RED CROSS NORDIC UNITED WORLD COLLEGE MAGAZINE Mag-nesia 4th December 2009 APOCALYPSE NOW The Oil

Crisis KNOW YOUR RIGHTS SPEED FREAK A Maria Teresa Saga DR. ABC Are you choking? THE SLIPPERY SLOPE Friluftsveke 2010 DOGVILLE Animal Planet Returns KIWI CLASSICS THE BEST MAGAZINE IN FLEKKE College Publications

MAG-NESIA 2 CREDITS: Editors in Chief: Anna Lillkung (Finland) Mika Zacks (Israel)

Executive Editors: Claudia Caldern (Bolivia)

Staff Reporters: Eivind Morris Bakke (Norway) Benedetta Borri (Italy) Hans Peter Geisler (Denmark) Victor Hageman (Sweden) Anna Lillkung (Finland) Viktor Lfgren (Sweden) Mika Zacks (Israel) Contributing Reporters: Bacon Gratin Palden Gyal (Tbet) Maria Teresa Julianello (Argentina) Turkey Lover Contributing Photographers: Daniel Holmdahl (Sweden) Petr Salaba (Czech Republic) Ingilin Strm (Faroe Islands) Bjrnar Haveland (Norway) Vilde rn Kreyberg (Norway)

Proofreaders: Nikki Levine (United States) Vincent Tomasino (United States) Josie Tiedeman (United Kingdom) Cally Tomlinson (United Kingdom)

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3 Editorial Silence of the Lambs When we took over the College Publications, we had a vision. Admittedly, it was not the most original vision, but it was a pretty straightforward one. We wished to create a platform for free expression and open discussion, a nicely illustrated OurSpace in which every member of this community could make himself heard. This magazine was never meant to be another pretty face to show the world. We already have plenty of those, professional, perfectly presentable annual reports and quarterly newsletters. What we felt is lacking was an internal framework for dialogue, criticism and reflection. Nothing seemed more compatible with those oh-so-vague UWC values than an open, uncensored publication. We are not neutral insofar as we all hold personal opinions and are all motivated by individual principles and aims. We are, however, fiercely neutral in that we silence no one. We have always been open to any contributions, just as we have been open to any comments or questions regarding Magnesia and our editorial role in it. In the face of the ever-growing tendency to defend the interests of the weaker, more intimidated elements of this community, we wish to plainly assert that we cannot, and will not, take under consideration any discomfort which has never been brought to our attention. This does not make us the representatives of a small minority in this campus, as has been formerly suggested by Xiaohang, and it takes away none of our credibility. Soon we will be entering discussions on the future of this newspaper, as our vision clearly differs fundamentally from that of the school officials. These will hopefully serve to clarify the essence of this magazine, which is at times clouded by the everyday issues we tend to address. Once again, and more earnestly than ever, we would like to invite all of you, students and staff members alike, to contribute to Magnesia not only with articles, but also with active feedback and criticism. Yours, Anna & Mika Editors in chief

WHAT CAN BE EXPECTED FROM THE MATH PROLETARIAT? Viktor Lfgren The first time, you help out, gladly amused by their retardation. Second time, you do it out of obligation. Third time, you do it bitterly, feeling slightly annoyed. Fourth time, you tell yourself that there must be something more important to do than filling in predicted grades you never got. The Fifth time, you go berserk and lie on purpose to make life even more sucky for the desperate originator without realizing that that s exactly what they want. I am of course talking about the math studies and e-system surveys we have been terrorized with since last November. We are being asked to reveal sometimes more and sometimes less personal information concerning our religious views, number of kids we are planning to have, happiness and extra academic program. But where does this information go? Is it ever used, or does it simply disappear into a mountain of all the Math Studies projects produced annually worldwide... Magnesia decided to look into the mystery of math projects, to see whether math studies students might actually have something to contribute to the world after all these surveys. Dea Busk (Denmark)

decided to investigate whether there is a correlation between the choice of math level and science subjects studied. Professor Isaac Likambu (the man behind Likambus World http:// proffliks.wordpress. com/about-2) has been seen as the archetype of the science man (making a loud statement in this direction by opting for e-systems as his only social science). Dea s math project proves that there exist three other RCN students who-- just like Likambu-- decided to slap abstract social Another interesting revelation is that there is only one (!) person at the college taking both biology and e-systems

