Tfte waver Issue 412 December 5, 1994 THE NEWSPAPER OF THE LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS STUDENTS' UNION Budget gets the OK Dan Madden Nicola Hobday The LSE Students' Union Budget for 1994-1995 was passed at last Thursday's UGM with plenty of debate on the societies' amendments and no debate on the rest of the budget. Finance and Services Officer Ola Budzinska presented the bulk of the budget to the Union. This year's income showed an increase of 6.77% over last year's budget. T/ie Bearer's budget was passed with no qualms, being given a block grant of £7,500. The number of amendments to the societies'budgets provided the main controversy with the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Society bearing the brunt of most of the challenges. The LGB Society were asked for a total of £700 from societies and union members, all of which were overturned. The Chess Society tabled three amendments, but failed to get any passed. The proposal to transfer all the LGB Society budget to the Racing Society was objected to by Chris Cooper, the Racing Society President, who said that even if the amendment was passed he would give the money back. After the budget had been passed Ola Budzinska commented on the list of proposed changes saying; The Finance and Services Committee should have a say over the amendments which are included as some are ridiculous." Budzinska complained that some appeared to have been "drafted in the Three Tuns after a few drinks." The elements of the budget which she was concerned about were the Women's Group allowance and the nursery and playgroup subsidy. On the whole Budzinska said she was "delighted" with the passing of the budget. Meanwhile the national Budget brought bad news for LSE smokers last Tuesday when Kenneth Clarke, Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced a ten pence increase in the price of cigarettes. This rise is 3% more than the rate of inflation and comes at a time when the LSE is considering plans to cut down on the smoking habits of the forty percent of students who smoke. When asked if this price increase would encourage anyone to give up, most students replied in the negative, claiming they may cut down or just spend less money on 'non-essentials' such as food and books. Students in private accommodation will find their heating bills increase as the VAT on fuel bills rises to 17.5%, as promised last year. The fuel rise is expected to increase the typical student's heating bill by a considerable amount each year. A meagrel% rise was given to spending on education so it seems that the general life and welfare of the student will not rise at all. As Kenneth Clarke was consuming malt whisky whilst delivering the budget, it came as no surprise that the price of alcohol remains the same. At least smokers will still be able to afford to drown their sorrows. Special budget cartoon on page 3 Sean Samson, the LSE General Course student, limbering up for his Channel attempt Photo: Hania Midura LSE student to swim Channel Ben Griffiths On Sunday, December 3, Sean Samson, a General Course exchange student from Harvard, attempted to swim the English Channel. Samson, an all-round fitness enthusiast, has been in training for four months for what will undoubtedly prove to be an arduous challenge. The idea first took seed back home in Dundas, Ontario, where it was suggested as a possible objective during his year abroad by family and friends at his local rowing club. Speaking before the event, Samson gave himself an "85% chance of success". He paid tribute to the support team who have assisted him in increasing his fitness, and improving his mental preparation. Samson said: "Obviously sheer fitness is essential, but I have also prepared mentally for the hardest part of the swim - the last quarter, when the tiredness and cold really set in." ¦ "My main training for this involved visualisation and meditation, to create mental toughness and confidence in myself. For this I really cannot thank enough Matt Moeser, one of my coaches in North America." Samson also paid tribute to Beth Edwards, his personal stamina coach in London: "Without Beth I never would have been able to keep it up towards the end. During the summer my schedule was quite loose, but as we went along things became tighter, and without Beth I probably would have blown all the ef- fort and pulled out." Samson had intended to swim on December 1, in honour of World AIDS day, but due to scheduling conflicts has had to push his attempt back to December 3. The Beaver sends its best wishes to Sean in his attempt, and we hope to have news of his successful swim in the first edition of The Beaver next term. The Beaver Would like to wish all its readers a happy holiday and looks forward to enjoying your company again in 1995 2 - News TIte l^eaver December 5, 1994 Justice Act anger General Secretary of Liberty criticises tlie Criminal Justice Act Harry Tomlln li a-r 've had my house burgled four times, my car bro-.ken into eight times and my daughter assaulted in the street. I'm as keen as the next person to see crime reduced, but my family wouldn't feel any safer after the passing of the Criminal Justice Act. It is likely to exacerbate crime rather than do anything to solve it." That is the view of Andrew Puddephat, General Secretary of Liberty, who addressed a packed meeting at LSE last Tuesday. According to Puddephat, new police powers to stop and search are likely to be targeted on certain groups. After the police set up illegal roadblocks around the City of London, 9% of drivers stopped were black. Under the terms of the new Act, rave party organisers will have to pay to have their seized equipment destroyed, and squatters will no longer have the right to have their case heard in court. The Act also permits random road blocks, further attacks