Measures are being taken by FXU to dissolve the faultline separating Foundation and Undergraduate students at UCF's Tuke House.
Tuke House, the smaller of the two University halls, houses both foundation art students based at Wellington Terrace and first years based mainly at Woodlane.
However, both parties feel that neither has mixed well together: "Although we live in the same place I think the fact that [foundation students] coming down first made a difference. Maybe we seemed a little more intimidating as we settled in before?" says Flo Fitzgerald, an Art Foundation student.
Foundation students came to Tuke two weeks before the Undergraduates, and outnumber them substantially. They do have two lectures a week at Woodlane campus also.
"The fact that we had two separate Fresher's weeks I think played a major part too. If we were all in the same boat then I think things would be far different,” she said.
She also spoke of how the FXU should organise more “joint parties” for both the parties at Tuke.
Carley Huxham, an Undergraduate from Tuke also believes the staggered move in dates was the reason why there is segregation: “It’s all because the foundation students moved in first and made their own friendship circles before we came down. It made us feel we were almost intruding.”
She also agrees that more events for both sections of students would “help them to mix and socialise more”.
FXU President Steve Whiting said he was aware that there was a segregation between both bodies of students. However, the FXU seem to have implemented some measures to help both bands in mixing together: “The College this year has introduced Foundation Mentors for the new foundation students as a start towards improving relations between the two different groups.”
Steve Whiting also explained how the FXU will be even more explicit with the foundation students, to make sure “that they are welcome to Freshers Fortnight events”.
“We represent all students who study at UCF and UECC and encourage integration by treating the student community as one.”
Tuesday, 23 October 2007
Legionnaires' Outbreak at Croxton Hospital
An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease at Croxford Hospital has infected up to four people and a newborn baby earlier today.
Three patients, two of which recently gave birth and another midwife are all being treated and are “responding” to treatment to the disease which was confirmed at 7pm yesterday evening.
The grandmother of the newborn baby, Lilly Harborne, 59, said: “My daughter Debbie had a little boy on Friday, but was sent home last night after her baby became ill.
“They’ve kept the baby in hospital for treatment and we’re not allowed to visit at the moment. We are all absolutely distraught”.
Up to 250 patients and medical staff will be transferred to nearby hospitals as a precaution against the disease, which is thought to have originated in the air conditioning on the maternity ward Daneway, which has now been shut down.
All outpatient clinics have been suspended and patients requiring any emergency treatment are being urged to dial 999 as a precaution due to it being “possible that more cases will be discovered” the hospital says. Patients requiring routine procedures should contact their GP’s.
The early symptoms of the potentially fatal condition involves general aches, headaches and a dry cough, which ultimately turn into confusion, a temperature of up to 40 degrees and even organ failure.
Treated with antibiotics, the respiratory disease multiplies in water or air conditioning units, but person to person transmission is virtually unheard of.
Croxford Hospital said: “We have a team of scientists from the hospital and departments of Blowhampton University working on this”.
The hospital has set up a special hotline for any queries from relatives and patients. The number is 01372 400 400.
280 words
Three patients, two of which recently gave birth and another midwife are all being treated and are “responding” to treatment to the disease which was confirmed at 7pm yesterday evening.
The grandmother of the newborn baby, Lilly Harborne, 59, said: “My daughter Debbie had a little boy on Friday, but was sent home last night after her baby became ill.
“They’ve kept the baby in hospital for treatment and we’re not allowed to visit at the moment. We are all absolutely distraught”.
Up to 250 patients and medical staff will be transferred to nearby hospitals as a precaution against the disease, which is thought to have originated in the air conditioning on the maternity ward Daneway, which has now been shut down.
All outpatient clinics have been suspended and patients requiring any emergency treatment are being urged to dial 999 as a precaution due to it being “possible that more cases will be discovered” the hospital says. Patients requiring routine procedures should contact their GP’s.
The early symptoms of the potentially fatal condition involves general aches, headaches and a dry cough, which ultimately turn into confusion, a temperature of up to 40 degrees and even organ failure.
Treated with antibiotics, the respiratory disease multiplies in water or air conditioning units, but person to person transmission is virtually unheard of.