sciences in the face in favor of pure science. Another interesting revelation is that there is only one (!) person at the college taking both biology and e-systems. One would figure that it would be a pretty easy combination but here at RCN nobody wants to make it to easy for themselves, right? Other than that, Dea s math project mainly supported the general discourse at campus which assumes that e-systems students are more likely to take Math Studies than Physics. A maybe less conventional project is Julia Wallhager s (Sweden) exploration of RCN students attitudes towards their future reproduction. One conclusion of Julia s survey is that 93 % out of 93 respondents wanted another family constellation than the one they were brought up in. The general trend also showed that students want less children than in the family they were brought up in. We can be reassured, however-luckily, there is one individual who is willing to raise 8 children, singlehandedly maintaining the world s steady population growth while the rest of us shirk the parenting duty. Magdalena Szymaniec (Poland) looked at symbols and their international recognition. Symbols such as the hammer and sickle, Andy Warhol s Marilyn prints and a coca-cola bottle. In general, the rate of incorrect answers was pretty high, but Magdalena

proved that ethnicity or gender had no impact on the rate of right or wrong answers. It s nice, isn t it? In the spirit of human equality, we are all equally dumb! Emilie Sundorph wanted to know more about drugs. Her project proved that if you are a European or North American on campus, there is a 40 % probability that you have smoked marijuana. If you are an African, on the other hand, the probability is 0 %. The project also showed that only Europeans and Asians on campus have ever tried hard drugs. In conclusion, this year s math projects have not come up with the most illuminating results. We already knew that some students take a lot of science, that there are some people from every corner of the globe who don t know their symbols, and that Africans don t get high on the weekends as much as their North American and European counterparts. Perhaps you first year Math Studies students will storm up more enlightening studies with which to plague your coyears? that if you are a European or North American on campus, there is a 40 % probability that you have smoked marijuana

Dog profiles Following up on the enormous success of the cat profiles in the last issue of Magnesia, we proudly bring you the sequel: The profiles of the dogs of RCN. Ben, Chris house: When going to Chris house, you ll get welcomed by a lovely fourlegged friend, the Golden Setter Ben, who likes to greet people with a kiss as an icebreaker. (And on a side-note, he s not a bad kisser.) Ben was included in the household as Golden Setters are dogs in good physical shape, ready for long walks and outdoor discovery. And at the age of 5, Ben is in his very best age for this and is well-known amongst the people in outdoor discovery. Ben s favoured food is dry dog food, preferably with the taste of chicken. And despite the bad taste, Ben had a girlfriend last school year. Jelena, who was a biology teacher last year, was a certain favourite of Ben s and even now and then, she comes back to say hello. When asked whether Ben should have a UWC scholarship or not, Chris is somewhat insecure. While he might be a great addition to any student body from a social perspective, there might be some lacks academically. But as a hard working Golden Setter, of course, this could all be solved. As of now, Ben loves the UWC life and most of the students like Ben, too. Ebb & Flow, John s and Nicky s house: In the Lawrenson House, there s not only one, but two small dogs: Ebb & Flow, two very active and energetic Jack Russell Terriers. Two twins, they might sound hard to distinguish, but in reality are not at all. While Ebb is all white,

Flow has some black spots, while Ebb is more of a social dog, Flow is not, and while Ebb is a boy, Flow is a girl. But as true twins and siblings, they have a strong connection to each other and a lot of the same interests; their favourite toy is a squeaky hedgehog and their favourite dog food is, like Ben s, with chicken taste. If you have flow, you also have ebb, the philosophy seems to be. They come and go, Nicky says, And apart for some rare incestuous tendencies, they get along. A few months ago, before snow and ice were covering the grounds of the college, stories about a little souvenir from a dog on the way to Kantina circulated around campus. Being the Rektor s dogs, Ebb and Flow quickly became the main suspects. When asked whether they might be guilty in a souvenir or two around campus, Nicky replies promptly: Chances are very low, unless at smoker s corner, perhaps. I ve even tried to encourage them to stay a little longer around smoker s corner. No one would notice any difference there anyway. When the fjord is not frozen, the dogs favourite activity is to swim and play in the water. We certainly hope to see them out there once again when the ice is gone. Hans Peter Geisler

LET A DAY OFF BE... Since the big boss called for an extraordinary meeting of all students and teaching staff, a sudden buzzing spread in our little bubble. Such unexpected convocation was enough to move every studentexcept those few who knew, but held their tongues- to imagine what the important issue to present to the college could have concerned. Some asserted with certainty we would be given news about the oil spill, others thought someone breaking the rules would have been a more probable cause, while the most indifferent simply shrugged their shoulders. With stuffed school bags, wearing tshirts or skirts, students got up on Wednesday morning, nothing but another routine day. Some sleepy, other curious, yet other hoping for a long meeting so as to skip classes, students were ready to meet at 08.00 sharp in the auditorium. There he was, our Rektor John Lawrenson, looking up the seats as usual. Then, when he started rubbing his hands, one of his unmistakable signs meaning I am about to speak , the whole auditorium fell silent. I have to admit that if there were a second life, John could definitely go for an acting career; his face looked concerned and serious, everyone expected an important talk. Instead, only a brief introduction

followed; out of the blue, the floor was taken by Marius, our Student Council representative. About two hundred little question marks started spinning in our heads; after all, the IB does not always train for the unexpected. Benedetta Borri Students were given the great chance to enjoy an exciting day together, this time under a much whiter setting

