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editorial
2 The new year brings some new developments... So... the first issue of barefacts this year. You
may have noticed it’s changed rather since
6 Neil Christie summarizes the summer that was 2004 the last edition. Change for change’s sake is
never a particularly good idea, and changing
9 Try something new this year... get volunteering the longstanding tradition of barefacts as a
tabloid newspaper was a hard decision to
10 Another year, another bout of elections take. However, having spoken to many of
you during campaigning it became clear that
13 Happy 2nd birthday DAVE barefacts needed a facelift of sorts.
15 Paul Canning reveals a new national phobia Its reduction to a fortnightly publication comes
from the realisation that as a weekly paper, it
16 Ben Supper exposes the humble mortarboard not only demanded continuous attention and
resources from the VP Comms but also left
20 Music reviews albums, singles and the festivals regular contributors with little time between
editions to fully research features and news
25 Literature checks out some escapist fiction items. By going to print every other week, the
opportunity exists not only for more extensive
26 Film reviews the holiday blockbusters journalistic reporting to be undertaken
by the editorial team, but also for a wider
28 GU2 returns to the airwaves range of articles to be collated from different
constituent members and the possibility for
30 Computers needn’t be all work, work, work more ambitious design formats, both in terms
of editorial time available and also through
32 Amy Price introduces the Alumni Office the redistribution of budget resources. Such
a proposal was put to all continuing members
33 Russ Clark helps stave off career panic of the editorial team, as well as a selection
of other students from varying courses and
35 the barefacts crossword returns years, and met with almost unanimous
approval.
36 Sport gets ready for the year ahead
Radical change maybe, but a change that
37 barefacts bids farewell to a Union legend I feel confident will enable myself and the
editorial team to ensure that barefacts
remains an efficient communication tool
for as many of you as possible in the years
ahead. It will also enable me to strengthen
the barefacts team the other existing Union media tools - namely
the website (www.ussu.co.uk) and our award-
winning radio station GU2 – to most effectively
Editor-in-chief: Catherine Lee keep you informed of the latest news and
Editor: Neil Christie developments both on campus and in the
News Editor: position vacant local area.
Sports Editor: Pete Nichols
Music Editors: Jon Allen and Dina Mystris In order for me to best achieve this, I look
Film Editor: Neil Boulton forward to hearing your opinions and welcome
Literature Editor: Arvind Virdee all constructive feedback: either e-mail me at
GU2 Press Officer: Jay Butcher comms@ussu.co.uk or pop in and see me in
the Media Centre.
Contributors: Matt Adams, Hash Alsaidi, Matt Badcock, Paul Canning,
Russ Clark, Scott Farmer, David ‘Paintbrush’ Glossop, Sophie Ham- I wish you all a fantastic year
monds, Piers Karsenbarg, Ben Lee, Carol Main, Folarin Oyeleye,
Simon Pearson, Amy Price, Mark Richardson, Ben Supper, Peter Catherine
Wigfield
2 news barefacts@ussu.co.uk 10 09 04
The position of Vice-President Postgraduate Affairs promises Rubix came as a surprise but it has been received really
to be particularly exciting. It is the first time the Students’ Union well. I for one really like it. Some of you might not, some
has appointed a representative for postgraduates at this level. of you will always call the it the other name. But hey as
Furthermore, as one of the first Students’ Unions in the UK to Shakespeare once wrote (showing my sensitive side
employ an Officer specific to this field, the role highlights the here) “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by
pioneering and progressive mindset of the Union here at Surrey. any other name would smell as sweet;” not that Rubix has
ever really smelt that sweet. The thing is its our nightclub
words: catherine lee
and its what we make of it so lets enjoy it. Besides, the
name change has given us the perfect excuse to have
a launch party. Yeah that’s right we are going to have a
big event before the Freshers get here. On Friday 17th
September we launch Rubix, with all the tradition that
letters 3
goes into a good launch party.
So come and be entertained by
Shapeshifters and the rest of the Dear barefacts,
line up as we celebrate our new
arrival !! Welcome to Guildford!! A thousand
students live in Park Barn and
Now that that has been cleared Westborough Estates- that’s one in ten
up you probably want to know residents. There is a community charity
what else has been going since here called Community Works and we have
you left us. Well we went on a hunt and did some thinking an appeal to make to students living on our
and we now have three new major additions to the Union estates: even though you may only be with us
Building (Rubix). for a couple of years please think of Park Barn as
your home. We welcome the vibrancy and fun that
In no particular order we have introduced :- students bring to an area. You, the students, are one
of our most valuable resources.
The computer shop has come to the
Union building. Mr Moh has set up That means treating it like your home town or village
shop in our building. You can’t miss though. There is so much potential for all for you to
“Campus Computers” - they are help us transform our estate. Anyone who has read
situated just a bit further up the hill or seen “The Motorcyle Diaries” will understand what
from the Students’ Union entrance or I mean. This could be time for your to broaden your
round the corner when you come in horizons, (and your c.v’s).
through the Rubix entrance. Campus
Computers can meet all your computer needs at great Please come and get involved: get to know your
prices. Come in and see what he has offer. neighbours, recycle your waste, use the bus, but most
of all GET INVOLVED SOCIALLY! Through Carol
At last we have some Main at the USSU V-Project and through Community
oriental food on campus! Works, you can help out with the local Youth Cafe,
Young’s Kitchen is opening help us build a new local park, write or edit our local
on the 13th September 2004 paper, work at the Day Centre or with Kids groups and
and will serve Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Korean Cuisine. playschemes or come up to the local allotments. We
Young’s is open 9am-4pm Monday to Friday and 10am-3pm can help you think up and start brand new projects or
Saturday in the Helen Rose Bar (HRB). campaigns because for you the sky is the limit.
Considering that hot drinks Thanks- and good kuck with your study (...and go see
are the staple diet for most that movie!)
of the world it is a bit unfair
that we have only tried a ANDY TRENIER
small proportion of what is on offer. Harubix aims to fix that. Community Worker, Communityworks
Offering Arabic Chai, Chinese Green Tea, Frappes and a Park Barn and Westborough
whole host of international delicacies. Harubix is upstairs in
Rubix at Haris bar and is open 10am-5pm everyday.
