BRmSHUBRMOFPOLmCM. & ECONOMIC SClEHCt j 1 1 8J11H1990 NEWSPAPER of the L S E STUDENTS' UNION Ua. 145 NOVEMBER fSth, t975 FREE RENT STRKE Passfield votes: 31 -28 M The Half meeting on the evening of 10th November, Pas^fiefd mitfents voted to go on fmmecfiate rent strike. This vote was in |)rotest against the extraordinary level of rent increases over the stfmmer'. The meeting attended by nearly-half the residents, heard the motion to move to a rent strike proposed and seconded by John Kelly and Simon Crabtree respectively. It -fjas argued that the inter-halls negotiating committee—comprising representatives from Roseberr^', CaiT Saunders, Passfield, and the Maple and Fitzroy St. Flats— had probably got as much from the School as it could reasonably hope for. Specific gains made were that items of expenditure such as staff training and advertising had been transferred to the School accounts. These savings coupled with dovjnward revisions of wage costs in "the light of government policy, brought reductions averaging £27 per student per annum for hall rooms and "iOp per week for the flats. Savings on wage costs, however, will not come into effect until next term. Further proposals had also been raised, including increased cehtraJisation of purchasing and structural alterations to the hails, but the short-term effects of these measures are likely to be miarginal. The lEct remains that the vast majority of students in LSE flats and halls are paying between 31 per cent and 40 per cent more for their accommodation as compared to las^t year, although grant increases for UK students averaged only 22 per cent. In m.or.ey terrhs, while grants went up by £150 per annum, most stu--dents are paying almost an extra £120 for their rooms and with heavy increases in the costs of travel, heating, .books, etc., the net gain for many students is marginal, if it exists at all. It is in order to protest at this situation that Passfield has chosen to go on rent strike. More importantly, it was felt that when the NUS commences negotiations with the DES for next year's grants its bargaining position would be somewhat weakened by the fact that students wei'e prepared to swallow 30 per cent plus rent increases without protest. Eov/evei', it must be asked how elective the rent strike will actually be since only a jmall majority of three carried the motion at a meeting which only had a 50 per cent attendance. Furthermore the solidarity of the strike has already been undermined because a third of the students from Passfield have already paid their rents. JOHN KELLY. Exec, clash over staff pay LAST Wednesday's Executive Meeting ended inquorate when four members walked out. What prompted this extreme measure was a motion which proposed that Union staff should not be paid their half-yearly increase. The motion was proposed by Dick Sales and Peter Timmins on account of the Government's pay policy which puts a limit of one rise per year of £6 per week. The staff have received an increase of 35.5 per cent, which amounts to more than £6 in every case. Given 10 per cent inflation the cost of the increase would be £1,281 per anhiim—the per capita .grant for over one hundred students. Such a proposal has been strongly opposed by Andy Milner, of, the International Socialists and the Broad Left members at the last three Executive meetings on the grounds that they reject the Government policy and that Exec, shoald stand by the contracts it signed with the staf¥. However, they also believe that the motion essentially represents a reversal of pre- vious p"Oiicy and so should be put to the-Union floor at a Union General Ivleeting., Tessa Marcus affirmed that decisions about staiY should concern the mass of students snd not just a fevv' mem.bers of the Executive. Tliis was the primary reason for the walkout by Andy Milner, Jan Schling, Tessa Islarcus and Simeon Beresford because the latter proposed a procedural motion to refer the matter to the Union fiooi'. When this was defeated by seven votes to foui-, the defeated members walked cut. As he left, Andy Midner pointed out that the meeting was now inquorate. Under these ciicumstances it v;'as impossible to continue the discussion, so the meeting had to be adjourned. Mungo Deans com.mented afterwards ; This walkout by the Broad Left typifies their hypocritical attitude towards democracy—they are only prepared to support it when it suits them! By walking out of the meeting and rendering it inquorate they deliberately prevented the committee from taking the decisions it w'a? elected to take." BEAVER was later given the staff view^point by two memfcers of ttie Union StaW: "According to staff and last year's executive, the staff have not received the increment for inflation covering the period August 1975 to January 1976. The attempts to deny the staff their increment have been clouded in the following ways : (a) By claiming that the staff have in fact received this incre-mtnt by showing that the staff's wages were increased beyond last years rate of inflation. The staff s reply is that the increase was an "inducement" rise which brought their wages to a leyel cojrnpairable to other places. (b) By claiming that the Government £6 limit is in question. The staff reply that this is incorrect, and is only true if one wrongly assum^es that the increment was already received in August 1975 and therefort- no other is forthcoming. The rise itself will not be more than £6 per week. (c) By claiming thai the Union Executive and Finance Committee should settle the matter independent of a Union General Meeting. The staff reply that this is not an Executive mattor of implementation — rather an attempt to reverse policy made by Union and the previous Executive. ] Apart from this iissue, there are m.any pressing problems facing the business staff, sueh as long hours, no lunC'h times and the lack of interested E:iecutive support. The stafl' hope that in bringing these matters to the wider attention of the student population they will open the doors for further communication and ^they would like to conclude by reiterating the obvious that they enjoy their jobs but that this should not be a cause for exploitation." 15I;AVI;R, Nov. IStli, ISio—I'age Two LETTERS Freedom in abortion ? Ideas! more snides? DEAR EDITOR,—In the last issue of "Beaver" Peter Urbach asked whether the freedom for women to participate fully in society is the sole basis of the.campaign for free abortion on demand on the NUS. If this is so, he argues, then by the same criterion we should be in favour of women and, he later asserts, of anyone killing any person they feel preserfts a barrier to their social involvement. I do not feel that it matters for the purpo^'s of his argument that this is in-ract not the sole basis of the demand. More importantly it cannot provide the sole basis for his argument and to draw his conclusion he must introduce additional assumptions which cannot be substantiated. Firstly when Peter argues from abortion to grannie-killing, he assumes that the objects of the two acts can be identified and has therefore to introduce the implicit definition of human life. As there exist no scientific criteria which can demarcate the point at which a foetal tissue becomes a human being, any opinion on this matter remains a moral and metaphysical assertion. Those who demand that a woman should have the right to choose whether to continue or terminate a pregnancy appreciate this point and allow an individual to act ac- cording to her own beliefs. However, we do deny anyone the right to impose their beliefs on others— as Peter attempts to do when he conflates abortion and murder. Secondly he assumes that incontinent grannies have to be looked after by women, and that their e.xist-ence is necessarily irreconcilable with the social freedom of another individual. We would argue that adequate state provision and social care can take the burden of domestic responsibility, from the women who are at present forced to carry it, and that social responsibility for children, the elderly, etc., would benefit everyone involved—this is why we fight for 24-hour nurseries, an adequate health service, against cuts in social services etc. However, there is, as yet, no social substitute for pregnancy. So we maintain that a woman must have the right to control her own body by having abortion readily available if that is what she' chooses. If Peter wants to argue against the democratic right of an individual not to be "done away with" then I am sure that the pages of "Beaver'' are open to him. But he will have to come up with his own arguments and not borrow and distort those of the people who argue; "Free abortion on demand — a woman's i-ight to choose". WENDY FORREST Crossword ACROSS 1. Clement's grandpapa's Greek obsession. (7. 