1. Official Student Publication of UPSU
February 2015 | Election Issue
News | Opinion | Life | Style | Arts & Entertainment | Sports & Societies
News
People’s Question Time
with Ed Miliband
Opinion
‘Mr University’
Life
Catching up with your
Executive Officers
Style
Campus Style
Arts & Entertainment
‘Jam House’
Talking Posters
Sports & Societies
RAG Week 2015
Much more online:
theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk

2. e l e c t i o n i s s u e
Arts Editor | Kallum Catterall
kallum@theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk
Entertainment Editor | Simon Stone
simon@theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk
Deputy Editor | Madison Taylor
maddy@theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk
Editor-in-Chief | Lauren Chivers
contact@theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk
Sports Editor | Rhiannon Squire
rhiannon@theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk
News Editor | Emma Chappell
emma@theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk
Societies Editor | Tina Colwell
societies@theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk
Opinion Editor | Samantha Lees
samantha@theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk
Life Editor | Megan Pollard
megan@theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk
Style Editor | Lizzie Morgan
lizzie@theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk
Head of Media | Larissa Ellis-Jones
media@theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk
Head of Design | Jordon Hill
design@theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk
Events Manager | Jodie Ridgen
events@theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk
theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk /theknowledgeplymouth
Editor’s Note
Welcome to our re-vamped issue!
The Knowledge’s first print issue of 2015
is off to a great start with a brand new
style. Not only do we have a larger
issue and a glossy finish, we’ve also
been busy packing in as many
top tips, reviews and student
engagement as possible
to cover everyone’s
wishes...
...For this
print issue
The Knowledge
has been busy
getting stuck into
the SU Elections. We’ve
collaborated with the SU
to include inserts containing
need-to-know information about
the candidates. We’ve also got an
inside scoop on what your current exec
officers are up to and what advice they
would give to those running this year. Stay
tuned for coverage of Minute To Win It on
Friday 27th February and of Campaign Week on
our website.
Not forgetting the General Elections, this issue
covers a feature on Ed Miliband’s People’s
Question Time at Plymouth Argyle earlier this
month, opinions on UKIP and on student votes.
Aside from the election coverage, this issue also
features our most-fashionable students caught
on Campus Style, the very successful Jam House
and some rather dashing contenders for Mr.
University. Also, look out for snippets of our new
column section as you work your way through
the issue.
So, enjoy the new issue, vote for your new exec
officers and if you haven’t already, register your
vote for the General Elections in May.
The Knowledge also wishes every SU Election
candidate the best of luck in their campaigns.
Lauren, Editor in Chief
1

3. e l e c t i o n i s s u e
theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk@PlymUniStuNews
Contents
People’s Question Time with
Ed Miliband3
‘I chose to be homeless’
9
‘Our vote makes an impact’
5
Catching up with your
Executive Officers10
Talking Posters
18
‘In what civilised society is it ok
to be glad that someone was
killed’6
Worldwide tour: Kyoto
13
Jam House
19
Meet your Mr University
entrants7
Campus Style
15
Rag Week 2015
21
2
Editor’s Pick
The Knowledge has produced some fantastic content
this month and it wasn’t easy to narrow my choice
down to just one. Saying that, I’ve decided that Usaj
Basnet’s Worldwide Tour is my favourite. While
we try and cover all student topics sometimes the
repetition of classes, dressing up, and the need to stay
up to date with politics gets a little old. This article
takes us away from the grey clouds of Plymouth to
somewhere exotic. The summary, personal photos and
top tips are an ideal student guide to travelling and
show a different side to what students get up to...
‘Kyoto is the most
beautiful and
elegant city’
Usaj AJ Basnet
Worldwide Tour:
As cliché as it sounds, travelling is my biggest
passion and, actually for me, is my way of life.
So I thought I should write a small guide for the
different places where I have travelled. Indeed, there
are many guides such as Lonely Planet, and infinite
blogs and TV shows (such as Anthony Bourdain’s), all
of which are a great source of inspiration and travel
knowledge...
Continues on page 13

4. e l e c t i o n i s s u e news
theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk/category/news /theknowledgeplymouth
“Get out and put your brother in”:
People’s Question Time with Ed Miliband
Lauren Chivers
At 11am on Thursday 5th February,
The Knowledge attended a People’s
Question Time with Ed Miliband,
leader of the Labour party, at
Plymouth Argyle.
Luke Pollard, Parliamentary Candidate
in Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport,
opened up the morning by warning
Miliband about the people of Plymouth’s
intense questions before he began his
introduction.
Having established the opposition of
Labour and Conservative visions for
Britain’s future, Miliband gave a brief
overview of his party’s plans, including
raising the minimum wage, giving
vocational courses equal status to
academic courses and rescuing the NHS.
Miliband then finished off his
introduction stating that ‘young people
are being disenfranchised by this election’
with a 97% fall in people turning 18
not being registered to vote. He then
insisted that this was ‘about a people-
powered campaign’.
He may have been a little too hasty,
and with Pollard’s warning becoming
apparent, the Q&A opened to a heated
start with a local asking:
‘For every £2 we pay into Europe how
much do we get back? Have you got
the balls to turn around and say £1?’
‘One thing this shows is that we’re not
having lots of planted questions! There
are problems in the world which pass
across borders like terrorism and climate
change; one is an immediate threat and
one of the biggest long term threats
our country faces but both require
cooperation across borders. Europe
does need to change, but we’re better
changing in it than out of it.’
The drama continued when the local
stated:
‘We shouldn’t be in Europe because
we’re not getting a fair crack of the
whip. Why not? Because MPs like you
wont fight our corner, you haven’t got
the balls to fight our corner, get out and
put your brother in!’
Moving on to a much smoother Q&A,
Miliband was asked about the issue of
rail productivity in the South West in
comparison to the major investments
in HS2.
‘Investing in infrastructure is absolutely
the key to a modernist society
succeeding. We have plans to reduce the
deficit but one of the things recognised
is the importance of investing in capital,
so that means transport, education and
the health service.
‘It isn’t just about transport though, it’s
about all forms of connectivity; that
includes broadband and mobile phone
coverage which I know is a big bug.’
What’s your opinion about defining
Muslim as a British identity?
‘I think what was brilliant about the
tragedy in Paris is that you saw both in
France and here, communities of all faith
and all denominations and all parties
united on this. It is about working
with community groups and others
who can help young people not get
into extremism and to speak up against
prejudice wherever we find it, whether
that’s Islamophobia or anti-Semitism.’
What can you do to help our
education?
‘It’s not just about passing exams it is
about being citizens of their country,
so that’s why you need vocational
and academic qualifications, you need
a creative curriculum not a narrow
curriculum. The ideas that – dare I
mention Michael Gove – yes English
3

