Halifax college suffered serious vandalism after visitors to the University caused considerable damage to buildings and trees on the night of November 14.

The guests, who were staying with a friend in Halifax, uprooted several trees, knocked tiles off roofs and threw bottles and cans, resulting in at least one smashed bedroom window.

Five male guests staying in Halifax College’s St Lawrence Court caused the damage. Witnesses described them as seeming “drunk and rowdy” from early in the evening, although it wasn’t until late at night that the majority of the damage is suspected to have occurred. Residents of the court witnessed the men throwing bottles and cans, causing damage to the roofs of several houses and smashing a girl’s private bedroom window from the house that they were staying in.

The following morning it was discovered that trees throughout the college had been pulled out of the ground and thrown around. The trees had been ripped out of the ground, along with the posts that hold many of them up, and dragged across the college; many were left outside kitchen doors or across pathways. It is believed that, in total, five trees were removed.

Karen Fritz, Halifax Provost, expressed disappointment that “a few visiting students have chosen to behave in a destructive manner, uprooting trees and causing some structural damage on the college grounds and in West Moor Lane”. Fritz believed the vandalism to be out of character for Halifax, where “students generally behave in an amenable way”.

Halifax College Chair, David Sharp, described the incident as “an act of childish vandalism.” He believes that although the vandals were not university students “the person who they had come to visit is ultimately responsible and should take full responsibility.” Sharp said the HCSA has “identified the culprit, and the Halifax Provost is now speaking to them.” He added: “Although the damage that has been caused has not affected the running of Halifax in general… it does make it an unsightly place to live.” It has been decided that no further action is to be taken, as it is hoped that the student now realises the seriousness of the situation.

According to YUSU Societies and Communications Officer, Rory Shanks, YUSU were “disappointed” to hear about the events in Halifax, particularly as “students at York generally take huge pride in their college environment.” Shanks went on to say: “It appears that those involved are now in conversation with the Provost, and we would implore that they try and make good some of the damage they’ve done as soon as possible.”

Fritz added: “We are aware that at Halifax College we are ambassadors to the adjacent non-university communities and we make an effort to engender neighbourly conduct.” She hopes that in the future Halifax residents and their guests will remember that “our community relations and our own college reputation are important.”

A housemate of the vandal, who wishes to remain anonymous, stated: “Whilst it was a stupid thing to do, I believe that the individual realises this and is remorseful. He was definitely not intentionally trying to cause vandalism to Halifax, it was more a whim that got out of hand when six drunken boys were hyperactive.”

The student responsible for the vandals asked Nouse to express his “sincere apologies to all those affected by the incident.” He wished it to be known that he takes “full responsibility for the actions of [his] friends” and that he will “endeavour to do what he can to make it right.” The student stressed that he would particularly like to “apologise to all students and staff affected by the circumstance.”

Many members of St Lawrence Court believe that the situation should never have happened. One St Lawrence Court resident commented, “The situation has become ridiculous. We’re not 16 anymore, the noise and mayhem is constant and no one is laughing anymore. Some people need to grow up.”

The incident was the first significant piece of vandalism on the University Campus since the suspected arson attacks on Derwent last May when a fire in Derwent last year engulfed the storage blocks causing explosions and a cloud of potentially harmful asbestos fumes to spread across the college. Security still attribute the attack to a gang of youths caught riding away from the scene on University CCTV cameras.

The Derwent college arson was the first attack since the Fairfax arson in March 2006.

The University was forced to introduce a new energy plan this week after a council planning committee attacked the University’s lack of progress on environmental issues in October.

The University plans to use Biomass to cover at least 10% of the energy needs of the new Heslington East development. This is the first part of the University’s plan to develop enough renewable energy, through the use of biomass boilers, to power both Heslington East and the current Heslington West campus.

The plan involves locating a biomass boiler at Heslington East to generate hot water, using woodchip from local sources, to supplement water heated in the Universities central boiler system.

The University is also developing a £3 million utilities corridor between the extension at Heslington East and the current campus site, Heslington West.

Elizabeth Heaps, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Estates and Strategic Projects, said of the project: “Renewable energy is an important part of our strategy but efficient use of energy in the University as a whole is critically important. All buildings on Heslington East will meet rigorous design standards, delivering high energy efficiency and low energy use.”

Police were called to Heslington Lane last night after a 19-year-old student was subjected to a serious sexual attack.

The attack happened between 8.30 and 8.45pm when the student was walking from Heslington towards Fulford. It is believed to have taken place near the bus stop opposite Fulford Golf Club.

The area is currently under forensic examination by police officers.

The victim was pulled into the bushes and threatened by the man, before being sexually assaulted. She fought against the attacker and managed to break free and run to a friend’s house in Heslington. She suffered scratches to the face as well as being traumatised by the incident.

