ISSUE 12 OCT 09 YOUR NEWS - YOUR VIEWS

the
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enough is enough why we need to get these idiots off the telly

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in The Magdalen we are still looking for
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E-mail us @ themagdalen@dusa.co.uk
current affairs sport
tennis
barclays report
We uncover what’s going on in all
F1 racing
your latest international, local and
campus news.

features travel
hostels
yah flowchart quiz travel fashion
art review

regulars
health
monthly timeline
cartoons

fashion
catwalk special
fashion on the cheap

1
Contributors
Editor The weather is themagdalen@dusa.co.uk
Natalie Coupar getting colder, exam’s With regards to representation,
are getting nearer have a read of Alice Shackley’s
Travel Editor
and (cliche) it’ll be interview with Craig Kelly (Vice
Michelle Lacey
Christmas before you President of Campaigns).
Lifestyle Editor know it. Bringing you The next issue will see the
Alasdair Forrest into those chillier return of CAUGHT! to our
months are our travel pages, so keep an eye out for
Fashion Editor pages, which this your mug in the next issue.
Liz O’Hara edition cover the how-
to’s on hostelling. Our
Sports and Societies Editor
fashion pages are looking gorgeous with some We hope you enjoy reading
Barry Davidson
useful advice on how to make the most out of The Magdalen and if not -
Finance Director charity shops. please let us know!
Adam McVey Our current affairs pages look at the growth of
the Socialist Workers Party and their activity on Kind Regards,
Contributors campus. There’s also a brilliant article on social
Stina Stieding workers - do you think they get a raw deal?
Rory Martin
Natalie Coupar
Ruth Hunter’s crazy cartoons are back along side Editor
Jamie Butler
James Sloan
an interesting exhibition which was shown at a n.coupar@dundee.ac.uk
Jo McIntyre nearby Art Exhibitionist lately.
Kirsty Fergusson If you’re thinking about getting involved with the
Michelle Travers Magdalen on any level please give us a shout at
Nicola Brown
Ross Barrow
Henrietta Evans
Ruth Hunter
Word Of The Month:
Matt Simmonds
Neil Cant
Noe Favre
Alice Schackley EXTRAPOLATED
Alfie Pound
Alexander Johnston

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n,

e
 news : campus
Students Unite? >Rory Martin
The ongoing financial crisis is taking it’s toll
on the student body both economically and
financially. The Socialist Workers Students
Society, which was recently affiliated to
DUSA by the Student Representative
council, has been active on campus as a
vehicle for the distribution of the Socialist
Worker publication.
The radicalization of student politics -
albeit a more left-wing one - is indeed a
return to the grassroots politics that once
featured heavily on the agendas of students
associations.
However, it is pertinent that students have
access to a wide range of political material
that covers the entire spectrum. If we are
concerned with the current political climate,
why is it then that we just don’t act?
Speaking to some senior figures of the
political societies the picture became
clearer - Shane Mochrie-Cox of Labour
stated that Dundee in his view:
“Dundee University tended to be very
apathetic campus and with many students
not wanting to get involved in the bodies
that debate the issues of the day.”
“This I feel has a negative effect on the
news : local
BNP Policy >Ross Barrow
With the political party conference season
underway, politicians from all parties are
battling for media coverage. Increasingly,
politicians from different parties are
coming on television to debate against
one another. However, Alan Johnson
has refused to debate with one party in
particular, the British National Party, due to
their policies on race. Whilst many agree
with his sentiment, this approach will leave
the electorate in the dark over BNP policy
in other areas, such as the education and
the environment which are, too, extremely
worrying.
On university education, the BNP
would offer you a full grant if you happen
to be studying what they refer to as a
“proper subject” yet if you were studying
a “fake social science” then you would be
told to pay your own way. The effect of this
4
difficulties of societies when finding their
feet. This indicates the difficulties of campus
politics. As was found much of these
societies had a small core of dedicated
members. It has only been in the last year
that political issues have made a clear
resurgence in the daily utterances of the
student body.
DUSA President Andrew Smith when posed
the same questions answered:
“While the nature of politics may have
changed, DUSA is always actively
encouraging and supporting societies in
their activities.”
Since taking up office, the new student
executive have increased the Societies
budget by 50%.
In addition to this, the “Year of Democracy”
campaign has (perhaps rather imperiously)
whole student body as there are many forced students to recognise numerous
current issues locally, nationally and political issues which may not have had due
internationally that will have a great effect attention otherwise.
on the students that will graduate soon or
in the future and you can only make change Campus is politicizing more-so by the day
from the inside.” and if last years EGM is anything to place
>Rory Martin value on, then perhaps those in power
Andrew Macqueen, President of the should take heed of tomorrows leaders.
Conservative Society, spoke about the
would be to reduce the number of critical destruction of our environment”. Linking
thinkers amongst the the international problem of
electorate; it is little climate change to domestic
wonder why the BNP immigration policy is not just
would consider this wrong, but dangerous. One BNP
to be a good thing. tag line is ‘it’s not racism it’s just
On the environment common sense’. Their position on
the BNP claim to be climate change shows the party
“this nation’s only true creates policy on anything but
Green party.” But… common sense.
er…what about the There is some good in all of this
Green Party? Well, however. These policies are not
the BNP refer to serious, precisely because the BNP
them as, the “fake do not have any serious chance
greens”. They argue of being in power. The party
that the ‘fake greens’ exists only as a racist talking shop.
are fake because So come on Mr Johnson, if you
they do not recognise, cannot debate against this chatter,
that “overpopulation - whose primary then surely you cannot debate against
driver is immigration…is the cause of the anything?
.
 news : local & national
The Future of Cuts
Brown, Cameron, Clegg=Cuts, cuts, cuts
There is one four letter ‘C’ word that party
leaders never say. Actually I can think of two
but the one I’m talking about is ‘cuts’.
All three party leaders have been falling
over each other to appear tough on
public spending. If we are to believe the
respective leaders we would think that
there is no loss to public services by cutting
budgets. The Schools Secretary, Ed Balls
recently said he could cut £2Billion from
the schools budget without compromising
on quality of education. This makes two
large assumptions. The first is that there is
enough ‘middle management’ types within
the school system that could be made
redundant without having to cut teachers
or classroom resources. The Second
Comment: Social Workers
As news hit the press reporting the death
of Peter Connelly (Baby P) through severe
abuse and neglect suffered at the hands
of mother and stepfather, even the most
forgiving individuals and professionals were
hard pushed not to put this down
to ‘innate evil’. Unsurprisingly, this
tragedy in 2007 resulted in Haringey,
North London, hitting the world’s
media for all the wrong reasons.
More recently and painfully closer to
home, Dundee has suffered similar
infamy through the death of two
year-old Brandon Muir. Revelations
of a “massive blow” to the stomach
area which broke ribs and ruptured
intestines shocked our ‘civilised’
society. The question of who to blame
was apparently a no brainer: of course
it was not the responsibility of the parents
themselves - the philosopher kings of
the tabloids were out in force telling us
what they’ve always told us; the blame lay
directly with ‘bloody social workers’. I can
empathise with those of you who have ever
looked to pursue a career in social work
as it is truly an admirable career choice. I
can equally empathise with those of you
who may have reconsidered their plan to
pursue social work due to the reality of the
‘public enemy’ status which comes with
the job. The burden of responsibility and
abuse to field workers surely outweighs
any praise and respect attained. This is
not to say that social workers shouldn’t
be accountable based purely on the fact
>Adam R McVey
assumption is that even if these managers
exist, schools will choose to sack them
rather than teachers. As uncomfortable as
it is, Schools with hundreds of pupils need
a lot of administration. Some schools may
choose to give up teachers rather than
support staff making class sizes bigger but
keeping admin work off of the teacher’s
desk. Assuming these two assumptions
fall in Mr Ball’s favour. If he has the ability
to save the tax payer £2Billion a year with
no cost to education why has he waited
this long to do it?
During his September party conference
speech the LibDem Leader, Nick Clegg,
implied they would impose ‘savage’ cuts.
With even the Liberals facing up to the
reality that the spending bubble has burst,
>Jamie Butler
that they are ‘here to help’. As with every
other profession in society, social workers,
ministers and officials do make mistakes:
potential problems are overlooked, action
Brandon Muir and jailed Robert
Cunningham
is taken too quickly or action is not taken
quickly enough. Is it possible that this is
not a problem with individuals but with the
system? With social workers in the Dundee
area regularly working with caseloads of
thirty families, understaffing is an ever
escalating problem. On questioning what
would be an ideal caseload to work with,
I was simply laughed at; such a figure has
never existed within local authorities.
Protected caseloads are simply not an
option in an area like Dundee where
too many families need help. A rough
estimate was that field workers realistically
only have the time to deal with half that
should we be worried about the trickle-
down effect on students? It is unlikely The
Scottish Government would reintroduce
tuition fees only two years after they were
abolished. However, they could quietly
reduce the number of funded University
places. This meaning fewer Scots would be
able to go to University and Universities
would have to rely even more on research
funds. This hypothetical situation would
change the nature of universities shifting
primary focus from the students to the
research labs. This demonstrates that even
the smallest cut can have the biggest effect.
When it comes to cuts only one thing is
certain. They’re coming. We don’t know
where, when and by how much, but they
are coming.
figure to a semi-effective level. Within the
profession, the evolution of social work has
been described as “playing catch-up”. The
understaffing issues result in social workers
being more involved in responding
to crisis rather than doing the much
needed preventative work with
families. However, steps in the right
direction are being made. The recent
‘Joint Responsibility’ initiative focuses
on ever-increasing communication
between teachers, GP’s, midwifes and
even neighbours. The purpose of this is
to shed more light on child protection
issues and extinguish certain problems
at the source. Regardless of positive
initiatives, if social work continues to
be an undersubscribed career choice,
it paints a grim picture for years to come. I
see it as our social responsibility to develop
a thick skin and do what has to be done.
Numbers of social workers have to rise. It
is literally a matter of life and death. After
all, it costs more money to pay a family to
foster a vulnerable child than it does to
pay another social worker to stop it from
ever getting to that stage. With every child
protection decision having to be made with
these financial implications in mind, it is an
ongoing battle of which the resources are
being drained. Changes need to be made.
Pointing the finger at social workers has
resulted in failing the nation’s children.
5
 news : international
Karzai denies UN
Poll
Afghanistan’s premier Hamid Karzai has
reportedly criticised the investigation of
fraudulent practise in the recent Afghan
elections. The result was delayed whilst the
ECC (Electoral Complaints Commission)
invesigated claims of intimidation at
polling booths. As the Magdalen was going
to press, the UN backed watchdog had
submitted a ruling of fraud to the Afghan
election commission. This will undoubtedly
send into disrupute the efforts of American
President Barack Obama to sending more
troops into the region.
Thai Kings Illness
Impacts Shares
The health of King Bhumibol Adulyadej has
caused share prices to plummet in Thailand.
The recent illness of the sovereign due to
fatigue has seen him hospitalised for four
weeks at time of print. Shares dropped on
the the stock exchange by 8% at the latest
trade session. The worlds longest serving
monarch has been typically seen as a figure
of unification in a country where coups
are common place and the role of the PM
is not concrete. The finance minister has
snubbed calls to introduce special measures
to protect the markets.
Blast Kills 42
Pakistan have denied links to a blast
that killed 42 people, including
senior commanders of the Iran’s elite
Revolutionary Guard.
The attack on the Sistan-Baluchistan
province has highlighted the increasing
tensions between the mainly Shiite muslim
Iran bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry have condemned
the attacks in refute to claims by Iranian
government that Pakistans security agents
have been working closely with the
perpetrators.
4
Militants Resume Attacks
A group of Nigerian militants known as
Mend (Movement for the Emancipation
of the Niger Delta) have claimed that they
will end their ceasefire and return to more
hardline methods of miltancy. This has, in
the past, including the attacks on the oil
industry.
Since the ceasefire was declared, many
of the militants surrendered to the
government under an amnesty.
However the group have concluded that
such displays of peace are fake and that
they will resume the violence in the area in
order to help local people benefit.
Ukraine Election
The Eastern European nation has set it’s
election date for the 17th of January. The
first election since that of the tumultous
2004 election, many are watching to see
if the declining popularity of leader Viktor
Yuschenko reflects in the results.
Since coming to power through the Orange
Revolution, Viktor Yuschenko has witnessed
a sharp decline in popularity as his attempts
at reform have been marred by internal and
political arguments.
Expected to run for the position is current
Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and
opposition leader Viktor Yanukovych.
Tymoshenko was seen as a close ally of
the current President throughout the
Orange Revolution, which saw mass
protests relating to the spurious elections
of Yanokovych. The pro-western leader
Yuschenko has supported the goals of Nato
and EU membership, yet the financial crisis
is set to top the agenda.
This comes as the nation have recently
recieved a £6.14bn loan from the IMF to
counter the collapse of their currency.
Conditions attached to the loan have been
severe and damaging to the Presidents
already falling support.
Since declaring independence from the
Soviet Union in 1991, this will be the
countries 5th Presidential election.
Climate Talks
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown spoke
recently at the climate talks in Copenhagen
with an air of austerity.
The “catastrophic” future of the world where
climate deals are not made will comprise of
killer heatwaves and floods, according to
the PM.
Recent estimates from the Inter-
governmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) have shown that 1.8 bn people could
be short of water by 2080. Such figures
are likely to provoke little angst to world
leaders, who are arguing for more financial
reforms to support such measures.
 news : infocus
Tuition Fees >J.McIntyre & J.Sloan