5. e l e c t i o n i s s u enews
theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk/category/news@PlymUniStuNews
and Maths are important but the idea
that Drama and D&T are second-class
subjects is nonsense when one of the
most important industries of the future is
the creative industry.’
What are you going to do to close the
tax loophole?
‘Nothing gets people more than the idea
that small businesses, large businesses
and families are seeing their services
cut, their taxes going up and the richest
people in our society are avoiding taxes.
‘I asked David Cameron 5 times
yesterday but he wasn’t briefed so he
didn’t give me an answer.’
I’ve heard that Labour are promising
£6,000 university fees but I’ve also heard
that these will tighten university strings.
‘The thing I’m most determined to do is
not be a Nick Clegg, a generally good
principle in life.
‘Universities said this week that, the
current system is really good but I
just don’t buy the current system, it’s
rubbish. The government has had a
unique achievement of loading our
students up with debt while costing our
tax payers more. I’m sure we can design
a better system, but I am going to get it
right, you’ll have to watch this space…’
If you were elected, what action
would you take to tackle the issue of
climate change?
‘This November and December, in
Paris, the world is supposed to be
coming together to agree climate
change targets to protect the future
of the planet. Internationally, Britain
must lead, by persuading others, and by
setting an example.
‘For all the things David Cameron says,
the most inconsistent has been putting
a wind turbine on his house and then
saying he’s against wind turbines. I can
tell you that all the scientific evidence
tells me that if we don’t act we’re going
to have a lot more extreme weather and
it’s really going to hit the South West. I
think this will be a real test of politics.’
If you were to get voted in in the next
parliament, what do you think would
be the most negative thing about that
for the average UK citizen?
‘You’ll find this answer a copout, but the
important thing is my pitch to you is not
“vote for me and on May 8th everything
is transformed straight away”. Change
will be hard, change will take time,
it’s a journey of change and a different
direction for the country.’
16 year olds aren’t allowed the right to
vote but can make life decisions like
joining the armed forces. Not being
allowed to vote makes them less likely to
in the future.
‘I am in favour of the vote for 16 and 17
year olds. We will bring it in by May
2016, I’m sorry I can’t bring it in for this
election.
‘When George Osborne got rid of
the EMA he did it in one line of a big
speech, I think he would have been
much more cautious about it if 1.5
million 16-17 year olds could have voted
him out.’
To round up the morning, Miliband
stated that they must ‘play the match’
before they can make promises,
especially with the coalition offering a
lesson for which each side had an excuse
to break the other’s promises. With
changes like LGBT rights, workers
rights and the National Health System
coming from the people, Miliband
closed stating that ‘in the end, politics is
too important to be left to politicians.’
Do you want to have a say about how
the future of Britain looks?
Register your vote.
4

6. e l e c t i o n i s s u e opinion
theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk/category/opinion /theknowledgeplymouth5
I don’t claim to be political in
any sense of the word. I’ll make a
controversial tweet here and there,
and speak out when I feel something
is wrong, but it’s more out of a sense
of moral duty than any political
agenda. Of course I pay attention, but
for me, politics has always been stuffy
and boring. You can imagine then
the pleasant surprise that the General
Election Debate last night (Thursday
5th February) gave me, when I
realised politics isn’t simply just about
just knowing your Milliband from
your Balls: it’s about people.
My first shock was the sheer volume
of students that attended: all from
varying ages, genders and nationalities.
Walking over to Roland Levinsky, I
was panicking that I’d be one of five
other people, and I’d have maybe even
contribute something. My nerves
were calmed though upon arrival: the
shortage of seats signalled just how
popular this mini-debate was. Politics,
it seems, isn’t just for those that find
themselves shouting at Question Time
on the TV.
One of the largest surprises of the night
was actually the shift away in focus from
education: with only one question asked
by the audience actually focusing on the
topic. Questions asked ranged from the
granting of foreign aid to which voting
system did the prospective candidates
feel would be best. These questions,
asked from young people really
highlighted to me the importance that
everyday politics plays in our lives: and
the detrimental effect it can have should
we choose to ignore it.
It was at this point I began to feel
disappointed at my own ignorance. I’m
certain that I do not speak for myself
when I say I feel my voice will be
unheard. I, as a young woman from the
Cotswolds, of who pays a negligible
amount of tax a year, have no right to
say in how much money is invested in
inner city schools. Yet, when the subject
of transport arose, I realised the message
of the debate: that it affects us all. The
argument about proposed expenditure
on public transport in the South West-
specifically Devon and Cornwall- would
have a huge impact on my bi-annual
journey home. Having a world that
doesn’t effectively end at Bristol would
take hours of that journey by train,
or improve the lengthy car journey.
As a young person about to graduate,
these improved transport plans could
ultimately improve my employability
within the South West, should I choose
to stay. One simple policy can have a
knock on effect, and realising such a
seemingly simple idea can make the
daunting thought of politics a whole
deal more attractive.
One of my favourite parts of the debate
was the final question, asked by a girl
who I feel felt pretty much the same
as I did before the debate: how do I
know who to vote for? Should we vote
tactically to ensure that certain parties
don’t lead again? Or voting for the
candidate we like the most? Or should
we vote for who we want to lead in
Westminster (ie. Cameron or Milliband).
In general, there was a consensus that
you should vote for a combination of
all three: vote selfishly. Vote for the
party that has shared ethos and ideals in
line with your own, vote for the local
candidate who you feel approachable,
and with a campaign suited to your
needs and, finally, vote for the party
with the person you feel can represent
and lead the country.
In all, the debate filled me with
optimism. I’m lucky in the knowledge
that there are people within my
generation that are politically geared,
and clued up. I feel a responsibility now
to engage myself in politics: and this was
the general consensus of the evening.
The debate demonstrated how our vote-
especially in this pivotal constituency-
can make a great impact in how our
country runs. It’s my responsibility to
vote. One thing is for certain: I’m off to
order Politics for Dummies.
“Our vote makes an impact on how our
country runs, so vote selfishly.”
Samantha Lees

