Prohibition Ball sells out

Image credit: RAG Exeter

Tickets for the official replacement for the Safer Sex Ball (SSB) have sold out.

The ‘Prohibition Ball,’ scheduled for next term, only had 500 tickets available at the price of £25, with 100 early bird tickets available at £20 – significantly lower than the cost of last year’s SSB.

More tickets may become available but those sold to other students are not transferrable.

The brand new event will not resemble the Safer Sex Ball, after the legendary fundraiser was cancelled earlier this year. The inaugural ‘Prohibition Ball’ will take place in Exeter Phoenix on 7 February and will act as RAG’s headline event for the academic year.

The theme, often the most anticipated and controversial part of the former SSB, will be based on prohibition in the 1920s, with a distinctly “underground” feel.

The ball will remain centred around a headliner and various performances throughout the evening, with RAG apparently keen on involving as many student societies as possible. The headliner is yet to be confirmed.

The Safer Sex Ball was cancelled by the Students’ Guild in February, following concerns around student welfare and significant negative national media coverage. Two Guild staff were fired after distributing CCTV footage of two students performing a sex act in the Ram during the ball. The ball also received accusations of racism for its tribal theme, with students and staff signing a petition to have the theme changed. Before its cancellation, the ball had been running for twenty-one years, regularly raising more than £20,000 for its chosen charities, including the Eddystone Trust, a local charity that supports AIDS sufferers.

Exeposé reported in February that RAG were concerned that the loss of such a high profile event would result in poor turnout and less money for the nominated charities. Exeposé understands that the budget for The Prohibition Ball is significantly smaller than that of the SSB.

There is no chosen charity for The Prohibition Ball. All proceeds from the event will go to RAG’s nominated charities for 2013/14: Devon Freewheelers, Rainbow’s Trust, Concern Universal and Community Action. RAG have raised £40,037.91 so far this term.

Jak Curtis-Rendall, VP Participation and Campuses, commented: “RAG has done an outstanding job so far this year, raising a phenomenal amount of money for its chosen charities. I am confident that the committee will apply their proven skills to the Prohibition Ball and turn this new event into a huge success”.

Harrison Jones, Online News Editor

Additional reporting by Jon Jenner, Editor

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UPDATE: Guild responds to fake SSB event discovery

The SSB was cancelled last year. Image credit: Students’ Guild

An event on ticketing site Fatsoma claiming to be this year’s Safer Sex Ball has been revealed as a scam.

The event, which claims to be being held on the 11th December at the Westpoint Arena, was discovered by a member of Exeter RAG. Westpoint Arena have confirmed that they do not have an event of that nature booked on that date.

Advance tickets for the fake event were being sold for £24. The event was claiming to be hosted by Exeter Exclusive.

The Students’ Guild have also confirmed that no SSB event will even be taking place this year or next.

In response to the discovery of the event, a Guild spokesperson said, “The existence of an event of the scale of the SSB promoting itself to Exeter Students from a promoter with no apparent track record was concerning, but to find out that there was no booking at the venue was alarming. We would strongly advise students not to buy tickets for this event until more information about the promoters and the specifics of the event itself are available.”

Exeter University’s Big Band society was booked to play at the event. The band were contacted in mid-October by the event’s organisers, Exeter Exclusive, but were not told of the event’s planned title. Instead, they were booked to play at a ‘ball’ at Westpoint Arena for an agreed fee of £250 and were told to expect large crowds.

Having not been able to find any information on the company, Big Band President Sam Washer, later received an email explaining that the event was cancelled with no explanation of why.

Washer told Exeposé: “It’s a bizarre situation to be in as a President. But it goes to show the importance of knowing who/what you’re performing to before you get too involved!”

Owen Keating, News Editor and Olivia Luder, Online Editor

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Exeter invades Bristol

Image credit: RAG

An Exeter invasion of Bristol this Friday is expected to be one of the biggest events this RAG week. A £25 wristband, sold all week in the Forum, will give Exeter students a chance to sample the buzz of Bristol’s nightlife, all for a charitable cause.