Tuition fees have long been a contentious increasing calls south of the border for
spending across all sectors of the economy,
issue in British politics; the question over Universities to be allowed to charge even
universities will have to find ways to deal
where the burden of funding should fall higher fees, and with such a move, how
with the funding deficit. And one sure fire
is becoming hotly debated in these grim would that affect Scottish universities?
way of getting cash is foreign students,
economic times. A potential influx of students from
who can be charged inordinate amounts
Indeed, the Liberal Democrats, once the elsewhere in the UK not wishing to pay the
of money for the pleasure of studying
favoured party by students with their increased fees, could have a detrimental
in Britain. Yet, where does this leave
strong stance against the introduction of effect upon the funding of Scottish
British students? With a record number
top-up fees, have now abandoned this universities. Would it be financially
of A-level passes in England, Wales and
pledge in light of the recession. The debate possible to take an even greater number
Northern Ireland in 2009, a drying up jobs
has spread from Parliament to the world of students with funding remaining
market, alongside inaccessibility to further
of business with the Confederation of unchanged, or worse, reduced? Scottish
education. This could mean a considerable
British Industry (CBI) stating that students Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott has
risk of university becoming inaccessible
would have to pay more towards disagreed with his party leader, Nick
their education in order to retain Clegg, who wishes to abandon the
the universities high teaching and parties long held policy against tuition
research standards. In spite of this fees. Yet the hard economic fact is that
claim, the CBI wish to have greater the money to finance universities must
means testing elements in student come from somewhere.
financing yet also wish to charge
“more competitive” rates of interest The new principal of Dundee University,
upon student loans. At present, Peter Downes, in a recent Sunday Times
student loans have an interest rate interview stated his ambition to place
set by the government which are teaching and research upon an equal
considerably lower than standard footing in order to ensure that Dundee
commercial rates, such as those found University is an institution of excellence.
on the high street. Yet, Dr Downes is also well aware that
the funding will not be readily available
to many with good grades, and especially
If the CBI gets their own way, then the from the powers above, so where does this
those from less well off backgrounds who
government target of sending 50% of leave the issue of funding? The choices
baulk at the already costly living expenses
school leavers into higher education could include increasing fees, or in the Scottish
before the issue of tuition fees even enters
come to an end. At present, it has been case, the reintroduction of fees or the
the frame.
alleged that certain UK universities are previous top-up tax. Another possibility is
capping the number of home students the increasing number of foreign students
As it stands university tuition fees in the rest
that are being recruited in order to attract whose huge fees are surely a lifeline in
of the UK are caped at £3145, with those
overseas, non EU students who pay a these dark times, yet where does that
non-Scottish students attending Scottish
considerably higher set of tuition fees. So leave British students…is it now time to
institutions paying less. However there are
alongside the government’s aim of reducing pay more?