7. e l e c t i o n i s s u eopinion
theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk/category/opinion@PlymUniStuNews 6
What happens when a Far-Right
‘Political’ Group uses the word
‘KARMA’ in a tweet? I have to sit down,
because the irony hurts so much. UKIP,
well known for their intolerant views
and connections to the BNP and Britain
First, have made my ironimeter almost
break with their latest faux pas. Well, it’s
less of a faux pas, and more of a piece of
blatant idiocy.
Don’t get me wrong; I believe that all
those who break the law should have the
book thrown at them. If PC Hassan Ali
had indeed been guilty of not following
up complaints, then he deserved to be
punished. The problem is, by UKIP’s own
admission, he was only under investigation.
Being investigated for something is not
the same as being found guilty by a jury;
nor is it the same as a confession. This is a
fact that UKIP, or at least the member who
posted the tweet, has clearly forgotten.
Frequently I have seen people in court
accused of crimes they didn’t commit
and be sent to prison; equally, I have
seen people walk free when they clearly
shouldn’t have. The problem is, as a society
we tend to victimise people who are
merely under investigation – sometimes,
even people who have been acquitted – if
the crime is deemed to be so erroneous
that even being investigated means that
something must have happened.
Often, people who are investigated for
something haven’t actually done a thing to
warrant it. They’ve just been in the wrong
place at the wrong time, they look similar
to the person who actually committed the
crime, or someone has twisted something
that’s been said or done.
PC Hassan Ali died in a car crash, and
UKIP tweeted “KARMA”. I’d like to know:
in what civilised society is it karma for
someone under investigation for something
to die? In what civilized society, is it okay
to be glad that someone who only might
have made a mistake to be killed? This isn’t
a debate regarding the Death Penalty, so
I won’t go there: but surely, both these
questions highlight a major problem, not
only with UKIP and other Far-Right
groups, but with the way society deals with
such things. I dread to think how many
other people agreed with UKIP’s tweet.
In fairness to them, UKIP have recently
apologised for the tweet; I wonder,
though, if it was just a PR move, and if
their excuse is real or not. In case you’re
wondering why my ironimeter went off…
It’s because a UKIP member – you know,
those people who hate immigration and,
essentially, anyone who’s not white British
– used a term, namely ‘KARMA’, that is
synonymous with many Asian religions,
including Hinduism and Buddhism.
Give me a second. I might recover and be
able to walk, soon… Until UKIP strike
“In what civilized society
is it okay to be glad that
someone was killed?”
Phil Ives

8. e l e c t i o n i s s u e opinion
theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk/category/opinion /theknowledgeplymouth7
Meet Plymouth’s ‘Mr University’ entrants:
“Stop eating crap and just get in there!”
Ree Squire
On Wednesday I had one of the
most bizarre two hours of my
university life – running around
campus with four shirtless men and a
photographer.
Nathan Etherington, Ryan Kirk,
Jonathan Fung and Callum Bamford
are a selection of the Plymouth students
who are entering into this year’s Mr
University competition and I had
the opportunity to ask them a few
questions…
So why have you
chosen to enter
the competition
this year?
Nathan: To win.
I want the biggest
trophy. From this
I want to go onto
the South Coast
Championships.
Ryan: I did it last
year; it’s grown so
much in popularity
and the awareness of
it, it’s just going to
be bigger and better
this year. And it’s
my final year.
Jonathan: It’s my last year, I don’t want to
lose the opportunity.
Callum: Felt like doing something
different!
How did you hear about the
competition?
Ryan: Nathan.
Jonathan: Nathan.
Callum: Nathan.
Nathan: I heard about it a year ago, I saw
it on Twitter actually. There was a group of
us who did it last year, including Ryan, and
people have heard from us talking about it. I
came third in my category, Ryan and I were
in different categories. I was in short, he was
in BUCS athletic.
What have you been doing to
prepare?
Nathan: Would you like a list of
everything I’ve done? I have my food diary
for the last 9 weeks if you want it?! I track
my macros, I’ve been dieting for about ten
weeks now. It has definitely affected my
mood, I was a nice guy before…
Ryan: Just eat all the food and try to get
on as much size as possible before starting
the dieting phase which is the lead up. It’s
been planned for me since September, so I
wouldn’t really call it dieting, just eating
everything. I don’t limit the amount of food
I eat, just the type of food, except when my
girlfriend orders Domino’s!
Nathan: You don’t have to get fat, but it’s
fun!
Callum: The more we talk about food, the
more depressed you’re looking Nathan! We
just look at pictures of food.
Nathan: I like looking at recipes too.
Although I do have another competition
after this so it won’t be cheat time yet.
I’m looking to go to the South Coast
Championships, it’s where I want to go over
the next couple of years.
What kind of training do you do
now?
Nathan: I’ve been training like this for over
four years now, so not much has changed.
The weights don’t change, regardless of if I
have a competition, but what does change is
that the food goes down, and I add cardio. I
don’t like doing cardio so I only do it when
I’m dieting. I don’t do it to be healthy.
Callum: You say cardio like it’s such a bad
thing, caaaardio. I do high intensity.
Ryan: I play
squash so that’s my
cardio. I’m third
team captain for
the university team,
so all my training
revolves around
that, practices and
tournaments. I
might do some
general cardio on the
side, but usually I’m
more intense around
that.
Jonathan: I just
do cardio. Cardio
can get a bit boring
though, so once a
week I go for a 3/4
mile run.
Callum: I like
to sprint up hills. Twenty minutes of high
intensity rather than an hour and a half of
cardio. At least then you can say “yeah I
feel amazing” and then just go to bed.
Jonathan: Sprinting makes me tired. I like
to just be chilled. I’ve never been a sporty
person. I follow what Nathan does.
Nathan: I teach Jon, I’m his mentor.
Callum: Then why does he look better
than you do?
Nathan: It’s my drinking problem.
Speaking of drinking, have you had
to cut back?
Ryan, Callum, Jonathan: Yeah.
Nathan: I’ve increased drinking. It’s a
coping mechanism.