Croxford Hospital said: “We have a team of scientists from the hospital and departments of Blowhampton University working on this”.
The hospital has set up a special hotline for any queries from relatives and patients. The number is 01372 400 400.
280 words
Guest Speaker - Sue Roberts
Sue Roberts, from the Press Complaints Commission, spoke to first year journalism students about how to stay clear of trouble in the world of the press.
Sue began with giving a brief but clear explanation of what the PCC are there to do: to oversee complaints regarding the press when the public feel mistreated. She described how the commission was an independent organisation that are “reactive rather than proactive”, meaning they react on the complaints of others.
In the 1950’s a press council was erected, but was not respected or active in taking on complaints. It took until the 90’s for the PCC to set up, which is funded by the press itself.
The membership of the organisation is split 60% to 40%, with the minority percentage being editors of papers and the larger remainder being independent. “It’s the same principle as a University council having students on the board” she explained.
The PCC, along with the press themselves, have also fallen victim to the explosion of the internet. Ten years ago they made the decision to not only regulate print press but also audio visual media from the net. However, as the internet is such a huge network, she added “There are far too many online versions to verify”.
The criteria the PCC follow when investigating complaints is known as “The Editors’ Code of Practice”, and is revised every year. This can be broken into four sections: accuracy, privacy, news gathering methods and protecting the vulnerable.
The PCC do not write the code, rather a group of national and local independent editors take it on.
Interestingly enough Sue quizzed the audience and asked what percentage of complaints related to privacy, to which most listeners agreed on over 75%. In fact, just less than 25% was the correct answer; with accuracy the major cause of complaints.
“Compliance to the code is written into many journalist contracts” Sue said, reinforcing the respect that editors have for the code and the PCC. As it only takes an average 17 days to process a complaint, this shows the editors that the PCC are a efficient and effective board, but as they are self regulated, also fair and unbiased.
The PCC website is: www.ppc.org.uk
Sue began with giving a brief but clear explanation of what the PCC are there to do: to oversee complaints regarding the press when the public feel mistreated. She described how the commission was an independent organisation that are “reactive rather than proactive”, meaning they react on the complaints of others.
In the 1950’s a press council was erected, but was not respected or active in taking on complaints. It took until the 90’s for the PCC to set up, which is funded by the press itself.
The membership of the organisation is split 60% to 40%, with the minority percentage being editors of papers and the larger remainder being independent. “It’s the same principle as a University council having students on the board” she explained.
The PCC, along with the press themselves, have also fallen victim to the explosion of the internet. Ten years ago they made the decision to not only regulate print press but also audio visual media from the net. However, as the internet is such a huge network, she added “There are far too many online versions to verify”.
The criteria the PCC follow when investigating complaints is known as “The Editors’ Code of Practice”, and is revised every year. This can be broken into four sections: accuracy, privacy, news gathering methods and protecting the vulnerable.
The PCC do not write the code, rather a group of national and local independent editors take it on.
Interestingly enough Sue quizzed the audience and asked what percentage of complaints related to privacy, to which most listeners agreed on over 75%. In fact, just less than 25% was the correct answer; with accuracy the major cause of complaints.
“Compliance to the code is written into many journalist contracts” Sue said, reinforcing the respect that editors have for the code and the PCC. As it only takes an average 17 days to process a complaint, this shows the editors that the PCC are a efficient and effective board, but as they are self regulated, also fair and unbiased.
The PCC website is: www.ppc.org.uk
Tuesday, 16 October 2007
Boldover Citizen assignment - tip death
A man died on Sunday after a confrontation outside Boldover rubbish dump escalated due to long queues to enter.
Sixty-four-year-old Harry Hampton, of Pepper Road, was taken to hospital by his partner, Barbara Richards, 56, after a man allegedly walked to Mr. Hampton’s car and broke his arm. He later died in hospital.
The conflict occurred after two thirty minute queues formed at the entrance of the site. According to Police, Hampton’s alledged attacker apparently bent his arm back against the side of his dark blue Volvo estate.
In a statement released by Boldover hospital, Hampton was brought to them early on Sunday afternoon, and “treated for a broken arm and a cracked rib and died from heart failure six hours later”.