on travellers' lifestyles and discretionary powers to arrest lawful demonstrators. All have been condemned by senior Judges, the President of Chief Police Officers, and lawyers as being unfair and unworkable. The arrests have already begun. The day after the Act became law, hunt saboteurs were arrested on a public footpath in Essex. Whereas the Metropolitan police "may be relaxed about aggravated trespass, the Essex and Midlands police will use the new powers because the Chief Officers of these forces support hunting," claimed Puddephat. "This Act is an attack on dissent and diversity, an attempt to create a society of homogeneity and patriarchal norms." Liberty have observers at demonstrations around the country, and a pool of legal advice which can draw upon centrally gathered expertise. Puddephat scorned the notion of waiting for Britain to be hauled before the European Court of Human Rights, as "it will take seven years." "Don't rely on the Labour Party either. They are desperate to avoid policy commitments and have failed to give a public lead," commented Puddephat. Students can make a difference, Puddephat claimed: "Every protest is a defence of the right to protest, in the absence of constitutional rights." Brazil '95 seminar Andrew Puddephat, a Liberty representative, speaking to LSE students last week Photo: Hania Midura County deal? mmi Victor Bulmer-Thomos, Director of ILAS, another speaker at the Brazil '95 seminar Photo: Stephen Hau Judith Plastow D tability, consistency and continuity." These were the words the Brazilian Ambassador to Britain, Rubens Barbosa, used to describe his country's foreign policy. Rubens Barbosa explained how he saw Brazil as a leading force in the development of a "new South America." The Ambassador - who was speaking at an all day Brazilian Society seminar titled "Brazil '95: scenarios for the new government" - outlined the main facets of his adminis- tration's foreign policy. He emphasized the importance of political globalization and economic free trade. The international image of Brazil was also important. Barbosa described how over the last ten years, there had been a shift towards the consolidation of a democratic system in the country and an increase in the "consciousness" of government. The Ambassador is himself a product of LSE, having studied here in the 1970s along side the current foreign minister. Nelson Franco Jabim elaborated on foreign trade. It emerged during his talk that the average Brazilian is educated for a total of only 4 years in their lifetime. The political complexities of a new South America were examined. The continent's wish is to be part of a North American economic system, without losing their Latin American identity. Mexico was used as an example. The country has 70% of its trade with the USA but still wants to be part of the South American football league. Beaver Staff The controversy over County Hall continues to hit new heights. Last week Tony Banks, the Labour MP for Newham North West, said, under parliamentary privilige, that he believes the sale of County Hall involved a fraud. Quoted in The Guardian, Mr Banks said there was "the possibility that there has been a criminal conspiracy." He demanded that the Environment Secretary, John Gummer, MP, refer the entire deal to the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee for scrutiny. This latest move comes after the Japanese owners of County Hall, Shirayama Shukosan, who bought the building for £65 million in 1992, announced they had abandoned hotel plans for the building. Speculation has been rife that the former Greater London Coimcil headquarters will now be offered to LSE. One opinion, thought highly credible, is that the Government may now do a deal with the School for the LSE to move south of the river, sometime in the New Year. The deal may even include incentives being given to the School to make the move more attractive. However, it has also been suggested that Shirayama may approach LSE directly and either offer the School the building or enter into a joint venture with it. Soiu-ces within the School claim that the Japanese owners have yet to contact them in this manner. One major hurdle to any future plan could be the legal action from Richard Branson's Virgin Group, who claim to have a binding contract with Shirayama for a hotel development. Library figures Steve Roy The number of people going through the turnstiles of the Library last year fell by 12,986, to just over 750,000, according to figures recently published in the annual report from the British Library of Political and Economic Science (BLPES). New additions to the course collection were up 35% to 3,765, whilst the total loans issued in the year 1993-1994 rose by 25%, passing the half million mark. The improved reference desk facilities have increased demand. Enquiries were up 15% overall, with the greatest rise in usage of FT-Profile, the on-line database that contains every issue of the main national newspapers since 1986. This service attracted 3,023 users last year, a rise of 100% from 1992-1993. There are also indications that damage to books and other materials is on the wane. The number of items repaired or bound fell 38% to 8,631. Commenting on the report, Lynne Brindley, the Librarian and Director of Information Services, spoke of "another year of good progress". Ms Brindley also commended the speed with which Library assistants have become experts on the new Internet service. T#ie Reaver December 5, 1994 News - 3 Jenkins at the The former Bishop of Durham, Dr David Jenkins, speaking in the Old Theatre last week at Leeds University who "knew nothing of either the Bible or Gilbert and Sullivan"), the controversial clergyman noted his disgust at the glibness of the chairman of British Gas giv-inghimselfa 75% pay increase "at the expense of