9. e l e c t i o n i s s u eopinion
theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk/category/opinion@PlymUniStuNews 8
Ryan: Of everything, I think drinking is the
most detrimental.
Nathan: I disagree, drinking is fine, pizza
is bad! As long as you stay in a calorie
deficit; calories from alcohol are unlikely to
be stored as fat. Drink vodka water.
Which degrees do you study?
Nathan: Financial Economics.
Ryan: Computer Science.
Jonathan: Business Economics.
Callum: Civil Engineering.
How have you found juggling
training and studying? Especially this
term, as some of you are in your final
year, I can imagine it’s quite intense.
Ryan: It’s just getting yourself out of bed
in the morning, if you get in training time
before 9am, just an hour, hour and a half,
you can get back and have breakfast before
most of your housemates have woken up.
Nathan: I get up at 7 for the gym, unless
I have work to do, then I’ll get up at 6, do
some work then go to the gym.
Ryan: If I have a 9am, well Jon and I
live together, when he gets up he’s ready in
twenty minutes, I’ve got to get up and have
a coffee to wake myself up. If we’re leaving
the house at 7, I’ll get up at quarter past 6,
otherwise I’ll be half asleep.
Jonathan: If I have to wake up at 5, I’ll
wake up at 5, just whatever I need.
Ryan: Second year I was pretty good at
getting up, last term not so much; I had to
set my alarm for 12, it was awful.
Jonathan: In my mind it’s that if you don’t
wake up, then you’ve got to pay the price
later in the day, more work.
Ryan: The first two weeks of it is pretty
grim.
Callum: I get up at 7, 8 if necessary. You
need the eight hours of sleep.
Ryan: Even if you’re really tired, you just
squeeze in an hour, 3 in the afternoon or
something.
What does the competition entail?
Nathan: First of all, 25% is based on the
online public vote, that’s on Facebook, the
Mr University page, you’ve probably seen
our pictures being shared too. All people
have to do there is ‘like’ the picture. So it
literally comes down to how many Facebook
likes you get. It’s a bit of a popularity
contest, I’m not keen personally, but that’s
how it’s done. When you’re then on the
day, it’s then broken down into two more
rounds. 25% of it is your ‘posing stage
presence’, how confident you look on stage,
so that’s about what you portray to the
crowd, interacting with them. There’s a panel
of judges, you get sixty seconds to show off
what you’ve got and you’re judged the whole
time. Then you get lined up against 5/10
other people and you do quarter turns. You
judged against other people that time, they’re
looking at your conditioning, how lean or
fat you are, your symmetry, size and shape,
who looks the best. Apparently this year
they may be doing an elimination system
as to who goes through to further rounds,
because from there you are compared against
everyone else, so you just want to look
better than the person next to you.
What do you win?
Ryan: First prize you get a photoshoot, a
feature in a fitness magazine and a sports
package.
Nathan: The main prize is the photoshoot.
The top two people in every category go
through to a winner’s photoshoot. The
top 5 of each category go through to the
final if they want to. Ours is the Southern
Regional, and then there’s the final after.
What advice would you have for
anyone wanting to enter?
Callum: Join MASS Plymouth. This
competition is the MASS Student Physique
Championships. It’s helped me get to know
people to go to the gym with, social support
really.
Nathan: The most important thing I
would say to anyone would be to make sure
you have enough time. Imagine when you’re
going to start prepping, and start two months
before. You’ll wish you had extra time.
Dieting, people underestimate how much
fat they have to lose. Just allow enough
time and work hard. Look for like-minded
people.
Ryan: Start thinking about your plan as
early as possible, get some vague aims set.
Try and find people who have the same goal
as you.
Jonathan: Stop eating crap and just get in
there! Find people with the same body type
as you.
The Mr University Southern Regional
competition takes place on March 14th
at Southampton University.

10. 9
opinion
/theknowledgeplymouth
e l e c t i o n i s s u e
I chose to be homeless rather than live
with mice, drug-dealers and police
Natalie McGreevy
I was already regretting moving back
to University after the summer. Less
working hours, no free food and
the probability of yet another few
months spent dossing in the library.
It’s clear to say I wasn’t looking
forward to returning to my last year
of education, and my estate agent
certainly made the process a lot
worse.
It started in September when three of
us moved into a house with a notorious
student letting agency. Everything
seemed swell, signing the contract in the
office and being promised the world and
the stars for as little as £90 a week. We
even got free sweets in the office. What
a treat!
Moving in, the issues began. Firstly, I
was handed the wrong set of keys. This
meant my last goodbye meal with my
mother was a no go. I contacted the
emergency line who simply replied “It’s
a Saturday and I’m with my family.”
And that was it. The start of a 4 month
long tragedy. The property’s curtains on
the wall were hanging on for there dear
life. Appliances were broken and a dead
seagull rotted in our garden – this, for
£90 a week, was home sweet home.
After kicking up enough fuss to warrant
more free sweets in the office, I was
moved again. This property became
known as ‘viva la mice.’ My poor first
year house mate came to me in tears
that mice were in her bed in the first
week: we really became friends at that
moment, as I overturned her furniture to
catch her fluffy little intruder.
Over the next 2 months, they travelled
across the house, venturing from
bedrooms into our kitchen cupboards.
The estate agents didn’t see the issue,
even when giant mouse holes appeared
where there once was carpet. These
were cast off as ‘simply our opinion of
mouse holes’ and our unwanted guest
continued to reign over our flooring.
But the mice were nothing compared to
our next guests, when the house became
something of a social club for London’s
finest gang members. Suddenly,
strangers were letting themselves in,
squatting on the sofa and stealing our
food. It all got worse when we were
made aware a tenant was dealing drugs;
and threats and anger were rife in our
communal areas. The police suddenly
became our newest housemates: even
waking up one morning to someone
being handcuffed in my living room,
or coming home from University to
housemates being interviewed.
The mice were certainly scared off but
nothing seemed better. My tolerance
was finally broken when a ‘friend’ of
the tenants broke in at 3am through a
window.
I stopped sleeping, my grades dropped
and my doctor diagnosed me for post-
trauma depression. Nightmares and
waking up with migraines became a
regular thing. I’d hit a new low, and it
happened in my most important year of
University.
I now reside with a single suitcase of
my belongings- sending my boyfriend
back occasionally for the supplies such as
my trusty ketchup or mayonnaise. I live
in the library by day, and sleep at my
boyfriends by night. My estate agents
send around police to do spot checks
of the house now, so I feel even less
inclined to return. And, although they
are aware I have left the complex and
have begged to be removed from the
contract, they have refused. This made
me realise the lack of relationship the
University has with the letting agents.
It has reached the extent that I may
graduate with poor mental health and a
lower degree than planned. No one has
stepped up to the mark.
Over the past 2 months, I have moved
around with my little case knowing,
that although I do not have space to put
down my books at night – I am happy,
healthier, and a lot lesser close to crime
than I was in my ‘home sweet home’.
This is some sort of resolution.

