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Month: April 2020

Songs for solace in self-isolation

The news of necessary self-isolation is not what anybody wants to hear, especially not at spring’s slowly encroaching arrival and the near-sight of holiday season. The concepts of quarantines and lockdowns aren’t reassuring.

Times are lonely, and so music can be a great source of companionship to fill the silence.

With that in mind, I turned to Nick Cave’s concept of “hiding songs” – tracks “that deal exclusively in darkness, obfuscation, concealment and secrecy”.

Cave revealed ten of his favourite “hiding songs” last year on his blog The Red Hand Files, alongside a quote from his poem titled, ‘The Sick Bag Song’:

Leonard Cohen will sing, and the boy will suddenly breathe as if for the first time, and fall inside the laughing man’s voice and hide.

He will realise that not only are these songs sacred, they are ‘hiding songs’ that deal exclusively in darkness, obfuscation, concealment and secrecy. He will realise that for him the purpose of these songs was to shut off the sun, to draw a long shadow down and protect him from the corrosive glare of the world.

The following picks of my own offer a track-list of songs dealing with thematic isolation. Sometimes a sad song is all we need to feel soothed in our solace.

1) ‘The Wolves (Act I and II)’ – Bon Iver 

It would be impossible to discuss songs for isolation without mentioning Bon Iver’s 2007/8 album For Emma, Forever Ago. Written in Wisconsin, in his father’s cabin in the woods, the album deals with the catharsis of broken relationships and isolation. Perfect for the lonely, extra perfect for the self-isolated. 

 

2) ‘Light Years’ – The National – 2019 

‘Light Years’ is one for all those separated couples during this tough time. In an interview with Radio 6 Music, lead singer Matt Berbinger said the track was ‘all about just feeling distant from somebody on a different orbit’ which I’m sure we can all relate to right now. We all feel light years away from somebody.

 

3) ‘Cabin Fever!’ – Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds – 1984

Magically discordant, this clashing track from Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds’ first album explores the chaotic nature of self-isolation. The name of the track feels somewhat appropriate. 

 

4) ‘Don’t think twice, it’s all right’ – Bob Dylan – 1963 

Sometimes a bit of reassurance is necessary. Let the harmonica take control for a bit. 

 

5)  ‘Home to You’ – Cate Le Bon – 2019 

One of Le Bon’s singles from her album Reward, ‘Home To You’ acts as a reminder that this will all blow over in the end. I know we all feel so many miles away from those we love, from family, from friends, from lovers, from strangers. But it’ll be alright – we’ll all be home soon. 

 

6) ‘500 Miles’ – Peter, Paul and Mary – 1962 

Peter, Paul and Mary covered this song back in the 1960s on their debut eponymous album. Deeply enchanting and soft, the folk track seems rather fitting given the distances felt right now – the darkness we all feel. 

 

7) ‘Eat, Sleep, Wake, Nothing But You’ – Bombay Bicycle Club – 2019

The repetitive reminder of the darkness currently lingering over our head and on the news has become a constant. While the lead single of Bombay Bicycle Club’s comeback is suggested to be romantic, it also feels incredibly relevant title-wise. 

 

8) ‘Strangers In The Night’ – Frank Sinatra – 1966

‘Strangers In The Night’ is my favourite Sinatra song, but also a much-needed reminder that anything could happen from our current situation. Frank Sinatra gives us a beautiful reminder of the humanity and possibility humankind possess, which seems like the perfect note to end on. 

You can “fall inside” a playlist of Nick Cave’s own personal “hiding songs” on his Spotify.

UCU respond to plans for staff pay cuts and terminations at UoM

The University and College Union has expressed their “dismay” over an email released last Thursday by the University of Manchester, detailing plans to mediate the financial losses incurred by the current lockdown.

Following the release of the financial update, which was sent out to all staff on April 23rd by Dame Nancy Rothwell, the UCU have openly condemned what they have described as its “cold, money-trumps-everything tone”.

The University responded calling the report an “early and honest view of the current and likely future severe financial impacts of the pandemic on our University and wider higher education sector.”

The UCU’s initial response to the email was sent out to members and contains criticism of the University’s approach to coping with financial losses due to COVID-19.

Areas of particular concern to the Union include potential plans to enact a University-wide pay cut as well as plans to explore other cost-cutting measures to combat financial losses due to COVID-19. 

To reduce pay related costs, the University is exploring deferring pay rises due to promotions; suspending annual increments and national pay awards’ and freezing all non-essential appointments and vacancies in staff. Job terminations could also be implemented.

Rather than asking “how to reduce expenditure”, the UCU believes the appropriate focus should still be on “core goals of teaching, research and social responsibility”.

“Student Staff Solidarity” UoM students support striking staff during strikes in 2019. Photo: Anja Samy @TheMancunion.

The Union has expressed its desire for “maximum transparency and inclusivity” in the University leadership team’s decision-making process and requests that the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) shares the data and assumptions used to predict the £120 million loss in income.

Research commissioned by the UCU suggested less severe impacts on student numbers and university finances. The UCU commissioned London Economics to estimate the economic impact of COVID-19 on student enrolments and income, as well as other cash flows from operating activities. 

The research predicted a 24% total drop in first year student enrolments in higher education institutions. Per institution, the average income decline would be approximately £20 million (though the reliance on international students results in significant variations to this number). 

The report also concludes that Russell Group universities may experience a decline in around £50 million each. However, universities with highest cash inflows before the crisis (e.g. Oxford) may experience losses of upwards of £106 million.

London Economics states that their analysis “assumes relatively optimistic outcomes” for higher education institutions. The group acknowledges that potential financial impacts may prove far worse in reality. 

The UCU has also asked the SLT to establish a “broad-based working party” that would explore other possible courses of action to reduce costs. They argue that such measures are necessary to foster the “goodwill” of University’s employees and to ensure the “survival of the University”.

The UCU says that: “We consider the collective wisdom of the entire university will be needed to resolve this crisis.”

Along with the announcement of potential cuts to staffing and pay, Dame Rothwell also declared that she and the SLT would take a 20% pay cut during these times. 

Dr Molly Geidel, a lecturer in English and American Studies at the University, says that the pay cut is “really nothing for someone like President Rothwell”, who makes upwards of £269,000 a year.

Dr Geidel shares that, in her department, “the fixed-term staff… have now been told their contracts will not be renewed” despite their “enormous amount of work.”

February – Students standing in solidarity with UCU stikers. Photo: UMUCU

In a statement on the UCU website, regional official Martyn Moss praised university staff and lecturers for adapting “impressively to the current crisis to support students and the university”, but expressed disappointment at the perceived “haste” with which the University of Manchester has acted:

“There is no denying that universities are facing new challenges in light of the crisis, but instead of short-sighted cuts we need the sector to pull together and make the case for vital funding to safeguard the future of our universities.

“We want all universities to work with us to secure the funding needed to ensure they are firing on all cylinders and can help lead the recovery from this crisis. We want to work with the University of Manchester to deal with the issues it faces locally and to protect jobs and its academic capacity.”

A University of Manchester spokesperson said: “Last week’s announcement was an early and honest view of the current and likely future severe financial impacts of the pandemic on our University and wider higher education sector. We are immensely proud of the way colleagues have adapted to new ways of working in this unprecedented situation.

“The University and College Union (UCU) analysis covers only undergraduate students (many of our international students are postgraduate) and assumes that universities will be fully open and travel will be possible, so the impacts could be much greater than their report states.

“Along with other universities, we are already facing significant loss of income in the current financial year, so we must have a robust strategy to ensure our University has a financially sustainable foundation to enable us to continue to deliver on our core goals of teaching and learning, research, and social responsibility.”

Durham University proposes controversial plans to move courses online

Durham University has proposed moving certain entire modules and degree programmes to online teaching with the start of the 2020/21 academic year, even once the Coronavirus pandemic is over.

Durham’s staff and student body have broadly criticised the proposals and the university’s failure to consult them in the matter. The proposals were rejected by Durham’s senate on April 22nd and will be amended before being presented for endorsement again.

Most UK universities made the jump in March to temporary online teaching in the light of the current situation, but Durham aims to take this a step further.

The university’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-Provost have suggested the provision of online-only modules and even entire degrees, starting in the 2020/21 academic year. This is with the goal of potentially eventually making all of their degree programmes fully remotely accessible. 

