Local education authorities are facing stern criticism as many students from University College Falmouth report late payments and increased stress over getting hold of their loans.
The students applying to the Lancashire, Devon and Denbighshire LEAs have reported poor service, long phone waiting times and sending required information twice.
The LEAs, along with the Student Loan Company have recently introduced a new online application system in a bid to speed up the application process, but many applications seem to have been lost in ether.
The apparent breakdown in communication between the SLC and the LEAs has angered many students struggling to pay rent, food bills and other general living costs.
Alex Titley, a Journalism student at University College Falmouth said, "I applied online around April/May of this year, when I still heard nothing by the start of term I rang up Denbighshire LEA and they said they hadn't received required information they needed to process my application, but I had already sent it and then had it sent back!
"So I've had to send my passport and parents financial information to them again and have been told I may not get my loan until November" he added.
He also told of other students he knew who were having similar problems with their applications derived from local authorities in Devon and Lancashire.
The Student Loan Company boast of having the most efficient year ever in 2006 in their annual report, but declined to comment on the current situation presented before them, along with the LEA.
At the time of going to press the NUS was also unavailable for comment.
Tuesday, 23 October 2007
Tuesday, 16 October 2007
News Writing Exercise-Queue Rage Victim Dies
A Boldover man died on Sunday after being involved in a road rage incident whilst queuing for the local refuse site.
During the scuffle Harry Hampton, 64, suffered a broken arm and a cracked rib. His partner, Barbara Richards, 56, drove him to hospital but he later died of heart failure.
Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident which took place around lunchtime on Sunday, and are also making a direct appeal for the other driver involved to come forward. He is believed to have been driving a silver BMW and is described as a white man in his forties, around 5ft 7", stocky build, clean shaven and possibly wearing glasses.
Detective Inspector Helen Havers of Wishingshire police said, "There was a very long queue of cars and there must be several people who saw what happened."
The couple were clearing unwanted possessions as Mr. Hampton was preparing to move into Ms. Richards house in nearby Broxham. A police spokeswoman said Ms. Richards is "absolutely distraught".
Mr Hampton's neighbour Susan Witchard (67) said: "Harry was an extremely good friend and neighbour. He was a real gentleman and used to put my rubbish out for me every week. He wouldn't hurt a fly.
"Harry and Barbara were so happy together. They both had grown-up children from previous relationships and were excited about starting a new life together. I'm devastated."
Toby Norris, a consultant clinical psychologist at Daring Hospital, Mornbury, said: "Outbursts known as 'road rage' and 'queue rage' seem to be growing as life gets more crowded. People are more likely to become angry when they feel frustrated or restrained and may perceive themselves to have been attacked or insulted regardless of whether someone has innocently or deliberately jump a queue.
"Even in Wishingshire these types of incident are escalating as the county becomes more densely populated," he added.
I found this exercise a good lesson in finding the relevant information, knowing what to leave out and then condensing this information into a news story. I used the experts' opinion quotes to give the story some psycological background as to why this may have happened and it may also have made people think more about their own reaction in a similar situation.
During the scuffle Harry Hampton, 64, suffered a broken arm and a cracked rib. His partner, Barbara Richards, 56, drove him to hospital but he later died of heart failure.
Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident which took place around lunchtime on Sunday, and are also making a direct appeal for the other driver involved to come forward. He is believed to have been driving a silver BMW and is described as a white man in his forties, around 5ft 7", stocky build, clean shaven and possibly wearing glasses.
Detective Inspector Helen Havers of Wishingshire police said, "There was a very long queue of cars and there must be several people who saw what happened."
The couple were clearing unwanted possessions as Mr. Hampton was preparing to move into Ms. Richards house in nearby Broxham. A police spokeswoman said Ms. Richards is "absolutely distraught".
Mr Hampton's neighbour Susan Witchard (67) said: "Harry was an extremely good friend and neighbour. He was a real gentleman and used to put my rubbish out for me every week. He wouldn't hurt a fly.
"Harry and Barbara were so happy together. They both had grown-up children from previous relationships and were excited about starting a new life together. I'm devastated."
Toby Norris, a consultant clinical psychologist at Daring Hospital, Mornbury, said: "Outbursts known as 'road rage' and 'queue rage' seem to be growing as life gets more crowded. People are more likely to become angry when they feel frustrated or restrained and may perceive themselves to have been attacked or insulted regardless of whether someone has innocently or deliberately jump a queue.
"Even in Wishingshire these types of incident are escalating as the county becomes more densely populated," he added.