As you can see we have been doing loads over the summer
but that’s not it, oh no. We have also installed three yes
three lifts to make the building disabled access. The lifts are Letters must be received by 12pm on the Friday before
for wheelchairs and not for lazy drinkers to get from bar to the publication of the next issue to be included. Email
bar so no playing on them. Last but not least we have had a barefacts@ussu.co.uk, with “Letters” in the message
new floor put in on the balcony area and given the box office title please!
a lick of paint.
There is more but you have to have some stuff to discover Before you start thumbing through frantically in search
or there is no fun. of the personals, unfortunately there aren’t any this is-
sue. We’ll blame the summer vacation since we know
Have a great year hope you like all the changes we have we can rely on you to get submitting messages (espe-
made. There is loads more to come over the year so watch cially once you’ve been to Rubix a few times...) so you
this space! know the score: email us at barefacts@ussu.co.uk, with
“personals” in the message subject field!
words: hash alsaidi, president
4 news barefacts@ussu.co.uk 10 09 04
answer?
and may help you make an informed University of Surrey, will return to
choice as to who to support. It is an broadcasting on 1350 AM/MW from
issue that affects all students and it the early morning of the 6th September
It looks like the battle lines have been is important that you make your voice 2004 despite serious funding issues in
drawn in the continued saga over tuition heard to ensure to ensure you receive the world of Student Radio. GU2 has
fees. The Conservative party have finally the very best experience and education already become a hive of activity weeks
unveiled their plans for higher education for the money you pay. before the start of the new autumn
should they get elected next spring. The semester due to serious changes in
Tories are basically planning to abolish Labour funding sources following the liquidation
all tuition fees and make students of SBN, Student Broadcast Network, by
pay back the money afterwards from Variable tuition fees of up to £3,000 a its parent company Campus Media plc.
graduate earnings. They plan to pay year, covered by loans. SBN provided GU2 with advice, hourly
for this by removing students’ access to news services, training and regular
low-rate loans and charge a commercial funding throughout the past 4 years. It
rate of interest instead - as much as 8%. Grants for poorer students of up to was through this funding that GU2 was
Currently this rate is held in line with £2,700. able to move into purpose-built studios
interest rates at 2.6%. in 2000, and broadcast to the entirety of
Student loans at inflation-only interest the student campus on AM throughout
The abolishing fees will deprive rate. the academic year and provide a month
universities of income, but the on FM during the spring semester.
Conservatives say they will counter this Loans repayable from graduate Nathan Whitaker, manager at the
by transferring the so-called Student earnings. University of Surrey station GU2 in
Loan Book, the debt and interest owed Guildford, said the news had come as a
by all students, from the Treasury to the surprise. “It came as a bit of a shock but
universities to manage. Conservative we were always quite concerned about
a company that was offering this much
The Tories calculate this would allow Scrap all tuition fees. money and such a good service - it
universities to raise some £20bn over the sounded too good to be true.”
next 20 years and give them an up-front Retain grants for poorer students.
injection of capital. Various other organisations are
Bigger student loans at commercial currently investigating providing a
Their scheme would also claw back the interest rate. replacement service for SBN as up to
“very large public subsidy” proposed by 50 student radio stations around the
the government to pay for top-up fee Repayable from graduate earnings. UK are currently facing uncertainty.
remission for poorer students. However, Nathan continues “we are
going to try and go it alone for the first
However, Labour claim this scheme will Liberal Democrat term by finding sponsors and doing our
leave both students and Universities out own local advertising. It takes a lot of
of pocket. Higher education minister, Scrap all tuition fees. time to pursue though.”
Alan Johnson said the Tory proposals
would “not be based in any way on the Grants of up to £2,000 a year for The Students’ Union are currently
ability to pay” stating that the Tories poorer students. working with the GU2 Committee to
will reduce the grants given to poorer secure that the station moves forward
students’. Treat full-time and part-time students this year. Plans include investigating
equally. the possibility of broadcasting on FM
This issue will undoubtedly be used as a throughout the year, and the production
key vote winner in forthcoming elections. Student loans at inflation-only interest of media packs to attract local
Reports show that total outstanding rate. sponsorship.
student debt in the UK rose 18.7% to just
over £14.6bn last year and this can only New 50% income tax for earnings over To find out how you can get involved
be expected to rise as a result of the top- £100,000. in GU2 this year, check out pages 28
up fees expected in 2006. and 29!
words: Hash Alsaidi
words: jay butcher and catherine lee
news 5
BROADBAND BREAKTHROUGH
Now this may just be another and so UniS decided against buying drawn up, although
rumour, but I’ve heard that the necessary equipment to provide the it’s all pretty much
broadband has actually been residences with broadband access. common sense.
installed over the summer. Is this
right?
Recently however, the university has So how much
been doing a lot of work on the future is this going to
Umm, not quite, although it is in the of the residences, and the issue of cost me? Can I
process of being installed. providing a broadband service has once
opt out if I can’t
again been brought to the fore. Key
Great! When will it be ready? decisions were made at the end of last
afford it?
That largely depends year / start of this Err, not really. You
on where you’re living year, and ever since could always not
this year. The university then UniS have been plug your computer
has a schedule of works working hard to find a into the network, but
drawn up which will see suitable service. the cost of the new service has been built
those courts furthest from into recent and future rent increases, so
Ah, I see. So what there’s really not a lot of point in doing
campus (i.e. Hazel Farm
and Bellerby) being wired
did they decide that. The university is forecasting that
up first. Once those are upon? upwards of 75% of the student population
done, the Millennium and International Well, the university has a very good living on campus will use the new system,
houses will then be wired up, followed facility in the form of the JANet (Joint so in order to increase the simplicity of
by University Court, Stag Hill, Surrey Academic Network) service, so the its operation they have spread the cost
and Battersea. If you happen to decision was taken that UniS would own across all the rooms.
be living in Guildford, Cathedral or and operate its own broadband service
Twyford court then I’m afraid you’re
Doesn’t seem very fair if you’d
using the spare bandwidth on JANet.
going to be last ones to be hooked prefer a reduced rent instead of
up. It’s anticipated that 75% of the What’s happening to ntl then? high-speed internet access?