In one of the most successful surprises, the important issue to present to the college was a nonscheduled day off! More precisely, it was a Nordic-type day off, a lovely time spent in the open air, far from books, laptops or deadlines. Back to the respective rooms to get dressed with the appropriate ski clothing, students were ready to challenge ice and snow by 9.35. Once on the spot, a wide field covered by snow on the way to Flekke, some joined Kip Sumner s team, cleaning the surface of the ice rink, whereas the rest either tried to become acquainted with ski boots and cross country, or shared some genuine laughs when helping inexperienced skiers. In this respect, many first years were novices to winter sports; struggling with skis and poles for the first time represented a helpful try to for them to gain confidence on the slope, getting started before the ski week. Although the majority of the students were enthusiastic and eager to take part in outdoor activities, some did not seem too excited about the hustle and bustle replacing the classes. As it often happens in big institutions, it is difficult to organize events which would please everyone. Despite this, students were given the great chance to enjoy an exciting day together, this time under a much whiter setting. On the whole, this alternative Wednesday represented a unique opportunity for us to socialize, relax, enjoy a shiny winter sun, and benefit from some good physical exercise too. A successful trial, undoubtedly to be repeated in the future! Then, when John started rubbing his hands, one of his unmistakable signs meaning

I am about to speak , the whole auditorium fell silent. After all, the IB does not always train for the unexpected.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS Since coming to the college, we ve soaked up all sorts of cultural knowledge. But we must say that by far the most entertaining has been that peculiarly piercing sense of irony, trademark of -- who else -- the Swedes. If you, like us, have acquired a taste for that feeling of am-i-laughing-with-or-beinglaughed-at , you need look no further than our very own Residential Charter. RIGHTS The students have the right to: -be respected by otherstudents and staff. You have the right for our Rektor to remind you that We don t want you here when some member of the Leader Group decides that we are particularly cancerous (then he gets a doggy treat!). -feel comfortable in their room. I love cultural sharing, and you will too when it lives above you, below you and in every corner of your room. Of course when the sharing steals too much of your shampoo, just remember that under no circumstances should you tell him that he s an insensitive jerk. Instead, go to your House Mentor and tell him or her what s really going on in the room; imagination is encouraged - feel free to make something up! The more you fabricate, the more comfortable you will be - privacy within the understanding that they are sharing the room with other students. Staff may, if necessary, in case of illness, check on students in bed. This one gets a little tricky since you ve got to share the room with

the very same roommate who you just reported to your House Mentor in exercise of your second right. For this reason, at RCN we have the tradition of the curtain system . Hence we get a rectangular bunker (about 2m^3 in total) to call our own. Unless your HM/Lena/ anybody thinks you might be sick/ drinking/having sex/watching a movie/skipping class/crying alone/ sleeping. - study without disturbance. Outside of breakfast, classes, cookie break, classes, lunch, classes, college meetings, advisor meetings, EAC meetings, dinner, House meeting, special meetings (MUN, Ski Week, EE, etc.) and sleeping you have all the time you want to study. If you need more, you shouldn t be here. Feel bad about yourself and cry alone in your corner until your HM opens your curtains. If that doesn t work, drown your sorrows with your favorite variety of Siedel. - peace for sleep and rest during stated quiet time . Quiet time begins at 2230 and ends at 0800. This is the allotted time for us to get our precious 9.5 hours of sleep. If you re concerned about too many meetings reducing your study time before bed, we have protected time starting at 2100, when no meetings may be called. A nightly hour and a half for studying should be just as much as you need to meet your deadlines and get to bed with the peace of mind that you may or may not graduate. - live in a smokefree environment. We all have the right to clean air. If you live in IH (101, 201), DH (pick one) or walk past the Kantina (ever), see Lena to arrange regular check-ups at the doctors office in Dale. - practice their own religion.