7). 2. Flavouring potential. (10). 3. Wipe your feet to retain the gloss. (3). 4. Sent quietly to the slaughter. (4). 5. It's in confusion. (3). 6. And your jeans too. (2i. 7. Uncle Tom Cobbley, etc. (2). 8. He started it all. (5). 9. Emerging new political force in LSE asks Richard? (4). 10. Pixies cars. (4). 11. I. as the object. (2). 12. Arnold Wesker play. (5>. 13. Direct female object from France. (2). 14.«Nuts to the three LSE drunkards. '4). 15. Will you make one? (4). 16. Destruction workers ushered into hiimmer down Lee's mansion? (5). 17. A neo singular (3). DOWX 18. Ma's replaying It again. (3). ' 19. Lost in the wood. (3). 20. Jan's personal column. (9). 21. Thanks. (2). 22. Sounds like a heavy metal airship (3). 23. Is mother to be first person singular? (2). 24. JS's Candy flpss. (4). 25. Toter's favourite animal? (5). 26. You lose if this is the centre of the London night life. (3). 27. Snob handles. (4). 28. Pawned through advertisement. (3). 29. Explosion. (5). 30. This animal could mar the occasion. (3). 31. French female composed of two definite articles. (4). 32. Hardy's friend is hedging his bets. (6). 33. Ministry of Food. (3). 34. Big rabbit or big pair. (2). 35. S.U.'s sex. (6,). P.WL BROWN". DEAR EDITOR,—The article in the last edition of "Beaver" (Nov. 4th) by Paul Cockerell and John Cruse, entitled "Immoderate Moderacy", criticised both the lack of leadership by the present SU Executive, but more particularly the "Independent" majority for failing to drag students into union meetings. Whilst the criticisms about publicity for meetings, and the lack of written information for freshers ¦concerning the union may to some extent be true, I believe that these two problems are very minor compared to the essential problems facing this and other student unions. It Is my feeling that student politics in general have been conducted at a level apart from the 'average student, and that any attempt to bring student politics nearer to the "average" student will take some time. I do not wish to take the right away from those politically - motivated students of the Left to. speak their mind at Union meetings, but what I do criticise are (a) those from the Left who object to valid calls of "quorum" (when 150 are not present at a meeting and (b) those who term themselves "moderate", but fail ever to place their motions before the Union. In the first case, I cite the chairman, who recently denegrated a call of "quorum" because he presumably felt business was urgent. What he, and other members of the Union must recognise is that the constitutional provision is there to stop an unrepresentative minority from passing policies. Secondly, moderates, not only fail to speak out in meetings, but also fail to even attend meetings! They cannot then complain when student activists commit their unions all over the country to policies which the "moderates" clearly disagree with, as, for example, with the NUS conference motion against the EEC. In conclusion, my clarion call to LSE students to some extent echoes that of Mr Cockerell and Mr Cruse. I too want to see more students participating in the Union, and I want those students to be unafraid to alter the very structure and nature of the union. The Union needs new ideas, YOUR IDEAS! Yours, DAVID ROBERTSON THE idiotic attack on me in the last "Beaver" Snidelines—headed tn true anti-Semetic fashion "Schnide-lines"—^has revealed once more the arrogant scorn'isome people feel towards overseas students. That the anonymous scribbler has attacked me personally is not my concern— but that he scorns 45 per cent of LSE students who have not the "good fortune" to be English is a different matter. To find anti-Semetic overtones such as those in "Schnidelines" one could read any publication of Osvi'ald Mosley's movement, or of the National Front. One would hope that such a primitive level would be impossible to achieve at LBE. To judge people by their accents (in a language riddled- with class distinctions) is typical of all attitudes of racial or national superiority. In this sense the attack is not on me alone, but on all overseas students. In their arrogant upper-class manner the authors of Snidelines seem to assume the role of Union arbiters. No matter that , nearly all the targets are opposed to this policy—various supporters of apartheid and similar elitist notions will always take care of that. At a time when LSE Students' Union is trying to improve its work with overseas students and integrate them into union life, this attitude on the part of "Beaver" is disquieting. It is no accident that voices are heard trying to persuade overseas students that Union policy DEAR EDITOR,—Your anonymous contributor of Snidelines has become so stridently opposed to anything related to the LSE Union, and so neanderthal in his.'her sexist and racist smears on individuals, that it's high time the future of this column was discussed. Just look at the last issue of "Beaver"; Jan Sling gets an anti-Semetic wallop; A1 Stewart and A1 Coe are treated to a vile form of sexist ridicule, while sexual innuendo is also the weapon deployed against John Carr and Dahrendorf. Finally Ken Spencer is branded, without any factual support whatsoever, as a "broad left hack of the first order". Is this the fearless wit and outspoken exposure that has always been the hallmark of good student is designed to "dictate their policy towards their own countries"; apparently "Beaver'' is attempting to reinforce this "democratic" appeal. It is well known that overseas students face special problems. They are often harassed by officialdom, not to mention the difficulty of integrating into college life. "Beaver" should surely help, not hinder them in this. The paper should really reconsider its present editorial policy—after all, it is a Union publication—and should at least support the decisions of the UGM. Anybody who attempts to use at>-tacks on overseas students for his own political ends must realise that his efforts might destroy the Union (and the author or authors of Snidelines should bear this iti mind). Since a few piss-artists tried, to destroy the UGM on October 31st, people may well prefer t» ignore these meetings in future, and the Snidelines scribblers might contribute to the growing apathy among significant sections of th^ student population. It would be advisable in future' to have all contributions to "Beaver" signed. If the author of the last Snidelines is shy about disclosing his name, well and good, but the Editorial Board should realise that the space cannot just be used for snides. JAN SCHLING, Member of Exec responsible for Overseas Students journalism? Of course it isn't; it's drivel, and an insult to the student body of the LSE. Get yourself a new columnist, or drop Snideline* altogether! And in case your contributor feels like making the obvious riposte that we "Stalinists" have no cause to complain of smears and innuerndo, let us make it quite clear that we are 100 per cent opposed to Stalinism and Stalinist journahstic practices. We support fair comment iti a free press. But there must be ' some common ground between readers and writers, and surely for students at the LSE in 1975, that common ground is support for the Union, and opposition to all reactionary ideologies, like sexism, racism, or anything else. LSE Communist Societv CHEAP 'N TASTY GOT any more unappetising leftovers? This week, just in time for the cold weather, "Beaver's" expert goes Indian . . . SWEET CURRY 1 tablespoon of flour 21g teaspoon fat/oil i pint water curry powder (to taste) 1 onion 1 garlic 1 teaspoon hot pepper ginger any fruit (even grapefruit) 1 tablespoon sugar (or marmalade) any leftover meat from sausage, bacon, liver to beefburgers or chicken; and any veg including baked beans. FOR VEGETARIANS—put extra veg in or pour over hard-boiled eggs. For bitter curry, leave out fruit, sugar and ginger and add a dash of soya sauce. METHOD 1. Heat fat in a pan and fry onions, garlic and meat (if uncooked, otherwise add later). 2. Mix in flom* to a stiff paste. 3. Slowly add water and keep stirring until it has heated enough to thicken. 