11. e l e c t i o n i s s u elife
theknowledgeplymout ah.co.uk/category/lifestyle@PlymUniStuNews 7
Catching up with
your Executive Officers
President | Sarah Bowman
Not to spread
yourself too thin:
You need a break everyday
Three manifesto points:
1) General Elections campaign: Organised
debates, where more than 200 students
turned up. Has worked closely with
Plymouth City Council by organising
registration days throughout the year with
incentives for students. Sarah feels that
“incentives are necessary and that some
students don’t even realise that you have to
register to vote”. “Some students are just
apathetic to politics, especially due to the
current government: students don’t feel
that politics can have a positive effect on
their lives.”
2) Lobbying the University for
transparency on their spending and
how the university gets money from
external sources: wants there to be drop in
sessions with the Chief Executives of the
University.
3) Looking at the way timetables are
structured. Sarah organised two surveys:
one for partner college students looking
to do top-up courses at the university and
the other for plymouth university students
about what they think of the current
timetable and how it can be improved.
Campaign:
Sarah felt that doing nightclub
campaigning everyday for a week isn’t
necessary either.
The one thing Sarah wish she had known
before taking the job was “how much time
commitment the job is. Above everything
else you have to put your well-being first
and know when to book holidays off.”
After Sarah’s position as president finishes in
the summer, she is looking at Fundraising
and Marketing roles in the charity sector
after taking a bit of time to travel.

12. Tired minds
don’t work
e l e c t i o n i s s u e life
theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk/category/lifestyle /theknowledgeplymouth11
Manifesto:
Sexual and mental health provisions met with on campus.
Rich learned that students knew little about the sexual health
services available to them. Rich did a survey and found
that there was work to be done in order to lobby both the
University and Plymouth City Council. The student life
committee helped with this and he gained backing from the
university.
In his opinion, a city centre sexual health clinic would be ideal
and easily accessible to students, and for students to be more
aware of the current services already available to them such as
the university doctors and the clinic and Derriford Hospital.
The sexual health survey had around 1,800 responses.
To run a successful campaign Rich’s top point would be to:
“Aim higher than you think you can do and don’t let anyone
let you think that you won’t be able to achieve it. You do have
the whole union to support you.”
The job has aided Rich as you “develop so quickly in so many
different skill areas such as public speaking, organisation, team
work etc.”
VP Welfare
Rich Skipper
Manifesto:
1) Working with sporting partners as there is not much
student involvement so improving links with students: not just
sporting students but events.
2) Committee training - organising conferences and online
how-to guides for all committee members.
3) University Sport strategy: co-chairing this to try and
improve sporting facilitates for students.
Emily says “don’t let campaigning stress you out as everyone is
in the same boat. Even if there are a lot of big names running,
that doesn’t matter. It also doesn’t matter if you are not from a
big club.”
Online membership sign up “didn’t run smoothly” but
hopefully all the kinks will be worked out for next Freshers fair
in September 2015.
The best thing about the job has been working with different
people one-to-one and Emily plans to go travelling after her
position ends in the summer like a “typical Geographer!”
VP Sports & Societies
Emily Hamilton-Peach

13. nds
rk
e l e c t i o n i s s u elife
theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk/category/lifestyle@PlymUniStuNews 12
Manifesto:
1) To lobby to University to provide Exam Feedback
I have begun to develop a report using evidence from other
Universities & Student Unions which will be presented to the
University in April. When people sit exams and I hope that
this means they may think about it when providing exam
feedback.
2) To get the University to be more transparent about their
finances
This has been even more relevant this year than I think I ever
imagined. In January, the academic forum was based around
the University Finances and the Uni are developing the
webpage as we speak.
3) Building links between academic societies and the Uni
I admit that this one has fallen off the radar slightly due to lack
of time, however whenever I hear about something one of the
academic societies has been up to, I always try to shout about
it on twitter & share it with academic staff at the Uni.
The plan for the next few months is to complete the
feedback report and get it out in the University. I also have
the QAA report, continue working on transparency, the
#UPSUstressless campaign and I hope to have some fun
campaigns around exam time.
What’s the best thing? When you run a campaign and it’s a
success it’s great! #UPSUstressless has been really successful
and the feedback I have gathered it’s doing exactly what I
planned, getting people out of the library quiet rooms and
taking 5.
The most difficult thing is prioritising what to do next &
learning to say no. You want to help as many people as
possible and shape and develop the student experience, but
sometimes you just can’t.
Have fun & take breaks! My dad always says ‘Tired minds
don’t work’ and I think he’s pretty right!
VP Education
Ruth Titmuss
Manifesto:
Creating an international student team, event and links with
the partner colleges. In terms of international events, Will
worked with ISS and organised Octoberfest in the SU. Will
wished that he had spoken to the colleges more throughout
his term as VP but feels that this is down to a personal time
management issue as “there is so much to do”. Will wishes that
he had planned for the entire year and “blocking off days in
the calendar would have been easier, but it has been a really
enjoyable experience.”
Will is planning to raise more awareness for international
student rights as every month students are questioned and
checked to ensure that they are still a student at the university.
Will wishes to lobby NUS for backing at the NUS national
conference in April. Currently, international students’ visa’s
only allow them three months granted leave after graduation,
and Will would like this to be extended.
To run a successful campaign you need a good poster and
social media is a bit of a waste of time. “Talking to as many
people as possible: that is the only reason I won.”
VP International & Outreach
Will Holmes

