A very modern dj

Photos by University Radio York

Urv Mistry is is the hottest new DJ to be playing the northern circuit. Between his electronic engineering studies and managing a high end entertainment company, he’s a common sight on club nights in and around York. Taking a break from his hectic lifestyle, we managed to catch Urv so he could tell us all about his budding career.

The Beginning It can be all traced back to one innocuous comment made at a wedding: “What are they playing?” From this (and a couple of other comments at weddings) Urv’s grandparents blessed him with a Dhol (Indian drum) and thus the makings of UrvMistry were set in place.

Since the age of 5, Urv has shown incredible work ethic that would put any undergraduate to shame by teaching himself how to play the Dhol via youtube tutorials. Not because of some perverse desire to make life harder for himself but due to lack of teachers in the area - the closest one to Bradford was Birmingham, a mere 125 miles away.

From this the musical prodigy, and he must be called that because look at where he is a short 15 years later, went on to learn other instruments, where true prodigal allegories can be created. Continuing from his Dhol playing as a child, he was given a guitar a few years later and then a drum kit a few years after that. And like all prodigies, there’s always a great teacher behind them.

“I still remember his name, it’s Ben Stevens. He introduced me into percussion, drums timpani all that kind of stuff”. It was around this time, aged 13 and newly ensconced in secondary school that the Djing side started to emerge

The Beginning pt.2 Little Urv, during his formative years was still attending those family weddings that got him into playing music, however, as the years went on, the weddings he attended expanded from his family friends to friends of friends of family as he started to play Dhol at weddings, aged 7. Whilst waiting for his parents to pick him up, he gravitated towards the DJ and being a 7 year old, (those creatures of high curiosity and irritation) he began to pester them about their jobs.

2 become 1 Aged 13, or around then, he would mix together his knowledge of percussion instruments and modicum of DJ knowledge on his dad’s friend’s decks whilst making mixtapes for parties. A couple year later he got his own set of decks and then, “The rest is history,” he says and I nod in agreement as I relate his life story to the plot of a well crafted dickensian novel - all the seemingly unrelated paths of his life joined into one resolute solution like that of a completed 5000 piece puzzle.

Party BNOC As evident by Urv’s illustrious history, he is no stranger to parties, so when he told me about Evallance, a high end events entertainment company that he co-owns with a couple of friends, I was amazed but not surprised. Along with his six friends (all of whom were Dhol players whose parents made them practise together) they started the company originally with the aim of just DJing at weddings. Nowadays they jet off to other countries to do something called ‘destination weddings’- the wedding craze of 2017.

It blows my tiny sheltered mind apart that someone the same age as me and doing a more intensive degree can do all this on the side.

“My parents have some issue with the long hours, you know what Asian parents are like, “Long hours?”

“Yeah once I went without sleep for 72 hours.” I gape at this, as I can’t remember the last time I have gone anything longer than a 12 hour period without sleep. He then shows me the video from said wedding - it is beyond stunning, and coming from the working class background I do, it seems to be one of those fairy tale weddings the Daily Mail covers.

(unless you’re a Disney villain or some sort). However, it is hard to read Urv’s history and not feel satisfied, like after the completion of a rather complex puzzle. He begun his entire musical career both with Dhol and Djing via youtube tutorials, like a true millennial.The circumstances that resulted in 7 boys having to play drums together has now created a very profitable high-end events entertainment company and Urv’s Djing tips:

“It’s not about the equipment, it’s about the song selection.”

“You might have the most expensive £5000 decks but if your song selection is bad then you will probably bomb. You could probably do a better job with a set of decks from Amazon for £100 and do a brilliant set.”

Which brings us to “Follow the Charts” I try to think about the last time I’ve done something impresYou might be all indie and hip and only listen to the hottest new sive- my mind comes up blank. dance tracks or jungle anthems that come from New York and London, however on the dance floor, and especially the dance floor in What’s the future for UrvMistry?

York (as you may already know) people want songs they know “I don’t see me doing this past 30?”

“It’s all about who you know” “No?” “I didn’t get my break in York until the start of second term in first “But noone wants to see a 50 year old DJ” year, even though I was searching and talking to everyone since Freshers’ week” I nod hastily in agreement, shuddering as I imagine a 50 year “Then why did it take so long?” old DJing at one of York’s club nights (not like that’s not hap“Because the person you really want to talk to is not the person you pening already) then I realise I don’t need to imagine, I just meet first - it’s probably the person that person’s person told you to think of Fatboy Slim. talk to.”

“But I’m not going to stop loving DJing or doing DJing,” as he “So hustle?” then goes on to detail a group of Asian DJs from the UK who “Yeah, hustle. Ask the DJs about how they are, how their set is going, are still going strong since starting in the 1980s. just ask them questions you would ask anyone really. All DJs have useful info” It’s not very often you hear someone’s life story and can clearly “Even the one at Flares?” I ask see how they have come to become the person they are today “Yes, even Flares - and you can quote me on that.”

“We do high end weddings now; we’ve moved on from doing local ones,” he says as he shows me a forest themed bar he and his friends/coworkers made for a themed wedding - the second hottest wedding trend of 2017. It’s from one of the two sister companies Evallance has launched since their start up.

YORK’S NIGHTLIFE: REVIEWED Monday – YSJ Kuda

Wednesdays - Salvos

If you’re out tonight, clearly you have no regard for your university degree. It is also the place and time when you have the crushing realisation that YSJ nights and students will always have a better night out than you. Enjoy that VK sweetie, and try to go to one lecture this term okay? You’re paying £9000+ for this, have some care for your education if not actual self care: something you clearly do not have if you’re out on a Monday.