Strawpoll of students at
Dundee Uni reflects:

Who should fund

universities?
Would you 46% Solely the
be willing government
to pay more 0% Only private
towards your enterprise
education? 4% Students themselves
92% No, 8% 50% A mixture of the
above

5
 representation:

Student Representative Council

The first meeting of the Student
Representative Council, referred to herein
as the SRC, was convened on the 29th of
September in the meeting rooms of the
Union.
The meeting saw the affiliation of the
Socialist Workers Party Society to DUSA as
well as the affiliation of the Atheist Society,
the Model UN Society, Students for Sensible
Drug Policy Society and Medsin Dundee.
The affiliation of the Socialist Workers Party
to DUSA has raised concerns amongst some
that many societies are being established
which cover issues already recognised
within other societies.
Such affiliaitions could undoubtedly resided as the Junior Presiding Officer
detract support and funding from already prior to taking up his role on the Board of
established societies, stretching thin the Trustees.
pockets of the society budget. To find out what SRC is and who you should
The independent Chair was also appointed contact, go to:
to head the SRC. Adam McVey, who joined www.dusa.co.uk/src
the SRC as School President of Social
and Environmental Science, took up the
position with the terms that his role should
be covered by a new representative.
Two new members to the Board of Trustees,
Iain Francis and Charles Deog-Smith were
ratified by the SRC. The Board of Trustees is
the upper body of governance within the
democratic realms of DUSA. Iain Francis

How Representation Works

Student University
Representatives Structures

DUSA Executive Court, Senate and their

Committees

Students Representative
Council (SRC) College Boards

Services & Learning & School Boards

Facilities Teaching
Sub- Sub-
committee committee
School Staff-Student Liaison
Committees
School Presidents

• Informal feedback to staff

Class / module • Module feedback surveys
Representatives • National Student Surveys
(NSS)
• Programme Review Panels
The Student Body • Hall Committees

8
The ìShould you have went to St.Andrews had you been more intelligent
(not that weíre saying that Dundee University is not for the intelligent
seeing that Abertay is CLEARLY a polytechnic but weíre not ones to
split hairs)î Flowchart Quiz

Do you own anything made by the

purveyor of university wares company
Jack wills?

Yah no

toff Aff! Do gilets feature heavily

in your wardrobe?

Yah no

is your hair quite messy - but

its ìmeant to be like thatí?
You belong at
dundee, that is
if youíre not
hiding uggs/
no
canterburys/ Yah
abercrombie and
fitch etc under
your bed - if so: Do you wear sports trousers toff Aff!
toff aff! but you donít even play a
sport?

no
Yah
9
 travel:

TO ?
E R E U R!
W H I E N S
S, B Love

PARI
Cit y of
o the
ide t
ents gu
A stud

>Kirsty Fergusson

P aris is officially one of the best

student city break experiences.
In April all French national
monuments and museums stops
charging entry fees for all under 26ís
in possession of a valid EU passport.

Thatís right, you can visit one of

the most beautiful cities in Europe,
drink in as much culture as you can
handle, and still have enough Euros
from French artists such as Degas dish of onion soup with melted gruyere
to drink in copious amounts of the
and Toulouse-Lautrec. cheese are found really cheaply in many
finest (or least expensive...) French
cafes in the back streets. Just avoid tourist
wine! Getting to Paris is relatively
To get the real Parisian experience, restaurants if you want to keep costs low.
easy as Ryanair run a Prestwick
visit the sites on foot and by Metro. After your French food comes French
International - Paris Beauvais service
The Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and drinking! Make like the locals and sit
which is priced very reasonably.
a walk along the River Seine in the outside a cafe or bar with a cocktail or
Beauvais airport is outside Paris and
sunshine are all essentials! The not- a glass of wine. The area of Beaubourg
costs 13 Euros by shuttle bus to get to
so-hidden-gem Chateau Versaille near the Pompidou Centre has some
central Paris.
is only a short train ride away from fabulous bars open way past the usual
central Paris ñ you can even dine Scottish 2.30am curfew, some of which do
Paris in only a few days requires
like Marie Antoinette herself in the a mean Lychee Mojito!
precision planning and a lot of
Chateau cafe serving Chocolat
energy, as there is simply so much
Chaud and colourful macaroons... For a more beautiful setting there is Cafe
to see. It is best to pick just a few of
donít expect to be able to afford de líhomme in Plac e du TrocadÈro, which
the museums to visit ñ top of my list
dinner afterwards though! boasts the best view of the Eiffel Tower late
are the Centre Pompidou for iconic
Eating well in Paris is not difficult as night illuminations. Drinking a few civilised
modern art and some seriously weird
the city has many student friendly glasses of Merlot whilst watching the tower
pieces, and MusÈe DíOrsay which
options. From crepe carts in the light up is the one of the best ways to end
houses classic impressionist paintings
street to the traditional peasant a break in the French capital.
by Monet and Renoir, and works

PARIS FOR CHEAP: TIPS

ap
che
paris 1. Avoid ìTourist Trapî ar eas 2.Get the free stuff. Many one of the many dirt-
when dining out, these churches and museums hold cheap hostels on offer.
will usually be the hub of ìfree nightsî whic h are there
expensive to be taken advantage of. 4.When it comes to
restaurants drinking, keep an eye
and in your 3.Hostels, not hotels. Paris is out for Happy Hours
case, empty notorious for its expensive which are usually clearly
wallets. hotels, so our advice if stay signposted in bars and
clear and book yourself into cafes.

10
travel:
FYI: HOLIDAYS IN HOSTELS
HOSTELS Anecdotes and cringey moments from students!

PRAGUE
nu choice! We
gue, - classic traveller me
After arriving late in Pra t only to be
ed ing then left our paymen
knackered and ne rant across
to chased from the restau
a shower we decided iter shouting ë A
ou r ho stel. the square by our wa
eat dinner near pr oc ee de d to
us, the hostel TIP MADAM!í He then
Unfortunately for ly go t ou r tra vel
the Ol d Town wait until we sheepish
was right next to us to give him
l bu t a total wallet and instructed
Square ñ beautifu t wa s equivale nt to about
fou nd a a tip tha
tourist trap!! We ney...seems like
s slightly 35 pence in British mo
restaurant which wa t and fuss for
bu t ordered a lot of embarrassmen
over our budget sty Fergusson
an d tap water such a small tip!?! Kir
margarita pizza

VIETNAM
Everyone takes shots
on a night Talk about hard core!
out; the usual sambuc
a, maybe
a tequila or if youíre ha
rd core an Michelle Travers
absenth of some sor
t. In Vietnam
these shots are put to
shame!
They only have alcoh
ol with
essence of dead an
imal in it. On
one of our nights ou
t, we took
shots of dead bird liqu
or and
afterwards a feather
was pulled
out of my friendís mo
uth!! Ah!!

BUNOL, SPAIN
atoes slowly
ve from with juicy overripe tom
After the one hour dri gh the masses.
ill off the bus make their way throu
Valencia we sp sla ps the side
sse s of pe ople When the first tomato
following the ma ow the fight is
ets . Ab ov e the of your face...you kn
to the narrow stre ch oth er, people
s of sa ng ria and ON!!!!! Clawing ea
stalls selling jug ski ns, pe ltin g
pro of ca me ras grab the slushy red
expensive water ne igh bo ur. The
le ch ee rin g fro m them towards a near h the
there are peop es mi xed wit
squ ee ze ou r wa y stench of the tomato able.
balconies. We wa s un be liev
wh ere the ac tio n electric atmosphere
to the centre of with seeds in
Ma ny pe op le are Covered in the juices,
will take place. bu rning our eyes,
toes to see our ears, the acidity
jumping and squishing tak en part in
tru ck s are. Soon we had successfully
how far away the ato fight - LA
ws . Pe op le raise the worldís largest tom
a loud horn blo
the sky ch an ting TOMATINA!
their hands to
ral tru ck s fille d
ìTOMATO!î Se ve
11
travel:
travel:
a v e l
& T r
h i o n
F a s
>Michelle Travers
Trade In Your....