In their proposals, collectively dubbed ‘Unbound Education’, it was hoped that the number of modules taught in person in Durham will be reduced by 25% next academic year, and that by October 2020, eight new degree programmes would be available for entirely online teaching, with flexible start dates.

This would mean that the university’s student body would consist of a mixture of students studying and living full-time in Durham, students solely learning online, and students doing a mixture of online and in person modules. 

The report has received considerable opposition from Durham University’s academics and students alike, as well as the UK-wide University and Colleges Union (UCU). 

“highly concerning… cynical and reckless”

In a letter to the Vice-Chancellor, nearly 500 of the university’s academics have said the proposals were “highly concerning… cynical and reckless”.

Similarly, the Durham branch of the UCU voted to oppose the measures suggested without consultation, and the UCU’s General Secretary, Jo Grady, has called on the university to halt their plans, calling the lack of staff consultation “unacceptable”.

Across the student body, there has been a strong backlash, with a petition against the proposals circulated among Durham students garnering over 1000 signatures.

Further, students have been taking to social media to voice their concerns about the classism evident in the proposals.

Students expressed the belief that the ‘Unbound Education’ plans would lead to a higher proportion of well-off, British students physically on the Durham campus and who are therefore better able to access the university’s resources – an issue with which the university notorious already struggles.

The Students’ Union also criticised the lack of consultation with students about the report’s recommendations.

The senate, Durham University’s supreme governing body, met on April 22nd to discuss the proposals. As a consequence of large numbers of the Senate expressing opposition, all resolutions were withdrawn and will be amended and re-presented.

The ‘Unbound Education’ initiative came after a review of the university’s current online capacities, in the light of a more urgent move to online teaching provoked by the Coronavirus pandemic.

It was found that Durham University was behind its main competitors in terms of their digital educational offerings, and so the measures aim to rectify this. 

If the plans were put in place, they would enable the university to better cater to international students, who pay much more for their tuition than UK students do.

The move would therefore increase potential profits for the institution, which depends on tuition and accommodation fees more than other Russell Group universities, due to its smaller research and endowment income.

An anonymous senior member of the university’s administration has labelled the proposals “a desperate gamble” with motivations that are “certainly financial”. 

“some and perhaps a significant number of students will not be able to travel to and live in Durham in 2020/21”

However, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost Antony Long has suggested that the move is purely a response to the pandemic.

He has stated that in anticipation of the fact that “some and perhaps a significant number of students will not be able to travel to and live in Durham in 2020/21, [the university] are preparing an online, distance learning programme that is both inclusive and high-quality”.

The University of Manchester. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

But what does this mean for University of Manchester students? 

UoM already has a considerable offering for online learning, and has been listed as the 3rd best UK university for distance learning by distancelearningportal.com. It offers 46 mostly post-graduate level courses available for totally online completion. 

In terms of finances, more than 50% of UoM’s income in the year 2018/19 came from sources other than tuition fees, so as an institution they are less reliant on international students’ fees for survival than Durham is.

This means it is unlikely that UoM will introduce such extreme, long term changes to its existing in-person degree programmes as have been proposed at Durham. 

However, in an email sent to staff on April 23rd, Dame Nancy Rothwell has suggested that due to uncertainties regarding teaching in the 2020/21 academic year, the university is looking into “optimising and developing new high quality online learning programmes” and the possibility of international students receiving tuition from their home countries. 

With a potential income loss of over £270 million, we may see UoM turning to similar measures as proposed by Durham University in order to keep afloat in the light of such a financial blow.

Are virtual runways the next step for the fashion industry?

The coronavirus outbreak has caused a mass cancellation of events worldwide and the fashion industry hasn’t been immune to this. Although February’s Fashion Week shows were only marginally impacted, it’s looking less and less likely that the June shows will go ahead. In light of this, is it time that the industry changes their methods and transition to virtual catwalks?

Picture this: you’re sat in the comfort of your own home but, somehow, a complete fashion show is happening around you. The fashion industry is no longer reserved for the elite and wealthy as you can place yourself in the middle of it all, getting a 360-degree view of each item. It would revolutionise our relationship with runways, and surprisingly this isn’t out of reach.

This wouldn’t be the first time that fashion shows have gone digital – runways have been broadcast through Instagram since Misha Nonoo’s experimental movement in 2015. Since then, many designers have created Instagram-specific content to share their creations to a wider audience.

We would also have the power of technology on our side: there have been many technological advancements over the past 5 years that would allow a lot more than simply a cameraman stood at the end of the runway recording everything.

The next step up from this is 3D designs that have been pioneered by companies including VF and PVH Corp, which allow people to interact with models and gain a detailed view of each creation through their phone screens. Although this would allow a greater level of individuality and interaction, there is a risk of losing the magical quality of experiencing a fashion show first-hand.

Using virtual reality would conquer all of these problems – it eliminates the need for people to congregate in large groups and they can instead experience the spectacle of the runway without having to move, as they would be placed in the middle of it. Not only would this allow the fashion industry to continue operating amidst the global pandemic, but it would perhaps enhance the individual’s experience by allowing them a detailed look at each piece. Gone will be the days of envying those blessed people on the front row!

It would also benefit emerging brands who may not have the budget or resources to create a full-scale fashion show, enabling the fashion world to become more diverse.

Although it has taken a backseat due to the current conditions, the environmental implications to this would also be astronomical. The extensive resources that go into creating a show result in a huge carbon footprint, which virtual technologies would massively reduce, not to mention the carbon emissions released by the extensive travel required during fashion weeks.

Virtual reality may already be possible to allow optimum viewing experiences of catwalk shows, but in the future, the experience could be more than simply visual. Mary Fellowes from Milk Studios discussed how haptic technologies could be incorporated into the experience over time, allowing experiences like swatching fabrics to be possible.

Although the transition to digital shows is currently only considered as a last resort by some right now due to COVID-19, there’s no denying that it could be beneficial for the fashion industry and completely revolutionise how we experience runways in the future.

Why Instagram influencers are important now more than ever

In times like these, we all need someone to turn to and keep us going. Although Instagram influencers are primarily known for recommending that new mascara or showing off their latest finds from Pretty Little Thing, their value might go further than this during the pandemic.

Due to the mass closing of shops and the cancellation of many fashion shows and red-carpet events, finding fashion inspiration has become incredibly difficult. Instagram influencers are combatting this by constantly providing inspiration for real life styles that are relevant to the current moment. They’re also more sincere than ever, as the lack of new releases that they might otherwise promote and brands having lower advertising budgets means what they’re recommending is genuine.

Not only do they provide easily accessible style inspiration, but they’re also a constant form of support and familiarity during these difficult times. There’s much more to influencers than what meets the eye – they can entertain, inspire you, motivate you to try something new  – it’s not just about looking at their photo and liking the dress they’re wearing.

Influencers have proven on countless occasions during the coronavirus outbreak that they are more than just pretty faces that want to persuade you to buy flat-tummy teas and a new pair of Balenciagas. Strictly Come Dancing star and influencer Saffron Barker started the #YouTubers4NHSHeroes fundraising campaign where many YouTube influencers donated all of the money earned from one of their videos to the campaign (most notably Zoe Sugg, aka Zoella, with 4.82 million subscribers).

Other influencers have responded to the coronavirus pandemic by heading to the frontline themselves, including Love Island’s Anna Vakili returning to work as a pharmacist, stating in an Instagram caption: “with everything that’s going on it felt wrong not to.”

From entertaining us during the lockdown to using their platform to raise awareness and money for the NHS, influencers are doing everything that they can to help during this pandemic, giving us healthy doses of real life and escapism in equal measure.

UoM reveals potential loss of over £270m due to COVID-19

Dame Nancy Rothwell sent an email to the University of Manchester’s staff at 11:01am today, detailing the “significant loss of income” to the school in the current financial year. 

The University predicts a major reduction from the income earned from students’ course fees, stating that “it is possible that 80% of all international students and 20% of home/EU students will be lost.” 

“It is possible that 80% of all international students and 20% of home/EU students will be lost.” 

This translates to a potential loss of over £270 million. As a result, the University is preparing for a “reduction in our total annual income of between 15 and 25%.”

The University also predicts a loss of income from student halls, catering and other commercial activities, as well as research income from charities and other organisations.  

The email was sent to all staff at UoM this morning. Photo: The Mancunion.

Dame Rothwell has announced the probability of “rapid and radical changes” to the University’s operations. With an annual turnover of £1.1 billion (45% of which is from tuition fees), Rothwell emphasises the need to generate a “modest cash surplus” to maintain the “fabric of the University” and the continuation of investments in infrastructure.

