CONCOURSE M A G A Z I N E

CONCOURSE M A G A Z I N E

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Any views expressed are not necessarily

the views of Keele University or Keele

University Students’ Union. No part of

this publication may be reproduced with-

out the explicit permission of the editor

Produced anProduced andd Edited byEdited by

Nick Heath Nick Heath

Vice President Vice President

Communication & DemocracyCommunication & Democracy

­­­­Editorial­/­Submissions

Nick­Heath­VP­Comms

vp.comms@kusu.keele.ac.uk

01782­733702

­Advertising

KUSU­Marketing

sta65@kusu.keele.ac.uk

01782­733712

MAD is here to provide easier access into the media indus-try by working with our peers and coming up with innova-tive ways of arranging affordable but professional training.The aim is to raise money by offering design services, or-ganising exhibitions, working with other societies, and

fundraising. This will allow us to provide opportunities thatour members will benefit from (trips, placements, portfolio

work etc). We will cultivate a friendly, online forum. This willwork in a Deviant Art style where you can upload and critique each

other’s work, while chatting in a friendly way. We are here to build a sense ofcommunity.

We are open to all forms of media, audio and design, including: graphics,photography, music and music tech, paintings, drawings, film, animation, ty-pography, writing, game design, web design, and anything else that’s outthere!

We hope you are as excited as we are about this! It means that there isfinally a place to cultivate all the creative talent at Keele, and actually dosomething about it. It can be hard to get ahead of the pack when it comes tocreative interests and careers. This is the place where you can make yourselfstand out and put your head above the crowd, and get some practical knowl-edge about developing your talent.

So far, our members have been partaking in a competition to design the newlogo, which means that we’ll have a unique, personal image to identify our-selves with. Other competitions involve ‘Portraits with Emotions’ in photogra-phy and short story and poetry competitions for the writers. Prizes includepublication in the arts magazine Shoestring and products from sponsors. Wewill have future competitions like these, so keep your eye on them.

In the next few months we will be presenting some exciting new opportuni-ties for our members, including workshops with various artists. We hope tohave our first workshop on photography; details of this and other workshopscan be found via our Facebook page and website. You can follow us on Face-book, Twitter and our blog:twitter.com/KEELECOULDBEMAD, www.madsocuk.blogspot.com

Hello and welcome to this Election Specialedition of Concourse!

The General and Student elections are bothfast approaching and hopefully this editionwill give you the low down on what is happen-ing. There is everything in this edition fromthe student candidates telling you why youshould vote for them in the election of theSabbatical officers of the Students’ Union, to

the leaders of the student political parties asking for your votein the forthcoming General Election.

If you haven’t got election fever already hopefully this editionwill help you along the way (that is if you wish to catch electionfever)! Happy reading!

Matt Davies - Political Editor

News04 ....................Safety on campus

04 .....................New Observatory

22....International Womens Day

features06.......Politik Election Special

12..........................KUSU Elections

Entertainment10 .............Whats on @ the Union

21 ...................Games and Puzzles

CONCOURSE

NEWS

04

Blood, Sweat and Tears:

The Story of the KUSU Constitution

Adam Mason - President

Some of you will have seen messages on Facebook, oth-ers read the Union Update, some might even have been toan Open Forum at Student Council, you might have seenthe silly/nasty flyers going around saying I’m the spawn ofSatan (in a bad way)... granted, you might have also cho-sen to ignore all of the above... but in one way or another,you will all have been touched by the new KUSU Constitu-tion.

The story starts with the 2006 Charities Act, which rulesthat Students' Unions will no longer be granted charitablestatus by virtue of their link to their Institution. Thismeans that KUSU will soon have to register as a charity onits own two feet - demanding a significant overhaul of ourconstitution in the process.

What this means for you? Very little change, to be hon-est. The Union itself, its core values and the day-to-dayrunning will change in only very minor ways. However, onebig change will involve the establishment of a formaltrustee board - containing, as UGM decided, 5 Sabbaticals,3 Students, 2 Alumni and 1 External - ensuring studentsstill have complete control of how the Union works andruns.

If you want more information, or a copy of the up-to-date Constitution, throw me a message on Facebook, pres-ident@kusu.keele.ac.uk, or come see me in my office onthe top floor of the Union.

A new dawn for the Keele Earth andSpace Observatory

Hannah Hiles - University Media & Communications Officer

Keele University’s historic observatory has been refurbishedin a major transformation designed to open up the natural sci-ences to a wider audience.       

The observatory has evolved from a centre of scientific re-search and amateur astronomy to one which will be by used bya wider range of visitors to increase the public understandingof science.

The Keele Earth andSpace Observatory will beofficially re-opened byLord Rees of Ludlow, As-tronomer Royal and presi-dent of the Royal Society,on Tuesday, February 2.

The £360,000 transformation includes the refurbishment ofthe existing observatory and telescopes, and an extension tothe lecture room and its teaching and presentation facilities. Ithas been funded by the Wolfson Foundation, alumni donationsto the Keele Key Fund and Keele University.

The centre aims to raise people’s awareness of science whilecontinuing its long-standing commitment to teaching and out-reach. Visitors will be able to experience practical examples ofphysical and earth sciences and astronomy, using equipmentdating from the 19th century to the present day.

The original observatory at Keele was built in 1962 and wasestablished to house the historic Grubb telescope, which wasbuilt in Oxford in 1873 and used by Einstein on a visit to Oxford.