Police describe the attacker as “white, between 5ft 10in and 6ft tall, quite heavily built with short dark hair, aged between 30 and 40 with a broad Yorkshire accent. He was wearing blue jeans, a dark coloured zip-up hoodie and white trainers.”

The police are interested in any information available, particularly from students who will have been using the adjacent sports fields at the time. Anybody with any information should contact York CID on 08456 060247.

A statement from Halifax College regarding the attack says, “Students and staff are reminded to look after their personal safety and try always to walk in groups. Be aware of your surroundings (don’t wear headphones), and carry a personal alarm which are free on request from the Student Union.”

This week’s Autumn Term YUSU Election has seen thirty-three new officers elected to thirty-nine positions, including the University Senate, Union Council and YUSU Trustee Board.

The three undergraduate representatives elected this year to the University Senate are Sam Clarke, Tom Langrish and Jason Rose, while joining the Union Council after this weeks’ elections are Lewis Bretts, Jim Clark and Alexander Fink.

The University Senate is responsible for the education and academic lives of York students, particularly in advising the Council on all academic appointments. The YUSU President and Graduate Students Presidents both hold seats on the Senate, along with three undergraduate representatives and one graduate representative. Union Council is the main policy making body within the Union. Its membership consists of the Chair of the Council, all Officers of the Union, the Chairperson of each affiliate committee, three Board of Studies representatives and three ordinary members.

The new YUSU Disabilities Officer will be Patrick Sholl. This position has been unfilled since former Officer Katie Player ended her term in April 2008.

Rose also joins the YUSU Trustee Board, along with A Kotecha and Zoe Stones. Trustee Board members hold their position for two years from the date of election and are responsible for overseeing the administration and management of the Union.

Rose, who was also elected to the YUSU Campaigns Committee, Communications Committee, Environment and Ethics Committee and Rules and Revisions Committee, said of the election: “Thanks to everyone that voted. I really do appreciate people getting involved in university politics.”

The following positions were also filled:

Within YUSU Committees:
Entertainments Committee: Lewis Bretts, Robin Kinchin, Elisabeth Spencer and Elisabeth Woolard
Environment and Ethics Committee: Kate Evans, Ella-Grace Curton and Jason Rose

Within LGBT:
Ordinary Members: Edward Crooks and Rebecca Milner
Bisexual Man Rep: Tim Jeffries
Bisexual Woman Rep: Kate Walker
Gay Man Rep: Thomas Meares
Lesbian Rep: Joanne Campbell
Secretary: Thomas Harding
Trans Affairs Rep: Em Brownbill

Within the Womans’ Committee
Ordinary Members: Hannah Cann, Estie Haden, Ellie Kuper Thomas,
Charlotte Phillips and Holly Phillips
Lesbian and Bisexual Rep: Amy Burge
Mature Women’s Rep: Jenny Hambling
Press and Publicity Rep: Charlie Frost & Eleri Parry
Secretary: Katherine Byrne & Mary Finnegan

Alcuin bar B Henry’s is set to close at the end of this term following a University review.

The bar becomes the latest college social space to face closure, following the decision to cease trading in Langwith and Halifax’s bars last academic year.

The JCRC and College Provost have been notified of the decision, which they describe as “out of the blue”. In an Extraordinary Meeting on Thursday, Alcuin JCRC ruled with a complete majority to campaign against the closure.

Alcuin Provost Tony Ward was approached by Phil Kemble of Commercial Services this week and told that B Henry’s would be put under review. Ward was told that the review had raised sufficient concerns to force the closing of the bar, which had lost up to £10,000 a year for two consecutive years.

Erik O’Connor, Alcuin JCRC Chair is outraged at the Universities decision and the effect that it will have on Alcuin College spirit. O’Connor argues that the bar is a “central social venue”, that it is “not enough to have a JCR” and that the bar is not just a “commercial unit”. He considers the loss of £8,000 - £10,000 a year a “pittance in perspective”, and says that students will “have nothing to do”. According to O’Connor, the failure is because of “a lack of will-power to promote the bar”.

During the meeting, the JCRC heard that considering the daily earnings of the cafeteria area, B Henry’s actually makes a profit of £20,000 a year. The Alcuin campaign has the full support of YUSU, and Officers Tom Scott, Matt Burton and Charlie Leyland attended the JCR Meeting.

After the Halifax College bar, JJs, was closed over the summer, Alcuin JCRC members suggested that there may be a “ground plan” which threatens all of the University bars, including the popular central bars in Goodricke, Wentworth and Vanbrugh. All bars used to be open seven days a week, but a University plan to reduce the hours was successful after a failed YUSU campaign.