The Stag

FR
EE

The University of Surrey Newspaper

Editor: Mariam Nasir Tuesday 9th November 2010 Editor-In-Chief: Chris Whitehead

• off campus news p.5 • Catch up with your Sbbs p. 8 • Event planner centre pages p.12-13 • Film reviews p. 20• Surrey sport results p. 23
NEWS p. 3 FEATURES p. 8 SCIENCE & TECH p.14 SOCIETIES p16 ARTS p.18 SPORTS p.23

Union backs
National Demo
and Rallies
Against Rise in The Students’ Union has made its position on the Browne Re-

Tuition Fees
view clear to students, during an open executive meeting late last
month. The motion was proposed by the Chair of the Students’
Union, Rowan Ling, and seconded by the Vice-President for
Education, Stef Jones, following an online poll that aimed to gauge
student reaction to government proposals. (cont. on p. 4)

The Gene Boom Is the Bus Service meeting the

Nataliya Gerasimova
How there is a gene for
(almost) everything
As no other area of bioscience
seems to trigger so much
curiosity, our genetic make-up
(the somewhat hardware of
the human body, where all the
data, programs and protocols
of life’s existence are encoded)
has firmly settled somewhere
amongst global warming and
the credit crunch - in the pile
of pop culture “worries” of our
generation.
The Epidemiological studies of
inherited disorders and genet-
ic screening programmes, for
the most part, set the scene for
this ‘pro-gene’ movement. To
name but a few, cancers have
now fully acquired the name
‘genetic disease’ and genetic
testing for type 2 Diabetes
have been launched.
(cont. p. 14)
Students Expectations?
Lasika Jayamaha
Most students living at Hazel
farm, Park barn and Manor
Park are dependent on the Ar-
riva bus service between them
and the University. The ma-
jority of students affected are
those that use the 27 bus serv-
ice to Park Barn and Hazel farm,
most of them being postgradu-
ates and a few undergraduates.
They have intense coursework
and research which is stressful
enough without an added bur-
den of waiting in anticipation
for a bus.
I myself use the bus service to
and from Manor park, especial-
ly to the train station. I have not
experienced any delays on the
36 and 37 services. However
when I spoke to a few students
who were at the Austin Pierce
bus stop this is what they had
to say about the terrible delays
on the 27 bus service.
One lady, a PG from Park Barn
said,
“Our course is tough enough
and I have to be thinking about
what time I will get into uni-
versity and back.”
She also commented how they
waste a lot of time waiting at (Cont. on p. 10)

Issue 22 | The University of Surrey Students’ Union | thestagsurrey.co.uk

 Editor’s Letter With the hot topic of the moment being the rise in tuition fees, everyone is buzzing Your Stag Team
with questions, comments and engaging in debates on how we are all going to be
effected by this big change. The Stag team had the opportunity to have a sit down Comms Officer | Chris Whitehead
with NUS VP Society and Citizenship Susan Nash and local Councillor Chris Ward ussu.communications@surrey.ac.uk.
to hear their thoughts on the matter, turn to page _ for the full story. In addition
to that, Tom Goulding does an indepth profile on Chris Ward and his goals for the Editor | Mariam Nasir
students of Guildford have a look at page _. editor@thestagsurrey.co.uk
With all these matters of seriousness encapsulating us, we have little much to be
excited about so once again, The Stag is giving away tickets away for, yes – FESTISH Deputy Editor (Design) | Bakita Kasadha de-
Night! Just count the number of the red stag images in the paper – they are scat- sign@thestagsurrey.co.uk
tered all over - and email me the final count at Design Team | Zoe Kitchener, Rowan Ling, Am-
rin Lokhandwalla, Jack White, Stacey Hunter &
Charlotte Clarke
editor@thestagsurrey.co.uk and you can be the lucky winners!

On another note, facebook is pretty much taking over the world. This is not a statement; it is the reality Deputy Editor (Marketing) | Eunice Njagi
of things. Have a look at “Facebook: What does it say about you”, it will make you think about your profile marketing@thestagsurrey.co.uk
picture if nothing else as well as the review of The Social Network in the film section which is about how the Marketing Officers | Harriet Drudge , Imogen
whole phenomenon started in the first place. Jones & Kristel Tchamba

Any comments, questions or feedback please email me at editor@thestagsurrey.co.uk or just pop along to News Team
our weekly meetings; 6pm in 05AC03. Until next time! News Editor | Tom Goulding
news@thestagsurrey.co.uk
Mariam
Team | Jack White
Meet the Team
Features Team
Sports Editor Features Editor | Jyoti Rambhai
The new sports editor, Marissa Guerreiro Da Costa, is in her 2nd year of Tourism Management and features@thestagsurrey.co.uk
practically lives at the Sports Park, you are most likely to find her eating in the changing room or
having her daily fix of The Simpsons on the treadmill. Her favourite sports are surfing and FMX and Science & Tech Team
her hopes for this year are that everyone gets involved in sports and enjoy the sports section! Science & Technology Editor | Helen Finn
sciencetech@thestagsurrey.co.uk
Team| Rachel Lismore-Burns & Emma
Cooper

Societies Team
Webmaster Societies Editor | Utkarsh Sharma
Andy is a second year computer scientist who also helps to manage Surrey RAG website, is the societies@thestagsurrey.co.uk
secretary for Surrey Stage Crew and is Head of Show Production and Training for GU2 Radio. Team | Apoorva Sondhi

Arts Team
Dance & Theatre Editor | Rachel Gildea
dancetheatre@thestagsurrey.co.uk
Team | Lucy Al-Zoghbi, Sian Goldby &
Alex Sutton
Marketing Team
My name is Harriet Drudge. I’m a fairly active person; I love sport, my favourite being football. I Film Editor | Ollie Sim
play centre forward for the University team but I’m also in a choir and love to sing. Two things
film@thestagsurrey.co.uk
you probably wouldn’t put together! I study Business Management and I’m loving Surrey!
Literature Editor| Christina Webb
Apologises literature@thestagsurrey.co.uk
The Stag would like to apologise for the following mistakes from last edition Team| Demitri Levantis, Miranda Sullivan
“The Sudoku in the Games page had one of the numbers in the wrong place. & Hollie Rowe-Roberts
“Revelation” in the Literature Section written by Gareth Evans.
Music Editor | Lorna Salmon
“Science of Lectures” in Science and Technology Section by Emma Cooper music@thestagsurrey.co.uk
“Value of Food” in Science and Technology Section by Rachel Lismore-Burns Team: Liam Conroy

The Stag is an editiorially independent newspaper and is Sports Team

published by the University of Surrey Student’s Union. Sports Editor |Marissa Guerreiro Da Costa
sports@thestagsurrey.co.uk
The Views expressed in the paper are those of the individual Team l Latoya Kessie and Sam Smith
authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the
educational team, the Students’ Union or the University of Surrey. Photography Editor | Naomi Davidson
Surrey & Berkshire Media Ltd.
Copy Editors | Emma Armitage, Vijay Bhaskar,
8 Tessa Road, Reading
RG1 8NS Yemi Dipeolu, Nicole Vassell & Faha Zahid
copyteam@thestagsurrey.co.uk
The Stag reserves the right to edit all submissions and the right to
decide which articles are published. Webmasters | Ankur Banerjee & Andy Smith
webteam@thestagsurrey.co.uk
Please direct all enquiries to the relevant section editors.