I found this exercise a good lesson in finding the relevant information, knowing what to leave out and then condensing this information into a news story. I used the experts' opinion quotes to give the story some psycological background as to why this may have happened and it may also have made people think more about their own reaction in a similar situation.
Monday, 15 October 2007
Guest Speaker-Jilly Easterby- Head of Public Affairs, UCF
In the second installment of our weekly guest speakers, Jilly Easterby, Head of Public Affairs at University College Falmouth, spoke to the journalism students about her role at the Univesity and her path to this position.
The five main jobs she does are:
1) Media relations, which consists of giving official comments on behalf of the University to newspapers or other third parties.
2) Internal affairs, which is informing staff of policy changes or other related information.
3) Prospectus editor, creating the University prospectus as part of a team.
4) Web content manager, which means she is responsible for everything that is published on the University website
5) Community relations, which consists of dealing with complaints from local residents, attending local community meetings and generally convincing the local public the students are good for the area.
She originally wanted to be a journalist for the national newspapers, studying English Literature at North London Polytechnic, but quickly decided she wanted to get into publishing.
She got a job with the infamous Sidgwick and Jackson, selling publishing rights for many celebrities autobiographies, including selling Boy Georges' autobiography for a company record in 1991 of £250,000.
Sidgwick and Jackson were eventually bought by Pan Macmillan and Jilly began working as an agent for Colin Baxter, author of the Inspector Morse stories, selling the rights to his short stories.
After around eight years she decided newspapers were where the money was and so she managed to get a job at the Daily Express, suggesting books for the Saturday supplement magazine, eventually getting a job on the main paper helping with advertising campaigns.
Living in London for 13 years bagan to it's toll though. She started looking for work in Cornwall but took a job for a TV company promoting digiboxes and the upsurge of the digital TV switch-over in Chiswick.
Eventually after working there for around eighteen months she got the job at UCF and is also currently studying an MA in Public Relations.
The next big event she is gearing up for is the proposed merger with Dartington University.
The five main jobs she does are:
1) Media relations, which consists of giving official comments on behalf of the University to newspapers or other third parties.
2) Internal affairs, which is informing staff of policy changes or other related information.
3) Prospectus editor, creating the University prospectus as part of a team.
4) Web content manager, which means she is responsible for everything that is published on the University website
5) Community relations, which consists of dealing with complaints from local residents, attending local community meetings and generally convincing the local public the students are good for the area.
She originally wanted to be a journalist for the national newspapers, studying English Literature at North London Polytechnic, but quickly decided she wanted to get into publishing.
She got a job with the infamous Sidgwick and Jackson, selling publishing rights for many celebrities autobiographies, including selling Boy Georges' autobiography for a company record in 1991 of £250,000.
Sidgwick and Jackson were eventually bought by Pan Macmillan and Jilly began working as an agent for Colin Baxter, author of the Inspector Morse stories, selling the rights to his short stories.
After around eight years she decided newspapers were where the money was and so she managed to get a job at the Daily Express, suggesting books for the Saturday supplement magazine, eventually getting a job on the main paper helping with advertising campaigns.
Living in London for 13 years bagan to it's toll though. She started looking for work in Cornwall but took a job for a TV company promoting digiboxes and the upsurge of the digital TV switch-over in Chiswick.
Eventually after working there for around eighteen months she got the job at UCF and is also currently studying an MA in Public Relations.
The next big event she is gearing up for is the proposed merger with Dartington University.
Sunday, 14 October 2007
National to Local-South West Foot and Mouth Restrictions Eased
South West farmers are to see a major relaxation of the movement restrictions that were imposed over the latest foot and mouth outbreak.
All foot and mouth related livestock movement controls, including at markets and abattoirs will be removed on Wednesday 17th October, DEFRA has announced.
Some relaxation of the blue tongue restrictions have also been announced. Movement of susceptible animals to approved markets and abattoirs outside the control and protection zones will be permitted from midnight on Sunday.
Peter Kendall, NFU President, said the moves would provide a much-needed boost for livestock farmers who have faced difficult operating conditions and rock-bottom prices for their stock.
"This demonstrates the progress made in discussions aimed at getting the industry back to more normal trading conditions so the markets can work and avoid these disastrous prices continuing," he said.
"However, farmers in high risk FMD areas and the blue tongue zones are still having to operate under very onerous restrictions and we will continue to press for them to be lifted as soon as sound science indicates they should be."