In a further statement issued to staff of the Students’ Union the CEO, Ben Ward, explained that “The University, as the largest employer in the city region of Greater Manchester is having to deal with unprecedented variables in its environment.”

Because of the current lockdown, it is as yet unclear whether the next academic year will be able to begin in September. According to the SU, the University and the Students’ Union have “developed a set of different scenarios ranging from business as usual to a January start date and every combination between.”

“We have developed a set of different scenarios ranging from business as usual to a January start date and every combination between.”

In an effort to ensure that “the start of the year is attractive to students”, UoM stated that they may defer the start of the academic year, or introduce two start dates (September and January).

According to the email, sent to all University staff today, immediate actions are currently being taken to offset losses and increase cash surpluses during the lockdown. All travel has been ceased and any non-essential spend has been stopped. New appointments and vacancies for University staff have been frozen except for “critical posts” (e.g. the support of online activities) – this does not however apply to the Students’ Union. 

According to the statement released today by the University Vice-Chancellor “pay represents well over 50% of our budget (over £600m p.a.). So, reducing pay costs must be a key part of meeting a major loss of income.”

“Pay represents well over 50% of our budget (over £600m p.a.). So, reducing pay costs must be a key part of meeting a major loss of income.”

On top of freezing non-essential appointments and vacancies, the University will also be exploring possible routes for reductions in pay costs by: deferring pay awards due to promotions; suspending annual increments and national pay award; and implementing a pay cut for a “defined period” across the University.  Job terminations “may also be required”.

The University of Manchester’s Senior Leadership Team have announced they will be taking a voluntary 20% pay cut during this time, which will be reviewed periodically.

New projects, including all capital programmes, which are not under contract and not externally funded have been paused. These projects may include the acquisition of property, the refurbishment of a building, or the purchase of new equipment.

The University has stated that it is “submitting a number of staff to be furloughed under the government scheme,” in an effort to save costs at this time, but admitted that we do not yet know how many will be eligible.

In conjunction which this, the Students’ Union has released a statement confirming that it is eligible for the government’s furlough scheme and will be entering some of its staff into this, adding that “it is not as clear cut for the University as a public body.”

While these immediate actions taken by the University may increase its surplus for this financial year – ending July 31st, they were recognised to be “wholly insufficient” to mitigate the scale of such losses.

Photo: Stevenfruitsmaak @Wikinews

One area of focus in the University is “preventing the decline and potentially increasing home/EU Undergraduate and Postgraduate students”. It must however be noted that an increase in home student recruitment will most likely be capped at their undergraduate intake forecast plus an additional 5%.

The University’s statement also suggests that options are being explored to allow for continuation of teaching next academic year, in the event that the University is unable to open the campus to students in September. These include “optimising and developing new high quality online learning programmes” and the potential introduction of “face-to-face teaching of international students in their home country.”

This could follow in the footsteps of Durham University’s ‘Unbound Education’ programme – a proposal put forward in Durham University’s senate this week to move all courses online for the first half of the coming academic year. According to The Palatinate, the proposal document states that “we must assume that all instruction will be delivered online at the least through the end of Michaelmas Term”.

Other long-term efforts include securing other sources of income, as well as cutting costs “very significantly.” All non-essential non-pay costs will be limited, including “materials, scholarships, discounts and bursaries.” It is unclear how these cuts may affect students from lower income households but, despite this, the University were keen to highlight their “continued aim to protect disadvantaged students.”

SKUM indefinitely suspended from AU over “shocking behaviours”

The University of Manchester’s Ski and Snowboarding Club (SKUM) have been indefinitely suspended from the Athletics Union (AU) after a University investigation supported allegations of “shocking behaviours” within the club.

A report sent today by the University to all AU Club committee members said the club were to be suspended from the AU with immediate effect, and set out recommendations for its future.

The decision follows an investigation by The Mancunion, which found evidence of a “prolonged culture of misogyny, racism, bullying, and illegal behaviour” in SKUM over the course of four years.

The University supported The Mancunion‘s findings, which included discussing “preying” on freshers and sexually assaulting a prominent British skier in their group chat, a record of destroyed property on club ski trips with one damages fine of £12,000, and encouraging each other to engage in disruptive and potentially dangerous or illegal activities, both abroad and in Manchester.

In addition to their suspension, no future version of the Ski and Snowboarding Club will be able to use the acronym ‘SKUM’, which the University said had become a “rallying point for unacceptable behaviours.”

Statement sent from the University to AU Club Committee members

Club Committee members will be asked to work with the AU Head of Sport and Active Lifestyles and in consultation with the Head of Campus Life to establish criteria used to determine any future lifting of this suspension.

No individual students will be subject to disciplinary action, although the University said it will “continue to monitor the situation closely”.

Any future University of Manchester Ski and Snowboarding Club will also be barred from participating in ‘G.N.A.R.’ or any similar games “promoting unacceptable behaviours”.

The University said they will develop support for all AU Club members to ensure that their social media behaviours are in line with the AU Code of Conduct after The Mancunion found racist and misogynist messages in SKUM’s group messenger chats.

Support has also been offered to students who have experienced racism, misogyny, and bullying through AU sports clubs through a ‘Report and Support System’. Speaking to an advisor through the system is confidential, and students do not have to make a formal complaint to use it.

Further recommendations have also been made “to ensure unacceptable behaviours are dealt with in this and any other club”, which is intended to align the AU and Students’ Union’s approaches to sporting clubs. These will include an annual re-appraisal of any Club’s purpose and ambitions, and mandatory training for Club President and Committee members.

¡Viva! 2020: Esto no es Berlín

Just like Alfonso Cuaron’s Roma, Hari Sama’s Esto no es Berlín (This Is Not Berlin) takes us to Mexico City in times of great social and political unrest of the 1980s. While the football World Cup is taking place in the country, getting attention from millions of people around the globe, Mexican teenagers try to live their ordinary lives at the heart of this turmoil.

17-year-old Carlos (Xabiani Ponce de León) and his best friend Gera (José Antonio Toledano) have never spent much time thinking about social or political issues. They dream of partying, engage in fights with students of the enemy school, and try to earn money by renting porn magazines to their classmates — but their lives are about to change, as one night Gera’s sister invites them to an underground club.

The world full of alcohol, drugs, and sexual emancipation opens right in front of Carlos and Gera. Never before have they even acknowledged an existence of such liberation and now they immediately become engrossed in it. 

The film’s title may imply the Mexican underground scene’s claims of independence. Their clubs don’t try to recreate the Berlin club scene, and the partygoers don’t want to be seen as an equivalent to the Germans or to anyone else. They create their own avant-garde art and aim at spreading a deeply personal message. They don’t try to imitate, they simply want to express themselves and live freely.

Once the party ends, who do these people become? The anonymity of everyone apart from Carlos and Gera invites us to take a closer look at how it all influences the two teenagers. Their everyday life and the relationships with people around them change dramatically, and ultimately so does their friendship. 

Hari Sama puts us in the protagonists’ shoes, as we eagerly await another set of wonderfully-shot, hypnotising party sequences filled with nudity and sensuality. But what is left for us when these end? This Is Not Berlin lacks in substance, and touches many topics so lightly that they will likely be overlooked in a provocative sexual maze.

Somewhere between Gaspar Noe’s Climax and Jan Komasa’s Suicide Room, Esto no es Berlín takes its audience to another world, radically different from the everyday reality. Soaking in this world is a truly unique experience, but the main conclusion left is how much potential was wasted.

2.5/5.

Does UoM’s admissions process prioritise the privileged?

Private, or independent, schools are not so-called for their secrecy. They are ‘private’ because they belong to the private sector. They do not receive government funding and finance themselves by charging fees or raising cash through alumni donations. 

According to the University of Manchester’s latest Access and Participation Plan, students from independent schools are more likely to be made an offer to study at UoM than their state school counterparts.

15.4% of UoM students come from private schools, according to data from the Higher Education Statistics AgencyThis percentage exceeds the average across UK higher education of 10.2%, and greatly exceeds the proportion of UK children in private education – which is 6.5%. 

UoM insists it is committed to “fair” practice and providing higher education “irrespective” of the type of school students hail from – but student leaders say there is still work to be done.  

Critics say that a difference in funding between state and private schools leads to a disparity in the level of education they provide.