4. Bung in spices, fruit, -veg and cooked meat. 5. Service with rice (one handful per person in two cups of water per person and 1 teaspoon salt, plus a little lemon juice to keep it white). CHEAT'S CURRY 1 tin of baked beans curry powder (to taste) leftovers (meat, fruit, veg) sugar (for sweet curry) METHOD Just heat them all together in a frying-pan! USEFUL HINTS If sauces are too thin, add flour (by the tablespoon); if too thict add water (by the cupful). Always ensure that meat is cool^ by cutting it into small pieces. Taste sauces as you go along — not just at the end when you discover you don't like it! How to peel a tomato. Drop it into boiling water until skin bursts, then fish it out with a fork and pull skin off. Alternatively stick tomato on the end of a fork a'nsi hold quickly in a gas flame, so that the skin bursts. Save money on cooking fat"'by grilling bacon, sausages, chops; etc. and store the fat that drips off. BEAVER. Nov. I8th, 1975—Page Three Penetope's Problem Page DEAR PENELOPE--I am a new student here and have developed a tremendous crush on one certain GENERAL SECRETARY of the Union. I am longing to talk to him but he is always so busy with his political activities. I don't know anything about politics but I have long blonde hair and blue eyes and am considered to be attractive. Please help me because all I have succeeded in doing so far is gaining the close attentions of some ex-union hack (i.e. Academic Affairs Officer). He never leaves me alone for a minute but he has one advantage, he is a close friend of the General Secretary. Is this a good way of achieving my impossible dream ? WORRIED BLUE EYES DEAR WORRIED BLUE EYES.— Yes. DEAR PENELOPE—I am from North America and love horses. Although I haven't found many horses here I have met many lovely British chicks (sorry — do you use that word over here?). Because of many happy liaisons I have only managed to attend two classes and .one of them turned out to be a Porters' Union Meetmg. (I was elected Branch Secretary). Am I likely to be expelled? RUGGED "WE ALWAYS GET OUR WOMEN" MOUNTIE DEAR RUG,—I really feel for you. Do pop into the "Beaver" office when the bar closes on Friday and we can get together over this problem. I have had a word with your class teachers and, they agree with me! DEAR PENELOPE.—I have a personal problem which is due to the fact tliat I achieve orgasm rather prematurely. In fact last Wednesday I was on the bus going to see my regular girl-friend when we happened to go over a rather nasty bump in the road. "Hold tight" shouted the conductor. Well you can guess what happened! Please help me and give me the name of a discreet dry-cleaners. ANON. (P.S.: Do not print my name) DEAR ANON,—This is a problem which many young men have and it is one' which normally rights itself in time. It sounds as if you are too eager to plunge into the actual sex act and I would advise you to concentrate more on giving your undivided attention to your girl-friend's pleasure. Above all do not worry as this will only serve to aggravate the problem. DEAR PENELOPE,—I am organising all- on my own (well there are a few other people — sometimes — but not really) a rag (sorry) festival week at the L.S.E. And it's going to be great, really terrific. IT'S ALL GOING WRONG 1 No it's not, it's going to be O.K. Ignore this letter. JOHN SMITH; NO DAVID JONES, NO ERIKSON DEAR ORGANISER,—We all think you are doing a great (well quite good) job, no a really good effort. Honest. Well you are doing your best, well almost your best — no really it's going to be great. DEAR PENELOPE,—My problem is that I have a peccadillo which is sometimes difficult to get across. Should I tell people about it immediately or wait until they know me better ? The problem has become acute recently because I have become enamoured with a lovely girl with blonde hair and blue eyes (a first-year). I really think that she prefers my best friend, who happens to be a secretary of a general nature. I must admit he is rather lovely but I myself am considered to be attractive !. ex-ACADEMIO OFFICER AFFAIRS DEAR ex-A.A.O.,—Yes. • • • DEAR PENELOPE,—I am not in the small clique which has so far been mentioned. I am an ordinary L.S.E. student, who has come hei'c to get a good degree and play hard too! There must be hundreds like myself who do not consider it an achievement to spend each night in a different lady's bed. Of course if you are genuinely in love with someone and intend to get married at some stage thfen there is nothing wrong in showing affection in "that way". I dop't want to go on about this too much but I think it needs to be said. Surely cliques don't get the monopoly of what is printed in our Union paper? What do you think? R. C. P. BLYTHE DEAR BLYTHE,—I couldn't agree more — how refreshing to realise that there are people like you still in the world and particularly at the L.S.E. How easy my job would be if everyone shared your philosophy of life! DEAR PENELOPE,—I am a prominent person in Carr-Saimders, in fact they even allow me to keep the Carr-Saunders disco equipment (don't print that!).- My problem is that I find it extremely difficult to keep my personal life secret, although I try very hard by writing misleading and extremely nasty things about myself in "Beaver''. The whole of Carr-Saunders is humming about my latest romance with someone from another college. What can I do? YOURS FURTIVELY DEAR FURTIVE,—I really feel that I cannot comment on your letter. DEAR PENELOPE,—I am not sure whetRer you take letters from the "other side" but I have a problem which I cannot discuss with my other fellow academics. I feel so isolated in my sixth-floor office in Connaught House since the Nursery Action Committee stopped their occupation. Even the "Evening Standard" have only phoned me once in the last two months. Is there something that even my best friend won't tell me? I have asked Mr Pike about this and he treated me like a member of the Students' Union and refused to give me a straight answer. P.S.: I CAN'T GIVE MY NAME, BECAUSE I AM TOO IMPORTANT! DEAR ISOLATED,—Who are you ? I just can't think who you are and how did you manage to get hold of the Director's personal note-paper ? * * * If you have any problems of any nature then write to me: Penelope, enclosing a stamped addressed envelope if you wish a personal reply. HANG OUT THE FLAGS • • THE FESTIVAL ROLLS INTO ACTION! A .PROVISIONAL plan has been drawn up, and School and police co-operation sought. Houghton Street trembles on the brink of transformation with buntings (flags, in case you -weren't aware I) being sewn and an appeal to overseas students to supply their own national flags for display. Should be a lot of fun, and the more that turn out the merrier! But there's still a lot of work to be done, so all help gratefully and eternally appreciated. If you would be. willing to do anything, or have just got a spare hour or two, please contact Dick Sales through the Union Office in S.102. Festival on the move .. get on the bandwagon SO what's actually going to happen ? Here it is ; MONDAY, 1st DEC ; Evening: Geography Association Christmas Dance at King's College, with Barn Dance group and Rock 'n' Roll Group. Professional ' Disco. Games. Prizes. TUESDAY, 2nd DEC.: 1.00-2.00 Old Theatre. "Heavy Water."' Free. 12.00-4.00 Street Collection—General rampage! 7.00-10.30 Bar Night. Giant table'-football and ^ darts competition. With cash prizes and cups. Cheap beer (lOp pint) in the Bar. Concourse area : Free group, 'Salutations,' and Disco. , WEDNESDAY, 3rd DEC.: 11.00-3.00 : Three-legged pub crawl. Withspon-soi'ed entrances, a circuit of 12 pubs, drinking half-pint in each (for only 75p you get six pints). 7.00-8.00 ; Revue. See your own dearly beloved brethren make fools of themselves. All LSE cast. In the Old Theatre. 8.00-11.00 : Drama Society, presenting "Claws," an evil comedy/tragedy about class betrayal. Also in the Old Theatre. THURSDAY, 4th DEC.: 2.00-4.00 : Lincolns Inn Fields, "Fight of the Century." Come along and join the struggle—the adversary. King's College. Join our Rollarball team. Bare knuckle boxing. Remember to wear armour, jock straps, and so on ! 3.00-5.00: Drama Society, performance). "Claws" (second !,30-9.30: Bar. Strode Jackson, comedy/music -troupe. Free. professional 6.00-7.00 : University Challenge. Undergrads v. Grads. v. Admin, v. Academics. Professor Dahrendorf will be leading the grads.' team. Knockout competition. 6.30-8.00 Shaw Library. Music Society. Christmas Concert, including works by Boyce, Beethoven and Bach. FRIDAY, 5th DEC.: 1.00-2.00: Folk/Comedy, Nicol and Marsh. Free. In the Old Theatre. 2.00-5.00: Street-fair in Houghton Street / Garage. Stalls, exhibition, demonstrations. Grand Charity Auction. 8.00 p.m. - 2.00 a.m.: Festival Ball. Blues and Reds. Come as a Capitalist/Communist! Late bar in Refectory/O.T. Four groups-progressive, steel band, country dancing,, rock 'n' roll. Disco, food. Grand Raffie draw. £1 in advance or £1.25 on the night. SATURDAY, 6th DEC.: 8.00-11.00 : Concert, "Seventh Wave." Supper, bar, food, disco. IT'S YOUR FESTIVAL, AND IT'S UP TO YOU! BEAVER, Nov. 18Ui. 1975—Page Four WHERE DO WE SIT?