thestagsurrey.co.uk
news@thestagsurrey.co.uk
Students could benefit from ONS
National Recruitment Campaign
Tom Goulding
News Editor
The Office for National Statis-
tics has launched a national re-
cruitment campaign that will
provide an estimated 35,000
jobs nationwide. The recruits
will be expected to fill part
time, temporary positions,
leaving the opportunity open
for students with flexible time-
tables.
Recruits will be asked to help
gather data for the next na-
tional census on 27th March
2011, a survey carried out ev-
ery ten years that provides an
estimate of the population of
England and Wales. The sta-
tistics gained by the census
help the government allocate
important funding to public
services such as transport, ed-
ucation and health. They also
allow central and local policy
makers to identify and address
vital concerns of local commu-
nities.
Applicants will be able to
NUS responds to comprehensive spending review
George Osborne: Chancellor of the Exchequer
In 1993 Natalya Polosmak, a Russian archaeologist, discovered the burial place of a wom-
an who died in Siberia around 400 BC (two thousand four hundred years ago). Known as
the Siberian Ice Maiden, the body had been preserved by permafrost?
choose from a variety of roles
with the ONS, including census
coordinators who help man-
age local teams, census collec-
tors who provide door to door
support with questionnaires,
and special enumerators who
will be responsible for distrib-
uting the census at communal
establishments such as student
halls of residence. These jobs
will see recruits engage with
local communities and organi-
zations, and will be distributed
proportionately between re-
gions, with over 10,500 place-
ments going to the South East
and London.
The news comes during a
week when Chancellor of the
Exchequer George Osborne
announced plans to axe half a
million public service jobs in
the 2010 spending review.
ONS Census Director Glen
Watson said, “I am pleased to
announce the start of our cam-
Did you know...
The Stag NEWS 03
B a k e
ff!
O
paign to recruit 35,000 people
across England and Wales for
the 2011 Census.
The census is not just about
counting people, the informa-
tion it provides is needed to
Get your housemates, your friends, your coursemates -
plan vital services like schools,
hospitals, housing, roads and EVERYONE - together and join the bake-off!!
emergency services. Census
results are also used exten- Lower Lecture Theatre Concourse
sively within academia as both
a teaching and research re- Tuesday 23rd November 11:00-14:00
source.
bring along your cake between 11am and 12pm to be judged and sold.
The 2011 Census is less than
six months away. We need All proceeds will go to Mental Health charities
to give people help and sup-
port to complete and return We have a £20 Wagamama voucher to give to the creators of the best decorated cake.
the census questionnaire and
this means recruiting the right Get involved, make new friends and have fun!
people for this important na-
tionwide project.”
For further information
on how you can apply for
a job helping on the ONS
2011 National Census, visit
www.censusjobs.co.uk. Student Healthcare
NUS
NUS has warned huge cuts to that puts the future of colleges
higher education funding and and universities at risk and
student support for further will have repercussions for the
education contained in today’s future prospects of students
comprehensive spending re- and learners. This is a spend-
view (CSR) informed an entire ing review that looks an entire
generation, “you’re on your generation in the eye and says
own”. ‘you’re on your own.’”
The CSR announced reduc- “Government ministers from
tions in the university teaching both parties keep telling us that
budget to be “offset” by huge the deficit must be reduced
increases in tuition fees, pro- to avoid passing a poisoned
posed the abolition of the edu- legacy to the next generation,
cation maintenance allowance but now they are proposing to
(EMA), which supports poorer eliminate almost all funding
students to afford staying on in for university education whilst
further education, and suggest- simultaneously transferring
ed increased fees and loans for the debt onto students.
adult learners.
“Ministers who themselves
NUS said the fresh round of received their university edu-
cuts would lead to the effective cation for free are now saying
privatisation of universities that the next generation will
and restricted opportunities have to do without.”
for college students.
NUS and UCU organised a
Aaron Porter, NUS President, national demonstration
said: against cuts to further and
higher education in central
“This is a devastating blow to London on Wednesday 10
higher and further education November 2010.
thestagsurrey.co.uk
04 NEWS
Union backs National Demo and rallies against rise in Tuition Fees
Tom Goulding
News Editor
(Cont. from front page)
In a document that outlined
the response to future chang-
es in the funding of Higher
Education, the Union states,
“The removal of the tuition
fee cap and an increase in fees
will result in fewer students
being able to attend Univer-
sity, particularly from poorer
backgrounds”, before resolv-
ing to, “take an active stance
against cuts to Higher Educa-
tion and/or rise in Higher
Education tuition fees…to
become an official supporting
organsiation of the NUS and
UCU demonstration, ‘Fund
our Future’ on 10th November
2010 in London.”
Students who attended the
meeting were keen to share
their own ideas with the
union executive, with one
student calling for members
of the public to also be pro-
vided with free transport to
the demonstration. Whilst it
was argued that the union had
a responsibility to encourage
Surrey residents in partici-
pating, Equality & Diversity
Officer Victor Bamigboye was
concerned for the reputation
of the university. He reasoned,
“We have to be careful when
involving non-students, es-
A United Front against Oppression
Tom Goulding
News Editor
China’s record for violating
human rights was called into
question again this month,
after Norway awarded liter-
ary professor and civil rights
activist Liu Xiaobo the Nobel
Peace Prize. Xiaobo was first
imprisoned for his involve-
ment in the 1989 Tiananmen
Square student protests, now
infamous worldwide for the
government’s subsequent
crackdown. He served in a la-
bour camp for a period in the
1990s, and co-wrote ‘Charter
08’: a controversial document
calling for democratic reform
in China, for which he is cur-
rently serving an eleven-year
prison sentence.
thestagsurrey.co.uk
The Stag
pecially when the ‘Fund our
Future’ demonstration is ex-
actly the kind of event where
radical protestors like to make
an appearance. If there was a
disruption, the consequences
could lead back to the univer-
sity.” A compromise was then
reached whereby transport
priority would go to Universi-
ty of Surrey students, followed
by non-Uni students in Guild-
ford, and finally university
staff and UCU members.
The union’s decision comes
after findings from the on-
line poll were published last
month, revealing a strong
show in support for action
Diplomatic relations between
China and Norway have been
damaged by the latter’s de-
cision to award Xiaobo the
Peace Prize; Foreign Minis-
try Spokesman for China Ma
Zhaoxu denounced the award
as a “blasphemy”, while news
channels and websites cov-
ering the event in Oslo were
heavily censored. There are
now fears that Xiaobo’s wife,
Liu Xia, will not be allowed to
receive the award on behalf of
her husband and several of his
supporters having been cau-
tioned or detained following
the news.
This of course reflects China’s
steadfast belief that no one
Rest in Peace
Education
against the Browne Re-
view. On the multiple choice
questionnaire measuring
whether university benefits
the individual or the nation
as a whole, most students an-
swered that higher education
has a positive effect on both.
Comments were almost unani-
mously critical of the govern-
ment’s decision to “punish”
students, with one student
writing, “Adding a market into
this system will disadvantage
courses with low uptake,
even if they are vitally impor-
tant for the whole of society.
Furthermore, universities that
are less than stellar, or have
news@thestagsurrey.co.uk
poorly performing depart-
ments, will find it even more
difficult to catch up with
those at the top. The lead
that Oxford and Cambridge
already have in Britain will
become utterly insurmount-
able. Their student experience
is also vastly better then other
places. The Browne Review’s
financial recommendations
will condemn most universi-
ties to mediocrity.”
Some criticism was also
directed towards the union
for taking too long to mo-
bilize itself in the face of an
increase in fees. “This is late,
wordy, and has no clear point”,
argued one student who took
the poll, “When is the Union
going to take a stand and
actually take some leadership
on this? We’ve known this
has been coming for months,
years even, why are you still
faffing around and not lead-
ing the fight against fees for
Surrey?”
Following the Comprehen-
sive Spending Review, there
were also fears that govern-
ment cuts to the NHS budget
could affect Health and Social
Service courses, not currently
covered by the student’s
union. However, until there
is evidence that these health
cuts will make an impact on
undergraduate courses, the
union is inclined to remain
neutral on the subject. In
contrast to the main subject of
discussion, Malcolm Hunt as-
sured students that “those not
interested in the cause will
not be affected in the coming
weeks” and that courses will
continue as normal.
The National Demonstration
will take place on November
10th 2010. Students will be
asked to make their way to
Horse Guards Avenue for
11.30am, while free coach
travel will be made available
from The University of Surrey.
news@thestagsurrey.co.uk
should challenge the politi-
cal status quo; that there are
no dissidents, only criminals.
With a population of over 1.3
billion people, and an ever-
increasing sphere of influence
as an emerging geopolitical
power, it isn’t only Western
society that is now calling for
greater scrutiny of China’s
treatment towards its citizens.
Last week Chinese Commu-
nist Party veterans defied the
government, signing an open
letter that condemned the ‘in-
visible black hand’ of the Chi-
nese propaganda department.
The senior ex officials who
were already known for their
reformist views, are unlikely
to make an impact outside of
intellectual circles, but could
encourage other activists to
speak out.
China’s main concern will be
maintaining a veil of silence
over the subject of Liu Xiaobo,
in case citizens begin to ques-
tion what Charter 08 is and
what it stands for. The govern-
ment’s scare tactic to make an
example of him may not have
the desired effect, especially
now Xiaobo has joined the
ranks of such legendary hu-
man rights campaigners as
Nelson Mandela and the Dalai
Lama. Chinese officials are also
finding it increasingly difficult
to uphold their false claim to
freedom of speech, drawn out
in Article 35 of the country’s
1982 constitution. It states,
“Citizens of the People’s Re-
public of China enjoy freedom
of speech, of the press, of as-
sembly, of association, of pro-
cession and of demonstration.”
As the Chinese elders pointed
out, Hong Kong enjoyed great-
er freedom to debate and ques-
tion policy under colonial Brit-
ain than China does today.
Evidently, the cracks in China’s
outdated authoritarian ideol-
ogy are starting to show. As
it moves closer and closer to
becoming the world’s greatest
economic force, its dominant
policy of suppression and in-
timidation is going to be ex-
posed to such an extent that
the international community
will no longer be able to toler-
ate it. The Chinese intellectual
circle of journalists, academics
and publishers demand that
“the system of censorship be
dismantled in favour of a sys-
tem of legal responsibility.”
China’s reply has been to place
greater restrictions on activ-
ists and lawyers who dare im-
plement such a change.
Hopefully, Norway’s defiance
in awarding Liu Xiaobo the No-
bel Peace Prize will stand as a
shining example to others de-
termined not to be bullied into
submission.
Off Campus!
Tom Goulding
News Editor
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi
In this issue, a new front against
terror in the sky, while rumours
and scandal are rife in Italy and
Russia.
With the heartwarming Chil-
ean miner rescue of two weeks
ago behind us, the world once
again returns to a weary theatre
of paranoia, gossip and fanati-
cal violence. The past few days
has seen the global terror alert
rise to coincide with confirma-
tions that two bombs have been
found on cargo planes bound
for Chicago. The explosive de-
vices, smuggled into printer
cartridges, could have deto-
nated at any point during the
flight between Yemen and the
United States if they had not
been apprehended en route,
prompting fears that terror
groups now have the capabili-
ty to launch undetectable, high
impact attacks on Western soil
for little investment. So is this
scaremongering intended to
increase resentment towards
the Middle East or evidence
that proves Saudi warnings
that a new wave of radical ter-
rorism against the European
continent, Britain and the US
is a realistic threat? Watch this
In Thailand, both Father’s Day and Mother’s Day are celebrated on the birthdays of Their
Majesties the King and Queen?
The Stag
space.
On a lighter note, Italian Prime
Minister Silvio Berlusconi, ev-
eryone’s favourite womanizing
fascist, has become embroiled
in yet another sex scandal with
a 17-year-old belly dancer.
In a move that has effectively
lost him the public popularity
boost he gained delivering aid
to the Abruzzo earthquake vic-
tims last year, Berlusconi fer-
vently denied suggestions that
he had bribed the Milan police
to discharge Ruby Rubacuori
(a.k.a ‘The Stealer of Hearts’)
after reportedly stealing
£3,000 in May. He then went
on to laugh off media criticism
of his excessive lifestyle, telling
the papers, “I am a playful per-
son, full of life. I love life, I love
women.”
With the 57-year age difference
between Berlusconi and Rubac-
uori, no one is denying that he
lives up to those sentiments.
However, the dancer was ada-
mant that he had not tried to
take her to bed, but shed light
on his elaborate parties, invit-
ing ten women to his mansion
each year for Valentine’s Day
Did you know...
thestagsurrey.co.uk
NEWS 05
and encouraging after dinner
“relations” between guests. To
think this country complained
when Gordon Brown couldn’t
name his favourite biscuit.
Finally, Russian Prime Minister
Vladimir Putin has been sport-
ing orange make up at a meet-
ing in Ukraine to conceal what
looks like an impressive black
eye. This has prompted many
to speculate what might have
happened: Has the formidable
hard man of world politics
been scuffling with the bears
and tigers he loves to cuddle
so much? Did a judo game get
out of hand? Was he dressed as
a pumpkin for Halloween? Pu-
tin’s spokesman tried to quell
rumours by announcing the
Prime Minister had been the
victim of “poor lighting”. An ex-
planation so unimaginatively
dull, it seems perfectly believ-
able.
Unfortunately, that’s all for
what has been a particularly
gossip-laden issue of Off Cam-
pus! Make sure you pick The
Stag up next time for what
should be a far more interest-
ing dose of global affairs.
06 NEWS
“Students belong here as much as anyone else”
Tom Goulding
News Editor
Elected as a Guildford Borough
Councillor for Onslow at the
age of 23, Chris Ward has cam-
paigned for many of the issues
facing Surrey students dur-
ing his time in office. Here, he
discusses his past and present
work for the community, as well
as his reaction to The Browne
Review as a member of the Lib-
eral Democrats.
In 2003, Chris Ward faced his
first challenge in the world of
politics. Then Editor for bare-
facts, he was involved in the
‘Lights, Camera, Action” cam-
paign to install CCTV surveil-
lance in the Tesco underpass.
He continued this after being
elected in 2007, coming under
fire from Conservative Council-
lors who denounced Chris as
a scaremonger for drawing at-
tention to the frequent cases
of sexual assault and GBH in
the dimly lit passageway, it was
argued that no action would
be taken until more crime fig-
ures had been established.
Tirelessly campaigning against
this distorted logic long af-
ter the Lights, Camera, Action