Everyone knows that when you

nts
go travelling itís not a fashion show,
unfortunately you have to leave behind
H a re m Pa
many of your essential beauty products!
Bag gy
The constant travelling, long bus trips, hot
J e a n s for
Skinny
weather and dodge food doesnít make you
feel very attractive at the best of times, so
letís face it; skinny jeans, straight hair and
heaps of make-up just isnít happening.
You may not be able to pull off a classy,
sophisticated look, but that doesnít mean
you stop trying completely, why not try the
traveller look.....?

riser
n fo r Tinted Moistu
Foundat io GHD’s for D
e-frizz serum

Heels for Sandals

Make Up for Au Naturel

It will take a while to perfect the

traveller look. But a few weeks of
irregular showers, sea, sun, dust roads,

a Market bites and scars all add to the traveller

ig h St re et for Fle look. And letís face it the lack of full

H length mirrors definitely helps you not
care what you look like. Eventually
the traveller look is the only one that
is possible to pull off.
 travel:
CROSS-CULTURAL ENCOUNTER
French-Swiss speaking Noe from SwitZerland practices his English
while being interviewed about his impressions of Dundee University
and his home country by Michelle Lacey, New Zealand study abroad
student.

Would you call Dundee ëFundeeí or ëScumdeeí?

ìDefinitely Fundee..because every day I do something else other than

studying..it seems I go out almost every night! There are so many things to
do. In Switzerland we do not go straight to the pub after sports practice ñ
here this it is different.î

Whatís been one of your funniest/ most

embarrassing moments at Dundee?

ìI arrived 40 minutes late to an English test and the classroom was full of
about 100 people. I had to walk all the way to the back of the class,î he
laughs. ìSometimes people still recognize my face and point me out when
Iím walking around the University.î

How long will you be studying at Dundee for?

ìOne year. I have a feeling it is going to go very fast.î

Tell me something fascinating about your home country.

After some very deep thinking.. ìWe have four different languages in
Switzerland. We have French, German, Italian and Rumantsch (which is a
mixture between the three languages).

Where would you recommend visiting in SwitZerland?

ìValle Verzasca, Ticino. This is in the Italian part of Switzerland. There are long valleys in the mountains, and you can
swim in the river ñ it is just so nice. At the end of the river, there is a big dam where people go bungee jumping. This
dam was filmed in beginning of the James Bond movie ìGolden Eyeî ñ this is also wh y this area is famous.î

What would you like to bring to Scotland from your home country?

ìThis is another hard question,î he gr ins. ìI would like the mountains to be here because I love snowboarding in
Switzerland. Hmm.. and also Swiss chocolate. Sorry.. not very original I know,î he jok es.

What are three things to describe your home country

ìOnly three?î He smiles , then looks out the window in concentration. ìGood cheese, Fondue parties, and that
Switzerland is a nice and small ñ compact country. That is why I like Dundee, everything is all very close.î

HAVE YOU TRIED HAGGIS YET?