- A students guide to the committees at the LSE THE motion urging the SU to tal Computer time allocation (5) *Comm on Undergraduate Studies ^16 Departmental staff student ooi»»-« Union resolves to take up places offered by the School to enable the SU to represent students' interests as strongly as possible. Union further resolves to press for representation and parity on all School Committees-delegates to be elected from the Union and shall report back to it. This policy shall be reviewed at the first UGM after the third week of this academic year second term." MISTAKEN BELIEF The reason for the decision in 1969 not to take up places on non-welfare committees but to take them up on the welfare ones remains a puzzle but "ours is not to reason why." Nevertheless the gesture resulted from the demand of the School to keep certain "reserved areas" and the refusal to allow the Students parity on those committees on which they had representation. Presumably behind the policy lay the mistaken belief that the School would grind to a halt without the co-operation of the students on the committees. On the contrary, one can imagine such as Mr Pike and Mr Alcock laughing behind their crocodile tears. BUREAUCRATIC FOG Since 1969 a bureaucratic fog has gradually fallen around those committees on which the Students are not represented. For instance, in 1972 the practice of sending agendas and minutes of most committee meetings was stopped. The case of the Accommodation Committee is an excellent example of a committee dealing with matters close to students' interests since it is concerned with the allocation of rooms made vacant by the library moving to Strand House. Yet all details remain a mystery to all but the Accommodation Committee. Indeed, last year "Beaver" heard from reliable sources that there was the possibility that no-one would gain anything from the move because the vacant rooms would just be used for more reserve stacks! In contrast to these cases, the Undergraduate Studies Committee made good headway last year with the students being well organised and often out-numbering the staff members. Indeed some constructive results were produced such as "Notes for Tutors." SCHOOL OBSTRUCTIVE It seems clear from these examples that the SU will make far greater progress by taking up the student places on the Committees, but it is equally clear that the School will not give up without a struggle; in fact the School' has proved to be rather obstructive on certain issues. On the question of Committees such as the Court of Governors, Building Library and Student Numbers, the School has acceded to the SU demand that elections for the representatives should be from the union floor. However, problems have arisen with regard to the Accommodation and CJeneral Purposes Committees since the elections for representatives will be on a departmental group basis (of which there are four) and there will be one representative from each departmental group. In practice this means 75 per cent of the electorate will be disenfranchised since students will only be able to vote for someone in their own department. Equally important is the fact that the initiative will be taken from the SU and there will be no comeback for Union. Such a standpoint from the School prompts one to inquire into underlying motives, for, why should the elections be on a departmental basis when the Accommodation and General Purposes Committees do not deal in the main with academic affairs ? Is it not likely that the School does not really want Students represented on these committees and so demands conditions unacceptable to the Union ? The problem now is what is to be the Union's reaction to the School's demands. At the present time the motion quoted above pledges the Union to take up the student places on the committees but it is likely that another motion will be proposed rejecting the School's conditions. S.D. BS The Committee Sysle COIVIIVIITTEES OF THE COURT OF GOVERNORS COURT OF GOVERNORS, meets once a term to discuss major questions affecting the development and work of the School. Delegates most of its powers, is in fact a rubber stamp. STANDING COMMITTEE, the principal committee meets monthly in term time and deals with all financial matters including approval for the creation, etc., of full-time teaching and administrative posts. No students. LIBRARY COMMITTEE, meets twice a term and advises on the general policy of the Library, its content, development of services and staffing. BUILDING COMMITTEE, meets twice in Lent and three times in Michaelmas and Summer terms and is concerned with the planning and execution of new building projects and major structural alterations. HON. FELLOWS COMMITTEE, meets once a year and considers proposals for the election of up to 10 new Hon. Fellows each year. No students. INVESTMENTS COMMITTEE, meets three times a year and advises on the School's investments. No students. AUGUSTE COMTE MEMORIAL LECTURESHIP COMMITTEE, meets when required to make arrangements. No students. HOBHOUSE MEMORIAL LECTURESHIP COMMITTEE, as previous committee. APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE, meets twice a term, recommends promotion and appointments of teaching and research staff to Court of Governors. No students. Selection sub - committees do tM work. RESEARCH COMMITTEE, meets twice a term, reviews research activities and use of School funds for external research. No students, STAFF RESEARCH FUND COM' MITTEE, meets twice a year, doles out funds for staff research. No students. COMMITTEES OF THE ACADEMIC BOARD ACADEMIC BOARD, meets twice a term, considers academic policy, "one non-existent student with no vote, i.e,. Students' Union President ACCOMMODATION COMMIT' TEE, meets once a term, who gets what room where. AUDIO VISUAL AIDS COMMIT' TEE, meets once a term, use of requirements, information on audio visual aids. CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE COMMITTEE, meets once a term or as required, advises on the management of the Careers Advisory Service.- COMPUTER SERVICES USERS COMMITTEE, meets once a term, no executive power, co-ordinates views of users on computer needs, and services. - GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE, meets twice a term (more if required), considers anytliing' not covered by anyone else, prepares things for the Board to consider. CONFERENCE GRANTS SUBCOMMITTEE (of General Piu^ poses Committee!, meets once a term, deals with claims for grants by staff going to academic confe^ ences. No students. GRADUATE SCHOOL COMMITTEE, meets twice a term (or more), admission to and organisation of graduate studies. No students. LO ¦EE, rgai n "1 NO iir frat rtth Bide PU neet lolic, nth tud« RE tOM (onn aeet ibvic nth 5C lOM lakt sud{ lad' aid< ST roM flvis ST 'EE, ider :e i ow ST IIT rdir Cho ;on. bov n n CO 101 iirl; tud( cc IRA ponsiUlities mostly to Standing Comm) LVfttiOtx) poigrad studs) omai Academic Policy (29) A Academic studs s/c (l2) 1 Computing s^c (I4) ¦ I Quinquennial s/c (I4) Admissions (26) * Athletics 5/13 * Refectory 5/l2 Safety 2/15 Student progress (5) Overseas student welfare 8/l2 Senior oommon room comm Admin staff common room Maintenance staff (9) Pension & LI (7) Admin & library staff (s) Rules & Regulations 5/l3 Discipline Panel (20) Student discipline (lO studs) stm-how it works IMDON LECTURES COMMIT- Hi, meets once or twice a year apises three lectures per year mlottdon." II9RTHERN STUDIES COM-IITTEE. meets once a year, JBCjes reciprocal academic visits Scandinavian countries. No lent?. 'UBLICATIONS COMMITTEE, ttr'i twice a term, publications Pfev and what gets published w the School's blessing. No sfelmts. lESIOENTIAL CONFERENCES QMMITTEE (sub-committee of QBitte? on Under-grad Studies), DRS as required, functions otco'iS from name but also deals wa reception of "freshers." ItHOLARSHIPS AND PRIZES CIHMITTEE, meets once a term, Mis conditions for scholarships ^atships, etc. Awards actually Oi; through sub-committee. No ^nts. ITUOENT HEALTH SERVICE OHHITTEE, meets once a term, atseson management of S.H.S. ITUDENT NUMBERS COMMIT- H, meets 2/3 times a year, con-tei the numbers of undergradu-giaduate admissions, also to many do what. iirgOENT RESIDENCE COM-ITTEE, meets as required, co: :^te5 management of all SbJls residential accommoda-tii lILL SUB-COMMITTEES (of ateei, meets once a term, advise onaanageraent of the Halls. WUTER TIME ALLOCA-TIM COMMITTEE, new but £ii;'f obvious what it will do. No StiMtS. COMMITTEE ON UNDER-OWaUATE STUDIES, meets twice a term, consultative function (i.e., no power), anything and everything to do with undergraduate teaching. The 16 Departmental Staff / Student Committees are sub-committees. COMMITTEES ADVISORY TO THE DIRECTOR ACADEMIC POLICY COMMITTEE, meets as required, not only, but also iriitiates, major developments of academic policy. No students. Has following sub-committees: ACADEMIC STUDIES SUBCOMMITTEE, no precise terms of reference. No students. COMPUTING SUB - COMMITTEE recommendations