The Beaver 3rd December, 1990 Newspaper of the London School of Economics Student Union Issue 330 Taylor budgets for £12,000 deficit 7 by Swaha Pattanaik & Steve Bradford The 1990-91 budget presented by Senior Treasurer, Mel Taylor, at last Thursday's Union meeting, predicted the Student Union would face a £12,000 deficit by the end of this academic year. The deficit is not as large as the £40,000 expected by some, and Taylor said it should not worry students. At the UGM she said last year's SeniorTreas-urer, Caroline Clarke, had bu dg-eted for a deficit of £21,500 but ended the year with a surplus of over £38,000 Taylor said that the LSESU's 8.15% increase in its block grant was below the current level of inflation and that this meant a cut in the SU's real. She said this was 'particularly unaccept-ablegiven the comparatively low level of income we already receive'. She also added that the LiSESU received one of the lowest per capita grant levels of all comparable London colleges. In the introduction to the budget Taylor wrote, 'Conservative policies have produced an epidemic increase in poverty, forcing thousands of people into the street.' She went on to say. The resignation ofThatcher has taught us that she is not invincible. It should also teach us that capitalism can be defeated. As individuals and as a collective institution we ha ve a part to play in campaigning for freedom and equality.' Certain sections of the UGM questioned the insertion of such partisan comments into the document but she defended herself by saying, 'I was electod on a political platform and thoro-fore I will continue to make my political opinions known.' Spendingon Welfare has been cut by about 3% this year and the Hardship fund has cut by 1% despite a 60% increase in applications to the Fund. This has been seen by some in the Union as compromising Taylor's commitment to Welfare. The SeniorTreasurer described the Hardship fund as a Tjottom-less pit' into which the entire Welfare and Societies budgets could be poured. She claimed the answer was to put pressure on the School to inciease the SU's block grant rather than to spend the whole budget on the Fund. While Taylor admitted the Welfare Service and staff were being overstretched she said that provision had been made in the budget for employing more student stalT. The Senior Treasurer was ch al le ngod by certai n sect i 0 n s 0 f the UGM over the decision to spend £14,000 affiliating to the NationalUnionofStudents. Ex-chair of the LSE Conservative Association. Chris Pincher, claimed'external alfairs expenditure was the only bottomless pit' and that the NUS provided the LSESU with no useful services. Taylor replied that it was in f the I^ESU's financial and po- litical intcj-ests to alliliatc to NUS. She said that the .SU was able to obtain cheap provisions through the National Students Supplies Organisation. However, Pinchcr pointed out that it was not necessary to be a member of the NUS to u.se NSSO. General Secretary, Rob Mid-dleton, said he had, 'no problems with the budget al all'. He added, 'Going by the evidence of last year, it is not unreasonable to expect the £12,000 deficit to turn out to be a balance. The odds arc we are not going to spend everything we are planning to." Thisycarthc Athletics Union received £54,900, or 13.8% of total student expenditure. Although this allocation has boon criticised by some in the Union, itisa fixed expenditure, enforced con.stitutionally by the School. The constitution states that the AU's budget should be 20% ol' that part of the Union's budget, which has not been 'earmarked'. However, .some feel that this makes the AU unaccountablc to the Union, since their expenditure can not be challenged at the SU budget meeting. It would be possible to circu m-ve^l this constitutional 'dil'li-culty' by 'earmarking' a larger proportion ofthe Union's expenditure. However, .such a move is likely to antagonise the AU's lai-ge membership. Also it would reduce the extent to which students have a say in the annual bu dget. • Editorial page 6 Mel Taylor presents the case for the budget PHOTO: TIMNA ROSENHEIMER UL departments to close by Madeline Gwyon Proposals to shut several of Queen Mary and Westfield College's departments following to recoup the colleges £1.8 million deficit, have sparked fierce student opposition. Although £800,000 has already been eliminated from the deficit, the College's council. Professor Graham Zellick, has suggested that loss making departments should bear the brunt of the cuts in expenditu re. Zellick's paper recommends that the cuts begin with the Mediterranean Studies department, which has 93 students and 8 staff, which should be closed. Although Zellick insisted that students already in this department would be allowed to complete their degree, he said he wanted the department to be shut down as soon as possible. One of the biggest departments making a loss. Biological Sciences, faces the prospect of major changes. Although the department is one of the largest in the field in the University of London, the new recommendations propose to reduce the College's losses by streamlining it. The College's Engineering department has an average annual deficit of £200,000 and has been told that it must come up with its own proposals to cut costs. The Student Union President, Richard Learwood, said the present staHi ng levels was likely to be cut by two-thirds. Zellick claimed,'It may not be that many but it's impossible to give any figures at this early stage in the proceedings.' These discussions have provoked anger and confusion from students and staff at the College. One first year biologi.st, Lucinda Monbiot, said, 'I was ab.solutely shocked bc-cause it was totally out ofthe blue. I now feel loath to stay on here.' Head of the Centre for Research in Aquatic Biology, Patrick Denning, was saddened by this comment. 'That's a terrible indictment of what we're doing to our .students, isn't it? We encourage them to come up here andwedoourbest forourunder-graduates and then other people turn round and kick them in the face.' Shortly after the final amalgamation of Queen Mary College and Westfield College last year the University Funding Council (UFC) recommended that more emphasis should be placed on the arts rather than the sciences in higher education establishments as they are cheaper to fund. A lecturer in Marine Biological Sciences, Robert Hughes, said, 'I don't think the story has broken yet or that the implications on Britain in the next century have been properly realised.' Ho claimed that the result of any changes made to the biological sciences depait-ment would be a large reduction in the choice available to students. It is widely believed that the College intends to pursue the so-called Option D from a document circulated by Zellick. This states, 'It is neccssary to ask whether the Biological sciences is able to sustain a cut of £700,000 and remain academically viable.' The document adds that it is essential to consider the possibility of the closure of the department. 