You play sports we get it. You have friends, or rather people who you do sports with whom you then meet on a night out, where they proceed to pour the most toxic concoction of liquors down your throat- we get it. You puke, make poor life decisions but if you’re in one of the better sports societies on campus then your friends/teammates will have your back. The night turns into a team building exercise to rival those that corporate companies spend thousands of pounds on. You have spent a total of £20 on tonight, including the compulsory costume you’ve had to buy to fit in with the night’s theme. You win.

I once lamented to a friend, “No club in York ever consistently plays rock music”: he insisted the Tiki Bar during YSJ Kuda night was the answer to my woes. Sadly, he was wrong as his recommendation involves going to Kuda.

Theoretically the top floor of Salvation should be the best part of any York student night, with a well-constructed playlist featuring S Club 7, Steps and Busted. However, unless you are wearing a gas mask, the sweat-filled air makes you question all of your present life choices that has led you to be here. Plus, the bottom floors plays such a wide range of music that it makes you question what the point of the top floor is - I have never heard The Lion King’s “I Just Can’t Wait to be King” anywhere else on a night out in York, not even in Popworld.

Tuesday - Kuda The VK varnished dance floor (no doubt from the night before) where dreams and dignity go to die along with the most basic white folk of York is no place to be on Tuesday or on any night.

Here is where you will find the desperados, or rather, the desperate losers trying to pull. They will roam the Tiki bar, imagining themselves to be wolves on the hunt when in fact they pass more easily as lost toddlers at the supermarket. Alas, they will leave the club, if they’re lucky, with no ‘mate’ and do the sorry walk to Oki’s in the drizzle of rain that has inevitably started.

If you are the unlucky ones, you’ve probably puked on one of the steps of the endless staircase aka the Stairway to Misery and have had one of your mates reluctantly call you a cab and shove you into it, much to the displeasure of the taxi driver who is now threatening you with a £70 fine for any sick left in the back.

No one has ‘pulled’, and you will never pay back your ‘friend’ for the cab ride home, I’d bet my vk stained boots and lost dignity on that.

I really enjoy gigs, and my favourite live band is Enter Shikari.

They are famed for the intensity of the shows, and it means the crowd at times can be scary. However, the floor at a Shikari gig is nothing compared to that at Kuda. Packed onto a dance floor filled with hundreds of Freshers holding real glasses. Glass in a club. In the hands of children, no less. Your only chance of escape is the curved sofa at the back, supposing that isn’t now occupied by a couple on the cusp of marrage, whom, having met an hour before are now planning shared accomodation for year two.

Every once in a while, my friends and I make the decision to go to Kuda as “we haven’t been there in AGES.” Every once in a while, my friends and I have a night filled with regret.

Thursdays - Fibbers You’re a normal human being. You have a solid 2.1 and like Abba the regular amount - in fact you probably own a copy of Abba Gold in your childhood home in the home counties or midlands. You have normal amounts of fun.

Congrats for being so extraordinarily ordinary.

Thursday night at Fibbers is the best club night in York, and I will passionately argue with anyone who disagrees. There is a diverse range of music, there are two incredibly different rooms, and it has the cleanest toilets.

Fridays - Mansion You do PPE, Law or some other serious humanity (an oxymoron unto itself). You are cool hip and edgy - you only wear vintage trackies and a backwards cap from Urban Outfitters that says “1990s” on it, bought of course, with Mummy or Daddy’s credit card. You rebel nowadays with your BA degree, septum piercing and weed smoking habit that sometimes lapses into something harder, but never anything that will risk your trust fund.

My “edgiest” Facebook profile picture was taken by a disposable camera in the toilets of Mansion. I think that may sum the club up.

We, the powers at be at SCENE, aka. Chris and , have decided to compile a thoroughly honest examination of club nights in York. Like a proverbial Attenborough, we present to you Planet York Clubs, with a special analysis of our favourite species – York students.

Fridays - YSJ Salvos It’s Friday, it’s the end of the week, and you’re off in town to have fun with the gals. You hit Society beforehand for a cheeky jaegar bomb or seven and end the night sitting on the curb with your Asos heels in hand, crying on your housemates shoulder about your ex whilst they’re shoving cheesy chips and gravy down their throat like it’s God’s own manna.

The night is memorable not because it is remarkably spectacular but rather it is not as tragically dismaying as all the other nights. It is at this point when you realise that your feelings to York’s clubs isn’t dictated by the actual quality of the nights out but rather the Stockholm syndrome you have acquired since being a student here.

Possibly the most average night featured. Koh Samui is boring. The attempt to portray Club Salvation as a “tropical island” is ridiculous. Maybe it’s a poor joke about the humidity? Though it must be handed to Salvation, their drinks deals are good, and therefore help you forget just how tedious Koh Samui somehow is and the fact that you are now outnumbered by students from YSJ.

Saturday Hen Nights and Stag Dos galore, if you’re out tonight then you are either a local, have a death wish or are plain stupid. This is a night for the locals, you have the other 6 days of the week - use them and leave the hardcore partying to the true Northerners.

I once left a restaurant on a Saturday night with my friends. A Newcastle United chant was belted out by a Geordie stag do, “so fuck off Adam Johnson”, recognisable to anyone who, like myself, was from Newcastle. I hoped that none of my friends would realise where they were from. “NEW-CASS-ULL” the next chant began. Oh no.