Buses are scheduled to leave New North Road at 6:30pm and head straight for the first stop of the bar crawl. Starting the night at Illusions Magic Bar in Byron Place students will be able to take advantage of various drink deals.

The night will continue at The Berkeley, centrally placed at the heart of the city’s nightlife.

The penultimate stop will be at one of Bristol’s most popular venues with infamous cocktails, and finally the coaches are scheduled to pull up at the O2 academy, where Exeter students will be able to enjoy Ramshackle – Bristol’s legendary weekly rave. There will be three separate rooms offering the best of rock, pop-punk, party, chart-topping and cheesy music. Queue jump for this headlining event is included in the wristband.

The money raised will be donated to four nominated charities: Community Action, Rainbow Trust, Concern Universal, and Devon Freewheelers.

Olivia Pimenta, News Team

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Climbing Kilimanjaro with Exeter RAG

Javaria Burki talks about the revamped Exeter RAG and the exciting new opportunities available to students at Exeter this year.

Ranked 8th in the Times University rankings, Exeter University is climbing up to the top of the ladder. As a leading charitable organisation though, there is not much to boast about at the moment. After attending the RAG Conference hosted this year by the University of Birmingham, I was stunned by the involvement and importance of RAG Societies in other universities across the country. Various universities across the board were raising funds in an impressive £100,000 – £250,000 range. RAG was the forefront of social inclusiveness, it was the society to support your peers, get involved with amazing challenges and develop yourself as a person rather than just a student while raising outstanding totals for charity.

“Exeter RAG is diversifying, putting on more events, bigger challenges and having a larger presence on campus all with the purpose of raising the most amount of money for charity in mind.”
Photo Credit: Exeter RAG

At the University of Exeter, things have lost momentum. With past years reaching a respectful £100,000, last year focus drifted from the society. Whilst we have climbed the rankings, we have dropped as one of the most famous RAG’s in the UK. This year RAG has had a complete overhaul. A new face and a new team led by two dedicated officers: Henry Bowles and Immi Bodimeade. Exeter RAG is set for a great year and is well on its way to achieving the title of best RAG Society in the UK.

Exeter RAG is diversifying, putting on more events, bigger challenges and having a larger presence on campus all with the purpose of raising the most amount of money for charity in mind.

The biggest challenge that Exeter RAG is putting on is the popular trek to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. It’s challenges like these that have propelled universities like Loughborough, York and Nottingham to the top of the RAG ladder. Raising a minimum of £40,000 for the charity Hope for Children, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is the event to be involved with on campus.

For Exeter RAG to top the rankings and stand proud at the next National RAG Awards, we as a university need to get behind this deserving society. We need to support and join the challenges, we need to share the Facebook events, attend the socials and take up a raid bucket. This time next year we will be standing on top of Mount Kilamanjaro – the roof of Africa- will you be joining us?

Javaria Burki

Exeter RAG will be holding an Information Evening on Tuesday 1^st October 2013 at 6:00pm, Queens Lecture Theatre 1. Do you consider RAG to be the best way to get involved with philanthropy on campus? Do other societies provide better opportunities? Leave a comment below or write to the Comment team at the Exeposé Comment Facebook Group or on Twitter @CommentExepose.

Rag charities chosen as election turnout increases significantly

Image credit: Students’ Guild

Voter turnout in the Rag charity election was up 300% on last year, as students decided to back the Devon Freewheelers, Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity and Concern Universal.

The winning charities were decided on Friday May 24, as Exeter students turned out in force to vote in the election, helped by a stand in the Forum.

A RAG spokesperson said they were, “very happy” with the increased turnout, and hope that the students who voted will now feel a “closer connection” to the charities RAG are supporting.

Devon Freewheelers, the chosen local charity, offer an “out of hours, (1700–0700 weekdays, 24/7 weekends and bank holidays) free, urgent/emergency motorcycle courier service to the NHS,” which includes carrying blood, medication, donor breast milk, drugs, human tissue and human organs.” Last year the group made over 5,000 deliveries.

