NOUSE

Nominated for Guardian Student Newspaper of the Year Autumn Term Week Seven
Tuesday November 25 2008
www.nouse.co.uk
Est. 1964

Sponsored by

www.ey.com/uk/careers

Henry James Foy - Best News Contributor

“It’s like you ‘liberate’ some cake from the
University investment in arms trade increases- An exclusive story. After obtaining figures under the
bins, but you still want it to be yours” Freedom of Information Act, I discovered that the University - which had been under sustained pressure from
The freegan way of life >> M10 - 11 students and national groups to divest from arms-producing companies - had increased their holding in two
major arms companies, Rolls Royce and BAE, to the value of £1million. I was able to get comment from cam-

University investment GSA ‘in crisis’ as

pus, local and national divestment groups, and forced the University - an educational charity - to admit that it
elections are void was placing profit over ethics.
THE ACTING President of the

in arms trade increases

Graduate Student Association
has said that organisation is ‘in
crisis’ after last month’s election
results were declared invalid.
The election process, which was
Showdown over Union bar- An exclusive story. With only 30 hours to go before the Union’s 24-hour
Investment rises £350,000 since 2006 Second-highest in UK excluding Oxbridge
criticised in a report published
over the summer, was deemed alcohol and entertainment licence was to be granted by York Council, I spoke with University ProViceChancel-
to be undemocratic and unreli-
BAE SYSTEMS able >> NEWS P3 lor Jane Grenville to get a comment regarding its implementation. It transpired that she was unaware of the
B Henry’s given
temporary repreive application, after allegedly informing the Union that they should not even attempt to secure one. A war of
THE UNIVERSITY has chosen
to reconvene the Bar Strategy
words ensued between the Union and the University, with YUSU Officers denying any alleged verbal rejec-
Group to assess the future of B
Henry’s bar. There were fears tion occured, and University officials aghast that the plan was being pushed through covertly. Both refused
that the bar was to be shut
down, but this decision ensures
its future until March 2009 at
to concede, before Grenville was forced to lodge a last-minute objection at the council offices to thwart the
least. Both Alcuin JCRC and
YUSU, who have campaigned to
keep the bar open, praised the
application.
decision >> NEWS P2

Intruder sparks
security fears National cap may force York to turn away home undergraduates- An exclusive story. A story re-
FEARS FOR student safety
have been raised after an
unknown intruder gained access
garding the government’s University funding shortfall broke in Wednesday’s Guardian. The Higher Education
to a locked bedroom on campus.
The intruder, who entered a Funding Council for Englad (HEFCE) discovered

NOUSE
Goodricke bedroom, left a rose
on the bed. The student con-
cerned has called for University
Winner of three Guardian Student Media Awards 2008 Spring Term Week Five
Tuesday February 10 2009
that a miscalculation in funds for Universities
action >> NEWS P3 www.nouse.co.uk
Est. 1964
in 09/10 would mean that any home student
Mixed results for number increases planned by universities for
BUCS league teams
A STRONG START to the sea- Sponsored by the October 2009 and 2010 intakes would have
son for the Women’s Lacrosse
Henry James Foy
EDITOR
and “fuelling war”. National and
campus campaigners have been
“The University needs to be
held accountable, and take respon-
University’s reputation and we find
the continued and increased use of
and Men’s Badminton teams
has contrasted with mixed for- www.ey.com/uk/careers to be scrapped. What made this revelation even
calling for divestment since 2005. sibility and an ethically approved students’ money in arms compa- tunes for the football and rugby