In a police statement regarding the incident, police revealed that they are looking for a driver of a silver BMW in his forties.
Detective Inspector Helen Havers said “We are appealing for witnesses and making a direct appeal for the BMW driver to come forward and speak to us as soon as possible.
“He is described as white, 5ft 7 or 8 inches tall, of stocky build, clean shaven and possibly wearing glasses”.
Mr. Hampton’s neighbour, Susan Witchard, 67, said she is devastated by the incident: “He was a real gentleman and used to put my rubbish out for me every Wednesday. He wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
Mr. Hampton and Ms. Richards were off loading unwanted possessions in preparation for him moving into her house in Broxham.
Police added: “It’s a tragic incident. It’s particularly poignant as this couple was having a clear-out to get ready to move in together. Mr. Hampton’s partner is absolutely distraught.”
Consultant clinical psychologist, Toby Norris, at Daring Hospital, Mornbury, said cases of road rage related attacks are becoming more and more common in modern day life: “Outbursts of ‘road rage’ and ‘queue rage’ are growing, as life gets more crowded. Verbal arguments can quickly degenerate into physical confrontation.”
He went on to add: “Even in Wishingshire these types of incidents are escalating, as the country becomes more densely populated.”
350 words (exactly).
Sixty-four-year-old Harry Hampton, of Pepper Road, was taken to hospital by his partner, Barbara Richards, 56, after a man allegedly walked to Mr. Hampton’s car and broke his arm. He later died in hospital.
The conflict occurred after two thirty minute queues formed at the entrance of the site. According to Police, Hampton’s alledged attacker apparently bent his arm back against the side of his dark blue Volvo estate.
In a statement released by Boldover hospital, Hampton was brought to them early on Sunday afternoon, and “treated for a broken arm and a cracked rib and died from heart failure six hours later”.
In a police statement regarding the incident, police revealed that they are looking for a driver of a silver BMW in his forties.
Detective Inspector Helen Havers said “We are appealing for witnesses and making a direct appeal for the BMW driver to come forward and speak to us as soon as possible.
“He is described as white, 5ft 7 or 8 inches tall, of stocky build, clean shaven and possibly wearing glasses”.
Mr. Hampton’s neighbour, Susan Witchard, 67, said she is devastated by the incident: “He was a real gentleman and used to put my rubbish out for me every Wednesday. He wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
Mr. Hampton and Ms. Richards were off loading unwanted possessions in preparation for him moving into her house in Broxham.
Police added: “It’s a tragic incident. It’s particularly poignant as this couple was having a clear-out to get ready to move in together. Mr. Hampton’s partner is absolutely distraught.”
Consultant clinical psychologist, Toby Norris, at Daring Hospital, Mornbury, said cases of road rage related attacks are becoming more and more common in modern day life: “Outbursts of ‘road rage’ and ‘queue rage’ are growing, as life gets more crowded. Verbal arguments can quickly degenerate into physical confrontation.”
He went on to add: “Even in Wishingshire these types of incidents are escalating, as the country becomes more densely populated.”
350 words (exactly).
Guest Speaker - Jilly Easterby
University College Falmouth's Head Of Communications Jilly Easterby yesterday held a talk regarding her position within the uni and how she got to her current post.
As an English Graduate from North London Poly, Jilly had always aspired to becoming a journalist on a national scale, perhaps occupying the music desk. However, after careful consideration post graduation, she instead decided to apply for a position in publishing at Sidgwick and Jackson, which she was awarded.
On her first day at her new job Jilly explained how "stroppy celebrity" Bob Geldof ranting down the wire regarding his Live8 book that was about to be published. Maybe this was one of the factors that persuaded Jilly into her 'specialised' diet: "I was living off vodka and orange juice".
However, not all celebrity encounters were so hostile. Jilly can take claim to have sold an autobiography for the largest amount of money at the time: none other than Boy George's. Selling the book for £250 000 in '91 meant she was a prime candidate for head hunting.