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity work on a national scale. When a child is diagnosed with a “condition which threatens their life” the Rainbow Trust are there to help parents “deal with the day to day things that daily life is all about such as holding down a job, the weekly shop, washing, ironing, spending time with your other children whilst also having the stress, pain and physical demands of constant hospital visits, consultations, medication and treatment”

Internationally, RAG will be supporting Concern Universal, “an International Development charity tackling poverty in some of the world’s poorest communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America,” with an aim to “helping communities find practical, long term solutions to poverty.”

As a result of their work, over 800,000 people were granted access to safe drinking water and 520,225 community members are now able to demand their basic rights.

The three selected charities beat off the likes of Help for Heroes, Hospiscare and The Shelo Orphanage Foundation to win their share of RAG’s fundraising, which in 2011-2012 came to £145,000.

Plans are already in place for next years fundraising with a new committee in place and an events list including, “a pub crawl, Harry Potter social, beach trip and pool party!”

Alongside the newly elected charities, RAG will continue to support Community Action.

James Smurthwaite, News Team

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EXCLUSIVE: RAG say Guild response to SSB ban is "naïve"

RAG say that the Students’ Guild’s promise to reinvent the Safer Sex Ball (SSB) is “naïve”, and “not in the best interests of the students”, Exeposé can reveal. 

In a statement seen exclusively by this paper, RAG, the organising committee behind the cancelled SSB, say they plan to fight the ban by gauging student opinion and launching a campaign to hold the ball next year.

The statement follows the news that the Students’ Guild will no longer support the SSB. The story, which was broken by Exeposé yesterday, has since made national headlines.

Exeposé has re-produced RAG’s statement, in full, below…

RAG’s OFFICIAL STATEMENT

“RAG has been told by the Student’s Guild that they will no longer support the Safer Sex Ball (SSB) in its current format given the recent media coverage following the SSB on 11/12/2012.

RAG strongly believes that a change in the format of the SSB would undoubtedly damage the success of the event. Indeed, the unique selling point has been vital to the event’s popularity. Having grown significantly in the last 21 years, it is unquestionably one of the most popular events student enjoy during their time in Exeter.

RAG finds the suggestion that they reinvent the SBB as a ‘new’ event, naive. The Guild have tried and failed before to provide an alternative ball to SSB. In 2011 they attempted to resurrect the Powderham Ball, but through lack of student interest it failed. Compared with SSB which sells out year upon year, this shows a distinct lack of student participation and enjoyment in Guild led events. Replacing the SSB would diminish the scale and success of the event, the level of student engagement, and the benefit to charity.

The decision by the Guild to withdraw their support of the SSB is neither in the best interests of the students, nor the beneficiaries of the event:

• A change in the format of the SSB would damage the success of the event and the beneficiaries:
  a) The Eddystone Trust will lose a £20,000 donation
  b) Community Action and other RAG nomination charities.
  c) The opportunity to run a sexual health awareness campaign, targeted specifically at students will no longer continue, as this campaign was funded by the SSB

 

• SSB is a student led event; the SSB and RAG committee benefit greatly from being involved in such a large scale event on such an involved level. RAG Core Committee believe that the level of student development would be diminished; as no ball on campus has been as successful as the SSB, so the level of planning, involvement and execution of a ‘new’ event would not match the student development achieved with the SSB.
• Given the popularity of the event, if RAG were not to run the SSB, there would be nothing to stop an external promoter taking control of the event. Not only would this take the focus away from RAG’s charitable mission, but the onus on Student Welfare would be lost. By refusing to participate in the running of the SSB, RAG believes that the University may come under scrutiny for the protection of their students.

Our actions:

• We now need to gauge the reaction of students to the cancellation of the SSB in its current format. We believe that the SSB is a unique event, and one that cannot be matched in its fundraising, campaigning or student enjoyment.
• On the premise that the student body supports this motion, we will look to run an SSB next academic year; we hope that the Students’ Guild will recognise the popularity of the SSB with the students and its inherent charitable mission. However, if this will not be the case then we will seek alternate means of funding and running the event.
• A future SSB will capitalise on the successful Campaigns Week that was integral to the success and gravity of this year’s SSB, ensuring that we develop awareness of our mission: to organise one of the largest Aids Awareness events in the UK.