employment prospects" for the rest of society. " . "It is prudent to become angry," continued Jenkins. "How can people be expected to accept their lot in society when they are seeing directors giving themselves pay rises". He also had harsh words for some of those in the House of Lords, describing them as "a lot of incompetent and ignorant bloody bastards". Photo: Anastasia Shorter "All that Thatcher did was to turn Marxism on its head." proclaimed Jenkins. "Whereas Marxism was once thought to be the curer of all our ills, Thatcherism took over and has proved to be just as evil." World AIDS day marked Ashworth to go? Richard Hearnden One of the most controversial English clergyman of the modern age, Dr David Jenkins, spoke to the LSE outlining his proposals for a better society. The former Bishop of Durham, who made his name doubting the validity of the virgin birth and the resurrection of Christ; and by marching with the striking miners in 1984-5, spoke at the third 1949 Seminar Memorial Lecture in the Old Theatre on 'Goodness, Goods, and the disappearance of the Common Good.' Dr Jenkins spoke about his influences, his experiences and his expectations of the development of social welfare and common good. He re-affirmed his beliefs that have been with him since an early age. "Being influenced by Beveridge...! saw that poverty, sickness and old age were the evils and problems of our society." According to Dr Jenkins the modern age is dominated by the "toleration of the intolerable...we do it because we do not know what to do about it." He does not think that John Major's Citizens' Charter is a great deal of help, slamming it as being of "trivial content and doubtful enforcement." Introducing the so-called "Humpty-Dumpty" train of thought (which incidently was a difficult concept for students Nick Sutton Philip Gomm The selection process for the next Director of the School has begun. All the academic staff have been ballotted, so they can choose the membership of the committee who will eventually make a recommendation to the Court of Governors via the Standing Committee. The School administration was unwilling to tell The Beaver who the candidates for the committee were, but they are believed to be: Mr Max Steuer, Dr Nick Barr, and Professor Michael Bromwich (all of whom are academic members of the Court of Governors), Dr Peter Loizos and Professors John Sutton, Carol Harlow, Ian Angell, Robert Pinker and Jonathan Rosenhead. Five of these people will join the committee together with up to four other members of the Court. At least two of the three academic Governors are guaranteed a seat. Dr John Ashworth's term of office doesn't end until September 1996, but he will shortly be required to state whether he intends to stand again. Speculation within the School suggests Dr Ashworth will seek re-election. Dr Ashworth has been the Director of LSE for four years. He arrived in 1990, succeeding Dr IG Patel. Laure Beaufils "\7'AIDS is our problem." i That is the message that Claire Lawrie, Sorrel Osborne, Vini Ghatate, Martin Lewis and Nick Fletcher - all officers of the LSE Students' Union - tried to convey through their poster displayed in Houghton Street on World AIDS day last Thursday. Executive members agreed that publicising this event was acutely necessary. The aim was to make every LSE student more aware of the AIDS issue, and to raise collective consciousness. The Terence Higgins Trust donated thousands of red ribbons which were distributed through- out LSE. Collections for the charity were organised at a stall in the Quad, as well as in the UGM, where there was a minutes silence in remembrance of all those who have died from the illness. Ghatate revealed that the Union has been given 15,000 condoms, some of which were distributed last week. "At least the hot air that fills the budget should protect such a small target." 4 - News T/ie l^eaver December 5, 1994 Union ^ack She walked onto the stage, nervously fidgeting with her little red box tightly clasped in her hands. After nine weeks of intensive training, the tracksuit champ had coached her into a fiscal frenzy and she was ready to perform. And perform she did, the excitement was so great that even her fellow sabbaticals, treacherously moving to the balcony, could not resist chucking paper. The awed anticipation was nonexistent as people yawned their way through the first half of the meeting. The only noise being the throttled shouts of joy from the assorted miscreant sabbaticals, when their salaries were passed intact, without anyone else realising it. Soon the meat and two veg of the budget arrived and Bud-zinska successfully swallowed the whole lot at once, leading the meeting to its long awaited climax. First under attack was the ever popular Anti-Nazi league, who deftly tried to convince us that they are not the Socialist Workers, but Tom "the hit-man" swiftly exposed the fallacy of their argument and gave us a new fair distribution of income by liberally sharing their budget amongst many others. Arun Very-smarmy from the Conservative Chess Catamites (CCC) tried to get money from the Wimmins Group and the Lesbian, Gay and Ulster Unionist Party, but failed miserably. After more amendments from the CCC it soon became apparent why no one in the Chess club ever gets a Mate. Soon the tarty Tories wanted to play their hand, a group of men so sadly in need of blow jobs, they make Mother Teresa look promiscuous. Unfettered though, the Lebanese and Grey Bicycle society, kept its budget, thanks to Lord Cooper of the sports pages. One rather disagreeable individual went so far in his insane 19th century views, that even James "Mr PC" Atkinson thought the need to step in and shut him up. One compromise proposal that would have satisfied everyone was to merge the two warring factions in to the Conservative Gay and Bisexual