Jilly was soon snapped up by The Daily Express, and cheekily entered the world of journalism without any interviews or testing pre-rituals. Possibly her finest anecdote involved KAthy Etchingham: the late great Jimi Hendrix's widow. Through a fellow journalist from her home town, Etchingham refused to do any form of interview, unless it was with Jilly.
But Jilly's finest hour, although slightly macarbe, came after Etchingham's love rival Monika Danneman was found dead, after apparently topping herself. Jilly was the only journo to gain an interview with Etchingham, and gained a front page splash on all of The Daily Express' papers.
However, as a self confessed "country girl at heart", the appeal of the city seemed to be wearing off. The draw to open spaces and greenery was too much, and a post at UCF seemed like a fine option.
As Head of Communications, Jilly's job can be broken into five parts: responsibility for Media Relations; edit staff bulletin; represent college on committees/communitee relations; edit the UCF prospectus and oversee the publishing of the website.
Jilly is currently studying for a post-grad in Public Relations. She best sums up her career to date as having "lots of suprises along the way". But who's to say where she go next, and what other suprises will creep up on her.
As an English Graduate from North London Poly, Jilly had always aspired to becoming a journalist on a national scale, perhaps occupying the music desk. However, after careful consideration post graduation, she instead decided to apply for a position in publishing at Sidgwick and Jackson, which she was awarded.
On her first day at her new job Jilly explained how "stroppy celebrity" Bob Geldof ranting down the wire regarding his Live8 book that was about to be published. Maybe this was one of the factors that persuaded Jilly into her 'specialised' diet: "I was living off vodka and orange juice".
However, not all celebrity encounters were so hostile. Jilly can take claim to have sold an autobiography for the largest amount of money at the time: none other than Boy George's. Selling the book for £250 000 in '91 meant she was a prime candidate for head hunting.
Jilly was soon snapped up by The Daily Express, and cheekily entered the world of journalism without any interviews or testing pre-rituals. Possibly her finest anecdote involved KAthy Etchingham: the late great Jimi Hendrix's widow. Through a fellow journalist from her home town, Etchingham refused to do any form of interview, unless it was with Jilly.
But Jilly's finest hour, although slightly macarbe, came after Etchingham's love rival Monika Danneman was found dead, after apparently topping herself. Jilly was the only journo to gain an interview with Etchingham, and gained a front page splash on all of The Daily Express' papers.
However, as a self confessed "country girl at heart", the appeal of the city seemed to be wearing off. The draw to open spaces and greenery was too much, and a post at UCF seemed like a fine option.
As Head of Communications, Jilly's job can be broken into five parts: responsibility for Media Relations; edit staff bulletin; represent college on committees/communitee relations; edit the UCF prospectus and oversee the publishing of the website.
Jilly is currently studying for a post-grad in Public Relations. She best sums up her career to date as having "lots of suprises along the way". But who's to say where she go next, and what other suprises will creep up on her.
Monday, 15 October 2007
House Prices Finally Flatline
House prices around Britain finally appear to have plateaued as inflation fell from 12.4% to 11.4% this month.
As fewer home buyers have been taking out mortgages recently, the knock on effect appears to have been positive for house hunters.
However, the average house price around England is still approximatly £220 000 putting first time buyers under stress and pressure.
Closer to home, Falmouth along with Penzance, were the two sea side towns to see the sharpest increase in house prices a 2005 survey revealed, after a 300% rise in price since 1995.
Many students at University College Falmouth seem to have noted the huge price tags. Phil Myatt, originally from Stoke, says: "There is a huge price difference compared to Stoke; around £150 000. However [Falmouth] is such a nice place that the prices wouldn't deter me from buying down here".
Falmouth is still far more 'affordable' than Britain's most expensive sea side town of Sandbanks in Dorset. Home to footballers and millionaires alike, the average home would set you back a tidy £530 000: over double the national average.
As fewer home buyers have been taking out mortgages recently, the knock on effect appears to have been positive for house hunters.
However, the average house price around England is still approximatly £220 000 putting first time buyers under stress and pressure.
Closer to home, Falmouth along with Penzance, were the two sea side towns to see the sharpest increase in house prices a 2005 survey revealed, after a 300% rise in price since 1995.