14. As cliché as it sounds, travelling is my biggest passion
and, actually for me, is my way of life.
So I thought I should write a small guide for the different
places where I have travelled. Indeed, there are many guides
such as Lonely Planet, and infinite blogs and TV shows (such
as Anthony Bourdain’s), all of which are a great source of
inspiration and travel knowledge.
However, I want to share something more personal. I am by
no means an expert, so please take all of my advice with a
pinch of salt. And without further ado, my first city guide will
be about the old capital of Japan: Kyoto.
Kyoto is by far the most beautiful and elegant cities I have
been to. In my opinion, it is the cultural heart of Japan with
museums, temples and castles everywhere.
What to see:
1. Nijo Castle – Old residence of Shogun also features the
infamous Nightingale floor
2. Kinkakuji Temple – A.K.A. The Golden Temple. I think
the picture above says it all.
3. Fushimi Inari Shrine – If you have seen pictures of Japan
you cannot have missed the red gates properly known as ‘torii
gates’. In this shrine there are thousands of gates leading up to
a top of the hill, which normally takes around 2 hours to walk
up, unless like me you get a bit adventurous (and lost), then it
will take a bit longer. However at the top of the hill, best view
of Kyoto awaits you.
4. Gion District – If you want to see old Japanese terrace and
Geishas; this is the place to be. It does get very busy during the
daytime when every tourist seems to visit this place, but if you
are in Kyoto it is not a place to miss.
5. Kiyomizudera – Known for its wooden terrace and
incredible view. To be honest, due to limited time I had in
Kyoto, I could not travel here but it is definitely my excuse to
visit Kyoto in the future.
e l e c t i o n i s s u e life
theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk/category/lifestyle /theknowledgeplymouth13
“Kyoto is the most beautiful
and elegant city”
Usaj AJ Basnet
Worldwide Tour:

15. What to eat?
Ramen – simply the best soup and noodles ever. Advance
warning – pot noodles will never be satisfactory again.
Okonomiyaki – think best fried noodles you have ever had
and imagine a pancake/omelette made out of it with crazy
toppings including eggs, bacon, dried seaweed, mayo.
What to drink?
Beer – take your pick from Asahi, Kirin or Suntory, also you
can get beers in vending machine
Sake – good both warm and cold, personally I liked Shochu
little more as it tends to be little sweeter.
Tea – there is a big ceremony tied to drinking tea, while it
can be time consuming and expensive, if it’s your thing it will
be worth it. However for someone not as Zen like myself,
drinking green tea before meals was good enough.
Where to stay?
Hostels – You can get a bed for 2500 Yen (Under £15). Also a
great way to meet other fellow travellers.
Couch-surfing – If you find yourself a decent host, you can
save a lot in accommodation plus who better to guide you to a
new city than its resident?
How to travel?
Bike Bike Bike – Kyoto is the city that is best suited for bikes.
Cheap, convenient and you get to see non-touristy parts of
Kyoto. Most hostels rent them out for a minimal fee.
2. Bus – A good alternative, but packed with tourists and
locals.
3. Subways – These are ONLY suitable if you are travelling
far.
Any Hidden Gems?
京都市
e l e c t i o n i s s u elife
theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk/category/lifestyle@PlymUniStuNews 14

16. Campus Style
Freddy Robinson
Economics
Coat: House of Fraser – £180
Shirt: Topman
Shoes: Ted Baker – £80
Mell Treasure
Primary Ed
Coat: Urban Outfitters – £80
Bag: Accessorize – £20
Shoes: Topshop – £30
Leggings: Jack Wills – £25
e l e c t i o n i s s u e style
theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk/category/style-beauty /theknowledgeplymouth15

17. Michelle Singh
Psychology
Scarf: Matalan
Jumper: Debenhams
Jeans: Miss Selfridge
Shoes: Office
Turtleneck: Matalan
Necklace: Pandora
e l e c t i o n i s s u estyle
theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk/category/style-beauty@PlymUniStuNews 16
TOP MOISTURISERS:
Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit
Oil-Free Moisturiser
£4.99
Dove Men Hydrate Moisturiser
£8.99
Garnier Nutritionist Youthful
Radiance Daily Moisturiser for
Normal/Combination Skin
£9.19
Skin Energy Moisturiser Nivea Men
£9.50

18. Brett Wainwright
Civil Enginerring
Coat: Two Seasons
Shirt: Topman
Jeans: Topman
Shoes: Vintage
Bag: Schuh
Hat: Topman
Design Society:
Simon Stone & Jonny Aldrich
Talking Posters
From 6th to the 10th of February,
the Design Society were holding
an exhibition of their work around
the theme of communication. The
Knowledge had a look round and
compiled a few of our favourites. The
work on display was a mix of unique
graphic art including limited edition
letterpress posters, screen prints and
illustrations.
Matt Down:
Speaking to Matt Down, whose work
is based around Japanese art and
his love of the planet, he said, ‘I love
space and stuff like that and I wanted
to bring my style of graphics and design
through.’
When asked how it was made, Matt
said: ‘I found the closest matches to
each planet’s colour, and then almost
in a gradient style, spotted each colour
and pulled that across and flooded or
occasionally under-flooded the screen
to help get the effect like in the Earth. In
some areas it comes across really well
like in Mercury and Neptune, and the
colours really work and it gives it an
authentic and natural feel.’
e l e c t i o n i s s u e
theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk/category/style-beauty /theknowledgeplymouth
arts &
17