on provision of computer services. No students. QUINQUENNIAL SUB-COMMITTEE deals with London University five-year plan. No students. ADMISSIONS Committee, meets twice a term, considers/advises on matters relating to undergraduate admissions. No students. ATHLETICS COMMITTEE, meets once a term, advises on, management of athletic ground aiid recreational facilities. REFECTORY ADVISORY COMMITTEE, meets onte a term, considers/advises on management of catering services (not 3 Tuns or Florriesi. SAFETY COMMITTEE, meets once a term, reviews provision for fire, etc. STUDENT PROGRESS COMMITTEE, meets when necessary, considers exam failures. No students. WELFARE OF OVERSEAS STUDENTS COMMITTEE, meets once a term, equals panel of advisers to overseas students. BEAVER, Nov. 18th, 19:5—Page Five Pike -(Financial Sec) The smiling face of bureaucracy Academic • r Committees By now all Departments should have elected: (a) a Staff-Student Committee on which students should have parity (b) a representative for the Undergraduate Studies Committee. If your department has not elected one or other of these or if any students are finding difficulty in locating their departmental committees they should contact Ken Hume, c/o Student Union Office. Although these Committees have somewhat stuffy overtones and their machinery grinds exceedingly slow, they are important and will be of increasing importance as the present wave of Government cuts in education take effect at LSE. Another problem with which they will be involved is the proposed changes in the nature of the School—that is the move towards a "centre of excellence" or an all graduate school. Thus it can be seen that the LSE is facing fundamental changes in its structure and the effects on the academic life of the School shoiild not be underestimated. Therefore it is vital that in the academic politicing, which is at present going on at the LSE behind closed doors, the students are represented. As a contribution to developing a more coherent student opinion on academic affairs there will be a regular meeting to which I hope students will bring their problems/comments on academic matters. The meeting is open to all with, of course, a specific invitation to all student members of the Undergraduate Studies Committee and Departmental Staff-Student Committees to attend. The meetings will be on Thursdays from 12 to 7 p.m. in Room 100a. KEN HULME, Member of Exec responsible for Academic Affairs. Budget progress ON Tuesday, November 4th, at the Standing Committee of the Court of Governors, the Students' Union received its biggest per capita grant increase ever. The grant has been raised from £7.34 p.c. to £11.20 p.c., a rise of £3.86. Compared with the increase last year the Students' Union has done better in worse circumstances. The rise in 1974-75 waa only £1.94 p.c., of this 94p was for inflation and £1 for "growth". This year, the £3.86 increase has been due to £2.20 inflation and £1.66 "growth". Ralf changes his mind Before the meeting took place, the Director had previously offered the inflation amount £2.20 plus a growth element of 46p. Representations and a thorough arguing of the Union's case resulted in the Director changing his position to the extent that he convinced the meeting that an extra £1.20, to make up the. "growth" to £1,66 p.c.. was reasonable. However, althougli this represents a singular triumph, it still leaves the Union considerably short of its demand for a per capital grant of £17.32. In total money terms the £17.32 p.c. represents £37,404, which is some £20,000 more than the School's fundamental offer. However, the offer is not all it seems, for the School has floated the idea that the expenditure that it incurs for the Union and that which it does not charge the Union for should be treated in a different way. No new decor In toto. some £3,900 could be spent on cleaning, decorating and furnishing the Union's premises this year. The School has offered the Union that money to spend as it sees fit. If the decorating and furniture expenditure is defeiTed for a year, as the Finance and Executive Committees have suggested, some £3,300 could be released to lower the shortfall from £20,200 to £16,900. The Union expects other income and trading surpluses to total some £3,500 which could lower the shortfall to £13,400. This is adequately covered by the Union's reserves of some £20,000. Cosh flow problem What is not adequately covered is the cash flow problem of August and September, which amounts to some £9,700, at current prices. The problem arises because the Union's income does not flow in evenly— in fact it has little or no income during these two months. In order to prevent bankruptcy the ^hool has agreed to loan the Union money to finance itself, whilst this cash flow problem persists. All these short-term problems seem to have been solved, if not fully, to the liking of both parties. What has not been solved is how to get the Union's reserves back up to a level where they finance the cash flow problem period and thus guarantee Union autonomy, then to raise them further to finance the extra expenditure which will occur when the Union's premises are expanded. First indications suggest that inside three years, at present prices, the reserves will have to be increased by £20,000. This is the problem that the Union must now addi-ess itself to. P. TIMMINS, Senior Treasurer BEAVER. Nov. 18th. 18»5—Page Six FREEDOM FOR INDIA UNDER GANDHI? 1 WOULD first like to offer a few comments on the article "Crossroads for India" that was printed in "Beaver" last issue. I understand from Mr Davies that the fail-lire of democracy under Mrs Gandhi and her Congress provides every reason to abandon its practice. I would prefer to remedy it. Alter all, it is basically one party that is responsible for India's undemocratic democracy, so that after 200 years of oppression by aliens, Indians are now being suppressed by a few of their own compatriots. As Dr Nnamdi Azikive (who himself' fought for Nigeria's freedom and was the first President) once said "if independence means the substitution of alien rxile for an indigenous tyrant, then those leaders have not only desecrated the cause of human freedom, but they have betrayed their peoples." Mr Davies quotes the American Declaration of Independence stating that if a nation's ideals of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" cannot be met under an existing form of government, "it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish" that government. However, he forgets that the Declara- tion goes on to say that "to secure these rights (i.e. life, liberty and happiness) governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." Well, the Indian people have not been given the chance to pronounce on Mrs Gandhi's measures. It is very easy to say, whilst enjoying freedom, that freedom is dispensible, but perhaps appreciation only comes with loss. Mr Davies also remarks that "Hinduism still discourages the belief that man can influence his own fate, and therefore frustrates economic growth." I question the effect of religion on economic growth, and wonder if the statement is merely trying to excuse the Government's economic failures. Finally, it is stated that "the best course for India now is to convene a Constitutional Convention to hammer out an answer to the Question, "Where do we go from here?" Does Mr Davies seriously believe that anyone in India is allowed at the moment to suggest alternative policies to those adopted by Mrs Gandhi? She certainly wants no advice which differs from her own views. What of the measures themselves? It is claimed that the state Up to 40% off for partles-and the leader could go free! 407o off for parties of 10 or more full-time stucients and under 2rs. 30% off the return fare for undergraduates travelling to a holiday course at a French University, subject to certain conditions. 30% off too, for everyone in a party of 25 or more: 20% off for 10 or more. Bnter-rail Card. If you are under 21, £55.00* will buy you a month's unlimited travel in 19 countries. You travel comptetefy free as the leader of a party of 15 or more fare-paying passengers. Budget Holidays in Paris and the French Riviera. Ask for details of these 'all-in' holidays, run in conjunction with French Railways. Don't forget, midweek travel means extra comfort. 