campaign was formally closed,
Chris remembers the day that
the cameras were finally put
thestagsurrey.co.uk
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up, “One of the girls who had
been assaulted in the under-
pass thanked me personally,
and it was then that I knew I
wanted to go in to politics.”
Since then, Chris has embarked
on the ‘Are You Protected?’ cam-
paign for safe student housing,
helping vulnerable students
check before paying extortion-
ate fees to irresponsible land-
lords. “My main concern was to
prevent Guildford from obtain-
ing the student ghettos you see
in such cities as Nottingham”,
he explained, “The aim was
that if we promoted the fact
that students are eligible to
three times the compensation
if landlords fail to place their
deposit in a protection scheme,
negligent landlords will be
compelled to clean up their act
in general.”
In his ongoing campaign against
the Gay Blood Ban, Chris spoke
out at an LGBT meeting in Guild-
ford last month to express his
own personal encounters with
homophobia and intimidation
in the past, and to encourage
others to speak out who have
had similar experiences. In his
speech he stated, “I find it both
unbearable and impossible
to explain how it feels to be a
young boy and feel that you are
entirely alone and rejected for
what you are. It is something
that many people here today
will have experienced, and it’s
something that still goes on”,
before adding, “Don’t entertain
the self-corroding paranoia
that the world will reject you,
because I know I felt that way
not so long ago, and I know
now that it’s not true.”
Going into further detail on the
ban, Chris explained the flawed
evidence that its supporters
were using to enforce their
preconceptions, “If, hypotheti-
cally, a man had a homosexual
experience thirty or forty years
ago, even before HIV was first
clinically observed and igno-
rantly stereotyped as a gay dis-
ease, he would still be banned
from donating blood today.”
However in the current politi-
cal climate, it is not just the gay
blood ban but also the Lib Dem
stance on raising tuition fees
that has caused the greatest stir,
not just in the public but also
in the party itself. Chris himself
would support a hybrid gradu-
ate tax, whereby those taking
degrees with the greatest pay
off in later life would recom-
pense a larger amount for their
studies, but also approach EU
students with the same con-
ditions. “The coalition is ada-
mant that a graduate tax would
not work because we’d be un-
able to apply it to EU students
who leave the UK after gradu-
ation. Yet there is evidence to
suggest that some European
Courtesy of the BBC
nations such as Greece and
Lithuania apply a differential
funding system to their univer-
sity students. Either the coali-
tion has purposely neglected
this option or it has failed to do
its homework.”
Chris went on to acknowledge
that although he would still
support the abolition of tu-
ition fees altogether, universi-
ties had to be realistic in the
future. “The UK culture now
dictates that everybody needs
to do an academic degree with
the government failing to push
people into vocational work.
Another major issue is the one-
size-fits-all student loan which
does not cover student essen-
tials in Guildford. That’s fine if
you’re from a privileged family,
but for the major proportion of
students this could be the rea-
son behind the 25% dropout
rate.”
For now, as councillor for On-
slow and the University of
Surrey, Chris will continue to
provide for student needs. “I’m
here if anyone has any prob-
lems: students belong here
as much as anyone else does.
I respect the role that Surrey
students play in the Guildford
community, and that is not a
responsibility I take lightly.”
email: chris.ward@guildford.gov.
uk
mobile: 07894 249318
facebook: www.facebook.com/
christopher.j.ward
twitter: www.twitter.com/chris-
topherward
news@thestagsurrey.co.uk
New
University
Library on
Schedule
for 2011
Tom Goulding
News Editor
The University of Surrey’s new
library is still on target for its
official opening next year, it
was revealed during the top-
ping out ceremony last month.
The event was carried out and
attended by Carole Seymour-
Jones, author of Beatrice Webb:
A Life and contributor to the
New Statesman and Times
Higher Education Supplement.
The new facilities will see the
library increase in size by 50%,
as well as 150 new computers
and six new rooms for groups
to engage with presentations
and other activities. The new
developments come after sta-
tistics showed that the pres-
ent library has seen a 70% in-
crease in attendance over the
past four years.
Director of building contractor
Volker Fitzpatrick was keen
to assert that the new library
is still on schedule, telling re-
gional paper Get Surrey, “It’s
a credit to the university staff
and our project team that we
have been able to work so well
together to make a success of
this new educational facility,
with very little disruption to
the university as a whole.
“The project is currently on
programme, within budget and
due to complete, as planned, in
May 2011 and we fully intend
to keep it that way.”
Did you know...
The Guildford MP,
Anne Milton, was on Surrey
Campus Last Friday?
You may have seen her
picture taken outside of
Chancellors!
The NUS Demo is taking
place on Wednesday 10th
November in London?
news@thestagsurrey.co.uk
04 NEWS
Local Councillor and NUS Vice President
Discuss University Funding Bloodbath
Jack White
On 5th November, The Stag
and MAD TV were joined by
local Councillor Chris Ward,
and Susan Nash, the NUS VP
Society and Citizenship, for
a discussion on the Govern-
ment’s hardline proposed cuts
in higher education funding
and increase in fees to £9,000.
Mr Ward tore into the new
policies, referring to his early
life in the North, where Tory
social cleansing policies led
to a stark economic divide:
“In practice, we will have
universities for the rich and
universities for the poor.”
The outcome of the Browne
Review and the Government’s
Comprehensive Spending
Review has left both visitors
aghast. Mr Ward highlighted
the cuts, weighing in at as
much as 90% in the Arts, while
Ms Nash ridiculed the Reviews,
saying, “When the Government
conducts a Review, it means
they have already decided the
system has to change.”
A key message from both
parties was that while the
fees will affect new students,
they come hand-in-hand with
massive cuts, which will
affect many students who
are currently studying. The
Government is starting a war
The Stag
with people it cannot afford
to alienate.
Surrey Student Union (USSU)
Chair, Rowan Ling cited the
results of the Union’s recent
survey of Surrey students,
pointing out that psychological
effects of people borrowing up
to £16,000 a year would be
catastrophic. The Conservative
Party is trying to move towards
a US-style university system,
where students pay as much
as £22,000 a year. However,
families there spend decades
saving to send their children
to university. Many poorer
families are still victims of
America’s 19th century wealth
gap and the resulting social
apartheid.
The new system of loans
would see a big increase in
interest payments. The NUS has
calculated that students who
earn just above the salary at
which you will start paying
back the loan, will pay more
interest than someone earning
a large salary.
Cuts will not only affect home
students. Ms Nash said:
“Competition from universities
in China, India and Australia is
much more now. Universities
like Surrey will feel the need
to raise fees to keep the
The Stag NEWS 07
news@thestagsurrey.co.uk
Did you know...
...Led Zeppelin
played their first
live performance
at Surrey Uni
in 1968?
...students brought
much of Western
Europe to a stand-
still in May 1968,
NUS VP Society and Citizenship Susan Nash shows how it’s done with some people
appearance of prestige”. The thinking France
NUS has also seen interest in was in the throes
the Government’s plans from
foreign unions, fearful for the of revolution?
safety of their universities.
Students around the country ...that 1968 was
have already started to com-
bat cuts to their courses. the year that the
All eyes are now on the University moved
National Demonstration this
Wednesday. The NUS hopes to its current
this event will be a catalyst, location on
encouraging more students
to get active on their own Stag Hill?
campuses. Rowan Ling said, Councillor Ward: against fees
“The Demo will really set
USSU’s position on the cuts”. Mr Ward, himself an anti- ... students at
fees Lib-Dem, described the
Prior to the General Election, betrayal as “damaging” both Guildford School
many Lib-Dem candidates to his party and to the country. of Art occupied
signed a promise to vote Ms Nash urged students
against fee increases. Many to pressure their MPs Stoke Park for over
are now preparing to go back both in Guildford and at a month in 1968?
on that promise in the first test home, to vote against such
of their integrity. extreme measures.
MP for Guildford, Anne Milton
Anne Milton has been the MP for Guildford since 2005, and is
the current Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public
Health. Anne visited the University of Surrey last week for a
closed question-and-answer session with selected students.
Anne would like to hear your views on the Higher Education
funding crisis. Her email address is:
anne@annemilton.co.uk
thestagsurrey.co.uk
thestagsurrey.co.uk
08 FEATURES
“You talk, we listen”
Malcom Hunt
USSU President
“You talk, we listen”. “Your opin-
ion matters”. Phrases you’ll
see often when a new survey
is released. But is there really
someone listening? And does
your opinion really matter?
Surrey Sports Park - How
do you feel about it?
Trung
VP Sports & Recreation
A lot of emails have been
coming through to me from
students and sports clubs
about the Surrey Sports Park.
I have challenged the Sports
Park with your issues and
reported back on what was
said. Hot topics include club
training issues, the Sauna
& Steam room use and SSP
parking. There are other
queries too and I feel that your
comments would be best dealt
directly with the Sports Park.
This is why I have arranged
a Surrey Sports Q&A session
with representatives from the
Interested in any of these sports? ussu.sports@surrey.ac.uk
↑ given space and the allocation
thestagsurrey.co.uk
The Stag
You may have taken part in the
‘Student Barometer’ survey in
the last couple of weeks . Now,
some of you will have filled in
the Barometer because you re-
ally wanted to have your say.
Others will have filled it in for a
free drink at Starbucks. Others
may have done it to fill a gap
in the day that even Facebook
couldn’t fill. But how many of
you thought about how the
results of these surveys really
make a difference?
After all, it’s a bit of a waste of
time if all your rich, creamy sur-
vey data is passed to a scruffy
disorganised man called Garry
who puts it in the bottom of a
dusty filing cabinet and never
Surrey Sports Park as well the
University. So if you have any
feedback (good or bad) and
would like answers to your
questions, then this is a great
opportunity to do so. You can
ask on the night or if you would
like a more detailed answer,
email your queries beforehand
to ussu.se.chair@surrey.ac.uk
Keep Tuesday 23rd November,
6pm free for this event!
On that note here is the
official line that was given
to me regarding the Sauna &
Steam room:
“The sauna and steam area
was always intended to be a
‘pay as you use’ area for all
guests except for one particular
membership type. The area
had open access through April
- Aug whilst we were finishing
the access control system for
the changing room areas of the
Sports Park. Once these had
been finished we instigated
our original access control
strategy that was devised
some months ago.”
Email Trung at:
looks at it again. That’s why
the Students’ Union is working
with the University of Surrey
this year to make the most of
what surveys tell us and act ac-
cordingly.
As part of a new Surrey initia-
tive over 25 different surveys
have been amalgamated down
to just 3. There’ll be a Student
Barometer at the start and end
of the year and the incredibly
important ‘NSS – National Stu-
dent Survey’ for final years at
the start of semester 2. With
fewer surveys there’ll be less
time needed to be spent by
students filling things out and
a much easier set of data to
analyse and act upon.
But what will this lead to? Well,
with better knowledge the Uni-
versity can make sure it does
more of the good things and
less of the bad. Is there some-
thing about your time at Surrey
that’s been a real highlight? Or
was there a time when you’d
have hoped for a bit more? It’s
feedback from surveys like the
Student Barometer and the
NSS that’ll decide what the
University concentrates on in
future!
At the time of writing we’re
already on target for a record
number of responses to the
Student Barometer. Thanks
very much to everyone who
filled it in!
If you have any further ques-
tions or opinions feel free to
email me at ussu.president@
surrey.ac.uk.
New Club Start Ups - Do
We Not Accommodate
For Your Sport?
Through the Union presenta-
tions in Freshers’ Week and
updating the Union website
before the start of the academic
year I have gathered quite a lot
of interests for sports which
students would like to start
at Surrey. There are three in
particular which are moving
forward; currently I’m looking
into the logistics and funding
for actually getting them up
and running. These sports are
Judo, Boxing & Table Tennis.
Other club ideas are Aikido,
Table Football (Füßball),
Lacrosse and Triathlon.
features@thestagsurrey.co.uk
USSU Targets Better World
Nat Harding
USSU Ethics and Environment Officer
Well hello there! My job is to
promote and apply ethical and
environmental issues around
campus - Fairtrade, recycling -
that sort of thing.
One of the things I have
observed from my time at
Surrey has been that there
are loads of students around
campus who are actively
trying to make a difference
to the world around them.
There are many different soci-
eties that people get involved
in, such as RAG and DoMore,
campaigning societies like
Amnesty and Peo-
ple and Planet,
religious and political societies,
and many more that use what
they do for a good cause.
While this diverse range of
action is fantastic, I want to
get these people with common
interests working together - a
campaign can be doubly as
effective with double the
Societies Updates
Osama I Salih
VP Societies
Hi, I hope you have all settled in
and are enjoying your year so
far. On our last society standing
we have had a number of
societies ratified, this includes
the Spanish Society, Bright
Futures and Veterinary
Bioscience. You will soon be
able to join these societies and
to get involved in their events
and activities.
Societies, who have requested
for a locker space, have all been
number of people working
on it.
I am therefore setting up the
USSU Better World Coalition
- a coalition of societies and
individuals interested in
contributing to alleviating pov-
erty, tackling environmental
problems, and protecting
human rights, both locally and
globally.
It will begin with a mailing list,
giving details of events and
campaigns that members of
the coalition are running that
might interest other members
to attend or help out with. The
longer term goal is to work
together, along with the
university, to take collective
action.
If you or your society would
like to be involved, or for more
information, drop me an email
at ussu.ethics@surrey.ac.uk.
process is being done now.
The new system will hopefully
be suitable for accessing the
lockers throughout the day
and night without having to
wait for the opening hours of
the union.
I am now looking in to different
ways of making our societies
sustainable and provide ideas
in order for them to flourish
and provide a suitable
backbone for the years to
come. One of these ideas for
departmental societies is to
work with the societies in
order to get sponsorships from
departments and potential
employers that can be bene-
ficial to its members. As for
other societies I am still
thinking for similar ways. If
you have any ideas on this
matter please contact me.
News on new societies to
start, at the moment we have
thoughts on starting up the
computer society.
features@thestagsurrey.co.uk
"Y' know what really
grinds my gears..."
Realising you’re getting old!
Bakita Kasadha
Deputy Editor
In my opinion, these are the
indicators:
1) You don’t appreciate the
