Lecturer’s strike may cause standstill in UK unis

Students could be faced with exam chaos this summer and may even be unable to graduate if a lecturer’s strike is not averted. In response to recent job cuts, the University and College Union (UCU), the largest trade union for academics, lecturers, and researchers in the UK, is balloting this week about whether to endorse future industrial action – meaning that the executive can call a strike whenever they wish. If passed, the UCU executive will be able to call a strike at only a few days notice, potentially causing havoc for Universities and students.
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Three cheers for Sussex students

The winners of the annual USSU Cheers Awards, dedicated to rewarding the good work done in societies and student media at Sussex, were announced last week. The awards, hosted by Activities Officer Dave Owen, were held at Lansdowne Place Hotel in Hove last week. The event was a swanky occasion, with attendees decked out in their finest suits and dresses, prompting USSU Education Officer Adam Farrell to say that the event was “Sussex Union with a touch of class.” Read more

Spate of thefts in Sussex library

The University of Sussex library was the scene of a spate of thefts over the Easter holidays. In a series of thefts a number of laptops, mobile phones and wallets were stolen. The incidents took place in the library in the week before Easter in which students were working hard on dissertations and essays. All of the items were stolen when individuals left their desks leaving their possessions unguarded. Read more

Farthing watches the pounds

The Vice-Chancellor Michael Farthing has had a busy year. In the last 12 months he has forced through considerable structural reforms, begun to plan Sussex’s path out of the recession and completed the search for a new Chancellor. In an exclusive interview with The Badger he speaks about his vision for the University, meeting with students and the dangers of bankruptcy. Read more

Sussex hit by ‘massive’ cuts in government funding

New figures released last Thursday revealed Sussex to be among the biggest losers in the latest round of government funding. The University will lose £1.15m pounds in research funding this year, the ninth biggest cut in England. The cuts in research funding, however, are partly offset by the 2% rise in teaching funding which is up £700,000.
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Two Sussex students fight in the library

A brief scene of chaos occurred in the library last week as a fight broke between two students. It appears the fight started when one student was staring idly into space as another walked past and thought that he was looking at him. He confronted the gazing student, asking, “what you looking at?”, to which the other student swore at him and told him to calm down. This angered the first man, who stormed over and hit him in the face before an almighty ‘scuffle’ kicked off. The two men then had to be pulled apart by helpful bystanders.
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‘Controversial’ talk as Sinn Fein come to campus

A divisive talk is planned this week when a member of Sinn Fein, the Irish Republican party once banned from broadcasting by the British government, will come to campus. Sean Oliver, the party’s All Ireland Agenda co-ordinator, comes to campus to debate with a member of the loyalist Ulster Unionist Party about the past and the future of Northern Ireland.
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“I can’t talk now. I’m on the plane!”

Last Thursday morning Ryanair became the first airline operating out of the British Isles to allow in-flight calls and texts. The Badger has found out that four Sussex students were on the first ever flight to implement the policy.
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Sussex students disrupt Miliband meeting

Last week a talk in Brighton by Labour Minister Ed Miliband was disrupted by a number of Sussex students protesting about the government’s environmental policies. The students, part of the group ‘Plane Stupid,’ disrupted the meeting to unveil a banner accusing the government of being hypocritical with reference to the environment. The students also demonstrated their disapproval of the government’s policies by throwing paper aeroplanes at Mr. Miliband and handing out flyers listing the 34 airports planned for expansion within the UK.
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Mercury Rising

A laboratory at the University of Manchester suffered an unexpected closure this week when they discovered the dangerous metal mercury, under the floorboards. The deposit had been stowed away nearly 100 years by the eminent scientist Ernest Rutherford.

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