3400 rooms should be done by It isn’t if you think of it like that, but
They’ll be continuing to provide their
the end of the Christmas holidays, broadband is increasingly coming
current system until at least 2007 (when
with all the rooms having access to ‘as standard’ in most university
the contract for the
broadband by the end of accommodation up and down the
phone network is up
January 2005. country, so it made sense to include it
for renewal), but will
Well I never thought however have little to in the general cost of a room. Think of it
do with the provision like a bed. You may choose not to use it
I’d see the day. Why’s
of broadband to the during your time on campus, but you still
it taken so long? have to pay for it.
residences. They will
There were a number of of course still own
issues that caused the the cables that the
I suppose I can live with that.
delay, but the main one was that system will use, but the university will You’ve been very helpful, but is
UniS simply haven’t been able to have full control of all the technical and there anywhere I can get updated
afford it until recently. operational aspects of the system. information on how the installation
is progressing?
Uni$ couldn’t afford it? Are you I have to say that this all sounds
serious? very good… what’s the catch? Sure. Check out the Accommodation
Services page at http://portal.surrey.ac.uk/
Yes, perfectly. The last time the There isn’t one as far as I can see. You accommodation/resnet for updates. You
university looked at installing won’t be able to use any external P2P can also find a copy of the acceptable
broadband into the residences was (peer to peer) services such as KaZaa, use policy on there if you want to check
in 1999 when the present ntl phone but there will be options for networking want you going to be able to do / not do
network was put in. Network points between rooms that include file sharing,
and cabling for broadband were playing networked games and using words: matt adams
installed at the same time, (ever instant messaging software amongst
noticed that other white box on your other things. More details of the do’s and
wall?) but a vast amount of money don’ts of the new system are detailed in
had been spent on the phone system an acceptable use policy that UniS has
we know what you
GOLD - NINE
did last summer... do 1 Leslie Law - Eventing mixed individual
2 Shirley Robertson, Sarah Webb, Sarah Ayton -
you? Sailing women’s Yngling class
3 Chris Hoy - Cycling 1km time trial
4 Ben Ainslie - Finn class sailing
5 Matthew Pinsent, James Cracknell, Ed Coode, Steve
If you were busy working over the summer and were in too late Williams - Coxless fours rowing
to catch the news and didn’t have time for newspaper reading, 6 Bradley Wiggins - Cycling 4km individual pursuit
then a quick overhaul of the summer may be needed – you 7 Kelly Holmes - 800m
wouldn’t want to feel left out when talking about who won what 8 Kelly Holmes - 1500m
at the Quick TV awards would you?! Much credit should be 9 Jason Gardener, Darren Campbell, Marlon Devonish,
given to BBC’s website and theregister (as well as websites Mark Lewis-Francis - 4x100m relay
that copy material from these sources!) for this flashback.
By far the biggest highlight of the summer was the 2004 SILVER - NINE
Olympics. Held in Athens, the Greeks managed to get all the 1 Peter Waterfield, Leon Taylor - Synchronised 10m
building work finished for what was to be a good result for platform diving
Team GB, and one of the more interesting Olympics to date. 2 Pippa Funnell, William Fox-Pitt, Leslie Law, Mary
King, Jeanette Brakewell - Mixed team eventing
As a quick general fact file - These Games 3 Gail Emms, Nathan Robertson - Badminton mixed
broke many records. Athens hosted doubles
11,099 athletes, the largest number ever 4 Campbell Walsh - K1 kayak slalom
and also the most women athletes ever. 5 Katherine Grainger, Cath Bishop - Coxless pairs
Representatives of 202 countries took rowing
part, more than any other sport event. The 6 Nick Rogers, Joe Glanfield - 470 class sailing
Olympic flame traveled for the first time to 7 Alison Mowbray, Debbie Flood, Frances Houghton,
all continents. Shot Put was held in Olympia Rebecca Romero - Coxless quadruple sculls
and women competed there for the first time. 8 Steve Cummings, Paul Manning, Bradley Wiggins,
Rob Hayles, Chris Newton, Bryan Steel - Cycling team
More specifically, you may be wondering how Team GB did. Here’s pursuit
the medal winners (see next column) – more info on each can be found 9 Amir Khan - Lightweight boxing
at http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics_2004/3609588.stm
A few other highlights – Paula Radcliffe was tipped as our biggest BRONZE - TWELVE
hope for a guaranteed gold but failed to finish both her events, 1 Stephen Parry - 200m butterfly
Kelly Holmes stepped up to become the most interviewed female 2 Pippa Funnell - Eventing mixed individual
of the post-Olympic period, Amir Khan became the youngest 3 Helen Reeves - K1 kayak slalom
medal winner at the modern Olympics at 17 years of age, and the 4 Alison Williamson - Individual 70m archery
Swimming team were generally a bit of a let down. Despite the 5 Kelly Sotherton - Heptathlon
overall ‘GB Success’, the sporting powers that be are looking into 6 Sarah Winckless, Elise Laverick - Double sculls
analysing the results with a view to “must to better” in the future. rowing
7 David Davies - 1500m freestyle
Carrying on the sport – Arsenal are setting records for the longest 8 Nick Dempsey - Windsurfing Mistral
unbeaten run in the Premiership and look like the team to beat, Man 9 Chris Draper, Simon Hiscocks - 49er class sailing
Utd have signed Wayne Rooney in a very expensive deal but lag 10 Georgina Harland - Modern pentathlon
behind on the points table, and Newcastle have recently replaced 11 Bradley Wiggins, Rob Hayles - Cycling madison
Bobby Robson with Graham Souness as their manager. 12 Ian Wynne - K1 500m kayak
2. ‘The A Team’ – take part in/ lead various one off events to benefit the local
community – last year events ranged from an exhilarating ‘Battle of the Bands’,
creating a new pond at a local school, and helping run a fashion show for ‘Save
The Children!’
3. Club/ Society Committee Members – you are volunteers! All you have to do to
get your snazzy certificate at the end of the year is tell me who you are and what
you do - simple!
Hash Alsaidi, Union President urges you to run for office and help drive the Union forward...
