THEMAGDALEN

DUNDEE UNIVERSITY STUDENT MAGAZINE ISSUE 9

February Edition

c a r es
Who
About

A pat hy ?
FEATURES
Generation Sober
Flatfinders
ArtScene

DUNDEE GIGS
Sky Larkin
The XCerts

NEW!
Sports pages

E
Current Affairs section
Problem page
R E
F

ISSUE 09
EDITORIAL
You’re probably looking at that mug and
thinking “Lauren Bennie’s let herself go!” It’s
actually my mug. I’m Natalie Coupar and I’m
the new editor at the Magdalen. It’s been a
mad month here with a lot of changes taking
place. We have a new editorial team and
some great new sections. Barry Davidson
has done a terrific job at getting the sport
section up and running while Rachel Irwin
has pretty much set up camp in the office
trying to get her Current Affairs section
sorted.
The front cover is the first time we’ve ever
done “a shoot” specifically for that use
and I’d like to say a massive thanks to my
flatmates for letting me drag them out of
the house and onto the Magdalen. They are
a rather handsome bunch! Kate Goodman,
our new Art Director, has been an angel in
organising everything from fashion shoots
to sourcing clothes.
Campus has been a bit mad of late with
the E.G.M taking place and protests for
CONTENTS
current affairs
Our newly designed pages are set to give
you the lowdown of all the big issues that
have been getting you talking. Check out
the Israeli/Palestine debate from pages 4 -6.
Tom Potton investigates the issue of child
soldiers on page 3 3
features 8 21
Generation Sober: Do we really drink
that much? pg.15
Chazzing: Charity shopping pg.12
ArtScene: Life is Over Exhibition pg.22-
23
Flatfinders: New service: pg8
essentials
Melanotanicous: The dangers Melanotan
pose pg10
The Magdalen meets...Craig Levein
pg29
NEW! Sports pages: pg 28
Society Spotlight: DUPK pg30
Fashion: Campus Chic: are you in it?pg.26
reviews
Gigs: XCerts, Sky Larkin pg19
Reviews: Lily Allens new album, Vinyl of

29
and against the Israeli attacks on Gaza
happening all over campus. It got us here the month, Boylans Blog pg 18
at the Magdalen thinking about student
apathy and how much we actually got
involved with issues that affect us all.

Contributors
So who cares about student apathy? EDITOR Natalie Coupar
Hopefully you do. With the elections
coming up (which we are doing an issue on Assistant Editor: Michelle Stirling
next month), your union needs you to get Current Affairs: Rachel Irwin (Ed) Tom Pottom, Jennifer Patterson, Philip Engelholm,
out and vote. The Exec and the SRC are a Solidarity Society, Max French, Alasdair Forrest
powerful lot, so it’s up to you the student to Entertainment: Eoin Boylan (Ed), Rosanne Baird, Stephen Budas, H. Evans, Louise Ward.
make sure that they fight your corner.
Lifestyle:Alasdair Forrest (Ed), Tahmina Nizam, Gavin McNee,
Being the first magazine I’ve ever edited,
I’d love to know what you think. My details Fashion: Andi Michie (Ed), Michelle Stirling, Laura Derbyshire, Susie Mackie
are below and I hope to see my inbox filled Features: Michael Gibson (Ed), Joanna McIntyre, Fabienne Wilson, Barry Davidson, Jennifer
to the brim with your comments when this Patterson, Evelyn Clottey, Lauren Bennie, Rimple Palana, Janine Ewen, Louise Forrest
comes out. My office hours are Mondays, Sport:Barry Davidson (Ed)
Thursdays and Fridays from 12-3 and I
operate an open door policy. You’ll find us Art: Kate Goodman (Art Director), Susie Mackie, Natalie Coupar, Michelle Stirling, Evelyn
in Microcentre Rm 1.01 (I know!) armed with Clottey
biscuits and coffee for your arrival. Finally, I Cartoonists: Ruth Hunter and Daniel Waterfield
want to say a massive thanks to the legend Graphic Design: Lauren Bennie, Natalie Coupar
that is Lauren Bennie. There wouldn’t even
have been a Magdalen if it weren’t for her PUBLISHED BY PRINTED BY
commitment. All the best for the future
Lauren - you’ll always be my editor! VPC Martin Gribbon David Winters & Sons Recycle your copy
Natalie Coupar Editor D.U.S.A 16 Dunsinane Ave of The Magdalen
n.coupar@dundee.ac.uk Airlie Place Dunsinane Ind. Est.
themagdalen@dusa.co.uk Dundee DD1 4HP Dundee DD2 3QT
01382 381064
vpc@dusa.co.uk sales@winterspioneers.co.uk
1
 current affairs:
national:
> Student Debt Max French
With the national average debt projected for 2009 University
entrants tipping £20000, student debt has become a serious
deterrent to further study. The introduction of top-up fees in
England and the rising cost of living have made significant debt
an inevitability for many. Even with parental support and part-
time work, it may not be possible to graduate entirely debt-free.
Education, however, has always been an investment. The real
problem is not the amount of debt, but the form it comes in.
“Student debt has become a serious
deterrent to further study.”
Little is done to educate students about finance and many are
unable to differentiate between cheap and expensive forms of debt.
Most students will borrow from the government’s Student Loans
Company. Student Loans were first introduced to top up grants if
needs be, but are now the primary means of borrowing for students
all over the country. These loans are sustainable long-term debt,
and being subsidised by the government can carry an interest rate
that doesn’t exceed the rate of inflation. They’re also dependent
on the average annual base rate of the top eleven banks in the UK,
which with vicissitudes in the economy has plummeted, and on the
6th of February, the rate for all student loans dropped to a record
low of 2% (for post 1998 loans).
This is the cheapest debt you’ll ever get in your life, and you’ll only
pay back 9% of any earnings over £15000. Another good way of
borrowing is with an overdraft. Banks value students because they
are future high-earners and therefore good customers. Most offer
student accounts, which can feature lengthy 0% interest overdrafts.
Two of the best are The Royal Bank of Scotland with up to £2750 per
year, and HBOS with up to £3000 per year. When choosing a bank
account as a student, it’s important to go for the best 0% interest
overdraft, and not be tempted by the tat and freebies offered if
you sign up. Also remember after you graduate to switch to a more
profitable graduate account. When choosing a bank account as a
student, it’s important to go for the best 0% interest overdraft, and
not be tempted by the tat and freebies offered if you sign up.
Credit card debt is becoming more and more of a problem among
students, and is an extremely expensive and dangerous form of
debt. Interest rates are usually extremely high and there can be
severe penalties if what you owe isn’t paid back on time. Misuse
of credit cards will also sully your credit score making it harder to
borrow in the future (student loans and overdrafts have no effect
on credit score). Interest can build surprisingly quickly if it’s not paid
back, and can become a genuine problem. Banks sometimes give
credit cards out as freebies with student accounts; RBS for example
offers a useless Mastercard with its student account which has 19%
APR and a £500 limit. Credit cards are not designed for those already
in debt and should be considered for very short-term borrowing
only.
2
local:
> Big Issue Jennifer Patterson
A well loved member of the community of Big issue sellers stationed
around Dundee was found dead in
his flat on the 23rd of January by his
father. Police are unsure of the exact
circumstance of his murder, but he
is thought to have been stabbed to
death on the weekend of the 17th
and 18th of January. One detail that
is certain, however, is that the murder
was ‘particularly violent’.
Mr. McDade had worked outside
Marks and Spencers in the city centre
7 years, and was very well liked by
the shoppers, and would often help
people carry their heavy bags to the taxi rank. He was often given
gifts by those he helped, including many household appliances, and
police are currently trying to contact any of the gift-bearers in order
to conduct an inventory of items in Mr. McDade’s flat at the time of is
death.
After an appeal to the public for any information regarding Mr.
McDade’s murder, police arrested Paul Clark, 33, on the 6th of
February, and later charged him with stabbing Mr. McDade. Mr. Clark
made no plea, and was remanded in custody while the investigation
continued. To make events even more tragic, Mr. McDade was thought
to be finally winning long-standing battle with drugs, and was back in
touch with his family, including his 15 year old daughter, who he had
not spoken to for 13 years.
Mr. McDade will be sadly missed by his family, and by the general
public of Dundee, who have covered Mr. McDade’s Marks and
Spencers pitch with flowers and tributes.
A second Big Issue death occurred in January. Lisa Mitchell, 25, an
regular church goer, died on the 20th of January in Ninewells hospital
after contracting pneumonia. She continued to work at her regular
pitch at the train station even while ill, so she wouldn’t lose her place.
Miss Mitchell is survived by her parents and 5 siblings.
In light of this double tragedy, it would seem that Dundee should put
more of its efforts into taking care of those in need, and looking after
its own.
inthebackground:
outofsight: > Child Soldiers Tom Pottom

‘Compelled to become instruments of war, to kill and be killed, child soldiers are forced to give
violent expression to the hatreds of adults’
Humanity has suffered many evils. Droughts, famines, disease, floods, war. But recently it has
suffered from a different, far crueller evil - a man-made one. It is a problem that affects nearly
every continent on earth, but most of all in Africa and Asia, a pandemic that sweeps through the
land and takes its children. This plague takes children, tears away their youth and innocence and
turns them into killers.
Although exact numbers are impossible to gauge, it is thought that hundreds of thousands of
child soldiers are being used all over the world at this time. In Southern Asia, India, the Middle
East, South America - even Britain when they sent five 17-year-olds to Iraq, but the largest
concentration is in central Africa where there are numerous civil wars between fought between
paramilitary groups and government forces. Both groups enlist children who, against their will,
are forced to be soldiers. The rise in child soldiers is primarily due to the accessibility of automatic
weapons - they are cheap, easy to maintain and even a child can use one. Shamefully often, they are made to.
In countries of poverty, rebellion and civil strife children as young as 8 are being abducted from their homes, abused, tortured and forced