Sunday - Revs Sunday best does not apply here, but clearly some students have not got the memo. Or perhaps the long periods of time without parental supervision have resulted in a masochistic self-imposition of rules that were inflicted upon you as a god-fearing child (sorry for the Christian norms). Anyway, this has resulted in you looking like an off-duty lecturer in the smoking area of Revs where you imagine yourself to be a philosophical James Dean of 2018 where in actual fact you bear greater similitude to a smoking knob - probably because that’s exactly what you are.

Take that cylindrical death trap out of your mouth and go home buddy. You need to rethink your life.

Where to begin with Revs? Can it even be considered a club night if it isn’t even a club? If you’re not actively trying to wreck your liver with £1 vodka shots then the drinks prices are bad, the drinks themselves are terrible, and let me be clear, mashing ‘Mr Brightside’ up with Knifeparty’s ‘Bonfire’ is the worst attack on music since Nickelback.

At least the smoking area has heaters so you don’t actually need to spend any time inside Revs….

“Students should go Vintage” Henri Goddard-Pantic Where to buy: Why Shop Vintage: With 1970s and 1990s trends being as strong as ever, and vintage ski jackets being a necessity for anyone travelling for a night out in Leeds, the attraction to vintage is obvious. But, to those still not convinced, hopefully this article will serve to persuade you to ditch H&M for all that is old.

Although York hosts various frequent vintage fayres, with one being hosted on campus at least once per term (which can be found by a simple Facebook search for ‘vintage’). There are also a number of vintage clothes shops available in York, each worth visiting for its own reason, here is our rundown of five of them.

Bowler Vintage, 52 Fossgate:

Aesthetic:

Bowler Vintage’s focus is mainly on classic styles from the 1950s through to the 70s, with the ground floor dedicated to men’s items, with women’s on the first Whilst recent trends have dipped into retro inspired territory, with brands like Levi’s floor, both also selling retro items too. The selection of vintage wear for the men is revisiting big logo sweatshirts - a staple of the 90s, it is only a homage to the era. somewhat limited, though there are a number of interesting pieces, with thick overAn emulation of a decade but not the real thing – when we think of decades gone coats, and wide collared patterned shirts. The women’s section however, is more by, we often picture the garish patterns that typify that decade, or single pieces vibrant, with a wide range of dresses and coats available, though both floors items without which the fashion scene of the time would have been incomplete. keep within the 1950s to 1970s aesthetic, so don’t expect to find any Adidas sweatshirts here.

Subtle changes in design, both of the piece, and the fit and construction of the garment change with consumers, (just watch an early episode of Friends and look Expressions, 12 Walmgate: at their suits, comparing with those of today (or Don Draper, should you wish)).

Meaning that even the most retro piece likely isn’t perfect, it has changed or won’t A mishmash of all that is vintage – Expressions is more of a classical vintage be produced as there just isn’t enough demand. store, with rails lining every wall, each pack with an inordinate number of items.

It is near impossible today to find an exact replica of a vintage piece, each has its own past and has aged, something that is impossible to get the same new – something that gives it a story, and though it may not be yours, buying it certainly makes you part of its.

Price: When I was in my first year, I bought a Sheepskin Jacket for £25. It’s a jacket I love and wear frequently, and at £25 I nearly snapped the vender’s hand off – what a steal! That is the ultimate appeal of vintage, it may take hours to wade through a sea of poor quality or stained pieces, but occasionally, you’ll happen upon that item you’ve been after for so long, or you didn’t even realise you needed.

And when that happens, you might be looking at it at 1/10 of the price of a new piece the same as this – and thought the vintage piece may require a wash and a liberal spray of Febreze, it’ll be worth it for the price, and that you’re the only person with it.

The women’s section here is somewhat limited to mostly dresses (bear in mind my interest is in men’s fashion and I am likely mistaken).

However, the real standout here was the range of jumpers and sweatshirts on offer, with a number of both logo sweatshirts and traditional knits. As well as a large selection of sportswear (usually branded with American Universities, as are some of the sweatshirts) Chinese Laundry, 51 Goodramgate: Chinese Laundry is not only a vintage store, but also sells retro items, as well as having their own selections of own branded t-shirts and jumpers as well as band T-Shirts ranging from The Smiths to Syd Barrett. But that is not the purpose of this article, as the window of the store often exemplifies, the vintage items here range from the 1970s-1990s, with a larger selection of later items, such as sweatshirts and retro sports wear for a more Madchester vibe. Both the women’s and men’s section of the shop are excellently stocked with vintage ski wear, coats and a number of tops.

Quality:

Priestleys, 11 Grape Lane:

When looking at vintage items, one is effectively looking at survivor bias – these pieces have already stood the test of time, and provided they are in good condition now and you treat them as well as you would any new item, they will last jut as long as any new item.

The older a piece is, the less automation likely went into it, and it was likely produced in a more prestigious place, making it likely that more time and care went into making it than can be found in most pieces on the high street, though for high quality heritage brands such as Burberry, you are still going to pay for that, even if it is a lot lower than the current retail price.

A smaller and more expensive vintage store, mostly focused on women’s items. But, though the selection may be small, it is no less exciting. Each piece appears to be carefully hand-picked, both for brand and design (the men’s section small as it may be, had no less than five trench coats all made by Burberry (its inventor), Aquascutum, and Yves Saint Laurent (and none of which were sub £100). The women’s range was just as fantastic, with beautiful ornate pieces seeming to hang on every rail. Though of course this does mean an increased price.

Dog & Bone Vintage, 28 Castlegate: Perhaps the best stocked store on this list, and well worth a visit for that alone.

The entrance is decked with all the sports wear one could ever need, and moving further back, one can find fantastic leather and waxed-cotton jackets. It is hard here to understate the immense range that is on offer here and it really requires a look in, perhaps it is epitomised by the ability to walk into this store and leave with a 90s sweatshirt and a naval trench coat.