It seems like only last week I was elected President and yet it is some 5 months ago and now I am asking you to
consider doing the same. We are searching for the 9 people to help us form the Union executive plus a further 12
people to run for either NUS Delegate or be apart of the Constitution and Elections Committee. All of these positions
are absolutely vital and enable to Students’ Union to represent its members effectively throughout the year. Without
these positions in place we fail the core aim of our Union.
As a group of students we find ourselves in a unique position. Very few have the opportunity to take a hold of 12,000
member organisation and a £3 million business providing a range of representational and member driven services as
well as being able to link into a national network of over 5 million people.
This year the sabbatical team want to move the union at an incredible pace, developing a vision for the future so that
all our members can benefit from the services and representation we provide. This work can only be done with the
help of a strong executive. We need people who have ideas about how the union can best position itself to support its
members today and into the future.
I want you to consider putting yourself in for these elections whether you have been here for 3 years or 3 days. Think
about it. If you want to talk about it then please contact me on president@ussu.co.uk or tel: (01483) 689227. Failing
that you will see me in and around the union day and night!
Ethics & Equal Opportunities Officer Constitution & Elections Committee Member (5
The Ethics & Equal Opportunities Officer, as its posts)
title implies, represents all students regarding This committee is responsible for ensuring that all
ethics & equal opportunities. The main job the rules and procedures of the union make sense
that the Officer has is to be responsible for and are as east as possible for people to use. A very
developing, recommending, campaigning for, important requirement is to assess whether any new
and implementing Union policy regarding ethics & policies make old policies out of date.
equal opportunities. There are a few other important When it comes to elections, the Constitution & Elections
roles that the Ethics & Equal Opportunities Officer has and Committee will assist the Returning Officer and their team
they are to ensure ethics & equal opportunities issues are in the day to day running of the process and help out in
adequately considered in Union Committees and to identify any way possible. They will also work closely with the
and eradicate offensive material displayed within the Union. Communications Standing Committee to ensure maximum
They must work closely with the Representation & Welfare awareness of all aspects of elections. One last small job
Unit to help achieve their ethics & equal opportunities is that the committee will assist the Union Chairperson to
goals. In this position the Officer will also chair the Ethics & interpret the Constitution.
Equal Opportunities Committee and, as usual, report all its
business to Union Council and the Union Executive. For more information about the Elections contact Scott
Farmer, Member Development & Policy Co-ordinator.
Placement & Employed Students Officer Email: s.farmer@surrey.ac.uk
This Officer has an awkward but rewarding job representing Telephone: 01483 683951
all students away on placement as well as those in part
time work. The role requires the Officer to publicise and
promote working student issues to raise awareness and
understanding amongst students. The Placement &
Employed Students Officer must also ensure that working
students and their needs are adequately represented on
Union Committees. A couple of other specific jobs are
that the Officer will oversee the Union’s work regarding
employability skills development and assist with the creation
of the Placement Year Handbook.
Non-Portfolio Officer x2
These two officers have the unique job of being able to set
their own agenda and manifesto points. Your manifesto will
direct your work within the union during the academic year.
Of course you will have to ensure your manifesto is relevant
to the lives of students to ensure that students want to vote
for you!
DAVE celebrates its 2nd birthday this month. Senior Students’ Unions across the country all undertaking
Trainer Folarin Oyeleye (Flo) talks to Scott Farmer various forms of training. Most concentrate on in-
and takes a look at DAVE’s progress through its house training activities like course representatives,
infancy and urges those of you who have yet to accommodation reps as well as sports and societies
take a look at DAVE to do so quickly… training whilst some will run key skills courses
in partnership with their university or college.
Ever since its inception in 2002 we
knew the DAVE Project was going to be There are at least two sessions each
something special. In year one we won week with there being three sessions
a national training award and last year at peak periods. Scott comments
we gained corporate recognition with the Currently our approval ratings have gradually
sponsorship through Sainsbury’s. We now improved over the two years of existence from
have solid backing from the university, 78% in year one to 82% in year 2. In Semester 2 we
our sponsors, the recognition nationally will also be looking to take on the presentation of
and most importantly your involvement the FUSE programme – Surreys Entrepreneurship
to make DAVE even bigger and better. programme entering its 3rd year of operation”
The DAVE Project is unique from any other project on If you think you want to go to one of the sessions and increase
campus or in the community as it is the only project you employability or you think you may even want to join
where fully trained students run the project. All of the the DAVE team then I urge you to get involved. In 2004/5
training team have taken part in and successfully DAVE continues to be the main contributor to the individual
completed a 3 day course called “Training the development certification award and will be developing more
Trainer” which has led them through identifying interest based as well as study based sessions in partnership
what is training, the role of the trainer, accelerated with the University’s Centre for Learning Developments.
learning techniques amongst a whole range of skills.