“You [can] see the difference,” one Manchester student, who chose to remain anonymous, told The Mancunion. The student, who has attended both private and state schools, says there is an “exclusive network” and a “wealth of opportunities” that characterise independent schools. 

UK private schools have, on average, triple the revenue per student compared to state schools. They invest this in attracting top teachers, better technology and more school trips. These opportunities can lead to shimmering personal statements, which are meticulously penned by students with the help of teachers to flaunt their skills, and are key when universities decide to offer places.  

Students fill their statements by declaring their love for their chosen subject – along with their related experiences, jobs, activities and projects. With more extracurricular activities available to them, private school students are better-equipped to prove their subject interest.

Private schools, offering a lower student-to-teacher ratio, can devote more time to offering personalised feedback on personal statements – helping iron out grammatical mistakes, remove irrelevant info and tidy up formatting – all of which boost an application and a students’ odds of getting an offer.  

The other side of the admissions coin is predicted grades. The coronavirus pandemic has bought academic processes to a nationwide stand-still, the most pressing issue of which is the impact this may have on A-Level students achieving their University entry requirements. 

On average, private school pupils achieve 2 grades higher in their A-Levels than state school pupils – but predicted grades are just as important in securing university offers. 

The Sutton Trust, an educational charity, says this is a “flaw” in the system: “High attaining disadvantaged students are more likely to have their grades under-predicted.” 

In other words, between two equally-intelligent candidates, the deciding factor for a University offer might just be their teacher’s confidence in their student. 

What’s more, with traditional A-level exams cancelled across the country due to the lockdown, predicted grades now play an even larger part in calculating a students final grade. Teachers in England have been asked to predict final A-level grades based on students’ standard of work and mock-exams in the past year, these will then be moderated by the exam boards.

UoM has implemented schemes to negate the imbalance between private and state school student attainment. Admissions staff consider ‘contextual data’ alongside a student’s application. This might include whether they’ve been in care, their school’s average exam performance and the wealth of the student’s neighbourhood.

Students are then flagged when these three indicators deem their situation unfavourable, and according to UoM’s website, they are afforded extra ‘consideration’ if they later miss their grade offer. 

But Sara Khan, Manchester SU’s Liberation and Access Officer, told The Mancunion there was still work to be done:

“UoM has to do more than access and outreach programmes – it has to address an unfair and unequal system by calling for the way grades and university admissions work to fundamentally change.” 

“The University needs to look at using its prestige as an institution, its national reputation, to lobby for this structural change [and] to follow through with this example, [to reach] an end to the unfair predicted grade system.” 

Helen Harper, the University of Manchester’s Recruitment and Admissions Manager said: “The University is dedicated to providing quality higher education to students of outstanding achievement from all education backgrounds irrespective of which type of school you went to.

“Our admissions framework supports our principles of fair and transparent admissions. We endeavour to have a fair admissions process and have implemented a number of strategies to make it fairer such as running the Manchester Access Programme and taking into consideration contextual data. 

“We do this so that all applicants with the potential to be successful students have an equal opportunity through our selection process. We are also very transparent in who we make offers to. In summary, we do have a fair admissions policy.” 

Google and Apple’s covid tracking software could see reduction in cases

A new collaboration between tech giants Apple and Google could see a reduction in cases of coronavirus through Bluetooth tracking interactions on your smartphone.

With the UK passing 12,000 hospital deaths from Covid-19, the two major tech companies have teamed up to produce a tracking software for the iOs and Android operating systems directly aimed at  monitoring those who have the symptoms of the virus. 

The software was developed in the hope of helping reduce the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the NHS by allowing health authorities to notify those who have been in contact with the virus and must self-isolate to halt the spread.

There has been a great deal of controversy over Google using GPS data to track our location in the past, however, if this new feature could reduce the strain on the NHS and aid civilians to know whether to self isolate, should we be supporting its development? 

A first launch of this type of programme was used in China, known as a ‘close contact detector’ application. This was more successful due to phones being pre-programmed with tracking software through national codes ingrained in all smartphones sold in the country. 

This extremely close surveillance on Chinese citizens has allowed people to see if they have been in close contact with a carrier of the virus, therefore showing hotspot zones across the country. However, it has been stated by lawyers that such a system can only work if there is complete transparency and consent is given. 

Piper Carolyn Bigg, a Hong Kong-based technology lawyer at the law firm DLA described the positives of  contact tracing software: “From a Chinese perspective this is a really useful service for people […] It’s a really powerful tool that really shows the power of data being used for good.”

In the UK, a number of applications related to Coronavirus have been adapted recently – for example the NHS Responders app that is currently being used for local volunteers to help those who are vulnerable in their area. This application heavily relies on the user having their location on the ‘Always’ setting as responders closest to the person in need are able to help quickest.  

However, the most recent update in surveillance in the UK means that Google and Apple, already notorious for using and distorting the data they collect, are more accurately and frequently monitoring our movements than ever before. 

This collaboration between the two companies ensures that ‘contact-tracing’ apps can be used on both Android and Apple devices relying on Bluetooth data to monitor who the individual has been in contact with each day and alert them if they have been in a high risk area. 

Jennifer Granick, the surveillance and cybersecurity counsel at the ACLU believes that “people will only trust these systems if they protect privacy, remain voluntary, and store data on an individual’s device, not a centralised repository.”

But how does the system actually work? In its simplest form, whilst the programme is running on your device it will periodically alert a unique and anonymous code taken from the phone’s distinctive ID. The phones that your signal comes into contact with are logged building up a personalised database of interactions you have had throughout the day.

If you or another user tests positive or develops symptoms for Covid-19 they can share it on the app to enable those who have been exposed to the carrier to take the correct safety precautions like self-isolating.  So far the signal reaches a 100 metre radius. 

An advanced technology which could let us know if we are at risk or not could be a saviour to hypochondriacs worried about every potential hazard. At present we are unaware of who we have crossed paths with and could suspect the worst from everyone. We have mixed messages from NHS professionals about whether we should be wearing gloves or masks when out for essentials and supermarkets have strict regulations when shopping that in some cases can’t be followed.

But on the other hand, contact tracing could heighten emotions of those already anxious if they have been in a 100 metre radius of a carrier. Even though it is still highly unlikely for the virus to be contracted by someone who has regularly washed their hands and stayed out of the 2 metre range of droplets from coughs and sneezes, it may still be alarming  for a user to receive an alert that they have been near someone with Covid-19.

The issue of privacy can be put in more understandable terms – since University and everything else for that matter has closed, we are having considerably less interactions with others so the list of people your phone would be picking up would be a small list, if not just your household and neighbours.

Matt Hancock has said that all data will be handled according to the highest ethical and security standards and would only be used for NHS care and research, not to be kept for any longer than necessary.  However a professor from the University of Cambridge has said that he feels “uneasy about collecting lots of lightly-anonymised data in a system that becomes integrated into a whole-of-government response to the pandemic. We might never get rid of it.”

Despite the app having the potential to save lives, we still need to be cautious of the data being given out.  However, in an effort to put minds at ease slightly, both companies have released preliminary technical specifications which they called Privacy-Preserving Contact Tracing. 

Other European countries have followed suit and rolled out the application including the Czech  Republic, Germany and one of the worst hit countries; Italy. Yet there has been some delay to this app functioning and it could be that credit cards and public transit records will also need to be monitored to ensure accuracy.

A pre-release version of the software will be rolled out next week in the North West of the UK to families within a secure location.  

At the moment it is too soon to think about how we may be implicated by this. Bluetooth at present is used to share photos, listen to music or connect to other devices, not save lives.

Our smartphones could be doing much more than we realise. Rather than watching endless Tik Tok videos or being glued to the news app, amidst our day-to-day usage we could be using our phones to understand a little more about the pandemic and fight the spread of this virus which has taken over our lives. 

Chinese embassy distributes coronavirus ‘health packages’ to Manchester students

The Chinese embassy has distributed 12.7 tonnes of medical supplies – dubbed as ‘health packages’ – to international students stuck in Manchester.

Students said the health packages contained disinfectant wipes, face masks, and herbal medication to combat the symptoms of COVID-19. The first shipment arrived on April 4, and distribution of supplies began on April 6.

Photo: The Mancunion

The herbal medication came in the form of Lianhua Qingwen capsules – a traditional remedy for the alleviation of typical influenza symptoms such as fever, coughing, a runny nose, and muscle aches.

Alongside the supplies, the packages included a letter addressed to the students, detailing the efforts of the Chinese government to provide aid to students abroad.