You can skip Biology classes when Evolution is involved, step out for a pray break if your EAC or class gets a little boring and insult whomever you want during World Today. - be politically active. You are allowed to sign Amnesty s petitions and wash the Shell station in Frde so long as you don t invite politically relevant guests or people the Board tells John are evil (then he gets a doggy treat!). - express their own opinion in accordance with the law. Say whatever you want (behind your curtains and have a friend watch out for the HM). Observe the correlation between your opinions and your mark in the subject taught by your HM! - have a student council. You can vote for the students you think have the best chances of getting into an Ivy League. Bacon Gratin and Turkey Lover

Recently, the Danish prime minister made a major reshuffle of his ministers. Comedian Anders Lund Madsen made a comment about this, ironically pointing out that this was just like changing the animals positions in a children s carousel: not making any real change, only a superficial one; the lion becomes the zebra, the zebra becomes the giraffe, the elephant stays as an elephant because it is too heavy to move and in the end everybody rides the same carousel again and again, not daring to try any of the other rides and especially not the big roller coaster. Fortunately, only because something is rotten in the state of Denmark it does not mean that things are rotten elsewhere. On behalf of the incoming student council, I would like to give my best thanks and wishes to the retiring student council for daring to take the roller coaster if needed and not just rearranging the animals. It is my belief that this has been for the benefit of the school s community as a whole - students as well as teachers and non-teaching staff. Thank you very much for this. As for the new student council, we are aware that it is not a possibility to hesitate taking the roller coaster. (This might, on a sidenote, be the time of retirement for this metaphor in this article. It is getting a little used up, somehow.) Following the events of the night after the mock exams, it is crucial to take action. Action not necessarily meaning strong punishments of specific students or the student body as a whole; it is way easier to make punishments and restrictions rather than creating dialogues and get constructive discussions going. It is the hope of the student council that people involved in these unfortunate and disappointing events will be treated fairly, equally to other students. So what exactly is the meaning of action in this case? Communication, first of all. The importance

of not being afraid of -and having the possibility of - standing up with and by one s opinions, views or rights at any time under any circumstance. Very important elements of Nordic society - one of the school s pillars - are democracy and equal rights for everybody, those being acquired through dialogue, through communication. Therefore, the student council s strong aim for the future is to improve and increase the level of communication within the student body as well as between the students and the staff. And to and from the student council, not the least. This, for the time being, through student body meetings during house protected time and improvements of the potential of the student council s notice board. With strong internal and external communication, I ll prepare myself for an exiting job as student council chair. HANS PETER GEISLER, Chairman of the Student Council 2010-2011 As for the new student council, we are aware that it is not a possibility to hesitate taking the roller coaster. The student council s strong aim for the future is to improve and increase the level of communication within the student body as well as between the students and the staff.

Anna Lillkung WHEN THE OIL HITS RCN After uncountable times of neither signing in nor out at the Haugland reception and not showering without the swimming suit before entering the pool, karma finally interfered and our school got its punishment from the Haugland Center. As the student body was returning from winter break in January, the school received a shocking piece of news: an underground oil tank had exploded and oil was now leaking out into the Fjord. Quite soon one could note masked persons trying to carve out the oilpolluted ice and doing damage control. However, the damage had already been inflicted and after only a couple of days, the students were suffering in the classrooms in the Andresenand Eckbo-buildings. Headache and nausea were only two symptoms experienced by teachers and students when it was finally decided that the building should remain closed until the air quality had improved. But what actually happened in our Oil Crisis? Many rumours have been started among the drama-craving student body in order to reason what was going on. Statements saying that Haugland refuses to pay the school and that the College was

actually facing a shutdown due to the spreading oil, are just a few examples of what has been discussed among the students. Therefore Anna Garner clarified in an interview what actually was the case: Truth is that two oil tanks exploded, and so far no one has actually The damage had already been inflicted and after only a couple of days, the students were suffering in the classrooms in the Andresen- and Eckbo-buildings.

been able to explain why this happened. It took several days before the Haugland Center noticed what had happened but after they did, the communication to the school remained good (in spite of what has been speculated). The Center took full responsibility immediately, they promised to lend our school their empty spaces and there has been no argument between anyone involved. Still today, no one can exactly know where the oil has spread, mainly due to the snow and ice that still covers the ground. This is why people started to speculate whether buildings would have to be torn down, and this was also a valid concern. It would have been particularly easy for the oil to go under the Ebuilding since it is built on stones and water can actually flow down under there. Since the air in the E-building also was more strongly polluted than in A-building, there was for some time a serious question mark about what was to happen. As for today, the air quality has been tested a couple of times and seems now to be at correct levels in both Aand E-building. Anna Garner pointed out that particularly staff-member Anette has been working efficiently to ensure that the air quality is not hazardous and the speed of the process has in the end not been up to the staff but in the hands of the people who have tested the air.

After almost two months with classes in day rooms, Haugland facilities and K-building, we can now return to our beloved classrooms. Teachers can use their smart boards again, Reidun return to her natural habitat on the second floor of A-building and the Swedes fall asleep in the couches of the Swedish classroom. The spread of the oil and its hazards can still not be completely concluded; we have to wait until the spring has arrived and then new tests will be taken in order to understand the full spread of the oil. The effects of the oil leak on the nature will also be concluded then, and sadly there is not much to be done in order to speed the process up. For now, we can only enjoy the opening of the earlier closed buildings and hope that the awaited spring will arrive soon. Still today, no one can exactly know where the oil has spread, mainly due to the snow and ice that still covers the ground. It took several days before the Haugland Center noticed what had happened.