leftfield:
to kill for causes they have been brainwashed, or
beaten, into believing. Often they are made to kill
their families so that if they escape they can never
go home.
However, worst of all is that some children Mum’s the word…
voluntarily join up; they are starving, ill and
disillusioned with their government whom are The birth of octuplets to a single mum
usually confined to the capital for fear of rebel forces, in California who already had 6 children
joining the army seems to them as being a promise and lived with her mum sparked
of food and protection. Many of the children are too controversy over the ethics behind IVF
young to fully understand the horrors of war and are treatment after it emerged that she
excited by the prospect of guns and action. had eight of her own previously frozen
Of the children that are abducted, the males do the soldiering, portering and laying embryos implanted. In a statement she
explosives, whilst the girls do menial work and are often sexually abused and used as slaves revealed that her reasoning was that
by their captors. In the training camps discipline is severe, trying to escape, failing to report she wanted a "huge family" to make up
on other children if they break a rule, failing a task or disobeying an order there is always an for a lonely childhood.
extreme punishment, usually a beating, torture and more often, death. The other children
Is the future in the stars?
are made to perform the executions on their condemned friends.
This is an account from an ex-child soldier in the Sudan;
According to the Myan Calendar, 2012
“When my brothers and I were captured, the LRA told us that all five brothers couldn’t serve
will mark a major solar event not seen
in the LRA because we would not perform well. So they tied up my two younger brothers
in 25,800 years, marking the ending of
and made us to watch. Then they beat them with sticks until two of them died. They told us
Time as we know it. Is this Armageddon
it would give us strength to fight. My youngest brother was nine years old.”
or the beginning of a new political or
spiritual era?
“I would like you to give a message. Please do your best to tell the
world what is happening to us, the children. So that other children Does facebook own your photos?
don’t have to pass through this violence.”
Allegations that facebook violates
DARE AWARE is a new student-run organisation whose aim is to raise awareness of privacy law were again sparked as
humanitarian issues on campus. Currently DARE AWARE is working closely with the Invisible amended terms of service for the site
Children charity. The IC is a charity that raises money to protect the many thousands of deleted a provision that said users
children that are at risk from abduction and being forced into the army. The IC also run could remove their content at any
rehabilitation programmes for former child soldiers. For more information about IC visit time. This is the latest development in
invisiblechildren.com. For more information about DARE AWARE and child soldiers visit continued public concern over the risk
www.dareaware.blogspot.com. of identity theft encouraged by social
networking sites.
3
 infocus:
>Israel/Palestine Rachel Irwin
Recent escalations of violence in the Gaza Strip have again swept Israel into the spotlight of the international media. Despite the fact that
Israel is repeatedly violating international law (by expanding to illegally occupy various territories both within and outside of what we
currently term ‘Palestine’) and carrying out extensive human rights abuses, Western countries not only turn a blind eye but support Israel with
weapons alongside political and economic aid. Not only were all US loans to Israel forgiven by Congress but America continues to allocate
no less than a third of its foreign aid budget to Israel. The reasons behind this are a confusing mix of both religion and politics as the roots of
the conflict date back not only to the recent persecution of the Jews in WWII, or the breakdown of the Ottoman Empire at the end of WWI but
right back to some of the oldest historical documents we have access to. The Zionist lobby in the West believe that the Jewish people have a
right to Israel as their homeland, but the strategic political position of Israel in the Middle East cannot be denied. It has repeatedly been used
by America as a base from which to advance Western political and economic ideologies and to wage war against Soviet and Arab nations.

Western intervention in this conflict through colonisation and its subsequent handling by the UN is what has
brought it into our political domain. What we are beginning to see is the political tide in the West turning
as people are beginning to question what can be justified in the name of the right of a people to their
77% think
Given that this is a highly controversial topic, if you feel your view has been either mis-represented or that the Uni
under-represented send your comments to themagdalen@dusa.co.uk and they may be published in the
next edition. should fund 2
>Students say: scholarships
for Palestinian
“Right to education is in the UNHCR human rights convention” students.
“There are other deprived countries in the world so why isn’t the
university offering young people from these countries the chance to
have a higher education?”
“Let’s not single Israel out though. We should do much more
to stand up to the State we live in now and their imperialist,
capitalist actions.”
70% of Dundee Uni
students think that
“I am concerned that by boycotting the Israeli goods we are the Uni should adopt
affecting he lives of citizens in terms of jobs and livelihood an Ethical Investment
instead of impacting the government and the economy overall. “
Policy.
“The Apartheid battle was going on for
a long time similar to Israel / Palestine. It
wasn’t stopped until something was done
about it by the other nations. That’s why Approx half
we should withdraw support for Israel and of students
perhaps use economic sanctions.”
support a
“In helping people, with humanitarian boycott of
problems it should not have a political
slant or it takes away the integrity of Israeli goods.
honest help of mankind.”

“I feel that students need to be

made more aware of the situation
in Gaza… most people I talk to
know nothing about it.”

Statistics were taken from a sample of 104 students at the University of Dundee. The sample was comprised of 4 groups: society representatives, the
4 Magdalen committee, students at the EGM and students using the Student Union.
comment:
opinion pieces:
> Pro - Israel Alasdair Forrest
It’s not easy to live in Sderot. This town, a little more populous
than St Andrews, stands on the Israeli border with Gaza. Since
the beginning of the Second Intifada almost a decade ago, its
inhabitants have had to get used to rocket and mortar attack. One
in three residents of the town, and more than 90% of its children,
suffer post-traumatic stress disorder due to this long-standing
onslaught. Unsurprisingly, the population is shrinking fast. Those
who can afford to leave their homes without having to sell them –
no one will buy – are doing so.
Sderotim are used to sleeping in bunkers, but the rockets they know
so well can now travel twice as far. One in eight Israelis are now in
the 20-mile target radius. Fortunately, Yad Vashem – more than an
hour’s drive from Sderot – is not. There stands Israel’s memorial to
the Holocaust, shaped like half a Star of David: a horrific reminder
that little over half a century ago the number of Jews on Earth was
halved. The Jewish people demanded – to secure their own survival
– a state in the land of their nation’s birth, and their right to defend it
from those who wished it destroyed. No nation deserves less.
In recognition of this the UN proposed that the Jewish people be
allowed to return to Israel, later recognising Israel as an independent
state within Palestine. Israel’s response to the terrorist attacks of
Hamas (recognised by the UN as a terrorist body) is justified in
the context of the defense of their state. No people would accept
these regular rocket strikes. If rockets were landing in Glasgow the
> Neutral Philip Engelholm
The debate in the public sphere concerning the conflict in Israel/
Palestine has become skewed. It has - quite understandably -
become over emotional, which is neither helpful nor beneficial to
anyone. Let me reiterate: a debate informed by emotional arguments
is neither beneficial to the Palestinians nor the Israelis.
Why has the debate has gained such an emotional dimension? The
killing of your loved ones or a constant overhanging threat to your
home obviously makes an issue emotional. Yet if we do not attempt
to detach ourselves from the emotional arguments we will never
be able to talk about these problems, let alone come to a peaceful
settlement. There are misassumptions and wrongdoings on both
sides, and I am going to sketch what I consider to be the greatest of
either.
In my mind, the foundation of any future peace in the region will
necessarily have to be the Oslo Peace Accords of 1993; these state
that Israel will accept the establishment of a Palestinian self-
government and the future creation of an independent Palestine,
while the Palestinians will acknowledge the existence of the state of
Israel. If these fundamental tenets are not accepted then there can
be no peace for either side. Yet both sides violate the ideas of the
Accords.
In 2006 Hamas was elected to power in Gaza, and they remain in
complete opposition to the Oslo Accords; particularly, they deny
the state of Israel its right to exist. It is the rejection of the Oslo
people of Scotland would demand they stop. That is all that Israelis
have demanded of their government: that the rockets stop now.
That request – to be able to live in tolerable conditions – is a simple
request, but not simple to answer. This is where the murkiness of
Israel’s task comes in. It must stop not only those who aim and fire
these rockets, but also those who arm, fund and energise them.
This task becomes increasingly difficult as the Palestinians have the
support of many of the surrounding Arab Nations. Within Palestine,
Israel is attempting to target Hamas but unfortunately the militants
are less discriminate. While the Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar
thinks killing Jewish children anywhere is legitimate, the Israeli
Defence Forces work to protect civilians.
Occasionally, this does go wrong. We all know of the UNRWA school
hit after troopers missed their target by 30 metres – a sickening
tragedy. We know that too many died, and certainly no one can
defend all of the brutality on the ground of a warzone. But this was
a warzone, and that was the decision of Palestinian militants who
see Israel as part of the Dar al-Harb, the House of War, and want
it wiped off the Earth. Israel made many mistakes in this war, but
the civilian toll could greatly have been reduced had militants not
shielded themselves behind ordinary Palestinians, in their homes
and public buildings.
Israelis from North to South live under a threat we would not accept.
We cannot condemn them for acting.
Accords that has led to the widespread denunciation of the Hamas
rule, including from the Palestinians on the West Bank. Additionally,
Hamas continues to fire rockets at Israeli towns.
On the other side, the Israeli government has chosen to
misunderstand what the core issue was for the Palestinians, when
Arafat signed the Oslo Accords. The Palestinians only accepted the
Accords, because they rightfully expected a significant increase in
their standard of living. They were hoping that their children would
not have to grow up in abject poverty, but would be able to educate
themselves and build better lives. The economic development of the
Palestinian areas is completely dependent on Israel’s good graces,
and Israel has done nothing to further it. Through the generally
aggressive conduct of the Israeli Defence Force, not to mention
the recent disregard of civilian loss in Gaza, Israel has effectively
quelled any hope of a better future for the Palestinians. By doing
this they have shot themselves in the foot, driven more youngsters
into the arms of extremists, and consolidated Hamas’ position as the
undisputed leaders of the Palestinians in Gaza.
Two things must happen simultaneously for the situation to improve:
the Palestinians must denounce the acts of Hamas and acknowledge
Israel’s existence; and Israel must realize that Palestinian economic
development is not contrary to Israeli national security, rather it is a
necessary prerequisite for any future peace to take hold.
5
 comment:

> Pro-Palestinian Solidarity Society

The recent bombings of Gaza are one of the many ‘man made
disasters’ that the nations of the Middle East have endured over the
last seventy years, but even by that standard it was bloody. On the
first day alone 225 people were reported killed and the death toll
now sits at over 1300. Israeli propaganda that this state terror was
necessary to stop missile attacks on the South of Israel was rejected
by many across the world including within Israel itself. Hundreds
of thousands marched across the world including in Israel, where
there was a joint Jewish and Arab march in Jaffa with thousands
attending.
Israel has perused a policy of collective punishment on Gaza ever
since Hamas were elected to power in the Gaza strip. Israel would
prefer to work with the more pliant Fatah and crush any Palestinian
resistance. So immediately after the elections the Israeli military
shelled Gaza. The barbaric sanctions against Gaza started, aimed
at starving out the Palestinians, which has led to the slaughter of
the bombing campaign. In the long run these moves will neither
make Israeli citizens safer nor harm Hamas popularity. Hamas were
elected because they were seen as less corrupt and more willing
to fight for the Palestinians than Fatah. Israel’s continued crimes
against the Palestinians such as the land grab using the security wall
and the continued occupation of the West Bank will only reinforce
this. As socialists we do not agree with the policies or tactics used
by Hamas but this does not mean we are not completely opposed
to Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians, nor do we ever drop our
support of the Palestinians right to armed self defence.
Unfortunately Hamas do not have a strategy for Palestinian
liberation. The suicide bombs and rocket attacks do not dent the
Israeli state and instead push many ordinary Israeli’s towards the
government. The Israeli working class are potentially powerful allies
of the Palestinians, and are strengthened by the growing discontent
in Israel over the economic downturn and the sharpening of class
divisions. More and more people are questioning the state. Within
Palestinian controlled areas popular democratic struggle is needed
to mobilise a mass of people, rather than secretive paramilitary
groups.
The siege of Gaza could not happen without both Western
economic support and the help of the Mubarak regime in Egypt.
Egypt is a country without democratic rights where protesters risk
being arrested, beaten or tortured. Despite this the regime has
suffered major strikes and protests over the last few years on issues
including democratic and Trade Union rights, and against the seige
in Gaza. The opposition party in Egypt is divided over how to react
to the regime and the workers opposition but what is clear is that
there is still a cauldron of discontent bubbling away on the ground
which will not wait for orders from current opposition leaders.
As socialists we fully support these movements in the struggles for
a truly democratic Egypt. If successful then it could set off a wave
of similar movements across the Middle East replacing capitalist
dictators and imperialism with governments made up of workers
and the poor. Such socialists governments, including in Israel and
Palestine, would be able to use the huge wealth of the region to
end poverty and could stop the cycle of violence once and for
all - offering a real permanent peace and liberation to Israeli’s and
Palestinians’ alike.