society, however most agree that there isn't much difference anyway. Yet, it was all over a little to soon, Ola swiftly closed her box leaving the assorted audience to breath a sigh of relief and run away. We're all left to await next years budget, be it the Tin mans, managed like Newcastle United or just run by a load of Bates. The choice will be yours! PS Great debut speech from "Goals" Cooper he had them rolling in the aisles. Amnesty outlines _Judith Plastow_ The National Security Law of South Korea violates even the most basic of human rights. So alleged Mr Agyemen-Mensah, coordinator for Amnesty International UK, at a recent meeting at the LSE. The guest speaker of LSE Amnesty spoke sincerely and emphatically with up-to-the-minute information on more than 500 political prisoners, 80. of which he is currently seeking the release of. The majority of them are students. Mr Agyemen-Mensah's speech centred around the 1948 law which the government uses to arrest people with perceived left-wing tendencies and then imprison them. Amnesty are pushing for an amendment to the National Security Law, not necessarily a total abolition of it. But the South Korean government argues that it will not be altered as it is required to maintain security. The government cites the threat of North Korea and its alleged nuclear The Amnesty representative outlining where the main violations occur Photo: Hania Midura situation as justification. Mr Agyemen-Mensah's speech was well received by the few students who had bothered to attend. One of those there said: "It seems a pity that LSE Amnesty manages to attract interesting and high profile speakers, but this is not matched by a suitable response from the student body." Decisions in Europe will mean less cash for the School Dan Madden The decision by Finland, Sweden and Austria to become fully integrated members of the European Union has serious financial implications for the School. From January 5, students from these countries will be eligible to pay low fees rather than their current high fee status. This means that the School will face a potential loss of revenue of up to £200,000. Students from the three countries were previously classed as overseas students and paid fees of £7,120. However, they will now pay fees of £750 as they are classified as EU students. Director of the School, Dr John Ashworth, said that the School had allowed for this in the yearly budget. However, this means that these students will now be competing for the quota of European Union places allocated to the School by the Higher Education Funding Council for England. The loss of overseas revenue in conjunction with the Government's current 'efficiency' drive is placing a strain on the School's finances. Under the Government's programme. Higher Education has suffered 25% cuts over the past five years, with further cuts of 9% over the next three years following Tuesday's budget. Ashworth sees the question facing the School now as: "How is that loss going to be made up?" The school is competing for more overseas students from fewer countries and is placed under pressure to attract more overseas applicants. The Director asserts that the School's priority is "to.maintain our current high standards" but does admit, with a slipping staff-student ratio and financial restrictions, that "the quality of the student experience has suffered and will continue to suffer." Ashworth forsees no problems in the filling of overseas places, the only factor being that these applicants will now come from fewer countries. Loans chaos Helena Mcleod The Student Loans Company has found itself in a bureaucratic mire. Second and third year re-application forms have been sent to students', last year addresses, resulting in a huge backlog. The Loans Company claims no backlog, although many students have been waiting for six weeks, when the loan should take no longer than 3 weeks. The company's phonelines have had 10,000 calls per minute peak time, written responses are 6 weeks behind and there are 500 faxes per day. One disgruntled student relayed how he had received incorrect reapplication forms in June, he eventually received his loan in November. Other students are still waiting. The delays are also affecting student applications to the LSE Access Fund. A prerequisite of applying to the fund is that the student must have already received his or her loan. The Access Fund has been forced to award short term loans which must be paid back when the student's loan arrives. A representative from the Access Fund said the extra processing of short term loan applications, from students who have already applied for hardship funds, has caused a lot of extra administration. In 1988, the Government estimated that the scheme would break even by the year 2000, if savings on the maintenance grant, which was frozen in 1990 and social security benefits which students became ineligible for in that year, were included in calculations. However, administration costs are high. The start-up costs of the scheme were £9.9 million. Costs amounted to £13m in 1992/93, furthermore there are substantial administrative costs to universities. The Government subsidy, due to the lower rate of interest, is estimated to be £250 million. Student loan debts for students leaving in 1995 are estimated to be £2,503 for a three year course, rising to £3,201 in 1996and£4,170in 1997. Statistics reveal that 6.6% of graduates have defaulted on repayments. In 1992/93 student loan take-up for those eligible was 44%. However, with the repayment scheme as it stands and graduate debts increasing repayments are likely to increase to unsustainable levels, the result being reduced access to higher unemployment. An alternative method of repayment, administratively cheaper than the present system, is an income related tax similar to national