Friluftsveka Eivind Bakke Sometimes we all need to get away. From tests and assignments and stress and many other things. For some this is a place of beauty and relaxation. For others this place is challenging and tough. Whilst others found the place had both physical and mental pain in store. The one thing these places have in common is that it is very same place. The Jlster hotel at Vassenden near Jlster, where the (in)famous skiweek has taken place the past two years. This time the fabulous Bjarte Morten (+1) drove all of us one hundred first years to the foot of the mountain where we could live. The drive up was filled with music and fun. In fact there was music in front of the fire every single day, and after an exhausting day outside it was nice to be brought back to fitness by happy, happy, happy songs. For the days were indeed exhausting and many found that falling asleep was no longer any problem. As the nights were filled with sleep, either out in a smoky lavvo, in a semi warm hotel or in a cold or warm cabin, so did the days consist of wonderful adventures in the hills ( I had a wonderful accidental adventure to the top of the hill , Abdo) or crossing country in the tracks. Although some needed more time to get accustomed to the new physical situation of the self than others, we were all pretty accomplished skiers by Friday. Even though not everybody could follow this skiing bonanza till the end because of some sort injury, I think we all got impressions to last at least a school year.

On Wednesday noon, forgetting Denmark House s highest moral task, that of dayroom cleaning, I decided to go and interview Alistair concerning the events of 5th March. For the past week, the campus has been abuzz with speculations. First, we theorized over the consequences. There were talks of mass suspensions, of a second Espen Fiasco and of cabin parties taking place from now on exclusively in the Swedish classroom. Then, when it was becoming clear that there will be no sudden increase in the individual or collective prices of alcoholic beverages, attention shifted to the incidents themselves. After the surprise raid conducted by the House Mentors and respective advisors, suspicions arose concerning the nature of the inspection. Some of the students felt the search had been most undemocratic, that certain people were targeted while equally culpable ones were not, and that the prices dealt out were a far cry from fair trade vodka. In short, that real fairness requires that after DH 204 had been thoroughly examined, the rest of the house ought to follow. Stories of unpleasant encounters between students and staff members were quickly spreading among the student body. A teacher has informed one of our delinquents that if he refuses to sign a

House Mentor warning, she will go find the bottles . After the half-marathon on Saturday, the child of another teacher asked Wojciech why is he hanging out with this drunkard and alcoholic Modestas Filipavicius in the latter s presence. In economics class, rumor has it the credibil Our Virtues Mika Zacks It was as if I had suddenly become the non-philosophical stimulus for an essay on the criteria for personhood. In our eagerness to recycle, our alcoholic footprint has been growing increasingly apparent

ity of the newly elected student council has been called into question in light of the former council s hypocrisy . The interview was, to put it mildly, a colossal failure. Not because there is little to be said for the staff s perspective, quite the contrary. In a talk earlier this week, Mariano explained the background for that late night treat. As it turns out, our students loyalty to the environmental pillar knows no bounds. In our eagerness to recycle, our alcoholic footprint has been growing increasingly apparent- a trend which did not go unnoticed by the staff. In the last couple of weeks, we have been receiving more complaints from students, he added, about drinking, smoking and such. We knew we had to do something before things get progressively worse. That failure illustrated to me a deeper problem in student-staff interaction, the problem of respect. In less than two minutes of conversation, I felt utterly dehumanized. It was such an overwhelming sensation, as if I had suddenly become the non-philosophical stimulus for an essay on the criteria for personhood. The exchange was entirely devoid of anything resembling human feeling. And this disregard for the other is hardly one-sided. Admittedly we do at times demonize our teachers with incredible ease, choosing to view

them as police dogs hell bent on making life miserably sober. Yet what is more commonly found is the sheer insensitivity shown by students, which reduces the staff to a chain of 7-Eleven stores, forever at our service, and at the most ludicrous hours, too. This Saturday morning I was dragged, very much against my will, to a workshop on communications. My group leaders did an excellent job, but the leadership program itself is a parody of human interaction. It can be summarized in the words of one memorable penguin: Just smile and wave boys. Smile and wave. And if there are any UWC values to speak of, I think we just waved them goodbye. Why are you hanging out with this drunkard and alcoholic - Modestas Filipavicius?

My teacher is telling me to quit smoking Maria Teresa Julianello It s funny talking about one s addictions because when you re over them, it doesn t seem it was actually you. There s also the way people look at you if you say you did speed because they either don t believe you or they think you were nuts. Indeed you were, but you didn t know it; on the contrary, you thought you were the coolest chick on earth and then some. Another typical occurrence is that you say it was not your fault - you were hooked - but believe me it wasn t.