A final year Sociology and Linguistics student in Manchester, who chose not to be named, said that receiving a health package and the enclosed letter made her feel “less uncertain and more at ease”.

Manchester’s Chinese Student Society has formed a group of volunteers helping to organise, pack and distribute supplies from China.

Volunteers working to distribute the health packages. Source: The Mancunion.

Volunteers were reportedly dressed in personal protective equipment (PPE) to give out the packages to students who applied on WeChat, the Chinese social media platform.

Distribution points included University of Manchester’s George Kenyon Hall as well as the following private student accommodation buildings: Sir Charles Groves Hall, Vita Student Circle Square, Liberty Heights, and Orient House (Uncle). The Mancunion reached out to the above-mentioned residences to ask if they were aware the distribution was taking place, but received no reply.

WeChat posts from the Chinese Student Society also appear to show officials from the Chinese Consulate-General volunteering at the warehouse, helping with unloading, organising, and packing.

Social media posts also revealed that future distributions would be taking place soon, with several shipments on their way to the UK from China.

Manchester Consul General Zheng Xiyuan was interviewed by the Chinese Student Society about the distribution of health packages. He said it was in line with the request of Liu Xiaoming, the Chinese Ambassador to Britain, to “distribute health packages to each student as soon as possible”.

Mr Liu recently gave an online speech addressing Chinese students in the UK. He said the Chinese government was greatly concerned about the safety and health of those studying in the UK, adding that it was of great importance to China to continue co-operation with Britain to combat the virus.

A recent surge in flight prices and flight cancellations to China and previous travel restrictions to certain parts of the country have meant that many students abroad have found themselves unable to return home during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Health packages have also been distributed around the world in areas with large numbers of Chinese international students, including cities such as Los Angeles, Singapore, and Madrid.

The Mancunion has contacted the Consulate General, the Chinese embassy and the University of Manchester for comment.

Manchester universities urge landlords to release students from contracts

Universities and Students’ Unions across Manchester have released an open letter urging landlords to release students from their private rental contracts early if they have vacated the property.

Following a move to online teaching and assessment as a precaution to slow the spread of covid-19 earlier this month, a huge number of students in Manchester have left their rented accommodation and returned to their family homes.

In light of this, universities in Greater Manchester have collectively announced a plea to private landlords “to release students who have already vacated properties from their rental contracts.”

In an open letter, Vice-Chancellors and Students’ Union officers from UoM, Salford, RNCM and MMU requested this “act of generosity” during the “exceptional circumstances” the country is currently facing.

Open letter to private landlords from Mcr Universities.

Previously in mid-March, the University of Manchester announced that it would not charge students rent beyond March 21st if they vacated their University halls by March 31st.

Alongside this, UoM has come to financial agreements with several private student accommodation companies in Manchester, meaning that residents who left these halls would also be released from rent payments for the final few months of the academic year.

Email sent by the University of Manchester to students in University halls.

While this is certainly a positive step for students in halls, there are still a number of students in private rented housing in the city who may not have come to such an arrangement with their landlords.

The Students’ Union Advice service has provided the following guidelines for students hoping to come to an arrangement regarding ending their rental contract during the lockdown:

“The law is that after signing a tenancy agreement you are liable to the contract which means you are obligated to pay rent even if you move out. Your tenancy could be ended early if your landlord agrees to an early release or your contract has a break clause. Unfortunately, this is very rare. The Advice Service offers a contract checking service if you would like for us to check your tenancy agreement for any break clauses.
“We often see that the only way to end a private tenancy early, is to find a tenant to replace you. However, this is something that is likely to be difficult during this time. In this case, the first option you could try is to request an early release from contract on compassionate grounds. 
 
“You can negotiate with your landlord and they may be sympathetic to your request if they understand your reasons. For example, if you have had to move out of Manchester urgently because you needed to care for or support someone vulnerable.
 
“If your landlord or agent does not agree to the release then you could try and request a delay in rent payments with no late fees or a rent reduction. Your landlord may be sympathetic especially if you have suddenly found yourself in a difficult financial situation.”
For more information or to arrange an appointment, contact [email protected].

The open letter written by Manchester Universities to private landlords can be read in full on the University of Manchester website

Recommended: Top 20 British Films and TV Shows

Due to recent events, we have all become suddenly ‘unbusy’ and something is needed to pass the abundance of time that has fallen into our laps.

Bearing this in mind, The Mancunion presents to the top 20 British films and television shows currently available. Togehter we will get through this hard time accompanied by some first class televisual and filmic entertainment.

20: The Trip

This semi-improvised, semi-true series stars Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon as fictionalised versions of themselves. The Trip sees them working their way through the North of England, Italy, Spain and most recently, Greece. The premise is simple – the duo travel from restaurant to restaurant, eating food and writing reviews.

This is nothing more than an excuse for two of the greatest comic minds of our generation to sit down together and riff. The humour is never overstated but also never anything less than hilarious. Episode 5 of series 2 is a personal favourite.

The first two series of The Trip can be found on Netflix. The latter two can be found on Now TV.

19: The Royle Family

If you are looking for well observed, subtle and heart-breaking comedy, look no further. For the most part, The Royle Family is set in the front room of Jim and Baber Royle as their family comes around for a television tee. Nothing happens, but everything is said. This is a lovely show that cannot be recommended highly enough.

All three series (and some of the Christmas specials) are available on Netflix.

18: Peep Show

This POV sitcom stars David Mitchell and Robert Webb in their first major television vehicle. Over a staggering 12 year run there is little change in the lives of Mark and Jeremy save weddings, divorces, funerals, the 2008 financial crash, parenthood, love, lust, loss and the burning of a dog called ‘Mummy’.

This show is ‘unwitting catchphrase galore’, elements of which will soon enter your vernacular. With around 27 hours worth of Peep Show, this one will keep you busy.

All episodes are available on Netflix and All 4.

17: The Look of Love

The first film on our list — and the second appearance for one Mr S. Coogan — sees him star as one-time Britain’s Richest man and Porn Baron, Paul Raymond. This is a fascinating depiction of Soho in the latter half of the 20th century, refracted through one man’s extraordinarily empty and debauched life. Although the film does not interrogate the ethics of the inherently sexist porn industry, it is none-the-less a fascinating and very well-made film.

The Look of Love is available to rent on Amazon Prime.

16: White Gold

One of the more contemporary offerings on our list. In many ways an Inbetweeners reunion, with a cast that includes James Buckley and Joe Thomas. However with the style, characters and situation it ultimately transcends the famous comedy common denominator between its writer and two of its stars.

Ed Westwick stars as the anti-hero, creating the Gossip Girl meets Inbetweeners mashup you didn’t know you needed. The premise is as old as time (or at least as old as Only Fools and Horses); a ‘businessman’ with questionable ethics tries to make a fast buck. A very entertaining watch.

White Gold is available on Netflix.

15: Bill

This comic retelling of the life of William Shakespeare comes from the cast and writers of Horrible Histories (the original and best cast). It is a fantastically funny film for all the family and comes highly recommended (by me).

Available on Amazon Prime.

14: Man Like Mobeen

One of BBC Three’s biggest hits of recent years. This follows three youths in Birmingham as they try to shoulder the responsibilities of the world from within a marginalised social group. Subtly political and overtly funny.

Available on BBC iPlayer.

13: Harry and Paul’s Story of the Twos

A one-off spoof documentary about the history of BBC 2, written by and starring comedy legends Paul Whitehouse and Harry Enfield. Not only does it parody some of the BBC’s biggest names, it also includes many nods to Harry and Paul’s back catalogue.

Sadly, it is not featured on any well-known streaming platforms but it is available to order on DVD (and perhaps online).

12: Blackadder

The legendary comedy classic was written by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton and stars (amongst others) Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, and Hugh Laurie. This historical sitcom is famed for its outstanding performances, first class writing, and unique comic and literary style. It might however be wise to ignore series 1.

Available on Netflix.

11: Phoenix Nights

The breakout project for Peter Kay and Paddy McGuinness, this critically acclaimed series shows everyday life at a working men’s club in Bolton. Its cast is populated by the very best of the late 90s Manchester comedy circuit. A laugh out loud and well observed depiction of Clubland. Everything we love about Peter Kay in a story driven sitcom.

Available on DVD (and perhaps online).

