Inter-Varsity

By Unknown Author

'Oh Behave!' is the unlikely name of the latest society to spring onto the Newcastle student scene, though to date it has only managed to entice sixteen members. Based around the spoof 60s super-spy Austin Powers, this imaginative project demands that members strut around spouting catchphrases like, "throw me a fricking bone" and, "Do I make you horny?" Membership is not for the faint-hearted as the dress code requires short skirts and knee-high boots. Whether or not the members will be required to 'swing' is not yet clear.

Durham University students' freedom to smoke is threatened by a recommendation by the University's Health and Safety Committee that the sale of cigarettes should be prohibited on University property. The presence of cigarette vending machines on University property is said to be contrary to initiatives to promote a healthy University. The Students Union is irate as students will be discouraged from using its facilities. Smokers' rights activists accused the University of attempting to socially engineer the students and displaying intolerance.

At the beginning of this academic year many students at Cardiff University found themselves unable to gain access to their Halls of Residence, use photocopiers or get discounts at Campus Travel, all as a result of faulty identity cards. The Students Union and the University Authorities are working frantically to amend the situation. Apparently the problem is attributed to temporary cards issued to students who had not paid their tuition fees due to the delayed payment of students loans. Yet another fall-out of the fees issue.

Amidst coverage of University authorities attempting to curb student drinking at Oxford, Durham's students have been portrayed in the local press as heavy boozers who binge on alcohol at debauched parties and belong to bacchanalian drinking clubs.

The Students Union strongly denied these reports as sensationalist and based on hearsay. But in the past the University has used pricing policies to curb excessive student drinking. Local residents came out in support of Durham's students, who are on the whole "clean-cut and hard-working."

Compiled by Liz Disley and Ike Nwafor

28th Oct 1999