The doctor made me do it and the guy never thought he was Dr. Feelgood, he just did the right thing and...

EXCUSE ME???? Did you say SPEED????

And it was legit too! Awwww . come on, woman, what next? Your grandma told you to put those nice looking mushrooms in the family salad, hm?

In the 60 s and early 70 s there was no law forbidding amphetamines from public consumption in Argentina. The drugs were new and could be bought over the counter in any drugstore. Because they were synthetic, they were cheap and became the rage overnight: they curbed your appetite so you weighed 47 kilos and wore the tiniest miniskirts and tightest bell bottoms.

On top of looks, anfetas , as we called them, kept you awake and racing through town 24/7. Since Argentines keep long hours and I was working and doing night school, I lasted forever on a roundabout of activity and partying. I studied at night after the fun was over since we could go for 2 or 3 days without sleeping.

In bars we exchanged pills and made mixes that make me shudder to think of now; the more we mixed and experimented, the sharper and more aware we felt---we could perceive things deeper, dance with more passion, pass exams more easily and never get tired.

After the summer of love had passed and laws changed, the party was over. Health authorities became aware that the pills were dangerous and they were banned. At first I was ... and she was a SPEED FREAK

surprised and angry but I still had a huge supply; when that ran out, the nightmare started - first uneasiness, then slight tremors, sweating, nervousness and finally panic. Withdrawal symptoms, baby . W-h-a-t???? You re a junkie, don t you know that???? It took me years to get through my stash and I became an expert in hiding them at home and getting them in the black market. There was always a doctor that would charged you for a spurious prescription, but I was hooked. Also, I started to feel hysterical about gaining weight; in other words, I had lost control of myself and who I was while I had thought that because of speed I was on top on the world. The wakeup call came in Canada where I went to live. I was in a new country and didn t know where to get pills. When I asked around in the university, the implication was you had to get a dealer and the man would get them for you.

When the Stones came to Toronto to record the album Exile on Main Street , the dude I was seeing took me to a recording session in the Mocambo club and I got some pills. They kept me going like a wired wreck for 3 days and then knocked me off for another 3. When I woke up, I looked and felt a mess and had a hideous rash all over my arms that made me scratch like a demented cat.

I staggered into the kitchen to get some water and saw my roommate baking grass brownies. When she turned around she gasped - I had peed on the floor and hadn t noticed it. That was my second wakeup call - I was a scholarship student, the Assistant Dean had called me in the office because I had gotten a C

in a key course leading to graduate school and had to retake. I went into rehab at the university hospital, did the cold turkey on my own and accepted the weight gain with as much grace as I could muster.

A year later I was clean, had graduated Summa cum Laude and headed for a California job. I still smoked, but that story has already been told to those I am now urging to kick their nicotine habit. It took me six tries to stop lighting up over the years, but that again was won over.

I am still fighting the battle of the bulge and the alarming rise of glucose levels when you get into that interesting age of grandmotherhood. But I m an old horse at the wagon and I m doing the Flekke road. It took me years to get through my stash and became an expert in hiding them at home and getting them in the black market.

I had lost control of myself and who I was while I had thought that because of speed I was on top on the world.

the 4TH COLUMN OLD STUDENT COUNCIL MEMBERS REFLECT Victor Hageman

Another Student Council period is over and the second-year representatives of the student body have retired from their thrones with a plate of Swiss chocolate to go. Yet before they were let to nibble on their reward undisturbed, a sample of three randomly selected members of the old Student Council were asked to reflect upon their time and roles in the council. They were given three questions: 1. With what promises to the student body did you enter the Student Council? 2. Do you feel that you stayed true to these promises, why/why not? 3. What was most challenging about being a part of the Student Council? VINCENT 1.- My main promises were concerned with maintaining the standards of the previous SC. Specifically, this included the location and presence of a Smokers Corner and the tenuous relationship between students and staff on the issue of drinking on campus. 2.- Though there are many ways in which I feel I and the rest of the Council failed the students, we were able to keep the Smokers Corner for an entire year (when it was meant to be closed last July). Additionally, the policy on alcohol has been maintained in that Village Parties are consistently held and Alcohol Warnings have been issued fairly. In this way, we ve encouraged the staff to focus on individual punishment (alcohol warnings/expulsions) rather than collective punishment

(taking away the parties, etc.). 3..- The most difficult thing is to realize that, no matter how much you try, you are never the peer of the staff. Even though we sit in a meeting room with them, the fact remains that I am a student and they are staff. Though our relationship approaches one of equals, this student/staff barrier cannot and should not be crossed. While this can be demoralizing for a council member to come to terms with, I came to embrace it in my second year. I think that future student councils need to work more from the support of the student body. For this reason I am very excited about the new Student Body meetings and hope that they are appreciated by all students.