'Pricecorrect at time of soing to press. Please send me details of the following: Tick brochure required. General Timetable and Fares List, including students reduced •fares ? Inclusive Holidays ? Motorail Services | ¦; Sealink Car Ferries and Seaspeed Hovercraft 1 ¦ Name Address n of emergency was imposed to preserve democracy, and maintain the interests of the Indian people as a whole. However, if the rights of all individuals are withdrawn, very little would seem to remain for "society as a whole." Another assertion was that the opposition was thwarting Mrs Gandhi's plans. It is hard to see exactly how this could be so, when the Government had a two-thirds majority in Parliament, and a majority in 21 out of the 22 state legislatures of the Indian Union. It seems more probable that the Government was either unwilling to initiate reforms, or to implement them. Many people have claimed that if Mrs Gandhi had resigned after the Allahaabad court's judgment, no-one could have fulfilled her position. I would claim that no person is indispensable; even the death of Msihatma Gandhi did not cause India to collapse. Inevitably, someone came to take his place, and' when Lai Bahadur Shastri died, and the same problem arose, Mrs Gandhi was given the biggest majority in Indian history. Certainly such reasons do not excuse the arrest of 60,000 people, few of whom were tried or even told what offence they had committed. Further, the claim that dictatorship is the only answer ,to India's problems is hardly valid; for, in many ways, Mrs Gandhi has had dictatorial powers since the 1971 elections and the Bangladesh War, e.g. in the appointment and dismissal of Cabinet Ministers. Even so, she claimed, she could not function effectively. True the price of food has gone down this year, but mainly as a result of a good harvest and, more important, dehoarding. What will happen next year, after the monsoons fail? Even now as dehoarding ends, some prices are going up, and the Congress Party's "20 points" economic programme seems already forgotten. It was supposed to be implemented by December 31st 1975 but 50 days before the deadline little seems tohave been done. It forms a pretty gloomy picture, and Mrs Gandhi's present measures are depressing. I myself am of the opinion that ideals nobler than political power are required to guide India's leaders and people if we are to find salvation. NILESH DATTARI L' FRBKH RAILWAYS 179 Piccadilly, London WIV DBA _J C0/HIIN© SC€N AJ ILSIE ifllilM §•€€ <» m m TUESDAY, 18 NOV. CERT X SLEEPER Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Directed by Woody Allen Miles Monroe, neurotic jazz musician and health food faddist, wakes from 200 years of suspended animation into a society which combines the worst excesses of Disneyland with those of 1984, He exchanges the role of'domestic robot in the home of a female poet-sophisticate for that of a Jewish Flash Gordon waging war on the ruling dictatorship in the zaniest comedy of the decade. THURSDAY, 20 NOV. IN THE TOWN OF S TUESDAY, 25 NOV. LADY SINGS THE BLUES, CERT X Diana Ross Directed by Sydney J. Furie The story of the life and times of Billie Holliday who progressed from scrubbing steps in Harlem to Carnegie Hall as an acclaimed exponent of the blues. Gradually the drug habit becomes an addiction, she is arrested and has her licence as an entertainer revoked. Out of prison she goes on tour but gets hooh€d again and dies, penniless, at the age of 44 from an overdose. THURSDAY, 27 NOV. BLAZING SADDLES CERT AA Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, AAadeBine Kahn, Directed by Mel Brooks Mel Brooks's classic pastiche of the American West which has become a modern classic in cinematic humour. (¦i^ Denotes special door price) Mel Brooks in "BEazing Saddles." The film society has undergone a change of policy since last year. Now the -aim is to show new and poptjlar feature films rather than those of a more artistic nature, This means that generally more students want to see the films so the Old Theatre becomes crowded very quickly. The moral is get there arly. Sporting Beaver Rugby revival Radical changes in the administrative system of the Rugby Club seem to be on the point of paying off. . After a disappointing result at Sussex in the UAU tournament, when the LSE went down 34—6, the team survived a near bus disaster and a punishing first half against Surrey to fight back in the second half before losing 25—13. Points scorers for the LSE were S. Derbyshire, M. Thomas, R. Williams and C. M. Hughes. However, an encouraging sign at the weekend, when the RNVR were trounced 40—6, augurs well for the final UAU fixture against Kent on the 19th. The Second XV also fancy their chances at Kent but are unfortunately disqualified from the tournament. C.L. Unexpected success WITHIN a period of eight days, LSE leapt from obscurity into limelight as far as the university sports scene was concerned. Wednesday October 29th found 11 players plus a "press-ganged" mascot on their way to Sussex University. LSE's strength lies in the fact that nobody knows its strength. Not only are we an unknown proposition as far as every team we play is concerned, we quite often know very little about our own team's players, or the formation we are to play in. We went into the Sussex game with nothing to lose, and gave them a rude shock when we scored within five minutes of the start. Prom then on, except for sporadic breaks, the rest of the game took on the shape of a battle for survival as Sussex mounted attack after attack. But with Ms S as our mascot, we survived and won. On Sunday November 2nd LSE won the University six-a-side hockey championships. We won our preliminary matches fairly easily and the team reached the semi-finals by beating reigning champs QMC in a most exciting encounter. In the semi-finals and the final we had the dubious distinction of winning our games without scoring. But we won all the same! On November 5th, no longer unknown, we played Surrey and lost. Everything went wrong including starting off with only ten men. This defeat has opened our eyes to oiu-faults and shown us where our weaknesses lie. Significantly, the mascot was absent that day. Our newfound wisdom should make us ¦ an even more difficult proposition for our future opoonents. R.K.V. BLAVER, Nov 18th, 1975—Page Seven: Reviews SHAW AND THE RSC WRITTEN lu late life, when he was 72, one cannot help feeling that Shaw had finally abandoned any attempt to produce a play that, besides being an outlet for his own social dogma, would also provide good entertainment. Instead, like the protagonist of the play, "Too True to be Good," he preaches. Characters come and go, remaining pasteboard symbols of social problems, and between them they discuss the usual themes of class determination, middle-class morality, and so oti. However, for all his criticisms, Shaw has little that is constructive to offer in place of the existing order, and, finally can only bemoan the fate of a preacher without a message. It takes a great deal of skill, ingenuity and imagination to transform such a play into anything that is theatrically acceptable, but somehow the RSC seem to manage It. By a combination of brilliant acting — judi Dench in particular — pace of production, which allows the longest of the diatribes to at least pass quickl.v, and cleverly designed sets, Interest is held, and one even comes away feeling that it was an evening vv-ell spent. But the credit must the RSC's and not Shaw's. N.T. LI and L2 by Fred Willets If you have a spare lunch-hour, then a visit to the Almost-Free Theatre is well worth it. It is situated in Rupert Street, off Leicester Square, about 15 minutes' walk from LSE, and admission is what ever you can afford. The play itself consists of 40 minutes' discussion between two bicycle lamps, one male and philosophical, the other female and rather more hedonistic. If this sounds daunting, let me assure you that the play is very well written and extremely witty. One warning though — wrap up warmly, the theatre is freezing. N.T. 1 Judi Dench (The Countess/Nurse Sweetie Simpkins), Ian McKelien (Aubrey Bagot / The Burglar), Anna Calder-Marshall (Miss Mopply / The Patient). International Firms and Modern Imperialism ed: Hugo Radice INTRODUCED and edited by Hugo Radice, this book contains a selection of writings dealing with the Internationalisation of capital and its relation, on the one hand, to individual nations, and, on the other, to private'firms. The inadequacies in both neo-classical and Keynesian analysis leave many questions untouched, claims Radioe, while Marxist thought in this sphere has been so dominated by Leninist dogma that little stimulating discussion has been forthcoming. This book itself does not-claim to be impartial; most of the authors write from a Marxist standpoint, IFs become intrinsically linked to the theory of imperialism, and the purpose of the book is spelt out as furthering understanding of both of these, in order to promote the struggle against them. Indeed, it ends resoundingly with Allende's 1972 speech to the UN, attacking American companies and the political machinations of ITT. Broadly the arguments centre on four issues; first, the relationship between the development of the capitalist world economy and the spread of IFs; second, the connection between capital and the state — the clashes between IPs and nation states reflect a broader conflict between national and international movements of capital; third, the conflicts of different national groups of capital — will imperialist rivalries increase or decline?