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INKYTEXT 321
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CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF TODAY'S GRADUANDS AND APOLOGIES FOR THE WEATHER
Issue No 321 Wednesday 8th December 1999
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Editorial correspondence should be sent to InkyText@lancaster.ac.uk
Subscription requests to Inkytext-distribution-request@lists.lancs.ac.uk
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HILTON DAWSON MP
is holding a drop-in surgery in the Union building
Friday Wk 9, 2.00 - 4.00.
(Please can someone ask him about the scandalous fee position of British
language students doing a year's non-Socrates placement abroad from 2000?
Not to mention the even more scandalous position of non-EU students...)
AGENDA
Minutes of the last issue
1. News: Maths TQA, Herobic, JIF, ISS pressures, UMAG.
2. Gastronomic Round-up: Lunch
2. Readers' Letters: Mailing lists, Zena Goddess of fire, Hunger site,
Statutes revision, End of term catering, Exotic Food, Sports Centre, Choir.
3. Small Ads: Children's bikes, cot and bed for sale, Saxophone wanted
House-sit available, Holiday let, Student accommodation, Christmas Concert,
A Matter of Life and Death.
MINUTES, AMENDMENTS AND MATTERS ARISING
---------------------------------------
Ming Campbell is LibDem Foreign Affairs spokesman but his views on
defence are no less disappointingly illiberal. And much praise for
Services Dining Club food.
For 'accept Messrs McGregor....' read 'except Messrs McGregor...'
(Memo to Linguistics: can someone explain how people who would never
commit these homophonic mistranscriptions with a pen in their hand are
so prone to perpetrating them on a keyboard?)
Professor Rowe and the Editor are the only people known to feel that
we may be shooting ourself in the foot on the membership issue.
Pro-VC Davies rejects the appellation 'managerial' and points out his
wish to empower academics and academic committees like APC... even
financially.
1. NEWS
-------
MANY CONGRATULATIONS TO MATHS AND STATS on their 22/24 in the recent
Subject Review (the new name for Teaching Quality Assessment).
OFFICIAL SILENCE LAST WEEK over our failure to win anything in the
HEROBIC schems (Higher Ed Reach Out to Business and the Community
Fund). On Tuesday 30th HEFCE announced 85 successful bids, ranging from
50K to 300K per annum over five years. Winners included all our
competitors and many places we snobbishly consider beneath us. Our
request for staffing to reinstate a liaison office with business and
industry, which we formerly had, was turned down. Management had been
'quietly confident that we will get something'. There needs to be an
urgent post-mortem to discover why we failed, and the matter is on next
week's APC agenda. (Whispers in influential quarters that we are not so
well connected with inner ruling circles in HE as we once were, and
that we perhaps have a vainglorious view of our status.) Another round
in January, terms to be announced.
Meanwhile congratulations to St Martin's on the success of their
modest bid. Salutary lessons here perhaps.
BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT IN UNIVERSITY HOUSE and elsewhere at the JIF
announcement. (We got nothing.) Commiserations, especially to Prof Bill
Davies who had invested much time and energy in the Env Sciences bid.
NO high-poweered computing facilities for Physics or Soc Sci either.
Perhaps there are lessons to be learned (see above) - many now say
that we were over-confident and the proposed architecture was
experimental and expensive. The same people now suggest that equivalent
space can be obtained more cheaply. The freshwater biology researchers
are still coming from Merlewood, and we were getting 5 million to house
them. The NERC will just have to find a little more.
The Informatics Institute bid lives to fight another day since it got
through the preliminary rounds but its referees didn't come up with the
goods in time. However, as Prof Sommerville points out, this gives rivals
time to hone their bid. Additional info can be submitted by 10th
January. Nothing will be heard till May and a new building would then
not arrive before spring 2002. This leaves Computing with an acute
immediate space shortage. (Also Psycholoy and Management School, OK,
OK...)
MEANWHILE TINY WHISPERS that HEFCE may not have been too welcoming to
our preliminary quest for Great Hall refurbishment monies either.
THE VENUE DIDN'T QUITE MAKE IT for this morning's graduation crowds,
who were providing great business for Cartmel JCR coffee bar and no
doubt brought the northern bar-trade a lunch-time boost. Workmen are
clearing the last of their bits and pieces out, the furniture has been
in since yesterday, the windows are being cleaned, the plumbing has
been done, the stock was delivered yesterday, presumably the menus are
printed. All that remains is to open. Still mystery surrounding
intended staffing. Questions must be asked about the contract, not
negotiated by our in-house experts, and the wisdom of employing so many
men working weekends and overtime, when the thing could have been
completed rather more cheaply over the next two weeks. Rumours of
penalty clauses for non-completion don't help, since, if they exist,
these will have been generously budgeted for. Perhaps tomorrow...?