THE UNIVERSITY has been

Investments in BAE Systems,
the world’s third largest defence
stance,” said People and Planet
Chair Robyn Heather. “It’s despica-
nies very concerning.”
The shares are held by the
squads. A look at the prospects
ahead >> SPORT P19
more problematic for York is the £500million
strongly condemned for substan-
tially increasing its investment in
company, and Rolls-Royce, which
powers 25% of the world’s military
ble and unethical that an educa-
tional institution would make
University’s Pension Scheme, which
provides pensions for staff on expansion project which is set to open doors to
arms companies despite continued
pressure from divestment groups.
aircrafts, currently total £997,342.
In 2007 the University held
money from war,” she added.
“While Universities across the
retirement or in the event of death.
“The University of York
Philosophy and Hokkaido to York Come new students this October, and will untimately
music:
After a £350,000 increase
over the past two years, the
University’s shareholding in arms-
£644,371 worth of BAE shares.
The figures, compiled by
Campaign Against the Arms Trade
country are selling shares in arms
companies, York are increasing
their investment. Nationally, we are
Pension Scheme has a legal obliga-
tion to maximise returns on its
investments as it is accountable to
Inside the Hollywood: Video Dancing: Photos increase total numbers by over 50%. I realised
mind of
prouducing companies is worth
almost £1,000,000.
The continued investment,
(CAAT), show York as the UK’s
sixth-largest University investor in
the arms trade, and the second-
a disgrace,” Heather continued.
YUSU Environment and
Ethics Officers John Nicholls and
its beneficiaries. Its trustees pursue
a range of investments in order to Eddy game movies M12 and Analysis p 8 that unless the University found a way around
and the University’s lack of an ethi- largest when Oxford and Cambr- Joe Thwaites stated: “Holding Continued on Page 4 Grant
cal investment policy has been
labelled “despicable”, “a disgrace”
idge colleges are excluded. In 2006,
York placed fourteenth nationally.
investments in arms companies has
been an ongoing blemish on the
COMMENT >> Page 11 the HEFCE ruling, the ambitious expansion
LEADER >> Page 10 >> MUSE M9

JCRCs attack bar would be a waste for two years. When contacted,
National cap may force York to management the University admitted that it would have to

NOUSE
Nominated for Guardian Student Newspaper of the Year 2008 Autumn Term Week One
NOUSE: THE UNIVERSITY OF YORK STUDENT NEWSPAPER
www.nouse.co.uk Tuesday October 14 2008 News 7 DERWENT, Goodricke, Alcuin
Tuesday October 14, 2008 and Vanbrugh JCRC chairs have
actively encourage departments to select In-
turn away home undergraduates
www.nouse.co.uk united in condemnation of

Licensing battle jeopardises Union bar

Commercial Services, claiming
Est. 1964
that their lack of competitive ternational and Mature students (which are not
edge is killing college bars in the
GEORGE LOWTHER
face of the new Courtyard
Venue. Alcuin JCRC chair
covered by HEFCE) over Home students in order
Home student increases banned for two years International and graduate students to fill expansion Oliver Hutchings has described
Commercial Services’ position as to make up the numbers gap.
GEORGE LOWTHER “untenable” >> NEWS P3
Henry James Foy undergraduate student growth”,
EDITOR plans to fill Heslington East will be Survey highlights
“unaffected by the Secretary of
YUSU apathy
FRESHERS SPECIAL: THE UNIVERSITY of York may be
forced into turning away under-
graduate home students in favour
State’s announcement.”
University Press Officer David
Garner said: “In the context of the
Heslington East expansion, the
A SURVEY has revealed that the
majority of students at York
don’t feel represented by their
Everything you need to know about York. Where to of international and graduate
applicants over the next two years
undergraduate home market is
only part of the picture. A substan-
Union. YUSU, which was criti-
cised in a recent national assess-
to meet expansion goals following a tial proportion of the increase in ment, was found to be discon-
eat, where to drink, and how to survive >> M8-13 Government ruling on student
numbers.
students associated with the devel-
opment will be of postgraduate and
nected from campus, with many
students unable to name their
A national ban on increasing international students.” elected officers. YUSU Sabbs
the number of home students in According to the most recent have defended their position on
higher education for the next two figures available, international and campus >> NEWS P4-5