19 SARAH ASIF 1. Maybe if Victor, Anna or Mika[1] would have taken a personal interview, I would have told them that I am not a big fan of promises nor such questions ;), however, I did say that I would work on the Special Opportunities guidelines and for better communication and transparency between student body and staff.

2.- Yes, I tried. I won t say that the Special Opportunities guidelines are perfect now because they will not satisfy everyone but at least we have a clear set of guidelines, and there has been an attempt to follow it. About improving communication, we did try Althing. It was a success then and maybe now that we have moved on from that stage, we need to try new strategies. My main duty was towards the board though, and I feel with its ups and downs, I have tried to get the message of the student body across. 3.- Maintaining credibility possible way. DIEYNAB 1.- I didn t really have any concrete proposal. However, I emphasized a lot the necessity of having more house activities and gettingto-know-each-other kind of things in order to celebrate the cultural differences in the house. And I as well encouraged students to assist their house rep. to the greater extent of his or her responsibility! I do not think my speech was what helped me make it here but I guess most of my housemates knew me and knew what I was capable of and were maybe satisfied! And well, they needed an African mama after all (right Julia?),...laughter! in every

2.- To some extent yes! I have

been open to suggestions! This year I have proposed as a new house responsibility: Event organizers! So as to give much importance to being together as a house. We haven t unfortunately had the chance to have a real inter house competition as I wanted so much but I think in some ways the hockey competition was a good first step. I believe I have been supported a lot by the first years in bringing the house together. A big thanks to the event organizers and those who made the Norway house hockey team exist! In some other aspects, I believe I could have done more, but, dramatic changes cannot be made in less than a year of being in the Student Council! 3.- Ooo... I think it has been to work with people I have never worked before with. It was a hard beginning for me. I needed us to get to know each other! But as time went by, I learned to know how to work with each of my fellow members. Something else I would like to mention is that it has been hard sometimes to represent students voices in things I didn t necessarily believe in! Good luck to new SC!

A new student council with an old agenda. Viktor Lfgren The new student council has been elected to what seems likely to be like any other student council mandate. In speeches, the elected candidates repeatedly mentioned the importance of communication, representation and participation. It seems to be fashionable to talk about bridges as a metaphor for what a good student council member should be like. Is that all? Have we elected 12 good bridges in to our council and what are the implications of this? Sadly this rhetoric has been at the cost of innovations and fruitful discussions about what we as a unique RCN generation can contribute with. Many of the candidates emphasized directly or indirectly that they want to maintain and conserve what the student council already is. But what is the essence of the already so well-functioning student council? Not counting the battle over November break, a good EAC-reform (which was more of Xiaohangs work than anyone s else) and some honest and well done attempts to eliminate the inconsistencies in the residential charter, the ex-student council did nothing but facilitating. This facilitation happens in terms of communicating to staff that people are mad at the calendar, that people want to keep/not keep smokers

corner, that people want more flexidays and better feedback. Reversely the Student council report to the students that the staff want to have earlier deadlines, no flexi days, no smokers corner and that feedback is all fine. Now there is nothing wrong with that. Democracy presupposes some amount of bureaucracy and all issues concerning any students on campus should be given space in the discussion of a decision making of staff and student council, whether it concerns only smokers or people that wish to drink warm milk. But right now, all those things are being processed in the student council at the cost of innovations and progress. If the tone expressed in the winning candidates speeches is representative for the attitude amongst our student body this college will look exactly the same in ten years. As a famous socialist said, What needs to be done? Instead of criticizing and blatantly giving the new student council the blame for RCN s future stagnation I would like to point a the fact is that we have a student body with a majority of girls and two student councils in a row with a 3/12 proportion of girls, proves that we have some way to go to

finger towards hot topics with potential. These are just some of the things the student council should deal with. Gender equality: Mixed rooms might be the wrong way to go, but the fact is that we have a student body with a majority of girls and two student councils in a row with a 3/12 proportion of girls, proves that we have some way to go to. A starting point could be to at least acknowledge that there is a problem. Environmental pillar: Sure, it s fun to recycle. But where is the eager debate striving to transform RCN to a true ecocommunity with organic farming and self sustaining energy production? Okay, we can t open a nuclear reactor in uncle toms, but there seems to be a possibility of starting a co-operation with an organic farm just a couple of kilometers from campus. More ideas and similar concepts are warmly welcome! Nordic pillar: Strive to establish more contacts with Nordic high schools! In Stockholm, Bergen, Oslo and Copenhagen there are several high-schools with international programs which would fit us as partners. With more ex-change projects we would be able to increase our awareness about the diversity of the Nordic region but more importantly spread UWC awareness to the Nordic region. Consider that Sweden had 40 applicants to UWC last year