(Quotes courtesy of www.falmouthpacket.co.uk)
All foot and mouth related livestock movement controls, including at markets and abattoirs will be removed on Wednesday 17th October, DEFRA has announced.
Some relaxation of the blue tongue restrictions have also been announced. Movement of susceptible animals to approved markets and abattoirs outside the control and protection zones will be permitted from midnight on Sunday.
Peter Kendall, NFU President, said the moves would provide a much-needed boost for livestock farmers who have faced difficult operating conditions and rock-bottom prices for their stock.
"This demonstrates the progress made in discussions aimed at getting the industry back to more normal trading conditions so the markets can work and avoid these disastrous prices continuing," he said.
"However, farmers in high risk FMD areas and the blue tongue zones are still having to operate under very onerous restrictions and we will continue to press for them to be lifted as soon as sound science indicates they should be."
(Quotes courtesy of www.falmouthpacket.co.uk)
Tuesday, 9 October 2007
News Writing Exercise-Web Racist Sentenced
A man has been sentenced to 38 months in prison after posting racist material on a memorial website to a murdered black teenager.
After Anthony Walker, 18, of Huyton, Merseyside, was murdered a friend set up a website in his honour.
But less than a week after his death a 30 year old man posted at least six messages on the website inciting racial hatred.
The man, Neil Martin, from Maghull, Merseyside posting under the name ‘Genuine Scouser’ suggested that white people should celebrate the murder, that Anthony’s family should be burned and made references to slavery.
When he was arrested police officers found 33 child pornography images on his computer.
Martin admitted posting the messages but insisted he was not racist. He told officers his intentions were to simply stir up an argument on the website but did not believe in what he had written.
During the trial at Liverpool Crown Court, Judge Henry Globe QC told Martin: “The intention of the website was innocent, honourable and well motivated
“You accessed that website and you abused it. You posted highly abusive, insulting and racist messages.”
The court heard how Martin had created an internet profile using Anthony’s name and photograph, and he also posed as a schoolgirl on teenage chatrooms.
Heather Lloyd, defending, said Martin had no history of racist behaviour and that he felt “deeply ashamed.”
She added her client had written a letter of apology to both the court and to the Walker family.
After the verdict, Gee Walker, Anthony’s mother, said she was satisfied by the verdict and did not accept the written apology.
“After hearing what he had said in those messages, I don’t buy it. I don’t accept it. He had time to think about it and he did it six times. I don’t accept his apology.”
Martin pleaded guilty to charges of publishing material likely to cause racial hatred and also to making indecent photographs of children.
He was sentenced to two years and eight months for the race hate crimes and a consecutive six months for the child pornography offences.
After Anthony Walker, 18, of Huyton, Merseyside, was murdered a friend set up a website in his honour.
But less than a week after his death a 30 year old man posted at least six messages on the website inciting racial hatred.
The man, Neil Martin, from Maghull, Merseyside posting under the name ‘Genuine Scouser’ suggested that white people should celebrate the murder, that Anthony’s family should be burned and made references to slavery.
When he was arrested police officers found 33 child pornography images on his computer.
Martin admitted posting the messages but insisted he was not racist. He told officers his intentions were to simply stir up an argument on the website but did not believe in what he had written.
During the trial at Liverpool Crown Court, Judge Henry Globe QC told Martin: “The intention of the website was innocent, honourable and well motivated
“You accessed that website and you abused it. You posted highly abusive, insulting and racist messages.”
The court heard how Martin had created an internet profile using Anthony’s name and photograph, and he also posed as a schoolgirl on teenage chatrooms.
Heather Lloyd, defending, said Martin had no history of racist behaviour and that he felt “deeply ashamed.”
She added her client had written a letter of apology to both the court and to the Walker family.
After the verdict, Gee Walker, Anthony’s mother, said she was satisfied by the verdict and did not accept the written apology.
“After hearing what he had said in those messages, I don’t buy it. I don’t accept it. He had time to think about it and he did it six times. I don’t accept his apology.”
Martin pleaded guilty to charges of publishing material likely to cause racial hatred and also to making indecent photographs of children.
He was sentenced to two years and eight months for the race hate crimes and a consecutive six months for the child pornography offences.
Guest Speaker-Steve Ivall-Falmouth Packet
Steve Ivall, deputy news editor for the Falmouth Packet, gave a talk to the year one journalism students at University College Falmouth yesterday. He was the first of a series of guest speakers to talk with the students about life working in the news industry.