For more information about the DAVE Project contact:
The course, which is run by the National Student Scott Farmer, Member Development & Policy Co-ordinator
Learning Programme, currently funded by the via e-mail s.farmer@surrey.ac.uk or tel: 01483 683951
National Union of Students, supports over 80 or check out the website: www.thedaveproject.co.uk
The Libertines have finally showed why British RnB and hip hop doesn’t
so many fans are willing to put up with always get the respect it deserves
the sometimes soap opera-like goings and with artists like Rodney P hitting
on behind the band. It opens with a bang, us with a great debut album it seems
with stand out tracks Can’t Stand Me Now a real shame. This has a real funky
and Last Post on the Bugle. It then follows vibe mixing up reggae and hip hop
through the heart-wrenching ballad of and with features from the likes of
Music When the Lights Go Out, but gets Bob Marley’s son Kymani on tracks
straight back to the searing rock with the such as The Nice Up he’s certainly
likes of The Ha Ha Wall, Arbeit Macht keeping it authentic. Rodney may
Frei and The Saga. The album closes use producers from all over the
with What Became of the Likely Lads, world but he maintains a very British
which is yet another blistering anthem feel and his experience as an artist
accompanied by the ever-present moving shines through. The mellow tracks
lyrics which turn a very good rock’n’roll want to make you kick back and
album into a poignant fairy-tale about enjoy the last few sunny days of
the highs and lows of Pete and Carl’s summer while the party songs just
relationship. j.a. ***** make you get up and dance. Hands
up ladies and gentleman The Future
is on its way. d.m.****
HAPPYLIFE
THE FIERY FURNACES CHARLOTTE HATHERLEY
Sweet Resort
Blueberry Boat Alberts
Rough Trade Grey will fade
Double Dragon Music
It seems that British Rock is on the up and
After seeing these guys perform at Leeds, a great new band to add to the growing list
I wasn’t overly hopeful about the album Better known her role as guitarist with
is Happylife. The first track Breathe for me
being any good. I was right. It starts as Ash, Charlotte Hatherley has now
has a very Placebo tinged sound, the rest
it means to go on with the opening track arrived as a solo artist. The album starts
of the album however is less so, offering a
Quay Cur, which is very hard to work off very well with the perfect bubblegum
great variety of peppy up rock tunes and
to listen to. It’s ten and a half minutes pop of Kim Wilde. Excluding the slightly
mellow, contemplative types. Recently
long, and at its high point it sounds a bit more delicate tracks Down and Where
supporting local boys Reuben and The
like early White Stripes, but then it just I’m Calling From, the album keeps
Rasmus at the Astoria, they have proved
descends back into the stripped back up the sickly-sweet tone all the way
that they can keep an audience jumping
weirdness that it started with. Every now through, with Paragon, Bastardo and
and it’s not hard to see why. With this their
and then the album hits a great bluesy the title track Grey Will Fade standing
debut album they showcase melodic and
guitar line, but within seconds it’s gone out. Overall, it’s an accomplished debut
catchy tunes that don’t compromise on the
strange again, and the five tracks that are which is well worth a listen, but don’t
talent aspect, which happens all too often
longer than eight minutes really disrupt the expect it to be as good as anything that
these days. Definitely a great band, one to
Ash has ever done! j.a ***
flow of the album. j.a. * keep an eye out for. d.m. ****
Fancy reviewing CDs for the barefacts music pages? Than drop
Jon and Dina (the music editors) an e-mail on
This week’s reviews have been written barefactsmusicteam@hotmail.com or pop along to the CD hand-
by Jon Allen and Dina Mystris, the out session on Monday 13th September in the Media Centre at
Music Editors for 2004/5 5.15pm!
singles 21
TOKYO DRAGONS
Four reviews this issue: three recent Alfred Molina do an outstanding job as Garfield and from a
summer cinema selections and one you a villain (harder than you’d think) but biased extreme-fan
might consider looking at on DVD… If you the four extensible metallic tentacles side of things the
like samurais. Most people like samurais. lead to some great action scenes where movie is a huge
Also if you’ve seen a film you feel like Spiderman and the Doctor take their disappointment, for
telling/warning the student body about brawl to the high-rise buildings above rather odd reasons
don’t hesitate to tell us! the streets and onto some passing tube (although from the
trains. Also, as you’d expect, cars go moment I heard
Spiderman 2 flying through the air, huge chunks of they were making
masonry are taken off buildings (without a movie I expected
Probably generating hurting people below) and things blow the worst). They’re
enough hype not up. It felt like Raimi got to shoot the action odd reasons because in the film they
to warrant an scenes he always wanted to shoot from got Garfield himself right - the way
introduction, but the time he got the job as director (He he moves, acts and talks are almost
you’re getting one also did some POV-camera work with the spot-on. Bill Murray voices him and
anyway. Peter tentacles and found a scene-stealing role does it exceptionally well, filling in for
Parker is Spiderman for Bruce Cambell, all harking back to his the voice of Garfield, Lorenzo Music,
- a superhero with ‘Evil Dead’ days). Tobey Maguire seems who passed away before filming. The
spider-abilities as a to be fast approaching the acting abilities problem is everything else. In the
result of being bitten of Cardboard-Keanu, something that he comics Garfield’s owner is basically a
by a radioactive should probably try and remedy (though loser, he wears bad ties, never gets
namesake. On top it seems to be working for Mr. Reeves). the girl, that sort of thing – whereas
of dealing with life The ending gets a bit overdramatic, you in the film they have him winning
and love he also can see all of it coming a mile off – but all the heart of the attractive vet. All
has to deal with the city’s villains who in all I really enjoyed watching the film. the characters from the comic strips
are intent on giving him a hard time of included in the film have had their
things. However after a catastrophe words: neil boulton, film personality skewed for the movie, so
in an experimental lab a new more editor even with Garfield being ‘right’ things
dangerous foe for Spiderman awakens still felt wrong. Also Garfield is the only
– Doctor Octopus. After the accident in CGI character (the others animals are
his lab, the normally mild-mannered Garfield trained professionals, of a sort), this
Dr. Otto Octavius finds himself with 4 made the film a bit unsettling, but a
indestructible tentacles grafted to his For those not familiar
cat acting as Garfield could never live
spine and takes to robbery in efforts with Garfield (I have
up to the name. It’s a story aimed at
to complete his research - something led my life by his
kids and probably enjoyable if the kid’s
Spidey won’t stand for. teachings) he’s a
unfamiliar with Garfield, but if you’ve
very fat orange cat
been reading Garfield for any great
Now the first Spiderman outing was a – lazy, sarcastic, with
length of time it’s not film you should
letdown - the necessary inclusion of how penchant for Italian food. He has also
see. The most alarming thing is I can’t
Peter Parker got his Spider-powers and been the subject of Jim Davis’ world
really remember any memorable things
the thoroughly un-awe-inspiring villain famous comic strip for well over twenty
from the movie (except for Garfield
in the form of the Green Goblin held it years. In the movie the fat cat has his
dancing, which I probably enjoyed too
back. Now, in a similar way to X-men world turned upside down when his
much).