THIS MORNING'S UMAG considered the follow-up to the JIF announcements.
(Mr McGregor is known to be keen on selling Chancellor's Wharf, though
we're not sittting on much equity and disposal would also lose us the income
stream which services its share of the loan.)
Sporting matters were also discussed - potentially another call on our
funds. Next term's joint meeting between UMAG and the Deans was planned
and a paper from Prof Davies intriguingly entitled "Thus" was
considered. The VC reported on the latest negotiations with Sheffield
over the transfer of polymer chemistry.
CONTINUING FRUSTRATIONS AMONG ISS TECHNICAL STAFF of whom there has
been a huge turn-over in recent years - partly thanks to our generous
severance offers and partly because of university pay... but sometimes
out of frustration with having to patch up old kit. A roll-call of the
departed includes:
Ray Gilbert, Paul Edmonson, Dave Dobson, Carl Knight, Eddy Smith,
Yinka Ladipol, Ahmed, Andrew Bullock, Andrew Gavriluk, Andrew
Errington, Gavin Silver, Ed Smith, Steven Greame, Zack Evens, Keith
Craig, Phil Craven, David Robinson, Ossian Birch, Dave Kelsall, Robb
Edge, Ed Hartley, Eddy Mcbride, Karen, Mark, Dave, Brian, etc. etc.
3. GASTRONOMIC ROUND-UP
-----------------------
Ladies who lunch are rare in Lancaster. Gentlemen too for that matter.
Great pity really for the wage-structure of British catering means that
lunches are almost invariably far cheaper than an equivalent evening
meal. Apart from that, special light menus are all that some of us can
cope with these days, price and stomach wise.
No doubt about the best place in town - Il Bistro Morini, Sun Street.
Outstanding imaginative and authentic Italian food in an intimate (i.e.
cramped) atmosphere. Superb and rare wines - not particularly cheap but
well worth gossiping over with friends. It offers a two-course Mon-Fri
lunch for 4.95 and looks as if it badly needs the business since we
don't have enough plutocratic solicitors to fill the place every day.
Bruschetta, salads, exotic pastas, meat and veggie main courses, NO
PIZZAS. Bliss.
In the same price zone but creeping up is Simply French, formerly
Pierre Victoire's and trying to slip up market both decor and foodwise.
Then there's Burlington's....just up the A6 at Hest Bank. I was (and
am) a great fan of its homonymous avatar by the traffic lights at
Broughton. They're not the same, though, and rumours that the group
that initially hosted their relaxed and laid back comfort concept has
sold some to Jenning's.
Don't know why but the Slyne one has never quite hit it off like
others in the group, and is noticeably less frequented. Is this cause
or effect? On a few visits I have been a bit disappointed by unexciting
repetitiveness in the lunchtime offers (e.g. Cod in Boddington's
batter) and thrice my sauce has been caramelized... On the other hand a
fish salad with parmesan shavings was superb and imaginative. At 5 quid
for 2 courses its a lot better than your average pub, even if your just
go for the stylish music, decor and crockery. For real style try the
one at Broughton, though, or Ribchester. And try the magret de canard
or pate with jus.... Good veggie ideas. Lunch deals on Saturday too,
and a similar pay-by-the-clock menu early evening.
If you're up in Kendal there is a newish place at the end of the main
drag called Deja Vu. The outside paintwork manages to be both garish
and drab, and the corner site is not too prepossessing but a glance at
the 4.95 lunchtime menu (inc Saturdays) suggested instantly a real
Frenchman as chef... plenty of offal!
I went inside. It's a family affair and as well as the 4.95 lunch menu
there is a 6.95 one with more conventional delicacies like moules and
steak. Or you can have one course from each at 5.95. Wine by the glass
and a normally priced evening menu alas. It's a family place with
children around, which is a good sign, for it encourages parents to
try harder. Another good sign is that it appears to have its regulars.
Madame, who is English, fatally reminded me of Victoria Wood. Wine by
the glass is 1.85. I had the kidneys AND the liver and both were very
good indeed. I'll miss all that when I turn veggie.... Asked to see the
wine list for another occasion and smiled. It is totally French and
comprehensive but modest in length though not in price. Very serious
and thoughtful bottles up to about 35 quid.
