SU – Page 3 of 4 – The Orbital

9Feb

By Laura DenhamNo Comments

News

Penrose residents compensated

Residents of Royal Holloway's Penrose halls of residents are to be compensated following a series on ongoing problems in the accomodate block this academic year. The Students' Union announced in February that alongside the College, they had collaboratively secured compensation for students who had experience continual problems with heating and water pressure in Penrose. It has been agreed that the students affected, of whom there are almost 200, will receive £250 of compensation paid directly to their College card. The £250 covers approximately two weeks rent for a student living in Penrose. The Students’ Union commented that they "Hope that these students feel that this is sufficient to cover the issues that have affected them while in their accommodation. "We feel that it’s impo...

3Jan

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Features

So you don’t like the gym?

Is getting in more exercise one of your resolutions for this year? Iren talks us through alternative ways to stay fit if you're not a fan of the gym. (more…)

26Nov

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Features

It’s Okay to Be Selfish and Say No

After previously studying for a year at another university, and then completing my first year at Royal Holloway - I have had to learn the hard way that you need to look out for yourself. By this I don’t mean force yourself to be horrible to people. I’m simply suggesting, the times when you really know you can’t afford to deal with other people’s problems, choose not to! Many of us will stress over things like course work and money troubles, but you don’t have to put more on your plate when it’s full with everyone else’s problems. Even now, I still feel awful when I’m deliberately not replying to a message from a friend who may be going through anything from a break up to an existential crisis. But the truth is, this then means I can get on with that essay that was due without rushing to d...

20Nov

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Lifestyle

The Decriminalisation of Sex Workers

Catherine Stephens, an activist with the International Union of Sex Workers is also a member of the GMB trades union’s branch for people who work in the sex industry. She loves her job and came to tell Royal Holloway students why the stigma around what she does should be diminished, as part of the SU’s SHAG week. However, I question if Stephens has really grasped the enormities of what she does and advocates. One in twenty students go into sex work in the UK to pay for fees, and being close to London we are in proximity of the diversity and mass policing that such an industry involves. Since 1999 it has been estimated that there are 80,000 people in the UK working in the sex industry. Stephens argues that the government’s definition of what constitutes sex work is too broad and contends...

23Sep

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Sports & Socs

Why join a society?

Royal Holloway has dozens of societies, ranging from the usual, such as History, to the not so usual, Humans vs. Zombies, and now is the perfect time to join up! If you’re struggling to decide whether or not to join a society, we've come up with 5 reasons why it would be a fabulous idea. 1. A CHANCE TO TRY SOMETHING NEW Have you always wanted to complete a D of E Expedition? Do you sing Carmen in the shower? Joining a society is a fantastic opportunity to try something entirely new that you may not have had the chance to do before. Royal Holloway boasts over 80 societies with everything from Computing to Tolkien, so there is something for everyone to try. 2. MEET NEW PEOPLE Coming to university can be daunting and it can be difficult to make new friends. Outside your flat and you...

7Jun

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Sports & Socs

RHUL CU

Royal Holloway Christian Union are the unsung heroes of campus. When you’re stumbling out of the SU on a Friday night, looking a little bit worse for wear, they’re the saviours only too pleased to offer you some water and donut to help you safely home. And whilst you labour on through yet another one of those late night library session during exam time, the CU are there every Tuesday with their stall to coax you from your Bedford-induced coma with treats to get you through revision. Whether you had realised it or not, the CU always have your back here at Royal Holloway. And finally, all their hard work is being recognised with a RHUL Laurel Award nomination. Made up of around a 100 members the CU meets every Thursday. It’s a community where you can relax, have a break and most importan...

SU Blowout Lighting forces student into epileptic fit

6May

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News

SU Blowout Lighting forces student into epileptic fit

RHUL's SU Easter Blowout was more than one student bargained for. Before enjoying her night out, a girl alerted security that she was epileptic and requested for all strobe lighting effects to be turned off. The student union's technical crew were informed, but used an alternative method that still had the same effect on the girl. During Kanye West's Song "All of The Lights' the crew used bright lights to emulate the song: turning the lights on and off repetitively. This had the same effect as strobe lighting and forced the girl to have an epileptic fit on the dance floor. A member of SU who wishes to remain anonymous stated: "It was an unfortunate incident but we dealt with it the best and most efficient way we could. We will be sure to take precautions with the lighting and ...

6May

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News

Reclaiming our Suffragette History!

At the general meeting on March 10th, a motion was passed to lobby the college to name the new library after one of our most famous alumni, Emily Wilding Davison. The new library on campus, due to open in mid-2017, remains as yet unnamed. The planning has been under way for some time now, with construction due to begin in the autumn of 2015. The build involves moving the college shop from its current position to an as yet, undisclosed location. Royal Holloway shares a proud history for women and the suffragette movement, being officially opened in 1886 by Queen Victoria as an all-women college with Bedford College, another former all women’s college. Emily Wilding Davison herself was a student at Royal Holloway College in 1891 after winning a bursary from Kensington High School, stud...

Possible Cases of Drink Spiking Reported at SU

26Feb

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News

Possible Cases of Drink Spiking Reported at SU

Recently, there have been reports of incidents of drink spiking at the university’s Student Union, and whilst it is believed these cases are a rare occurrence, the union has taken steps to raise awareness of the issue. Speaking to Sidonie, Vice President of Education and Welfare, we were told the SU are keen to highlight the importance of not victim blaming and have produced posters that offer an un-gendered reminder to be cautious. Sid emphasised the need to acknowledge that it is not just women that are the victims of drink spiking. Drink spiking is often associated with illegal acts such as rape and theft. However, the act of drink spiking itself is in fact a crime. It can lead to up to a maximum of ten years behind bars if an individual is found guilty. If an additional crime is comm...

Women’s Football – Still Walking on Water

26Nov

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Sports & Socs

Women’s Football – Still Walking on Water

Currently undefeated and top of their BUCS league, Women’s Football’s first team faced Portsmouth in the first round of the South Eastern Conference Cup this Bears day, and were keen to maintain their winning streak! There was no question it would be a fast paced game, with right midfielder Alicia Lyne making some impressive runs down the wing, and setting up a beautiful cross for striker Flora Green making it 1-0 to Holloway in the 22nd minute! Krissie Glover set up Portsmouth’s subsequent own goal from an on point corner and went on to assist yet another Holloway goal placed neatly in the back of the net by Michelle Iversen Badiane in the second half! With Portsmouth having lost one of their best players to injury, as well as their keeper, who casually popped her shoulder back into pl...