'In this option, some very limited activity from Biological Sciences could be retained in connection with basic Medical Sciences. The consequence of this option is that immediate cuts are confined, that the damage is contained, and that by protecting departments and redistributing funded student numbei-s, the surviving departments are strengthened for the future.' QMW students have responded to the proposals by organising a march on December 5th. They have urged all University of London students to support the action and claim they are not the only University of London college which will bo facing such cuts. 2 NEWS The Beaver,3rd December, 1990 Loans company ^overspending' by Beaver Staff The Government-funded Student Loans Company has consumed £123.3 million of the education budget this financial year-£31.8 million in excess of the original White Paper estimates. The revalation has provoked a furious response from those who have opposed student loans. This year, loans totalling less than £8 million have been paid or applied for, although the_ number is expected to rise sharply by the summer term. A spokesman for the Association of University Teachers said, 'It would have been cheaper to have given the money as grants rather than spending a fortune trying to persuade students to take loans few seem to want. In the light of the funding crisis in higher education, it is a grossly irresponsible misuse of public money.' Labour's spokesman on higher education, Andrew Smith, said, 'Such overspending is scandalous. The LabourParty has attacked all along the basis on which the Government based its administrative costings, and given that the take-up of student loans is so muchlowerthan expectations, it is all the more outrageous that thecosts should exceed estimates.' Bristol University announced on Tuesday that it faced a deficit of £4 million with little prospect of any help coming from the Government. Academics at Bristol fear the only option left will be to intreoduce stringent stafTmg cuts. A university spokesman, Don Carlton, said that badly-needed money was being wasted on the student Loans company. 'Out of the 7500 or so students at Bristol University only 745 have applied for the government loan,' he said. 'So it hasn't been a raving success. This has always been a cack-handed scheme. We told anyone who would listen that it wouldn't work and it doesn't.' The Glasgow based Student Loans Company declined to comment. A spokesman for the Department of Education and Science confirmed that the Government had overspent its original estimates, but denied that this in itself was very significant or that the loans scheme had been rejectedby the student body. "The White Paper estimates were made a long time ago,' said the spokesman. The take-up rate is relatively low at present, but we expect this to change, especially as grant cheques run out and students begin to feel the pinch.' LSE Press Officer, Iain Crawford, said, 'Administrative costs aside, £109 million has been allocated from the higher education budget ju st to provide capital for the Student Loans Company which might never be used. This cannot be recovered this year, thus precluding its use to solve the present funding crisis. 'The real problem is that these fu nds should have been obtained from the private sector in the first place, which would have meant that the entire £109 million could have been redirected to financing the expansion in higher education, which we all agree should be our first priority.' HA.14- Hall entries to be centralized by Half Yves-Zurbegg A School working committee is considering proposals to centralize hall admissions. According to Assistant Secretary, Robert Smith, a new accommodation office shouldbe operating by the next academic year. At the moment the committee is still 'brain storming' for new ideas. Although the amount of resources that will be made available is not yet clear. Smith hopes it will be enough to allow the new service to cover the requirements of all students. Smith claimed the new service would also be able to deal with private student accommodation as well as LSE and intercollegiate halls. Head' leasing could also take place whereby the School would be held responsible for damages caused on property leased to students. It is hoped the centralized system will make it easier to reject those students applying for halls who have earlier caused damage to accomadation. Smith made it clear that the ofiice would coordinate and not control LSE accommodation. "The great advantage of having this office, will be that a student seeking information on accommodation will simply be able to come up to one centralized unit and find everything they need.' There appears to be a general agreement that the School's Accommodation Office will complement the Students Union's offices. However, it is acknowledged that problems concerning the extent of the wardens' control over halls will still exist. It is also feared the new system will not completely eradicate the current problem of unoccupied hall places. Hostage birthday celebrated by Dave Viney Last Tuesday students from various Student Unions around the country celebrated the 34th birthday of John McCarthy, Honarary President of the LSESU. Students from Hull University deUvered a petition signed by 3000 people to No. 10 Downing Street last Monday, calling for more active efforts to achieve McCarthy's release. Leader of the delegation and President of Hull SU, Neal Davies, suggested that a new PM may lead to 'a change in direction on policy toward hostages'. He was also 'glad to see that there has been a restoration of diplomatic links with Syria', believing them to be the clear power-brokers in the Lebanon at present. Other students across the country marked McCarthy's 4th birthday in captivity with events and commemorations. Last Thursday, his father officially opened the 'McCarthy's bar* at Warwick University. President of warwick SU, Ian Bradley, described the affair as low-key... a few local reporters and a largely student audience'. Goldsmiths staged a more lavish birthday party in their Concourse, complete with a cake, jazz band, speaker and video. Copies of the 'Friendship' book were sold and organisers, Helen de Winter and Jo Bear, seemed happy that their message had been conveyed successfully. However as one student com- mented, 'It'skindofhardto have fun at a birthday party when the birthday boy can't make it.' Last Tuesday, in an informal ceremony attended by various members of the Friends of John McCarthy, the Mayor officially unveilled the John McCarthy Clock now affixed to the frontage of Camden Town Hall. The clock which keeps count of the number of days McCarthy has been held in captivity, is intended by to keep the issue alive in the public's minds. Tories back Crisis by Awenna Williams The LSE Conservative Association is cooperating with the charity, Crisis, at Christmas to help alleviate the suffering of the homeless. Lee Marriot, Vice-Chairman of the LSE Conservatives, explained the reasons for the group's decision to back the charity. 