News in Brief: University Newsletter: University of Cambridge

Pulling up for Park and Ride

Few people could miss that University land alongside Madingley Road has been developed for a super new Park and Ride. The state-of-the-art parking centre accommodates 450 cars and also has plenty of space for push bikes and motor bikes. Special features include security cameras, baby changing facilities, a picnic area and landscaped gardens. And for those who prefer to cycle from Madingley Road rather than take the bus, there are mini garages for your trusty bike.

Music Score

A team from Cambridge took part in a new music quiz on BBC Radio 3, called 'The Department Score'. Although the University team of Daniel Bates, Dominic Blackwell and Tim Horton didn't win, they did have a go at finding lost chords, inverted inventions and deciphering three completely different tunes played simultaneously as a Triple Concerto.

Development's Development

An historic step forward for Development Studies was marked in June when the Vice-Chancellor opened the Department's new premises in Miller's Yard, Mill Lane. The current Development Studies Committee is the heir to a tradition which began in 1927 with training courses for aspiring Colonial Officers.

At the ceremony the Vice-Chancellor, along with Professor Malcolm Grant of Land Economy and Dr Peter Nolan, the current Chairman of Development Studies, paid tribute to Professor R J Chorley, one of Cambridge's most distinguished Geographers and Gold Medallist of the Royal Geographical Society. Professor Chorley, Chairman of the Development Studies Committee from 1984 to 1993, guided the Department on the path of expansion to higher standards and stronger inter-disciplinary collaboration. The Vice-Chancellor noted that, now in retirement, Professor Chorley's entry in Who's Who states that one of his recreations is 'grave restoration'. Replying, Professor Chorley, coming from West Country stock - as witness his beautifully rounded vowels, worthy of Gardeners' Question Time - said that most of his relatives were so poor they had to share their graves with others. It is to be hoped that solutions to the problems of the poor in developing countries will not have to wait until a well-loved Cambridge Professor comes to restore their graves too.

Daphne Mortimer
Development Studies

Nursery

This year's annual fundraising event at the University Nursery, a Medieval Banquet day, raised a total of £700 in aid of the Neo-Natal Unit at the Rosie Maternity Hospital at Addenbrooke's. In July, a cheque was handed over to Gwyneth Wilson, Manager of the Neo-Natal Unit by Emma Chandler, acting Deputy Manager at the University Nursery, and Mrs Noirin Pike-Burke. Mrs Pike-Burke is mother of Ciara Pike-Burke, who attends the pre-fives room at the University Nursery, and Rowan Pike-Burke, who will be starting in the Baby Room in September 1996. Ciara and Rowan were also in attendance.

Earth Sciences Conference

An outstandingly successful international conference on the palaeoclimatology and palaeoceanography of Europe and the North Atlantic between 60,000 and 25,000 bp, was held in July. This was to mark the first birthday of the newly formed Godwin Institute of Quaternary Research. This interdisciplinary Institute involves collaboration between members of the Departments of Earth Sciences, Geography, Zoology, Plant Sciences, Archaeology and the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research. Professor N J Shackleton is the Director of the Godwin Institute and Professor Tj van Andel is Chairman of the Advisory Committee.

Banking On Help

Disabled students at Bridget's are being given a helping hand by Beneficial Bank, who run the University's Visa card scheme. They've agreed to sponsor the running costs of one of the hostel's paravans for the next year.

Bridget's offers accommodation and support for disabled students at Cambridge University, Anglia Polytechnic University, and Cambridge Regional College. The paravans are essential for the students to get to lectures and around the city, and also mean that students can be involved in social activities and outings.

"We are pleased to support the hostel in this way," said James Clark of Beneficial Bank. "We recognise how important it is for the students to be able to get around town, and we know how useful the paravans are."

Jane McLarty, Disability Adviser at Bridget's, said: "We are extremely grateful to Beneficial for their donation. Support like this is vital as it helps enable us to provide a better mobile service for the students so they can participate more fully in the student scene." Bridget's Development Officer, Lindsey Hall, added: "Every bit of support we get helps to free up funds which will go towards securing the future of the hostel. Beneficial's sponsorship will enable us to save around £1,500 over the next year."

Bridget's and the University have launched a joint campaign to raise £1 million to establish a fund to secure the future of the hostel in perpetuity. For further information on how to help Bridget's, please contact Lindsey Hall at the Development Office on network 39809.

Arthur Andersen Lecture

This year's Arthur Andersen lecture was given by corporate governance guru, Mr Robert Monks of Lens Inc Washington. In his lecture, Mr Monks spoke about the power of American corporations, arguing that the belief that their behaviour was controlled by market forces, and accounting and legal systems were myths. He believes that it is corporations themselves who must act to rectify this and that the influence of investors and senior business executives gives them a crucial role.