insurance contributions, a 'graduate tax', originally suggested in 1968 by Howard Glennerster, Professor of Social Administration at LSE. If the Government are committed to increasing the role of loans in higher education, the present system must be changed. Carr-Saunders bill Carlos Gonzalez Following serious damage amounting to almost £1,750 at Carr-Saun-ders Hall, each resident is expected to be asked to contribute at least £5 towards the cost. The high cost, believed to cover replacing supposedly inexpensive items like ashtrays, shower caps and toilet rolls, has caused some controversy. Examples of the 'repair costs' are believed to include £70.09 for a missing ash-trays, £15.98 for missing toilet rolls, and £29.75 for shower heads. The Warden of the Hall initially took the decision to close the common room at midnight, and shift more porters' time to security, reducing the telephone services to the flats. Subsequently relenting, the Warden permitted the common room to be open until 2am. However, an incident where somebody broke the door to the common room and subsequently got into the porters' lodge has provoked the Warden into reverting to the 12am curfew. The decision to close the common room at certain times has been praised by some residents in the Hall, particularly those with rooms on the first floor. The shutting of the common room has resulted in a decrease in the level of damage reported, although there is pressure for the 2am time to be reinstated, as it is more of a compromise choice. T#ie l^eaver December 5, 1994 Politics - 5 rape Daniela Taylor of the Women's Group Date rape... WAIT! Don't heave that sigh yet or flip on through on to the movie section. Seems like that old hot potato subject bordering on male-bashing by those screaming feminist types again? Poor Mike Tyson and Kennedy? But is that really all it's about? Is that how much we have managed to belittle the subject? Or does the problem lie in that "date rape" has become a blanket term covering such a wide variety of scenarios that none of them • seem valid any more? A media-hyped, unre- —— alistic and marginalised subject that many people would just rather hear the end of. Well, it's not all that simple, folks. Date rape continues all the time and this apathetic popular opinion is doing nothing to change the situation for the victims or give hope for future change. Chances are you even know someone who has experienced the trauma of date rape, but with the stigma surrounding the term, would be reluctant to share it because of the belief that they must have brought it upon themselves or would suffer some belittlement of their feelings. Why is it that we continue to create a social and political environment in which the victim is guilty until proven otherwise? So, here we are: Date rape. Well, that only happens to those irresponsible types who go home with some drunkard. Any- way, what did she expect, wearing that. Just a case of beer goggles. Those next morning regrets which have to be blamed on someone else. It just happens - one of those dating risks. That's all it is. Is that really all there is to today's image of date rape? That it isn't "REALLY" RAPE? That the victim must just be some vin- No doesn't mean maybe. No isn't later. No isn't Fm drunk so it really means yes. NO MEANS NO dictive bitch with an axe to grind? Let's just get this straight - DATE RAPE IS RAPE. It's that simple. It violates, agonizes and traumatizes. It often destroys a victim's trust and self-confidence in themselves and others, and breeds fear and justifiable anger. As in other cases of rape a victim often turns these feelings in on THEMSELVES and lay blame in their own actions — questioning, doubting and undermining themselves further. And yet victims often find themselves alone and shut out from a support system that they critically need during this time, and often are unable to even share their experience for fear of blame and criticism. These images must change and date rape must both legally and socially be recognized as a CRIME which violates and scars victims and whose acceptance is irreconcilable in any society. I am not here to male bash because it is not a specifically male or female problem, but rather one which lies in society. It is an issue that needs to be talked about openly and needs to have this stigma of blame and fear removed from it. It boils down to the fact that - listen good here — NO MEANS NO. Another catchy little slogan, I know, but it is the point. NO MEANS - NO. And there are no exceptions to that rule. No doesn't mean maybe. No isn't later. No isn't I'm drunk so it really means yes. NO MEANS NO. Period. If sex is —not a mutually consenting act then it is RAPE. Just because the other person involved in the act is familiar to you does not change the fact - No still, and ALWAYS, means NO. Girls, you need to mean it, and, boys, you have to know we do. And there must be legal and social consequences possible if it is not respected. I know I have greatly oversimplified the issue here to squeeze it in, and really I have only scratched at the tip of that buried iceberg. Date rape is complex and horrible and I did not mean to make light of it writing about it here in this abbreviated medium. If you don't agree with what I have written or have some addition or ANYTHING to make, please feel free (girls and boys alike) to come to the Women's Group Meeting, held every Tuesday at 1pm in the Women's Room (top floor of The Cafe). 