'We want to show we're not just political hacks and we care about the homeless.' However he also believed the homeless were to blame for their own situation: 'Many of them are people who left home of their own volition. The government provides housing, and they are just lazy for not getting on the housing lists.' As part oftheircampaign, last Wednesday a speaker from Crisis spoke at an open meeting held by the Association on the because of local councils' inability to provide permanent housing- The speaker said the main reason for the sudden explosion in the figures was the lack of cheap housing. He alleged that the amount of rented accomodation available had fallen from 7.2 million in 1976 to 6.2 million in 1989. Wolfe also stressed the social significance of the large numbers of homeless. He said the importance of a home went beyond that of shelter, and claimed it was essential in giving people a sense of security, and a desire to plan for the future. Wolfe said, 'In the last ten years numbers olj^homeless has doubled. This & a grave and serious problenii^d we urge the new governm4tet to look into the problem as a matter of urgency.' The speaker stressed that Crisis had no political affiliations and added that the group was hoping to expand their activities to encompass the country. Old clothes and tins of food are being collected in a box outside the lodge. They will be distributed at a temporary shelter organised by Crisis for the week around Christmas, from the 22nd to the 29th, continuing a 20 year tradition. The Beaver, 3rd December, 1990 NEWS 3 Aquaintance rape at university A recent survey at Oxford University revealed widespread sexual harassment. Gail Colwell investigates aquaintance rape at the LSE and examines student Union policy on the issue. LSE date rape Recent statistics indicate first-year femalp University stu dents, unusei^iftew social standards and exg^nded amou ntsofdrink-ing, c^frte at particular risk of being raped. Women are most in danger of being raped by someone they know, and they are especially vulnerable between the ages of 10 and 29. Acquaintance rape, or 'date rape', is particularly prevalent among college women according to experts. However Head Union Counselor at LSE, Joanna Best, said she had seen relatively few cases of date rape here. LSE Health Services Counselor, Caroline Polmear, commented that she too had not advised many date rape survivors. Polemar conmiented, 1 don't think that it's that people don't feel safe coming here. Counselling is confidential and in a neutral place.' Low reports of date rape may mean that women are not reporting such rapes, do not recognize them as such, or are being counseled off campus.' Or, it may be that the LSE may simply have fewer cases of date rape. 'I was lying there thinking, "How canlgetoutofthis. I don't want this to happen,'" a second-year woman said of an experience she hadlast year. Although 'Laura' (not her real name) managed to avoid rape, she said she knew approximately seven other LSE women who had had similar experiences with the same man. She said, 'It is rape in thatyou don't really want it. He just takes it one stage further than you'd like.' Laura added tshe woul d not h ave gone to the LSE's help service, had she needed counselling, because of the bad association she had with places around the School. She said, 'It's too closed in. You'd be looking out the window thinking, "Oh, that's where I met so-and-so."' Laura added that coming forward, either for counseling or to report a rape, can be difficult for the survivor. If you're going to say something, you've got to get over the self-humiliation,' she said. Women's Advisor, Margot Light, said date rape is not as well known a phenomenon in Britain as in the United States. 'There is less consciousness about it than in the United States, a tendency to think it is unique to oneself, one's own problem, or one's own fault,' she commented. Best said stereotypes about rape added to the problem. 'All the statistics are there, but rape tends to be associated with dark alleys and strangersratherthan peopleoneknows.' Further,the fact that a woman knew her attacker could be used against her in court. There's always that fear you won't be believed,' Best added. Laura said she thought first-years might not want to be seen as prudish, or may be embaras-sed to admit they might have been drinking when raped. "You come here and quite often on the first date you're expected to go to bed with them. If you don't want to, fine you should get up and walk away. But a first-year might think, "People will think I'm stupid. I won't be up with my contemporaries." ' Light said most harrassment, whether as extreme as rape or not, is student-to-student. She claimed, 'Because the power realtionships between students are so subtle, it's harder to deal with student-student cases.' However, incidents of rape are not treated as harrassment by the School. "Rape is a criminal offense,' Light said. "What the School does do in cases of assault of any sort is to call the police in.' Although the School will not use the formal or informal procedures it has for sexual har-rasment, she said that in the case of rape the School could still act if a student were convicted of rape. A rapist could be suspened or expelled. Light claimed arguments that such actions wereessentially try a rapist twice were invalid. 'I think the security of other students would count against that.' She said the School could not police student behaviour. She felt the entire atmosphere of the institution needed to be changed to increase awareness of harrassment and rape. Light felt, 'For changing what goes on the Three Tuns, you really have to change the climate.' However Laura said, "The safety can't be provided by the School. It has to be provided by the individual involved. It's up to you. Women should know when to say yes and when to say Hidden sexual harassment in Oxford colleges A Student's Union survey of women at Oxford has revealed widespread sexual harrasment and fear of reporting that harrasment. The survey said 42 % of har-rassers were the women's fellow students, and about 12 percent were academic staff. Many Oxford women refused to give their names because were afraid of pressure and reprisals if they spoke out in the press. The women said the colleges generally ignored the problem, even though the survey found there had been at least 5 recent attempted rapes and 6 rapes in the University. One collge's Women's Officer said, My main anxiety is that what I call sexual harassment is just an accepted part of the social life in college. When I try to define it, people say, "That's ridiculous-it goes on all the time!" Well, exactly!' Women at Oxford are currently outnumbered five to one by men. Those students who do try to change the University's policies are constrained by their short tenure there, and by the University's uncoordinated policies about harrassment. The colleges constituting the University can elect to adopt, or not adopt, their own sexual harassement codes, or they can adopt the University's code. However neither the individual colleges nor the University's codes mention rape, or referral to the police. Survey respondents said the closeness of the colleges often works against them. Onewoman said, 'The agressors are very well known in college, they are committee members, they come from public school backgrounds, they are liked and respected. If I were to push the matter, they would close ranks and make my life very difficult.' The survey said women thought drunkeness and its status as an Oxford institution were often connected to incidents of harrasment. One respondent said, 'I frequently feel intimidated by the prevalence of drunk male students through all social events. After drinking, their violent sexuality becomes apparent and dominates the whole college atmosphere.' Oxford students said the colleges' practice of protecting their students from the law makes rowdy behaviour more acceptable. A male student claimed, 'Colleges make a big thing of protecting you from the police. But they are also protecting themselves.' SU policy review proposed According to Women's Advisor, Margot Light,~most sexual harrasment cases at the LSE are student-to-student. The School defines such harrasment as anything from unwelcome gestures to assault. According to Light, the current sexual harassment policy has its flaws but is generally adequate. Light said, 'It doesn't work 100% of the time, but it works enough of the time. What one really wants to do is to change the climate, ratherthan have rules that work.' However, Women's Officer, Sujata Aurora, has sponsored a Unionbusiness motion mandat-inga review ofUnion and School sexual harassment policy and procedures. The motion says incidents of sexual harassment have arisen but that awareness of the issue is low. It recommends an information campaign about harassment, a policy review, and a reaffirmation of the Union's Equal Opportunities policy. Aurora said current procedures needed improvement. 