(out of more than 100 000 eligible students) Become activists!: For god sake! We are young people with ideals! Honestly, it is a very lame excuse each time people bring up the IB as a reason to why the school isn t enough of a UWC school. In 1968 the students revolted with Mao s little red in their pockets! When Gandhi threw out the British he used his knowledge based on education and Mandela read books in prison. Education is our tool not an obstacle. I admit that a demonstration from campus to Flekke might not attract much more than the supportive attention from a couple of sheep, but Forde is not far away, and believe or not, in Norway it is actually considered to be a city. Amnesty are so far the only ones remotely trying to use activism as a mean to reach out, outside the bubble.

If the tone expressed in the wining candidates speeches is representative for the attitude amongst our student body this college will look exactly the same in ten years.

FIRST AID PBL Hans Peter Geisler That s how it all started one early Monday morning in the Auditorium. What did it mean? Accompanied by interesting pictures of brave first aid leaders such as a young Jesper with a bottle of beer, we were all to find out through the next few days, but first of all, the day began with a break, so we wouldn t have any overheating of anyone or too stressed first-aiders. First day went on with a basic introduction to first aid. Everybody - at least in this writer s group - did really great, including staff members. On the second day, everything became more demanding and important: it was the workshop day! A lot of well-prepared first-aid people got injured over and over, and they did so with great expertise. From Njaal who got a burn to Klara who got a knife in her leg, people fought themselves through with great enthusiasm. If the second day had been demanding, it s hard to put words on the third day. Day number three was the day. The this is it!-day with the big test in the auditorium and subsequent scenarios around campus. And eventually, with the sound of the Bee Gees in their heads, it turned out that everybody - all the students, at least - passed the test with flying colours. Danger, Response, Shout for Help!, Airways, Breathing, Circulation. That s how it all ended on Wednesday afternoon. Though it didn t really end here for everybody. We ll undoubtedly see a lot of good first aid in the future, provided by some of the many skilled students with much potential.

Dr. ABC

SOS Children s Village RCNUWC sponsors five SOS children In Mauritius and has done since 1998

Anna Lillkung V FOR VAGINA As a part of the celebration of Women s Day, a group of females are also this year performing The Vagina Monologues in our school. But what are these monologues? Why do people want to perform them and even more importantly, why should one watch a performance which focuses almost entirely on vaginas? The Vagina Monologues is a collection of monologues based on the author Eve Ensler s interviews with women. She met all kinds of women and asked them various questions about their vaginas. The Vagina Monologues then became part of a movement, V-day, in which different female actresses tour around the world and perform these monologues. To be honest, it is not always easy to stand on a stage and talk about vaginas or try to communicate other women s stories about their vagina-experiences . It goes beyond what is theater and it can greatly provoke the audience. However, as I took part

in the performance as well as the workshops preceding the performance last year, I realized that I find it quite liberating to speak about such a natural but yet such a taboo -topic in front of an audience.

During the workshops we, the performers, also had to figure out our own views about vaginas and the final performance ended up feeling like a quite small part of the entire process. Even though it might sound delusional, the monologues were not only stories but they taught me something about myself and my own views on vaginas, sex and gender. The collection includes happy and sad monologues, as well as funny and disturbing ones. Monologues discussing different names for the vagina, sexual orientation, rape, sexual epiphanies and femininity. The Vagina Monologues are suitable for a broad audience since the monologues teach us something; something about vaginas of course, but more importantly something about the current differences between genders. Even though a concern has been raised among some staff members, who question whether or not the Vagina Monologues should be performed every year, I feel that this is a choice that should be made by

the students. Thus with these words I confidently welcome you to this year s performance and hope you will consider it time well spent.

Rangzen* Palden rGyal Cruel is the Eastern tempest that storms And the windy weather reigns for years, Ruthless the unrelenting hailstones That destroys our crops of dreams. The wintry wind chills my bones And its sneaky gusts freeze my soul. The melody of the rivers went silent; As the beauty of the Snow Land arrested. Since our Rangzen was abducted The land was robbed and raped My people under torture and torment Exiled in Diaspora. Amidst the hail of bullets and blows. I bid adieu to Potala* in tears and terror To my beloved Palace so near and dear, When my home was ransacked and raided. If Rangzen is the hope of mankind Why should my people starve? For tyranny gives birth to tragedy

And deception stoops to enmity. Rangzen, the hope of Snow-Landers; The Roof of the World Endures From centuries ere the black 1959. 1. Rangzen : means in Tibetan, freedom or independence in political conception. 2. Potala : is name of the Tibetan Palace in Lhasa, the Capital of Tibet, built in 7th century by Tibet s 32nd King Songtsen Gampo.