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January 19, 1994, 6.30pm Contact Careers Service for Location Please submit resumes and cover letter (preferably by Telefax) to: Ian D Zilberkweit, Associate, Barents Group LLC, 2001M Street NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA Telephone: (0101) 202 467 3333 Telefax: (0101) 202 728 0546 'ts CO m A/ I O a> Martin Lewis General Secretary Stalls In Houghton Street Due to the new regulations that have had to be imposed about society stalls in Houghton Street, I have organised with the School that societies will be able to be booked out the front of the Old Theatre. Please see Gary Delaney for details. College Of the 21st. Century The National Union of Students are in the process of organising a prospectus for their college of the 21st. Century. There are many interesting and some controversial ideas in this project, which concentrated on the information super-highway, the changing nature of teaching, the International area of standardisation and the disappearance of the gap between further and higher Education. Academic Affairs I was asked by the School to officially reply to the Higher Education Quality Council Report on the Quality Assessment structures of the LSE. I will be including a review of the LSE's entire Academic structure within this scheme. Cambridge University Students' Union have just published their Charter For Education. There are many good ideas in there that may be adapted for the LSE. If you are interested or have any specific changes you think need to be made to the LSE's macro Academic structures, please see me. World AIDS Pay The Students' Union organised a collection and a large banner for World AIDS day, I would like to thank all those involved in participating for their hard work, with especial thanks to those who gave up their Sunday to work on the display. We raised a nice sum of money for the Terrence Higgins trust to be put into AIDS research. Smoking The Student Govemers will be raising the issue of Smoking, and the in-appropriateness of the Academic Boards decision at the meeting of the Court Of Governors next week. If you have any problems, suggestions, queries, or you just want to know how to get involved, please come and see me, I'll either help you or send you to someone who can. My Office number is E205, my phone number 071 955 7147. I hope you have all had a good first term, enjoy they vacation and Seasons Greetings to you all. This column is printed under section 13.5 of the LSESU constitution. The Beaver accepts no responsibility for its content or accuracy. 6 - Letters Tlie l^eaver December 5, 1994 Reaver You can tell it's the end of term there are two parties going on at this very moment, with the Guiness flowing in the Tuns and the glog (correct me if I'm wrong!) flowing in the Quad and I'm sitting here trying to write my last editorial of the term. On a couple of occasions I have been able to let other people write the editorials, usually during elections. I have often thought that students themselves have things to say and the editorial column of their paper seems as good a place as any. So in future if you have something you want to say let me have it and I will tell the world -well Houghton Street. As it is here is my last editorial of the term composed with the help of sports editor, Chris Cooper. Now you might think this is a bad move, considering the state of the sports pages, but today Chris made a pretty inspiring speech at the Union General Meeting, in defence of the LGB Society keeping a part of its budget which others sought to pass on to the Cooper organised Racing Society. To many. Cooper would symbolise all that is wrong with the LSE, being Second team football captain. Beaver Sports editor and reknowned drinker as well. Yet Cooper showed that, like the story of the good Smaritan, there is good in all of us. This seems a good point to make, as all of the various ethnic and religious groups that make up the body politic of the LSESU have a variety of festivals coming up in the next few weeks and so to wish you all a merry Christmas, would display gross insensitivity to the non-christian portion of our readership. With this in mind I will concluded by saying may your God go with you and thank all of you who have sailed with the good ship Beaver, which is now sailing off into the sunset for a refit. Yes, I know it doesn't make sense Happy hols and TTFN Reaver Staff Executive Editor Business Manager Arts Editors Campus Editors Features Editor Letters Editor Literary Editor Music Editors News Editors Photographic Editors Photographic Advisor Politics Editors Production Assitants Sports Editors What's On Editor Ron Voce Scott Wayne Susha Lee-Shothaman Dennis Lim Marie Darvill David Whippe Nigel Boyce Pam Keenan Rachel Cuthbert Daniel Silverstone Wayne Rogers Michael Goulding Phil Gomm Steve Roy Anastasia Shorter Steven Hau Hania Midura Tom Randell Issam Hamid Leila Butt Priyanka Senedhira Alex Ellis Michel Lerner Sheila Patel Heidi Gomez Chris Cooper Angus Kinnear Valerie Handal Issue 412 was produced by the editors and with the help of: Daniela Taylor, Ben Griffiths, Harry Tomlin, Judith Plastow, Laure Beufils, Hector Birchwood, Carlos Gonzalez, Nicola Hobday, Nick Sutton, Richard Hearndon, Helena McLeod, Scouse Gardiner, Alex Mcleish, Chris Tattersal, Helen Jamieson, Dan Madden, The Deakster, Rob Cheetham, Nick Fletcher and Sarah Davis. There are another 87 members on The Beaver Collective Negatives by: Gargoyle Graphics, Hoxton Square, London N1 Printed by: Eastway Offset, Hepscott Road, London E9 Beaver editor talks back Dear Beaver, On the way in this Wednesday morning, I could not help but be saddend by reading the news of the apparent suicide of Buster Edwards, one of the '-Great Train Robbers". I'm not going to dwell on the crime, or his flight to Brazil and return to face 9 years in jail, but on his help he gave to LSE Rag over the years. Yes, this reformed man kept a flower stall at Waterloo and every year in the Rag treasure hunt the old stalwart question was to get a photograph of a team member with a "Great Train Robber", something that I took delight in doing. In the two years I did this I