10: James May’s Toy Stories

Perhaps a slightly left field choice. This series sees James May attempt amazing feats of engineering, only using children’s toys. For example, a full-sized house made entirely from Lego, a life size Airfix Spitfire, and the world’s longest model railway. This is a fantastically interesting and entertaining watch which will bring back many childhood memories. May himself is extremely underrated as a documentary maker. His new Japan series on Amazon is also well worth a watch.

Available on Amazon Prime.

9: Inside No.9

Currently airing its 5th series, this dark comedy sees former League of Gentlemen gentlemen Reece Sheersmith and Steve Pemberton team up with a range of guest stars in short stand-alone stories.

Each week sees a completely different set of characters in dramatically different situations, all of which take place behind the Number 9. Everyone will have their favourite episodes. Mine is Series 4, Episode 2; “Inside Bernie Clifton’s Dressing Room”.

Available on BBC iPlayer and Netflix.

8: The Full Monty

This Comic Film is set in Sheffield and tracks a single father as he attempts to make money by becoming a male stripper. It follows themes of masculinity, body image, deprivation, and changing social trends. An uplifting and hilarious watch. One of the British film industry’s biggest hits.

Available on Amazon.

7: Shooting Stars: The Inside Story

Another Spoof documentary, this time about the Vic and Bob’s Surreal Celebrity Showbiz Quiz: Shooting Stars. If you are unfamiliar with Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer, this is the perfect starting point. This show sees a mixture of real interviews with former guests and fictionalised interviews with Vic and Bob playing Celebrities and Crew of the show. It also features clips from the very best of Shooting Stars’ Original Run. Pure mindless silliness; perfect for the current times.

Available on YouTube.

6: 24-Hour Party People

A third but by no means last appearance by Coogan. This Biopic about the Manchester legend Tony Wilson could be described as ‘warts and all’. Wilson discovered and managed everyone from Joy Division to the Happy Mondays. He was also a Reporter on Granada TV and the Proprietor of legendary night club ‘The Hacienda’.

His record label ‘Factory Records’ was in the building which now houses FAC251, and Wilson’s picture hangs next to the front door to this day. An absolutely fascinating film. A must see for any music lover.

Available on Amazon.

5: The Thick of It

Political satire from the bairn of Armando Iannucci. This show walks the corridors of power, showing incompetence, backstabbing and spin. The Thick of It was made as the political landscape of Britain changed for ever, making it an enlightening and funny insight.

Available on Netflix.

4: Monty Python’s Life of Brian

This is one of the greatest films of all time. An absolute classic, it interrogates the idea of religion in a fantastically controversial way. It is perfectly accompanied by the documentary The Secret Life of Brian which charts the making, funding and original reception of the film and really brings home just how ground-breaking it was. An absolute must see.

The film is available on Netflix, the documentary is available on YouTube.

TOP 3:

3: Life on Mars

My favourite Drama series. This show charts contemporary Manchester Policeman, Sam Tyler, as he wakes up in 1973. Has he time travelled? Has he gone mad? Is he in a coma? All is revealed in this fiercely unique brilliantly crafted TV masterpiece. It has one of the best and most appropriate endings I have ever seen.

Available on BBC iPlayer.

2: Damned

This deadpan comedy tracks everyday life in an underfunded and over-stretched Social Services office. It stars Jo Brand, Alan Davis, Issy Suttie and Kevin Eldon. It is moving and through provoking without ever forgetting to be laugh-out-loud funny. Perfectly accompanied by Brand’s other sitcom Getting On, which is set in the NHS. Just like Life on Mars, masterpiece is an apt description for this show.

Available on All 4.

1: Everything Partridge

AHA! Where would be without Alan Partridge. What an amazing 26 years it has been since this comic legend first walked onto our screens. Everything he has ever done has been absolute comic perfection. If you need a new obsession, look no further.

No description I can give will do justice to this middle aged, middle class, middle England Disk Jockey of a certain age. Whether it be Knowing me Knowing you, two series of I’m Alan Partridge, Midmorning Matters, Scissored isle, Welcome to the Places of my Life, Alpha Papa, or This Time, you will see that there is an Alan in us all.

Available across Netflix, BBC iPlayer and Now TV.

Happy viewing.

What does routine mean during this unusual time?

It was only in the last year that I learnt the importance of routine, the importance of structure to the everyday. Although, routine was physically beneficial for me, it also made me feel mentally active. So, what came with the outbreak of coronavirus was feelings of uncertainty.

However, what I didn’t understand was that routine did not actually have to mean leaving the house, routine just means a plan and where that takes place does not matter. With the hours of free time we have gained from lockdowns, comes the opportunity to spend our time doing things we wouldn’t usually do, whether that means picking up a new hobby or simply continuing with an old one.

I spoke to some second year students from the University of Manchester, who have been implementing routines or exploring hobbies during this quarantine. From cooking to embroidery, I wanted to talk to other people about how they have been keeping busy.

History student Ivy Rogers and her house found out they had been in contact with the virus in the early stages of it’s outbreak, speaking to her she felt “it was a bit crazy going into strict isolation, so we were all keen to make it fun.”

Ivy Rogers' lockdown embroidery creations
Ivy Rogers’ lockdown embroidery creations

The group of housemates shared a range of posts on their social media accounts about their situation. “We decided to do all these childish things such as drawing each other, baking the perfect chocolate chip cookie and embroidery,” Ivy explained.

She advised for people to take isolation as an “opportunity” but also to “not feel guilty if you don’t’ master a language in this time, just think of it as the world on pause.”

 

 

When speaking to PPE student Tyler Bennington Poulter, he told me about the punch bag he made out of scratch from a few objects lying around: “When I realised I was going to have to spend this much time inside away from the usual things that give my life structure, I knew I needed to occupy my mind with some projects and keep physically active.”

By having something practical to focus his attention on, Tyler said that he was able to “resist the temptation to just stay in bed.” For him, the period should be seen as a positive opportunity to get into good habits and “improve my well-being over this time and come back stronger then I was before.”

Robyn's Instagram: @isolationinspirations
Robyn’s Instagram: @isolationinspirations

Social anthropology student Robyn Ellis has used Instagram as a diary which she welcomes her followers to see. Despite not using the app before she expressed that she chose to “create [an account] because of the COVID-19 lockdowns.” Her posts vary from “delicious culinary creations to poetry readings about nothing-ness.”

Although the time can feel isolating and unusual, Robyn suggests to take “the routine reduction as a gift of time, make the most of it and share what you create.”

Kit Delamain who studies philosophy has left his followers watering at the mouth with his yummy isolation creations, which he shares on his Instagram. While cooking wasn’t necessarily something he started in lockdown he said, “Before I was cooking to eat, but now I am cooking to cook.” He says that he has chosen to build his life around “the meals that I want and make.”

For Kit, cooking is a form of meditation: “I am able to invest my concentration into making something delicious.” When asking him for advice for people who want to get into cooking in this time, he suggested “picking out your favourite things to eat, and having a go making them on your own, with all the daring creativity you can muster; you have absolutely nothing to lose.”

For me, trying to keep a positive mindset is key right now but, where some days this may not be possible, it is important not to be hard on yourself. Not every day will be productive and that’s okay. It helps to be flexible and take things day by day. It’s also helpful to try not to compare your routine with someone else’s.

This is a very unique time, I think it is also important to see the benefits and the possibilities of what we can make of it. Stay positive where you can, stay connected and above all stay safe.

July graduation postponed due to coronavirus

The University of Manchester has announced that it is postponing all July graduation ceremonies due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

In an email sent to students, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell said the delay was “to protect the health and wellbeing of all our graduands and their families whilst also noting UK government restrictions.”

Students due to graduate this summer will still receive their qualifications, but ceremonies will be rescheduled for a later date, and degree certificates posted to students’ home addresses.

The University said it will be looking at alternative arrangements, and will be in touch “in the next few weeks” with more details.

Professor Dame Rothwell also told those due to graduate this summer that the University “are looking at alternative ways to mark your achievements, both remotely in July, and then, when time allows, in person, as we recognise how important this celebration is to you and your families.”

The news follows drastic steps taken by the University to combat the spread of the virus, including moving all teaching online, and closing most University buildings.

A ‘no detriment’ policy has also been put in place, meaning students’ grade for the year will not fall below their average prior to the outbreak.

Summer graduation was due to begin on Monday July 13th  and end on Friday July 24th. December graduation ceremonies are still expected to continue as usual.

Review: We Won’t Fall

We Won’t Fall was a devised show by new theatre company SwitchMCR, directed by Gabriel Clark and Andrew Long, and written around its cast of twelve actors. The piece gave snapshots from the lives of a group of rebels, living within a repressive society that banned freedom of expression.