Mens Fashion It is commonly accepted that conversations surrounding men’s fashion tend to progress at a snail’s pace, navigating social norms and traditions which women’s fashion seem long free of. Take for example how reluctant some men feel about the colour pink and how this inevitably influences fashion in the West. Surprisingly we are now seeing a continuing trend towards maximalism, tonal colours, and looser fits – all within the greater context of the overarching trend of becoming ever more casual in the way we dress. Men are slowly becoming more comfortable with being considered trendy, with companies quickly following suit.

Maximalism A patterned shirt may never have been unavailable at Topman, but the trend towards decoration and pattern now extends far beyond near shirts, t-shirts, and polos. Topman’s most recent suiting range was outfitted with a number of large checked items, designed to stand out from the crowd, following the trend towards men’s fashion being louder than ever. With floral patterns becoming increasingly dominant over recent years, celebrities like Harry Styles have emerged as ambassadors for floral.

So, now you know to add some pattern, how do you do it? I hear you ask. Well, that is simple. Anything patterned is a statement piece. Whatever the pattern, however loud it may seem, it will draw attention most likely for the right reasons. If you’re going for a shirt keep everything else minimal, solid colours- let the shirt do the work. The same applies if you are going the way of Mr Styles and choosing a patterned suit, keep everything else simple – a clean white shirt with black or dark brown shoes, which will not detract from the outfit and will keep the focus on the suit. But for all styles make sure the fit is good – too tight and you risk looking slightly ridiculous, rendered immobile by your indiscretion and go too loose and it’ll look like you weren’t sure of your size. Keep the fit regular, or slim. Gucci may have produced a snake patterned suit with flared trousers, but that doesn’t mean you should try to wear patterned flares- remember, not everything seen on the runway should be seen in Market Square.

Tonal dressing Men may have somewhat of a reputation for being poor at deciding which colours go together, but tonal dressing is where men need to go. So, how do we correct this stereotype that has been held for too long – simple dress tonally. What does this mean?

As simple as it sounds, just dressing in similar colours. All tonal dressing really means is strategically wearing pieces of the same of similar colour, knowing by default that they’ll balance one another out. If in doubt, check out a colour wheel on Google, you’d be surprised by how useful they are. With that being scared, always remember that a tonal outfit can also constitute of white, navy or grey to break up the colour block.

Think of a navy Mac with navy chinos, a navy t-shirt may detract from the outfit and look suspiciously samey, adding a white t-shirt and grey jumper and perhaps some white sneakers reduces the risk of being ridiculed for being all blue. The same rules can apply to any piece in your wardrobe, think a camel overcoat with a pair of tan chinos, or a black bomber with black jeans (a slightly worse example as all black can be very effective). So, what to take away from this, you can dress is all one colour, but you shouldn’t – pick items that are the same general colour (blue) and wear them smartly, if the top half is all navy, pick sky blue trousers and offset those with a dark pair of shoes, the top all light, then pick a darker shade for the bottom half and if you can’t do that, remember that white, navy, and grey go with everything.

Throw away your skinny jeans?!

Hold on. Fear not. We don’t need to get rid of them… just yet. Though we may be seeing wide-leg trousers starting to creep into shops, with more relaxed fit taking over runway around the World, what is most important here is that something fits comfortably. Beyond that, loose is somewhere men can go with simple advice.

The trend towards looser fits has been going on for some time now and is likely to continue until we reach the 1990s high of looseness, once again. However, we aren’t quite there yet so why not enjoy the journey? The first thing to understand is that whilst going up a size may seem like you’ll be going looser, this will may not have the desired effect, as you still want the garment to fit. Instead, look to different fits, move from skinny or slim to straight or relaxed at first, then on to wide supposing you feel that to be necessary – though straight should be sufficient enough.. So far this has only been about trousers, and ‘looser’ can apply to tops too. Here sizing you can much more simply achieve the desired look. However, when doing so, bear in mind certain thing, such as sleeve length, as when this gets too long run the risk of looking like you just bought the wrong size, though of course this can be mitigated by rolling sleeves up. Of course, the length of the garment itself is far trickier to disguise, so be careful.

How to wear this then? This is perhaps the most simple to pull off, simply wear what you would usually with the addition of these new pieces, though making everything looser may have a slightly undesired effect of making you look smaller due to your clothes being larger, thus it might be worthwhile opposing tops and bottoms, wearing slim trousers with an oversized tee or sweatshirt, or a regular fit sweatshirt with straight legged trousers.

Whatever you do, enjoy it. Remember, Fashion is supposed be fun.

CHMS Presents: Sister Act Photos by Greg Tiani

News

USS strikes a note with students Isaac Arnachellum-Owen

The UUK have concluded that the best course of action is to replace the existing scheme with a defined contribution scheme, linking payments to national economic performance and potentially drastically reducing retirement pension rates.

The UCU have fiercely rejected these proposals and the UUK’s “recklessly prudent” evaluation, arguing that the financial impact they would have could cost lectures up to £10k per year – potentially reducing pensions by as much as 75%.

The figures provided by the UUK are also disputed by the UCU, the latter claiming that member contributions exceed the value of pension payments, and fearing that UUK’s actions will turn academics away from the profession. This has led to members of the UCU calling for another layer of student support, given that they see such changes as detrimental to a future career in academia.

As part of an ongoing row over the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), lecturers at more than 60 universities around the UK will be taking part in industrial action. A period of fourteen days has been allocated for picketing, with disruption likely to continue for at least the next month.