Fundraising officer Robin Cross said: “The Keele Observatoryhad been showing its age for some time and was in a poor state,with leaking domes, rotting window frames and a lack of dis-abled access among the many issues it faced.

“The refurbishment and re-equipping of the facilities providesan exciting, safe and attractive environment in which organisedgroups, businesses, schools and educators can enjoy a ‘handson’ experience into the research activities in the physical sci-ences, astronomy, earth sciences and the environment.”

Professor Nye Evans, of Keele’s astrophysics group, said: “TheObservatory at Keele has a long tradition of exciting bothyoungsters and adults from the area. We anticipate that thisexciting new facility will enhance their experience, and con-tinue the strong links we have with the community.”

Issue Seven

NEWS

05

National Student VolunteeringWeek

22nd–28th February

Established in 2001 Student Volunteering Weekis an important event in the student volunteeringcalendar, helping to raise the national profile ofstudent volunteering in the UK.

This year the focus forthe week is: ‘Inspiring fu-tures, connecting com-munities’. VE @ Keelehave set up a number ofevents during the week tohighlight and promoteKeele student volunteer-ing activities, whilst en-

abling students to put something back into thelocal community, and will be working with localorganisations, Staffordshire University volunteer-ing project and community members to supportstudents to get involved.

More Keele students are needed to help withthese events. Getting involved is easy, you couldgain a VE Award and you will gain additional es-sential employability skills to add to your CV!

If you are interested in helping to make a posi-tive impact in the local community and would liketo make a difference, or you want to find outmore, contact Becky at:

volunteering@kusu.keele.ac.uk Tel: 01782 733626

The Wall Of SilenceCharli Bailey - Disabled Students Officer

If you spent much time in the Union in the firstweek of February you would probably have beenharassed at some point to duct tape your mouthshut and pose for a headshot. Strange, but true,and a way for everyone to get involved with a greatcause; raising awareness about the importance ofnot staying silent about domestic violence. Eachphoto was a ‘brick’ in the wall of silence, with overa hundred of you fabulous people taking part andhelping us raise over £30 for StaffordshireWomen’s Aid. The campaign has even made it intoThe Sentinel twice! Raising even more awarenessand showing how great Keele students are. Thankyou everyone who had a photo taken, donatedmoney, or joined me in hounding people!

Activities throughout the week include:

Monday 22nd 10am-12pm: A litter pick in Sil-verdaleThe KUSU minibus will be leaving Keele at

9.30am

Tuesday 23rd 10am-12pm: A litter pick in New-castleThe KUSU minibus will be leaving Keele at

9.30am

Wednesday 24th 1pm-3pm: Afternoon Tea forvillage residents at Keele Village Hall

Thursday 25th 10am-4pm: A day planting treesand shrubs at Biddulph GrangeThe KUSU minibus will be leaving Keele at 9am

Friday 26th-Sunday 28th All weekend: A week-end at Fordhall Farm in Market Drayton. Tent &sleeping bag required.The KUSU minibus will be leaving Keele at 4pm

on Friday and returning to Keele from Fordhall

at 4pm on Sunday

Do you have a letter for the editor?

Just send you thoughts tovp.comms@kusu.keele.ac.uk

Politik Matthew Davies - Political Editor

IT’S HERE!!!

Welcome to the Election Special edition ofConcourse! The excitement in the run up to theGeneral Election started in October 2007 whenit was widely believed that an immediate elec-tion would be called. Since then there has beenmuch talk of when the next election would ac-tually be and what the outcome of the electionwould be. Although in all honesty we still can-not be sure of the actual date of the GeneralElection two years on. It looked as though itwould definitely be the 6th May, although thereis now speculation that an earlier election couldbe called for April.

The next General Election is especially excit-ing as for the first time since 1992 no-one canactually be sure of the result. There are sug-gestions that the result could be as varied as a100 seat majority for the Conservative Party toa hung parliament. There are many factors thatcould still swing the election one way or theother such as the Budget, Gordon Brown’s ap-pearance at the Iraq War Inquiry and the effec-tiveness of all parties’ campaign strategies.

The election will be contested mainly bythe three main parties again, althoughit will be interesting to watch whichother parties win seats as theymay well be involved in any coali-tion deal in the event of a hungparliament. The Scottish andWelsh nationalist parties arethe obvious ones to watch forany gains they may have. Therewill also be interesting battles inBuckingham, where Nigel Farage ishoping to win UKIPs first seat bydefeating the speaker John Bercow.Brighton will also be interesting to

watch where Caroline Lucas islaunching a strong campaign to tryand win the first seat for theGreen Party after theparty she leads came

first in that particular area in the recent EuropeanElections.

Whatever the outcome of the General Electionone thing will be certain: there will be a lot of newfaces at Westminster. After the events of the lastyear in which the sitting parliament has come tobe known as the ‘Rotten Parliament’ the start of anew parliament will hopefully see the start of anew politics and the start of a new trust in politics.There are some excellent, hard-working and honest MPs on all sides of the House sitting in thecurrent parliament, however in a lot of minds thecurrent parliament will be remembered for theMPs who did not behave honestly and who havecaused a greater loss in confidence in politiciansand in parliament as an institution. Hopefully, bythe end of the next parliament confidence willhave at least been partially restored in what hasbeen seen around the world as the ‘Mother of Par-liaments’.