2, Sam Raimi was free of the baggage owner, Jon, brings home a dog from
and could tell more of a story. The plot is the vets in an attempt to date The Vet words: neil boulton, film editor
fairly standard and expectable, good vs. herself. Through a serious of events (as
ever) Odie the dog gets kidnapped and
evil & lessons to learn, but the feather in
Garfield being the only one who knows The Bourne Supremacy
Spiderman 2’s cap is by far
Dr. Octopus. Not only does who by, sets of to save his
Enemy/Companion. The slightly confused secret agent
returns for the second in the trilogy,
The actors involved are and is still very, very good at what he
immaterial (hence being does.
played by Breckin Meyer
& Jennifer Love-Hewitt, Having been in hiding and travelling
badly) the focus should around the world, Bourne and Marie
be Garfield himself. (his wife) have settled down in a
However I’m highly biased quiet Indian village safe from the
and so would focus on world of espionage, or so they think.
film 27
So reluctantly (after an unfortunate way to use a magazine. great as the
incident) Bourne is forced to return to titular character,
the world he thought he left behind for words: peter wigfield calm with a hint
good. of a grin and as
cool as ice as he
However on his return he finds out Zatoichi quickly dispatches
someone has framed him for the the bad guys,
murder of some American agents, so On TV Takeshi Kitano is a comedian (he’s while Tadanobu
once again he is on the run from his also the man behind Takeshi’s Castle, Asano also puts
former employers. However since the the painful larger-than-life game show) on a terrifically
person who ran Treadstone is dead but in the world of cinema he takes things menacing turn as
the hunt for Bourne is lead by Agent slightly differently. In films going by the the powerful ronin
Landy, who was in charge of the name Beat Takeshi he’s Hattori. On top of the bloody
murdered agents. The only problem directed/starred in some of sword fighting (not intestines-out
is she has no idea of who Bourne is the best eastern gangster gore bloody though) a strong
or what he is capable of. On the way movies of modern cinema. river of wit runs through the film.
Bourne is haunted by flashbacks of a However in this film he I believe with all the humour and
long ago memory that leads to a big wrote/directed/stars in, the good narrative the film’s been
secret that has many implications. he’s taken things back to made highly accessible. Often
the 19th century to tell the Japanese cinema can have a
Matt Damon again fills the shoes of the tale of a legendary blind habit of being a tad confusing and
infamous Bourne and again carries it swordsman, Zatoichi. overwhelming but Zatoichi never
comes across as baffling and
Aged in his years the blind even people not overly impressed
Zatoichi leads a nomadic life with samurai should get something
gaining money through giving massages out of it.
and extraordinary feats of gambling. No
one suspects that the blind old man is One of the most interesting things about
actually a master swordsman (probably the film is the music, at first you take it to
due to his optical handicap) and the use be fairly traditional with the odd modern
of the word ‘master’ is no exaggeration. flourish, but occasionally you’ll notice
Zatoichi wields his cane-hidden sword that the music is very much based on the
with speed and precision rivalling that of characters movements. Basically a sort
any sighted-swordsman. Zatoichi ambles of oriental ‘Stomp’, which all converges
into a small town under the oppressive in the films finale. All-in-all a great piece
grip of some thoroughly nasty gangs, one of foreign cinema, rent it, buy it or borrow
of which has employed the services of a it.
off well, especially as this isn’t the highly powerful Ronin (Samurai-without-
sort of character one would normally a-master) as a bodyguard. After meeting words: neil boulton, film editor
associate Matt Damon with. Also two deadly geishas out to avenge
Pamela Landy is portrayed very well their parents’ slaughter, Zatoichi
by Joan Allen as the agent-in-chase. (luckily Zatoichi has a thing for
helping the down-trodden) gets clag - WIN A
Visually the film is very good with a on the wrong side of the gangs
brilliant car chase and excellent fight and the already quite violent town DVD
scenes. The slightly jerky motion of heads towards a showdown.
the fight scenes adds to the sense of The film section would like to know about the
Bourne’s life being a series of pictures Visually this film is impressive worst films you’ve had the misfortune of wasting
and flashbacks, although at one with the action, story and imagery 90 minutes on (90 minutes you won’t get back),
point in the car chase it can be very all complimenting each other - we’re looking for BAD movies, movies which
confusing. the fact I was greatly drawn in by serve no purpose to anyone. Be they emotionless
the appeal of a blind swordsman dramas, needless sequels, dire comedies or the
Although it would appear that the probably helped. Takeshi’s blair witch project. And as an incentive for you to
screen writer threw the book out of the send us a quick e-mail blasting cinema’s clag we
window before he sat down to write the have a DVD to give away as a prize. If we think
screenplay The Bourne Supremacy is you’ve found the worst film going you can win a
a very good film that will keep you DVD of… well… Freddy Got Fingered. A film which
entertained from start to finish, and might be the worst film ever (Were you expecting to
just remember that’s not the proper win cinematic gold in turn for clag?) Anyway e-mail
barefacts@ussu.co.uk with your bad cinema.
28
GU2 Radio
returns to 1350AM/MW
1
Student Radio has been in turmoil over the past three months, GU2, the student-run radio station on campus, came into
being in late 2000 with help from the Student Broadcast Network, SBN, a division of Campus Media plc. However, during
July, Campus Media plc announced the liquidation of SBN throwing the world of Student Radio into absolute mayhem.
Over the past four years that GU2 has been broadcasting, SBN has provided funding, training, a sustaining service and
employment for two regular GU2 presenters, Duncan Wilson and P. The network supported approximately fifty student
stations across the face of the UK and became a valuable tool for the music industry to be able to relate to the student
market and find out what music was popular within this key demographic. GU2 realises that whilst this loss to student
radio is a massive one, it is not a blow from which it cannot recover. In its second year of having a full student committee,
GU2 is looking forward to new challenges and once again has its sights firmly placed on the title of “Best Student Station
2004-2005”. The new committee is headed by Nathan Whitaker, a second year Business Management student, as
Station Manager and Melody Carter, a final year Physicist, as Assistant Station Manager and both are interested in
making GU2 a resounding success this year.
GU2’s goal is to provide the students of Sur-
For more info
3
rey with the opportunity to become involved
in the world of media, in particular radio. The
station is run as any local or national radio
visit
station would be, and has committee posi-
tions open to any student registered with the
www.gu2.co.uk
University of Surrey. These positions range
from Station Manager to Head of News and
all that’s in between...keep your eyes on
barefacts for interviews with each of the com-
mittee members within GU2 to find out what
they do and why they do it!
If you’re interested in radio, then get in con-
tact with GU2 management now...