found Edwards articulate and willing to talk - except where the unrecovered money was hidden. If we manage to have a Rag treasure hunt this year, that question will be sorely missed by me especially as another part of English criminal history has been laid to rest. Also, after reading last week's paper, something I actually enjoy, I would like to to comment on Clare Lawrie's quote in the news article on Ents. As someone The Beaver editor takes bribe shocker! Photo: Navin Reddy who has attended all the Chuckle Clubs this term, bar the first one, as I went to a free concert - Wedding Present - and then a Rosebery Party. Although Claire can comment that "the comedy club on Saturday is great!", it w.ould have been better if she had been able to speak on a personal fronfrather than recycling what others had told her. I have yet to see her either in The Under- ground or in the Three Tuns when Harry Hill performs. If this quote was taken out of context then OK, but if you are going to be quoted by a newspaper, then at least it should be a personal comment made through personal experience rather than second hand plagiarism. Yours Ron Voce (In a personal capacity) Degrees of discernment Dear Beaver, I am writing in response to a particular letter which I came across in an issue of The Beaver, dated November 14. The letter concerned a first year Spanish student who complained of being 'fooled' into purchasing 'loudspeakers' at extortionate prices along Tottenham Court Rd. Although I lament on such subterfuge being practised on vulnerable and innocent foreign students, I come to the conclusion that this particular student was partly responsible for his own loss. Living and studying in London requires a certain degree of discernment in a person, be it through experience or not, and it is absolutely naive to expose one's vulnerability and credulity, certainly not towards the many rapacious rogues out there which plague the streets of London. By "explaining to them that I was a student and I couldn't spend too much" it automatically renders the individual highly susceptible to being duped. Furthermore, in the letter, he spoke of'getting a gun and blowing the whole of Tottenham Court Road to pieces' and moreover he finally stated that 'hate' is the first step before 'racism'. I have no idea what he is trying to imply by both these statements, \^^y can he not realise that the prime cause of his experience was due to his own naivety and any hatred he may have towards these 'rogues' should not and does not warrant or justify racism in any way. To say that hatred breeds and is a precondition of racism is one thing, although I do not entirely agree, but to endorse this and adopt such a view, seems symptomatic of racism in itself. I think one lesson surely is to be learned from this common experience. That is people, particularly students must be exceedingly prudent when exchanging their money, be it dollars, deutsch marks or pounds for goods. So in the run-up to Christmas, I do advise all students to be extra circumspect when doing their Christmas shopping this month. HAPPY SHOPPING!!!! Sue It was personalities not sexualities that lost the LGB motion Dear Beaver, I was more than intrigued by Nik Deardon's letter in the last issue of your esteemed publication. Indeed, I was very surprised to hear of the unexpectedly large turnout of LGB members at the UGM Nik referred to. Life continues all predictable and rou-tine-like, when, suddenly, an exceedingly atypical event occurs, like for example all these people turning up on exactly the day the LGB Executive officer proposal was being discussed - it is this sort of uncanny occurrence that makes you think really doesn't it? Anyway, I was most unhappy to hear that Nik was on the receiving end of unnecessary abuse, but I fail to understand his "counter democratic" pitch. He claimed that there was a large "counter mobilisation ... from groups who have no interest in Union democracy." I don't see what point he is trying to make. If these people were entitled to vote, being students at the LSE, their opinion has just as much validity as anyone else. And I don't see that being a straight white man should debar me from making decisions about Union policy, whatever my opinion. Please don't assume that everyone else is "uninformed" simply because they don't agree with you, Nik. The simple truth is that Nik lost that motion because he came across as hopelessly self-important and self-righteous, and the opposition speaker was a lot funnier. In the very same UGM a motion to keep the cafe vegetarian (hardly your average straight white male issue) was resoundingly supported, basically because the speaker was a very funny man indeed. Democracy is government by all the people and not for anyone. If there is a majority for something, that is that, and tough shit if you don't like it. I'm sorry that you lost your motion Nik, but please don't whine about it publicly, it just makes you look exceedingly dim. Yours sincerely, Craig Walmsley. Pseudonym sadist Dear Beaver, I am getting increasingly annoyed at letters which are obviously writen by somebody other than the ridiculous pseudonym which accompanies it. Could you please rectify this? Thank you ever so much. Yours sincerely, Ponsonby Pickle-Puff jnr All opinions and views expressed in tiiese pages are those of tiie named autliors and not necessarily of this newspaper. The editor reserves the right to edit all material ^he Reaver December 5, 1994 Letters - 7 Beaver tells it first Dear Beaver, With regard to your article on Bertie Ahern last week (LSE old boy to be new top dog in Eire?), I would like some clarification as to what inference was intended. Since Eire refers to the whole of Ireland, this is somewhat misleading. If the person in question had been from Spain, Italy or Germany would you have