Student Newspaper Roundup: December Edition

Epigram - University of Bristol

A University of Bristol student has been missing in Romania since late November, the Epigram reports.

18-year-old George Smyth was reportedly solo-hiking in Transylvania when he made a call to Romanian emergency services on November 23, reporting that he was suffering from hypothermia and exhaustion.

A search and rescue operation began in the following days, although this found only his rucksack full of camping equipment.

A subsequent operation on November 28 and 29 was called off due to two-metre-deep snow.

On December 4, however, a decision was made to resume the search for the missing student.

Smyth’s mother said her son had left the UK for Romania without telling anyone.

A University of Bristol spokesperson said the institution was “deeply concerned for his welfare and are in close contact with his family”.

Varsity - University of Cambridge

Varsity reports that leaked recordings show senior University of Cambridge figures have been holding secret talks with Reform UK in order to prepare for a potential victory for the party at the next general election.

The University’s Vice-Chancellor, Deborah Prentice, told colleagues to be prepared for a ‘Trump-style’ overhaul of the sector if Reform UK wins power.

She said other Russell Group Vice-Chancellors had also begun private discussions with the party led by Farage.

Varsity says it is unclear which Reform UK figures have spoken to executives at the University of Cambridge and other universities, or in what context.

The University of Cambridge declined to respond to Varsity’s approach.

Gair Rhydd - Cardiff University

Members of Cardiff University’s Students' Union unexpectedly voted not to renew its affiliation with the National Union of Students (NUS) during its Annual General Meeting (AGM), Gair Rhydd has detailed.

In particular, NUS opponents cited threats against members who signed an open letter expressing concerns over the NUS’s stance on the war of Gaza.

This follows a similar decision by the University of Cambridge in October to formally disaffiliate with the NUS.

The AGM result does not disaffiliate the Students' Union from the NUS, but it may prompt a student-wide referendum to be held on the issue later in the academic year.

Roar News - King’s College London

Students across London have been gathering to protest King College London’s (KCL’s) decision to report a student’s visa to the Home Office due to his involvement in pro-Palestine protests, according to a recent article by Roar News.

Usama Ghanem, an Egyptian student, faced disciplinary action and indefinite suspension following participation in protests last academic year.

The article notes Ghanem is likely to face persecution should he be deported to Egypt, for his family was previously tortured because of its opposition to the regime.

On Wednesday, November 26, around 60 students rallied to protest KCL’s decision, hoping to change the university’s stance.

KCL commented that “the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff is our highest priority and proportionate action is only undertaken following a robust investigation”.