Shameful week for Brown’s governement
Business Secretary Peter Mandelson had a face full of green custard last week, after a member of the anti-aviation group Plane Stupid hurled it in his face in protest against…
Is the RAE corrupt?
Allegations of supposed prejudices have been levelled at the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) after recent analysis identified links between the performance of an institute in the RAE and how many…
Who’s the Orientalist?
The extent of some people’s arrogance, ignorance and shamelessness can indeed be revolting sometimes. That’s what I thought when I read the recent Badger article entitled ‘Balance it out!’. I…
All you need is…a Beatles MA
Liverpool Hope University now includes a Masters degree in “The Beatles, Popular Music and Society” in its postgraduate prospectus. The university asserts that it is the first institution to offer…
‘Dumbing down’ in degrees across England
Degree classifications are failing to accurately describe students’ academic achievements claims a new report by the Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Select Committee. An inquiry on higher education has received…
Changes in visas to affect international students
For international students wishing to study in the United Kingdom, the process to attain a visa to begin or extend their studies will be undergoing some serious changes. The tier…
Opposition, not Islamaphobia
Last month, years of Taliban hostility finally ended when Pakistan’s government agreed to surrender control of the Swat district and allow Shari’ah law to operate there, less than 100 miles…
Master degrees widen class gap
John Denham, the universities secretary, revealed last week at a higher education conference in London his fears that, “Masters degrees are (becoming) a preserve of the rich.” He said, “As…
Let asylum seekers work
Asylum seekers were given the right to work in the UK in 1986, a move introduced by the Conservative government. In 2002, the Labour government revoked this right. A small…
Residents left out in the cold
Residents of Stanmer Court, some of the more expensive accommodation on campus, are demanding compensation after two terms of irregular heating and hot water, extensive flooding, inconsistent internet connection, and…
More armed police officers on Sussex streets
New figures expose the dramatic increase of armed police being deployed onto the streets of Sussex in the past year. This comes in spite of the fall in the number…
Life’s a pitch for English cricket in difficult Test Series
In a test series that was defined by flat pitches, enormous 1st innings batting scores and unstable outfields, Andrew Strauss can feel relieved to be at the end of a…
Spies stalk students
Harvard University came to the forefront of student news recently when it was discovered that pharmaceutical giant Pfizer may be spying on them.
Past teams show current lot how it’s done
On the second Saturday of March, in cold and dreary conditions, Falmer Sports Complex played host to both current and former Sussex sportsmen and women in the rebranded: past versus…
Referenda results: URNU to stay; USSU to twin with Goma
The results of the referenda are in and voters emphatically chose that the Students’ Union should twin with the University of Goma to share skills, knowledge and resources and that…
University prospectuses fail to inform students
University prospectuses have come under fire for “misleading” students reports Times Higher Education. Universities have been criticised for producing prospectuses that are “all much of a muchness” and, amid the…
‘Aquapax’ could replace bottled water on campus
A new, eco-friendly alternative to bottled water is available on campus. The new carton, pioneered by Neil Tomlinson, is a ‘green’ response to criticisms regarding the sustainability of the bottled…
Ecstasy: no more risky than riding a horse?
An academic from Bristol University has claimed that taking ecstasy is no more dangerous than riding a horse. In an article published in the journal of psychopharmacology in January, Professor…
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…
Healy helpless as Sussex Men’s Rugby narrowly defeated
In a match that was determined more by the conditions than by the quality of rugby, Sussex Men’s 1st were unable to prevent an 8-6 defeat to Royal Holloway. Despite…