In this edition we have attempted to cover manyareas and get many different voices that mightconvince you which way to vote.There will be many of you whohave already decided, butthere will, I’m sure, still bethose who have not yet de-cided. After reading thisedition of Concourse Ihope that you will beclearer as to which wayyou will vote.

06

PolitikIssue Seven

07

To VOTE or not to VOTE

There is currently much apathy towards politicsand this is expected to lead to a low turnout at theforthcoming election. However, I think that now isthe time when it is more important to vote than everbefore. There was much disillusionment with poli-tics, people feeling that their voices were not beingheard, feeling that the parties did not listen to theirconcerns or that certain polices were too similar.Then ‘Expenses Gate’ happened and confidence inpolitics fell to a new low. British politics will take along time to recover from the fall that it took in2009; the 2010 General Election could be the startof the healing process.

This is why it is paramount for a very high turnoutin the next election. One prominent comedianstated on elections and politicians ‘Don’t vote, itonly encourages them’! I would fully endorse thatstatement, but that is the exact reason that weshould vote. If there is a low turnout it encouragespoliticians to believe that people do not care aboutpolitics, that there is not much interest in politics

and that therefore that every actionthey take will be below the radar of

public consciousness. If there is ahigh turnout at the next election

that will set the precedent forthe next parliament, that weare bothered, we are inter-

ested, we are watching and we will scrutiniseevery action that they take.

For a democracy to be truly legitimate itneeds a high turnout in elections to give itthat legitimacy. For a democracy to be legit-imate it also needs there to be a right not tovote, however at this time the country reallyneeds a legitimate government. Howeverpeople feel about politicians it is importantfor Britain to have a parliament where a highpercentage of the population turned out tovote it in. At the last election in 2005 therewere people that did not vote than voted forthe winning party. It would give a greatbreath of fresh air to British politics if thatstatistic did not repeat itself in 2010.

On a local level it is important to vote be-cause Newcastle under Lyme is a constituencywhere every vote will matter. The studentsof Keele University could really decide theoutcome of the contest to be the next Mem-ber of Parliament for this ancient con-stituency. All of the parties will be looking tooffer policies and commitments to students in

order to secure their vote. The majority ofus will only vote in one General Election

as a university student and thereforeshould take the issues that affect stu-

dents seriously.

In conclusion.... VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

Politik Matthew Davies - Political Editor

Hannah Gascoigne - Newcastle & KeeleConservative Future

1) The thing students are most con-cerned about is finding a good job when-they leave university. Unemployment isterrible at the moment, with onein fiveyoung people unable to find work, andgraduates are not exempt from this. Somany students are unable to find a de-cent job after the degrees they're payingthrough the nose to get, and many arefaced with moving back in with their par-ents once they graduate. We can't go onlike this. For sixth formers, and studentsfacing more years in education, tuitionfees and the availability of training anduniversity places are also key issues.

2. Gordon Brown's recession has hit Britishbusinesses hard, and that's the cause ofmany of the job losses. The Conservatives'priority will be to repair the damage doneto the economy by Gordon, as Chancellorand Prime Minister. Cutting the defecitwill prevent the international communityfrom seeing Britain as a credit risk, andhelping businesses out of the recessionwill create jobs and prosperity for every-one. David Cameron will introduce a workprogramme that will provide support toevery person out of work, including manyon benefits who do not presently receiveattention. Labour have promised thesame: except that they are in govern-ment, and Gordon Brown's programmewon't be up and running until April - a fulltwo years after Britain went into reces-sion.

The Conservatives' package for aspiringyoung people will include 400,000 newapprenticeships, training opportunities,work pairings and FE college places; plus10,000 extra university places each year,for the next two years. And under theConservatives, if you pay back your stu-dent loan early, you'll get a discount!

3. Newcastle has many economic issues incommon with the rest of the country: thelocal economy is suffering, many busi-nesses are laying off workers, and many

shops in the town centre are closing.In healthcare, Newcastle would bene-

Carrie Martin - Keele Labour Students

1) The possibility of rising tuition feesis an obvious one. But everyone is alsoworried about whether or not they’llbe able to find a job after they gradu-ate. It’s very easy for politicians to for-get that students are affected by thesame issues as everyone else and Ithink it’s a big problem when studentsare ‘pigeon-holed’ as if our views onthings like the economy, the environ-ment or MPs’ expenses don’t have tobe listened to or aren’t as important

2) Luckily for us, Newcastle and there-fore, Keele, already has one of themost pro-student MPs in the country.Paul Farrelly is leading the campaignin Parliament and within the LabourParty against lifting the cap on tuitionfees.

He works very closely with the Na-tional Union of Students and has alsoalways treated students’ views on allissues as being just as important asanybody else’s. Paul has been workinghard to support students whereverpossible, including campaigning tomake sure people have access to themedical treatments which they need,helping international students withtheir visa applications or pressuringthe local Council to improve parkingfacilities on campus.

3) One of the biggest issues at the mo-ment is the danger of losing what isleft of Newcastle town centre if theproposed building of another massiveTesco in Trent Vale goes ahead. Somany Keele students rely on theirpart-time jobs in local pubs and shopsfor extra income, but many of theseare likely to have to close if even moretrade gets drawn away from Newcas-tle. Disillusionment with the politicalsystem and politicians in general is abig problem as it’s important peopleknow that they can turn to their MP forhelp if they need it and that they knowtheir vote really can make a differ-ence.

