News: Chancellor Floella Benjamin opens University reception

Published on X-Media Online on Sunday, 5 November.

Chancellor Floella Benjamin opens University reception by Imogen Blake, News Editor

Chancellor of the University of Exeter, Floella Benjamin, revealed the University's new reception area in an official opening ceremony on Friday, 28 October.

Officials from Exeter were taken on a tour around Streatham campus to see newly completed buildings on campus, including the INTO Academic Centre and the Business School’s Building One.

The tour gave the officials a taste of what the campus will look like once the Forum Project is completed. The Project is part of a £275 million investment into Streatham campus.

The first phases of the Forum project are now complete, with two refurbished library levels, a piazza outside the Great Hall and the new reception. Students have also moved into newly built accommodation in Birks Grange, Lafrowda and Duryard.

Baroness Floella Benjamin said: “We believe this state-of-the-art reception will help provide a new focal point within the heart of campus being created by the Forum Project. It is really exciting to see the new facilities which include informal meetings spaces and information screens where students can meet and interact with each other as well as members of staff from across the campus.

“It is no doubt reassuring to both present and future students, as well as parents, that the extensive building developments on campus illustrate they are entering a world class University which is in good health in what remains a difficult financial climate for so many organisations”.

IB

News: Complaints over rape joke in SSB magazine

Published on X-Media Online in News section on Friday, 25 November 2011.


Complaints over rape joke in SSB magazine by Imogen Blake, News Editor.

OutRAGeous: The joke which caused offense. A rape joke in the Safer Sex Ball magazine has caused the publication to be reprinted after complaints were made to the Students’ Guild. The magazine, which is given out with every Safer Sex Ball ticket, joked that taking off a girl’s clothes without consent will burn 187 calories. The comment was part of a double page spread on how many calories you can lose during sexual practices. Complaints were made soon after the magazine, produced by charity-based society RAG, was issued on Monday, 21 November. Sophie Odgers-Roe, the Guild’s Racial Equality Representative, was “horrified”. She commented: “When I saw it, I was shocked, horrified and outraged. The Hidden Marks report was delivered last year, which details that one out of six women are violently assaulted or raped on University campuses. In light of this, I just can’t believe the sheer audacity of it!” All copies of the magazine have now been removed and will be reprinted without the controversial comment. Fee Scott is Service Manager of the Devon Rape Crisis Service which is based in Exeter. She said: “I was shocked to be informed of the ‘joke’ about sexual violence printed in the SSB Magazine. “It is still amazing that there is such a degree of thoughtlessness and insensitivity about sexual assault, particularly when 1 in 4 women will experience rape or sexual assault in their adult life”. RAG, the society which puts on the annual Safer Sex Ball, has issued an apology for the joke. They said in statement: “We would like to apologise unreservedly for any offence caused by an unacceptable comment made in the SSB magazine. RAG does not condone abuse in any way, shape or form and we’re deeply sorry that it was allowed to be published”. The Students’ Guild has also apologised, stating the joke should never have been published. A spokesperson said: “We would like to sincerely apologise for not picking this matter up at the proofing stage and for not removing it from publication. An investigation is underway, looking at how this happened and ensuring that nothing like this happens again”. Ms Scott was glad the magazine was withdrawn but expressed concern that the joke was allowed inclusion in the magazine. She said: “I was pleased to note the speed at which the magazine was withdrawn and the apology was issued but we should all be highly concerned about a culture where such remarks and sentiments can get through an editorial process”. Sophie agreed and added: “I'm happy about the speediness of the solutions and the solutions themselves. However, I will stress that I'm also pushing for all publications to be moderated by a separate entity in the Guild to make sure this does not happen again”. If you have been affected by the comment, visit the Advice Unit in Devonshire House or telephone 01392 723520. The Devon Rape Crisis Service has opened a helpline for women affected by sexual violence. Telephone 01392 204174 for advice. To raise specific concerns or complain about the issue to the Students’ Guild, email guildparticipation@exeter.ac.uk. What do you think? IB

News: DJ Jaguar Skills will headline Safer Sex Ball

Published on X-Media Online in News section on Monday, 21 November.

DJ Jaguar Skills will headline Safer Sex Ball by Imogen Blake, News Editor

British DJ Jaguar Skills will join beatboxer Faith SFX and Britain's Got Talent semi-finalists Girls Roc on stage at the Safer Sex Ball on Thursday, 8 December.

DJ Jaguar Skills will perform alongside Girls Roc and Faith SFX.

It will be the third time the DJ, famous for dressing as a ninja, performs at the SSB. Jaguar Skills has held residency at an Ibiza club night and currently has a slot on BBC Radio 1's Trevor Nelson show.

Plan B beatboxer Faith SFX will also appear, alongside aerial dance troupe Girls Roc who made it as far as the semi-finals on ITV's Britain's got Talent. University acts will also entertain the 4,100 students attending the annual ball which is organised by RAG.

Tickets sold out in just one hour last Thursday after problems with the online seller the week before deferred the sale date. An extra 100 tickets were put on sale to compensate for the technical issues.

Students were able to collect their tickets today from 10am until 2pm in the Lower Exam Hall. Collection is also available from the Information Point in Devonshire House between 10am and 4pm until Tuesday, 7 December.

The theme for this year's ball is Fantasia: magic, myth and fairytale.

What do you think of this year's headline acts?

IB