> History of the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict

1917 Balfour Declaration. Britain offered to establish a Jewish state in Palestine in exchange for the Jewish financial support to the British
in their war against Ottomans and Germans.
1923 Post WW1 dissolution of the Ottoman Empire. Borders defined by Britain and France on the request of the League of Nations.
1947 UN Partition Plan for Palestine (Israel, Palestine and an international zone).
1948 1948 Jews accepted plan while Palestinians with the support of the surrounding Arab Nations didn’t (reason: Palestinians didn’t
want to give up their land to the influx of Jewish immigrants. Jews saw it as the first step in their plan of claiming all of Palestine.)
1948 1948 Israel declared its independence on May 14th. The following day the US through Trueman recognised its independence while
in the middle east the 1st Arab-Israeli war broke out. Israel expanded to take control of 77% of Palestine and the larger part of
Jerusalem. Half of the Palestinian pop fled.
1949 1949 Israel recognised as an independent state by the UN
1967 1967 Occupied remaining territory of Palestine, until then under Egyptian and Jordanian control. Israel captured the West Bank &
Gaza Strip. _ million fled. UN Security Council called on Israel to withdraw from these territories.
1982 1982 Israel invaded Lebanon.
1987 1987 Mass uprising against the Israeli Occupation in Palestinian Territory.
1988 1988 Palestine formally recognised by the UN
2000 2000 Re-occupation. Wall built around the West Bank (ruled illegal by the International Court of Justice 2004).
2005 2005 Israel withdrew under Ariel Sharon’s plan for disengagement which was supported by the US.
2006 2006 Second Lebanon War followed by a ceasefire brokered by the UN Security Council
2008/9 2008/9 Ceasefire collapsed following Hamas rockets fired from the Gaza Strip. Israeli bombing of Palestine leaving 1300 dead.

6
oh...whats occurring:
Well, for those who apparently “Fight Apathy”, you’ll care to
know that the latest meeting of your Student Representative
Council has recently been described as the most relevant SRC
to date. Let’s find out why.
To kick off, on receipt of an SRC invitation, Mr Chris Sloan, the
General Manager of DUSA presented his opinions on the roles
and responsibilities required of his post. After fielding further
questioning from several Council Members on the current state
of Student Services and other issues including Licensing Laws,
venue pricing and improved cooperation with the Marketing
Dept to ensure poster-board slots for Societies, (take a breath
here it’s a long sentence), Mr Sloan insisted that members
contact him via email casloan@dusa.co.uk should any more
questions arise. With his departure in sight, SRC moved on to
address a late addition to the agenda from representatives
of Dundee University’s Stop the War Society(STW). From
the outset, Council Members were aware of the important
significance of the presence of the STW representative, Alexis
Wearmouth. From memory, there has been no other occasion
when there has been more than one person present in the
>Lauren Bennie
SRC Gallery (rumour has it that seats are open to all who
fight student apathy). On the 27 January, there were no less
than 8 students in the Gallery. STW had come to discuss the
humanitarian issue in Gaza and organise a General Meeting
at DUSA (since held on 5 February 2009 with both motions
passed).
With the more pertinent agenda items over, SRC moved on to
pass Minutes from 9 December 2008, discussed concerns over
conduct of property agent Grant Management and informed
representatives of upcoming Enhancement Led Institutional
Review.
So what’s next? SRC convene on the 24 February and again on
17 March 2009. All apathy fighters welcome. Additionally, if
running for Student Executive positions, SRC hope to see you in
the Gallery. After all, you care about student opinion…right?
7
 Feature:
Theres no place like
Flatfinders...
“Landlords realise the student body is big business..”
Whether flat-finding virgin or
experienced flitter, it’s approaching
that time of year again in which species
‘studenti’ begin the arduous search for
accommodation in which to spend their
next year at university.
The task of deciding where to live,
especially for those having endured
the relative comfort of halls, can prove
stressful.
These stresses tend to be caused by the
potentially nightmare scenario of the
untrustworthy landlord taking advantage
of inexperienced students.
So where can you go for advice on
finding that little piece of student heaven
(lad-pad or chick-castle), and avoiding
student hell (prison-cell styling and an
absentee landlord)?
To make this transition easier and to
assist students in finding that kickass
crib, a flat finder system is to be made
available by Dundee University Students
Association.
The service will endeavour to provide
details of the rights of tenants, and assist
students suffering a raw deal. It will also
provide an opportunity for students to
list their own adverts, and network with
each other regarding accommodation.
Flat finder is not designed as a naming
and shaming service but can help
prevent students making the wrong
decisions regarding accommodation.
Andrew Smith, DUSA Vice President
of Student Activities explains that
“Flatfinder will be an invaluable source
8
of information for all students and will
provide all the legal mumbo jumbo and
tips that they need”.
“The intention of the project is not to
attack individual landlords but to provide
a student alternative. Since the flat adverts
were removed from Hermes we have not
been able to provide that alternative but
barely a day passes without DUSA staff
fielding one enquiry or another from
house hunting students”.
The need for such a system to be put
in place was illustrated by some of the
horrendous experiences of students in
previous years.
Third year student Chris Norval was
last year a tenant at a privately run
accommodation off campus and described
the ‘misery’ he was forced to endure
throughout the year, culminating in the
failure to regain his full £250 deposit.
“For me the whole experience was one of
general misery, the sheer ruthlessness of
>Barry Davidson
some of the charges imposed made it like
treading on egg shells; they were being far
from fair”
Chris continued: “It makes you truly
appreciate a good honest landlord and I
see the benefits in flatfinder if it can supply
the information which may prevent fellow
students from making the same mistake I
did”.
Unfortunately, problems similar to those
encountered by Chris are not rare.
There is a growing concern for students
who are lured into signing costly leases,
with potentially hidden charges, by
landlords who appear to have mastered the
art of selling their properties to prospective
tenants who may not have the experience
to spot a rip-off.
By knowing the correct questions to ask
potential landlords you CAN reduce the
chances of appearing on Homes from Hell!
In the absence of a network such as
Comparethelandlord.com, the service will
aim to highlight the potential pitfalls of
private letting - including unfair policies
surrounding deposit return reflected by
Chris’s experience.
Landlords realise the student body is big
business and we do not deserve to be
taken for a ride after paying good money in
good faith!
We hope the day will arrive soon when
landlords across the city begin to give
students the deal they deserve, and in
doing so, make the academic year a little
more hassle free by providing that perfect
pad.
Feature:

How to survive a Break-up

by Jennifer Patterson

Break-ups, whether you’re the dumper or the dumpee, are never fun. Sadly, they are almost an inevitable part of
life. So while only time can really make things better, here are a few tips on how to get through that tough period
of heartbreak with as much dignity as possible.

Grab your Friends- Boyfriends, Girlfriends, they come and go, but your friends are the ones who helped your
choose what to wear on your first date, helped you compose texts that make you seem witty and smooth, and
they’re the ones who will share a bottle of wine, paint your nails, and listen to you rail about what a bastard he/
she is.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind- There’s no use weeping over that photo where you look thin and his eyes look
really blue while listening to ‘your’ song, that’s just going to make you feel worse. Put all the reminders of your
relationship away until you’re a little less raw.

No Bunny Boiling- “I saw you in Debenhams yesterday…I like the t-shirt you got… Did you have a good time on
Thursday?... Who was in your room last night?... I’ve made a collage of our time together… I’M OUTSIDE YOUR
FLAT” Never a good way to win back an ex, or keep your dignity.

No Drunk Dialing/Texting- “Heeeeey, how are yoooouu? I mish yooou, why don’t you still love meee? You’re a
WANKER! I’m sorreee, where’re my shoooes? No, I’m fine… I LOVE YOOOOUU!!” Seems a good idea at the time, not
so much the next day.

No Ex-sex- you’re relationships ended, sleeping with them again, even if it’s just ‘one last time’ will just make you
feel cheap and stupid in the morning.

Look Good, Feel Good- put on That Dress, the one that always makes you feel like you could be in Hollyoaks, and
watch for the looks of admiration you get as you strut away.

In rare cases, Revenge is sweet- I’m not talking about kissing another guy/girl in front of your ex to make them
jealous, or refusing to give back their stuff, I’m taking about when your ex has been a bona-fide idiot and they’re
just getting what they deserve. For example: A friend was with this guy for about 3 years, and he treated her
awfully. So, when the final break up came and his attitude persisted, my friend rallied the forces and reclaimed his
beloved basketball stand that she had bought for him at great expense and gave it to her cousin. Afterwards she
went and celebrated with a messy night out. A bloodless coup, and bloody good fun.

Mandy dumped Iain after he produced two matching outfits at

Christmas.
9
 BasicsBoard
Alasdair Forrest
s?
M e la n ot a n iciou teel
studies.
Furthermo re , d o ct o rs are worried
for another
ating syring
es,
as d ea th , and no gen ey ar e ve ry good at oper o ta n
to be as pal e in reason: th Melan
fashionable e. Tanned sk ’t, and with
It used to be n . Th o se days are gon u ra lly b u t m o st people aren
is b ec au se it comes
as
se en in the su t come nat ro ng. This at er
o u ld b e it d o es n’ r ca n g o w in st er ile w
girl w
an y o f th o se to whom n g e. So m e still go fo things
h m u st b e dissolved th is ,
reigns, and m get ora a powder w
hic top of
o ko u t fo r new ways to o. M o st su n-seekers ju st th e ri ght way. On io n s
no-n in ct
are on the lo cer-inducing n replace and injected blood-borne
infe
definite can of Melanota vi ous risks of to bad
sunbeds – a b ut could an
in je ct io n th er e ar e o b
ed needle s, o r d u e
ra ys , r sh ar K’s
smear on th e te- from unclea
n o asons, the U
kl y h eu re à St Tropez? m ila r to th e melanocy te ch n iq u e. For these re ai n st
your wee mpound si itary gland. injection vises strong
ly ag
a synthetic co e brain’s pitu regulator ad
Melanotan is le as ed b y th
to re le as e th e m ed ic in es
hormones re lls in the skin g. ywhere in
stimulating u se specialised ce r g iv in g skin its using the dru s, an d the ban ever
o n es ca b le fo dan g er ailable. It’s
These horm responsi Despite the elanotan is av
el an in, which is d o the same rl d , M
brown pigm
en t m as crea te d to
- the develop
ed w o testimonials
n ce . M elanotan I w d fo r damagingly th e In te rnet, where
tanned app
ea ra ithout th e n ee
, easy to buy
it o n rthermore,
in g in ta nned skin w lik e a si m ple solution ar e al so prevalent. Fu
thing, resu lt It sound s in favour o f it e known to
s o f su n-exposure. g sa lo n s in the UK ar e
long per io d worrie d . not some tan n in staff at thes
ct o rs an d re gulators are u se – M el anotan. It’s
it, w it h th e members of p et en t with
but do ll – but not to se d for provide b eing com
w to se is u n lic en t u su al ly
It is against
the la in, but it establishmen
ts n o cracked
g lik e ec stasy or hero is . Th e safety of o f it m ay however be t
a controlled
d ru
be good reas
ons fo r th
needles. Th
eir u se re Parliamen
Th er e m ay n in g ag en t, and type o ti o n is cu rrently befo w h o
human use. – type I, the
tan
ven. An down on. A
m
es to take th
ose
e tw o fo rm s of the drug o – h as n ev er been pro co u ra g e the authoriti ey g iv e it out in
th eases libid the drug to en , whether th
tu al ly in cr g g es ts th at g to co u rt
II, which ac al Journal su is known to sell the dru
British Medic one thing, it r the Internet
.
article in the tr in si c d an g er s. Fo r
s ye t, w h et h er p erson or ove
me in oles. A
may have so earance of m little is
g e th e m ic roscopic app n kn o w n ; in fact, very
chan ce r is u ry few
tes to skin ca
n ply bee ve n
this contribu sa fe ty . Th ere have sim
t the drug 's
known abou