Reactions from students have varied wildly from enthusiastic support to anger and condemnation. Petitions across the country demanding financial compensation from universities have amassed over 100,000 signatures, with York’s petition reaching over 5,000.

It has been suggested that over a million students may lose teaching time as a result of the action, with thousands of teaching staff form- Following this, the proposer – Conrad White, a first year ing picket lines with posters, placards and banners to vocalise their Politics student in Halifax College – has been invited to a concerns at proposed changes to their pensions during term time. meeting with Vice-Chancellor Koen Lamberts on Thursday to discuss reimbursement. In a further attempt to At the University of Sussex, protestors have blocked roads and stormed redress grievances in York, students have received assurlecture theatres. York has yet to experience any illegal action, although ances that any topics not covered due to the strikes will with 87% of York lecturers voting in favour of striking, there has been not be examined, echoing the sentiment of many univermuch spirited discussion at all levels of the university. Last week The sities across the country. Despite this, additional concern York Union hosted its own student debate on the issue, allowing a range has been expressed by international students. Some worof voices to be heard on what has become a highly contentious issue. ry that the strikes may impact their visa status if it becomes necessary for them to remain in the UK for longer The cause of the strike centres on a re-evaluation of the USS by a period than expected in order to complete their course. the Universities UK (UUK) group, who view the status quo as simply unsustainable. They claim the current scheme is only 91% fund- Given the complete lack of consensus on the matter from ed, and £7.5 billion needs to be found to eliminate the deficit. both sides, it appears unlikely that there will be a speedy resolution to the issue; it seems that there is no clear end in sight.

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News Former Tory Leader Defects Amelia Hubbard

In a move which has further intensified the politics of the City of York council, former leader David Carr has left the Conservatives, becoming an Independent member.

This follows a recent vote of no-confidence in Carr, which left the council leaderless.

In spite of attempts made by the Conservative group to appoint a new leader, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green councillors fought off proposals, resulting in Andrew Waller, interim leader, remaining in charge.

Final public consultation on Council’s Local Plan opens Christopher Haley

A final six-week consultation on City of York Council’s draft Local Plan opened last week. The plan will determine changes to York for the next 15 years and seeks to promote economic growth. It is the first Local Plan for York since the 1950s.

Changes to the plan since the last consultation include increasing the numbers of houses in proposals for York Central from 1500 to 1700-2500, and expanding employment floor space from 60,000 sqm to 100,000 sqm in the same area.

Comments received in the consultation will go directly to central government, where they will be considered by a Planning Inspector in a public examination. Central government will then determine whether the plan is within the law and whether it can be considered ‘sound’.

Since 2013 the plan has received over 27,000 comments.

Councillor Andrew Waller, now leader of the Council, commented “we believe this is the right plan for York, promoting sustainable developments, better transport links, the city’s cultural offer and much more.”

Details on how to make your own comments can be found on the Council’s website.

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The resignation of Carr further weakens the joint Liberal Democrat and Conservative administration, reducing their majority to just one and creating a balance between the two ruling parties, with both now having twelve councillors each.

Local Election Success for Former YUSU President Amelia Hubbard

A recent council by-election has seen former YUSU President, Kallum Taylor, retain the Holgate ward for Labour. As a result of the outcome, the makeup of the City of York Council remains the same, with Labour forming the largest party.

The result comes at a time when the current administration, a coalition between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrat faces intense scrutiny following the dismissal of former leader, David Carr, at the end of January.

News Vice-Chancellor pay censured by MPs

Education Secretary out of touch

Vice-chancellors at some of our nation’s most prestigious institutions have been lambasted by the House of Commons’ Education Select Committee over their “immoral” and “over-inflated” salaries, with MPs reportedly looking at introducing greater regulation to curb pay in the upper echelons of universities.

In the wake of calls by the Education Secretary, Damian Hinds, for more “variety” in fees, a report published by the Higher Education Policy Institute suggests over 60% of students are opposed to universities charging different amounts for different courses.

On Wednesday of last week, a panel of vice-chancellors, comprising of representation from Nottingham Trent, Liverpool, Sheffield Hallam, Oxford University and the Open University, gave evidence as part of an inquiry launched into value for money in higher education.

Under a policy by the current government, tuition fee caps in England were increased by £250 in September 2017, and initially set to further rise in line with inflation. In response to widespread condemnation, Prime Minister Theresa May froze the cap at £9,250 until 2019.

Peter Horrocks – vice-chancellor of the Open University, who took home £360k last year, seeing an above-average increase of 3.7% and total remuneration £71k higher than the average for vice-chancellors – spoke out against the regulation of pay packages. He argued that the different needs of each institution would render regulation of vice-chancellor pay “inappropriate”.

Hinds has called for tuition fees to be set based on the “value” the course provides to the student and “society as a whole”

Josh Mackenzie

Josh Mackenzie

Louise Richardson – vice-chancellor of the University of Oxford and the 7th highest paid vice-chancellor in the UK – responded to a question about rises in vice-chancellor pay over the last 30 years by defending her own remuneration, claiming to now receive less currently than was paid five years ago.

Data from the Times Higher Education VC Pay Survey places Richardson’s current package at £430k and her package five years ago, as vice-chancellor of St Andrews, at £271k. At that time, the vice-chancellor of Oxford was receiving a total of £424k – £471k when adjusted for inflation.

Based on data from the same survey, the average vice-chancellor has seen their total pay packet increase by 3.2% over the last year, from £268k to £289k. Our own vice-chancellor, Koen Lamberts, has seen an above-average increase in his total remuneration of 4.3%, placing him £4000 above the national average.

This news comes in the same week that universities have been hit by unprecedented levels of industrial action over pension cuts, with lecturers at over 60 institutions going on strike.