He scrunches up his face, ìNo, it sounds awful! Iím

going to try it at some stage though or this would not
be a real Scottish trip.
 science:
UK Should Lead Battle Against
World Hunger
The Royal Society have encouraged the
British Government to plough £2bn into
crop research in order to stave off world
hunger.
Food politics is an issue which is to feature
high on the agenda of climate talks. The
cold reality of world hunger in an age
where obesity reigns king has seen much
academic debate in both politics and
science. The Royal Society have noted
that science must play a key role in food
supply if the world reaches the predicted
population of 9bn in 2050.
Such involvement through the uses of GM
food will undoubtedly stir up public opinion
in coming years.
Black Hole Made on Earth
An electromagnetic “black hole” which
has the capabilities to suck in surrounding
light has been developed by two students
at Southeast University in Najing, China.
The theoretical work was carried out by
students at West Layfayette, Indiana and
related to microwave frequencies.
The demonstration of the optical black
hole is expected to take place at the end
of 2009.
Airport Liquids Tested
Researchers at Juelich in Germany have
reportedly created a technique which
can quickly check liquids for explosive
materials. This technique would enable
airports to conduct security checks more
efficently.
The technique, known as Hilbert
spectroscopy , uses a wide spectrum of
light to identify potentially explosive
liquids.
14
Champagne Blues Uncovered
The light, sparkly fizz of champagne
owes its taste to the tongue’s sense of
sour. New studies in mice reveal how the
tongue tastes carbonation, solving an old
puzzle of why some mountain climbers
get the “champagne blues.”
Tasting fizz begins with a special protein
that’s tethered to sour-sensing taste
cells on the tongue, researchers report
in the Oct. 16 Science. This protein, the
enzyme carbonic anhydrase 4, splits
carbon dioxide into bicarbonate ions and
free protons, which stimulate the sour-
sensing cells. “Insect Hotels” On Campus
Scientists have long thought that the
taste of carbonated beverages emerged
from the physical bursting of bubbles on
the tongue.However, bubbly drinks still
taste distinctly carbonated when they are
imbibed in a pressure chamber where
bubbles don’t burst.
A drug that many climbers take to
prevent altitude sickness inhibits the
carbonic anhydrase enzyme. When
taste cells don’t get their proton hit,
champagne falls flat.
Dundee Scientist Recognised
Professor Ron Hay, Principal Investigator at
the University of Dundee’s College of Life Ecologically aware students from the
Sciences, has been elected as a member University of Dundee have taken steps
of one of the world’s most prestigious to encourage biodiversity by creating a
scientific organisations. number of ‘insect hotels’ around campus.
The European Molecular Biology The participants, members of the
Organisation (EMBO) recognises excellence University’s branch of People and Planet
in molecular life sciences by fostering - a network of UK students campaigning
talented scientists. Since 1964, leading on world poverty, human rights and the
scientists have been elected annually to environment - are trying to encourage
become EMBO members based on proven students and staff to actively take part
excellence in research. in conserving the planet for future
Ron Hay is Professor of Molecular Biology generations.
at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Gene They say that climate change and a
Regulation and Expression. His work, number of other environmental factors
combining cell, molecular and structural are leading to a severe decrease in
biodiversity and putting our food supply
biology, focuses on determining the
function of modification in important at risk. One unforeseen consequence of
biological processes. Recent work modern life is the impact of gardening
examining the treatment of leukaemia has and farming methods, according to
led to new approaches to drug discovery People and Planet Dundee’s Kimberley
being explored. Ellis.
Kimberley said, in addition to
encouraging biodiversity on campus,
the insect hotels would help to increase
awareness of the group’s activities and
hopefully encourage more students and
staff to get involved.
health:
STRESS!
Tackle the stresses of Uni work and
cope more in the weeks to come.
I
t’s going to be a busy time for most
students as we head into November.
Essay’s start to pile up, you realise that
journals have to be done and you just don’t
know where the time went. So how do you
avoid all-nighters, exhaustion and ill-health?
The Magdalen is here to guide you through
some basic steps which should help you get
the most out of the next few months.
ORGANISE
First and foremost: buy yourself a diary. They may
seem a little nerdy (but you do get quite suave
leather ones for cheap) but they are a lifesaver.
Give yourself one or two days a week which you
can dedicate to studying. Make the most out of
these days by planning what you are going to do
with them in advance.
For those doing a dissertation/research project
this year, make a week-by-week timetable
outlining what you plan to achieve every week/
month.
The key to organisation is being aware of your
commitments and making realistic goals as to
how you can achieve them. Never be too proud
to turn down an extra-curricular role if it detracts
majorly from your studies.
Let your flatmates know which nights you plan
on studying so that they can allow you to have a
good nights sleep. I.E Warn them that if anyone
decides to bring a club back to the house at
three in the morning, they should expect their
food to be laced with chilli powder.
GET FIT
When stressed, it’s good for the body to burn
any anxiety away through healthy eating and
regular exercise.
Start Running - Running is a great way
to clear your head and the routes in and
around Dundee also provide some brilliant
views. Whack the headphones on and hit the
pavement - my recommendation is “She’s A
Maniac.” (Even if you are a dude)
Sleep Well - On a school night, try and get
to your bed at a regular time. We understand
that you need your Tuesday night out but
sleep does provide the best chance for your
body to recharge it’s bodies.
Eat Vitamins- Fruit and veg are a great way
to keep you feeling on top of things. Heavier,
SUPPORT YOUR MATES
starchier foods should be avoided as they
As easy as it can be to rip into your mates for
canmake you feel lethargic and simply not in
not “manning up,” sometimes all thats needed
the mood to study.
is some friendly reassurance that things are
Water- It’s the thing you drank before you
going to work out.
were old enough to drink alcohol all the
Remember, everyone handles stress in
time. Drinks loads of it to flush your system
different ways and it’s important to recognise
of toxins.
that just because your friend seems pissed off,
it’s probably because they’ve got a mountain
of work to get through.
There’s only a couple of months left until Xmas
and noones going to remember the bitchy
comments made during exam stress when
you’re glugging down the mulled wine.
Have consideration and respect and you
should come out the other end with all your
friendships intact.
ESCAPE!
CONTACT
It’s amazing what a simple break can do.
When it comes to stress, it sometimes help
to get away from it all.
If you live away from home, head home for
a few days and get some perspective on
things. Nothing beats being waited on hand
and foot by the parental units - roll on the
The Samaritans provide support to those
free food and crap TV.
who feel distressed or depressed.
www.samaritans.org
If home is too far away, ask some mates if
For a broader range of stress issues check
you can visit them for a few days. Having
out:
someone different to talk to about things can
www.youngminds.org.uk
really breathe fresh air into your situation.
http://www.channel4.com/health/
microsites/0-9/4health/stress/syp_
student.html
Please remember that the support of
Peer Connections is always available to
Dundee Students
 love music:
The
Hype
Machine:
Irreverent, Trend-Setting Bunkum
Since the last edition we have been made
aware that our column has the same title
as a well known music pilfering website.
Many alternative titles were bandied about
the office, most of which were obscure and
rather beautiful in nature. But we thought
to ourselves, nobody likes change. Change
is on no level a nice thing. In fact, what is
much better is to talk incessantly about
change and then do nothing about it. And
so to honour the President of the United
States of America we’ve decided to do
exactly that: keep the bloody name!
So, onwards and upwards in a journey of
the musical periphery we go. This month
we have immersed ourselves in a snuggly
blanket of hip-hop, particulary that of the
Grime variation. Cool dude Master Shortie
has set us ablaze with his indie-grime
fusion. His latest track Dance Like A White
Boy is haawwwwttt (so hot we had to
Le Corp Mince De
16
24
phrase it like that) and is surely a promising
glimpse into his album A.D.H.D due for
release soon.
In the realms of rock we are worshipping
the Raveonettes. Their recent studio
album In and Out of Control is a maze
of psychedelic riffs and impenetrable
melodies. The band have never lost their
50’s/60’s edge and Heart of Stone truly is
the epitome of all that they stand for.
Passion Pit, Le Corps Mince De Francoise,
Van She and perhaps most importantly Ou
Est Le Swiming Pool.
You know what we’re talking about. Filthy,
electro, sexual beats that would get any
cold-hearted beast up on the dance floor
pogoing like its 1993. Dance The Way I
Feel was superbly mixed by dance gods
Armand Van Helden and is sure to set most
indie clubs on fire if it hasn’t already. These
Camden boy’s are ones to watch kids.
Yet we’re not here to champion the newbies
in the music world and until you prove us
wrong, it seems like there ain’t much going
on anyway.
We’d just like to pass comment on the
artiste Jamie T. A man we grew to love,
respect and generally quote on a day to day
basis. His recent album Kings and Queens is
a sign of progression from the young man
we witnessed all those years ago. If you
close your eyes you can almost imagine a
young Tim Armstrong (aye, without the
English tones).
The last artist we really want to champion is
Deadmau5 - you need to be listening to his
material. For Lack of A Better Name, albeit
one of his most commercial songs has
explosive beats and and, invariably, a whole
lot of OONCE going on.
The Factolator
Leona Lewis originally refused to sign her
record contract with her current label due
to “sensitivities” regarding her ears.
Lead Guitarist Mark Day of Happy Mondays
is in the process of forming a band with
Scott Raynor (ex Blink 182 drummer) and
Ryan Jarman from The Cribs.
Alice in Chains created a thriller ride for
Universal Studios which was deemed
“wholly inappropriate” for its target
audience. The contents were never
discussed.
Club Tropicana by Wham was recorded
over Reagans inauguration speech to much
horror of the producer, who had intended
to mix it into a documentary he was making
for the next day.
Our Musically
Adapted
Social Plea
Because We Just Cannot Let The Twins Win!

X Factor? Anyone? Cheryl Cole in

goregous outfits looking like a Goddess in
comparison to that somewhat boring waste
of space Dannii Minogue.
We know we should be much better than
car-crash telly but the fact of the matter
is: John and Edward are scabs on society.
Instead of approaching our arguments hot-
headedly however, we are going to make
like geeks and debate this baby.
To the Pros and Cons Lab!

Pros:
For John and Edward
They have brilliant hair, they pull in a niche
market of hardcore fans and they add a bit
of jest to the competition.
They take themselves seriously, which in
turn brings joy to the audience. It’s like only
9million or so people know that they are
awful!

Cons:
Against John and Edward
Is this all we have for British music? Keep
the twats on while perfectly capably and
talented musicians get kicked out. All in
the name of some mind-numbing TV and
admittedly, some quite comical viewing.
Jokes aside though, the hairdo is on no level
cool or appreciated by fellow mankind.
The wooden approach to their
singing is overcompensated by their
wooden approach to dancing which is
overcompensated entirely by their wooden
personalities.
These jesters of the music industry surely
must be aside in the name of allthat is
decent in music. If not, then the sanctity of
British music is at stake.
It’s in your hands now folks.

25
 take it as gospel:

Reviews &
Previews
The Music Bit
Marianne Faithful
Broken English
Marianne Faithfull is perhaps best known
for being Mick Jagger’s bird in the 1960s
and for her rather famous drug habits
as well as the fact that she ended up
sleeping rough on the streets of Soho in
the 70s. More important however is the
fact that she is a ruddy good artist. Her
raspy pipes are at their best here on her
critically acclaimed 1979 comeback record
Broken English. The title track is a soaring
slice of punky new wave with a serious
message whilst tracks such as Witches’
Song and Guilt are truly magnificent!
The album also includes a cover of John
Lennon’s Working Class Hero as well as
The Ballad of Lucy Jordan, now famous
for appearing on the soundtrack to Ridley
Scott’s popular 1991 film Thelma and
Louise. It is impossible to talk about this
album without mentioning Why’d Ya
Do It? The song’s lyrics are so sexually
frank that there is a good chance it could
make the likes of Prince blush! This album
is essential for fans of Patti Smith, PJ
Harvey etc. but I would recommend it to
absolutely anyone.
I Love You Man Film Alien Film
I Love You, Man - When all round nice- In keeping with the current climate, let’s
guy Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd) proposes say a word or two about one of the best
to his girlfriend, Zooey (Rashida Jones), sci-fi horror films ever made. The first and
it slowly dawns on Peter that his success still the most terrifying, the film pits the
with women has come at the expense of deadliest alien that cinema has ever seen
any male friendships. And so, Peter goes (sorry Predator, you let people live too
on the search for a best man, eventually often) against the Sarah Conner of space,
encountering the ultimate bachelor, Ripley (Sigourney Weaver). Alien is
Sydney Fife (Jason Segel). Rudd and a masterclass in plot structure and
Segel show real chemistry, their polar- suspense, featuring excellent dialogue,
personalities making for some hilarious characters with depth and ground-
scenes that usually involves Sydney breaking special effects. Ridley Scott’s
persuading Peter to say or do things original venture serves as the yardstick for
out of his comfort zone. With an strong a whole generation of sci-fi filmmakers,
supporting cast and awesome soundtrack, and will for years to come.
this bro-mantic comedy is an absolute
must-see.
Rating Rating
Take Me To Hell Film
Sam Raimi traces his horror roots with an instant horror classic. Not only is it a return
to form for Raimi after a succession of weak Spiderman sequels, but it offers strong
lead performances from Alison Lohman and Justin Long. Although the plot strikes
as lame (a loan officer getting cursed by a batty old woman), the freshness
with which Raimi executes the film is brilliantly scary and brilliantly fun.
Gross, spine-chilling hilarity.