Pri d
ST R ESSED OUT!?! h,
If it all fe els too m
uc
er tim
It’s
ge
essa tting t
ys, l
a
e of b wor t time
e&
o th
a Pl a g
get in touch with Pe urth k, re
Co nn ectio ns on th e
floo r or co nt act th e
fo Typ
Plag
her
e’s t
e in
“p
stre
s
read
e
p
he d s there orts, p ar aga
’ll b
es
iaris lagiari d word tudent tions… n the w
of y
e
rese
nta
in w
he
i a ris m
at of t s s
coun se lli ng se rv ices c.u k incl
he a
c
m , als
or
m” i )
nto plagiar called it seem rk is sl
in to
o
ow Ta
coun se lli ng@du nd ee.a ude ademi eferred the un ism. spe
s ne
ver- ly bui hmina
incl a go cw to iver a k to e ldi Ni
orl as sit n
u o
how de wha d dea d. This “acade y webs the ding! ng up; zam
t lo i mic it i r tuto D u
bec to avoi plagia f ‘do’s s clear dish e and y r ab ring th
om d it r i s m a n dd f ro m o ne o u’ll o u t (an is
the e (r
top sick of eferen is (claim on’ts’ w first ye sty”, is get
1 69 h
d
diff ic t c a a
eren ’s brou he wor e corre ing so hen w r whe massi its.
Citi c g d c m ri re ve
ng w e betw ht up, within tly). St eone e ting co introd NO in
be s ork een b ut a a fe u den lse’s u rsew u cto a
t c g s w t i ry le ny par
dau ated, a orrectl etting over-u days a s hear deas as ork. E c t
n s y y s nd e so m you xpla tures
Eac ting e a frien is the our de ed as y es b u ch r ow n a tio
h -m d m g th
whi subjec ails fr of min ost im ree, an e word ecom of it th n), and ns
ch i t ha om e fo por d no is it e g a t
Spe s s le
cial availab its ow cturer nd out nt fact .
u ta t can lazed they
i n s o m a whe
wor s t so l e fro with to ke t
k f
extr
acc her de even p
r; he s n
tha agains tware m subj emely u s t r i a r imp
t stu t c a e s a m a le
refe den previo lled “S ct tuto pecific tions o ent. Th phrase
ren ts h us e afe rs. way f pla e b dw
jeop cing ave s A of r g e o
a . not says a ssignm efer iarism st way rk mus
Let’s rdise t Those use
dt
nd i
nfo e n t e n c ing,
? Lo to a
v
t
h w ”i o
Wh face it: eir gra ho are he inte rmatio s used this k it up oid
et w d cau r t info !
eve her it’s ho wa e. ght net or n avail o comp rma
ryo b e n t s p l a a f r able a r tion
ne w en w giar i e
ant
som isin end’s id online submi
s th eeks o eone e g ca , t
eir p fr ls n fo eas/wo ensurin ted
rop esearc e to ta rfei
t th rd s g
erty h
to b or the
ke c
re eir m withou
e th nig dit for ark
and
t
eirs ht w
onl -befor ork th
y. e-th e
e-d y’ve do
ead
10 line ne?
pan
ic,
 d o e s M a rc h
M cN e e Gavin McN
ee
miserable! r
pefully much bette
ich m ea ns sp rin gtime soon (and ho se e th e
here, wh be glad to
over and March is re!). Personally, I'll
So February is now ot lan d so yo u ca n never really be su r, m oo dy singleton if you wi
ll
en th is is Sc Ca ll m e a bi tte
weather, bu t th cularly en joy . said that th e er
br ua ry ; it's no t a month I ever parti Ha llm ar k-c re at ed crap. Whoever
back of Fe plete load of to the random
ini on Va len tine's Day is a com pe th at M ar ch will see an end e
but in m y op uples?! I als o ho gels as much as th
ly on e sp ec ial da y of the year for co wr on g no w, I lov e making snow an es in th e
is on n't get me sh that com
've been having. Do fun, but I really fu
cking hate the slu
snow-showers we ay s aw es om e an d th e icier bits make yo
u
sledging is alw yo ur lower half,
next person, and ever you'r e we ar ing on
in March th is ye ar ? I
s messes up what . Does Easter start
aftermath. It alway m ing a lau gh ing stock for all around pe ar ed on the sweetie shelves
,
ing an d be co em e Eg gs ap
prone to sli pp by when the Cr now. So m h uc
y sa y I kn ow . I used to judge it n pr et ty m uc h get them all year
can't hone stl ation you ca ing up at the
y's ar e as gr eedy as any corpor er e ar e a go od few events com
but as Ca db ur it does look lik e th raiser, that is the
On th e br ight side though, d An im at ion ' degree show fund d
for tra di tio n! me-Based Ar t an sed up, go out an
th is m on th , m ost notably the 'Ti ev er ne ed ed an excuse to get dres ca us e.
Union arch. If you'v e it's for a go od
nza, on the 5th M and what's more,
Carnival Extravaga m uc h pe rsu ad ing!) then this is it; m ore co uld you want?! Th
ose
usually take ncing - what
get pissed (I don't cabaret an d bu rle sq ue da
ht out will be pl ea se d to kn ow
s acts, bands, DJs, ol uniform for a nig
There will be circu ering yo ur old sc ho
a bad mon th aft er all ; he ll it's
inappropriately alt Doesn't seem like ga party if
of you who enjoy ce ag ain to Mono on the 4th. es ar - an excuse for a to
ol Da ze re tu rn s on e de at h of Ju liu s Ca
that Scho niversary of th
s-what-number an
even the God-know gu ys!
ve a good month
ever I heard one. Ha
s Clin ic at
T he Y ou ng Pe rs on
on da ys
Nin ewells is open M to
pm
-T hu rsda y fro m 1. 30
4. 30pm.
T
N O AP POINTMEN
To Be A Scot... Alasdair Forrest
NEED ED.

When I was three, I knew nothing muc

h. I certainly didn’t know
about Postman Pat. Rather, I preferre
d to sing about Pàdraig
Post, and spat out Gaelic along with
my Coco Pops. I soon that looks like a CIA blacksite. Both
moved on to Power Rangers though, programmes have subtitles.
and Gaelic had no appeal Unfortunately, so does Tir nan Og.
compared with jumping around like Billed as an entertainment
the Red Ranger. Now, I programme, it shows celebrities you’
only know 20% of the Gaelic languag ll never ever hear of
e – words like television, talk about the items they would have
bus and computer – but I’ve recently in their personal island
started to learn it for real. paradise. It is strangely childish, and
Not before time. Gaelic is getting bold starts with grown adults
, which is not bad for a stepping off a fake boat to be welcome
language whose speakers could all d “ashore” on the set of
fit into Hampden. 'The Flintstones'. Nonetheless, the
The good, the bad, and the MSPs have channel is a great showcase
noticed this boldness. for Gaelic, and I'd urge you to watch
Lovely Linda Fabiani – then culture it once in a while.
minister, sacked two weeks Our Gaels seem to be getting assertive
later – introduced the new Gaelic plan . The Sgoil Ghàidhlig
to Holyrood in January, in Ghlaschu opened in Glasgow in 2005
Gaelic. Native speakers in the august as the first secondary
body replied to Fabiani’s school to teach in Gaelic. The dem
attempts with glee. Some other MSP and for places in this ugly,
s chuckled through brutal-looking building is so high that
some shockingly staccato attempts it’s expanding, and it
at the language – pity the looks like there will soon be more of
stenographers. As a result of the lang such schools elsewhere.
uage plan, it’s going Parents obviously think that Gaelic
to become easier to use Gaelic in com is Good For You, and they
munication with the want much more.
government, if indeed that floats your
bàta. However, the sight of proud suburban
And people want to use the languag mummies driving
e. Maybe not many, but Annunziata and Munro off to the Gae
those that do, really do. Last year, the lic school in the Landie
all-Gaelic BBC Alba may cause more problems than it solv
launched on cable, satellite, and the es. Speaking Gaelic still
Internet, and it is still talked has a subversive air and obscurity abo
about – not by you or me, perhaps, ut it, and it cleans up at
but certainly at some of the its peril. It should be a little grungy.
northernmost ceilidhs. It’s not all child Efforts to create words
ren’s programmes either. for thongs, emos and mouse-mats
It's current affairs programme, Eòrp may be ridiculed in some
a, is better than Panorama, newspapers, but they’re essential if
and the interview programme, Thu it’s to be vibrant as well
ige Seo, is excellent. It as grungy. With all this parental and
interviews Gaelic-speaking celebriti governmental support
es (none that I’ve heard of, making it Good For You, it may need
though they’re world famous in Oba all the help it can get.
n) in a menacingly-lit studio

11
 Charity:
just chazz.
If, like me, the mere mention of the word 'recession' has
you running for the hills, fear not. This is not a piece about
how we're all going to have less money (because there's
enough of them going around) but more a piece on how to
make your money go a little further - in the fashion stakes at
least. When all around us stalwarts of the British High Street
are sinking into administration, what better time to be a
little more creative with the little
money that you have?
Vintage shopping has been
fashionable for a good while
now, attracting celebrities
a-plenty and an arguable cache
from wearing something that's
got its own back story. The
cheaper version of up-market
vintage shopping is, of course
charity shop-shopping, or
'chazzing' as recently christened
by Oxfam. Ignoring the
somewhat naff sounding name,
charity-shopping is not only
going to benefit your wardrobe
and pocket- but hell, even
the environment too. Those horrified by the thought of
stepping into their local charity shop may be surprised at
just how much they’ve changed.
Figures on how wasteful the British public are when it
comes to their disposable lifestyle are predictably easy to
find- but nevertheless difficult to get your head around.
Recent research conducted on behalf of Oxfam and Marks
and Spencer last year reported that three quarters of the
population own something they have never worn- averaging
out to 6 items per person (I thought we were all hard up,
no?). This adds up to £101 per adult wardrobe- an amount I
think we all agree can be better spent elsewhere, if not spent
at all.
We throw away over 7.5 billion items of clothing each year,
the majority of which end up in landfill sites - which even
the most vehement climate-change deniers among us can
understand is a bad thing. Two thirds of people donate to
charity shops but arguably less people shop there regularly-
so with us all feeling the pinch isn’t it time we reconsidered
our preconceptions of charity shops?
Conscious of the image of their old, dusty past, charities are
now looking at new ways to entice the younger generations
12
>Louise Forrest
into their shops. With only 22% of young people ever setting
foot in a charity shop, let alone buying anything, charities
have been looking to the fashion world to encourage
students and young people part with their cash. Oxfam
has been working with young designers to recycle donated
clothing into fashion pieces worthy of their new boutique-
style stores in fashionable districts of London. Conscious that
there's a move towards more ethical
living, charities have been keen to
promote charity shops as a more
ethical way to shop, as they epitomise
the opposite of modern 'disposable
fashion' culture and encourage
consumers to give away their old
clothes, rather than resign them to the
scrap heap.
Charities such as TRAID (Textile
Recycling for Aid and International
Development) have also got
recognised the gap in the market for
unique, ethical fashion and in 2000
developed its own fashion label
TRAIDremade, which uses solely
donated items to create one-off pieces. Closer to home,
children’s charity Barnado’s have opened a wholly vintage
outlet in the Grassmarket in Edinburgh. The first of its kind
(a charity vintage shop) it stocks one-off pieces that rival
even the long-standing vintage emporium Armstrongs it sits
opposite.
So it’s time to rethink those preconceptions. Armed with
patience (I’m not going to lie, it’s not all Chloe handbags), a
little know-how (stick to wealthier areas for the best finds)
and an open mind (shoulder pads not your style?) you’d be
surprised at what you could find. And all while donating to a
good cause. Disposable fashion? It’s so last year.
For more ideas all things ethical try these sites:
www.oxfam.org.uk
Not only will you find out what good things are being done
with your money, but the lifestyles section gives you ideas
on how to live more ‘responsibly’ (without having to sacrifice
the drink…) Also, check out the shop online
www.stylewillsaveus.com
A so-hip-it-hurts online mag dedicated to the hedonist
within which never compromises your ethics…
Problems:

Rimple Palana & Janine Ewen

Our resident Agony Aunts are hear to help you deal with and resolve all of your problems - in true confidence.
If you have a question for Rimple and Janine, please e-mail them to vpsw@dundee.ac.uk

Dear R & J; my flatmate is so messy!
I am constantly finding myself cleaning up after him.
I’m not a clean freak but I don’t like living like a slob
and I’ve asked him so many times to tidy his stuff or
do the dishes be he just won’t listen. How can I get
him to clean?
Anon, 23, West End
R & J: Have another talk with him. Sit him down
and explain calmly and persuasively that this is really
frustrating you. If this doesn’t work get in touch with
Peer Connections (peerconnections@dundee.ac.uk) for
advice on how best to approach the subject. Also talk to
other friends, chances are some of them will have gone
through a similar issue and could give you some advice.
Whatever you do, don’t put up with it! It will just stress
you further and if you’re constantly cleaning up after
him he will never learn!

Dear R & J: I’m having
trouble settling in to Uni. I just don’t
feel like I fit in. I don’t get on with my
flatmates and I haven’t really met
anyone outside of that.
Anon, 17, Seabraes
R & J: Do your flatmates realise you haven’t found it easy to fit in?
You don’t mention why you don’t get on with them; they might not even
realise there is a problem. Also have you tried speaking to people on your
course? It’s easy to start a conversation with someone if you already have a
common ground. There are plenty of societies and sports clubs on campus with
something to appeal everyone; there are always a good way to meet people
and start socialising. Check the DUSA website (www.dusa.co.uk) for a list of
societies available and the Sports Union website (www.sportsunion.dundee.
ac.uk) for a list of sports clubs available.

Dear R & J: I’m worried about my flatmate. I never see her anymore. She spends all her time in her room. She never
talks to anyone and she is missing her classes all the time. She never even comes out to eat. Sometimes when I walk past her room I
hear her crying. What’s wrong with her? How can I help? Anon, 21, Belmont Halls

R & J: Try approaching her and talk to her. Say you are concerned and explain why; try to find out what’s troubling her.If you
feel you can’t help her, you should advise her to speak to someone about the issue. There is both a counselling service with a morning
drop in and a mental health nurse available free to all students and staff on Cross Row. Keep inviting her our of her room and find
excuses to do so such as ‘I’ve cooked too much dinner, would you like to join me?’ Try to keep her involved with what you’re up to and
hopefully she will start opening up to you more. Remember your own health too and don’t try and take on her worries, remember you
can only assist the best you can.

If you can relate to any of these problems there is help available at Peer Connections, which you can
find on Floor 4 at the Union.
Breathing Space (0800 83 85 87)
13
 Feature:
Zero Pounds Zero Pence
In a rage I give up, convinced
that the only way I’m going to
get money is to either have a
child or get married. And I’m not
doing either. Guess it’s time to
get hunting for woodlice...
Ste
I nipped back to Floor 4 to
have a chat with the wee
woman who usually sits at the
reception. She wasn’t there,
infact, nobody was there at all.
Perhaps she’s been relocated.
I begin to mutter to myself
about my iminent starvation
and wonder if Dundee has any
communes.
14
Joanna McIntyre
Scenario: You have £40 in your bank to last you
the whole month. The fridge is looking pretty
bare and you can only make 1 sheet of toilet
paper go so far, so what are your options?
Step 4
Task: We sent Jo around campus with nothing
other than these facts (and that theft did NOT
count!) and a hope that she would be able
to find out what the university has to offer
(funding-wise) for skint students.
p 3
Step 2
Step 1
Worrying about my dire financial situation
I decided to make a trek to the Finance office.
After asking just about everyone on Campus
I located the office. If you are utterly skint and
can’t see any chance of money coming in soon If you’re under 25 you qualify
you can apply for a Discretionary Fund. That is if for a Young Scot National
you are prepared to spend a lifetime searching Entitlement Card - something
out bits of paper you never thought you’d need. I’d never even heard of! You get
You also have to be good with words - they ask discount from a range of shops
you to plead your case - so think of things like - but that still doesn’t solve the
“I’m living off woodlice and rainwater! I can’t go problem of being absoloutly
on like this!” I decided to opt out of that one. skint.
Short of begging and gathering debt there must
be something else I can do?
Feature:

Generation
Generation
Sober?
Generation
Sober?
Sober? Fabienne Wilson

With all the press and appalling figures coming to light over In a bid to save the student reputation I introduce the teetotallers; there
the last few years on the dangers of alcohol abuse and the are a number of students (more than you’d think) who simply do not
rising figures of alcohol abusers, students seem to have got drink. By general consensus this does not hold them back. It neither
tangled up with the reputation of spending all their cash on stops them from going out with people who drink, nor does it stop
drink and all their time in a state of inebriation. However, not them from dancing their feet off
all students fit into this generalisation; we are not all as bad and having a great night in Mono.
as the figures make out! They wake in the morning ready
for the day ahead remembering
University used to be known as an educational institute the night before as a night of
where only the elite academics were accepted - an good fun with friends. Their
environment where students worked to their highest feet may well be a bit sore from
potential. The first university in Britain was Oxford University those 5 inch heels, but their
which opened in 1167, over 800 years ago! So in the last generally they’re in tip-top shape.
800 years it is inevitable that student reputation will have Admittedly Britain has a big drink
changed in some way. Yet from this version of students being problem, as highlighted in recent
prestigious and esteemed academics how did students earn Magdalen articles and national
a reputation of being wasters who spend most of their years Newspapers. However,
at university drinking, most of their time hung-over on the here is evidence that not all students fit into this category!
sofa and a minimal amount of time working and doing what
they are actually at university to do? How has the reputation Secondly I introduce the less excessive drinkers of which I and probably
of students fallen down this slippery slope? Could it be the most students belong. Most of the people I know (including me) enjoy
seething mass of people who now attend university - and the odd night out on the town but would much rather have a chilled
who become a tiny part in the mechanics of the university night in air bar or some Perth road pub where you’re not having to
system - viewing drink and socialising as the most important shout at 1000 decibels in order to be heard. It turns out that this idea
thing; a change in psychology maybe? Either way, although of a good night is shared by plenty of students; out of all the people
times have certainly swayed toward a very different idea of I’ve talked to about this topic, the majority of people have their better
what university is about and why we are all here I suggest nights in a relaxed situation like this having a couple of drinks and
that the reputation students have gained related to drink is socialising with friends. Unlike being in a club, the people around you
not as current or true as people think. are not all on a mission to get drunk – if you don’t fancy drinking there
is no pressure! The fact that students like this kind of atmosphere,
Your first year of University is a time for meeting new people, coming together to get to know new people and socialise with current
and what better and easier way than going out drinking? friends is unquestionably a good thing and more importantly, far away
Alcohol is renowned for taking the edge off, increasing from the drunken students we hear about in the papers! This image of
confidence and reducing inhibitions. On top of this alcohol students is far closer to the truth and reveals that though reputation
changes behaviour and induces reactions which would has changed over the years, there are many students who do not fit into
otherwise be appropriate. But are we all the social alcoholics the generalisation and reputation students have gained for being huge
who are constantly hung-over, the students who don’t have a drinkers. We can and do have just as much fun without the bottle!
middle ground and drink so much they wake in the morning
with no recollection of what happened the night before. Do
students really feel excessive alcohol is necessary for a good
night? I suggest not.
15
 LoveMusic:
> Boylans Blog
This winter may have been the coldest on
record, but the music scene is still hotter
than hell. The Magdalen have had their
ears firmly pressed to the ground and we
can tell you that there are some awesome
things brewing in the industry’s hot little
belly.
As far as local acts go, Carnoustie boys
Make Sparks have been working
insanely hard, playing a gig every single
night in February in order to raise funds
to make a trip to London for recording.
These guys are poised for the big time and
any opportunity to catch them live should
be seized, as their special brand of pop
rock will leave even the most casual music
listener tapping their toes.
Another name to watch is definitely
Dundee Uni’s own Swordmaster.
Described as the UK’s most metal boy
band, the techno rockers will be playing
the union later this month and should
not be missed. Fusing power metal with
Justice style beats; this is a crossover that
needs to be experienced to be believed.
In less appetising news, The View’s new
album is not the saviour of rock and roll
that every Dundonian scenster will tell you
Got an opinion? Think your music taste is better than ours? Get on the
blower: 01382 381064 and hurl some abuse at us if you’ve got the balls.
16
it is. The pups haven’t gone far from the kennel,
as their new effort is as decidedly average as
a blank canvas in an empty room. It’s more of
the same, which fans will love and anyone with
taste should definitely ignore.
Remember the last good U2 song? Me neither.
Their new single Get On Your Boots starts off
like a stonking, pulsing rock track and ends
up ruined by the slightly past-it Bono singing
about sexy boots. The lyrics are pointless and
make him seem like the creepy uncle who hits
on your girlfriend at weddings. New album No
Line On the Horizon has a few decent tracks
but nothing to re-live the glory days, which
is slightly disappointing for such a legendary
name.
Next month sees releases from The Prodigy
(hell yes), Chris Cornell, Royksopp and
(if you can believe it) Lionel Ritchie. Kelly
Clarkson is back too, with new effort All I Ever
Wanted tipped for great things in the teenage
girl market, while American pop-punkers Bell
X1 will deliver a summery slice of fun, energetic
hooks in an effort to brighten up the bleak
times we live in.
All in all, a great month had and an exciting one
to come, so until next time, keep the music live
and the stereo at full blast. Yas!
>Montage Music
I’ve got an essay that has to be
finished in about 20 minutes and I’m
only half way through. Running out
of steam and almost up to my knees
in “panic sweat” I have an epiphany - I
Need Montage Music. I’ve compiled
the best Montage Music list to help
all those people who just love to
leave things to the last minute.
1.Push It To The Limit - Pete Bellotte -
Scarface. What an anthem!
2.You’re The Best - Joe Esposito -
Karate Kid. “Wax on Wax off”
3.She’s a Maniac - Michael Sembello -
Flashdance. Yes, I have danced to that
song in my leggings, in my room, in
front of the mirror.
4.Danger Zone - Kenny Loggin - Top
Gun. Talk about power guitar anthem!
5.Hearts on Fire - John Cafferty -
Rocky IV
THE best training montage in a long
time.
 Think your record collection is the Bee’s
Knees? Let us know by e-mailing us
your review with a picture of yourself to
themagdalen@dusa.co.uk
> Albums the world should own
The Record Collection Of A Dundee Student
Soviet Kitsch - Regina Spektor
Few albums still sound as fresh by the hundredth play as they did on
their first. Soviet Kitsch is one of these rare records.
Soviet Kitsch breaks down conventional expectations of music in every
way. From Poor Little Rich Boy, where the percussion is provided by a
drumstick... and a chair; abrupt jumps between soothing and scathing
on Chemo Limo; even raspberry-blowing on Somedays.
Without any doubt, however, Spektor’s greatest talent lies in her ability
as a lyricist. She constructs images with words in the same way as a
poet would, making even the most mundane of situations unique and
fantastic. The best example of this – and possibly also the best song
on the album – is The Ghost of Corporate Future. What other song
can you recall that has the line “When he gets to the crowded subway
platform he takes off both of his shoes/He steps right into somebody’s
fat loogie and everyone who sees him says “eww.”?
One critic praised the song as “an assassination of the American
Dream,” but what I feel he missed was the song’s buoyant optimism
– a trait that extends to the rest of the songs on the album. A life-
affirming and simply beautiful record.
Find it if you can!
Courtesy of Sarah Gillespie
> Myspace of the month
Favours For Sailors
It’s quite a feat for any British band to
take the template of classic American
indie music of the late 80s and early 90s
and truly make it their own but recently
there’s been a slew of groups that have
had pretty good stab at it. In comes
Brighton’s Favours for Sailors.
Formed in late 2005 with the intention
of “turning their summer dreams of
mixing the unashamedly sweet pop
sensibilities of Cheap Trick and The Cars
with the wired frenzy of post hardcore
into a reality” they’ve slowly honed their
skills as noisy indie pop merchants and
this year things look set to really come
together for them.
‘I Dreamt that I Dreamt That You Loved
Me In Year Dreams’ is quite simply one
of the best pop songs your likely to hear
all year. Crashing along with its punchy
guitars, Beach Boys Harmonies and
lyrics about that unattainable girl it really
is pretty perfect.
Their Furious Sons e.p. is already one
of the best releases of this year and
anyone that likes their indie rock a bit
rough and scruffy will undoubtedly fall in
love with its’ wonky edges.This year the
tastemakers have supposedly decided
we’re all going to be listening to glossy
pop music again but Favours for Sailors
act as a perfect reminder that it is the
ramshackle noise merchants who have
the real heart.
For Fans of – Guided By Voices, The
Shins, Animal Collective
Stephen Budas
17
 Take It As
Gospel:
Each month The Magdalen Ents team
listens, reads and watches the best in all
things Entertainment.
Only to pass it on to you, of course.