Student Campaign Continues Isaac Arnachellum-Owen

Traditionally, the University has given the wages of striking lecturers to hardship funds for poor students, thought to be around half of each lecturer’s monthly wage if the strike action continues. Despite this, student petitioner Conrad White remains optimistic that students will be appropriately reimbursed, a hope shared by debt-laden students across the country, many of whom have created their own copycat campaigns to try and regain portions of their £9000 tuition fees.

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News News

YORK VISION

Kash-ing in on followers Amelia Hubbard

Though it is clear that Ms. Jenner’s tweet massively impacted the company’s recent performance, it comes after a petition signed by over one million people called for the company to reverse recent software changes. Many within the company, including CEO Evan Spiegel, have defended the software update, calling for users to give it time. However, such criticism comes at a time when Snapchat is desperately attempting to resist competition from Instagram, since many users, like the Kardashian clan, have chosen to take advantage of their ‘stories’ feature over Snapchat.

The Kardashian-Jenner clan have once again proven the power of both their brand and of social media when 19 year old Kylie Jenner, younger halfsister of Kim Kardashian and daughter of Olympian, Caitlin Jenner, appeared to wipe £1bn off of Snapchat’s stock market value. Following a recent software update, Jenner took to Twitter, a platform on which she has nearly 25 million followers, to express her frustration, tweeting ‘sooo does anyone else not open Snapchat anymore? Or is it just me... ugh this is so sad’.

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Ever since the company went public, it has received intense criticism from investors regarding its sustainability and potential for growth. With Instagram being able to adopt a similar service, resulting in an increased market share, and a social media star having the power to disrupt its reputation, are these concerns once again going to haunt the company? Regardless of what happens, Ms. Jenner has come out in support of Snapchat, tweeting ‘still love you tho snap ... my first love’.

‘I had to go to Burger King’ Lucas North

KFC, the company famous for bringing fried chicken to the fast-food industry, recently made headlines after running out of chicken. As of last Monday, nearly 600 branches across the country had closed. Following an initial period of hysteria, with various theories being thrown around the internet - many of which resulted in cult like followings - the company quickly attributed the closures to a distribution issue. Having recently changed logistics partners, KFC went from having access to six warehouses with their previous contractor, South-African owned Bidvest, to a single one with their new partner DHL. Whilst the company attributed the problems to the transitional period between the two contractors, many individuals, including customers, were far less forgiving.

As such, media outlets from across the world were soon covering the ‘crisis’, with customers taking to social media to fuel a hysterical atmosphere regarding the closures.

The company have since tried to take advantage of the crisis, taking out whole page spreads in major news outlets, such as The Sun with a campaign apologising for the closures. Though this appears to be smart PR on the part of the company, there are many who are curious to see how what is now being labelled as ‘poor operational management’ will impact the company in the long term. Due to how recent the events are, no figures are currently available, although some have suggested that it might have cost the chain as much as £1m per day out of business.

What is important to recognise though, is how massive this has been to the psyche of the customers. A clip featuring one such customer, who appeared clearly distressed at the situation, shouting ‘I had to go to burger king’ has gone viral following an ITV profile.

Alongside these irate customers have been the workers, many of whom have not received shifts as a result of the closures. Though outlets around the country are beginning to re-open, a crucial few months await KFC.

News Chipping Away at the Energy Crisis Lucas North

Academics here at the University of York have contributed to research resulting in the discovery of a group of enzymes in fungi which have the ability to break down a key component of wood. Following the discovery, many within the scientific community have suggested that it could revolutionise the biofuel industry. Given that it could allow for a more environmentally friendly way of processing biomass from wood into useable fuels, it could position wood as a more viable alternative to fossil fuels such as coal and oil.

Breakthrough for Children with Cancer Christopher Haley

Academics at the University of York have proposed changes to current guidelines for the management of paediatric oncology, looking specifically at the consumption of fresh foods such as strawberries during chemotherapy.

Though wood has been long considered a vehicle for advancing biofuels, many view it as being unreasonably expensive due to the energy currently required for breaking it down. A spokesperson from the University commented, “Current wood bio refineries have to use pre-treatment processes, making the conversion of wood into fuels and products expensive and energy-consuming”.

The findings build upon previous discoveries made by academics regarding the uses of fungi in the processing of potential bio-fuels. Originally featured in Nature Chemical Biology, the report, co-authored by Professor Gideon Davies from the Chemistry Department at York and academics from Le Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) in Marseille, once again puts York on the international stage.

Due to the intensity of treatments offered to children suffering from cancers such as leukaemia, paediatricians usually suggest the removal of uncooked and unsterilised foods due to the risk of germs. This consensus has long existed amongst the medical community and is still recommended by many professionals. Strawberries have long been seen as particularly risky due to their surfaces which, it was long thought, allowed for the growth of harmful bacteria.

However, academics at the University of York, led by Dr. Bob Phillips, have concluded that the sterilisation of food makes no difference to the levels of infection rates. Further, the research suggests that for these children, who already experience a reduced quality of life due to the rigor of cancer treatments, such a diet severely reduces their quality of life, placing them at a further difference to their peers. Dr. Phillips commented, ‘the neutropenic diet offers children less nutrients, reduces their quality of life by making food tasteless and does not reduce infections.”

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Should I stay Tiptoeing along, Theresa May, quiet, afraid and desperately alone, tries earnestly to avoid Boris Johnson – the demagogue is hot on her heels.

Drawing by Zac Daniel

Yet, despite the coup attempts and front page embarrassments on an almost weekly basis, she has a serious cohort of defenders in the real world.