Keele has a strong history of politcal activisum amonst itsstudent body, so Concourse decided ask a few of the groupswhat thier current stnace is for the upcoming elections on bothlocal and national issues,

1. What do you think are the biggest issues currently facing uni-versity students?

2. What will your party and your candidate for the forthcomingGeneral Election do to help tackle these issues?

fit enormously from better outpatient serv-ices, and increased mental health provi-sion.

Above all, local people need to know thattheir representative in Parliament is work-ing flat-out on their behalf, to bring invest-ment and opportunity to Newcastle: thecurrent Labour MP just isn't.

4. Newcastle-under-Lyme is just one ofmany seats that Labour have taken forgranted for too long. The sitting Labour MPowes his place not to hard work, but to atradition of voting Labour locally. This tra-dition has fortunately come to an end:since 2006, Newcastle Borough Council hasbeen Conservative-led, and delivering bet-ter services and better value for money.And just last year, voters in Newcastlehelped overturn a 28-year old Labour ad-ministration on Staffordshire County Coun-cil, now under Conservative control. Byelecting Robert Jenrick, Newcastle andKeele will benefit from effective represen-tation at the centre of government.

5. There is only one choice at the GeneralElection: do you want David Cameron, orGordon Brown to be Prime Minister? Noteveryone is ecstatic about the prospect ofa Conservative government, but it's theonly electorally-possible alternative to an-other five years of a clapped-out and cor-rupt Labour administration. One of thosetwo men will be Prime Minister, and thechoice that Newcastle's voters make willimpact directly on which it is to be.

The old order, of expenses-fiddlers andplacemen with an inflated sense of self-en-titlement is over, and those who aren't re-signing before the election will be votedout. This is a year for change.

Robert Jenrick promises to be a differentkind of MP: he'll quadruple the number ofsurgeries with local people, make Newcas-tle's voice heard at Westminster for thefirst time in years, and act independentlyof his government if it's in the best interestsof his constituents. Forstudents, he's al-ready signed up to the NUS "Funding OurFuture" pledge, against the wishes of partyspin doctors.08

PolitikIssue Seven

09

Make Your Mind up Time

I hope that you have found this edition of Concourse enjoyableas well as useful and that you now feel more informed about whowould be the best MP for Newcastle under Lyme than you did whenyou began to read this edition. Although the three main partiesseem to be closer together than ever before in some areas, thisedition was also intended to highlight the differences in policy andsuggest what may be the main battle lines come the election.Whoever you will be supporting in the next election I hope thatyou enjoy the excitement in the run up to the day itself and thatyou keep in touch with the gathering campaigns in Newcastleunder Lyme. Happy Voting!!

Morgan Inwood - Keele Liberal Youth

1) The biggest issues currently facingstudents are tuition fees and findingsuitable jobs. It is wrong to be lum-bered with a huge amount of debtwhen we graduate whilst at the sametime getting a job and trying to makeends meet. The Liberal Democrat Par-liamentary candidate, Nigel Jonesagrees with the party policy to phaseout tuition fees. He says that it is notwithout significance that excessivepersonal debt is a factor in the currentrecession and people should be able toattend university by ability to studyand not be put off by costs.

2) The Liberal Democrats also proposeinvesting billions of pounds in infra-structure which would improve jobprospects for graduates; those gradu-ates who get training through intern-ships should be paid a training wage of£55 per week.

3) In our local area, two big issues aredevelopment of new businesses on thesite adjacent to the campus and hous-ing within the village. The local coun-cillor for Keele University and village,Robin Studd is keen on developments,but wants to make sure they happen in

3. What are currently the biggest issues facing the local area?

4. Why do you think your candidate is the best candidate todeal with these issues?

5. Give a summary of the main reasons that Keele Universitystudents should vote for your party and in particular your can-didate in the forthcoming General Election.

4) Paul Farrelly has worked hard for New-castle ever since he was first elected in2001 and has done so without claiming fordodgy expenses. He has been the first MPto publish all his tax returns online, prov-ing he does nothing else but work for thepeople in Newcastle. During the last fewweeks Paul has managed to persuade theGovernment to open the proposal for anew Tesco up to a public inquiry so thateverybody’s views on the matter can beheard, rather than just those of Councilplanning officers. If politicians don’t putthe interests of their constituents first,then they don’t deserve to be elected –and Paul has shown that he really caresabout Newcastle, the town where he grewup, by working to bring investment andjobs here after decades of neglect.

5) Labour has done everything it can toshield vulnerable people in Britain fromthe impact of recession and as a partymember I am particularly proud of theGovernment’s commitment – which hasbeen opposed every step of the way bythe Conservatives – to ensuring that peo-ple who can’t find work are not left on thescrapheap like they were in the 1980s.One of the biggest dangers of a recessionis always the risk of generating large num-bers of long-term unemployed and Labourhas been right to take the difficult deci-sions needed to make sure people can getback into employment as quickly as possi-ble.

While I think the Labour Government hasdone a lot of good things – I know I wouldnever have been able to have the oppor-tunity to go to university without thethings Labour has done to support poorerand middle-income families – I am also re-ally proud of the fact that we have an MPwho isn’t afraid of standing up to the Gov-ernment when he thinks they’re making amistake and whose sole ambition is tohelp the people who elected him in anyway he can.

a way which does not harm the localenvironment. Another major issue forNewcastle-under-Lyme is inequality,which to a large extent mirrors the na-tional situation. Nigel says on this onethat he will fight in support of the Lib-eral Democrats' proposal to cut tax forthose on low and middle incomes as akey first step to deal with this.