SINGLES&ALBUMS:
Lily Allen - It’s Not Me It’s You Beyonce - Single Ladies (Put A > Vinyl of the Month
(Album) Ring On it)
A welcome return for outspoken (Single) Fleetwood Mac
popstress, Miss Allen is back to her old self With one of the memorable choruses Rumours
with this emotive collection. “The Fear” since “Happy Birthday” this song is an
has already stormed the charts with it’s absolute floor-filler. Beyonce does what
As a child, regular trips would be made
bold lyrics and dreamy synth beat. Track she does best - thats getting ladies
along the bending roads that take you
3 “Not Fair” has an old western kick to it dancing by the way - in one of her best
through the valleys of Perthshire to a
which I defy you not to dance do. Only songs so far. It may be repetitive but the
Lily Allen can conquer the “Wet Patch” small village called Dunning. The whole
loops and beats are ingenious. The song
situation with such a blase tone. She’s family would be crammed into my parents
will not budge from the charts - I hope it
back. NC never does! NC knackered Fiat Punto, accompanied by the
Rating Rating dulcet tones of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey
Buckingham. In that car, along those
FILMS: bending roads, I was to experience one of
the best records ever made.
Australia Seven Pounds Rumours, by Fleetwood Mac, was released
Having been described as a ‘romantic Even Will Smith didn’t give out what the in 1977 under Warner Brothers. This timeless
action adventure’ Australia lives up to these title is about in his interviews. Not being a
piece of music ingenuity would go on to
aspects. The story tells of a high society very big fan of Will Smith, I was blown away
sell over thirty million copies and inspire
women flying to Australia where she has by his outstanding performance in a roll
millions of music lovers worldwide. Titled
inherited a large cattle ranch. Quickly he does not usually play. The film depicts a
Rumours due to a comment made by band
falling in love with the land, she is intent tax collector, Ben (Smith), who is depressed
member Christine McVie that the songs
to protect it when it becomes threatened after his wife’s death. He falls in love with
by rivals. The epic journey of travelling Emily (Rosario Dawson), a woman who is on were all written about one another, the
across Australia with the cattle, in order to the transplant list for a new heart. Slightly record shows beautiful lyrics and passionate
sell them to the Australian army, allows the fragmented in places with the flashbacks song writing. It’s an album that you can
pure magnificence of Australia’s scenery but is easy enough to watch. The ending of apply to your own life, but at the same time
to be detailed. The film is almost three the film is spectacular but you will just have it’s a “through-the-keyhole” moment for
hours long and manages to squeeze out to go and watch it for yourselves. RB Fleetwood Mac.
every human emotion possible. Whilst the From the electric “Go Your Own Way” to
stars Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman the haunting “Songbird,” every song is a
are convincing and put on amazing sheer classic. “The Chain” contains one of
performances, it is the country itself which the most sexual basslines I’ve ever heard in
really steals the show. A great watch - my life and “Second Hand News” is a great
highly recommended. RB sing a long track. In a world where albums
Rating Rating are made by focus groups and contain
“skip-tracks,” it’s so comforting to know that
somewhere, in some record shop, Rumours
Slumdog Millionaire will always be there.
Winner of the 2009 Bafta award for best film (along with six other
Make sure you listen to - The Chain
awards), this film certainly needs your attention. An amazing and
Skip tracks - None.
heart rendering story of a Mumbai teenager who grew up in the
slums. The film is set in flashbacks as Jamal (Dev Patel – Skins) answers
each question on ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’. The flashbacks Natalie Coupar
bring us through his life growing up and let us know how he knew the
answers to each question. An interesting take on how we come to get
the knowledge we have by accident. Great story, great acting. RB
Rating

18
 DLS:
> Gig Round Up
Sky Larkin/PABH @ King Tuts
Gig Replay
“I punched a lion threat” screams a sweaty
man rolling around the floor as Leeds’
Pulled Apart by Horses bring their set of
scuzzy punk rock to somewhat of a rawkus
end. After spending a good chunk of the
set in the crowd it’s amazing nobody’s
managed to get their head smashed in by
chief screamer Tom Hudson’s stray guitar
at some point. Lyrically the irony dial is
turned right up to ten (“Awesome, radical,
awesome, totally bodacious”) but as long
as you can convince yourself they are in
fact taking the piss then just sit back and
enjoy the madness (Or even if you can’t,
stop taking yourself so seriously and enjoy
it anyway) On paper it would appear totally
inappropriate to have a band like Pulled
Apart by Horses supporting the indie pop
headliners but they act as the perfect warm
up for their friends from Leeds.
It’s a testament to Sky Larkin that they still
manage to draw a decent crowd tonight
considering that elsewhere in Glasgow both
Bloc Party and Of Montreal are playing and
singer Katie Harkin seems quite touched
at the fact that a lot of people have come
to see her band rather than the indie
behemoths elsewhere.
The Xcerts/Copy Haho/Popolo
For a stripped back three piece they don’t
at the Doghome
exactly struggle to make a big noise. As
Gig Replay
Nestor Matthew’s jazzy drum beat in the
intro to Pica gives way to Douglas Adams’
Despite hailing from Aberdeen the
chunky bass with Katie’s fuzzy guitar riffs
Xcerts’ visits to Dundee seem to have
you can be left with little doubt that these
been few and far between in the past,
guys are a great musical unit.
apparently their last gig here was many
moons ago infront of two old drunken
Musically there’s not a great deal of
hecklers at Drouthies. Now, a few years
variation (ignoring Katie and Doug jumping
on it’s not just the band’s location (they
onto a keyboard for a few songs) but it
migrated to Brighton in 2006) and
doesn’t really matter, these are simple songs
drummer that have changed-Dundee’s
delivered well. As Katie tip toes her way
reception has certainly got a lot warmer.
around the stage you get the impression
The Xcerts’ shouty style of punchy
that the band are enjoying the fact that
pop-rock is much akin to the likes of
some success is starting to come their way.
Taking Back Sunday and Brand New but
with a Scottish twang to their heart-felt
After a genius indie pop pairing of singles
vocals, quite often the trio have been
- Molten and then Beeline - is finished the
compared to the likes of Biffy Clyro. It
band troop off only to be met with shouts
was an energy-filled set and at times
for more and it is left to the keyboard led
we were left wondering if bass guitarist
album closer Keepsakes to bring tonight’s
Jordan Smith’s head was going to fall off
proceedings to a fantastic close.
his shoulders, it was bobbing that much!
The Xcerts powered their way through a
On Pica Katie sings”I swear I won’t put a foot
set littered with tracks including “Do You
wrong” and on tonight’s evidence her and
Feel Safe” and their new single “Crisis
her boys don’t have to worry about that.
in the Slow Lane” which culminated in
a mass sing along (for those of us that
Who are Bloc Party and Of Montreal again?
knew the words!).
Earlier in the night, opening support
Stephen Budas
came in the form of local favourites
Popolo who played a tight set
showcasing some newer stuff.
Personally, the highlight of the night
for me was the support provided by the
awesome Copy Haho from Stonehaven.
This band are certainly destined for
big things. With hints of the Strokes,
Katie Sky Larkin - photo by S.Budas
especially during “You are my coalmine”,
combined with a vocalist with an almost
crooning quality to his voice (a bit like
if Julian Casablancas spent a prolonged
period of time in Aberdeenshire) Copy
Haho are definitely well worth a listen.
Louise Ward
19
Cartoons:

Ruth Hunter & Coffee.

Daniel Waterfield Presents.

Ruth Hunter & Worms.

20
 ArtScene:
YOURARTSCENE:
> Evelyn Clottey

Emma Cunningham
4th Year
Fine Art

Emma is currently working on creating stuffed fabric animals, specifically foxes. She
uses second hand fabric and colourful silk. “I’ve always had a little obsession with foxes;
they’re cheeky and have a scavenger nature,” quips Emma when quizzed about her
focus on foxes in her work. Emma uses a combination of textiles and drawing to create
her work, something which feels adds a variety to her pieces.

James Kingdom Smyth

James’ sculpture “Space for Thought”
4th Year
was based on idea to to have a hollow Art, Philosophy and Contemporary
head split in half, with the front and Practices
back, connected with hinges and have
platforms within the hollow space with
people scuttling around on them.
.