winter’s snow and see it
more as an inconvenience.
2) You find ‘youngas’ on the
buses irritating, simply
because they are young.
3) You don’t automatically
choose the Disney film
when presented with
a variety of options for
a film night.
4) Rather than appreciating
what you’re watching, you
miss 1990’s television.
Whatever happened to Top
of the Pops, Sesame Street
and Kenan & Kel?
5) You no longer see your
parents as invincible.
6) You think about the long
term consequences of
your actions, not just the
immediate ones.
7) You don’t mind being in
bed before 12 at night.
8) You have no time to waste!
9) You comment on how
young the University of
Surrey Freshers look
this year.
10) Lack of innocence... every-
thing is now an innuendo.
11) You turn 21 and realise
that you should have
taken advantage of being
immature and that the
excuse to do and say silly
things is gone... forever.
I swear I’m not a moany mare
all the time; it just really grinds
my gears! Saying that though
you’re allowed to whinge more
with age!
Halloween:
Tradition vs Contemporary
Hollie Rowe-Roberts
Halloween, technically a Chris-
tian celebration, celebrated on
the eve of All Saints’ Day; how-
ever we may now know it as
more of a reason to celebrate
by downing as many shots as
possible and dressing up as
supposedly scary characters
from films.
In the Christian religion it was
there to honour those who had
recently departed and pray for
the souls in purgatory.
North America did not recog-
nise this event until late into
the 19th century, although
some states did celebrate No-
vember 5th, but not in a big
way.
It took until 1991 for the event
to be celebrated by Hollywood
and there was this one party
organised and all influence
came from Hollywood films
such as Texas Chainsaw Mas-
sacre (1974). The occasion
snowballed into what we often
see today in American films,
it can be said that the use of
pumpkins does still relate to
its roots of Harvest Suppers
and Thanksgiving Dinners but
generally the pumpkins are
simply a form of decoration in
our homes on window sills.
Halloween is generally widely
accepted and is especially fun
for children. Halloween allows
them to dress up using their
imaginations and have a fun
time trick or treating.
Although I have only men-
tioned Britain and America so
far, it is fair to mention that
other countries in Europe too
celebrate this tradition and al-
though they do not celebrate
it in a manner as large as Brit-
ain or America does, they have
been influenced by tourists
and are also taught about it
at schools. They know what
it is and it is slowly becom-
ing more commercialised. In
France, they started trick or
treating by going from store
to store, rather than house to
house. However not everyone
in France celebrates it as it is
seen as an American tradition.
In Madrid, they do not cel-
ebrate the event, the children
will only know about it if they
study English, however the
students have caught on quick-
ly and they dress up as we do
The Stag
© solyanka 2008
here, good to hear they know
how to celebrate.
From a personal experience,
Berlin does celebrate the tradi-
tion, however again like Spain
it appears to be mainly the stu-
dents who celebrate it, there is
no trick or treating. However
they don’t quite go as crazy as
we do.
Halloween is a celebration and
like most traditions it has been
completely changed over the
years through changes in soci-
ety, the decline of religion and
the introduction of advertising
and promotions. It shows how
our society has changed and
how the real reasons behind
the celebrations have been for-
gotten, we have changed with
time and this is what we have
got, an event for dressing up,
having fun and maybe down
one too many shots.
So would we really want to go
back to how it was originally?
Are we glad our country em-
braces it fully? Or do we feel
that the sentimental value has
been lost and is therefore ruin-
ing the celebrations?
thestagsurrey.co.uk
FEATURES 09
A Suit Inspired
by Marmite?
Jyoti Rambhai
Features Editor
Yes that’s right, A Suit That
Fits have tailored a suit for
this year’s Marmite pop-up
shop – inspired by the iconic
brand. ‘Love it or hate it’ – I
guess you could say the same
for the suit.
Believe it or not, but this year
the famous Marmite pop-up
shops are back in Selfridges
stores at London, Birmingham
and Manchester.
On 20th October, the doors
opened in London and the
customers were not only
greeted with staff wearing
this three-piece suit, but an
excess of 150 Marmite themed
products – they must really
love Marmite.
The suit as you can see uses
all the colours of the iconic
Marmite jar, but would you
really wear it? Johnny Harrison,
Senior Style Advisor at A Suit
That Fits said, “When I was
creating the look, I wanted to
design something classically
British with a quirky, eccentric
twist.”
Bright yellow trousers, red
waist coat, brown jacket – yes,
that’s definitely eccentric. As
for being ‘classically British’,
I’m going to have to think
about that.
The suit isn’t my cup of tea and
I’m sure many would agree,
but you have to admit that the
suit does stand out – and if
I was walking into the store,
it would definitely make me
look twice. I guess that’s its
main purpose, to promote Mar-
mite products. But seriously,
I think a better suit could’ve
been made, something more
elegant but still uses the
Marmite colours.
10 FEATURES
Destination DK
Elizabeth Pettigrew
A plane from Miami to Lon-
don Heathrow, a train to the
bus terminal, a bus to London
Stansted, London Stansted to
Aarhus Airport [Denmark] a
bus to the train station and my
frickin mentor was late to pick
me up. Are you serious? I just
did a two -day journey arriving
on Sunday with class starting
Monday and this ‘Nadia’ per-
son is late. Its midnight woman
and I’m stuck in a town I don’t
know. Anyway that was the
start of my Erasmus adventure.
An adventure it’s turned out to
be indeed.
She eventually turned up and
I played it cool, it was the first
Danish person I was meeting
so, you know.
“I’m sorry im late! Have you
been waiting long?”
“Nahh like 2 mins, its cool” (I’d
been there for 40, whatevs, no
Is the Bus Service meeting the Students Expectations?
(Cont. from front page)
the bus stop; “sometimes it has
be a one and a half hour wait.
“ She further noted the contra-
diction between the bus tim-
ings at different bus stops on
campus for the same bus.
With the continuous decline
in temperature many people
thestagsurrey.co.uk
The Stag
biggie)
So now I’m rolling up in her
bright yellow car to my new
red house. She eats the curb
and I laugh and go “niceee” to
which she just looks at me con-
fused. Awkward. ANYWAY, I’m
all excited and put the key into
the front door and the door
doesn’t open. What the hell.
So I’m there frantically turning
and pulling and nothing is hap-
pening. My mentor comes up
and opens the door in one go.
Apparently, you turn the key
counter clockwise in Denmark.
She looks at me with the same
confused face but now her nos-
trils flare a bit. I enter my new
little home and its pretty cool.
A small flat that I’m meant to
share with one other person. I
go into my room and there are
the standard pieces of furniture.
But the previous inhabitant has
left me a little prezzie; a Viking
hat and an axe. It was obviously
necessary. But besides that, she
also left me something more
have been down with colds
and flu and waiting in the bus
stop in the cold for a long time
certainly does not help!
Another group of students said
that they had gone to Tesco
and had to wait for nearly two
hours to catch a bus back to Ha-
ambiguous should we say. A
huge framed poster of a rock,
and written underneath it in
big black bold letters, ‘Destiny’.
What the fuck does that even
mean? A solid destiny? A firm
future awaits me? No. She was
obviously just a massive douche
with a rock poster.
Denmark is going to be fun.
First day of class rolls up! I
signed up for a course called
Destination DK where its 2
weeks of Danish culture and
language classes. Summer was
cut short but I thought it would
be worth it.
My teacher was an old Eng-
lish lady, Kathleen, who’s lived
in Denmark for 20 years and
hasn’t really been back to the
UK, so her thoughts on Eng-
lish life style are very hilarious.
Anyway my class- mates were
from all over. Poland, Czech Re-
public, Slovakia, New Zealand,
Australia, Canada, Spain and
© Nillerdk 2008
zel farm! As this seems to occur
frequently, shouldn’t there be
some remedial action taken?
After all it caters to most of the
students and we contribute a
lot towards the company, in re-
turn for a regular, efficient, and
reliable transport service!
features@thestagsurrey.co.uk
we obviously had the Asian kid
from China.
Kathleen starts off chatting
away about Danish foods and
which super market is the
cheapest etc. The kiwi guy asks
“what’s typical Danish food?”
and Kathleen starts off on a
rant about how Danish bread
is the best bread in the world!
And that unhealthy food like
Oreos have higher taxes so is
more costly then getting or-
ganic foods. Now I know I’m
screwed.
“Oh yes! Smørrebrød is most
definitely Dansk! They’re open
sandwiches, the Danes don’t
like to use 2 pieces of bread”
O.K then Mizz.Crazy..
“The Danes love their bread
so much they even take it on
holiday with them!”.Trying to
relate to the rest of the class
she says, “I mean this is clearly
evident in society, as we see
an Indian, Chinese, Spanish,
American Burger nonsense on
every corner! Why? Cause we
need to bring our ethnic food
with us everywhere!” This
didn’t really compare to a Dane
bringing a loaf of bread in their
purse and it was kind of weird.
So I burst out laughing and the
Kiwi and Aussie join in. She
said this so innocently but yet
it just sounded so racist it was
hilarious. The Asian glared. But
I’m betting out of confusion
because he never really knew
what was going on. She quickly
changed the topic to numbers
which took hours and finally
we were set loose.
Whilst sitting at the bus stop
I thought to myself, the past
24 hours have most definitely
been unpredictable. A Viking
hat, a crazy eyed mentor, a rock
poster and a 60 year old racist
teacher… Denmark is most
definitely going to be eventful.
To Be Continued…
Did you know...
Ice cream was invented in
China around 2000BC?
There are about 100,000
bacteria in one litre of
drinking water?
Krungthepmahanakhon
Amornrattanakosin Ma-
hintharayutthaya Ma-
hadilokphop Noppharat
Ratchathaniburirom Udom-
ratchaniwetmahasathan
Amonphiman Awatansathit
Sakkathattiyawitsanukam-
prasit. Is the real name of
the Thai city Bangkok?
Milk chocolate was invent-
ed by Daniel Peter, who sold
the concept to his neighbor
Henri Nestlé?
To make one kilo of honey
bees have to visit 4 million
flowers, traveling a distance
equal to 4 times around the
earth?
The Chinese believe that
you have some of the char-
acteristics of the animal
representing the year in
which you were born?
The largest cave chamber
in the world is the Sarawak
Chamber in Gunung Mulu
National Park in Sarawak,
which can easily accommo-
date a Boeing 747-200?
Inspirational Quotes
Everything is possible if
you do not know the word
impossible.
If at first you don’t suc-
ceed, try and try again.
features@thestagsurrey.co.uk
What is Political Correctness and Respect?
Gareth Evans
One thing I have been asking
myself recently is does politi-
cal correctness exist? Most of
the time, examples of it have
been brought to the attention
of newsreaders but on closer
examination it has been re-
vealed to be misrepresented
as a story.
Take the ba ba rainbow sheep
story for example, on first
glance you’d be forgiven for
thinking that this was a case of
oversensitivity but according
to the teacher of the school,
the replacement of the word
black was merely an exercise
to get children thinking about
different coloured words and
combinations.
Another case for political cor-
rectness being an issue is
made, when people talk about
apparent inequalities, an ex-
ample being that the students
would be seen as racist to set
up a white only group or organ-
isation of sorts. I wonder why
such groups need to exist in
the first place. Black fraterni-
ties, groups and organisations
Clogs – Yes or No?
Hollie Rowe-Roberts
This summer saw the reintro-
duction of one of fashion’s
highly debated footwear
items – clogs.
I heard people say that they
would never wear them as
they reminded themselves of
what they wore when they
were young (these same
people thought similarly about
those jelly sandals that were
on shelves this summer).
Some said they would never
wear them, but I quite liked
how they looked when worn;
whilst others saw the potential
extra leg length these shoes
could give, if cut off at the right
point.
Topshop later developed this
trend by adding faux fur trims
around the edge (these are
currently half price on the
online sale). Miss Selfridge
created a studded peep-toe
The Stag FEATURES 11
no grounds for having and gain
no benefit from?
Finally whenever the issue of
the N-word comes up (usually
be a celebrity saying it) you
always have someone saying
“but why can’t I say it when
they can?” and I have asked
this myself, especially when
it comes to popular rap music
that is littered with it. The an-
swer that I ultimately came up
with is this. When black peo-
ple hear us say it they are hurt
and offended, we can argue all
we want about our right to say
this word, but when we do, we
are arguing for the right to hurt
© www.chicagofabulous.com 2009
and offend.
Do we really want that “right”?
This is the true problem of the
political correctness myth. It is
getting us so worked up about
the idea we are getting less
Director Spike Lee and actor Samuel L. Jackson had a famous argument about Jackson’s prolific use of than our neighbour that some
racist language in Quentin Tarantino’s film Jackie Brown. of us are almost offended we
aren’t allowed to be rude.
arose because (as is the case in such communities to achieve a reason to band together like
America) racism still exists in great things. this. We do not need group- Love your neighbour as you
society today; and more so the ings that grant us a greater love yourself is good advice.
link between social, cultural As a white person I can say voice or sense of belonging At the end of the day if you are
and political needs are fulfilled that no such issues exist for because of the historical domi- having difficulty deciding what
with such groupings. In turn us; there is no discrimination nance of America and Europe. you should or should not do
this has provided support and against us in history or in the Why complain about not get- just ask yourself, am I treating
this has helped members of present world that would be ting something that we have this person with respect?
pair which I bought myself.
The verdict? Like any piece of
clothing, the shape has to be
right. Wrong, and you could
end up looking like you have
extra large ‘cankles’.
Big Chunky Knit
Jumpers!
Another item that pretty much
every girl wants or has is a big
chunky knit jumper. It’s cosy as
well as comfy, whilst still look-
ing great! The only problem is
that the style is to have a worn
in jumper, like the ones your
granny knitted for you when
you were young but were about
twenty sizes too big! The ones
in the shops this year seem to
somehow have defeated this
object by looking intentionally
tattered, which if done wrong,
can just look a little tacky. Best
option is to scour those char- Inspirational Quotes
ity shops that Guildford barely
has and grab a great cheap sec- ‘History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.’ Winston Churchill
ond hand granny knit, so then
you can be warm and gorgeous
all winter!
thestagsurrey.co.uk
 Find out wha
means to
It will also be a
National demonstratio
Demo
EVENTS
If you requ
MONDAY TUESDAY
at jamie. WEDNESDAY THU
The National Deinvmolvo ed- can get
What it is and how YOU
tober
Catch the Thursday 21st Oc
eatre G @ 6.00pm
FREE DUSK Lecture Th
Browne Review
about, what the Education.
National Demo is
bus from Find out what the and the issues surrounding High
means to you
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to take part in the
ryone who wishes of taking part.
08/11
opportunity for eve
Chancellors It will also be an to get together to discuss the logi
trati on
stics
Fletcher
demons se contact Jamie 0.org
Patio every her information plea
If you require furter@surrey.ac.uk or visit www.demo
201
in The Living Room
to Monday
at jam ie.fl etch