'It's not that they're totally inadequate, it's that there are areas which should be tightened up.' She claimed that although the School and Union were not at fault, sexual harassment charges were still not being handled properly. Aurora said, 'I was quite concerned at the numbers of complaints I've had andthelack of res ponse by those who shouldbe dealing with those complaints.' The Women's Officer said current procedure left too much up to the discretion of School staff, such as Light. She also said the review panel to which a formal complaint would eventually go did not have enough student representation. Light said that if a student brought a complaint to the Women's Advisor, she would review the case and decide whether the incident in question was harassment. If she decided that it was not, she would explain her decision to the person bringing the charge. However if Light was to decide the incident constituted harassment, she would forward heropinionto acommittee made up of the Pro-Director, the Sec- retary, and the General Secretary. If they upheld her decision, then informal procedures could begin. Aurora felt the current definitions of sexual harassment also needed expansion. She said. There isn't a proper definition. It should be very broad-as little discretionary power as possible. It needs to include innuendo, like the incident in thebar when magazines were waved about.' She said education was vital to fighting harrasment. 'It's a case of getting more awareness of the issue, so it doesn't get laughed out. It was laughed out at the beginning of term.' An informational pamphlet prepared by previous Women's Advisor, Jan Stockdale, defined sexual harassment as 'a verbal or physical affront of a sexual nature to another person which may range from unwelcome comments, gestures, or actions of a sexual nature, to unwanted and deliberate physical contact, to subtle or explicit demands for sexual favours, and to sexual assault.' Light said she thought a more specific definition of sexual harassment would simply tie the School's hands. 'It is virtually impossible to find a tight definition of harassment because harassment tends to be in the eyes of the recipient,' she commented. Light added that the School did its best to remove students from the offending situation in harassment cases. 'By definition, that's easier for us to do in an academic context.' Head Union Counselor, Joanna Best, said she thought the policy worked on the whole but would not comment on how she thought it couldbe improved. 'I know the Student's Union is looking into the whole question, and I was not a party to the meetings.' However, she did say, 'The important thing about any sexual harassmentprocedureisthat it allows the person to go at their own pace and that it is completely confidential. It's an issue that needs to be kept on the agenda. People think that because we have a procedure it's not a problem. Of course it is a problem.' 4 CAMPUS The Beaver, 3rd December, 1990 V 1 < WRITES Fresh from the Paris Summit, Daphne Dare (LSE graduate of 1938) has kindly agreed to write once more on a topic close to the heart of the modem day student. THIS WEEK; INFIDELITY Having witnessed the most iniquitous scenes of debauch-eiy amongst the continental ministers and their stenographers on my recent visit to the Paris Summit, I have determined to turn my attention this week to that most unwholesome question - infidelity. Amidst the hurly burly of their modem lives the contemporary student seems little concerned with the solace and satisfaction of the quiet family hearth. This was of infinite importance to my fellows and I in our undergraduate years. How vivid is my recollection of that glorious Michelmas term in 1937 when we bright young things held the inaugural meeting of the Society for the Advancement of the Home and Family. From amongst our many subscribers we formed a first class committee dedicated to the promotion of faith and virtue in the student body. We were led by a most fanatical zealot called Sumatra Adora, youngest daughter of the Maharajah of Jaipur, who apart from being a fine secretary of the School's Primrose League, spoke most eloquently of the moral standards so lacking in certain quarters of our community. She was most damning of dear Pinkie Frobisher (for whom, I must admit, I had once quite a fancy), whose wanton philandering with young flappers had come to the attention of the Students Union Disciplinary Committee. Sumatra's moral conduct itself was beyond reproach, remaining faithful to the end to the Hollywood Matinee idol Ramon Navarro. How touched I am when still I recall our afternoon excursions to the Gaumont cinema. Marble Arch, and dear Sumatra swooning at the sight of Mr. Navarro's serge suit. The same cannot be said of dear Pinkie whose wayward lifestyle came to an abrupt end in the autumn of 1940 when, having drunk a little to excess in the NAFFI, flew his Spitfire into a barrage balloon. In the light of poor Pinkie's demise it is well for all modem equivalents to remember the advice enshrined in our Society's original constitution: First, should you eyes and thoughts wander from your espoused, seek solace in weighty tomes such as the Bible or 'Pilgrims Progress'. Second, should you find your conscience compromised, lose yourself in a brisk walk about a large field. Third, should you find yourself unable to contain the carnal urge, emerse yourself in a cold bath and think of England. (Should the urge persist volunteer yourself immediately for brass mbbing classes at your parish church). Thus, high moral standards and strong character, such as Sumatra's (who at 75 is still thriving at the memory of her dalliance with the late Mr. Navarro), together with a Bible, a large field and plenty of cold water is proof, I feel sure, of the efficacy of fidelity. Yours ever, What Sociology Society? A glance at the many notice b(^krds that adorn just about any spare section of wall the LSE has to offer reveals the names of some greats; Tequila Society, Drama Society, Debating Society, even the SHAG thing. One poster is slowly making its presence felt, however, and that is the Sociology Society. The who? Buried beneath the mists of time for goodness knows how many millennia, the Sociology Society has risen from its grave and plans to haunt the LSE once more. Where it has been these last few years is anyone's guess, but its former presence can be identified in the form of an empty society pigeon hole and a rather messy notice board hung in A347. The new salubrious Sociology Society contains a few of the select - few being the operative word. They appear to meet in the Robert McKenzie Room (remember him?) on the occasional Thursday at 1pm. To say that the Society is lacking support is an understatement. The first meeting consisted of luring possible members with the promise of a glass of wine (mind you I'm not sure that's what it tumed out to be) and a peanut/tortilla chip. The second soiree was a bit more successful. A meal was organised, costing £16 per head, at a trendy little Russian joint somewhere in Kensington. Phew, all I can say is that your mn-of-the-mill sociology student must be on a larger grant than most! Why this apathy in such a prestigious department? I put this down to the studious nature of the average sociology student. (Ed -who are you trying to kid?) They are the ones who are to be seen scurrying to and from the library having pinched the juiciest books on the shelf, and I'm not talking about Freud's "But I Don't Want To Fuck My Mother" either. Their hideaways are unknown to most mortals but the Sociology Society just might be the thing to coax Chairman, Eugene Isaac - one of the select few them out of their hiding places. The forthcoming menu of events offered by the Society is quite appealing - parties, debates, more parties and even some 'academic support' (of what kind I'm not sure but I can't wait to see). Will this new gathering of comrades take over as the next largest society from the one we all know and love? Sadly I doubt it. However I praise the small number of brave (possibly stupid) people that are having a go. My plea, therefore, to all you sociologists is "Unite, you have nothing to lose but your chains." Sheldon Whitney Profile : Christian Union Alcohol, mince pies. Father Christmas, overdrafts, stockings, reindeers, presents! The 'Christmas' feeling seems to have penetrated every sphere of life; from the dazzling lights on Oxford Street to your mother's new Christmas pudding recipe. Just where do Christians figure in all this extravaganza? As one approaches S75 on any Thursday evening at about half past six one will be met by a loud and jubilant outburst of chorus singing accompanied by two extremely enthusiastic guitarists. No, this is not another therapeutic session for the Stress Relief Society - its the Christian Union. The CU comprises of Christians of various nationalities and denominations studying at the LSE. Besides providing a forum for Christians, the CU also seeks to help and encourage Christians in their faith and to share the (Jospel within the School. The membership of the CU reflects the international nature of LSE -with about fifteen different nationalities represented, ranging from Ph.D. students to first-years. If you walked into a meeting it would be no surprise to sit down next to a Swede on your left and a Nigerian on your right. There is a real feeling of warmth and friendship between these people. As one student from Barbados put it, I quote, "It's terrible when you're placed in a strange and alien place, but then suddenly you find a family already here to welcome you." The Thursday programme include a time of worship and fellowship - often guest speakers are invited to share on biblical and Christian views on contemporary issues. The CU feels it is vital to remain aware of issues that students are faced with today and believe that the Bible has the answers to such issues. Topics such as abortion, the embryology bill, and homosexuality have been reviewed and discussed over the last year. There was a joint debate Oh no, not another music crossword! ACROSS I. Selling over a million copies, it remains the biggest selling record never to reach number one. (4,9) 9. What did happen to their flaming sword? (4) 10. After Bohemian Rhapsody they went cashing in on Christmas. (3,4) II. Clint talked to them. (5) 12. Weddoes and Pwei record company. (1,1,1) 13. See 30 Down. 16. Not quite time for Burgess and Booth (3) 18. Art of Noise were Close To it. (4) 19. See 6 Down. 20. The Breeders are enclosed. (3) 21. Andy Partridge's outfit. (1,1,1) 26. A successfully Dire group (anag). (4) 28. An LSE Alumni who is also the subject of a wedding present song. (7) 29. "All your_s an' kisses an' your money too." Buddy Holly's debut single. (3) 30. 27D. James do not want a standing ovation for this song. (3,4) 32. Ocean Colour Scene's current single. (4) 36. See 8 Down. 37. Inspiral Carpets never stand still. (4) 40. The Soup Dragons can't surely be indulging in self admiration, or may be they can? (3,8,4) with the L.S.E. women's group on the topic 'Abortion: Is there an alternative?' University is often a time when a student's beliefs and convictions are strongly challenged by the prevailing philosophies and 'truths' of the time. One's perspective is often moulded for life. Amidst all this relativity, the CU exists to provide a firm biblical standpoint in an atmosphere of love and friendship. A student who comes from a closed Asian country said that her faith was to her "like a firm rock in this raging ocean of relative 'truths'". The guidance and support provided to Christians at the L.S.E. enables them to cope with problems and difficulties that each one of us are faced with everyday. The C.U. does not restrict itself to just two hours on a Thursday evening, but its members meet often during the week, to pray, visit friends or even just spend time in those favorite L.S.E. haunts like the Brunch Bowl, Wright's Bar or the Cafe. House parties and joint activities with other London colleges are also in the term programme. Plans are underway to have bible studies in the various LSE halls of residence. ^ From Barbados to Hongkong, Sweden to Singaporei^d from Pentecostal to Orthodox, the C^U. is united because of strong faith in Jesus and a wonderful knowledge of God's l^que love that has not just altered their lives but has radically transformed them. The Christian Union is not only for Christians, but for non-Christians, as well from atheists to those of other faiths and persuasions. All their activities are open to anyone interested. Rebecca Samuel. DOWN 2. 7. Russian Princess' reaction when she began to disintegrate (9,8) 3. Gary Liddington says this three as the worst jukebox of all the University of London (4) 4. PIL are on the up and up. (4) 5. This band were full of sugar and spice. (9) 6. 19A. Morrisey's contribution to the "Save our Christmas turkey society." (4,2,6) 7. See 2 Down. 8. 36 A. Soft Cell's erotic little thing. (3,5) 14. "When in_kill me" according to Cud. (4) 15. Face the other way three times and hey presto! A hit by the Byrds. (4) 17, 22D. He used to go out with Julie but she dumped him for Gordon who's a moron. (6,4). 20, 33D. A dee-liteful title but it was denied the christmas number one purely because Bob's hype was bigger than Frankie's. (5,2,4) 22. See 17 Down. 23. Adamski's first hit. (1,1,1) 24. Those crap awards in full. (1,1,1) 25. "You know you can win, its one on_", it reached this position too! (3) -27. See 30 Across. 30. Former leader of Pink Floyd. (3,7) 31. A Ken Dodd hit to which Gazza specializes in. (5) 33. see 20 Down. 34. 38D. "You__", an old soul classic. (4,2) 35. A simple but violent Mary Chain song. (3) 38. See 34 Down. 39. Malcolm Owen's death merely added to the Ruts latin. Neil Andrews The Beaver, 3rd December, 1990 CAMPUS 5 Swot or What? Discover just how sad you really are Ever wondered what sort of student you are? Hip and trendy or really rather boring? Such burning questions can now be answered with this easy to use questionnaire. Now you, yes you, can discover the truth. Answer for yourselves that all important question; Am I really that sad? QUESTIONS 1. Are you? a) A lawyer. b) An economist. or c) A sociologist. 2. How often do you visit the library? a) Every day (including Saturdays). b) At least twice a week, or c) Where? the library - a sad hangout? 3. Whereabouts in the library do you sit? a) In the basement. b) On the first floor. or c) Sufficiently high enough to merit taking the lift. -''V 4. ^How do you organise work and relaxation? Do you: ^ ^eak from study for coffee. .^^reak from coffee for study. or-(iuBreak with time honoured LSE tradition and do bugger all. t 5. In what form do you present your essays? Are they: a) Neatly typed and bound. b) Done. or c) Non-existent. 