21
ArtScene:
LIFE IS OVER - IF YOU WANT IT Roseanne Baird

“Death is certainly not ignored and is celebrated rather than

feared”
the gallery, shows some images from sources inspirational to the
“LIFE IS OVER! If you want it” is the title of this month’s exhibition
artists such as personal photos of their studio. The second series
In the Cooper Gallery in the Duncan of Jordanstone’s Frankland
of projections shows a still scene taken from Janssen’s parent’s
building. I’ve been along to see what it’s all about and to speak to
house shortly after the death of his mother. The movement occurs
the artists involved: Scotland’s Tracy MacKenna and Dutch born
in the photo frame with a changing series of photographs. Most of
Edwin Janssen.
the photographs provide a personal memorial for his parents. The
In 2000 Janssen’s father, being diagnosed with terminal cancer
final projection is of writings by MacKenna, which have continually
decided to end his own life through legalised assisted suicide.
been updated from the moment the
Permitted in the Netherlands since 1993,
exhibition opened. These change as
it took over twenty years of debate before
a result of interaction with visitors
assisted suicide was legalised through the
and show some of the thoughts and
courts. It was not until 3 years after his
opinions they bring into the gallery.
father’s death that Edwin and his life and
On discussing their use of these various
creative partner Tracy applied for funding
mediums, MacKenna and Janssen
to develop art inspired by the worldwide
attempt to define the practice of art
debate concerning legalised euthanasia
differently. By drawing inspiration
and also their own personal experiences.
from social interaction with the issues
Drawing inspiration from the death of
that their work focuses on they are
his father, Janssen channels subsequent
able to broaden the context of their
positive personal experiences into his
work. Following the opening of the
work.
exhibition there have been various
The title of the exhibition comes from the
events taking place in the gallery for
series of posters Janssen and MacKenna
all to come along to. Events included
have worked on inspired by John Lennon
talks and debates on the role art in
and Yoko Ono’s peace posters (War is over!
portraying death; the death drive
If you want it). 1999 saw the pair invited
in relation to architecture; and also
to Zurich to contribute to the Migros
landscapes where people have taken
Museum’s Peace exhibition. They contributed through making a
their lives. Janssen and MacKenna have also used the gallery
peace blanket, which started out blank and was gradually built up
as a model for education. A group of students took part in a
through a culmination of ideas on war and peace from people they
performance in the gallery based on their own experiences with
met. The pair’s focus then turned to the John and Yoko posters,
death. The exhibition has also offered their colleagues a platform to
inspired by a fascination of their both being life partners and
work in. It has brought together those who would not usually work
creative partners. Janssen and MacKenna have used the drawings
together and allowed those with similar artistic projects to step
for different exhibitions to convey numerous different messages.
forward and bring them to the forefront. A form of the exhibition
The drawings in the gallery show ‘Death is gentle!’, ‘Die in dignity!’
is being developed and taken to Australia in April. The work will be
and ‘Life is Over!’.
further circulated around the United Kingdom, where the recent
The exhibition presented in the Cooper Gallery is calm and peaceful.
death of 23 year old Daniel James has brought the topic of assisted
Maintaining an air of impartiality, the exhibition aspires to create
suicide to forefront of debate. In Australia the law was changed to
debate and discussion amongst its visitors. It is unpoliticalised and
allow people suffering from critical illness’s to take their own lives
allows debate on a subject, which has perhaps been clouded in the
but this was reversed several months later.
media by political judgements.
‘LIFE IS OVER!’ is by no means just for the Duncan of Jordanstone
The work in the gallery brings together different elements and
locals. Anyone can come in and interact with the work of the artists
layers. There are some classic artworks borrowed from galleries in
and the issues raised. Although Dundee is a small place in the world
Perth and Edinburgh. These alternate between extremely detailed
this exhibition helps raise awareness of an issue we might see
small still lives to larger paintings, more intone with the subject of
discussed in Scotland soon. Life in this exhibition is treated in terms
death such as ‘The burial of the MacDonalds of Glencoe’. The idea
of death. Death is certainly not ignored and is celebrated rather
of size as a resounding theme throughout the exhibition continues
than feared.
in the huge projected slideshows. The first, on display as you enter
22
 ASSISTED SUICIDE - FACTFILE
SCOTLAND

Independent MSP Margo MacDonald is pushing the issue of legalising assisted suicide into Hollyrood. She herself suffers from Parkinson’s
disease (a disease which affects the brain’s communication with the body, thus affecting movements such as walking, talking and writing.)
MacDonald’s stance is that people with terminal illnesses or those who have unexpectedly become incapacitated to an intolerable degree
should have a choice of when and where to die if they so wish. Her belief being that some people, should they have the opportunity,
would choose physician assisted suicide in order to miss out on the pain and lack of dignity which some debilitating illness’s can bring.
MacDonald has suggested taking influence from countries where assisted suicide is legal and implementing a strict system of regulation.
A patient must have had contact with a physician for a considerable amount of time; two request letters, written at least fifteen days apart
will have to be presented; and following their death a committee would verify that the correct protocols were met. Her proposals have
been met with staunch objection from Cardinal Keith O'Brien, leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland whilst other groups have
agreed that this issue should be discussed in a non-judgemental and open way.

Image to the left: Tracy Tracy Mackenna and Edwin Janssen,

Mackenna and Edwin Janssen, Life, Death and Beauty: Where Darwin
'LIFE IS OVER! If you want it', Meets Courbet (Slide No. 09/64), 2009,
2007. Pen on paper. Image Slide projection. Image courtesy the
courtesy the artist. artists

AMERICA

In the US State of Oregon, the ‘die with

dignity’ act has been in place since October
1997 to allow the terminally ill to end their
life through the voluntary self-administration Tracy Mackenna and Edwin
of lethal drugs as prescribed by physicians. Janssen, 'Life, Death and Beauty:
Following a strict set of protocols, such as The Invisible Looks Back' (Slide
forms from both doctors and physiatrists/ No. 07/23), 2009, Slide projection.
psychologist as well as from the patient, the Image courtesy the artists
procedure is one of constant scrutiny. The Installation
2007 annual report shows the statistical data shot, Tracy
of the first nine years since the full system has Mackenna and
been in place. Edwin Janssen,
- A total of 341 people have taken their lives Jan 2009,
through physician assisted suicide between Cooper Gallery,
1998 and 2007 in Oregon. Duncan of
- Just over half of those taking their lives were Jordanstone
Males. College of Art
-The average age for people who chose to and Design,
take their live was 69 but ages ranged from Dundee. Photo:
25-96. Alan Dimmick.
-The majority of patients were sufferers of Image courtesy
cancer the artists and
-A large majority of patients chose to die in Exhibitions
their own home Department
- Whilst between 1996 and 2007 341 patients
chose to end their lives 98,942 people died in
Oregon suffering of the same illnesses.

23
 Hi!Fashion
1. 2.

Who Cares
About Fashio
3. n
4.
?

24
5. 6.

-RARA and The Pretty Vacant Showrooms 29 Exchange Street Dundee DD1 3DJ: Womens and Mens Vintage Clothing and Accessories
-Missy Lala’s Boutique 6 Crichton Street: High Fashion, Up and Coming Brands.
-Next, Overgate Centre, DD1 1UQ, Current Fashion for Men and Women

7. Models are wearing:

1.Helen wears: Playsuit - £20, RARA and The

Pretty Vacant Showrooms, Necklace - £12, Next
2.Helen wears: Fur Coat - £20, RARA and The
Pretty Vacant Showrooms, Dress - £45, Missy La
La’s Boutique. Alice wears Dress - £18, RARA and
The Pretty Vacant Showrooms, Bag - £14, Next
3.Pratyusha wears: Top - £18, Next, Hat - £12.50,
Next, Scarf - £16, Next
4.Mike wears: Jeans - £40, Next, Shirt - £35,
Next, Jumper - £25, Next
5.Helen wears: Playsuit - £20, Bag - £8, Belt -
£10 all RARA and The Pretty Vacant Showrooms,
Pratyusha wears; Shorts - £32 Blouse - £38 both
Missy La La’s Boutique.
6.Alice wears: Dress - £45, Missy La La’s
Boutique, Helen wears; Boyfriend Jeans £32,
T-shirt - £14, Jacket - £65 all Next
7.Pratyusha wears; Playsuit - £38 Missy La La’s
Boutique, Jacket as worn before, Mike wears:
Jeans - £40, Shirt - £25 both Next.

25
 Hi!Fashion
The biggest, must have trend this year? Trend-free!
The runways of S/S ‘09 were such a varied mix of prints and fabrics. From tribal to animal, the new tailoring to the new floral, paint box
to sequins, toned down glamour and upped ante accessorise, technicolor graphics to, well, plastic Pacman heads. And nude.
There was a definite shift in direction; while the rest of us become more aware of the purse strings, the notoriously frivolous fashion
world appear to be doing so as well. With the emphasis on timeless pieces, fashion becomes investment. Michelle Stirling

Shoulders Paint Box

rs Out! al point!
Shoulde (d re ss e d ) fo c
c o n ti n uing Pr imary colou
e ne w d th e rs are brillian
All hail th in t th is season an h a si se th is. si n gularly as st t for wearing
fo c a l p o to e m p atement pie
form a on ly h e lp s
rsion s (j u st n eed little else ce s, they
scination for DIY ve added to m
sequin fa l se w sh o p
shou ld e r im pression. Ta ak e a real
your loca ured in to iloring has b
Nip in to p e rl y se c
d re laxed, minim ec o m e
ey are pro structure alist and bri
ensure th b le to slip…). A . w it h co ghtened up
no t li a st a rt Wild Thing (…I think I love you) b al t blue’s throu
area, and at place to gh to techn
ie n d b la zer is a gre Think more exoticism than stripes -
yellows. i-
boyfr
feathers and (here’s where the prints
come in) accessorise - piled on high!
Bags are also a great way to bring
(Big) Bright Young Things something wild to your day.
Accessories are everywhere at the
moment and are a brilliant budget Out of Africa
friendly way to update your wardrobe Triba l prints are back! The subtler hue of
for the transitional period. With cert the style never fully disappeared from
ain
looks, such as animal prints, they ado our rails but now it’s all about the big
rn
you but with others, such as brights, and the bold - the other emphasis this
they are best used sparingly. This season is on the dress and there are
season we’re welcoming the return some gorgeous collaborations of the
of this
the earring. On the runways hair was two - paramount on my wish list is
but mor e
scraped back in to messy chignons lovely from Peter Pilotto (4a)
to the high
show off gorgeous pieces; big hoops affordable variations are on
work for those lucky enough to have stree t - watch Warehouse, Next and
swan necks and longer aligned item Mango.
s
for the rest of us.

Campus Chic

Eve Jim
“I like online shopping from sites like “I like Morriseys style, but prefer my Alison
Ebay. I mix vintage fashion with own “Jim-Style!” My jacket and “I got my faux-fur jacket from my
clothes from High Street shops. My shoes are from charity shops and I Grandma and my shoes from “Mr
Dress is from ASOS and my boots inherited these trousers from a friends Ben’s” vintage shop in Glasgow.
are from Next. Grandad!”
 Westwood

Hi!Fashion Diary
Like Flash, but Sash

Upon returning to Dundee, after a Dutch new year that seemed to almost stretch in to the double figures of January,
I feel that some re-acquainting is required with Uni life. So, before the inevitable essays mount up and my flat is
covered in post-it’s again, Best Friend and I decide to forget our post-festive detox and hefty bank statements and
party like it’s…well, 2009. Luckily, re-fresher’s week is on, and the once great, recently re-appeared but forever
nostalgic Sash! is playing that night. Due to the January sales being something more like a great depression this year
(however apt), I pull out trusty LBD, lace it with long chains, change mind, chignon hair and put in huge tribal earrings
(old to the point of almost vintage - what comes around etc) and un-box sky scraper shoe boots (it’s January and it’s
Scotland; I will continue with the Shoot until it hits at least 15 degrees…). Get there to find place packed - always a
good thing - but after the bottle, ahem, of wine we drank, and the two missed taxi’s before arriving, turns out tickets
are no more. Bashfully head to Liar feeling a huge ‘L’ looming over us (not helped by the texts and phone calls of
on-time friends already in Mono). Cheered up, however, by the cocktail pitchers and giant shark wondering around.
Decide to go to somewhere else, manage to persuade BF that Sharks are not allowed in to such places.

London, Baby!