19. s
Chris Day:
We talked to Chris Day, who said: ‘This
is a project I did last module; it’s about
the space program.’ He added: ‘The
work is alluding to the unknown and
making people look a little bit harder. ‘
Declan Pike:
We spoke to Declan Pike, who said
the piece below ‘was made digitally. I
created each segment individually. From
there I compiled it into one print and
then screen-printed it. It’s black paper
with white ink on the top with the gold
centre representing how money was at
the centre of the 1920’s.’
When asked about the process, he
replied: ‘I compiled the whole image
together in one evening and then to
actually screen-print it about half an
hour; then the golden leaf around
another half an hour because it’s quite
tricky and delicate.’
Jonny Aldrich:
We also talked to the chair of the Design Society, Jonny
Aldrich. He said:
‘It’s our first ever exhibition, Design Society has never ever done
this before. We have over 100 members and we connect them
to the real design world with guest lectures and stuff like that,
but this time we’ve decided to do something different, so we
asked all our members to submit any piece they want.’
‘The opening night wine reception kicked off at 7:00pm
and we’ve seen a range of different students and design
professionals from within the Plymouth area who were
specially invited: including Pearlfisher’s Managing Director
Darren Foley.’
The Exhibition ended up selling just over £300 worth of
work to various students, designers and members of
public. All money raised went straight to the designers who
submitted.
entertainment
theknowledgeplymouth.co.uk/category/ arts-entertainment@PlymUniStuNews

20. Kallum James Catterall
‘Jam House’
So much more
than cheap drink,
good friends and
incredible talent.
Upcoming
Albums & Films
Unguarded
RaeMorris
Vestiges&Claws
JoséGonzález
ComingUpForAir
Kodaline
HappyPeople(Deluxe)
Peace
TwoGallants
WeAreUndone
Appropriate Behaviour
Chappie
Insurgent
Get Hard
Cinderella
6th March
6th March
20th March
27th March
27th March
e l e c t i o n i s s u e arts &
/theknowledgeplymouth19
The devon music scene only receives recognition with reference to Ben
Howard and Muse; don’t get me wrong anyone who knows me can tell you
I’m the biggest, albeit self-confessed, Ben Howard fan boy known to man. But
surely Devon must have more talent to offer than a three piece band hailing
from Teignmouth and a celebrated Singer-Songwriter.
This week ‘Jam House’ organisers
Michelle Rysdale and Robin Evans
invited James Santer and Fiona Morgan
from BBC Introducing in Devon to
scout for local talent and broadcast the
highlights on this Saturday night’s show
(8pm-10pm). The eclectic mixture of
acts resonated with C103 nostalgia with
every genre of music being celebrated
– ranging from acoustic sets to beatbox
renditions.
Opening the night with an acoustic
3 song set, Ashleigh Sladen explained
why ‘Jam House’ is so much more than
a £1.65 pint of Carlsberg. Ashleigh a
regular at ‘Jam House’ said that:
“Jam House has given me the platform
on which to play live music again and the
opportunity to meet some incredible artists –
I would definitely say that Jam House
is family.”
Teaming up with BBC Introducing in
Devon, ‘Jam House’ is all about music,
your music and if you’re interested
in getting your music noticed it is
definitely a night not to be missed.
Next on stage was Chay Snowdon
who, you could be forgiven in thinking
was the love child of Jake Bugg and
Elvis Presely. Snowdon’s set was ripe
with rich vocals and a musical calibre
I can’t comprehend. Snowdon praised
the platform ‘Jam House’ presented
for young musicians to showcase and
develop their musical style. He said that:

21. entertainment
@PlymUniStuNews
“For BBC Introducing in Devon it’s
really important that we get out of
our studios as often as possible,
to go on our own hunt for local
talent and build relationships with
other local musical institutions…
and the Jam House at the UPSU
was a perfect way to do all of those
at once.
It was most importantly, a night
where we discovered new
names and talent that we hope
my become part of the BBC
Introducing process over the
coming weeks and months. We’ll
be disappointed if we don’t hear
more from the likes of Ashleigh
Sladen, Abbie Purkins, Olly Parker
and Dan Jefferies in the future…
particularly their original material. It
was great to spend some time with
Tariq before his set and learn more
his music and the opportunities
available to musicians at the
University.
I’ve got to single out a particular
highlight of the night, which came
as an unscheduled surprise
during Michelle’s set as beat boxer
Jack McMinn took to the mic,
which provided inspiration for
an improv freestyle from Haydn
Wright. At BBC Introducing we
always encourage artists to get
together with other acts they hear
on the show, Devon has a great
community feel to the scene and
within the student union that
evening, musical relationships were
forged and the audience were
witness to some rather special
talent.
Finally my standout performance
of the night had to be from Tom
Baker. Joined again by Haydn
on stage I can’t quite emphasise
enough the talent that Plymouth
University has on offer, as
highlighted by these two. They WILL
be guests on my show as soon as
possible!”
20
“The ‘Jam House’ has helped me a great deal, it gives young artists like myself a
platform to showcase our styles of music, which I think is really important to help us
progress and develop our music.”
Making up the following hour were performances from the likes of Rapper Renz
DMP, Tariq B, Abbie Purkins and Olly Parker before ‘Jam House’ organiser and
regular performer Michelle Rysdale took to the stage. As always Michelle’s set was
energetic and crowd pleasing though this week she invited beatboxer Jack McMinn
to join her on stage and the paring was unprecedented. The two were said to have
only practiced 15 minutes before the show resulting in a confident and energetic
execution that sent the crowd into a chorus of applause.
Jack remained on stage and preformed a beatbox rendition of Snoop Dogg’s ‘Drop
it Like It’s Hot’ that was beyond comprehension. Seizing this opportunity Hayden
Wright joined Jack on stage for three minutes of improv that took everyone by
surprise; hat’s off to ya gents! Making up the rest of the evening was a special set
from Retro Gents, a crowd pleasing and unique rendition from ‘Jam House’ co-
orgainser Robin Evans’ Quintet, Jamie Yost and Dan Jefferies.
Bringing the evening to close were performances from ‘Jam House’ regulars Tom
Baker and Hayden Wright who never disappoint. Seeing these two preform from
the wrong side of the bar I was keen to finally take a seat, have a pint, and marvel at
the duo that combine each others musical styles seamlessly.
All in all, if you’re a musician looking for a platform in which to preform music to a
crowd of like-minded individuals then ‘Jam House’ is definitely for you. Props have
to go to Michelle and Robin for organising an event that celebrates every genre of
music and allows for a night void of any post-Oceana Friday morning regret.