5
e-mail - manager@gu2.co.uk
phone - 811350 (ntl campus phones)
01483 681350 (external phones)
0
your guide to who’s who, who does what and everything that you just
didn’t know about GU2
station manager head of promotions
programme controller press officer
head of music ob co-ordinator
head of news technical manager
head of marketing training officer
Producers presenters
GU2 Radio
talent search 2004/05 29
There are now so many new opportunities for YOU to get involved within GU2, just take a look at these positions and
have a think as to whether or not you have what it takes to be part of a diverse, dynamic, entertaining and not to mention
crazy amenity.
Show Presenter
Could be a regular play-listed show, perhaps something a little more specialised…heck it could be something so off the
wall that we haven’t even thought about it yet. Come down to the station and have a chat!
Show Producer
If you don’t fancy behind in-front of the microphone, then how about being the main driving force BEHIND the microphone.
If you’ve got ideas for shows and want to get involved…come down to the station and have a chat!
Marketing
GU2 needs business minded people to help GU2 make CASH!!! If you think you have a mind built for sales we want to
hear from you...come down to the station and have a chat!
WARNING
O R E
GU2 LIVE FROM CHANCELLORS
T Hgreat
Floud music,
D
Freshers Sunday from midday,
E NG
T
giveaways, fun games
I STGU2 P E
LAKE JAM
D Coming soon
28 web barefacts@ussu.co.uk 10 09 04
www.ussu.co.uk
out about the latest
USSU campaigns to
seeing what societies
are active within the
Since April of this year when the new website
Union.
was launched, a whole bunch of stuff has
been added. You can now do everything
And now we need
from see what events are happening over
a webteam to carry
the next week (don’t forget to sign up to the
on the good work
Grapevine whilst you’re there!) to finding
that’s been happening over the summer. The website can’t
update itself you know! Even if you’ve never touched HTML
Mousetrap
before you don’t need to worry because everything is done
online through the website. Even the most computer illiterate
person will be able to change the content (if the VP Comms
“Give us each day our daily can do it, anyone can!! [ed - thanks Piers!])
Some other sites I can’t do without - Registration will be in the Lecture Theatre concourse from Monday
[dieselsweeties.com] for pixellated cartoon fun, 20th – Wednesday 22nd September. Classes start week beginning
and [b3ta.com] and [fark.com] will also provide you 26th September!
with some bizarre amusement.
Now what about your English? Yes, the Language Centre can
Enjoy. help you with that as well. There is an essay writing course for
words: simon pearson native English speakers, and a complete programme of English
Language Support classes for students whose native language
is not English. Registration for English is 5th, 6th and 7th October
in the Lecture Theatre foyer, and classes begin on Monday 11th
October.
32 alumni barefacts@ussu.co.uk 10 09 04
Amy Price of the Alumni & Development Office welcomes back current students for their next academic year and
explains further about the Alumni Society.
Like the freshers who will be joining us We offer various services to our 30,000 +
soon, it is also my first year here . . . not graduates. Once you have graduated, we from this fund ! As part of the
as a student, however, but as a new become your main point of contact with programme, we will run a telephone
member of the Alumni & Development the University - we send you magazines, campaign again this year from
Office, although I did graduate from newsletters, organise reunions and assist mid October, for one month, in
Surrey, back in 1998 (why does that in networking opportunities. But now, which current students will contact
sound so long ago now ?!). we also give our Alumni a real graduates in their own discipline.
chance to remain involved We will recruit and employ a team
I had an amazing 4 years with the University by of 40+ students to call our Alumni
at Surrey, studying Hotel contributing to its future and discuss the new opportunities
& Catering Management via the Annual Fund. that the Fund offers. This is not only
and took with me some an ideal opportunity for students to
great memories and What is an Annual earn money before Christmas and to
a wonderful group of Fund and how is it speak to past graduates, but also the
friends, with who I now used? perfect chance to help promote the
remain in regular contact. As financial support for Annual Fund.
After working in London for universities from central
4 years and then travelling government declines, How do I find out more?
through Australia and Asia, I have we have to seek alternative For more information about
found myself drawn back to Guildford sources of income and our the Telephone Campaign e-
and the University in my new role here as aim is to approach our Alumni for help. mail Amintha Buckland at
Alumni Events Officer. This ongoing fund aims to help talented a.buckland@surrey.ac.uk.
students obtain a university education,
So much has changed since I left regardless of their background, through For general Alumni updates, keep
Surrey, new buildings have sprung up the provision of scholarships and reading Barefacts – look out for our
throughout the campus, for the School of essential financial support. A proportion update section each fortnight and
Management and the European Institute of the fund is also used to improve visit the Alumni & Development Office
of Health & Medical Sciences, more campus facilities beyond the scope of the website: www.surrey.ac.uk/alumni.
accommodation with International House University’s core funding.
and Millennium House and most of the
restaurants and bars have changed. It Is it successful?
has all improved for you to enjoy, but it To date, we have had donations from
is great as a graduate to have seen how the UK and from as far a field as China
the campus has evolved and to realise and Canada. We are also pleased TELEPHONE
the role that the Surrey Alumni Society that Penelope Keith CAMPAIGN
plays. OBE, actress, UPDATE
former Sheriff
I would like to explain more on who we of Surrey and
are and what we do and how we could an Honorary
help you in the future. . . Graduate of We are recruiting now for our
the University of October telephone campaign.
Who are we? Surrey, continues
The Alumni & Development Office is as the Patron of Email a.buckland@surrey.ac.uk
now based on the first floor of Senate the Fund. More than to request an information pack
House We are the main link between the £170,000 was pledged to our Annual and application form. Closing
University and graduates, old staff and Fund since its launch in 2003. date for applications is Friday 17th
friends of the University. September 2004.
What is the telephone campaign and
So what is the Surrey Alumni how can I help? Please see our full page advert in
Society? Remembering that students will benefit this issue.
careers 33
u s s r e p l i e s .. .
Dr. R How can I find out more?