OPENING TIMES 14/11 Nigerian Society ft.

MONDAY TO SATURDAY 10.00AM - LATE
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ber , what the Brown tion.
Thursday 21st OctoFind out what the Natio nal Demo is about
issues surrounding
Higher Educa
G @ 6.00mean pms to you and the for everyone who wishes to take partpart. in the
Lecture Theatre
12th December in Rubix
opportunity ics of taking
It will also be ane Reviewtogether to discuss the logist
Brown
about, what thenstrat ion to get er
National Demo is demo r Education. contact Jamie Fletch
Find out what the and the issues surrounding Highe e furthe r information please .demo2010.org
means to you If youtorequir
take in therrey.ac.uk or visit www
parter@su
one who wishe at sjamie .fletch
opportunity for every ics of taking part.
It will also be an to get together to discuss the logist er
nstrat ion Fletch
demo contact Jamie 0.org
r information please www.demo201
If you require furthe rrey.ac.uk or visit
at jamie.fletcher@su

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in Chancellors Get involved, make new friends and have fun!

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GINSTER
With 400 Meal Deal varieties on offer ONLY INCLUDES A
DWICH
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HELP OR INFORMATION - Any questions, then pop into the Students’ Union a





We stock all of your

 

morning and lunchtime

essentials and double up as an
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 a t io n a l D e m o is ab E d u c at io n.
at t h e N ro u n d ing H ig h e r
is s u e s s u r
o you and the e s t o t a k e p a r t in the
w h o wish

PLANNER
n it y f o r e v e r y o n e www.facebook.com/surreyunion
f t a k in g p a rt.
an opp o r t u u s s t h e logis t ic s o
t to g e t h e r to d is c www.ussu.co.uk
on to g e m i e F l e tc h er
p le a s e nta c t J a
cotwitter.com/surrey_union
r t h e r in f o r m a t io n e m o 2 0 1 0 .org
u ire f u k o r v isit w w w .d These are fundraising events for the University of Surrey Students’ Union

u r r e y.a c .u
.fletcher@s
URSDAY FLIRTDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY National
GR K Salsa Sunday in
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NIGHTIN RUBIX Demo
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Presentations
For further information please contact

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Tickets at visit www.demo2010.org can get involved
What it is and how YOU
the Bookshop tober
Thursday 21st Oc
- 9pm
School Disco 6.00pm

IN CHANNIES
m Acoustic Night Lecture Th eatre G @
Browne Review
about, what the Education.
National Demo is er
Find out what the and the issues surrounding High
in Chancellors mea ns to you to take part in the
ryone who wishes of taking part.
opportunity for eve stics
It will also be an to get together to discuss the logi
featuring demons trati on Fletcher
se contact Jamie 0.org
her information plea 201
If you require furter@surrey.ac.uk or visit www.demo
Arsenal v Spurs at jamie.fletch
Channies 12.45pm
in Chancellors
t. Communicating
Effectively
s

GR K
5.30pm
01DK02
Tickets from Pick up your student run newspaper
the Bookshop

NIGHTIN RUBIX
every fortnight around campus.
FRE

Stag
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The Stag The The S

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Unive inUniver
NEWS Tuesday 26th
Editor: Mariam Nasir Tuesday 26th October 2010 Editor-In-Chief: Chris Whitehead Sabbs (p. 8)
• What’s your musical October 2010

in The Living Room

NEWS p. 3
horoscope?
FEATURES (p. 22) • Get Editor-In-Chief:
• Catch up with your Sabbs (p. 8) • What’s your musical horoscope? (p. 22) • Get your fashion �ix (p.10 & 11)• Film reviews (p. 20) p.10
SCIENCE &
TECH p.13
your fashion
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University
We sit at this table and aga and stone basin. We world and I am sure that of Surrey Studen 29th
I am a �irst year and this is many students, I am presum- ts’ Union |
thestagsurrey.c

in Chancellors
talk. It is an expensive but
simple table made of thick
oak with a rich and deep
varnish. We sit at this table
sit in �ine clothes at this most people’s parents said my �irst time away from ing, will agree the phrase o.uk
rich table and talk about something along the lines of home where I have had to “I just can’t be bothered” is
mundane things while I “you’ll be cooking for your- cook for myself. I admit so used often when mentioning
think hard. The food we self soon” just before you far I’m not particularly doing cooking...

MADTV. Your student run television

and talk about mundane sit around has taken many left home, accompanied by much of the cooking, Tesco’s
things. The table is in a hours... a smug smile, knowing they has seen to that pretty damn (cont. on
room with a mahogany (cont. on p. 21) no longer had to make your well. p. 9)

Video Game Soc 6 - 9pm

in The Living Room IN RUBIX station. Get online today.

in The Living Room in The Living Room Issue 21 | The University of Surrey Students’ Union | thestagsurrey.co.uk
29th

GR K
Carols on the
Dancefloor Your Night Your Theme... NIGHTIN RUBIX
Merry Christmas
www.madtvsurrey.co.uk
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Get Animated!
Living Room Trip to Birmingham
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in Chancellors in Chancellors
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LIVE
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- 9pm MUSIC Happy New Year
m
NIGHT CHRISTMAS
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A P P
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Georgina Hancock Trung Osama Salih Union House

