URN

The new craze to hit FacebookThe latest facebook phenomenon to fuel students’ procrastination is the page, ‘University of Nottingham Rate Your Shag’. In just 7 hours it has reached 1,244 likes and has been gathering lots of attention.

The page encourages students to share and critique their sexual activities while naming and shaming their sexual partner. It asks ‘Nottingham do you have any embarrassing incidents in the bedroom to tell of? Any amazing 'mistakes' that rocked your world? Well here is your chance! Message in the name of the person, any comments on the deed and a rating out of 10 all in confidence ofc.’ Controversially, the page protects the anonymity of those who write the posts while publicly naming those who haven’t consented to it.

Opinions on the matter differ from those who think the page is abhorrent like Laura Seddon from the Women’s Network:

It has recently been announced that New College Nottingham (NCN) is offering a foundation degree in heavy metal. Course convenor, Liam Maloy has set up the degree in response to demands from students. URN spoke to Liam Maloy and he explained what prospective students can expect to get from the degree.

With many students concerned with the debt they are going to rack up from university we asked Liam to inform us of the cost of the degree and what students can hope to receive for their money.

Students have expressed views about the degree and one said “the only people who may take it seriously are people signing heavy metal bands but the nature of music is that you don't need a degree in it to be any better than someone busking on the street so it won't really help them with employability in that respect.” Liam disagrees with this and explains what employability prospects he expects from future graduates.

NCN have not only received criticism from students but from the Campaign for Real Education who has deemed it a ‘waste of time’ and an ‘easy option’.

On Wednesday 8 May, Sutton Bonington Rugby Teams faced an uncertain future.

Following a meeting with AU reps and the Assistant Director of Sport, the removal of the Sutton Bonington rugby team from the British University and College League (BUCS) was deemed likely.

As Nottingham University strive to become one of the top five teams in the League, the men’s and women’s teams were told that the separation of Sutton Bonington and University Park players was unlikely to continue. A proposal was put forth for the two teams to merge and compete together; a suggestion that Sutton Bonington say is unrealistic and impractical.

The rugby teams from the campus have therefore launched a petition to insist that, if they do not compete in the BUCS, they ultimately face a lack of funding and teams to play against. In essence, the teams would cease to exist.

We spoke to some of Sutton Bonington’s rugby players to ask them how long they’ve been fighting to keep their teams going:

Considering that BUCS ranks teams on their merit which the university then use to allocate their funding, we asked the players how well they’re doing in the league:

Last night The Den played host to the Students' Union Elections 2013, where the results of the week long voting period were announced to a sharply dressed crowd of candidates, their teams and the student media organisations.

This year was a record breaking year with over 10,000 votes cast!

Without further ado, the new SU exec in order of elected:

• Sports Officer: Tom Hicks
• Activities Officer: Will Knapp
• Education Officer: Dasha Karzunina
• Community Officer: Dave 'DMC' Cordell
• Equal Ops & Welfare Officer: Mike Dore
• President: Ellie McWilliam

URN secured the first interview with Ellie McWilliam, our first female Students' Union president in 15 years, a position so tightly contested that only 30 votes separated her from Will Clempner in the final round of counting:

To hear more from the night head to the SU election page of our website.

Student Stories: My Anorexia

We're in the middle of eating disorder awareness week. All across the UK and The University of Nottingham campus there are events going on to raise awareness of just how prominent eating disorders are.

Eating Disorders affect 1.6 million people living in the UK and only one charity provides services for them. B-eat stands for beating eating disorders and they run a 24 hour helpline, online forums and invaluable self help groups for anyone affected. They aim to challenge the taboos of eating disorders and get people talking about the illness.

Two students here at the university of Nottingham who have both suffered from eating disorders spoke to us about their experiences. Jessica Moore has had anorexia for 7 years and Mel daggett has been suffering with anorexia which transformed into bulimia for 4 years.

Through their years here at university they have had to cope with deadlines, love lives and friendship dramas. All while having an eating disorder. They spoke to us honestly about juggling an illness that consumes their identity and trying to enjoy the university experience.