6. How do you while away a pleasant weekend? (NB. Workingin the library doesn'tcount). Are you to be found: a) On Crewe station sidings collecting the latest numbers in rolling stock. b) Browsing the shelves of 'Forbidden Planet' desperately seeking that first edition 'Dan Dare'. Dominic Bourke - a sad man? Look - a -Like Has anyone spotted the remarkable similarity between Women's Officer Sujata Aurora and the late(?) king of rock 'n' roll Elvis Presley? Are the two related perhaps? I think we should be told. Crossword Solution fL i'AlS lYiClH r?i ei n s H aoi ^ m m m Eiisniis js^ eiiiBa B s m m m SlSil n m or c) In bed. 7. What does SHAG mean to you? b) A Seriously Hip And Game society. c) A good night in! a) The latest in Axeminster carpets. 8. What is your favourite television programme? a) The Good Life. b) Jim'll Fix It. or c) Beadle's About (purely as a device to cure you're insomnia). 9. Who is your role model? a) Keith Chegwin. b) Dominic Bourke. or c) Rip Van Winkle. Maggie Philbin -married to the saddest man of all? 10. And finally, if rather predictably, how many times a night do you manage IT? a) That's none of your damn business. WIT? or c) Too bloody tired. ANSWERS Mostly a's: You are sad with a capital'S'. You'll probably get a first class honours but who'd be seen dead with you? What's more, you're probably very boring. Get back to the books you're a lost cause. Mostly b's: Interesting. In psychological terms you are what is known as a'seriously unbalanced person'. Do you actually confess to watching Jim'll Fix It? You are almost a lost cause but you do have one hope - One suspects that Jimmy Saville has but a little time left. One marathon too many and who knows? Mostly c's: You're sad but not that sad. At least you've got your priorities right, sleep is infinitely more exciting than swotting. 'coorsc TKatcKer resianee^l % I * -LL * I. ve been wo.»rm^ yeeurs •^o heo+c someone ne vv. Scc»rt SAM Get Involved... RAG MEETING Every Tuesday 5pm, E206. Everyone Welcome. (Societies have been sent a Rag letter - please check pigeon holes). diaiy It was suggested to me a while back that The Beaver should go slightly more upmarket by introducing a 'rant and rave' column, or more precisely a "rant and rave column about nothing in particular...bollocks and that." Well I have to say I wasn't immediately taken with the idea, but you have to admit this suggestion does have balls. OK then, let's give it a go... Shall I tell you what I really hate? I really hate Christmas. And I'll tell you what I hate about Christmas - Santa Claus, that's what I hate. Never gives me what I ask for the fat git. Fifteen years now I've been asking for a 'Scalextric 2000' and what do I get? A bloody tangerine that's what, ^d a few chestnuts if I'm lucky. Bastard. That's the last time I leave him a mince pie. And another thing, I hate those 'ball-ball' things that you're supposed to hang on the Christmas tree. Will somebody tell me what purpose they serve? I mean, come on they're ridiculous. You can't even have a decent kick around with them. And that's another thing - Gazza. I hate him, bloody stupid geordie. Scores a few goals and thinks that gives him the right to sing. It doesn't work mate, look what happened to Kevin Keegan. And another thing, I hate that Jeremy Beadle -the man should be shot. And another thing, I hate people who hand in their society notices on bits of second rate paper. Last week someone handed in their announcement on a piece of toilet paper - now I ask you. And another thing, I hate all societies. Plug your own naffing events is what I say, this is the last time I'm doing it. Monday: Tonight the Scandinavian Society are holding their Christmas dinner (A42, 7pm). Now that's another thing, why do people wear those stupid hats at Christmas dinners? You just look stupid. Also tonight ENTS present the Hugh Len-non hypnotist show, 'two hours of hypnotic hilarity from a top hypnotist' (presumably called Hugh Lennon). Now you see that's another thing that annoys me, why don't people say exactly what they mean? How am I supposed to know for sure who the top hypnotist in question is. Come on guys. Tuesday: Tonight there is another ENTS presentation, a bumper double bill - 'I Bought a Vampire Motorcycle' and 'Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.' (That's someone else I hate, Martians). This little lot will cost you £2 and the fun starts at 7pm in the OT. Meanwhile the Quad plays host to the Drama Soc who are presenting 'Lysistrata - A Sexual Farce'. This can also be seen on Wednesday and Thursday. Tickets are £2.50 and the curtain rises at 7.30pm. I hate curtains don't you? Wednesday: Today is a 'Day of Action'. At 1pm there is a meeting in A86 to discuss The Battle For Abortion Rights.' Later on at 7pm there is a benefit disco in the Quad, or is there? According to the Drama Soc they are holding their play here at that time - or is this all part of the sexual farce? Now I don't know about you but I really hate being messed around like that, sort yourselves out! Now then. Amnesty are at it again today. At 2pm in S53 they will be showing a video on Sri Lankan human rights and this will be followed by a buffet. Finally tonight, a benefit on behalf of the Romanian Orphanage Trust. 'The Lost Ball' is happening at Shaftesbury's, 24 Shaftesbury Avenue between the hours of 9.30 and 3.30am (cost £6). Thursday: Lord MacKay, the Lord Chancellor is coming to speak this afternoon on Ligitation in the 1990s (6pm, OT). Also today the Canadian Society are holding a meeting, on the top floor of the cafe at 3.30pm, to discuss next terms events. Also, at 7.30 pm, in the cafe, the Society for the Enlightenment of the Able-bodied are holding their Christmas social. And finally there will be some karaoke in the Tuns. And that's another thing, I hate people who love the sound of their own voice. Friday: Tonight a choice of two parties. You can go to the free disco in the Tuns, or the Toga party being held at Carr Saunders (8pm). And that's it, the end of term. It just remains for me to say how much I hate Les Dennis, Jimmy Tarbuck, the bloke in the Yorkie advert, and that loud chap with the beard who always winges at UGMs. But above all, I hate to say goodbye. 6 OPINIONS The Beaver,3rd December, 1990 The Beaver Another Thursday, another £388,436 spent. Having spent the first nine weeks of this term moaning about our financial position, we agreed to the way in which we spend our money in forty five chaotic minutes. For those who weren't there, we agree on our budgeting priorities by allowing the Senior Treasurer to go through her allocation decisions page by page. There is an opportunity for questions on each page and then a vote is taken to either approve or reject her recommendations. Money may be moved by the Union within one budgetary category, for example from one society to another, but not between categories. The Athletics Union receive a section of the block grant set by the School. Not only may this percentage not be altered by the Union, but we also get no say over which sports societies get what money. That, evidently, is an internal matter for the AU. How sUly we are. If the budgets is as well prepared and thought out by the Senior Treasurer as we should expect, why can't it be made available at least a week in advance. Why don't society Treasurers get an early copy. How can those effected by the budget prepare alter it when in nil likelihood they don't even get chance to show it to their members before it is ratified by the Union? The concrete's set before they even realise the mould. Why do we let societies take each others budgets away at just one meeting. Every other financial mo-tionrequires