He explained how the Packet was just one of a range of around 300 other local newspapers along the south coast owned by larger subsidiary Newsquest, who, he then explained, belonged to American company Gannet. He described the Packet as "a small cog in a big wheel."
After this he went on to explain that as well as the newspaper, many magazines are also produced by the group. The reason for this is because magazines are very profitable, but it also gives them a large market spread.
Another point he made was that the nationals feed off of the local papers, explaining how a front page story from the Packet may only make a five paragraph story in a larger publication.
He also stressed the importance of local journalists not only writing but also being adept at working with a wide array of multimedia formats, including photography, audio and video, and the web. The importance of having a shorthand speed of at least one hundred words per minute was also a major point he made.
The issue of the NCTJ qualification was raised, saying that without it many budding journalists may struggle to find work. It teaches the proffesionalisation of journalism and the journalistic values of getting the information without being pushy or aggressive.
Personally I found the talk very interesting. To hear what the daily grind of the newsroom is like from someone who experiences it every day.
He explained how the Packet was just one of a range of around 300 other local newspapers along the south coast owned by larger subsidiary Newsquest, who, he then explained, belonged to American company Gannet. He described the Packet as "a small cog in a big wheel."
After this he went on to explain that as well as the newspaper, many magazines are also produced by the group. The reason for this is because magazines are very profitable, but it also gives them a large market spread.
Another point he made was that the nationals feed off of the local papers, explaining how a front page story from the Packet may only make a five paragraph story in a larger publication.
He also stressed the importance of local journalists not only writing but also being adept at working with a wide array of multimedia formats, including photography, audio and video, and the web. The importance of having a shorthand speed of at least one hundred words per minute was also a major point he made.
The issue of the NCTJ qualification was raised, saying that without it many budding journalists may struggle to find work. It teaches the proffesionalisation of journalism and the journalistic values of getting the information without being pushy or aggressive.
Personally I found the talk very interesting. To hear what the daily grind of the newsroom is like from someone who experiences it every day.
Monday, 8 October 2007
Vox Pop-Residents Would Back Future Expansion
Further expansion of the University College Falmouth would be a positive move according to 70% of local residents following a recent survey conducted by a University College Falmouth student.
The university would be looking to expand to around 4000 students by 2012 in order to claim full university status, potentially creating many jobs and giving a major boost to the local economy.
Many residents agreed the potential influx would be most beneficial to many local traders and businesses, especially in and around Penryn where there are few large chain stores.
Many local traders, mostly pub landlords and takeaway owners cited students as being a large majority of their customers, and some independent grocers said many students would prefer to buy locally grown produce as opposed to shopping at supermarkets.
“Falmouth has a very diverse range of people and an extremely eclectic music and arts scene. If more young people were to come here and add to that diversity then that can only be a positive thing,” said Penryn resident Cathy Richardson.
Although many residents also voiced their concerns over a possible lack of housing and an increase in noise pollution.
“Last year four students lived in the house next door and they were constantly having parties, playing loud music late at night and generally being quite inconsiderate.
"The new lot seem to be much better but the experience has tarnished my view of students. I certainly wouldn’t want other people to have to deal with what we went through,” said Dennis Wilkinson of Falmouth.
Only a few cases of students struggling to find accommodation have been reported, but with the potential of an additional 1500 students pressure on landlords and estate agents to provide affordable student housing would dramatically increase.
The university would be looking to expand to around 4000 students by 2012 in order to claim full university status, potentially creating many jobs and giving a major boost to the local economy.
Many residents agreed the potential influx would be most beneficial to many local traders and businesses, especially in and around Penryn where there are few large chain stores.
Many local traders, mostly pub landlords and takeaway owners cited students as being a large majority of their customers, and some independent grocers said many students would prefer to buy locally grown produce as opposed to shopping at supermarkets.
“Falmouth has a very diverse range of people and an extremely eclectic music and arts scene. If more young people were to come here and add to that diversity then that can only be a positive thing,” said Penryn resident Cathy Richardson.
Although many residents also voiced their concerns over a possible lack of housing and an increase in noise pollution.
“Last year four students lived in the house next door and they were constantly having parties, playing loud music late at night and generally being quite inconsiderate.
"The new lot seem to be much better but the experience has tarnished my view of students. I certainly wouldn’t want other people to have to deal with what we went through,” said Dennis Wilkinson of Falmouth.
Only a few cases of students struggling to find accommodation have been reported, but with the potential of an additional 1500 students pressure on landlords and estate agents to provide affordable student housing would dramatically increase.
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