4) Nigel is a highly educated candi-date, a teacher, a very experiencedperson and has spent the last 7yrs as alocal councillor. Over the last 4 yrs hehas been chairperson of the Borough'sAudit&Risk Committee, one of the keycommittees of the council.

5) The Liberal Democrats offer a freshstart for Britain at a critical time in ourrecent history. They are the only partywhich offers real political reform andwill clean up politics; that includes re-forming the electoral system as well asenhancing the way both Parliamentand local authorities operate. Fairnessis at the heart of the Liberal Democratagenda with fairer taxes, a fairer andmore sustainable economy, a fairerstart for all children and a fair, trans-parent and local politics.

Don’t forget to join the

KUSU Entertainments Group

on Facebook to take part in weekly

free tickets and prize giveaways.

LOVE KUSU : LOVE KEELE

ThirTy Second inTerviewRefreshers Week 2010 may be a thing of the past, but for many of us there were

definitely some bits to remember. So Concourse asked students what thier highlights had been.

Millie Frost: ‘THE BUBBLES! Also the Super Hero nightwas amazing... but I don’t can’t remem-ber if that was refreshers or not’ :-s

Rose Prinelle: ‘the hypnotist.. he was wellfit! (and he was actuallyquite good)’

Nat Sham: ‘Definitely Shy FX’

Stephen Bourke:‘Had to be the return of Thirsty Thurs-day at the Piggy, atmosphere wasbuzzing...definitely want to transferthat buzz to the Union’

Adam Mason:‘Refereshers Fair! Can’t beata free Dominos!’

Dave Little:‘Massives!!!’

Are you in one ofthese three photos?

If so you’re on theGuest List for our

Wednesday NightProject

Just go up to theents office to getyour name down!

Wednesday

24th Feb

£3.50 before 10:30

£4.50 10:30 - Midnight

12

CaNdidates for

PresideNt

My name is Amanda, I am currently in my third year studying International Relations. I amrunning for the position of President because I believe that I have the drive, commitment anddedication necessary to make a positive impact on the Students' Union. In my time at Keele, Ihave been involved with many societies, teams and organisations; such as Women's Hockey, thePig and Rat, Union Committee and of course Keele International Students' Society (KISS). I be-lieve that being involved so heavily with campus life has put me in a position where I knowwhat the average Keele student wants if elected

Hi, I’m Kari Rittoo, a third year English and Education student running for President. The mainthemes of my campaign are based on a competitive union, better security and increased studentparticipation throughout university life. I promise to be an approachable, hardworking presidentwith realistic aims, ready to listen to student concerns. Please read my manifesto with a full ex-planation of my policies on my facebook group “Vote Kari Rittoo for KUSU President” where youcan feel free to ask me anything. VOTE KARI for PRESIDENT! If your vote is decided elsewhereplease make me your number 2, thank you!

I am Roger Weston, the current Vice-President (Sport and Fitness) here at KUSU. During myyear as a Sabbatical I have thought about how I can take the Union forward and have ideaswhich I feel can enhance KUSU for the better. Entertainments, Car parking, Library Fundingand Tuition Fees are all on my agenda, however my door will always be open and I’m willingto fight for any just cause in the name of Keele Students. Having experienced sabbaticalsaround this year has worked wonders...do it again and vote for me!

Dan Hougham D’ Avranche

Amanda ‘German’ Gross

Robert Griffiths

Roger Weston

Kari Rittoo

13

Candidates for

VP Communications & Democracy

Hello, my name is Fadi Dada, I’m a third year Marketing and Media, Communi-cations & Culture student here at Keele University. I’m a big fan of music, espe-cially music that came out of the 1970’s/1980’s – Bruce Springsteen, Al Green,Prince and Johnny Cash ranking amongst my favourites. I’m also a big fan of mylocal football team, Derby County, although they don’t make it easy for me! Idon’t really know what else to write here, I only get 100 words, nowhere nearenough… Please read my manifesto, it will give you a clearer idea of who I am

After being in the bubble for nearly 5 years, and spending nearly 4 of those asa manager for The Pig and Rat I'm in a brilliant position to represent he studentbody. The main things I wish to implement should I get elected are; a wider stu-dent participation within concourse, to gather more opinions about entertain-ments and to communicate them and try the best to implement them through theEnts dept, take advantage of the close proximity of the halls council to the studentbody an allow them to become a more engaging and constructive arena.

Fadi Dada

Becci Leslie

Aide RushtonHi, I’m Aide and I’m a final year French and Music student. For four years I have

had the best time of my life at Keele and now want to give something back. Ifelected I would:

- Continue the good work on Concourse in its magazine format whilst developingonline content

- Work to improve communication between the union and those living off campusincluding hospital campus students

- Liaise with the entertainments department to improve your nights out

- Work to make sure more students know what their union officers do and how toget their problems addressed.

14

CaNdidates for

VP FiNaNce &

Activies

CaNDidates for

VP EducatioN & Welfare

CaNdidates for

SPORT & FITNESS

I am 21 and currently in my final year of studying physiotherapy and am on the lookoutfor a challenge! I am a lively, friendly and sociable person who can be easily approachedif there are any concerns, ideas or requests. I am passionate about the views studentshave on what they want and am not afraid to express the views of the students on theirbehalf want to inject a sense of rivalry and belonging between each of the halls and offcampus students. My main aim is to make sport fun and rewarding for all!