Those who say that, despite the rough patches, Mrs May has at least another year and, however unrealistic it may seem, possibly even another four in her yet.

As special advisers, bureaucrats and cabinet ministers gather in Chequers this week to draw a line under what the UK wants from the Brexit negotiations, and with the ever heightening psychodrama in the Conservative Party about her leadership (or lack thereof), it’s no secret that Theresa May is facing a clash of the ages.

“It’s always tease, tease, tease” The Tory party hates Mrs May. From Grant Shapps’ untimely coup attempt last October to her government’s failure to prevent Parliament from winning a veto over the final Brexit deal two months later, May’s party is revolting in a serious way.

Many of her critics point out that she doesn’t seem have to a coherent vision for her party to unite around. However, even for a (relatively) strong leader like David Cameron, it was hard to assert an agenda; May’s lack of a majority makes it near impossible.

The loss of “The Chiefs” – Fiona Hill and Nick Timothy – to party pressure following the abysmal election performance last June has furthered weakened the beleaguered Prime Minister. Without the ideological beacon Timothy provided or “You’re happy when I’m on my knees.” the deep emotional connection she shared with Hill, May looks visibly more unstable than she did The people hate Mrs May. before.

The European Reform Group, now headed by Jacob Rees-Mogg, seems to be going from strength to strength and is now seen as a serious pressure group inside No. 10. All things considered, May has done well to avoid an out and out party split given the tensions bubbling away between Brexiteers and Remainiacs on the back benches.

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Many of the Prime Minister’s issues stem from the fact that she fell agonisingly short of a majority last June, meaning the agenda set out in Timothy’s disastrous manifesto carries no constitutional – and certainly no political – weight.

Whilst her party’s approval ratings have more or less stabilised pre-election figures of around 40%, May’s personal rating is now on a par with Jeremy Corbyn’s, the former IRA supporting socialist.

Or should I go?

Her personal failings were clearly visible on the campaign trail; unlike the Labour leader, she is simply not a born campaigner. Much more accustomed to opening fetes in her rural constituency of Maidenhead rather than confronting angry nurses in the streets, her failure to read the country’s pulse during the election was clear – with the impact being felt by her party at the polls.

May’s shortcomings over issues such as social care and fox hunting have led to the Conservative party being branded the “nasty party” again, ironically a state she warned against in a speech in 2002.

The longer she stays in place, the more damage she does to the Tory brand, but that damage can be triaged with the right special advisers around her. Sadly, her new team headed by Gavin Barwell has not been able to increase her poll lead against Corbyn to anything close to the 50 points seen in May 2017.

“If I go there will be trouble” The Cabinet hate Mrs May. It’s an open secret that prominent Leavers and Remainers are fighting for her job; nowhere was this more obvious than during the Grenfell tower disaster.

A week after the disastrous election, May’s ill-formed response to the tragedy resulted in a plot to install David Davis as leader, with Amber Rudd also being mentioned as a possible contender.

At the time, Boris Johnson was seen as a fading light – with ReesMogg taking up the mantle as poster boy for the hard Brexit campaign.

However, since his 4,000 word “Four Pillars of Brexit” article in the Telegraph, Johnson’s name has once again re-entered the picture.

Philip Hammond, somewhat mistakenly, seems to harbour leadership ambitions of his own – perhaps seeing himself as the last true Remainer in the Cabinet after Rudd was thought to be negotiating with Boris over the Chancellor’s job?

In the midst of all this, the Prime Minister’s flaky political ideology is actually one of her greatest assets. Whilst her party may hate it, Mrs May is able to position herself on both sides of the Brexit fence, and is probably the most able person in the whole of Parliament to find a compromise between the two sides.

If the Prime Minister were to leave tomorrow, the Cabinet would face a serious imbalance of power that could lead to the fall of the government, the stalling of negotiations, and, thus, a sort of miniarmageddon.

The EU hate Mrs May. But then again, they detest all challenges to bureaucratic rule.

Whilst Angela Merkel has no real platform to stand on given her own troubles in forming a government, she has repeatedly stated a need for Mrs May to provide clarity on what the UK wants from a Brexit settlement. A sentiment shared by Michel Barnier, Guy Verhofstadt and many others.

If May continues to “breakdown and beg for help” at dinners with Jean-Claude Juncker, she’ll be a liability to the negotiations not the major asset that she should be.

However, the Europeans are at fault here too. Martin Selmayr (Juncker’s Chief of Staff) seems determined to punish May for whatever he can get away with, viciously leaking to undermine the British negotiating position over the last few months.

Our Prime Minister can be tough, though. Her record as Home Secretary shows this, with cases such as the extradition of Abu Qatada and her police reforms highlighting the iron will that she has, and her ability to use it to get her own way.

Whilst many in the EU may dislike her unstable political situation, they like her potential replacements even less.

Within her own Cabinet, Remainers and Leavers are still bitterly divided, and whilst her first year has seemed to pass relatively smoothly in terms of Brexit management, it’s now too late to fudge the issue. May has to decide what she wants and assert herself amongst her colleagues.

“Should I stay or should I go” Mrs May has to stay.

At least until the end of the Brexit negotiations, and maybe until the next election. Beyond that, it would damage the brand of the party irreparably were she to continue to cling on.

A new face must be allowed to come in and sweep away the cobwebs of both Cameronism and Mayism, a new face to allow for a credible alternative to Corbyn’s socialism to come to light.

Currently, May is simply the best person for the job. Not solely because there is no real other (at least in Cabinet), but also because her flaky politics lend themselves to finding reasonable compromise between the Brexiteers and Remainiacs.