So, where and when was this dystopian location? Manchester, 2020.

We Won’t Fall was staged in the International Anthony Burgess Foundation, an industrial-type building that felt quintessentially Mancunian.

Prior to the start of the show, the performers entered and started to joyfully dance together to wonderful, well-known songs such as ‘Take On Me’ and ‘I’m Still Standing’. I’ll admit, I was tempted to get up there and dance with them. Within these dances, they improvised, chatting to each other and directing some comments at members of the audience.

Through personal character moments, the different issues afflicting them were depicted. Some issues were those we are very familiar with, that are always in the news: racism, homophobia, immigration, police brutality, reproductive rights.

Then there were some more unusual laws. 80s music had been banned. Jack D’Arcy’s Peter explained how all the black keys had been removed from pianos and now there were no sharps or flats in music. Ciara Ewing’s character, Jess, was forced to speak in an English accent as opposed to her native Scottish accent (which was an ironic parallel to how often British actors have to use ‘RP’ accents in the industry, even if this is not their native accent).

One member of the rebels, George (Oscar Jones), was a policeman who insisted only a small minority of the police force were racist and that he was trying to implement change from the inside. What was poignant then was when he was called out on this attitude by Joseph (Louis Bisson) and was forced to face his own privilege.

I’m sure many of us will have come across people who have the notion (and indeed even believed this notion ourselves) that racist police and racism in general is an American thing which we in the UK are above. Therefore, it was refreshing to see racism in the police force called out in a British play.

The romantic subplot in We Won’t Fall between Tyler (Nathan Lea) and Jason (Rory Kelly) spread smiles around the audience. They were tender with each other but scared to show their feelings as gay relationships were illegal.

Was this perhaps a parallel universe? Or was the Manchester in We Won’t Fall not too far off from our world now? Progression is not a straight line, but it does feel like we have slipped backwards recently.

I liked how personal the play was. It did not go into explaining how society came to be this way, the mechanics and the politics of it. Instead, it focused on the lives of ordinary people and how the society was impacting them.

The show was engaging, shifting from gentle interactions to poetic monologues to truly dark and very real moments. A neat resolution was not given but it ended on a hopeful note with a rousing speech about sticking together from Yezuan Calvis’s heart-warming Carlos. A beautiful final image depicted the whole cast holding up cardboard protest signs such as were carried at the Reclaim the Night march just last week.

The production made efforts to be inclusive with captioned performances. While a push in the right direction, this did prove problematic due to We Won’t Fall being staged in the round and there only being one screen to view captions on. This meant, should they need them, only half the audience could see the captions.

Overall, we were presented with an important message. Things in our country may seem difficult at the moment, but it is up to us, young people in particular, to stand together and speak out for what we believe in.

I am excited to see what SwitchMCR will give us in the future.

Let’s Get Away: Berlin

Travel and experiencing a mix of culture is a huge part of many people’s lives as a tool for our own personal understanding of who we are. When access to the world around us slows or ceases, it can feel stifling, but that does not mean that our appetite fades.

In uncertain times such as those we are facing, there has never been a better time to cast the mind back to a moment of inspiration and promise which altered your world view. With that in mind, this article reflects on a recent trip to Berlin which provided a mixture of great culinary experiences, brilliant sights, and new cultural discoveries for me.

The city is also built on a rich awareness of Jewish Culture that brings to light beauty but also reveals some of Germany’s darkest moments. In some cities such heavy historic marring might trouble their cultural displays but in Berlin something quite different was, and remains, apparent.

The way a curated sense of history is recorded and preserved in Berlin felt unique and seems to be powerfully engaged with by its citizens, giving a perspective and voice to an awful moment in time in a respectful way.

In this account, I take a look back at some of the most enjoyable, surprising and interesting moments of this trip to hopefully inspire your future adventures. Let’s get away to Berlin…

Beginning with transport, the city offers easily accessible and affordable fares – a single trip costs around 3.60 euros and is valid for 2 hours. Or, for even better value, a 7 euro ticket will provide travellers with access to transport for a full day – handy, if like me, you decide you want to switch between galleries, parks and coffee spots at a moment’s notice.

Codes, colour and careful curation are the fabrics of culture that pattern the city of Berlin, threaded together by a dense population of different districts. Each part of the city has its own unique senses, sights and eclectic qualities. The city is alive with reflections and possessions of the past, but it is somehow progressively enlivened by the prospect of the future.

A visit to the Deutsche Oper located in the Charlottenburg district revealed this to me most distinctly. The contemporary dance company, Staatsballett’s production of The Second Detail/Half life provided three hours of diverse, timely and humorously decadent acts. A highlight of the second act was the incredible full hair pieces that covered the performer’s heads and bodies creating a wholly dynamic visual and a much valued texture to the performance.

However, Berlin is also a place that, despite all the fun, is carefully and conscientiously designed to address some of its darker historical moments, particularly in the display of Jewish Culture and Memorial.

I was really moved by the functionality of light and space in Daniel Libeskind’s Jewish Museum which seemed to capture the precision of German architectural design. The angular quadrants of the building directed streams of light down white walled corridors and illuminated key parts of the memorial and historic artefacts to represent those who had been lost. It was unmistakably poignant but even in the cold light of winter there was still a tangible sense of hopefulness. I became particularly aware of this in the building’s atrium which was lively with provoking conversations over coffee and pastry.

A special mention with regards to food has to be House of Small Wonder which can be found just west of Mitte on Johannisstrasse. The little hideaway is cosy with soft wood furnishings but most importantly, the delicious array of food is beautifully presented and varied in flavour. From small plates to full sized dishes it is a place to be completely spoilt for choice. I would like to thank Sara Wilson for this brilliant recommendation as it really made the trip and if nothing else it satisfied my search for caffeine with its extensive coffee list.

Photo: Georgina Davidson @The Mancunion

In an entirely different direction Eden Restaurant in Rosenstrabe serves up a healthy helping of Vietnamese cuisine with fresh vegetables, noodles, jasmine tea and what can only be described as a hazardously addictive chilli and lemongrass sauce – a sensational selection in yet another sumptuous setting.

Berlin is a cultural centre for the contemporary, the creative and curious looking to explore its historic roots. The emotive power of Berlin’s efforts to remember the past are testament to their progressive understanding. Through time this feeling of connection and union appears to only grow stronger and is actively, tangibly European – for me, its a display of free expression at its finest and most vital.

Photo: Georgina Davidson @The Mancunion

Ways to cope during a pandemic

It wasn’t just universities that experienced a transition week from face-to-face teaching to online teaching, but the general public who also transitioned from going out whenever they wanted to being restricted to their homes. Staying in is recommended, except for ‘essential’ shopping trips, which apparently doesn’t include buying chocolate.

For most students, the university bubble burst abruptly with most people having to move back home and say goodbye to their friends. This was months earlier than they had prepared to do so and now must rely on apps like Houseparty to stay connected.

My ‘transition week’ back home has consisted of me baking brownies, feeling unmotivated to work and binge-watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine, thanks to my brother’s influence. Although this sounds fun it is not ideal when you are in your final year and have a dissertation to write. Here are some ways I’m adjusting to cope with this new, unexpected situation.

Routine

First up, routine. I’m not one to enjoy rigid routines but I feel the only way to get my work done is to create some sort of system. This could involve creating a list of what you want to achieve each day to help you stay on top of your work, additionally some people may find it useful to wake up and go to bed at the same time each day.

As much as it is important to try and keep up with your uni assignments, you need to give yourself rewards, and a rest. This can be watching something on Netflix or on Disney+ , which you can get a free one-month trial for. Alternatively it can also be your chance to practise a hobby like cooking and baking, picking up an instrument you have neglected or reading that book that you never quite got around to reading.

Exercise

As someone who enjoys going to the gym, I have found it hard to motivate myself to exercise without the structure and facilities going to the gym provided me. If you find staying indoors makes you go a little stir crazy, now is the perfect time to exercise outdoors. This can involve going for a brisk walk, jog, run or cycle once a day, which is a nice way of staying active and clearing your mind.

If you are house bound, there are plenty of fitness videos online covering all types of workouts from arms to abs, cardio to Zumba. Joe Wicks is offering ‘P.E to the nation’ every morning Monday-Friday at 9am if you wanted a little more structure, or you can download this later if are enjoying living free from 9am starts at the moment.