Hi I’m Sonia, I am 24 years old and completing my final year in History and Sociology. Iam currently the Athletic Union President but now want you to vote for me to be V.P Sportand Fitness! I believe there is a great deal of scope to the role and I am the person whowill take it forward. I want to include and appeal to all students by organising varied eventsand activities. I will make sure that students are involved and informed with all decisionmaking! Please vote for me!!

I’m a 3rd year English & Criminology student with a passion for life and helping otherpeople. For the last two years I’ve been working for KUSU behind the bar, but I’ve workedin all kinds of jobs prior to uni, so as well as being a student, I’ve got life experience. Iwant you to vote for me b ecause I know I’d do a brilliant job. I’ve been working towardsthis position for months so I already know what I’m doing. My policies are ambitious butentirely achievable- no naïve promises but lots of considered and practical targets to makeKUSU a better place.

Sonia Douz

Rosie Weatherley

Hi, I’m Andy Baldwin and I’m running for VP Finance and Activities. I’m currently in my 3rdyear and I study Physical Geography with Geology. I work for the Yearbook as Home fromHome editor and I am in charge of block photos. I enjoy playing xbox and darts in my freetime and I absolutely love the union. I am a very friendly and approachable person and mydoor will always be open if I am elected. So pop by if you ever have a question that needs ananswer and I’ll try my hardest. Keep it Keele!

Andy Baldwin

Kerry Passmore

15

CaNDidates for

VP EducatioN & Welfare

Hi all! My name is Nina Hilton-Bolt and I am currently a third year law student and I wantto be your VP Ed & Welfare. I have a lot of exciting things planned but I can only do themwith your vote. Just to name a few, I hope to increase safety on campus (extend safetybus and presence across campus), give additional student support through the increase ofwelfare events as well as increase library opening hours before examinations and improveStARs. I promise to put the students first. This election; Think Students, Think Nina.

I’ve 3 years experience actively campaigning and winning on issues for our Union. Votefor me and I’ll use my year to utilise my experience and knowledge to make sure thechanges YOU want happen! I'll fight for:- 24 Hour Library throughout term-time- Unlimited Wireless Internet in every Hall and Social Space- Free Dayt Lockers for Off-Campus Students- ALL Lecture Materials Online in advance- More Freebies & Discounts for the things you want and need! I promise to listen to and represent YOUR views! Get what YOU want – Vote Nikki Cooper 1# VP Ed&Welfare

Hello! I’m Laura Milroy and I am running for the position of Vice President Educationand Welfare. I am currently a 3rd year studying Law with Criminology. I work on Unionbars and am on the Yearbook Team. I will strive to protect the interests of Keele Studentsand will ensure students’ wellbeing, personal security and educational welfare. I wantstudents to know that my door will always be open to everyone, whether for advice,queries, guidance or simply a reassuring chat- no problem is too small!

Keele isn’t just a university- it is a way of life! LOVE:KEELE

Hi! After my BSc in Biology & Economics and working abroad, I am presently studying anMSc in Finance & Management. Currently an AU Squash player, I am KUSU Postgraduate Of-ficer and KPA Humanities Representative. Participating in the Keele experience (not just inthe bars…) has offered a wide scope, from both a student and a representative role, intoacademic process, especially where a number of significant improvements can be made togreatly benefit the student experience.

I’m running not just to give all Keele students Real Representation, but give them thetransformation they want from KUSU!

Nikki Cooper

Kunal Khanderia

Janina ‘Nina’ Hilton-Bolt

Laura Milroy

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CaNDidates for

AU PresideNT

CaNDidates for

ENtertaiNments Officer

I am committed to ensuring that YOUR sporting experience at the university will be wellorganised, competitive and, above all, enjoyable. I am determined to provide focused, en-ergetic and supportive leadership to the Athletic Union which will ensure the continued andfurther success of our sports on and off the field next year. I have been involved in sportsdevelopment throughout my time at university, and would now welcome this opportunity towork on a wider stage to promote sporting excellence and to lay the foundations for the fu-ture development of sport for all at Keele. Vote Dan Casey for Athletic Union President!

Hi my name is Vinnie. If you recognise me it’s probably because at some point I may havetaken a photo of you as I’m one of the photographers for the Students’ Union. I’m a 2ndyear student originally from London and I absolutely love it here in Keele. This year I havebeen heavily involved with entertainments and I have helped out a lot. If you ever want todiscuss anything entertainments-wise or even anything about university politics I’m alwaysaround and I can always make the time to talk to you – just come up to me and say hello.

Dan Casey

Lisa Derry

Vinnie Moomin

Since coming to Keele, I have been heavily involved with sport and the AU. Having joinedthe rugby club in my first semester, I was elected Club Captain at the end of the year.Through my experience there, I understand the problems that face both clubs and stu-dents with the current set-up. While I am in debt to the work of the previous committee,I believe I can make a real and noticeable difference to your sporting experience at Keele.Working closely with the VP Sport and Fitness, I will push for a united Athletic Union, anda great Team:Keele.

Tom Walker

Hi I'm Lisa and I'm running for entertainments officer. If elected I would make the eventsat the union more varied by including different acts and ideas on nights which were gen-erally kept the same each week. I would also aim to increase student participation in theevents themselves by creating an electronic forum, decorations committee and a sugges-tion box. This would make it easier for students to keep in contact with the entertain-ments department and to have their say ultimately leading to a union with events thatthe majority of the student body will enjoy.