a weeks notice but at the budget meeting such sanity disappears. Instead it's open season on unpopular societies. Budget mugging is the order of the day and if you can swing the UGM just once then the money is yours. This has to be altered, all grant receiving groups have to be given time to assess their financial position in relation to the rest of the Union and the chance to dispute the Senior Treasurer's decision if necessary. In the 1970's the School bailed out the nearly bankrupt SU. One of the conditions was that the Union guaranteed the AU a certain percentage of the its budget every year. Not only is this 'Sindemocratic", it is also foolishly inefficient. Presumably the school want the money they give to the SU to spent according to student need. Why then have they taken it upon themselves to decide that every year, come what may, the AU requires 20% of the SU's money. Some years the AU warrants a higher percentage than that. Some years it doesn't. The School can't decide what student priorities are - students must decide for themselves. The only way this decision can be made is through a UGM where we can decide what we want. The least our representatives on the Court of Governors can do is campaign for a re-assessment of the AU's real importance and to adjust their budget accordingly. Sorting out the budget is a priority. We can't allow the Senior Treasurer to force it through every year because we haven't had time to prepare arguments against it. We can't allow small societies to be bracked by the larger ones. Most importantly we need to get control of all of our budget. Only then will budget allocations match our real needs. Editor Simon Williams Managing Editor Peter Harrad News Editor Swaha Pattanaik Scene Editor Michael Chappell Features Editor Juanita Shepherd Arts Editor Sarah Eglin Sports Editor David Viney Picture Editor Alex McDowell Financial Director Leo Griffin Literary Editor Bronwen Grey Production Team: Richard Stevens, Liz Langley, David Welsh, Neil Andrews with Bo Bocresion, Nancy, Nikki Lovejoy, Rosalind Chung, Sharon Breen and Todd. Staff Ivana Bacik,Edward Bannerman, Andrew Bayley, Steve Bradford,Pollyanna Bristol,Thomas Cohrs,Gail Colwell, Daphne Dare, Jonathan Drew, Sarah Ebner, Chris Forman, Ananda Guha,Madeline Gwyon.Cristian Herrera Salas, Sahr Johnny, Scott Kelly,Jan Kolaslnski, Sam Leshnick, Gary Lidington, Stavros Makris, Mary Micklewright,Jason Milner,Kishor Mistry, Syed Mansoor Mohi-Uddin, Joan O'Mahony,Charles Peat, Christopher Pincher, Rodrigo Pizarro.Sam Leshnick Miriam Quayyum, AidanRankin, Timna Rosenheimer, Fred Simkin, MichielVan Hulten, Stuart Wilks, Karen Wortiey,Mark Wynne— Jones,Hassan Zaman. * Printed by Eastway Offset, 3-13 Hepscott Road, London E8 The case for: The usual argument claiming that pornography causes rape goes something like: pornography degrades women and encourages men to think of them as sex objects. This leads to rape, and is usually backed up with a few examples of cases of rapists who'd seen some pornography. There are a number of substantial inaccuracies in this argument. Firstly pornography does not encourage men to think of women as sex objects. Ifthe only contact men had with women was viablue movies or 'page three' then this might be so. However, females make up 50% of the world's population, men see them day in day out throughout their lives. The amount of time that even the most avid fan of Whithouse spends looking at women in pornography is so minisicule compared to the amount of time he spends dealing with them in real life that it can scarcely alter his perception of them. Secondly, pornography doesn't degrade women. The majority of people working in the sex industry are women. This is true at every level from the actual 'stars' of the magazines and films, through to the editors of most magazines. They obviously don't feel that they are degraded by their activities, neither do the vast majority of people in this land. Theonlypeople that do believe that pornography degrades women are certain holier than thee feminists ie Clare Short and Mel Taylor, and when it comes to degrading women maybe they'd better put their own house in order before criticisng others. Thirdly, while certain people who have committed rape have used or seen pornography this doesn't mean that there is necessarily a link between the two. Pedro Lopez who raped and murdered over two hundred girls in South America during the seventies was a stamp collector, as was John Wayne Gacy who raped and murdered over twenty young boys, are we to see an article in next week's Beaver about philately causing rape? Pornography has been linked with rape purely because they are perceived to deal with the same thing. They of course don't, this is where the entire argument about pornography causing rape collapses. Rape is very rarely motivated by the need for sex, as any person who knows about the psychology of rape will testify, rape is about power, about the ability to control the victim, about the ability to completely dominate the other person. This is why the act of rape is seldom a case of the rapist forcing the victim to have sex and then leaving. Most ordeals are far worse and involve far more degradation than actual sex. The answer is not to ban pornography. This will not work. In Sweden in the seventies when the restrictions on pornography were all but removed, the number of sexual assaults dropped by over 50%. Rape is a hideous crime, but the way to stamp it out is not merely to lash out at anything we can possibly associate with it. Pornography is harmless The case against: Imagine a picture of a naked woman bound in chains, stripped of her clothing, her free will, and her humanity. That is pornography. Imagine a picture of two lovers joyfully sharing each other's bodies, their act fundamentally human and given freely. That is erotica. Pornography treats women and men as plastic objects with no will, the simple vessles for a physical need rather than human beings deserving love. Pornography is airbru shed and oil -smeared, a land of fakery and fantasy. Pornography degrades both women and men - women may be shown as slaves being whipped, beaten, and raped. They may also be portrayed as unreal sexual angels, their only goal to please a man. Either image is not about sexuality at all. It is about power, the power of one person over another, who is an object. Both genders are harmed by such an in-naccurate, dehumanizing idea. It would be pat-entenly poor method for a social scientist to claim any man who looks at pornography will immediately go out and commit rape. What has been shown is that there is a statistically significant link between being a rapist and reading pornography. Why? While we cannot prove reading pornography causes rape, what we can safely conjecture is this: "Pornography helps engender an attitude towards sexuality, and women in particular, that makes rape appear more acceptable or to be part of sexuality." Rape is not, however, a part of sexuality. It is an act of violence, an act of brutal power. The pornography industry itself is full of women who have been victimised and exploited. True, some women make the choice to lounge in lingerie or frolic naked in the woods for softer-core magazines like Playboy. The star of the classic porn film "Deep Throat," however, did not make the choice to perform oral sex on the men her husband told her to. She was threatened with physical harm ifshe did not, just as hundreds of other women are forced into even more repugnant, or masochistic acts. What, indeed, of the 12 and 15 year-olds who wind up prostituting themselves on film