Many students at University College Falmouth seem to have noted the huge price tags. Phil Myatt, originally from Stoke, says: "There is a huge price difference compared to Stoke; around £150 000. However [Falmouth] is such a nice place that the prices wouldn't deter me from buying down here".
Falmouth is still far more 'affordable' than Britain's most expensive sea side town of Sandbanks in Dorset. Home to footballers and millionaires alike, the average home would set you back a tidy £530 000: over double the national average.
Friday, 12 October 2007
The Public Sphere
Jason's Lecture - 10/10/07
UCF Journalism teacher Jason Whittaker exercised his knowledge on Wednesday, explaining to first year students the rise of the world of Journalism and the Public Sphere.
Beginning with the approaches to the political economy as a basis, Jason spoke in depth about both the Liberal and Marxist way of thinking, before going introducing Habermas and his theory of the Public Sphere.
Taking an indepth look at the emergence of Journalism, Jason spoke the important role trade took in the occurance of the network of community information that would later be known as the Public Sphere.
In short, as world of trade went international in the 16th century, more and more money was being spent and ultimately being put at risk. Traders wanted to obtain the knowledge, for example, of where a ship was and when a certain ship was getting into port. People picked up on this, and became aware that gossip from coffee houses and pubs was worth money. Printing it and selling it could give an income.
News and publications then evolved from writings about commerce to the world of fashion and taste. Journals such as "The Spectator" taught men how to behave as gentlemen: this was the birth of journalism.
Overall, Jason's extensive knowledge of nearly everything was quite inspiring, and at the same time reassured the listening students with a "we're in safe hands" type of feel. This seemed to be the general consensus around the lecture room after the talk had ended.
UCF Journalism teacher Jason Whittaker exercised his knowledge on Wednesday, explaining to first year students the rise of the world of Journalism and the Public Sphere.
Beginning with the approaches to the political economy as a basis, Jason spoke in depth about both the Liberal and Marxist way of thinking, before going introducing Habermas and his theory of the Public Sphere.
Taking an indepth look at the emergence of Journalism, Jason spoke the important role trade took in the occurance of the network of community information that would later be known as the Public Sphere.
In short, as world of trade went international in the 16th century, more and more money was being spent and ultimately being put at risk. Traders wanted to obtain the knowledge, for example, of where a ship was and when a certain ship was getting into port. People picked up on this, and became aware that gossip from coffee houses and pubs was worth money. Printing it and selling it could give an income.
News and publications then evolved from writings about commerce to the world of fashion and taste. Journals such as "The Spectator" taught men how to behave as gentlemen: this was the birth of journalism.
Overall, Jason's extensive knowledge of nearly everything was quite inspiring, and at the same time reassured the listening students with a "we're in safe hands" type of feel. This seemed to be the general consensus around the lecture room after the talk had ended.
Tuesday, 9 October 2007
A man was yesterday sentenced to three years two months after pleading guilty to race hate crime and 33 counts of child pornography.
Black teenager Anthony Walker, 18, was brutally murdered last year with an ice pick, provoking Neil Martin, 30, to write on his website that white people should praise the murder. He also posted how the victim’s family should be burnt, and made references to slavery. Police also found thirty three examples of child pornography on his computer.
Heather Lloyd, defending, said how Martin was “isolated and living in a fantasy world” and how he was “deeply ashamed” with his actions, which led to him writing a letter of apology to the Walker family after Anthony’s murder.
During police interviews Martin insisted he was not a racist, and had posted the comments after the murder to stir up an argument.
The court also heard of how Martin had set up an internet profile posing as a school girl on teenage chat rooms.
Judge Henry Globe QC, recorder of Liverpool, told Martin “You accessed that website and you abused its use. You posted highly abusive, insulting and racist messages on the site”.
Martin pleaded guilty to publishing material likely to stir up racial hatred and making indecent photographs of children. He was sentenced to two years and eight months yesterday for race hate crime and six months for child pornography offences.
After the sentencing, Anthony’s mother, Gee Walker said she was satisfied with the sentence, but did not accept the written apology Martin had sent her.
“Hitler started with an idea, slavery started with an idea, so it is good that this was stopped in time” she said.
