The Gen

Exploring the campus museums and collections

If you're coming to the campus for Applicants' Visit Day or at any other time why not make some time to check out the excellent museums and galleries the campus has to offer.  From the grandeur of the Hunterian Museum, the treasures of the Hunterian Art Gallery, the stunning Charles Rennie Mackintosh House and the surprises of the Zoology museum, exploring these collections is highly recommended.

The Hunterian Museum originated as the collections of William Hunter, the eighteenth century anatomist and doctor. The collections include striking specimens associated with Hunter's research leading to his most significant contributions to the advancement of medicine. You will also find Mary Shelley-inspired instruments and devices once utilised by the 19^th century physicist Lord Kelvin. The centrepieces at present are remnants of the Antonine Wall, the Roman Empire's northernmost frontier.

To sate an appetite for fine art, the Hunterian Art Gallery (located next to the University library) provides the timeless aesthetic beauty of stunning works by Rembrandt, Whistler, the closer-to-home Glasgow Boys and Girls and other renowned artists. Attached to the Art Gallery is the Mackintosh house, with an interior rich in original furnishings by Glasgow's best known architect.

If you want to test your arachnophobia, look no further than the Zoology museum, located in the Graham Kerr building, wherein you can come face to face with an assortment of live creatures with an inappropriate number of eyes or limbs.

The Wolfson Medical building boasts its own "micro-museum", where a collection of pre-anaesthesia medicinal implements are on display, harking back to the days when a construction worker's tools were indistinguishable from a doctors. The display is an ode to Joseph Lister, alumni of the University and father of antiseptic surgery.

Have fun locating these across campus, all within a short walking distance from each other. Last but not least, it's all free entry!

Glasgow Taxis Cup

On the 13th of March the city's three universities Glasgow, Strathclyde and Caledonian come together for a fantastic all day sporting competition, The Glasgow Taxis Cup is Scotland's largest one day sports event (750 students, 15 sports, 3 unis, ONE winner!)

Sports will be taking place at venues across the city (indoor and outdoor) with the final and presentation taking place at the new Emirates Arena from 7.30pm. With many of the events plus the final taking place in the Emirates arena plus more sports than ever before the day looks set to be a huge success. Glasgow University Sports Association (GUSA) are certain that The Taxis Cup will generate even more buzz for the Commonwealth Games with the use of a Commonwealth venue so are all very excited about the big day.

You can follow the action on Twitter:  @TheGlasgowCup

And on facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/TheGlasgowCup/204630529591786

Glasgow Film Festival

This year saw Glasgow Film Festival celebrating its ninth anniversary. Founded in 2005, the festival, which is continuing to grow in popularity, has again succeeded in carrying out ten days of tip-top cinematic wonder. Over ten days the festival featured over 360 films, shown at many venues all over the city. The GFF has several 'fests within the festival' which cater for a variety of tastes. These include the Frightfest (the name says it all) and the Youth Film Festival, which gives young people thinking of embarking on a movie career, the chance to participate in film making workshops and other events.

The Glasgow Film Theatre (or the GFT as its known to Glasgow cinema buffs), is the main hub of activity during the festival and it is here that Cori from the Gen went to watch 'The History of Future Folk'. Written and directed by John Mitchell, it is a beautiful tale of two aliens from the planet 'Hondo' who come to destroy earth but find they cannot do it as they fall in love with music. It really is a sweet film and focuses on good acting and an excellently creative plot, instead of garish, blockbuster special effects. The subtle comedy and musical interludes, intertwined with a thoughtful philosophical message, make it appealing, insightful and delicate. The frienship between the two main characters is both touching and comedic and slightly reminiscent of 'Hot Fuzz'. The movie also ends on a good note and the viewer is not in anyway left with a bad taste. The overall viewing pleasure was also enhanced by the friendly staff and intimate, personal atmosphere at the GFT. 

The GFT regularly shows films from all around the globe, focusing more on smaller, independent features. There's also a wee bar and a cafe that many frequent, even if they aren't planning on seeing anything. It's also independent so you don't get the same sinking feeling that you get forking out dosh for overpriced beverages at the bigger, commercialised cinemas and don't panic, even though it's small, it still participates in Orange Wednesdays. At 2 tickets for the price of 1, the student pocket isn't too ravaged and it's the perfect place to take a mate or a date in the middle of the week. As they say, good things come in small, cinematic packages and I know one thing for sure, in the words of Arnie: 'I'll be back!'

Referendum

Glasgow students demonstrated their political engagement this week with a mock independence referendum. 2,589 students turned out to vote on Thursday using ballot boxes in the Queen Margaret and Glasgow University Unions. The result of the referendum, on the question "should Scotland be an independent country?", was 62% (1614) no votes, and 38% (967) yes votes, marking a victory for the BetterTogether campaign.

As well as the various political societies who worked together as the Referendum Committee to organise the referendum, Glasgow's student media were also actively involved throughout the proceedings providing reports and updates. GUST broadcast last night's action live and the The Glasgow Guardian have covered the story from the beginning - you can read all about it here.

The Referendum Committee includes GU Dialectic Society, GU Politics Society, GU Labour Club, GU Scottish Nationalist Association, International Socialist Group (Glasgow), GU Conservative and Unionist Party, GU Feminist Society, GU Liberal Democrats.