She is a tough negotiator with an iron will to get her way, despite the less than ideal political reality. In this hour of great need, I am confident May will pull her way through the boys’ club and defeat Johnson. She has to. If not, what hope do we have?

“So you got to let me know”

By Jack Edwards

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...WHITE CHAIR

In a precedented and entirely predictable move by the voting body of YUSU, another white cisgender male college chair has been elected as the next YUSU president – becoming the 7th link in an 8 year long chain of white cisgender college chairs that have dominated the role of YUSU president. For a University filled with such a diverse range of people, it seems our student union is dominated by a worrying minority who trade on their race and privilege to attain almost certain electoral victory.

However, did we really expect any change? Though RON came a spectacular second, disappointment rang clear in our ears as the only candidate, who could have truly brought about change, re-addressing the imbalance in YUSU, Has’san came 3rd, many of us, even those on his campaign who’d wished earnestly for him to be elected, knew that the winner would always be James. YUSU seems to be continuing with its unwavering problematic path - something that was evident when looking at the incredibly diverse candidates for the Sabbatical roles this year - one woman, one non binary person and one person of colour (who hold the side up furthermore, as they also all fall under other liberation categories).

The issue is clearly the lack of any sort of change in YUSU representation, despite the greater percentage of females at York, despite the overwhelming number of people that aren’t a college chair, YUSU, year after year, have the same small margin dominating the leadership and representation of the student body. This is unacceptable.

The White Chair - Why is it so problematic?

Hopefully there is only a tiny majority that is asking this question – this question joins the likes of the following in terms of unacceptability, ‘Why is it Feminism, if it includes men?‘ ‘Why is it Black Lives Matter, when all lives matter?‘ What these questions fail to consider is the structural racism, sexism, ableism homophobia and every other -phobia and -ism dominating the societal construct of most of the world.

bility of being a college chair and a presidential candidate is slim, based on random sampling. However, the past seven years shows a massive skew in the proportionality of white college chairs being elected - and depicts just how biased our Students’ Union is.

As a woman, I have repeatedly been told to subjugate myself for the sake of others - those others predominately being men. Of course, this is not done overtly – could you imagine the ruckus if women were told explicitly that they couldn’t do something due to their gender?

But misogyny and, more importantly, the passive imposition of gender norms has resulted in a female population (I apologise for the heteronormative language used here) that has been told to acquiesce. You want proof? Next time you walk down the street, see how many times you move out of the way of another pedestrian, and more importantly a pedestrian that appears to be a man. When placed within the context of the YUSU elections, it is clear women have stepped aside for too long.

Earlier this term Nouse ran an article on their front page about the low acceptance rate of BAME students to York – a rate lower than the notoriously white universities of Oxbridge. However, what should be noted about this article is the fact that it was written by a white cisgender man.

This is exactly the problem with York, even our student media deprives BAME students of space to discuss BAME related issues. Complacency is the opiate of the masses. If you see something wrong, call it out. It may be easier to hide behind the veil of ignorance as YUSU, or even NOUSE has been doing but that does not mean you have to as well. Don’t be complicit.

If you are hot on student politics, then you may be aware that I ran for the position of BAME officer with my friend Hannah Joseph-Asikhia. During the last two weeks, I have come into contact with student media multiple times, with almost every almost every interaction leaving me with a more bitter taste in my mouth than the last.

In asking the above question, you have effectively adopted the mindset of Between The Yorker, URY and YSTV, student media have managed to someone who “sees no colour, no gender, no class, no disability – everyone spell my 6 letter first name wrong, which is ‘funny’ considering I have is equal in my eyes.” ignoring the hurdles, hate and hardship faced by many worked with the former two societies. These microaggressions, and they students. For example, BAME students often face obstacles that many who must be considered that due to their frequency, are something my parare white do not. ents could not have foreseen when they thought they were protecting me from overt racism by giving me an anglicised name. And yet York still finds a way to repeatedly remind me of my place. Stay in your lane, YUSU has clearly stagnated in making the student union more diverse and York says. With every misspelling of my name pushing me further into a accessible - why else would the RON campaign have garnered so many box. Even as they put up my misspelt name in the PTO elections, I smile votes? Why else would every single officer make a pledge on awareness and placidly. I am usually considered an easy going person - I fake anger accessibility? And yet there has been no change. It is evident from the singu- sometimes to spice up my life but other than that, true anger is a foreign lar supply of YUSU presidents that have presided these past years - YUSU is concept to me.. However, as the white male presenter asks me how I am unbalanced. doing, ignoring my misspelt name behind him, I was silently fuming.

“Good” I say, as I fume inwardly, I smile my most saccharine of smiles at Variety is the spice of life, but more importantly it is life – the lack of diverhim as he waits for a longer answer that I am unwilling to give him. After sity in the YUSU Presidents elected in past years depicts YUSU, and to some a short uncomfortable pause he moved on - “Good,” I think. extent the student body, as backwards and unable to accept change. It shows a lack of care in representing the real student body by repeatedly picking It is clear as one of the incoming BAME officers I clearly have my work from the same puddle of candidates, ignoring the much more diverse pool. cut out, and to any student who is reading this: Being white, cisgender and college chair is a small niche category – especially considering that there are only 9 colleges, with a college chair being in role for a year, there can only be 18 students out of the 19,303 at the University who fall into this category. Add together being white and cisgender (although being York, that unfortunately doesn’t really narrow the 18 down) the proba-

I am not , I am not and I’m certainly not I am and I’ll be thankful if you remember that.

It’s only 6 letters, it shouldn’t be that hard.

Don’t touch my name.

Bitch.

.