Then of course there is Campions at Salmesbury. Same sort of style as
Burlington's but always slightly dearer - 6.50 for lunch but good deals
evenings and Sunday lunch. It HAS to be good for it is situated exactly
nowhere beside a crossroads. Ideal spot for a gibbet. (Head for
Whitbread's brewery). The menu, originally inspired by Nigel Haworth of
nearby Northcote Manor, once twice-starred by Michelin, talks of 'Food
prepared with a passion'. 'Tis indeed. The other Saturday, on the way
to Christmas shopping in Blackburn, we stopped for lunch. I had
glorious magret de canard in salade tiede, a HUGE helping... then
staggered into a slab of cod on tapas... It was the tapas that made me
choose it - a bed of olives, peppers. patatas bravas and chorizo. Very
spicy and off-setting the creamy fresh cod. The Blonde had an
intriguing terrine of pork and beans with exotic sauces followed by a
pot-roast of lamb.... Much more than comfort food. It kind of delayed
the shopping really.
That leaves the Boathouse.... It has a long history. It's the
restaurant cum barge that floats in the lock basin at Glasson Dock.
Decades ago it was called the Casababa - like a cafe in town. It's been
a restaurant before - unsuccessfully. I always felt it was kind of
draughty. It now looks very serious indeed under an ambitious chef. Not
open at lunchtimes 'cept Sundays, but a look at the menu opened my eyes.
Not cheap but very strong on fish and imagination.
My problem is that I find boats, like islands and mazes, irresistibly
erotic. This makes it hard to concentrate on the food. So reports
wanted please. I believe Sociology are going there for their Christmas
meal. (The Boathouse 01524 -752808)
3. READERS' LETTERS
-------------------
I have been dealing with ISS but although they are trying and they are
being very helpful they do not seem to have the answer to my problem,
namely that I keep sending too much out over the e-mail system or that
the system isn't big enough to take what I am trying to send.
First I couldn't send to enough people at once. They sorted that out
by setting up a system for me. Then I couldn't attach documents because
they took up too much space so I sent them all separately. The
constitution was still too big as were the minutes of the Syndicate
meeting. I decided to cut and paste everything which I thought would
solved the problem of people not being able to read the attachments as
well. Now I can't add enough written matter to the pasted bits to send
it. I hate confusers.
Please to tell confused person how you do it.
[NOTE: Perhaps mail is not what you want. Large non-confidential
documents such as constitutions are more efficiently made available on
the web with an address mailed on a 'need to know' basis. (Ed)]
---------------------
Answers to Mike Wright's questions:
a) I'm not sure, now you come to mention it.
b) Because I was too lazy to type it out in full (and surely this kind of
indolence is this root of the Y2K problem...).
c) Because I have legendary psychic powers.
Stella, Music (aka Zena Goddess of Fire)
---------------------------
An investigation of The Hunger Site (www.thehungersite.com) by
contributors to the newsgroup alt.folklore.urban lead to the conclusion
that it's entirely legitimate.
We contacted some of the companies who advertise on that site and
checked-out the code that responds to the click. I'm told that the food
and transport costs involved are about equivalent to the amount that a
sponsor would pay for the advertising you see on that site. Clicking
doesn't trigger any junk email, send you any viruses or anything else
nasty.
Click a maximum of once a day to contribute a cup or two of food to
the hungry. <http://www.thehungersite.com>
Simon Slavin
----------------------------
I will be uncharacteristically brief. It should always be borne in
mind that any attack on the college representation on Senate is at
one and the same time an attack on _student_ numbers on Senate. I
dare say the attackers themselves are quite aware of that.
Nick Bardsley
PS. A smaller Senate but more overlap in the membership of that body
and Council? Anyone for unicameralism...?
----------------------------
I am delighted that there is to be a further review of catering
arrangements on the campus. Much overdue.
Given the increasing number of students in the University from India
and from China/Taiwan/Singapore I very much hope that arrangements can
be made to meet the culinary preferences of these groups . After all,
outside the campus Indian and Chinese take-aways are the fastest
growing sector, and increasingly popular with Brits as well.
Susan Lucas
International Office
The Management School
[NOTE: Wish I was convinced. We have long wanted to do that and the
two vacant and boarded up serveries in the Pendle Food Court were
intended for just that. Alas there were no takers. All the evidence
suggests that residential facilities destroy the lunchtime need, and in
the evenings a more exotic venue than campus rapidly becomes desirable.
It remains true that in the last reliable catering survey it was indeed
discovered that student diners in campus outlets were mainly foreign
since home students couldn't afford it. There is however a rumour that
loans have now made students more financially reckless, which may
explain the current boom in Limelights. (Ed).
-----------------------------------------
The Centre for Sport is probably the only area of the university I
would defend without hesitation. It is extraordinarily cheap to get in
there compared to the ludicrous fees charged by Lancaster House Hotel
and other rip off centres. The indoor weights and life fitness room are
spacious and well equipped, and you can even get a personal trainer
down there very cheap.