The University of Surrey
VP Welfare VP Sport & Recreation VP Societies & ID Stag Hill
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14 SCIENCE & TECH
The gene boom
(Cont. from front page)
Mind you, it’s not
just the academia. Genetic test-
ing companies like 23andMe
have particularly bloomed,
and for the price of $399, you
can now establish who the
daddy is in the comfort of your
own home. This goes beyond
science: it’s no longer socially
awkward to blame ‘bad genes’
for being overweight, smoking,
being a party animal, bullying
your peers, having an eating
disorder or a sense of humour,
and so on.
The Human Genome Project
was announced completed
over seven years ago, and
since then, the actual list of
human genes has remained a
matter of debate. The number
Grow your own
Helen Finn
Science & Tech Editor
Being an avid fan of Grey’s
Anatomy, I was amazed by the
recent episode in which a man
received a double arm trans-
plant from a motorcycle ac-
cident victim. But what could
happen if we could actually
grow our own limbs in a lab?
Now obviously, this is very far
off in terms of science develop-
ments, but growing individual
organs is looking more likely
every day.
A thousand people die every
year in the UK waiting for or-
thestagsurrey.co.uk
The Stag
of genes, however, is only half
the picture. Genomes are dy-
namic, with each gene having
the potential to encode numer-
ous proteins, which show ten-
dency to be differentially ex-
pressed depending on the cell
type, tissue and organ. And if it
isn’t complex enough for you,
your gene profiles have been
gans, and more than 10,000
people currently need a trans-
plant. Would you take an organ
if you needed one? For most
people the answer would be
yes. So how come only 28% of
people would give one? This is-
sue could be made redundant
if we could make our own.
Growing organs is based on
the technology of stem cells.
These are cells that are mostly
found during foetal growth as
they can renew themselves
through mitotic cell division
and develop into many special-
ised cell types, such as tissues
or organs. They can also act to
replace cells, dividing with no
limits to repair the body. How-
ever, stem cells are not always
activated, because if they were,
we would have super healing
powers! Only in some organs,
such as the gut and bone mar-
row, are stem cells routinely
dividing, whereas in the heart
and pancreas for example, stem
cells are only activated in cer-
tain circumstances. There are
two types of mammalian stem
cells: embryonic stem cells and
non-embryonic “somatic” or
“adult” stem cells. Embryonic
shown to be able to change
drastically in response to any
sort of environmental signal.
Ultimately, dynamicity of “how
we work” is not defined by the
quantity of our genes only; it’s
a rather complex entity of eve-
rything operating in a highly
parallel manner, stacking on
top of each other like the col-
ourful plastic bricks of LEGO.
The gene therapy is attributed
a horizon-widening potential
to revolutionize how we treat
diseases. Appropriately de-
signed and tightly regulated
procedures offer limitless ap-
plications, provided we know
the origins of cell malfunction-
ing and the molecular pathway
behind it.
But with great power comes
stem cells are found in the in-
ner cell mass of the blastocyst
(an embryo that has developed
for five to six days after ferti-
lisation). What makes embry-
onic stem cells different from
adult stem cells is that they can
turn into ANY cell type in the
body (over 220!) and they can
replicate indefinitely. Given
these characteristics, they are
the most useful for research,
although isolating the embry-
onic stem cells results in the
death of the fertilised embryo.
This creates an ethical debate,
as many people believe that hu-
man life begins at the moment
of fertilisation. Adult stem cells
are unspecialised cells found
throughout the body which
multiply by cell division to re-
plenish dying cells and regen-
erate damaged tissues. They
can only create the cells from
the organ in which they origi-
nate but they also maintain the
normal turnover of regenera-
tive organs, such as blood, skin
or intestinal tissues. Stem cells
can be harvested from adult
tissue, umbilical cord blood
and bone marrow.
Only this week, scientists have
@thestagsurrey.co.uk
greater responsibility. Nobody for incurable diseases. But do
knows this better than the ge- we even want to be “geno-
neticists who are almost in uni- typed” and to what extent?
Whether the nature-versus-
nurture debate is over remains
unclear. Also, is it right to use
genes as an excuse to justify
habits that are bad for your
health and ignore their conse-
quences? However, more than
anything, the gene boom in-
evitably serves our generation
one ultimately positive pur-
pose: as a constant reminder
of how little we know of “what
we are made of” and how much
we are yet to discover.
son on how it is essential not
to underestimate just how big
the impact on gene technology
would be on our daily lives. It
is of vital importance that we
take time out from this global
gene excitement and consider
the ethical issues it carries
along with it, such as medical
confidentiality and screening
used stem cells to create a it will take this new technology
small-scale version of a human at least five years to move from
liver. The new tissue was cre- the lab to hospitals.
ated on a scaffold made from
the structure of an existing Stem cells have huge potential
liver. A detergent was used to to also help stroke patients and
strip away the cells from the spine injuries, but until this
liver, leaving only the collagen technology can be used in eve-
framework, and a network of ryday medicine, get yourself on
tiny blood vessels. Then stem the organ donor list; you might
cells (immature liver cells and just save someone’s life.
endothelial cells) were slowly
injected to produce a new lin-
ing for the blood vessels. After
being nurtured in a bioreac-
tor for a week, which gave the
cells nutrients and oxygen, ex-
tensive cell growth and signs
of normal liver function were
observed. The livers were 1
inch in diameter and about 20
ounces; however a fully func-
tional liver would need to be
at least 1 pound to perform
properly in humans. This is a
massive step towards growing
your own organs; nevertheless
Did you know...
The Annual Surrey Science
Circus held on the
University Campus started
in 2007?
sciencetech@thestagsurrey.co.uk
Rachel Lismore-Burns &
Emma Cooper
Facebook, the world’s most
used social networking site,
reached over 500 million users
in July this year. That means
nearly one out of every 14 peo-
ple in the world has an account.
But have you ever stopped to
think what your profile says
about you?
Facebook has been thrust into
the media spotlight again as
the film The Social Network hit
cinema screens nationwide. It
tells the tale of a young Mark
Zuckerberg who, whilst a stu-
dent at Harvard University, co-
founded the phenomenon that
is now Facebook, leaving Zuck-
erberg a billionaire and all of
us wondering why we didn’t
think of it first.
Everyone calls them ‘social
networking’ websites but just
how social are they? According
to psychological studies, the
way you type reveals a great
deal about your personality.
For example, if you have the
tendency to type the way you
text, it is considered to be so-
cial but also a little immature.
The amount of friends you
have not only shows how eas-
ily you accept friends on Face-
book, but also friends in real
life. So if you have less than a
hundred people on your friend
list, you could be considered a
good friend to the people you
do have as friends but also a
little hostile towards meeting
new people. Thus it seems that
having a balance in your Fa-
cebook profile is probably the
best way to appear social but
at the same time, not too keen.
According to studies, you can
only engage in 140 social re-
lationships because your cog-
nitive capabilities are limited.
So, let’s ponder on that for a
moment; 140 social relation-
ships can include close friends
and family, including social re-
lations that you know through
other people. This can edge into
the hundreds, which doesn’t
leave a lot of new friends, so
start getting picky people and
select only the most attrac-
tive, intelligent and amusing
friends (such as members of
The Stag).
Facebook isn’t just a place to
meet people and reconnect
with old friends; it’s also a
place to do - well almost any-
thing! Farmville: you either
love it or hate it. And this
writer must concede that she
engaged in Farmville briefly. I
have experienced the rush of
ploughing; the heart pounding
as I planted those raspberry
seeds that would be ready in
only two hours. I shamefully
admit to racing home bare-
foot from Rubix to harvest my
grapes before they withered. If
you play games such as Farm-
ville, Mafia Wars and Castle
Age, it could suggest that you
either have a lot of spare time
on your hands or are looking
forward to a career as a farmer
or magician.
Research suggests that simply
What does it say
about you?
what you choose as your dis-
play picture can give away a
lot of information. If you have
a photo of yourself in a group,
you are likely to be a social
person and want people to
know it but you do not like to
be the centre of attention. On
the other hand, those who only
have themselves in their pro-
file picture suggest that they
love attention and are likely to
have a high level of self-esteem,
especially if it is a picture that
has been taken specifically for
Facebook.
Photos of random objects or
landscapes are often used by
people who do not wish to be
found ... or even possible pae-
dophiles – Beware! Pictures
where you cannot see the
whole face or the picture is so
edited it is unrecognisable –
think cartoon style – imply that
the person might be lacking on
self-esteem and doesn’t think
their face is worthy of being in
a picture.
A constantly changing profile
picture suggests a person who
doesn’t want to be seen as dull
and feels the need to update
people regularly on how excit-
ing and varied their life is – the
same goes for status updates;
you know I really don’t care
what you had for breakfast, or
that your bus was crowded on
the way to work. Users with a
profile picture from two years
ago probably don’t use their
Facebook very often or are re-
fusing to accept the effects of
time on their looks.
The Stag
There are also differences be-
tween men and women when
it comes to photos. Surprising-
ly, men are 50% more likely to
retouch their photos; however
women are more likely to have
taken a photo of themselves
purposely for Facebook. Men
between the ages of 20 and
30 most commonly have pho-
tos of themselves out drinking
with friends, the pub being the
most popular place. Women of
this age are most likely to use
a family picture or one from
holiday.
Here are some of the reasons
that people gave for choosing
their profile pictures:
“I looked hot.”
“I liked the people who were
in it.”
“It was my friend’s birthday
and it was a really good night.”
“I like ducks. I especially liked
this duck.”
“It was of me and a girl and I
was trying to make my ex-girl-
friend jealous”.
thestagsurrey.co.uk
Science & Technology 15
On a final note, it has been re-
ported that the most disliked
type of profile picture is one
that is disproportionately at-
tractive of the user – as a Face-
book user said “If I’m going to
be disappointed, I’d rather be
disappointed from the start!”
Getting a little more serious are
the relationship sagas which
play out in the Facebook world.
It seems that people nowadays
readily air their relationship
laundry for all to witness. Go-
ing from single to in a relation-
ship and allowing people to
comment on it surely seems a
little strange? The users who
post heavy-hearted statuses
must surely realise that people
are going to comment. When
Facebookers were asked about
overly personal revelations,
they thought it was “a little
creepy” “indulgent” and “hi-
larious”. If this sounds like you,
you may want to tone it down
just a tad.
All in all, Facebook has revo-
lutionised the way we com-
municate and has made it a lot
easier to keep in contact with
each other. But spare a thought
to the dusty notepad and un-
derused fountain pen on your
desk. Next time you want to
say something to a long lost
friend maybe write it properly
instead.
Happy Facebooking, and re-
member to ‘like’ The Stag on
Facebook.
16 SOCIETIES
Bangladeshi Society: Home away from
Home
Jahir Ra�i�
Planning a vacation this festive
season? Come to “Sunderban”,
home of the largest mangrove
forests in the world and “Cox’s
Bazar”, the world’s longest nat-
ural sea beach. Also, indulge in
the local delicacies and meet
the warm hearted, cordial lo-
cals. This is Bangladesh! And
it welcomes you with an open
heart.
Here in Surrey, we have got a
small number of Bangladeshi
co-patriots. And what a small
and sweet community it is.
Since our society has just been
established, it is like a new-
born baby at the moment, but
for some obvious reasons, we
are pretty sure that it is going
to stand out from the crowd of
societies.
Our main purpose is to spread
the famous Bengali traditions,
be it great food or the man-
nerisms. The society is open
to all and we would welcome
anybody from any commu-
nity or any part of the world.
Gliding : Float silently or turn your world
upside down
Adam Hoskin
Vipul Hitesh
I sat there, tense, nervous,
gripping tightly at the shoul-
der straps that were keeping
me restrained in the cockpit of
the K13. The buzzer inform-
ing people at the launch point
that a launch was about to take
place started to sound. My
heart started to race and the
grip on my straps got tighter. I
had seen a number of launch-
es that morning and had been
impressed how the gliders
had been almost catapulted
into the air with such ease and
grace, now I was about to find
out what it was like first hand.
I had been persuaded by a fel-
low aerospace engineering stu-
dent who was also a member
of the gliding club to come and
give gliding a go. Aviation had
always been a keen interest of
mine and here was my chance
to experience it for myself.
I booked up and here I was,
thestagsurrey.co.uk
The Stag
Who wouldn’t love to discover
a country that is so culturally
rich?
We are here to reinforce our
bondage. We would love to
help students in every sphere
of their overseas life. Hin-
drance comes in the way of ev-
ery good deed. But we need to
counter these wisely and col-
lectively – and this is the very
point where we will help each
other. As long as activities are
concerned we don’t actually
bother to do very fancy and
sat in the front seat of an en-
gineless aircraft about to be
launched into the air for the
first time.
The buzzer pulses got shorter
to indicate the slack had been
taken out of the mile of cable
that was attaching me to an 8.3
litre V8 chevy powered winch.
We started to creep forwards.
The acceleration then hit, 0-60
in not much more than 3 sec-
onds, I was later toldr. We ro-
tated and pointed at the sky,
climbing at what seemed an
alarmingly steep angle. At the
top of the launch the nose low-
ered towards the horizon and
I relaxed a little, taking in my
new surroundings and the in-
credible view of the sun beat-
ing down over the Hampshire
countryside. I could see from
the edges of London in the dis-
tance, to the shimmering sea
and the outline of the Isle of
posh get-togethers – rather, we
keep it as informal as possible
and dedicate our time to re-
generate the fun and planning
that stands out.
University of Surrey has been a
blessing for all of us. It does not
only talk about conventional
education but it also provides
a solid platform for a prosper-
ous life. Let’s boast our pros-
pects by means of collective
effort. We will then definitely
rock our uni life!
Wight on the south coast, with
the fields and villages looking
like a model world below. The
flight was much more sedate
from there on in with my in-
structor teaching me the pri-
mary effects of the controls and
me attempting to have a go at
flying the glider myself; a very
strange sensation but by the
end of the flight I could pitch
the nose up and down and turn
the glider myself.
I was hooked, I continued to
learn on subsequent launches
and trips to fly more of the
flight myself. I can now pret-
ty much take off, fly and land
without any help from my in-
structor, although his presence
in the back seat is still valued
should I get into difficulties.
Soon I hope to go on my first
solo flight, no instructor, just
down to me to get safely back
to earth. I am nervous but am
societies@thestagsurrey.co.uk
GameSoc: Apocalypse Now
On the weekend of the 23rd to
24th of October, a group from
Gamesoc gathered together
in a small teaching room to
play a game of Apocalypse,
the titanic version of Warham-
mer 40,000. Preaching to the
unconverted, this was es-
sentially a massive war game.
Ok, to the cynic it’s just a big
boy’s version of toy soldiers,
but to us it’s a whole different
world. The game was roughly
30,000 points (which basically
equates to a lot of figures),
with two Eldar Titans gracing
the table - I say table loosely;
it was a combination of tables
made to look like two bridges
and a surrounding battlefield,
which people enjoyed going
under to stand in the middle
of the game amidst the on-
going conflict. Ten people
made up the sides, with the
Imperium (made up of Impe-
rial Guardsmen, Chris’s Space
Marine chapter, Ultramarines
and a combined force of Space
Wolves) versus the enemy
(basically everything else
feeling more and more confi-
dent with each flight I do.
Gliding is one of the most chal-
lenging and rewarding forms
of aviation, not to mention also
one of the cheapest.
The University gliding club runs
including Eldar, Tyranids, Tau,
Orks and Adam’s renegade
Space Marines). The game
lasted 6 turns and lasted
until about 6.00 on Sunday
(excluding meal breaks and
going home for the night!) and
then the sorting out began
as people tried to remember
which figures were theirs!
Game highlights included Lo-
gan Grimnar being shot down,
a whole squad of terminators
obliterated by the template
laid down by two night spin-
ners and a dual power fist
armed Wolf Lord being turned
into mincemeat by an Eldar
Seer Council. The game was
close throughout, with the
Imperium eventually win-
ning by 4 objectives to 3 after
two decisive combats were
resolved. Needless to say great
fun was had by all.
If you’re interested in Game-
soc but haven’t yet managed
to make it down, we meet on
Thursdays from 6 until 10 in
32MS01 and should be hold-
ing further events like this in
the near future.
trips most weekends and takes
people from their first flight up
to solo and beyond. Students
last year competed in national
soaring and aerobatic compe-
titions. So from first taste of
powerless flight to flying a loop
above the University of Surrey,
gliding club is your first choice.
societies@thestagsurrey.co.uk
The Iranian Society of University of Surrey
Nariman and
Nazanin Kabir
Since BC and during the era
of ancient Greece, a land so
mighty that few had the cour-
age to question its powers ex-
isted. That kingdom is known
as ancient Persia, a culture
and heritage so rich, with rul-
ers that mankind has not seen
since. The ancient Persia was
one divine nation that was
highly respected and known
throughout the world. Names
such as Xerxes and Darius
have risen to the glory of a few
of our rulers in the past.
The Iranian Society was first
established over 20 years ago
and is currently standing as
one of the strongest interna-
tional societies of the Uni-
versity of Surrey. The society
has been running proudly in
the hands of Iranian students
and has managed to stand
out amongst other interna-
tional societies over the past
few years, through some of
the most amazing Gala per-
formances, food exhibitions,
BBQs and parties.
Iranian students are so proud
and passionate about the en-
riched Persian culture and his-
tory and are would like to take
any opportunities to welcome
everyone from every ethnic-
ity and background to join the
society and benefit from the
friendly and enjoyable spirit
of the community.
The most recent events took
place by the Iranian Society
was themed the ‘White Party’.
The party was held in HRB
night club on Saturday 23rd of
October. The idea behind the
theme was to be fun, creative
and also giving a fresh sensa-
tion to the night. The event
was widely welcomed by
Iranian and non-Iranian stu-
dents from the university, and
also by those from outside the
university.
The upcoming plans of the
Iranian Society include: Gala
night performances, Persian
dance classes, football com-
petitions, BBQs, coach trips to
London and many more.
The Iranian Society would
like to take this opportunity
to welcome everyone from
any origin and background
to join our community, learn
about the Persian culture and
history, and more importantly
have fun and make the most
out of student life in the Uni-
versity of Surrey.
Looking forward to seeing you
all.
The Stag SOCIETIES 17
Did you know...
Lake Baikal in Siberia is one of the oldest
and deepest of the world’s lakes
The Neva River in St Petersburg is the
shortest and deepest European river?
Inspirational Quotes
‘The future depends
on what we do in the
present’ Mahatma Gan-
dhi
‘Courage is what it
takes to stand up and
speak; courage is also
what is takes to sit
down and listen’ Win-
ston Churchill
‘A young man who does
not have what it takes
to perform military
service is not likely to
have what it takes to
make a living. Today’s
military rejects include
tomorrow’s hardcore
unemployed.’
J. F. Kennedy
thestagsurrey.co.uk
18 ARTS: Dance & Theatre
Thought-night: Are you dancing? ‘cos I’m asking...
Sian Gol��y
So last night I found myself in
a club. This was a) sadly a very
rare occurrence of late and b)
completely unplanned, the re-
sult being that I found myself
surrounded by all manner
of ‘grizzly ghouls from every
tomb’ (this was Halloween
night might I add, I’m not that
harsh about people’s appear-
ances generally), whilst being
dressed down in more ways
than one.
The very same day I had
attended a symposium on
popular dance here at the
University within which there
was a paper on club dance,
in particular to Drum ‘n’ Bass
music. The presenter carried
out her research by attend-
ing Drum ‘n’ Bass events, and
studying the club cultures
that were present there. This
fascinated me, as when you
think about dance research,
Dance Reviews
‘Frusted’ - Alesandra Seutin and Vicki Igbokwe
Ra�hel Gil�ea
The cool dim lights from above
illuminate the five strong fe-
male dancers who stand up-
stage facing the audience open
palmed, their gaze lost in the
distance: vulnerable. They
walk forward cautiously into
the space, appearing and dis-
appearing like ghosts in the
low flickering of the lights. The
feeling of anguish that will in-
fect the piece is held already in
their pained facial expressions.
But their movement is fierce as
the beat drops.
They pull, press at themselves,
at each other, in desperation.
Their torsos repeatedly flex
backwards and their arms
open out above in a position of
submission. Wavering here for
a few seconds, they make refer-
ence to the penetrative heavy
weight of their suffering, of the
burden they carry.
Their feet shift too, as if step-
ping on hot ash which scolds
and burns them wherever they
move. Their movement is of-
ten locked, referencing urban
thestagsurrey.co.uk
The Stag
you normally imagine going to
a stuffy theatre, surrounded by
a sea of grey heads and watch-
ing a piece of well-honed ‘dance
art’, whilst getting a numb bum
and crick in your neck.
So with this fresh in my mind,
I entered the club scene,
pulled out a few moves,
threw a few shapes, and, as
I glanced around the room I
realised, with this new ‘dance
researcher’ hat firmly on
my head, how much I take
pleasure in seeing other
people completely enjoying the
moment of the dance. A
little like improvisation, club
dancing involves the expelling
of emotion, a joyous response
to catchy rhythms, sharing an
experience, and yes, a little
alcohol. Even the creepy guy
on his own at the back of the
dance floor (there’s always
one) dancing a little like an
amputated squid and giving
everyone the eye, is having
styles but also perhaps embod-
ying the imprisonment felt. On
the other hand, the movement
quality is strong, defiant and
powerful, casting solid shapes
in the space.
One of the dancers takes
centre stage and the others
Iquis nostrud min eugiam augue dignibh eum inisciduipit do etummy
gather around her. She strug-
gles; her movement becomes
faster and more desperate
as she pulls at her neck and
presses her delicate wrists,
making disturbing referenc-
es to self harm. The others
watch on, despondent, staring
blankly at her but not react-
ing. They, the onlookers, high-
light our own passiveness and
Another packed in the Union’s nightclub, Rubix.
(I think) the same delight at
moving his body in
response(ish) to the drums
and the bass; the puls-
ing backbones of most club
anthems act in drunken
exultation of the fact that this
is the only place where moving
in that way is socially accept-
able (again, ish).
I believe the power of this type
inability to help or connect as
observers. We let this happen.
They have a moment of new
found strength where they
dance in the shadows which
grow up enormously behind
them; inside they are bigger,
stronger than they seem.
But there is no release, no
resolution from this pain; the
piece ends as the light fades
and they are left quietly sob-
bing in the swallowing dark-
ness.
The Queen Elizabeth Hall,
London
12th October 2010
dancetheatre@thestagsurrey.co.uk
of dancing must not be under-
estimated, or at all taken for
granted. Acknowledging the
intricacies of the kind of emo-
tive therapy that this can offer
people, makes perfect grounds
for it to be studied, much like
any other social dance form.
So I ask you this; are you
dancing? Because really, I think
you should be.
‘Amour, Acide et Noix’ - Léveillé Danse
L��y Al-Zogh�i
A packed Robin Howard
Theatre was set and ready for
Canadian dance company
Daniel Léveillé Danse. The
audience eagerly await the
performance. Silence falls and
the house lights slowly go up to
reveal an empty stage. For
minutes there is nothing but
the tension and anticipation;
the room is electric. The most
extraordinary opening to a
dance performance - incredi-
ble what a choreographer (and
their acclaim) can do without
‘doing’ anything.
Three male dancers and one
female dancer walk, or rather
march, on stage, their faces
free of expression, their bodies
free of clothes.
Physicality and exertion are
emphasised by the fact that
the dancers are nude. Their
bodies are athletic and virile
and so exposed in the simple,
yet harsh lighting. Apart from
being graphic and raw, the
visuals are revealing in other
ways. We can literally see
Did you know...
The Chinese believe that
you have some of the char-
acteristics of the animal
representing the year in
which you were born?
The Neva River in St Peters-
burg is the shortest and deep-
est European river?
Inspirational Quotes
‘Promise less, deliver more’
Unknown
‘Do not pray for easy lives.
Pray to be stronger men.’
John F. Kennedy
‘Everything has its beauty
but not everyone sees it.’
Confucius
Education is the most pow-
erful weapon which you can
use to change the world.
Nelson Mandela
the dancers breathing in and
out, the perspiration on their
bodies and on the floor
establishing a new form of
intimacy.
The female dancer’s solo
particularly caught my
attention. She carries Léveil-
lé’s choreographic vocabulary
but with naked honesty, liter-
ally.
Her performance is
deep, heart-felt and
incredibly brave.
Léveillé believes the work
‘presents nudity as the only
true reading of the body’,
which it does to a certain
extent. The raw state of
humanity, and indeed
physicality, is laid bare for
all to see, establishing a new
level of closeness between the
dancers, whilst exploring
and challenging the specta-
tor’s own ideas about viewing
bodies on stage.
The Place, London
28th October 2010
film@thestagsurrey.co.uk
Saw 3D (18, Kevin Greutert)
 care less and I would not be
Saw 3D is the apparent ‘final
chapter’ in a franchise that
wore itself a mere six films ago.
I almost thought its fate would
be sealed by the film eventu-
ally going straight-to-DVD,
but the makers were probably
struggling to find excuses to
keep going. Especially seeing
as our main villain hit the hay
in Saw 3.
There is really little point in
trying to explain the plot be-
cause A) why bother? and B)
I have completely lost track. It
is all about montages and with
each film there is always one
that takes a stab at trying to ex-
plain the mechanics of the Saw
back story. I could not really
Paranormal Activity 2 (15,
Tod Williams)
 ity, even though overrated
Paranormal Activity 2 is not a
film with scares, rather a sound
mixer with his finger on the
volume. That is why the trailer
is boasting about its audience’s
reactions. They are not scared.
They are waking up. If you are
scared by Paranormal Activ-
ity 2, this is quite frankly your
first horror film.
Quick round up; family move
into home, home is suppos-
edly burgled, must put up
security cameras. Guess what?
Evil spirits lurk. Dog growls,
cabinets fly open, woman is
dragged along floor. Yawn,
yawn and yawn.
The Stag ARTS: film 19
surprised if any Saw fan would
either. A woman is graphically
roasted to death, another is im-
paled with spikes into her eyes
and one has a fish hook in her
stomach. Why care about any-
thing else?
All I can say is this; do not
bother with the 3D. It is post-
production, retrofitted 3D. In
other words; not very good 3D.
Cary Elwes reprises his role
from the first Saw film and on
that note, no prizes for guess-
ing the end of Saw 3D from the
very off. It is as desperate as
horror comes to these days. It
can throw as much gore as it
wants, but in the end, it is just
boring. Dont’ forget your glasses! You can save on the ticket price if you bring them back the next time.
The first Paranormal Activ-
in its reception, was actually
quite well executed for a low
budget supernatural horror. It
became a big success and what
follows is a sequel with more
everything. But then again,
nothing; the problem
being that I had a good seventy
minutes slouching in my seat
wondering when something
was going to suddenly appear.
You do not have to be a rocket
scientist to know when that
very ‘something’ was going to
go ‘boo’. And that ‘boo’ is just a
loud noise. A loud noise is not
horror without the kinetics or
indeed the suspense.
thestagsurrey.co.uk
20 ARTS: Film
FILM : TOP PICKS
THE SOCIAL NETWORK
(12A, )
THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
(15, )
EASY A
(15, )
MADE IN DAGENHAM
(15, )
RED
(15, )
Easy A (15, Will Gluck)