Rating Rating
The Book Bit

A Picture of Dorian Gray the archetypal camp queens of

Oscar Wilde
Congratulations on being able to read.
Now comes the hard part. Actually wanting
to read. I wanted to read once. But I was
put off by people, the kind of people who
when I asked “what are some good books
to read?” they could only answer “oh you
know, Brave New World, 1984, Animal
Farm, and Picture of Dorian Gray, oh they’re
classics, one must read them, they’re just
brilliant.” For those of you out there who
share my sense of cynicism and general
misanthropy, you can see why this would
put me off reading these books, just so that
I didn’t become one of “those people.”
But I did read them. And they were good,
but I couldn’t tell you why, reading is quite
a personal thing, but I’ll tell you what I think
18 about Dorian Gray.
Written by Oscar Wilde, one of
16
24
Christendom, it tells the story of a young
man, an extraordinarily beautiful and
“fit” young man, who in an attempt to
retain his youthful looks makes a pact
against his soul that he should retain
his good looks and youthful charisma
forever, and he soon discovers that this
wish comes true, all grievances and sins
he performs instead cause a blemish to a
lifelike portrait of him painted by a close
friend.
Paying attention to what the book is
trying to say, ignore the obvious ideas
of mans superficial obsession with the
surface for a second, and take the time
to consider some of the other interesting
ideas this book talks about. Is one ever
justified in wanting to maintain ones
appearance for ones own gain? What is
the nature of beauty? And more equally
snobby questions.
The last paragraph made me sound
as bad, if not worse than the pretentious
readership I told you of earlier, but I
don’t care. If you can’t beat them, at least
make them think you’ve beaten them.
In the meantime, I would recommend
this book to anyone wanting to gain a
better understanding of the gothic genre
in general (yes all you emos out there
who have read one poem, probably The
Raven, by Edgar Allen Poe, and think your
suddenly clued up on the deepest recesses
of gothic literature) because not only is
the story interesting and compelling but
its messages still hold true in this modern
superficial society we now find ourselves in.
And for those of you who agree with my
earlier summary of stuck up literature buffs,
don’t hate the books, hate the readers!
Rating
 the magdalen & the VPC
The Magdalen meets
up with DUSA’s Vice
President of Campaigns
Craig Kelly, to discuss
the Year of Democracy.
>Alice Shackley
Having attended the “Acoustic
Launch” of the Year of
Democracy, I went to visit vice-
president of campaigns, Craig
Kelly to find out just what he
was intending to do with this
potently named campaign. The
coffees were in and sleeves were
rolled up in a defiantly political
manner, as the pre-interview
chatter ended.
What is the Year of Democracy?
The Year of Democracy is a year long
festival or campaign. The idea is to promote
debate on campus around issues of
democracy. Students don’t have a platform
to air their views and that’s exactly what
we’re trying to create.
The line up of speakers is impressive.
DUSA has got speakers to inspire debate
on their specific issues. Mark Kelner – he’s a
really interesting one.
He wrote a blog about you, didn’t he?
[laughter]He’s a good guy. I thought he’d
be a nice change to all the serious hardcore
political people. But there are serious issues
I think Kelner will be able to raise.
Gandhi’s grandson is speaking. Wow!
How did you get him?
In the first semester, we are co-hosting
with the university - the speakers have
been approached by the department of
external relations. In terms of speakers for
the second semester, it’s all DUSA. Certain
people we approached knocked us back,
but generally the campaign’s gathered a lot
of excitement. Katherine Gun is the latest
we have confirmed – she blew the whistle
on the dodgy dossier.
You’ve got the Professor of Scottish
History here at Dundee giving a
lecture on the impact of Burns. Is that
really relevant?
Burns wrote what is perceived today as
nationalist views, [showing] early Scottish
awareness of a potential separate state
and identity. This gives a local dimension
and is relevant because we have a possible
referendum coming up. It also gives a
political dimension. The lecture will assess
that political impact.
I know you’re a member of the
SNP, has this choice of speaker got
anything to do with your own views?
Not at all actually! It was proposed to us by
external relations. I would hazard a guess
that the lecture is relatively anti-nationalist.
The idea that Burns was writing nationalist
poetry because there was a market for it has
a lot of credence and Professor Whatley will
explore this!
What do you mean by democracy? It’s
a huge term.
We chose the term democracy because
it can be interpreted in so many ways.
In the UK we regard our system as very
democratic, but is it?
It’s still a Constitutional Monarchy is
it not?
We’ve got issues like that – we have 40%
turnout at elections; is that democracy?
There are places like Venezuela where
socialism is coming through and the
indigenous communities are being
represented. “What is democracy?” is the
fundamental question we will ask students
over the year.
One of the things we’ll hopefully be having
is a freedom of speech box. This would be
a box covered in blackboard, a topic put up
every Monday and students can write their
opinions underneath. Another idea I hope
goes ahead is an essay competition. I would
like, if Magdalen agree, to publish the top
three essays which will hopefully win a
prize. You write about your interpretation of
democracy and of the campaign. It gives an
academic dimension to the year.
In semester one you’re focusing on
Latin America. Why not the UK?
Latin America is a point of focus; if this is
successful, cultural awareness campaigns
are something DUSA would do on a longer
term basis. Latin America is a very exciting
place politically at the moment; we’ve got
Chavez in Venezuela, Morales in Bolivia and
to a lesser extent, the situation in Brazil.
Also, it’s fun! We can have events like Rio
Carnival. There are serious undertones, so
it’s just to add a bit of energy to things that
may at times be a bit dry.
What’s the turnout for student
elections? Or is that quite an
ambiguous number?
It depends from position to position. As far
as I understand, we had about 1800 people
voting for the president.
One of my key aims for this campaign is to
make sure that the voter turnout drastically
increases. If it has worked and got students
thinking, they will want to engage in
wider politics. One of the things in second
semester we are hoping to run is an
electoral registration week on campus. We’ll
get people up from the city council with a
stall and students can sign up to vote. Often
students aren’t registered and are being
disenfranchised, so we can make it as easy
as possible for students to register.
So, what’s your ideal goal at the end
of the Year of Democracy campaign?
Is it more about student awareness or
numbers?
Student awareness is our ultimate goal.
If people say to me at the end of the year
“I’ve thought about issues that have never
occurred to me before,” that’s what I’m
trying to achieve. Numbers are great but
that idea of coming to university to expand
your general awareness and interest in
wider issues is effectively what we’re trying
to do.
 art.
In a certain centre of arts on a
certain street near a certain famous
Dundonan takeaway I wandered
from the realm of chips and cheese
in to the latest art exhibition of that
particular building of contemporary
culture. An installation piece, Thomas
Hirschhorn’s ‘It’s Burning Everywhere’
covers the three galleries from floor
to ceiling. Using everyday materials
such as cardboard, plastic and
paper Hirschhorn has created a
3-Dimenesional collage with media
images from highly contrasting
contexts. The images are pasted onto
a cartoonish backdrop of sculptures
of fallen forest wood and emotionless
mannequins. He has taken the images
of fantastical beauty in the fashion
industry and combined them with
the horrific casualties, losses and
deformity caused by war. The leftover
corpses of war, once filled with
the potential for this unobtainable
supernatural beauty conveyed in
fashion advertising are now left to
rot inall the frailty of humanity. A
fantasy world of indifference and
apathy portrayed by the models and
cool tones of fashion photography
starkly contrasts the images of fire
and bodies now literally torn to pieces
Ruth Hunter
by the brutal and unforgiving
consequences of real life. These,
ideas are just some that come
to mind when witnessing what
the artist has presented for our
interpretation. Unlike some
philosophical and surrealist
political artists the exhibition
is not burdened with cryptic
contrasts of seemingly unrelated
images. Hirschhorn’s ‘it’s burning
everywhere’ is visually satisfying in
its easy conveyance of recognised
images interweaved with a
disturbing atmosphere of realistic
horror. Engaging and politically
meaningful you are not required
to do battle with the dragon of
cryptic artistic vision in the cave of
this artist’s mind for this exhibition
to really reveal something honest
and poignant . Though you
should be prepared to see some
disturbing images of war there
is much more to this exhibition
than just shock value. Wandering
from the insulated Dundee world
of chips and cheese through
this exhibition and out the other
side is a surreal experience that
invites you to reinterpret how
we understand the images we
witness everyday.
 Fashion News Nicola Brown