—and finally, how^ IFs affect underdeveloped countries, and the question of technological dependence. The most interesting articles seem to come in this last section, but the whole book provides a very lucid exposition of the authors' standpoint, relatively free from dogma or cliches. N.T. ENTSNEWS FIRSTLY, Ents "Would like to apologise for the nonappearance of the Chapman-Whitney Streetwalkers concert (November 15th) as billed in the previous issue of Beaver. The actual full explanation for this is rather complex, but suffice to say that essentially the band's management decided, probably due to the. fact that the album and single were doing rather well they felt Justified in asking us to inflate our proposed ticket price by 25 per cent. We felt that we were •morally unable to do this so the date was blown. Nevertheless, it may be possible to promote the band in the larger hall at the London College of Printing some time in the future, where it is possible to hold administration prices to a reasonable level. It might interest you to know that Ents is running at a fairly healthy profit level this term thanks to the brilliant successes of John Luc Ponty and Colosseum II. This situation enables us to lay on some very fine entertainments for the Festival week. Firstly, on Pi-iday, December 5th, we have Nicol and Marsh, one of the finest acoustic acts touring at present, playing the Old Theatre at lunch-time (free). Later that day (i.e. 7.30 p.m. to about 2.30 a.m.) we have the grand festival ball which should be a pretty incredible five hours of non-stop entertainment in the theatre, refectory, etc., with a steel band, a rock 'n'. roll band, a country dance band, a couple of major films and, topping the bill, the London debut and Press premiere of Brand X, whose line-up includes four of the world's best rock musicians, two of them being Phil Collins (Genesis drummer and Mike Garson (Bowie's Spiders from Mars). On the night of Saturday, December 6th, we hava Seventh Wave plus support. Seventh Wave are without doubt the world's most accomplished and powerful keyboard band. Apart from an amazing stage show (reported on some weeks ago in Beaver) including fire-breathing keyboard players and numerous other theatrical effects, the band play a mixture of progressive rock styles using mellatron. moog synthesiser, Hammond organ, harmonium and electric piano as lead instruments. Their new album, Psi Pfi, on Gull records, is bound to make them a household name. See them at LSE on December 6th at 80p. It may well be your last chance at that sort of price. We are also negotiating for a major concert on Saturday, November 29th, but no details yet. Your friendly Ents Committee SYBIL by F. R. Schreiber (Penguin) 75p FOR over thirty years Sybil thought she suffered from amnesia. Not until she escaped from the fanatically religious environment of her parents and consulted a psychiatrist did she discover that during the period of time which she could not recollect, her body was controlled * by one of sixteen different personalities, each of which regarded itself as autonomous despite being aware of the other characters with which it shared the body. This book is the fascinating factual report of the causes, symptoms and, happily, the cure of a case of multiple personality, a rare mental illness. Sybil, the patient, was brought up in the twenties in a mid-west American town and subjected to such sadistic treatment from her mother, that in order to survive she relegated aspects of her personality, such as anger or memory, into separate personalities inhabitii^g her unconscious mind. Thus when a particular situation' arose which aroused intolerable memories she dissociated into one of these other personalities which was capable of dealing with the situation. None of these personali-. ties however, including the conscious self, was complete, but each was an autonomous part of the whole. The task of the psychiatrist was to break down their autonomy and fuse them together. Extraordinarily, no one discovered Sybil's mother's sadistic behaviour or Sybil's dissociations until she was over thirty, despite the fact that the longest dissociation had lasted for . two years. From an entertainment point of view, the first two to three hundred pages of this four hundred page book are enthralling as symptoms and causes are unravelled. Subsequently, as the cure approaches, the book has less interest, and is without any pretensions to being liter-A-ture. M.E.O. THE TAY POETS IT is notoriously difficult to review a compendium of poems, and here the difficulty is heightened by the variety of this, the 15th series of poems published by the East Carolina University Poetrj- Forum. However there is, throughout the selection, a characteristic flavour which transcends the apparent diversity. Perhaps this can best be described as a fundamental emphasis on the eternal poetic themes of the beauty of nature, power of emotion etc. Included in each series is a contribution by an invited guest poet_ this time it is Denver University doctoral student Doug McReynolds. The centrepiece and longest poem of the collection is, McReynolds' four part "Vintage Season". Part Four; Autumn of this work, in a sense, echoes Keat's 1817 "Ode to Autumn"^ once again bringing out the timeless equality of the seasonal cycle. For example compare Keats's "Season of mists and mellow fruit-fulness. Close bosom friend of -tiie maturing sun ..." 'With McReynolds's "This is the vintage of the year. Look around! We've brought thee here. To gather fruit in harvest time. To capture summer in the wine." Despite the possible criticism that . the subject matter "and style of the works have little relevance in an age of social transformation and cosmic poetry, I can honestly say that I have greatly enjoyed the series, which I fully recommend to you all. LOTS OF LISZT QUITE a week for Liszt fans with the release of two films about him; an orthodox view of his life by a Russian director, Marton Keleti and a rather more novel version by our own Kennie Russell. Both were enjoyable in their own ways, although the "Love of Liszt" (the Russian film) is long, and anyone unfamiliar with Liszt's works might find it hard going. However, the musical production was first-rate, ,w;ith straightforward production ' and direction, and essentially the film was a narrative, not attempting to shed any great light on the workings of the composer's mind. "Lisztomania" is totally different. From the opening scene, where Roger Dalrey, who plays Liszt, is seen kissing Maria's nipples in time to a metronome which she keeps speeding up, we are presented with a succession of visual treats whose main elements are opulence and phalli. The latter are of varyiiig sizes, from large to unbelievable, and I can quite believe that Liszt's genius was not his only immense feature. The music is specially ar- 1 anged by the much-maligned Wakerian, whose interesting treatment complements the fantastical style. Wakerian appears in a gue.st role as Thor, and his major contribution is to grunt, and piss on a fire, receiving a kick in the groiu for his pains. Lola Montez and George SaM are portrayed as groupies, aaid Liszt's audiences are female an« noisy, so that Liszt himself is seeu as a 19th-century precursor of our rock superstars. Dalrey is no new' Olivier, although he attacks the sex-scenes with the vigour of a veteran troubadour. Ringo Starr is in there somewhere, playing the Pope in a Liverpudlian monotone. The -females are delectable and lusty Liszt is always willing. Although it sounds' as if the film is a succession of sexual gymnastics, there is some interesting imagery, while the idea of Hitler as a monster born out of Wagner's music is fascinating. If you like Russteil. you'll like this. BEAVER, Nov. 18th. 1975—Page Eight NUS Conference THE 2ntl NUS Conference of 1975 witi be held in two weeks at Scarborough, that is between the 5th and the 8th of December. It is NUS practice to hold two conferences each year, in April and December. The December conference is more important in that the Budget is discussed, so now is a crucial time for the NUS and student unions generally. Both conferences are policy-making but obviously support for a policy depends on an allocation of money, which has to be ratified by the forthcoming conference. We at the LSE are sending seven representatives