to buy food for a night? Can we really say they have made a choice? Most men do not look at the hard-core pornography that shows blood-spattered scenes of gang rapes. Most men interact with women as human beings. What we cannot deny, however, is that most women are not treated by society as the equals of men, and that the images of women we find everywhere from cookery commericials to the pages of Penthouse do nothing to fight that injustice. Pornography is about injustice, it is about abusing power, and it is a quintessential example of inequality and lack of choice. Dominic Bourke Janet Weiss lyi^ Fost Haste Lettcm to E20& by hand or tntcmal mail for 3PM on Thursday Homelessness Dear Beaver, Last week we, the LSE Conservative Association held a help the homeless week with the assistanceofthe charity'Crisis'. A box was put opposite the Porters Lodge. We got contributions from our own members and from other members of the LSE community. The aim of this week was to put back into the community what we as students take out. It is a shame that students did not contribute more. We were criticised by the Left for our efforts. They speak so much of a socialist society and helping the less fortunate. It is obvious they don't care. Also they did their best to make the event a failure by defacing our posters and those of Crisis. Even if they don't agree with our politics, they could still show some spirit and contribute. Thank you, on behalf of the homeless, to all those who did help. Fred Simkin Dear Beaver, It is with irony that we note the Conservative Association's "Help The Homeless Week". Engaging in short term ideals, Lee Marriott and Fred Simkin are collecting food and clothes for the homeless. Yet they refuse to address the causes of homelessness. The appearance of large numbers of people sleeping on the street in the 1980's was caused primarily by two pieces of Tory legislation. Firstly, the 1987 Social Security Act introduced the concept of "voluntary homelessness". Thus if people leave accommodation of their own free wUl, they are refused access to public housing. The effect of this is that if young people are forced to leave home because of their domestic situation (eg violence, sexual abuse) they will not receive any welfare provision. They will probably end up sleeping on the pavement outside the Savoy. Secondly, the 1988 NHS reforms and the Mental Health Acts which removed 20,000 people from "care institutions" into "care in the community". This act did not provide any community care structures and thus the manifestation ofthis act was the arrival of 20,000 people on our streets. Homeless people in London now number 250,000, the population of a town the size of Cheltenham. This is the logical result of eleven and a half years of Tory legislation and their attacks on the Welfare State - it is the true legacy of Thatcherism that Marriott and Simkin are so quick to applaud. It is in the light of this that we find their "Help the Homeless Week" not only hypocritical but also grossly offensive and in extremely bad taste. To the Conservative Association, we suggest that they take a close look at the policies of their own government and examine the causes of the homelessness problem to which their only response has been patronising gimmicks. To the rest of the LSE we say tackle the causes as well as the symptoms and don't be fooled by Toiy hypocrisy. Sujata Aurora Daniel Trump Aids Week Dear Beaver, We feel a grave oversight has been made through your not highlighting or even acknowledging IntemationalAidsWeek. It is inaction like yours which perpetuates the stigma surrounding people who are HIV+ and the whole issue of Aids. We would like to point out that media emphasis has consistently been to typify Aids as an intravenous drug users' and gay men's "disease". Furthermore, people don't die immediately - they live quite healthy lives beingHIV+for many years. The misinformation on being HIV+ or living with someone who is has served only to reinforce popular misconceptions which result in prejudice and discrimination. This year special attention has been given to the problems women face in dealing with HIV. The threat of Aids is real to everybody, not just the "high risk categories". Anyone who does not practice safe sex is at risk. An estimated 80,000 people in the country are HIV+ and don't know it. There is a need for greater awareness of the situation without sensationalising the issue any further. ' Women must be made to realise that they are at risk - this can only be done through the dissemination of information with special emphasis put on the risks involved in heterosexual sex. Safe sex should be the only sex you ever have. There is no alternative if you want to remain HIV-. Katy Episcopo, Fran Cough-Ian, Zoe Sellers. LSE slammed Dear Beaver, This term's 'Daily Telegraph Student Extra' revealed the results of undergraduates attitudes to their institutions. The LSE was the least popular university in Britain. One could possibly lay the blame at the feet of the arrogant and obnoxious contingent amongst the LSE's students. However, what is particularly depressing about the result is that despite the seriousness of undergraduates an embarrassingly pitiful number achieve first class degree passes. If the LSE is to maintain its depressing aura then, at the veiy least, let's hope the energies of precocious students are channelled into academic ej^llence. Thank you for yojJr consideration. RJ Wilson Carr MSS R«ply Dear Beaver, The recent article written by John Pannu in the Beaver, purporting to report the events that took place at the MSS AGM contains several omissions and inaccuracies. Itis felt that these should be cleared up. The article states that the third candidate for the post of treasurer was left out during an improperly conducted recount of the votes. A motion was proposed, seconded and voted through by a convincing majority to make a recount unnecessary, and the third candidate's name was not omitted. The meetingwasnotclosedat this point to "cries of recount", elections for the remaining posts (nine of them) were in fact carried out. In the light of these facts it is felt that any implications the article contained questioningthe proceedings of the AGM were unfounded. Leow Tre Wen MSS Committee 'Letters continue after the literary supplement Books for Christmas • 1 With Christmas nearly upon us the good old Beaver has again stepped into the breach. In the following pages we review a selection of books that you may consider as possible present problem solutions. We can not of course offer the definitive Christmas revision programme. Even Santa Ciaus might just blow you out on that one. But for all those cynical gift buyers with a view to next term's parental contribution, a well chosen book may well be the proof positive those crumbHes need that your education is worth it. The usual objection to books is that even when wrapped you can't disguise them. One quick fondle and the secret's out. But why not move up a gear; find something so mind numbingly original that they'll be amazed you knew where to find it, let alone pronounce it. For the more financially adventurous amongst you. there's always the possibility of a Dillons account. One stop Christmas shopping has its advantages if London's about to be replaced by those - oh so festive -provinces. Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco. Picador £6.99 The Name of the Rose showed Umberto Eco's preoccupation with the quest for truth, and the need to employ learning and reason in order to seek it out. His hero in that n"vel, as in this one, is lool