Is it ever ok for a lecturer to oggle his curvy students and admit it?

Terence Kealey, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Buckingham has recently been in the media for an article he worte in the Times Higher Education. The article was apparantly intended as a tounge in cheek explanation of the "seven deadly sins of academia". I some what doubt when Mr Kealey wrote his article he expected it to be covered by the BBC news, The F word, The Times and The Telegraph. So why exactly has Mr kealey's article receieved so much unwanted attention?

Mr kealey's article descirbed sexy and "curvy" students as "a perk" of the job. He also goes on to explain that lectures ought to memorise these images in order "to spice up your sex, nightly, with the wife". Ok, so the Mr Kealey finds his young students attractive and is prepared to admit that. His unfortunate wife however must be less than pleased.

So far you might think that Mr Kealey has made some un wise but honest comments about the position lecturers are placed in. However, he has also assumed that all of his fellow lecturers reading the article must of course be straight men. Perhaps in this case he has stumbled across an excellent point. Even in the Univeristy of Sheffield the ratio of male to female lecturers is low and of the eight Pro Vice chancellors, Vice Chancellor, Chancellor and Registrar none what so ever are female.

However for me it is that Mr kealey goes onto suggest that these female students are attempting to actively seduce male lecturers that irks the most. As ever we find the age old excuse that women want to be viewed in a sexual way and therefore it is their fault if they find themselves, heckled, oggled, abused or even raped.

Yes Mr Kealey has no idea of the signifincance of his words; he has fallen into an age old trap. Rape crisis centres and rape support teams are constantly trying to challenge the notion that a woman in a short skirt is 'asking for it'. And no I don't think in any way that Mr kealey is disucussing rape nor that he thinks rape is acceptable. However he has unwittingly alluded to the view that women want to be sexually harrassed, and that indeed if they are preyed up on sexually, then it's their own fault for dressing in a provocative way. Mr Kealey's protrayal of male lecturers who are powerless to resist the sexual come ons of young female students has done nothing if not prove that sexual objetification still exsists, even in a prestigous University.

I will be asking Sheffield University's Vice Chancellor for his views on the issue and will notify you of them soon.

View Mr Kealey's comments yourself here http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=408135&c=2

Feel free to discuss them . What do you think? harmless fun that has been blown out of proportion, or a serious insight into sexism at university?

Captain Chlamydia

Hello everyone

I have just gone on my first run distributing Chalmydia test about the Union toilets. If you do decide to pick up a bag please follow some important guidelines.

Label the pot clearly. It must have a name on or else the lab will not test the pot.

Place it in the sealable plastic bag for hygiene reasons

Drop it off at the University Health Service on the same day that you took the test!

There is a tray to the right of the reception desk labeled samples. Stick the bag in here and run....

well don't run you might trip and we wouldn't want that.

It's all go soon but don't worry if you're a little nervous

Hi everyone

Only one week to go till freshers week begins. Exciting times!
To all new first years next week will be a real rollercoaster of action. There's the Union club nights every day of the week Population on Monday(my personal favourite), Tuesday Club, Roar on Wedensday, Freshers mania on friday and Saturday night Pop Tarts. Not to forget the new Thursday night comedy nights which look set to be amazing with Sheffield's own award winning Shrimps improv comedy set.

But if clubbing's not really your thing then not to worry there is so much else the Union can offer you.

The Activities fair on Thursday is an absolute must and a fun way to see just how many peices of paper you can scribble your email address on and just how many flyers you can collect. We have a vast range of socities to cater to all from religious, to musical, from poltical to theatrical we pretty much have it all. And the best thing of all there is absolutely no obligaton to join once you've been along once. Believe me I've been recieving emails from the Flying Teapots for four years despite realising very early on that I can't actually juggle to save my own life.

Or if you just fancy a chill out don't forget Coffee Revolution our relaxed non alcholic cafe bar open late most nights of the week with salsa dancing, debating and open mike nights.

Most important of all don't worry. If on your first day or week you haven't met anyone really like you don't give up. Lots of people don't make their closest friends at University until they're several months in. If you're feeling really blue come and talk to one of the Officers or to the student Advice Centre and we will try and pick you up again and point you in the right direction.

That's all for now. I hope to see you soon. look out for me on Sunday at Tapton showing new arrivals to their rooms.

Radio Four

Radio Four will be hosting a show tomorrow Friday 4th September 10-11 am which describes the lives of women in industry throughout history in South Yorkshire. Worth a listen to find out a little more about the great city of Steel.