who were elected last Friday and they are split into four delegates and three observers. They have the power of 3,016 votes which is the membership of the l.SE Union. Although the agenda is vague now and will be until a few days before the conference actually commences, the two main debates which will see most activity, argument and aggression will concern the education cuts with the possi- DELEGATES Crispin O'Brien Peter Tirrjnins Ken Spencer Wanda Goldwag OBSERVERS Christine Rutson Maggie O'Brien Tony Brown bility of further cutbacks in 1976, and the whole system of Grants. The agenda is formed by first of all accepting motions from Student Unions all over the country and then listing them arbitrarily. .A copy of this list is then sent back to the Unions •who prioritise the motions. Thai is, they put in order The motions which they think are most important. So if there are 100 motions they are placed in order of preference from 1 to 100. These prioritised lists are all pooled and a final agenda worked out which is theoretically used for the con- last-niinute additions and subtrac-ference. However there are always tions and consequently the agenda has "0 be flexible and allow for thtrn. With this very large programme it means that each day lasts from 9 in the morning to midnight, although Friday evening is slightly different as it gets off to a rousing start with the President's speech followed by procedural and agenda wrangles. Unfortunately, however, the LSE were unable to submit any motions for this conference, on account of an untimely quorum call at a Union meeting which meant the deadline for submission of motions could not be met. This is a shame because surely the LSE wants to be recognised as a campaigning Union which can manage its affairs sufficiently well to at least pass some motions for submission for discussion at the Conference. That not one motion on the agenda at Scarborough will be an LSE one is a great pity and is a sad reflection of a Union which could be constructive if there was a more serious attitude to important affairs. Bar bans NICE friends the Union's General Secretarj' has; on Friday, 7th November, four such people were banned from the Bar until the end of this term. It appears that the delicacies on sale were not sufficient for their rapacious appetites, and they began eating the glasses. When stools also started flying. Bar Manager, Ted Carter, evicted them. The authority of the Bar Manager to take such action stems from the motion passed at a recent Union Meeting, (31st October). Divided into twa parts, it condemned the exploitation by drug-pushers, and, in jorder to ensure that authorities do not withdraw the Bars licence, gave Bar Staff :he right to throw out anyone involved in illegal or disruptive activity. You have been warned! Seminar A seminar on overseas students' problems will be held on November 18th, from 12 noon to 2 p.m. in the St. Clements's Concourse area. The meeting- will be informal, and will be addressed by :— Half Dahrendorf (the Director) Trevor Phillips (ULU President) Vishna Sharma (from the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants) ^Paul Crofts (head of NUS International Students' Committee). All students invited, and overseas students are especially welcome. Feel free to bring drinks and sandwiches from the Bar. J,S. Welfare in action ACTION at last; On the 3rd November, the first meeting of the Nursery Committee finally took place, with Dr. Leigh, Chairman of the Student Health Service ; Mr Braybrook, the Committee's secretary; Dr. Payne, head of the Student Health Service ; Elana Ehrlich. Student Welfare Officer; Student Union representatives and both staff and student "parents. The matron of the nursery will also sit on the committee once she has been appointed. • Discussion; The Nursery will be in Parish Hall as planned, and the conversion plans were • brought up. These have had verbal confirmation from Westminster Council, and alterations and building will commence when written confirmation is received. Hopefully, the nui'sery will be comipleted by the New Year. Regulatiorts concerning the nursery will be based on those of University College and other similar nurseries, and various decisions on registration, mledical arrangements, etc. v.ere taken. A Hardship Fund is to be established, after which the lowest possible fees which can be charged will be decided upon. There will be a one-day appeal for money for the fund, on 27th November, and both staff and students -.yill be asked to contribute. A circular from the Director will be sent to academic and administrative staff, and, hopefully, £1,000 will be raised to assist parents wishing to use the nursery, but unable to afi'ord the fees. J.D. A COPY OF THE DIRECTOR'S CIRCULAR ON Thursday, November 27th, the Student Health Bcrvice Committee and the Student Union will be fcppealing for money from all members of the academic and administrative staff and the student ifcody so that no parent be debarred by lack of money from using the facilities. This appeal has the full isupport of the Director. We hope to raise £1,000 to be held by the School as a hardship fund for parents Who may wish to use the nursery and who may not be able to afford the fees. The fund will be administered by a sub-committee of the Student Health Service Committee. You may wonder why such a fund as this is necessary after the School has generously provided premises and some monies to cover deficits in operation. Unfortunately the operation of a nursery is costly. Pi-operly qualified staff must be engaged. There will inevitably be some expenditure for equipment. The result is that, in common with other nurseries in the area, our nursery must charge fees ¦which some parents will find it difficult to meet. Our response to this problem is, therefore, to to hold a one-day appeal for funds. If everyone could be persuaded to contribute, even a quite small sum, we will be able to attain our objective. We hope and we believe that you will be prepared to help. Trip to Sfortehenge .'iN outing has been arranged ty the Students' Union on Sunday, November 30th to Stonehenge. The cost is only £1.00 and the coach will leave Carr-Saunde.'s at S.30, and LSE at lO.OO. Ideal for overseas students, and anyone stuck in halls on a Sunday — come with us and see Salisbury and Stonehenge, second only to LSE as one of the world's greatest wonders, A seat can be reserved by seeing Elana Ehrlich in S.lOO, or by phoning her at 405 7686, as soon as possible. And still more ... In conjunction with Project Tours, students are offered places on the following: (i.i A weekend :n S. Wales, leaving London 16.00 on Friday, December 5th and returning Sunday evening, with accommodation ax-ranged, and visits to Tmtern Abbey, Brecon Beacons, Ofia's Dyke, and the Roman fort at Caerjeone — cost £19.95. (ii) One-day trip to Oxford and the Tharr.es Valley, leaving London 9.30, Sunday, December 14th, with a tour of the colleges and the town itself — cost £2.60. Details from Elaaa as above. Millennium The facts behind the white-faced ghosts of Portugal Street. Cjeative chaos is everywhere and especially in the ofBce of the School's Journal of International Studies, "Millennium". The latest issue—already a super hit on the bookstalls—has left members of the editorial board broken down from, sheer exhaustion. But in the pale, hollowed faces of the survivors flickers a ray of hope. They know you will join the struggle to defeat elitism, renounce hegemony and buy "Millennium". Everyone is equal. Everyone has go to buy "Millennium"! Dig deep holes and go and read "Millennium" in them! The latest issue drips 'with the blood of a thousand shattered shi'D-boleths; SALT, the EEC, farm force, international pollution law, foreign policy analysis, plus full supporting cast. Half-price to students! Classified IWlOm ABORTION CAMPAIGN SAYS WTl'tt liflESaKT ([OMlTfEE cf Commons j 2and€pm I iretMfs-aoftev. RALLY Trafalg^rSq. 2-4f.m Speakers: Music d $«t22Nov« Ti tt aboHjon on awmaiis nglit to cKcc2« Lonely in London ? PEOPLE of all backgrounds have chosen Dateline as the way. to make new friends. Econcmii-ts— come in from the cold and find a warnjer social life through Dateline. Write now to Dateline (BV), 23 Abingdon Rfiad. London. W8, or ring 01-937 6503 (24 hours). This "Beaver" was produced by Sheree Dodd, Richard Blac-kett, Phil Bur, Nikki Ttai, v?it'n help from Mungo Deans, Mary Butterworth, 'Wynn Tol-man, Clare Lynch, Anton Chapman, Paul Brown, and ethers. All opinions expressed in the paper are those of the writers. (S) licndon School of Economics, and Students' Union, 1&75. i-' Mass picket of the Old Bailey cn Thursday, November 20th, to DEFEND B-WNIC 14. Assemble Houghton Street, 12 midday. 1 O V.v>^ kS^. <¦ u So K>