You'll feel a lot fitter going down there than spending hours in the
library driving yourself mad trying to understand modern academics. The
standard of politeness in the indoor centre is amazingly high and so
refreshing after a morning dealing with academic colleagues! Since we
all know death is extinction, try to extend your life by taking a
little exercise. A personal trainer can get you started and plan a
sequence of exercises suitable for your needs. We are all going to live
longer, but there seems little point if we are incapacitated by age and
inactivity. I hope the university will not put the prices up down
there! It's about the only place I look forward to visiting these days.
Tony Gilbert
------------------------------
I have just noticed that all catering outlets close on 21st December.
I thought staff were required to work until the 24th December.
Kath Beale
--------------------
I used to get your newsletter in the old days, ca. '95. Have sort of
lost touch with the uni since then. I do write to Mike Pengelly. You
wouldn't happen to have his e-mail address, would you? It would be
much appreciated.
I'm a Supervisor of Social Programs, read Social Services, in an Inuit
community of 700. It is cold and the wind from the Arctic Sea is raw,
but the people are friendly (if troubled), and the sky is very
beautiful up here. No trees, just rocks and sea, and both living
quarters and office in modern, pleasant and warm buildings.
Birgitta Al-Issa
-----------------
The Morecambe Philharmonic choir will start rehearsing on Wednesday
January 5th for the Easter concert which will include Orff's Carmina
Burana. We have over 40 members and would like to recruit more to all
parts. Singers do not need to have special voices, or be able to read
music; all you need is the interest and ability to attend the weekly
Wednesday evening practices.
Sessions start with voice warmups, and practice tapes are made for all
major works. Tuition pages for reading music are being prepared, and
interested singers are encouraged study elementary voice production and
to take an appropriate exam. If you are interested please contact the
choir's Music Director.
Robin McIlveen 015242 21693
---------------------------
4. SMALL ADS
------------
TWO CHILDREN'S BIKES FOR SALE, both in excellent condition. ?40 each.
One suitable 5-10 year old, the other suitable 6-12 year old. email
k.beale@lancaster.ac.uk or phone Lancaster 37858 after 5.30 pm.
-------------
FOR SALE: (1) A full-sized cot-bed and mattress. In excellent
condition, rarely used. 60 pounds o.n.o. (2) A Boots Steam Bottle
Steriliser. 20 pounds. Tel. Lancaster 840286.
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FOR HOLIDAY LET. Rose Cottage, Bay Horse, Lancaster. 3.5 miles from
University. For further details contact Susan Atkinson 01524 791283
----------
WANTED ALTO SAXOPHONE. If you have one to sell please email
a.chetwynd@lancaster.ac.uk or call 35094 with details and price.
-------------
HOUSE-SITTING. HOUSE AVAILABLE between Dec 14 - Jan 29 to responsible
person. Please email c.holland@lancaster.ac.uk
-------------
LARGE 2 BEDROOMED MAISONETTE in centre of Hest Bank, magnificent views
over Morecambe Bay. Gas central heating, 50 metres away from local
shops/post office. 450.00 per month. Telephone ext. 92183 Monday's,
Tuesday's, Wednesday's any other time after 6.00pm telephone 015395
61050.
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STUDENT ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE CENTRAL LANCASTER FROM MID-DECEMBER
99. One spacious, well furnished study bedroom in beautiful Victorian
house close to Railway Station and town. Non-smoking student only; suit
post-grads. Own cooker and fridge, shared microwave with two other
students. Shared bathroom for the three rooms (with bath and shower).
Central heating. Use of washing machine and drier. 39 pounds per week
including bills. Ring evenings or weekends. Tel: 01524 37288 or 01524
842605 for details.
-----------------
To Let from January 2000, 2 bedroom, unfurnished house, Bowerham area,
min. 6 months, for further details contact j.lead@lancaster.ac.uk or
phone 843705.
--------------
Morecambe and District Philharmonic Choir
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Christ Church, Broadway, Morecambe
Wednesday December 15th 7.30 pm
Entrance 3-50 including seasonal refreshment
A range of Christmas music from 1492 to 1982 including carols and a
substantial selection of items for soloists and chorus from Berlioz'
Enfance du Christ.
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A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH
Scenes from the Millennium - University of Lancaster
Performed by the Tasteless Theatre Company
Thespians by appointment to The Principal of Cartmel
Additional performances by John Mariani, Stand up like you've never seen
Chorus extraordinaire
Nuffied Theatre
Thursday 16th December 18.30
END OF MILLENNIUM ENTERTAINMENT - NOT TO BE MISSED
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WEEK 9 AND WILTING