As we wave goodbye to Summer and

fashion headlines has two notable qualities
welcome the transition into Autumn,
certain of ensuring its success: profits will
the fashion industry prepare us for the
be going to charity, and the collaboration
imminent colder weather with their new
is with a young hot Hollywood starlet - our
collections: unveiled during London Fashion
very own Emma Watson. The Harry Potter
Week (LFW), which commenced on the
actress is working in partnership with
18th of September. With this year marking
People Tree on a clothing line designed
its 25 year anniversary, it did not disappoint
for the 16-24 age market. All royalties will
in showcasing the best of that indefinable
go to the People Tree Foundation which
British style.
aims to bring the benefits of fair-trade to
Glasgow-born designer Christopher Kane
a greater number of farmers and increases
was one of the prominent designers to
sustainable fashion around the world. The
transpire from LFW 2009, showcasing his
line, which promotes the importance of
designs to an impressive front row including
‘fashion with a conscience’ includes 26
American Vogue’s Anna Wintour, Donatella
pieces for women and 15 for men and will
Versace and supermodel Natalie Vodianova.
be unveiled in February 2010.
At just 27 Kane has already firmly secured
On a final note it is worth keeping your
his place in the fashion industry: appealing
diaries free for November 14th for the
not only to those with a disposable income
launch of H&M’s collaboration with top
to rival Paris Hilton’s, but also to the average
shoe designer Jimmy Choo. Dundee won’t
student through his ‘Christopher Kane for
be featuring the collection so head through
Topshop’ collection. The collection, which
to Edinburgh to get your hands on a pair of
hit shops to coincide with LFW, features 39
fabulous designer shoes without having to
pieces including accessories and footwear,
substitute your rent money to afford them!
featuring clothing ranging from the bold
croc Tee dress to his edgier take on the
bodycon dress.
A further collaboration that has graced the

Campus Chic

Joanna Rae, 21, Fine Francis Butterworth, 19, Kerr Brogan, 21, Medicine
Art Biomedical Science
Inspiration: Vivienne
30 30 Westwood
 Stylish or Sloppy?
When sitting in a crowded lecture
theatre on the dawn of a heavy night
out, there is no denying that it would be
a sneaky pleasure to be wearing your
most comfortable clothes. However, it
does present the question of whether it
is completely acceptable to walk around
campus dressed as though you have just
come from a game of football…or even
bed.
Paul Sawbridge, 19,
Business Management
Labels: Nike and Reebok
Paul was actually fresh out of the gym when
we approached him. However he admitted
he would usually wear his grey joggers and
hoody to university anyway.
Geoff Denwood, 20,
Molecular Genetics,
Labels: Ralph Lauren, Superdy, and Diesel
Geoff was recovering from a night out and
explained he reaches for the trackies to
accompany a hangover, but would normally
throw on a pair of jeans.
Elizabeth O’Hara
We cheekily approached a few guys
sauntering around campus in what could
only be described as sportswear. Had they
planned to partake in leisure activities later
that day, or was this simply their chosen
form of attire for uni’?
We asked the ladies:
Would you go for a guy in
who wore sporty clothing on
a daily basis?
Holly-Anne Coburn, 20, studies History
“Not at all. You associate it with chavvy
people!”
Karrie Jamieson, 17, studies Microbiology
“No, I think it looks a bit sloppy”
Marion Lean, 20, studies Textile Design
“Yeah I would! I think it’s better when you
see a guy looking comfortable because
people are more happy when they are
comfy”
An abundance of online forums, buzzing
with conflicting opinions on the matter
signal that we may not settle this
anytime soon. So without giving the
red card just yet, we leave the debate to
continue!
31
SWEET CHARITY
Words: Seonaid Rogers
Photography: Liz O’Hara

In these times of economic and

environmental crisis, two things

Ben Bridge,20,Illustration Student,

shoppers are looking for more than
ever in an outfit are low prices and
ethical credentials. In the name of
ethical fashion, our fashion team
took a trip to the Shelter (Perth
Road) to search for the best bargain
finds, to prove that you can shop
charity and still look good. We
found that you don’t have to splurge