17

Tom Alfie Dowthwaite

Holly Brown

As a current second year student studying applied environmental science and physics, Iam more than familiar with the current state of climate change. Students are not typicallyknown for their efforts towards recycling or reducing their carbon foot print. In order toslow down the rates of climate change this issue needs to be addressed and it can starthere in Keele if I am elected. My main policies are getting mixed recycling bins in blocks,to organise a great green week, to promote an energy efficient lifestyle practices, and toget biodegradable packaging for products sold in Keele.

Kathryne ‘Rhyn’ Hewardine

Hi. My name is Rhyn and I’m running for Female Gender Officer. I’m currently Secretaryof Keele University Women’s Society. I’m running for Female Gender Officer as I want tomaintain and improve gender equality at Keele. As Female Gender Officer I would seekto work not only alongside the Male Gender Officer but also the Sabbatical Officers, So-cieties and Students in order to provide a high quality resource to Keele University whichwill maintain and improve equality within the campus.

CaNDidates for

ENVIORNMENTAL Officer

CaNDidates for

FEMALE GENDER Officer

Nick Jinks

My name is Nick Jinks and I’m running for Environmental Officer. My goals if elected aresimple: Make the campus more energy efficient, reducing costs to the university, thereforeproviding more money for students. By working with Huw Evans of Keele’s Deep Greencampaign and the new Environmental Manager, I want to improve recycling facilities forstudents all over campus, and reward students who do recycle. I also want to get fellowstudents involved by creating a network of volunteers across campus to help Deep Greenfind ways to meet the universities carbon targets over the next few years.

I have been KUSU’s Female Gender Officer for the past 4 months and am very enthusiasticto continue in the role! I am passionate about women’s rights and issues of gender equalityand would be very glad of the opportunity to continue in a position where I can campaignand raise awareness of these issues. If I were elected, I would take my cues from studentsuggestions and ideas, and work hard to create a strong and visible support base for thoserequiring it. I would also continue to raise awareness of women’s issues, and campaign forbetter safety for all students.

18

Morgan Inwood

I am a second year Politics student who has been involved in student politics for 4 years.I have been living at Keele since I started Uni. I have been a Member of Halls Council for 2years and I am currently the Off-Campus Affairs Officer. I have been involved in recent cam-paigns and the Housing Information Day. I am very passionate about student issues and I willwork hard for you.

As Campus Affairs Officer I will: Increase Internet Allowance, Improve safety, Promote Inter-Hall events, Reform Halls Councils to make them stronger, Let you know aboutthe redevelopment of Campus

Dom Skevington

I am a current second year Law student, a member of student staff in KUSU and amember of a number of societies. I am passionate about student welfare and believethat there are areas that could be improved upon in order to maximise the studentexperience at Keele. If elected, I would endeavour to make a difference in the areasof safety, security and accommodation.

I’m Jonny Craig and this is my fifth year at Keele, I first completed a degree in Biology andForensic science before starting my nurse training. Since being at Keele I have taken part ina variety of societies and represented students both through unions and as a StARIf I am elected I want to improve the communication between the main campus and the hos-pital campus, represent students both within the university and locally as well as makingsure essential services used by hospital campus carry on running and services are imporved.

Jonny Craig

Richard Bowman

I’m Richard Bowman and I want to represent you! Running for re-election as HospitalCampus Representative for health students and for everyone else too. I do medicine, goinginto my fourth year. An ex-hawthorner (mostly lived at templar bar), now off-campus -but still hate missing a union night out. As Hawthorns Student Chair I organised Christmasand summer parties, charity-work, and got the safety-bus to pick-up from Hawthorns.As KUSU Rep I’ve campaigned for online-voting, worked nurse enrolment day and currentlycreating a permanent squirrel-themed treasure-trail and free party project.

CaNDidates for

CAMPUS AFFAIRS Officer

CaNDidates for

Hosipital CAMPUS AFFAIRS Officer

CaNDidate for RACIAL DIVERSITY OFFicer

19

Enric G. Torrents

Sammi Nemo

TK Olawumi

Laurence Mallows

Tiff Cole

Hi I’m Sammi Nemo, vote for me as your male gender officer and I ensure the well beingof the men of Keele. I know I’m a woman, but I know what men need. If you want to bea part of Keele history vote for me to be your first female male gender officer. I intendto give out more free condoms for all and have a serious sophisticated testicular cancerawareness campaign and other male health issues. I’m open to more suggestions, and I’llalways be on call to give a helping hand. Every vote counts!

My aim: to make Keele a more suitable institution for life long learning. To understandmature students´ problems, to support and advice them, think ahead and make thingschange in the appropriate direction. To accomplish this I will; talk to mature studentsto get to know their situation and try to find solutions that will benefit everyone; givesupport and guidance; think ahead and get things done, making sure that everyone willhave the chance to truly fulfil his/her own potential at university.

I am a second year Accounting and Finance student, and a member of KSBC. I am in-terested in representing fellow students and raising everyday student issues and con-cerns. As your Non-Portfolio officer, I would have the opportunity to work along side andassist the other officers with their duties. This would allow me to raise student issuesthat are of concern to you. I would like to get involved with campaigns regarding thesafety of students, the 1GB a day download limit, better and healthier food in the Kiln,the quality of nights out and improved regulation of parking permits.