We believe that we have set out clear and rational motives for the continuation of SSB, and we hope that the student body will respond positively to this regrettable situation. Ultimately, we are seeking the views and support of the student body, and will be launching a campaign in the hope to reinstate the Safer Sex Ball in the next academic year.

Yours Faithfully,

The RAG CORE COMMITTEE”

Stay with Exeposé for more developments.

By Tom Payne, Editor

 

EXCLUSIVE: Guild cancels SSB

The Students’ Guild has announced that the Safer Sex Ball “cannot continue” (SSB), Exeposé can exclusively reveal. 

Following a meeting with the RAG committee on January 30, the Guild has stated that, in light of recent damaging media coverage and due to concerns over student welfare, “an exact replica of the event in the future isn’t an option”.

Exeposé understands that the decision was made by the Students’ Guild Trustee Board. The Guild have told Exeposé in an exclusive statement that they will “continue to support RAG in the development of an equally exciting ball”, and that a consultation process with RAG is currently ongoing.

The RAG committee is said to be distressed at the announcement that the future of its most profitable fundraising event is uncertain. The committee pointed out that this news will come as an enormous blow, not only to RAG but to its beneficiaries.

The Eddystone Trust receives around £20,000 every year from the project. Campus-based charity Community Action also benefits from large donations from SSB profits.

In a statement following the news, the RAG committee said they would strive to overturn the decision with the help of the student body: “we hope that the Students’ Guild will recognise the popularity of the Safer Sex Ball with the students and its inherent charitable mission.”

“However, if this will not be the case then we will seek alternate means of funding and running the event.”

After 21 years of outstanding fundraising at this often controversial ball, the SSB has come under fire in recent weeks. The SSB and Exeter University were scrutinised in national newspapers following the leak of CCTV footage depicting two students engaged in a sex act in the Ram bar.

Resulting partly from the unwelcome media coverage, the Guild has found itself unable to continue supporting such an event at the risk of infringing its reputation, as well as the welfare of students who attend the event.

A spokesperson for the Guild defended its decision, saying: “In spite of significant efforts in recent years, the event’s association with promoting safer sex has been overshadowed with a less positive image, leading to unintended consequences for students who attend the event, as well as RAG, the Guild and the University.

“Therefore the Guild and RAG are working together to formulate a way to reinvent the SSB, maintaining its strong assets; raising charitable funds and awareness of key issues whilst providing great student development opportunities and a great night out for students.”

Exeposé will be conducting in-depth interviews with RAG and the Guild in our next edition, published on Tuesday 20 February.

By Ellie Steafel and Ben Murphie, Deputy Editors

Ice rink on Streatham campus

Streatham campus will  be transformed into a winter wonderland next week, with the introduction of its first outdoor ice rink.

Photo credits to Joshua Irwandi

Available from Monday, 5 November until Saturday, 10, it will be located outside the Great Hall.

It is open to the public and students alike, with student prices set at £5. Family tickets – four people – are available for £15.

The proceeds of the event will be put towards the four charities that Exeter RAG support: FORCE, Isaac House, Devon Rape Crisis Services and New life Foundation.

There will also be  a  Family Fun Day on Saturday, 10 November, as part of Children in Need.

Nick Davies, Student Guild President, described the news as: “fantastic. I am hoping it will be popular as Exeter never had an ice rink, so to bring one in, and use our fantastic facilities to house it, is brilliant.

Photo credits to Joshua Irwandi

“It will be popular with both students and the local community I am sure.”

Last year Exeter RAG managed to raise £146, 275.34 for their charities.

Anna Clarke, RAG Week Committee, said: “All of RAG are very excited and can’t wait to see the students get involved with the fun!”

 

By Will Binks