Showdown over Union bar

years is likely to force admission EU citizens currently make up 11%
officers to look elsewhere for stu- of undergraduate students, while Library to adopt
dents to fill the £500 million post-graduates account for just
Heslington East expansion project over 24% of the total student popu- 24-hour opening
in the immediate future. lation. THE JB Morrell Library has
The University has admitted Goodricke College, which agreed to begin investigating
that postgraduate and internation- moves to the new site this October, plans for 24-hour opening, fol-
“The University has been al students will make up “a sub-
stantial proportion” of the increases
will see the number of beds swell to
600 from the current 350. In line
lowing student interest and
pressure. After a UGM motion
required to populate the new site. with the HEFCE announcement, it last term calling on the library
unable to provide us with Under a strict ruling from is expected that the extra students to adopt the always-open sched-
John Denham, Secretary of State required to meet the increased ule, officials have agreed to
a single practical reason for Innovation, Universities and
Skills, a rise in the recruitment of
capacity will not be home under-
graduates.
implement the idea, planned for
the upcoming year >> NEWS P7
as to why they will home students in 2009-10 is highly
unlikely. In addition, there are no
The new expansion-based
departments of Law and Theatre, Key Varsity fixtures
plans for this cap to be lifted in Film and Television will also begin
oppose this application.” 2010-11. accepting students in October.
face cancellation
Denham had already instruct- “We have growth in student POSTPONEMENTS and BUCS
YUSU Service and Finance Officer ed the Higher Education Funding numbers already factored into Cup progress have conspired to
<< Continued from front expect to miss things like The formal objection to Student protests against the University’s decision to delay opening Langwith bar were ignored Council for England (HEFCE), plans and funded for 2009/10 and see many of the biggest fixtures
Matt Burton this,” said Shanks. the council, which was sub- which regulates funding for stu- 2010/11,” said Garner. “Demand for of this year’s annual Varsity
group member who speaks After becoming aware mitted only minutes before
for students are badly frac- of the application, the Uni- the deadline, stated that the
dents and universities to “bear study at universities in general, and competition against city rivals