22. e l e c t i o n i s s u e sports &
/theknowledgeplymouth
UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH
LITERATURE SOCIETY
Unscramble these words:
Dark evil nylons
Doubling if ritzy
Ardor plan quest
UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH
AMATEUR DRAMATICS
Updates/Top Tips from UPAD
We’re currently undergoing the
rehearsal process. Everything’s
going very well! All of the actors
are working very hard at learning
their lines and getting more familiar
with the characters they’re playing.
We’re very excited to present our
showcase this year, which is going
to have a theme of Sin (ooooh).
Never underestimate the
importance of projection! It is
the art of speaking with enough
volume, without sounding like
one is shouting. It can be one the
most difficult things to learn in
acting. As a skill it can help you in
public speaking, or when giving
presentations. A good exercise for
improving your projection – start
by speaking a line in a whisper and
then repeat it, increasing volume
each time.
If you’re nervous for an audition,
that’s often because of self-doubt,
feeling unprepared. The more
you rehearse the piece, the more
of that doubt you’ll erase. Even if
it feels redundant, rehearse and
rehearse those until you’re certain
that you won’t say a word or make
a step wrong!
RAG Week 2015
Madison Taylor
RAG’s (Raise and Give) annual
charity fundraising week has just
flown by in full swing (9th-15th
February 2015). After a complete
structural reorganisation, moving
from a society of UPSU to a branch
of the Volunteering department at the
end of the last academic year, how
has the charity-based organisation
succeeded during their most vital
week of the academic calender?
The fundraising-intense week was
organised by students, volunteering as
RAG Week Co-ordinators: Jack Birks,
Elle Eisentrager and Jess Harding,
overseen by events managers Elisha
Burner and Ciara Daly.
Birks said that “the organisation of RAG
week has been pretty last minute this year”
but this being Birks’, Eisentrager’s and
Harding’s first year as a member of
RAG’s core committee he said that “last
year wasn’t organised much but this year
we [Birks, Eisentrager and Harding] are
trying to set the benchmark for future years.”
The proceeds from the weeks events
are being donated to Brain Tumour
Research, Wild Futures and SALT Sout
West, with half of the money raised at
combined society events going to their
desired cause.
The week started off with a 24 Poker
Tournament which was organised by
University of Plymouth’s Poker Society
chairman, Blaine Toms. Toms organised
for a black jack table to be in the SU
which Birks said “really encouraged
people to attend the event.” Kathryn
Henny, Deputy President of RAG,
informed the Knowledge that this event
alone raised just shy of £180.
Next on the agenda was RAG’s infamous
Pizza Eating Contest. Henny said that:
“The pizza eating went well, we had nine
teams take part with three rounds and a
final. In each round each team of three ate
two large pizzas from Pizza Hut, and the
final was just one large.
“By the end the winners had eaten seven
large pizzas and were really struggling!
“Afterwards we sold the remaining pizzas
to people watching in the SU.
“In total this event made approximately
£180.”
21

23. e l e c t i o n i s s u esocieties
@PlymUniStuNews
Unscramble these words:
Dark evil nylons
Doubling if ritzy
Ardor plan quest
UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH
FIRST AID SOCIETY
Choking:
1. Ask the casualty if they are
choking/if they can cough
2. If you can see any obvious
obstructions remove them, don’t
go reaching in
3. Carry out 5 back blows, lean the
casualty forward and give 5 sharp
blows between their shoulder
blades with the heel of your hand
4. If this fails to work, stand behind
the casualty and place one fist at
the bottom of their breastbone,
clench the fist with your other
hand and pull sharply inwards and
upwards up to five times
5. Repeat this procedure for up
to 3 times, if this hasn’t worked,
phone 999
Burns:
1. For minor burns, place the
burned area under lukewarm water
for at least 10 minutes or until the
pain is relieved
2. Remove any jewellery, tight
objects etc
3. Cover the burn with kitchen film
1. For serious burns, lay the
casualty down and start cooling
the injury with plenty of lukewarm
water
2. Phone 999 immediately and
continue cooling the burn
3. Remove any constricting objects
4. Cover the burnt area with
kitchen film
5. Reassure the casualty
Elle Eisentrager organised for the Football club (UPFC) and Geography society
(GeogSoc) to add an extra £1 to their usual Walkabout ticket prices, which raised
£67. She said that: “This was a new event but we are hoping that next year it will be even
bigger, however we are really pleased with the money raised and every little helps.”
Burner said that the reorganisation of RAG has made: “more societies willing to join
in, and people that are not in the core committee have created events that they want to do,
” such as the Men’s Rugby Team getting waxed for charity and the Women’s team
Sumo Wrestling. Birks said that although these events weren’t successful in the sense
of raising a lot of money for charity, “they raised awareness for RAG and that is just as
important.”
On Thursday night, RAG set up a ‘tuck-shop’ at everyone’s favourite mid-week
night, Jam House. This was organised by Jack Birks and raised a total of £60.
Although RAG still organised their annual Take Me Out event and Pizza Eating,
Henny explained that:
“RAG week is going to be more successful than last years as we have chosen to do it
differently. Last year our RAG week mainly consisted of cake sales, Deal Or No Deal and
Take Me Out which we ran ourselves.
“Where as this year we decided to team up with as many sports and societies, where each of
them take on an event with us! This way we felt we could engage the university more and
help the clubs achieve their ICONS status.
“I think the success is partially down to moving away from being a society as we have had
support from the volunteer department, but mainly down to joining with the university
clubs.”
I asked both Kathryn and Elisha what their fundraising targets were by the end of
the week:
K: “We didn’t come up with a specific target, but personally I would love to see us raise at
least £600, which over £300 from poker and pizza eating alone.”
E: “I am not sure on the aim, as any money raised is amazing but we are hopeful to beat
last year’s total”
22