Every year we produce a Careers Service Guide offering help
and advice for your future career. It will tell you what’s going
I’ve just got back and am in a panic about on throughout the year. Every final year undergraduate and
d postgraduate students will have their own copy delivered to
fitting in job-hunting with my final year
studies. Got any good advice? their department. If it’s not there, try your departmental office
Some students like to concentrate entirely on their studies in first and then the Careers Service. We have loads of spare
their final year so they can get the best possible degree. Your copies for students who are new to Surrey as well.
first option is therefore to delay the whole career thing until
after you graduate. There are good reasons, though, for doing Where is the Careers Service?
some of your thinking and preparation while you’re still here. In case you haven’t visited us before, we live next to the
For a start, most of the things we are organising will be easier Accommodation Office in the Philip Marchant Building. We
to attend now than after you’ve graduated. What’s more, if you are open between 9am and 12.30pm and between 1.30pm
would like a job next year with a popular graduate recruiter such and 5.30pm, though we close at 5pm on Fridays and during
as Mars or Accenture, you simply have to meet their deadlines, vacations.
often before Christmas, to stand any chance. Early applications
for other options such as teacher training are also advisable. Is it OK to just drop in?
Absolutely no problem. You don’t even have to talk to
What can the Careers Service do to help? anyone but we are there to help if you need us. The first
Just to give you a few examples, our Vacancy Bulletin, thing you will see when you walk in are a series of files
which you can view on the Careers Service web-site at http: marked “Your degree….. What next?” A browse through the
//portal.surrey.ac.uk/careers will keep you up-to-date with the one for your degree will give you ideas about what to do
latest employer requirements. The annual Careers Fair is on when you leave. If you’d like to speak to a careers adviser
Thursday 7 October when you could talk informally to people there is often someone available to deal with a short query. If
from about 50 organisations. We also have a series of talks by you think you’d like a longer chat then we can easily arrange
careers staff and invited speakers taking place throughout the a time which is suitable for you.
semester. You could come along to a seminar to sharpen up
your interview technique or you could try a practice aptitude words: Russ Clark, Careers Office
test.
CHOOSING A CAREER
MONDAY 13 SEPTEMBER GETTING STARTED*
1 – 1.45 pm in LT F weeks 2 and 3 WEDNESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER
Dr Russ Clark, Head of the Careers 2.00-4.30pm in LT J
Service, will suggest a number of ways This workshop is to help students who have no
to help you to make a good career choice. .CAREERS USING LANGUAGES definite career ideas and who wish to do some
He will include examples of careers open MONDAY 20 SEPTEMBER self assessment exercises to get started.
to graduates who want to consider jobs 1 pm in LT A The exercises will help you to identify your
unrelated to their degrees. Russ Clark will talk about the broad range interests, abilities, values and personality and
of careers which enable a graduate to use will help you to relate these to career choice.
PERSONALITY AND CAREER CHOICE* languages at work including translating,
WEDNESDAY 15 SEPTEMBER teaching and interpreting as well as jobs in Please register with Careers if you wish to
2 pm in LT B government, finance, commerce, transport attend or e-mail c.greaves@surrey.ac.uk.
Based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and tourism and the media. This talk is suitable
to help you relate various aspects of your for those studying languages as well as those
personality to your future career. who have gained competent language skills Employer Presentation
through other means.
A CAREER IN THE FOREIGN & GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC
COMMONWEALTH OFFICE HOW TO GET THE JOB YOU WANT SERVICE
THURSDAY 16 SEPTEMBER TUESDAY 21 SEPTEMBER THURSDAY 23 SEPTEMBER
6 pm in LT F 6 pm in LT M
6 pm in LT F
Jon Benjamin, a Surrey graduate, will talk Glynis Paxton, Careers Adviser, will discuss
how to go about your job hunting effectively, Details of opportunities for economists.
about careers in the Diplomatic Service,
when to do it, how to use the Careers Fair, For graduates expecting a 2.1 in
including tips on how to get in (and get
and what makes a successful job hunting economics or a combined degree with a
on) as well as telling anecdotes from his
strategy. 50 per cent economics content.
own career.
L O O K I N G F O R A PA R T T I M E
J O B?
Crossword The barefacts crossword is back, and to celebrate its return, we have a prize to give away!
All correct entries received by Friday 17th September will be put in a hat and the winner will become the proud owner of a
Simpsons corkscrew set comprising a Krusty corkscrew, a Mr. Burns foil knife and a Grampa wine stopper! So get solving and
drop your entries into the Media Office by next Friday to be in with a chance of winning. The answers will be published next
week.
1 2 3 4 5 ACROSS
1. Angel, Victoria, Tugela (9)
28. sweet pastry (5,3)
Lyrics Quiz
No theme to this fortnight’s lyric quiz, just a random selection of lyrics, submitted by Ben Lee. If you fancy
writing the lyrics quiz, get in touch: barefacts@ussu.co.uk. Answers to this week’s are overleaf on page
37!
1. It’s a wonder men can eat at all when things are big that should be small
2. Its been raining since you left me, now I’m drowning in the flood
3. Did you come here to play jesus, to the lepers in your head?
4. As soon as I wake up, every night, every day, I know that its you I need to take the blues away
5. You’re just like an angel, your skin makes me cry
6. My buddies and me are getting real well known, yeah the bad guys know us and they leave us alone
7. Now for ten years we’ve been on our own, and moss grows fat on a rolling stone
8. I see trees of green, red roses too, I see them bloom for me and you
9. She turn around to see what you beepin at, its like the summers a natural aphrodisiac
10. When she gets there she knows, if the stores are all closed with a word she can get what she came for
If you want to submit a puzzle to tax the brains of your fellow students, e-mail the barefacts team at
barefacts@ussu.co.uk!
36 sport barefacts@ussu.co.uk 10 09 04
In all seriousness though, how time flies… it’s been a hectic summer here at the Union with
time flying by much quicker than it normally does. After a year of consolidation its time to move
on and leave the past behind. This year gives the opportunity to move the goal posts and take
Surrey sport to the level we all know it should be.
Although the summer is not seen as the most active time for sport teams there have been Surrey students at the highest levels
of sport. Not only have we had Kirsten Lawton (our very own local Olympian) but also Colin Roope becoming the English
Universities golf captain for the tournament in Wales last month.
With Surrey already making its mark through the summer lets hope we can keep this level up and really give us something to
celebrate as the year goes on. If the commitment level and staying power for most clubs last year is anything to go by we’re
looking good.
Name: Shaggy
Nicknames: Rob, Hagrid, fat handed foul
Age: Ripe
Place most likely to be found: At a bar (one side or the other)