NOUSE
tured,” she said. versity moved quickly to University “does not support down on over-recruitment” before at this university in particular, is York St. John cancelled. The
“We categorically oppose When questioned as to
whether the University
order YUSU to withdraw the
application or risk losing
24-hour drinking”. It was
signed by University Regis-
demanding that institutions
“preferably eliminate” increased
still extremely strong,” he added.
To enforce the ruling, HEFCE
now heavily subdued contest will
take place without the crucial
trar and Secretary Sally Find us at Freshers’ Fair, on Facebook, get in recruitment in a letter last month. has warned that increased admis- sports of football, rugby, volley-
a 24-hour alchohol and would terminate the bar
project, Grenville said: “We
support for the bar. Burton
and Shanks claim requests Neocosmos, and is under- touch contact@nouse.co.uk or join us for a A subsequent HEFCE letter to sions would result in severe penal- ball or tennis >> SPORT P23
will wait and see”. for an emergency meeting stood to have the backing of drink in Derwent JCRC at 7pm, Friday wk. 1 all Vice-Chancellors stated: “We ties, threatening “further measures
entertainments license YUSU Societies and with Vice-Chancellor Brian the Vice-Chancellor. will be making no further alloca- that we may consider could include
Communications Officer
Rory Shanks, responded by
Cantor on Friday were
ignored.
Burton and Shanks
denied that the 24-hour
tions of Addional Student Numbers constraining student numbers Students on drugs:
and this has been clearly saying, “If [Grenville] does- Speaking on Friday license would encourage
(ASNs) for 2009-10, beyond those
already approved or under consid-
through changes to the operation of
our funding method” Behind
n’t support the bar because afternoon, Shanks said: unsafe drinking. “We don’t
eration. In addition, we will make In previous years, institutions the
communicated to YUSU” of a disagreement with Matt
Burton, then that’s a sorry
“They are putting us in a
really hard position, a frus-
intend to trade whenever we
can, it just gives us flexibility. no further allocations of ASNs for were allowed to overshoot figures
highs
state of affairs.” trating position, and are It’s something to have in our 2010-11 at this stage.” without facing serious punishment.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Students Shanks said the propos- refusing to meet us. It is lit- back pocket,” added Shanks. The University have defended
Continued on page 2
and
the viability of their expansion
Jane Grenville al had been raised at a num-
ber of powerful University
erally the eleventh hour. We
will not withdraw the appli-
The license proposal submit-
ted stipulates that the plans, claiming that as the con- LEADER >> Page 12 lows
committees. “It has been cation until we meet with the University would have to straints apply “only to home COMMENT >> Page 11 Heslington East will not increase home student numbers for two years >> MUSE M5-7
YUSU defies ultimatum over 24 hour licensing University threatens to terminate Union bar project very apparent that we were
applying for the license and
Vice-Chancellor.” agree to the specific opening
hours for any event.
grounds to council offices in the city said: “[The University] categorical- Grenville, who has been a key body is ever going to resolve this. it has been aired in promi- GEORGE LOWTHER If the council upholds
Henry James Foy
before the 5pm deadline on Friday. ly opposes a 24-hour alcohol and University supporter of the bar One of us is not right. One of us is nent forums. It was aired in the University’s objection,
NEWS EDITOR the last monthly Bar the application will enter a
As Nouse went to print, Union entertainments license and this has since the idea was raised last year, saying ‘I said no’, the other is saying
Officers were still confident that been clearly communicated to said that she had either been “mis- ‘you said you had no problem with Working Group, of which 14-day mediation process.
SENIOR UNIVERSITY officials the proposed application would be YUSU.” heard or ignored” by Union officers. it’. It’s a ‘did, didn’t’ situation.” Jane Grenville is the most “We hope that if we can sit
have threatened to terminate the approved, and were not prepared to Burton, who has led the plans She said: “At the heart of this is Grenville said she did not senior University member of around the table like mature
planned Union bar in Langwith submit to the University’s for a Union-run bar since incep- a variance between YUSU and I believe that YUSU had attempted staff invited. She didn’t adults, we will reach a point
college if YUSU officers do not demands. tion, said the first time the about two conversations in July. My to hide their application from her, attend, but it was minuted that is acceptable to both
withdraw an application for a 24- At the centre of the dispute is University made clear its opposi- memory of those conversations is I but has now that no meetings and they were sent to her.” parties,” said Burton.
hour drinking license. the outcome of a conversation that tion was on the day it submitted its was asked how I would react to the between herself and Union Officers “It has been no secret, The Union was forced to
Pro-Vice-Chancellor for took place in July between objection to the council. Burton idea of a 24-hour license, and I will occur without a neutral body and Jane Grenville acknowl- abandon plans for an Octo-
Students Jane Grenville delivered Grenville and YUSU Services and said Grenville had raised not con- replied that I couldn’t support minuting the conversation. edges that,” said Shanks. ber opening after the
an ultimatum to Officers of York Finance Officer Matt Burton. veyed her position until “the that.” Grenville, whose portfolio con- Grenville admitted that University refused to begin
University Students’ Union Grenville claims that Burton was eleventh hour”. “It was under my radar sists entirely of students relations she had not read the minutes necessary asbestos removal
(YUSU) on Friday afternoon to told that neither she nor the Burton said: “the crux of the because I thought I had a very good issues, admitted that the incident from the working group, and work, despite large-scale stu-
either cancel their application University’s Senior Management issue is that the University is unable relationship with YUSU. I made an had damaged trust between the two as a result was not aware of dent protests designed to put
made to the City of York Council or Group would support a 24-hour to provide us with a single practical assumption that if I said no, it bodies. “Relations now between the license application until pressure on Cantor into
the University would withdraw license. Burton said the Grenville reason as to why they will oppose meant no. It was just a simple mat- YUSU and the senior management it was raised in an interview overturning the decision to
support for the bar. was unable to give a definitive this application. That is frustrating ter of trust. I feel that my good with Nouse on Thursday delay the project.
After the Union refused, the answer during the July conversa- for us. We believe they have little nature has been taken advantage Continued on page 7 afternoon.
University was forced to submit a tion. ground to object to this. It has cre- of,” she continued. COMMENT >> Page 13 “If Jane has chosen not Former YUSU President COMMENT >> Page 13
last-minute objection on welfare Speaking this week, Grenville ated a situation of us versus them.” “There is no way in which any- LEADER >> Page 12 to read the minutes, she can Anne-Marie Canning LEADER >> Page 12