Striped Shirt, £6
to look sexy (and ended up buying a

Rest Models Own

couple of things ourselves). A thank
you must be said to the wonderful
women at the Shelter who were a
massive help and dedicated to their
work.
Sean Christie, 21, a 3rd year Illustration student,
wears: Armani t-shirt, £5; tweed jacket, £8.
Trousers and belt, models own.
Liz O’Hara, 2?, a 3rd year Textile Design
student, wears: pink skirt, £3; gold top, £3.
Accessories, models own.
Josey McWilliam wears: gold skirt, £2. Top,
leggings and accessories, models own.
Jade Thoms, 20, a 3rd year Textile Design student,
wears: floral dress, £5; cardigan, £4; purple dress,
£5; blue bag, £3. Tights, models own.
Josey McWilliam, 20, a 3rd year Textile Design
student, wears: white dress, £6. Accessories,
models own.
Sport
Formula One’s Darkest Hour
>Matthew Simmonds
ormula One’s Darkest Hour
This September the entire sporting world
was shocked when Renault F1 decided not
to contest their charges of race fixing. The
team was alleged to have ordered one of
their drivers to crash in order to benefit the
other. The team has been issued a two year
suspended ban from formula 1 after the
world motor sports council’s investigation
had found that responsibility for the
incident lay with team boss Flavio Briatore
and executive director of engineering Pat
Symonds. Nelson Pique Jr, the driver who
deliberately crashed under team orders,
was given amnesty due to his co-operation
in the investigation.
The allegations that Briatore and Symonds
had planned for Pique Jr to deliberately
crash in order to benefit Fernando Alonso
had originally been met with a mixture of
confusion and anger by the Renault team.
Nelson Pique Jr had just been fired from the
Renault F1 team due to poor performance
when he claimed that he had been told
to crash during the 2008 Singapore grand
prix. Pique’s crash happened on lap 14 of
the race 2 laps after team mate Fernando
Alonso had pitted for fuel and tyres. A safety
car was deployed to control the pace of
the field while the wreckage was removed,
this meant that Alonso could regain the
time lost during his pit stop while the field
was at a controlled pace, putting him in a
position to win the race. The Renault team
responded to the allegations by Pique
Jr by filing a lawsuit against their former
driver and his father claiming that it was
a “blackmail attempt”. Fernando Alonso
was “very surprised” by these allegations
going on to say “I cannot imagine these
things, these situations. It’s something
that never entered my mind”. Though he
refused to comment further until after the
investigation was complete.
Briatore and Symonds both quit the F1
team before the sentence from the WMSC
but did not escape punishment for their
part in the scandal. Briatore has been
banned from FIA sanctioned events for an
unlimited period and Symonds has also
been excluded, but only for a 5-year period.
The world motor sport council found that
Renault was guilty of breaking its sporting
code finding; “breaches relating to the 2008
Singapore Grand Prix to be of unparalleled
severity.
“They not only compromised the integrity
of the sport but also endangered the lives
of spectators, officials, other competitors
and Nelson Piquet Jr. himself.
“The WMSC considers that offences of this
severity merit permanent disqualification
from the FIA Formula One World
Championship.
“However, in particular the steps taken
by Renault F1 to identify and address the
failings within its team and condemn the
actions of the individuals involved, the
WMSC has decided to suspend Renault F1’s
disqualification until the end of the 2011
season.”
Renault had held their own internal
investigation to ascertain the team
members responsible for planning the
crash, concluding that only Briatore,
Symonds and Pique Jr were responsible
and no other team member was involved.
The FIA conducted its own investigation
and concluded that this was the case. The
FIA imposed further sanctions on Briatore
declaring that it won’t grant a license to
any team that he is involved with or grant a
super license to any driver associated with
the Italian. This essentially prevents him
from ever being involved in F1 again.
Whether or not F1 will be able to recover
from this scandal is unclear, with supporter
numbers already down and teams pulling
out for the next season this could be the
fatal nail in the F1 coffin.
BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP 09/10
>Neil Cant
As we sit back and take it the first
month or so of the new English
Premier League season it can be
argued that we may have a classic on
our hands. Already we have seen high
scoring matches, excellent attacking
football, suspect defending, shock
results and controversial refereeing
decisions which have all contributed
to the excellent start of the 09/10
season.
The revolution at Eastland’s continues
with Manchester City having recorded
an excellent but unexpected 4-1
victory over Arsenal, one of the
so called ‘big four’. It will also be
argued by many that they were highly
unlucky not to take something from
the Manchester derby at Old Trafford,
losing to a 96th minute Michael Owen
goal in a 4-3 defeat.
The victors in that match appear to be
handling the departure of Cristiano
Ronaldo relatively well. A new system
of play has allowed Wayne Rooney to
adopt a more central role as a striker,
a role which he is revelling in with
a tally of six goals from six games.
Ultimately time will tell wither or not
Manchester United can handle the
loss of Ronaldo however the early
signs appear optimistic. United are
notoriously slow starters but five
league wins from six games appears
to suggest that the post Ronaldo
hangover is yet to kick in.
Chelsea have started very efficiently
under Carlo Ancelotti, a must for any
new Chelsea manager under Roman
Abramovich. The new diamond
system in midfield has given Chelsea
a more solid shape, contributing to a
100% record from six league games.
Chelsea fans believe that finishing top
of the league is the clubs priority and
a 100% record will do this ambition no
harm.
The teams with a stated ambition
of breaking into the top four have
suffered mixed fortunes in the early
weeks of the new season. Tottenham
have gotten off to a good start beating
Liverpool 2-1 on the first day of the
season and going onto record wins
against teams they must beat if they
have any chance of breaking into the
top six. Up in the North, Aston Villa
have also had a solid start to the new
season, recovering from a first day
defeat to Wigan and going on to win
their next four league games including
an excellent 3-1 victory at Anfield
against Liverpool and a 1-0 away
win in the Birmingham derby against
Birmingham City.
In the lower half of the league table
one team that has had bellow par start
to the season is Everton. Finishing
in the top six has become the norm
at Goodison in recent season, so far
this season however things haven’t
gone according to plan. A humiliating
6-1 opening day defeat to Arsenal and
a further two defeats from their first
five league games have left Everton
in an unfamiliar position in the lower
half of the table. Results have begun
to improve and with the astute signing
of players such as John Heitinga
and Russian midfielder Diniyar
Bilyaletdinov it appears likely that
Everton will mount a sustained push
for a place in the top six.
At the bottom of the table Portsmouth,
Hull and Blackburn currently make up
the bottom three. There are those of
the belief that Blackburn may have too
much quality to go down but tell that
to the Leeds and Newcastle fans who
now see their teams playing football
at a lower level. Portsmouth are in real
trouble at the moment with no points
from six games and with a number of
signings of apparent Championship
quality it may not be long before
manager Paul Hart is out of a job.
Those most definitely not out of a
job are the F.A disciplinary panel,
with indiscipline by certain players
hitting the headlines in recent weeks.
Emmanuel Adebayors stamp on
Robin Van Persie is probably the most
high profile of all the cases. There
is no defence for the stamp and the
subsequent three match ban was fully
justified.
Needless to say it has been a frantic
start to the Premiership season.
The table already has a familiar look
to it at such an early stage in the
season but a number of twists can
be expected in the coming months.
Players and managers will leave, but
the excellent football on show will
most certainly remain. Season 09/10
will be a classic, of that there should
be no doubt.
 Sport
Tennis Club
>Barry Davidson
The Tennis Club approach their new
season with a renewed enthusiasm
and brand spanking new courts. A
much improved situation to last few
years where the courts stood out next
to the impressive Belmont Flats as
tatty and slightly run down.
The club are heading into the new
university year on the back of an
impressive fresher’s recruitment
drive. 2nd team captain Andrew Sorrie
reporting around 140 new potential
members having signed up. This
figure was backed by a great turnout
at the first training session last
Wednesday with the courts packed
out.
Competitively, at the time of writing
this article, the team were still to see
action with trials due in the next week.
Anticipation is of a good season
ahead though, with some of the new
recruits having impressed.
“We are looking forward to a
successful season with a new line
up, said 1st team captain Jamie
Nisbet. Our hope is to push on, and
we are confident of successful league
campaigns for both the 1st’s and
2nd’s”.
Last season the 1st team reached the
final of the Conference Cup before
defeat to Edinburgh. They are looking
to improve on such achievements
30
this year with the league appearing
to be the main target. Chances of
team success though are hoped to
be further aided in the near future.
Discussions are underway that would
see usual Monday and Saturday
training sessions added to by
coaching sessions with a mystery
tennis player, focusing on player
development. So watch this space
folks.
As with all our sports teams our
tennis team enjoy nothing better than
a good piss up, this part of a strict
training regime enforced by Sorrie
and Nisbet. Social events are planned
throughout the year with potentially
unseen levels of debortuary expected.
If you missed signing up for the
club during fresher’s week do not
fret. If still interested in joining then
get yourself along to training on a
Monday afternoon and speak to Jaime
or Andrew who are always on the
lookout for new recruits.
Ski & Snowboard Club
>Barry Davidson
The Ski and Snowboarding Club are another
who had an impressive recruitment drive
at the recent Sports Fayre. With new blood
the club look to improve upon fantastic
individual success last year. Gavin Wares
having been crowned British Dryslope
Snowboarding Champion. With Gavin now
finished university a void has been created
leaving the fresher’s a daunting legacy to
live up to. Early signs are good though;
with some promising individuals, especially
within the boarding intake.
To help aid the development of club
members, from beginners to more skilled
boarders and skiers, ,the club arrange
regular trips to the Braehead indoor centre
in Glasgow, and Hillend dryslope outside
Edinburgh. In addition whenever the club
hear of snowfall at any range in Scotland
they are quick to grab their gear and hit
the slopes; an impromptu session having
been held at the Lecht last Halloween for
example.
Excitement is building for the upcoming
RAIL JAM to be held at Dundee University
for the first time on the 24th October.
This will see real snow being dumped though, the club are spreading their fun
in the space between the tennis courts lovin’ more locally; SUMO nights, toga
and Belmont Flats, and individuals from parties, and curry nights all pencilled in for
universities throughout Scotland attending the near future.
for snowboarding competitions. The All in all it sounds like a fantastic club
event is being made all the more exclusive become involved in, and finding out more
by the fact that the completions will be has become even easier with a new website
judged by British Olympic boarder Lesley having been professionally developed at;
MacKenna. The event though, as well as dundeeunisnow.co.uk
competitive boarding, will include live
DJ sets and a general opportunity for all
those with a passion of the sport to get
together for some banter boarding style.
The magnitude of the event is further
highlighted by the fact that early media
interest is said to be high.
Another highlight of the year’s calendar is
the annual club trip oversees in January.
This year’s destination is Lesarcs in France,
and interest is huge. Already around 144
have signed up for the jolly.
“The trip is about having some boarding
and skiing fun during the day then basically
getting pissed at night”, enthused Captain
Dom Szabo.
As well as social events across the globe
31