Social Media Detox

Try a social media detox, especially when you may find yourself constantly checking the news for Covid-19 updates, and with being stuck at home it can be tempting to flick through Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat more than you normally would. Sometimes it is good to have a detox and log out of your accounts; maybe replace this scrolling with trying something new.

Video chats

Boris said say no to going out with your friends but you could instead say yes to Houseparty, the app. There are numerous ways to stay in touch with people: you can have phonecalls, texts and video calls with your friends and relatives, and even your tutors – which has become new norm with Zoom.

In case you’re struggling to have much to say about your quarantine days there are apps like Houseparty designed for playing games with your friends or family online. Mass group calls can be a chaotic but also hilarious experience. Also don’t forget about your elderly relatives during a time when they can’t leave the house or have visitors, giving them a call may be all they need to make their day.

Stay safe

It is completely normal to feel anxious about leaving your house, especially if you or someone in your household is at a high-risk. However, if you do need to leave the house you can ensure you are keeping to the safety measures by standing two metres away from people, wear gloves or a mask if you have any and ensuring you wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds (or sing Happy Birthday twice!) when you return home.

It is an uncertain time for everyone so keep safe and remember to take care of yourself and others.

Review: Opera North’s Street Scene

Performed at the Lowry theatre in Salford, Street Scene is the third and final Opera North show of the season. Based on the play of the same name, Street Scene tells the story of a close-knit immigrant community living in New York in the 1940s.

Described as an American Opera, Street Scene combines elements of classic European Operatic Tradition with the more modern twist of a Broadway Musical feel.

The cast is large, with a handful of main characters, and an extensive company backing. To compliment this bustling stage, there was a dense set design, compacting all the action and transforming the small stage into a busy New York street.

Winding staircases fill the stage, on which a series of platforms and doors sit; the exits and entrances seem never-ending. Across this scenery, lighting is used to indicate the passing of time, using different colour washes against the backdrop of a New York skyline. The music cleverly changes along with the backdrop, creating an immersive atmosphere.

Street Scene focuses on the lives of a handful of families living in a shared housing facility on the streets of New York. As the performance unfolds, more is revealed to us about the everyday lives of the different families. At the centre of the action is the Maurrant family, a husband and wife with two children who are the primary source of gossip for their neighbours.

The performance switches between moments of melancholy and high-energy dance routines. One of the highlights was the dance number ‘Moon Faced, Starry Eyed’, which saw Mae Jones (Michelle Andrews) and Dick McGann (Rodney Vubya) bring a touch of youthful and lively energy to the end of the first act.

One of the more emotionally packed moments of the show was during the song ‘Somehow I Never Could Believe’, wherein Anna Maurrant (Giselle Allen) reflects upon her childhood and the dreams she had for her future. Allen is spectacular in the role of Anna, making a demanding role seem effortless in her portrayal of a woman who adores the life she has yet longs for something more.

Themes of patriarchy, class struggle, and xenophobia are wound up into the narrative, hiding underneath the action of the performance. These themes manifest in the gossip of small communities, as the neighbours talk and speculate about one another behind each other’s backs, their conversations reflecting the society which they live in. In ‘Get a Load of That’, the neighbours sing their speculations about the Maurrant’s marriage troubles, delighting in exposing the secrets of the small family, despite having similar struggles themselves.

Within the multitude of relationships that are present within the show, it is revealed how even the most seemingly functional relationships have a power imbalance. The women are subjugated to their male counterparts, their voices ignored by their husbands and their wishes refused. One part of the performance that highlights this excellently was during the song ‘I Loved Her Too’, wherein the company repeat everything Frank Maurrant (Robert Hayward) says, drowning out the voice of his daughter, Rose (Alison Langer).

Street Scene features a diverse set of characters and interwoven storyline, yet the societal structures remain in place; women are relegated to the wives of men, nothing more. Within the first song ‘Ain’t It Awful, the Heat?’, Abraham Kaplan (Dean Robinson) forewarns of the danger they all face at the hands of the upper classes if they do not stand united.

A testament to working-class struggle and the struggle of women, Street Scene brilliantly showcases the real and emotive fight of the individuals directly affected by both systemic and personal violence.

Review: How To Keep Up With The Kardashians

Whilst conversations about female body image – and how the media and popular culture has distorted it – are becoming increasingly frequent, it’s difficult to know how to react to them. Should we cry or laugh? Should we scream and shout or to talk rationally and persuasively? Should we tell our stories to the world or to share them exclusively with the trustworthy women around you?

How To Keep Up With The Kardashians does all of these things, often simultaneously, in a performance that is honest, hilarious and – to use an overused word in this conversation but one that really rings true here – empowering.

Opening with the playback of pre-recorded audio, depicting authentic conversations with around 30 women of different ages and backgrounds, the audience quickly became aware of the topics How To Keep Up would be exploring.

Central to them all was body image – an idea that pervaded the entire performance. These conversations end with the question ‘Describe your body in one word’, to which an anonymous interviewee replies ‘Average’.

This response seemed to have more impact on the audience than the speaker might have intended. Their potentially lighthearted, self-deprecating comment, when played in such an environment, carries real weight.

We first meet the cast as they dance to Todrick Hall’s ‘Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels’ with an ironic humour that lacks any kind of self-consciousness, immediately allowing the audience to feel comfortable with the cast. This is necessary as the show is made up of vignettes by each actor, telling personal stories from their own lives that they individually scripted as monologues.

The standout performance that closed the first act was by Lae Carbon-Wilson, as she explored her relationship with body hair. Stripping down to her bikini whilst discussing her experiences with body hair and the expectations surrounding it, from being pressured to shave as a teenager to finding power in refusing to do so, the intimacy she created with the audience was tangible.

“I’m just going to put my trousers back on now,” she tells us, towards the end of her performance. I nod and smile and forget that this might be rehearsed or scripted, for the person stood in front of me is real, as is the story she is telling.

This understanding and empathy extends to each individual performance, as they deal with issues such as weight, beauty standards, race, motherhood and being a daughter.

Yet, despite its exploration of these difficult and often triggering subjects, the performance never felt heavy or like a manifesto (or at least not a traditional one). This is a credit to its directors (Lucy Laverty and Scarlett Spicer) who seamlessly weave humour, trauma and the confrontation of feminist issues together.

Photo: John Lewis

Millie Loveday Inglis’ performance as 6-year-old Eliza appealed to mine and the rest of the audiences want for innocent humour (largely scatological).  We belly-laughed our way through her portrayal, as the comedic timing was perfectly in line with Eliza’s interview, which also held power as a reminder of how thinking negatively about our bodies is not inherent, that consciously thinking about our bodies at all might not be so either (as Eliza’s baffled responses to the questions she was asked about her body exemplified).

Photo: John Lewis

Eliza Lewis as a harassing boy wearing a North Face puffer jaket in a nightclub (you know the type I’m talking about) was also hilarious in its accuracy. This was particularly powerful in her body language which brought back one too many memories, for me, of boys who were better off left to the void of alcohol-induced memory loss.

Her portrayal was also impactful in a scene that was tragi-comic, as she woke up in bed to physical materialisations of her mental health struggles. Millie Loveday Inglis was, again, particularly funny here, acting as ‘Anxiety’, fiddling with her fingers and apologetically offering feedback to the other forms mental health difficulties, equally as destructive as the others.

The audience’s cackling laughter at the strangeness of this otherwise familiar experience, however, was undercut by the final line, spoken together by each actor as Eliza climbed back into bed after their encouragement, ‘NO ONE HAS TO SEE YOU.’

At the performance’s end, my friend and I looked at each other and almost simultaneously agreed that we felt quite emotional. I, personally, was holding back tears, at the community, solidarity and honesty that had been created in the 90 minutes I spent at the basement room in Tribeca Bar.

So how do you keep up with the Kardashians? This performance suggested to me, that you shouldn’t be keeping up with anyone, but rather opening up, as the community that was built on that stage, and in their rehearsals as evidenced by their social media, is more powerful than any Kardashian will ever be.

If we take can take this energy and fearlessness into our lives and open up to the women around us – from the ones who live in the room next door, to those we notice but fail to see in the supermarket queue, to the ones who teach us; manage us, gave birth to us; love us, hate us, to the ones who live inside our own bodies – there will be no want or need to keep up with the Kardashians, because we will realise, as the crew and cast believe, “each individual woman has something that no one can keep up with.”

You can keep up with the cast on their social media (@howtokeepup on Instagram).