Black teenager Anthony Walker, 18, was brutally murdered last year with an ice pick, provoking Neil Martin, 30, to write on his website that white people should praise the murder. He also posted how the victim’s family should be burnt, and made references to slavery. Police also found thirty three examples of child pornography on his computer.
Heather Lloyd, defending, said how Martin was “isolated and living in a fantasy world” and how he was “deeply ashamed” with his actions, which led to him writing a letter of apology to the Walker family after Anthony’s murder.
During police interviews Martin insisted he was not a racist, and had posted the comments after the murder to stir up an argument.
The court also heard of how Martin had set up an internet profile posing as a school girl on teenage chat rooms.
Judge Henry Globe QC, recorder of Liverpool, told Martin “You accessed that website and you abused its use. You posted highly abusive, insulting and racist messages on the site”.
Martin pleaded guilty to publishing material likely to stir up racial hatred and making indecent photographs of children. He was sentenced to two years and eight months yesterday for race hate crime and six months for child pornography offences.
After the sentencing, Anthony’s mother, Gee Walker said she was satisfied with the sentence, but did not accept the written apology Martin had sent her.
“Hitler started with an idea, slavery started with an idea, so it is good that this was stopped in time” she said.
Guest Speaker - Steve Ivall
UCF played host to Deputy Editor of the Falmouth Packet, Steve Ivall, yesterday for a seminar to all first year journalism students about entering the industry.
The local Falmouth paper is one of four Cornish papers owned by Newsquest, which includes Truro, Helston and Camborne and Redruth as its sister papers.
Steve introduced himself and went on to present all the additions to the paper, such as "FrontRow", written about the local rugby scene, and many others for a specialised readership.
What he seemed most proud of was his ideas of the important roles journalists play on a local level. He made a clear point that many national stories are taken from the work of local papers, which in most cases only result in a couple of paragraphs. This seemed to invoke a sense of unity between all journalists, regardless of their national or local status in the industry.
"The web has been the most dramatic change we've been through in the last 20 or 30 years" says Steve. He explained how the readership of print has dramatically reduced, and web news has exploded. He also touched on the importance of now writing as if the story was to go onto the web, rather than into print.
The web has also turned the role of the journalist on its head, as they are now expected to be literate in audio, video and photographic journalism to accomodate for the expectations of the new-age mulitmedia readership.
However, what may be of most interest to Falmouth students is the prospect of a deal between The Packet and UCF regarding a new student paper. Steve seemed a little apprihensive as to not give away too much detail, but definately hinted at there already being cogs in motion.
Useful Links: http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/
Saturday, 6 October 2007
University students are set to face a sharp increase in the interest of their loans and are fighting back using social network Facebook.
However, many students are unaware of the doubling of the interest rate from 2.4% to 4.8%: "I knew they were going up, but didn't know it was that much" says James Hunter, a first year from University College Falmouth .
After the recent success of the Facebook campaign against HSBC implementing a £10 a week charge, the same measures are being taken against the changes to loans. The group, called "Interest Rates on Student Loans to Double" was set up by angered students from University of East Anglia.
The moderator of the group, Paul Graves, said "A bank could never double its interest rates without informing its customers well in advance, but currently very few of the people this will affect are aware of the rise".
However, many students aware off the increase seem quite unfazed by the new rates: "Yea it's pretty bad, but it's got to happen because of inflation" says Steve O'Neill, a student at Plymouth.
However, many students are unaware of the doubling of the interest rate from 2.4% to 4.8%: "I knew they were going up, but didn't know it was that much" says James Hunter, a first year from University College Falmouth .
After the recent success of the Facebook campaign against HSBC implementing a £10 a week charge, the same measures are being taken against the changes to loans. The group, called "Interest Rates on Student Loans to Double" was set up by angered students from University of East Anglia.
The moderator of the group, Paul Graves, said "A bank could never double its interest rates without informing its customers well in advance, but currently very few of the people this will affect are aware of the rise".
However, many students aware off the increase seem quite unfazed by the new rates: "Yea it's pretty bad, but it's got to happen because of inflation" says Steve O'Neill, a student at Plymouth.
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