Flatmates still away (one in Zagreb, one in New York), fed up of living solo and with still a
few days to go until semester, am extremely pleased when Best Friend calls to say would
I like to go down to London for the weekend? Yes, please! Hop on train (yay to £12.50
promo tickets) and arrive at Other Best Friends flat (a year ago she deserted Dundee for
the shinier lights of the capital) a bit worse for wear (nb, flu is not aided by vodka - or six
hours on a train, with children onboard). The previous disappointment in shopping is
well compensated by Portobello Market and the final discovery of Oxfam boutiques. Pick
up a rather fab navy chained waist belt and a Claiborne bucket hat. Fight with OBF over
a trench in Oxford Street’s Topshop - forced to admit defeat only when BF points out the
size 8 tag (consequently decide to re-embark upon detox).

Taxi-ing around…

Fresh from Zagreb, Flatmate and I decide to have a reunion night out. However, remembering that I reserved
tickets for the Mark Beaumont cycling-round-the-world-thingy, we detour there first. The host is an old friend so
congratulate her on organising the lecture (in aid of fundraising for a conservation trip) before picking our way
through the crammed rows to find seats (it’s so full that it had to be televised to the other theatres, have urge to wave
in to cameras, luckily can‘t find them). The lecture is incredibly inspiring and while having after show wine, decide
that I too shall cycle the world. Flatmate vows that she’ll follow, in a 4x4. Promptly replace ’cycle’ for ’hitch’ when
flatmate points out the need for Lycra - that is, after all, the main consideration I’m sure.

Gym girl? Not me.

Have re-joined £30 a month gym, embarked upon Pilates (pain-lates, more like) and planning to be brave enough to
enter a spin class - soon. Am absolutely longing for a revival of smock-covered era of ‘05 - this is all in aid of London
Fashion Weekend. Excited? Very.

27
 Sport:
We at the Magdalen feel that
our sports clubs have been
overlooked in the past- so in
our wisdom have decided to
pioneer this brand new section.
Sport will cast the spotlight
on two clubs in each edition. well as reporting on any other
The section will be devoted significant news from each club.
to giving students a summary
of how the teams are faring Barry Davidson,
in their respective national Sports Editor
league and cup competitions as

Women's Hockey is the first stop, a club
which has thus far had an extremely successful
season. The first XI are currently lying top of
the BUCS (British Universities) Conference Cup,
League, 5 points ahead of the uni second XI, a
competition which the girls have set their sights
firmly on winning.
On top of their good Conference Cup form the
team are also lying 2nd in the BUCS League,
and have reached the quarter finals of another
national cup competition.
Team Captain Jodie Fulton reflects, “the
highlight of the season so far has been our
undefeated run in the cup, unfortunately we
have not played many games since November
though due to the bad weather”.
Jodie also highlighted the off field antics which
have made the season all that more enjoyable
for the squad, “Off the pitch we have had a
Rockstars and Princess Fund-raiser in
Mono which was really good fun”.
On a side note, Jodie and team-mate
Lydia Malone's good form has caught
the attention of national selectors, with
the pair due to attend trials for the
Scottish University Hockey squad later
this month.
Both the Men's and Women's
Volleyball teams are others to
have excelled this year.
The Men's first team are currently lying
top of their league after 9 straight
victories, all the more impressive when
you consider they are yet to lose a single
set!! (winning each match 3-0).
Such an impressive run has included
victories over St Andrews, and Aberdeen
first teams, as well as the most recent
victory over West of Scotland University.
Not to be outdone, the Women's team have
also experienced great success so far this
season. The ladies are currently lying on eight
straight victories, including wins over Edinburgh
and Napier 1sts; again especially impressive
considering they have only dropped a single
set so far this year, against St Andrews in the
first game. As well as success on the court, the
club has also been able to increase membership
this year to over 60, and attendance at training
sessions of Wednesdays and Friday evenings has
been high. To add to such an impressive season
the club has also been nominated for sports club
of the year, an accolade which would seem richly
deserved based on their achievements so far this
season.
The Magdalen wishes each of the featured clubs
all the best for the rest of the season.

BUCS League Tables

BUSC Hockey-Women's Conference Cup Pool 2
P W L D F A Diff PTS
1University of Dundee Women's 1st 3 3 0 0 10 0 10 9
2University of Dundee Women's 2nd 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 4
3Napier University Women's 1st 2 0 1 1 0 2 -2 1
4Aberdeen University Women's 3rd 2 0 0 2 0 8 -8 0

BUSC Men's Volleyball- Scottish Conference Mens 2A

P W L F A Diff PTS
1 University of Dundee Men’s 1sts 6 6 6 18 0 18 18
2 University of Stirling Men’s 1sts 6 4 2 12 7 5 12
3 Edinburgh University Men’s 2nds 4 3 1 9 5 4 9
4 University of Strathclyde Men's 1st 3 2 1 6 3 3 6
5 West of Scotland University Men's 1st 5 2 3 7 10 -3 6
6 University of St Andrews Men's 1st 5 1 4 4 12 -8 3
7 Aberdeen University Men's 1st 3 1 2 3 6 -3 3
8 Glasgow Caledonian University Men's 1st 5 0 5 1 15 -14 0

BUCS Volleyball - Scottish Conference Women’s 1A 2008/09

P W L F A Diff PTS
1 University of Dundee Womens 1sts 8 8 0 24 1 23 24
2 Napier University Womens 1sts 7 5 2 15 10 5 15
3 Edinburgh University Womens 1sts 8 4 4 13 16 -3 12
4 University of St Andrews Womens 1sts 8 2 6 11 20 -9 6
5 Aberdeen University Women’s 1sts 7 0 7 5 21 -16 0

28
 Interview:
“If I was to spend the next decade as manager of
Dundee United I’d be perfectly happy.”

Craig Levein Interviewed By Michael

Gibson

Tony Robinson used to present a show on Channel 4 called The Worst Jobs in History, a programme detailing those squalid and,
thankfully, long-forgotten occupations from centuries past such as ‘spit boy’ and ‘stool-groomer’. Should such a show arise once
more several centuries from now, perhaps the role of football manager will feature heavily. A more thankless vocation you’re
unlikely to find, for the much maligned football coach castigation and contempt are regarded as occupational hazards, to be
dismissed as effortlessly as the chairman issues P45s.

There are exceptions to every rule, of course, and Dundee United manager Craig Levein is one. Having signed an extended contract
with the Club last year, and with seemingly universal backing from United supporters, Levein cuts a relaxed figure as he welcomes
me to Tannadice Park on a wintery afternoon. How would he describe the team’s season so far, I
ask? “We started slowly, despite having a good pre-season, and after five games we were sitting
at the bottom of the league. However we picked up from there and went on a good run, but I still
can’t help rue some of our missed chances”, Levein tells me. “If we can finish in a higher position
than last season [fifth], and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t as I feel we have a better squad
now, I’ll regard the season as a success.”

Levein is known for his frankness, not least on the subject of referees – a candour that saw him
fined a record £5,000 for comments made after a fixture against Rangers. Will he continue to be
so forthright? “I regard myself as a fairly level-headed guy, but sometimes I just can’t keep my
mouth shut! I can understand when people make mistakes; my only bugbear is when people
make a catalogue of mistakes”, he tells me. “As the manager I’m spokesman for the Club, and if I
don’t make my feelings known I’m not doing my job properly. I’ll continue to speak my mind, and
hopefully we won’t have another situation like the one at Ibrox when the referee was, shall we
say, poor.”

And what of his time at Tannadice? “If there’s one word to characterise my time here it’s ‘happy’.
Obviously there’s been a lot of sadness too with the chairman’s condition [the late Eddie Thompson] being terminal. That side of it
has been a real emotional rollercoaster, a really difficult time, but I wouldn’t swap the time I knew Eddie for anything, even though
it was particularly sad. I’ve enjoyed bringing in young players who people were unaware of and watching them prove themselves
and become first team players. I’ve also had satisfaction at seeing players like Noel Hunt and Barry Robson, who both didn’t want
to be at the Club when I first arrived, go on to do so well in The Championship and the Champions League respectively. So I’ve
been really happy here, and long may it continue.”

So what does the future hold for Craig Levein? “I make no bones about saying I
want to manage in The Premiership, and I’m still relatively young in managerial
terms, although the grey hairs would disagree! I made a mistake in leaving Hearts
to go to Leicester several years ago – I was so desperate to get out of Tynecastle
because of the politics, I took a job where I was working with one hand behind
my back – although I’ll admit I didn’t do the job particularly well. But I’m far more
cautious now, and I’m happy here. If I was to spend the next decade as manager of
Dundee United I’d be perfectly happy.”

Whatever the future holds, you sense Craig Levein will take it in his stride.

29

So many of you may not know about the discipline that
is known internationally as Parkour, but you may well
be aware of the small groups of people who run around
urban towns performing amazing acrobatic feats off
of seemingly insurmountable objects! Well, that IS
Parkour. And at the University we have our own group
of traceurs (those who practice the discipline, to you
and me).
Dundee University Parkour (DUPK) is Dundee’s answer
to this phenomenon and was started up by our very
own Rustic Bodomov in the autumn of 2008, which
makes this club relatively new.
Parkour explores the art of movement via physical
manoeuvres that allow the individual to creatively
engage with their surrounding, and is widely credited
by many as the brainchild of David Belle. It incorporates
elements of gymnastics, martial arts and athleticism and
began its creation in the early mid- nineties in Lisses,
France.
The main aim of Parkour is being able to move as
efficiently as possible from obstacle to obstacle, whilst
maintaining grace and elegance. And is akin to martial
arts, in that it ‘prepares the body for flight,’ whereas the
latter, ‘prepares the body for fight’.
Our DUPK members describe it as physical graffiti,
as it involves multiple movements that exhibit great
style and skill which has evolved from its roots in basic
obstacle courses developed for military training.
30
Parkour Society - Evelyn Clottey
Challenging ‘tricks’ are all part of the fun in this Dundee University
club. But do not let this put you off, as this club Parkour Society
is extremely welcoming (I should know I spent a (DUPK)
very enjoyable training session with them, and
just because they wear hoodies, don’t mean
they’re hoodlums!).
Parkour is also about observing other’s styles
and allowing one to create their flare for the
discipline whilst appreciating others approaches’
to the art.
Alike many other physical disciplines, Parkour
requires training to prepare the body for the
jumps and flips that it will encounter and that’s
why proper training is important. Each training
session starts with a conditioning section
currently taking place in the ISE, which includes
using trampolines to practise correct landing
techniques and strength training.
Heard enough now and actually want to do
some Parkour?, Then just head on down this
Wednesday at 4pm or Sunday at 3pm with your
trackies and trainers and meet outside the main
library for an initial conditioning session. Then
you’ll head out onto the mean streets of Dundee
for a bit of ‘tricking’ and before long you’ll be
perfecting your palm spins and making new
friends. Before you do those make acquaintance
with ‘Dundee Parkour’ on facebook and check
out the society webpage: dundeepk.blogspot.
com.
Remember that anyone can join and it’s free to
do so!
Time to trick!
E.G.M
5th February 2009
Motion 1) “That the Union should actively calls for University of
Dundee to divest in BAe Systems, which sells military equipment to
Israel.
Motion 2) “That the Union should actively call for the University of
Dundee to end all contracts with the water provider Eden Springs, an
Israeli owned company with operations in the Occupied Territories.

Both Motions were passed by the students who attended the

meeting held in Mono after it was put to a vote.
The Magdalen will provide an update in later issues.

31
 Get yourself...

h t
u g
C a

32
 e D a y
c h of th
Cat
29
33