It is very uneasy to convince
someone like me that Easy A is
not that bad, with a poster that
says otherwise. So here it is;
it is actually quite good. Many
comparisons can be drawn
with other shrewd high school
films such as Clueless. In the
same way, it is loosely inspired
by a romantic classical text.
Clueless was Jane Austin’s
Emma and this time, Easy A
is Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The
Scarlet Letter.
Emma Stone plays dry,
forward-minded teenager who
creates a lie about loosing her
virginity to a college hunk.
Soon the lie gets around and
‘After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb’ Nelson Mandela
thestagsurrey.co.uk
The Stag
she is sought after, while trying
to reinforce her ego. Typically,
it gets out of hand and she is
condemned by a school-run
conservative church group as
well as betraying her friends.
Easy A is just too amusing to
be compared to the Apatow
films that have come and
gone with such an unfunny,
retrograde sensibility. The
comic wit is certainly well
founded and there are many
lines to laugh with (“The one
thing that trumps religion...
capitalism”). It is also possible
to see something engrossing
in an insecure, closeted homo-
sexual trying to become the
conventional straight guy.
The Kids Are All Right (15, Lisa Cholodenko)
Annette Bening and Julianne Moore with the rest of the cast.

The kids are perfectly fine.
Here, the problem lies at
the foot of the adults. Both
Annette Bening (Nic) and
Julianne Moore (Jules) are,
albeit subtly, at the top of
their game as a lesbian cou-
ple with two children (played
modestly by Josh Hutcherson
and Mia Wasikowska). Both
children were given birth to by
both women, provided by an
unknown sperm donor named
Paul.
Paul, being played by the
ever-appealing Mark Ruf-
falo, soon attends the family’s
dinners and is left with
complicated circumstances. He
tries to take some responsibil-
Quotes
ity for both children and at the
same time, Jules is caught up in
an affair with him. Here, there
is a crisis with the parents and
the devotion of their children.
Before you know it, it is not
quite as quirky as you might
think.
The director, Lisa Cholodenko,
obviously knows how to work
with actors seeing as she
directed the well acted, but
misguided, Laurel Canyon.
In The Kids Are All Right
the Los Angeles suburban
environment is encapsulated
just as well. However, her main
crowning achievement lies in
the dimensional aspects of the
homosexual relationship. For
example, when Nic finds out
film@thestagsurrey.co.uk
about the affair with Paul, she
makes Jules sleep on the sofa.
The relationship is every bit as
strived as a heterosexual one.
In the end, it is a warm, witty
and touching observational
film. And I mean ‘observa-
tional’ in the least trivial way
possible. What makes it
winsome is the intricate
acting and interactions
between the unsettled char-
acters. On a poster it does
not seem like a stretch but
believe me, in an age where Sex
and the City 2 is your ‘typical’
portrayal of normal women
you could do a lot better. So
really, put that to rest by
paying good money to see The
Kids Are All Right.
literature@thestagsurrey.co.uk
Literature Reviews
Room – Emma Donoghue
Hollie Rowe-Ro�erts
Shortlisted for the Man Book-
er Prize 2010, Emma Dono-
ghue’s novel ‘Room’ focuses
on the story of a small five
year old boy who believes the
only world that exists is in-
side the 12 square-foot four
walls he has always lived and
that the only people who ex-
ist are his ‘Ma’ and ‘Old Nick’.
Donoghue creates a realistic
character that embodies all of
the elements we expect from a
five year old. The language he
uses and the way he views the
world helps the reader believe
that this is his only world.
love and parental
bonds
Based on the shocking story of
Josef Fritzel in 2008, the story
tells of a young woman who
is kidnapped, raped and gives
birth to a child, who in turn
is bought up to believe that
Literary Geniuses: H.P. Lovecraft.
Demitri Levantis
Horror and Science Fiction are
two of the most loved genres
of creative writing in the world
of literature. In their prime,
one of the best writers to es-
tablish both types of fiction
was American author Howard
Philips, “H.P.” Lovecraft (1890
-1937). Although he only en-
joyed small fame in his short
lifetime, Lovecraft’s legacy has
made him into a household
name across the globe and he
is seen as being a master of the
macabre of Sci-Fi.
“where the Horror
truly begins.”
At the time of his writing, Hor-
ror stories were laden with the
traditional clichés of the Gothic
and supernatural movements
that had preceded Lovecraft
in the works of M.R. James,
Room is a boook to read in one sitting
Edgar Allan Poe and H.G. Wells
to name a few. These clichés
involved a depressing atmos-
phere experienced by a Byron-
ic protagonist who survived
the horrors and usually came
through having learnt a moral
lesson through the suspense
and disbelief of the cruelties
in the world around them.
There were also romantic un-
dertones to the Gothic stories
that inspired Lovecraft, all of
which Lovecraft threw away
and replaced with an overtone
of sickening fantasy where ter-
ror reigns supreme and the
protagonists rarely win.
weird and wonderful
The typical Lovecraft story,
namely The Call of Cthulu, and
The Dunwich Horror contain
the elements of a non-worldly
entity or supernatural being
reigning terror on the human
The Stag
there is nothing except what
he knows so that he doesn’t
feel he is missing out. There
is such intense horror shown
in the book, and seeing it from
innocent Jack’s eyes only gives
the story a more sinister feel-
ing. Mid-way through the
novel ‘Ma’ and Jack escape and
are reintroduced to the ‘out-
side’ world. Donoghue then
successfully gives the reader
an insight into how difficult it
is to adapt to the real world,
showing parts of the process
that aren’t usually considered.
a more shocking
edge
The story isn’t only a tale about
survival; it’s a tale about love
and parental bonds to their
children and also explores the
true horrors of the world. The
innocence and naivety Dono-
ghue portrays gives the novel
a more shocking edge. This
novel truly deserves to have its
shortlisted place for the Book-
er Prize 2010, as well as being
a must-read this year by all.
world which either leaves
people suffering and losing
their sanity, or leaves the hu-
man protagonist experiencing
melancholy much deeper and
darker than the tales of the
time. At his peak, Lovecraft
caused an outcry in main-
stream American society due
to the sheer horror and misan-
thropic tone of his writings. It
is possible that Lovecraft was
a xenophobic individual who
feared the unknowns of life,
leading him to write such in-
credible ideas about a parallel
universe of pure evil.
thestagsurrey.co.uk
ARTS: Literature 21
Did you know...
The first couple to be
shown in bed together
on prime time TV were
Fred and Wilma Flint-
stone?
No piece of
normal-size paper can
be folded in half more
than 7 times?
No words rhyme with
silver, orange, purple
and month?
Bakita Kasadha can’t
think of any more did
you knows and cannot
access the internet?
If you have any email
design@thestagsurrey.
co.uk
His impact upon modern Hor-
ror and Sci-Fi has been as-
tounding. The way Lovecraft
combined the weird and won-
derful with the outlandish-
ness of Sci-Fi, has led to him
being cited as a key influence
on some of the world’s best
writers, namely Stephen King.
In an introduction to one of
his many anthologies, Fantasy
genius Neil Gaiman described
Lovecraft as being “where the
Horror truly begins.”
I therefore feel it’s only appro-
priate to say that for any fan
of science fiction, fantasy and
horror stories, H.P. Lovecraft
is a masterpiece to consider
reading. I certainly enjoyed the
suspense of his work, being a
Horror fiction fan, so I’m sure
that anyone who has heard
of great authors such as King,
Pratchett or Gaiman would en-
joy the spine chilling terrors of
Lovecraft’s Cthulu Mythos and
Weird Tales.
22 ARTS: Music The Stag music@thestagsurrey.co.uk