said LSE old boy to be top dog in Espania/ Italia/Deucheland? If you had wanted to put the whole headline in Irish you only had to ask (Seanghasur LSE le bheidh ina Thaoiseach ar Phoblacht nah Eireann. But considering that top dog is an English colloquialism, that bit I cannot). Perhaps you are pre-empting the outcome of the peace process by suggesting that Bertie is the rightful ruler of Ireland as a whole. Are you suggesting that Albert Reynolds will be acting as the back seat driver in any new administration (ie. Albert sending out rations from his pet food company to the new 'Top Dog'?) I think we should be told. Is mise le meas (respect) Michael 6 Dochataigh A load of old chestnuts Dear Beaver Entertaining News, Beaver, 28/11/94 It must be getting close to Christmas. I can distinctly smell the odour of the Beaver roasting old chestnuts again. No real news, so let's make up a story about how terrible Entertainment is at the LSE. A few points of information: 1. The Entertainment Officer has a budget of about £8000 to spend. He's meant to lose money during the course of the year. 2. It is difficult to attract students to LSE events, apart from at the beginning and end" of each term. This is due to: a) the diverse nature of the student body (overseas students from 100 countries; postgrads). That's why there are so many active societies. b) the range of other activities in London. Compare LSE with Lampeter University which is twenty miles from the nearest pub. c) antiquated British licensing laws (This year's Entertainment Officer, Gary Delaney, is trying to apply for a change of licence). Let's set out some objective criteria by which to judge the Entertainment Officer's performance: a) Does he provide a variety of events throughout the year? Eg. A Foam disco, different D Js every week, various gigs, regular comedy nights. b) Does he organise really good parties at the beginning and end of ev. ry term? For example, did Freshers Fortnight events make a profit? c) Does he help societies to organise events? After all, his job is Entertainment and Societies Officer. d) Does he attract the target audience for an event. Just about everyone who might have wanted to see Roy Ayres attended his gig, because it was well-publicised. Not everyone likes great music! e) Does he have money available to invest in new equipment? Does he make improvements in the available facilities? Finally, a comparison: Thousands of students pay to attend LSE Events. How many would pay to read a copy of the Beaver? Yours faithfully Justin Deaville Ents and Societies Officer _1993/4 JOB VACANCY West End Theatres require Christmas staff Experienced Bar Persons and Cellar Porters with clean driving licence Please Contact Rob Jones on 0171 379 4981 Gen Sec stops stalls Dear Beaver, As many of you already know, the School and the Students' Union have banned all students and societies from having stalls on Houghton Street. Only two stalls may be set up in the entrance outside the Tuns. This isn't enough, and it stifles student's social, political and cultural life here at LSE. If you're in a society yourself, you will have received an explanation for the necessity of this measure, along with dire warnings about communist agitators and shady Islamic fundamentalists. In his circular to societies from earlier this month, Martin Lewis explains that the police themselves requested the Union to ban all societies from Houghton Street, so that one 'intimidating' group (Hizb ut-Tahrir) could be prevented from harassing students. As students, we find this an insult to our intelligence and self-respect. As society members, we are outraged that our activities have been curtailed by none other than our own Union. It's as if Martin Lewis thinks of us as children who can't conduct our own lives or think for ourselves without his protection. We're victims waiting to happen, and he is the watchful eye who 'cares' for us all. Martin Lewis thinks that one group should be barred from talking to the vulnerable, impressionable lambs that are LSE students. Not Speakers Corner, but it's all we've got Photo: Pam Keenan Our Union's policy now is that our freedom to talk to and argue with whoever we want to puts us at risk. He thinks that restricting all societies from using Houghton Street is a reasonable price to pay to ensure that none of us have to worry about nasty people. Sorry, Martin, but we don't need your protection. We're perfectly capable of arguing against groups or ideas that we find unacceptable. Finally, in your reply, Martin it would be pathetic to argue that stalls either disrupt the Law department, or that they are technically illegal in a public highway. Hardly any stalls play the loud music that allegedly threatens the academic "integrity" of the department. As to the illegality, the law is an ass in Houghton Street. The police neither can nor want to enforce the law here. Furthermore, your ban prevents us from even trying to legalise stalls in Houghton Street with some kind of broad license or other measure. Student Unions should defend our right to think, speak, and associate openly with each other. In his circular to societies, Martin Lewis tells us that the Union is "here to help societies, not to hinder them." The best way to do this is to let us get on with our particular aims. Instead, we are saddled with a Union intent on policing us. Signed Adam Pembury, Juggling Society, Max Holland, Latin American Society, Chris Hutchfield, LSE Review, Jim Kennedy,CAM, Ralph Wilde, Liberty,Yayez Khouri, Lebanese Soctei3',Khilan Dhodia, Tequila Society, Omer Soomro, Court of Governors, Sanober Killedar, Pakistan Society, StefTen Frolich, Jazz Society, Gregor Claude, RCS, Kate Hampton , Green Action and Third World First Look who came to the last Beaver party'! Tuesday, December 6th - Underground Subsidised drinl