CaNDidate for Mature STudeNts Officer

CaNDidate for MaLE GENDER Officer

CaNDidate for NON-Portfolio Officer

CaNDidate for RACIAL DIVERSITY OFFicer

CaNDidate for Faculty of Hums & Social ScieNce

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Every day more money is printed for Monopolythan at the US Treasury.

Tom Sawyer was the first novel ever written ona typewriter.

During the filming of the movie "Scream", direc-tor Wes Craven kept telling Drew Barrymorereal life stories about animal cruelty in order tokeep her looking scared and crying. She is akeen animal lover in real life.

Shanghai, China boasts 4,000 skyscrapers -

double the number in New York City.If you keep a goldfish in the dark, it will eventually turn white.

In 2009 one of eight newly married couples in the UK met online.

The blue whale can produce the loudest sound of any animal. At 188 deci-bels, the noise can be detected over 800 kilometres away.

March 8th is International Women’s Day, a holiday in-tended for the campaigning and awareness of women’srights. The day was first honoured in 1911 in Austria,Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, when more thanone million women and men attended rallies campaign-ing for an end to discrimination and demandingwomen’s right to work, vote and hold public office. Inrecent years, this day has seen parades, marches, ral-lies, and all sorts of public events worldwide.

Why is International Women’s Day still important?And why still all this talk of women’s rights? In the lasthundred years, many countries have given the right tovote to women and the notion of equal opportunity inthe workplace and in education has become integral.We have seen female political leaders and business ex-ecutives. Many women across the globe have free ac-cess to abortion and healthcare.

What is there left to do?

WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN THE UK

Between 1918 and 2005,4670 Members have beenelected to the House of Com-mons. Of that total, only 6%have been women. The gaphas closed significantly, andby 2005, 1 in 5 Members ofParliament elected werewomen. This is a very prom-ising change, but with women making up a little morethan half of the UK population, is 20% fair representa-tion?

The Cabinet office, together with the treasury, formsthe centre of the UK government, and is made up ofmore than 20 ministers, of which 4 are women.

And it’s not just in Parliament that women are un-derrepresented. Of the 2,742 board seatsfor the top 350 Financial Times Stock Ex-change (FTSE), 232 are held by women. Andof 970 executive directorships, only 34 arewomen. Pay across the workforce is still un-equal between the sexes, for a number ofreasons.

WOMEN’S RIGHTS GLOBALLY

While the UK may have come some way intackling inequality, this shift is not universal, andwomen’s rights are still violated and ignored dailyacross the globe. Women account for 70 percent of theworld's people who live in absolute poverty. Womenwork two-thirds of the world's working hours, producehalf of the world's food, and yet earn only 10% of theworld's income and own less than 1% of the world'sproperty. Worldwide, a quarter of all women are raped

during their lifetime. Over 120 million women haveundergone female genital mutilation. Women holdonly 12% of parliamentary seats worldwide.

The issues of the globe are far too many to cover here, but the facts,studies, and figures are many. Violence against women remains endemic.To be raped is considered a crime in many countries, and it is cruelly pun-ished. Female infanticide is common in many countries, and thousands ofwomen and girls are forced into marriages each year, and many are killedover dowry and ‘honour’ by their husbands and families.All of this maynot be happening on our doorstep, but it is of great importance that we,as a world, are aware of these problems, and resolve to tackle them to-gether.

MALE STUDENTS AND WOMEN’S RIGHTS

We live in a complex society which gives alot of meaning to the terms ‘male’ and ‘fe-male’, and these vary across time and acrosscultures. This has historically oppressedwomen and cut their access to resources suchas political power, money, and work, amongstmany other things.

This, however, does not mean that onlywomen are affected by how we look at sexand gender. To apply one set of expectationsand traits to one sex means to apply anotherset of expectations and traits to the othersex. This means that, culturally and socially, we all face tired, ridiculous,and painful stereotypes.

Women’s rights, by it’s very name, concerns itself with the oppressionof women, but in a society where a person’s biological sex is a cornerstoneof how we treat each other, everyone is involved and everyone will facerepression.

As a society we champion equal rights for everyone, and we have cer-tainly come a long way in the last 100 years. No one wants inequality tobe a part of their, or anyone else’s lives and most of us would agree thatas far as the biological differences of women and men go, there's not re-ally all that much to it.

We are all capable of logical, rationality, sensitivity, emotion, and anyother of a million traits. The male/female divide in terms of capability ismyth, and the ultimate goal is to see this represented in how we conductour lives and run our society.

Female Gender Officer – Holly BrownOffice hours: Tuesday 2 - 4 (on the top floor of KUSU)

Email: kusu_female_gender_officer@kusu.keele.ac.ukShould you want to know more, discuss any of what you’ve

read here, or learn how to get involved, don’t hesitate to

come along and see me during my office hours, or contact me

via email.

Keele University Women’s SocietyPresident: Lauren SheehyEmail: keele_womens_society@hotmail.co.ukKUWS is a new society, open to anyone interested in women’s

rights and related campaigns. We have meetings to discuss ,

as well as socials. We also have several campaigns and ideas

for the year, so do come along if you’re interested!

NUS Women’s CampaignNUS Women’s OfficerEmail: olivia.bailey@nus.org.ukThe NUS Women’s campaign takes women’s rights issues and campaigns

with a focus on the student body. They are aiming to see women repre-

sented better in student unions, and to ending violence and objectifica-

tion on campus. They run a number of events open to students, and are

great to get in touch with if you have any questions the above cannot

help with.

InternationalWomens Day

March 8th 2010

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