Local Band Spotlight A Kanye West Close-up

Lorna Salmon tempo at least. I’d like to go
ARTIST: Kanye West really well with his style. It’s
always great when artists dip to a more chilled out gig at a
It’s easy to forget that all bands playing amazing music. Lis- VENUE: 02 Arena
into other genres for inspira- smaller venue. It’d be nice to
had humble beginnings; that’s ten up and keep an eye out for INTERVIEWING: Mike Buckley
tion and it went down well just go out, have a few drinks
why promoting local talent the bands we feature because with the crowd. and enjoy the music. If I had to
is what Music at The Stag is they’re just going to get bigger What was your favourite
What was good about the pick a specific band, I’d have
all about: great local bands and better. song?
venue? to say ‘The Script’. I wouldn’t
I would have to say ‘Homecom-
Attack! By Man With Stick One of the best things about call myself an avid fan, but I’ve
ing’. It’s always been one of my
the 02 Arena is that everything heard a lot of their music and I
favourite Kanye West songs,
is so well organised. Every- think it’d be nice to experience
and to see it performed live
thing you could ever want from live music on the opposite end
made the gig that bit more spe-
a gig is set out for you, whether of the scale.
cial for me. Estelle also made a
surprise guest appearance to it’s merchandise or a place to
perform ‘American Boy’. The sit and have a drink before the
energy in the room was amaz- gig. What makes it such a good
ing; it added a whole new level venue is that it’s so vast- you
to Kanye’s performance. could literally feel the bass pul-
sating through you. The mag-
What was your favourite mo- nitude of the 02 is a real deal
ment? breaker.
Mr Hudson was one of the other
guest appearances that night. What band would you like to
He had a live band with gui- see next?
tars and drums which blended I’d be up for seeing an acous-
tic act or a band with a slower
Jack Cooper with fellow band members
How would you describe was our most memorable,
your sound? especially as it was in our
If I were to pigeonhole, I’d have hometown; but we’re looking Album Reviews
Magnetic Man (Magnetic Man)
to say Alternative Pop-Rock... forward to our March tour of
We love melodies, harmonies Southern England.
and unique timings and struc-
tures. When is your next gig? up to be hit out of the park with bass songs of the album: 'Per-
Mi�e Sherlo��
We are playing the Guildford the next few tracks. fect Stranger' featuring Katy
What bands inspire you the Boileroom on Sunday the 14th B. This one is a banger. Katy's
The eagerly anticipated self ti- vocal work is something eve-
most? November with Envy of the The second track, 'Fire' featur-
tled album from the Magnetic ryone can hum along to. It was
My main inspiration includes State and The Last Republic. ing has been R'n'B ladette Ms
Man boys (known separately as made famous by her track 'On
The Maine, We the Kings, May- Dynamite, sets the Dubstep
Skream, Benga and Artwork), a Mission' produced by Benga
day Parade and a host of other Any final words for the read- standard with a punchy drum
has finally hit the shelves with himself. The rest of the album
acts. We all have our own indi- ers? beat together with a filthy
Columbia Records for all dub- explores more of the Dubstep
vidual inspirational artists. Just add us on Facebook and bass-line. This is followed by
heads and electro-nuts to tuck genre, with the track 'Crosso-
Myspace to listen and find out the first well known track that
into. For months we have been ver' featuring the delightful
Do you have an album/E.P. more about us. we all recognise: 'I Need Air'.
awaiting this release after the pipes of Katy B once more.
out? The complicated over-struc-
spectacular teasers in the form
We have recently recorded a Lorna Salmon, interviewing tured beats are inexplicably
of 'I Need Air' and later 'Per- Overall, this album is a state-
promotional E.P. available at Jack Cooper. simple in effect, taking influ-
fect Stranger’ ft. Katy B, which ment about the future of Dub-
www.soundcloud.com/attack- ence from the nineties trance
made an epic statement into step and its sub-genres, letting
by-man-with-stick and are due Facebook: Attack By Man With genre, but doing a better job at
the future of this seemingly ill-
to record our new E.P. in Janu- Stick fated genre. The two singles,
ary with John Mitchell (pro- Myspace.com/attackbyman- in my opinion, could not pos-
ducer of Funeral for a Friend, withstickmusic sibly become overplayed. The
Enter Shikari, The Architects, The Boileroom, 13 Stokefields, trio clearly had fun producing
You Me At Six) for a March Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4LS this panoramic statement al-
2011 Release. 01483 440 022 bum, as the three friends from
Croydon focus less on Dubstep
What was your best gig to Doors Open: 14th November rules and regulations. They
date? at 7pm just go wild; off the leash of
Our debut gig at the Wedge- Ticket Price: £5 bountiful restriction.
wood Rooms in Portsmouth
DO YOU HAVE A LIVE EXPERIENCE YOU WANT THE STAG TO The album takes you on a eu- exciting my eardrums. Angela us know their journey has only
KNOW ABOUT? phoric journey, opening with Hunte's vocal ensemble gives just begun. Magnetic Man are
the unexpected but visionary the audience a chance to sing touring with Deadmau5 and
Do you want to see your favourite band or artist featured in The classical piece 'Flying into To- along wherever the location; Stanton Warriors starting im-
Stag? We want to know about your best live experience, from well kyo'. Its breathtaking elegance Rubix being one of them. minently, and I will definitely
known chart-toppers, to your favourite local band. Get in touch encourages a trance like state, be hitting the Earls Court date
for your chance to be in the next issue. It’s as simple as messaging boldly stating the unrestricted ‘Ping Pong’ gives a small res- in expectation of a smoke and
the music desk at: music@thestagsurrey.co.uk identity of Magnetic Man. The pite, making way for one of the laser filled show.
oriental opener sets the album more well known drum and

thestagsurrey.co.uk
sports@thestagsurrey.co.uk The Stag SPORTS 23

Surrey sports results Key

Surrey Lose
Surey Win
Surrey Draws
Academic Week 2 Academic Week 3
Sport Opposition Comp H/A Result Sport Opposition Comp H/A Result
Football (M5) Southwark College SESSA H L 4‐8 Badminton (M1) Sussex 1 BUCS A L 6‐2
Badminton (M2) Bucks 1 BUCS H L 3‐5
Hockey (M1) Chichester 1 BUCS A W 1‐5

Basketball (M1) Brighton 1 BUCS A D 65‐65

Rugby Union (M2) Imperial Medicals 3 BUCS H L 5‐33
Basketball (W1) St. George's 1 BUCS H W 37‐18

Fencing (M1) Surrey 2 BUCS A L 62‐135

Academic Week 4
Sport Opposition Comp H/A Result
Fencing (M2) Surrey 1 BUCS H W 62‐135
Badminton (M1) Queen Mary 1 BUCS A L 6‐2
Badminton (W1) Middlesex 1 BUCS A W 2‐6 Football (M1) Portsmouth 2 BUCS A W 1‐2
Football (M2) Greenwich 3 BUCS A W 2‐8
Basketball (M1) Roehampton 1 BUCS A W 70‐71 Football (M3) Kingston 4 BUCS H W 4‐1

Basketball (W1) Bucks 1 BUCS H W 49‐32 Football (M4) Kingston 5 BUCS H L 4‐2

Football (M5) Nescot College 1 SESSA A L 3‐2

Fencing (M2) Portsmouth 1 BUCS A L 116‐112

Football (W1) Kings College 1 BUCS A W 0‐2

Football (M1) Royal Holloway 1 BUCS H L 1‐3

Golf (1) Royal Holloway 1 BUCS A W 1‐5

Football (M2) Kings College 1 BUCS H W 4‐0

Football (M4) Kingston 4 BUCS A L 4‐3
Hockey (M1) Brighton 2 BUCS H W 14‐0

Football (W1) Kingston 1 BUCS H W 1‐0

Hockey (M2) Imperial 3 BUCS A L 3‐1
Hockey (W1) Brighton 2 BUCS H W 2‐0

Golf (1) Brunel 2 BUCS H W 5‐1

Netball (1) Hertfordshire 2 BUCS A D 41‐41

Hockey (M2) Royal Holloway 2 BUCS A W 0‐3

Rugby Union (M1) Kingston 1 BUCS H L 15‐22
Hockey (W2) Royal Holloway 3 BUCS A W 1‐5
Rugby Union (M2) Thames Valley 1 BUCS A L 27‐5

Netball (1) Reading 1 BUCS H W 39‐30

Squash (M1) Reading 1 BUCS A L 4‐1
Netball (2) Brighton 4 BUCS A L 24‐15
Squash (M2) Reading 3 BUCS A L 2‐1

Rugby Union (M1) Bucks 1 BUCS A L 39‐25

Tennis (M1) Portsmouth 2 BUCS H W 8‐4
Rugby Union (M2) St George's 2 BUCS H L 0‐22
Tennis (M2) Roehampton 2 BUCS H L 2‐10
Rugby Union (W1) Kings Medics BUCS H W 19‐17
Tennis (W1) SOAS 1 BUCS H W 12‐0

Squash (M1) Imperial 2 BUCS A W 1‐4

Volleyball (M1) Chichester 1 BUCS H W 3‐1
Squash (M2) Brunel 3 BUCS H L 0‐3

Tennis (M1) Reading 2 BUCS A D 6‐6

Tennis (M2) St George's 1 BUCS A W 0‐12

Good start for the women’s rugby team

Marisa Guerreiro Da Costa
Sports Editor
University of Surrey women’s
rugby team......19
Kings Medics.....17
The Women’s Rugby team
played against Kings Medics
in the first BUCS league match
and the first competitive match
for many players of this year’s
team.
Despite soon gaining advan-
tage, Kings Medics were un-
able to maintain the result.
After dominating the first half,
the opposing team was sur-
prised by a much more united
and stronger Surrey team in
the second half and Surrey
sealed the result. With a bril-
liant recovery, victory and 3
points secured in the League
the Women’s rugby team has
all the right motives to keep
smiling. Congratulations!

thestagsurrey.co.uk
24 SPORTS
Promising start to the year for the USBC
Rob Nolan
On Saturday 23rd October, the
University of Surrey Boat Club
– Rowing Team men’s squad
– competed at the Weybridge
Silver Sculls head; the annual
event is the oldest sculling
head on the non-tidal reaches
of the Thames, having been
founded in 1956. Many famous
Scullers have won the trophy
including Sir Steve Redgrave,
Guy Pooley (4 times winner),
Chris Baillieu, Dan Topolski
and Tim Crooks.
After a sleepless night for many
in the club due to heavy rain,
thunder and thoughts of the
race echoing in their minds,
the squad met on campus for
a rather fresh start. With over-
cast conditions that were fore-
cast to get worse throughout
Want to play football?
Surrey Uni Intra Mural
League
During the first couple of
weeks of this semester, a part-
nership between Surrey Coun-
ty Football Association, Surrey
Sports Park, The University of
Surrey Students’ Union and the
University of Surrey (Men’s)
Football Club, put together
and carried out a proposal to
establish more opportunities
for students at the university
to play football.
This initiative was aimed at stu-
dents who were not involved
in the university football club
and who wanted the chance to
play “social‟ football – in other
words, to turn up and play in
teams, in a competitive league
where football ability is not
the overriding factor.
The Surrey Uni Intra Mural
League was born in October.
There are currently 10 teams
involved: Legends, Bensons,
Cypriot Society, Mathletics,
Fake Madrid, Suns, Dusk Unit-
ed, Economics and two teams
The Stag
the duration of the day, the
squad had packed for what
looked like a weeklong camp-
ing trip with multiple layers
of clothing and food to last the
average student a month!
Once at Molesey Boat Club, the
members of the squad com-
peting in Division Two boated
and warmed up by lightly row-
ing upstream towards Walton
Bridge, travelling through
from the Afro-Caribbean Soci-
ety. At least two of these teams
have been put together by Sur-
rey FA coaches from amongst a
large number of students who
turned up and wanted to play,
but didn’t have a team.
Matches are played on the
Sports Park 3G Astroturf and
the old Varsity Astroturf, every
Wednesday during semester.
Each match is played for 40
minutes and costs just £2 per
player, or £28 for a 14 person
team.
The league is still in the de-
velopment stage and it is still
Shepperton Lock where Rob
Sillitoe got rather excited to be
playing with all the machin-
ery.
The 3.5km course covered the
stretch of river from Shepper-
ton Lock upstream to Wey-
bridge lock with a challeng-
ing bend and Walton bridge
to contend with, not even to
mention the high calibre com-
open to all. League manager/
co-coordinator Steve Cotting-
ham, a graduate and former
Chair of Sports Standing, who
is currently acting as fixtures
secretary for the university
football club, hopes that the
league will settle down after
Christmas, so that a competi-
tive league can be put in place
for each Wednesday afternoon
between January 2011 and the
Easter break.
Individual students who would
like the chance to play football
socially but are not in a team
are still welcome to come along
on Wednesdays and speak to
Steve Cottingham, who will
accordingly be able to find or
create a new team.
Steve commented that “the
university (men’s) football
club committee was really
happy to help establish this
new league, to allow as many
students as possible to partici-
pate in Association Football
and committee members have
put a great deal of effort into
the initial stages, in order to
get it off the ground”.
thestagsurrey.co.uk
sports@thestagsurrey.co.uk
petition from other oarsmen
and women.
Every squad member finished
top twenty in their categories
with respectable fifth places
from Nick Bright and Phil
“Roy” Elton, men’s captain.
The weather conditions made
the afternoon races more chal-
lenging after a large thunder-
cloud had rumbled through
during the lunch break.
President, Rob Nolan com-
mented “The day was a good
bench mark for where the
men’s senior and intermediate
squads are and where we can
expect them to progress to, the
race is not a BUCS event and it
was predominantly scheduled
to set a bench mark and to get
the guys back into the racing
mindset and not to panic when
they get the command to go;
Surrey Stags women’s
team do it again...
Latoya Andr�e Kessie
Surrey Stags......... 49
Buckinghamshire New Univer-
sity women’s team ....... 32
The University’s Women’s bas-
ketball team displayed great
results once again in a nail-bit-
ing showdown between them
and the tough and aggressive
Buckinghamshire New Univer-
sity Team.
The first quarter of the game
ended with high tension for
both the basketball team and
small spectator crowd as Sur-
rey were slowly lagging behind
the opposing team. The Surrey
team were badly hit by a series
of fouls which was not expect-
ed following the comfortable
win they had gained in the pre-
vious game against St. Georges
it’s a promising start.”
The men’s squad will be joined
by the women’s squad to com-
pete at Kingston Small Boats
Head on Saturday 20th No-
vember. If you are interested in
joining us to support the club
at this event, future events
or would like to get involved
in rowing, join us on our Fa-
cebook fan club University
of Surrey Boat Club - Rowing
Team page for more informa-
tion.
Hospital, UL.
Despite being in low spirits, the
team collectively picked them-
selves up and ended the second
quarter with a lead ahead by a
few baskets. They displayed
the same great sportsmanship
they had in their previous win
by working as a team and also
by maintaining a positive atti-
tude throughout the game.
Unfortunately, the Bucking-
hamshire team were not ready
to let go of their winning hopes
quite yet and ended the third
quarter with a tie. The Surrey
defence system had proven to
be tough in the second quarter
but wasn’t effective enough to
stop the opposing team from
catching up.
The final quarter meant every-
thing. A win in this game meant
that Surrey would be at the top
of its league for a long time in
history. Fortunately, with the
guidance of Coach Schneider,
the Surrey team were able to
gain another triumphant win.