Palatinate - Durham's Official Student Newspaper

13/12/2024

Apply via the link in our bio, or Palatinate’s website. Applications close Wednesday 18th December.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]

10/12/2024

As it approaches the end of this term, we must say goodbye to another Editor-in-Chief. We would like to thank Will Dixon, who has finished his tenure editing the paper, after being elected as Editor-in-Chief for two terms back in March.

Will quickly made himself known throughout Palatinate with his kind and dedicated approach after joining the paper as a News Reporter in October 2023, getting stuck into all the big stories of Michaelmas.

Will quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a News Editor in January 2024, where he became Palatinate’s go-to data journalist reporting on everything from a statistical analysis of the Billy B; to the effects of va**ng on students; to reporting on the Students’ Union elections.

Taking over as Editor-in-Chief in Epiphany term 2024 was taken in his stride as his leadership has been nothing short of outstanding. No article or problem was too big or small and led a team of 80+ editors in his stride, constantly being praised for his grace and professionalism. Will also dedicated his entire summer to redesigning Palatinate’s print and hiring a brand new team.

Will edited 7 stellar print editions over two terms with each print being better than the last. Will spent much of his reporting on student protests such as the pro-Palestinian encampment and the ‘Feed the Freps’ campaign during this year’s freshers’ week. Additionally, Will wrote impactful articles concerning the help offered to Estranged and Care Experienced Students.

Will will be incredibly missed by everyone at Palatinate but we wish him the best of luck in his final two terms in Durham and for his future career as a journalist. But for now, it’s time for some well deserved rest.

05/12/2024

The final distribution of term has arrived! What better way to end Michealmas than with an extra-Christmassy edition of Palatinate? Collect a copy from any University building, or one of our distributors who are handing copies out throughout town!

22/11/2024

Breaking: Jeremy Cook, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, to resign in March 2025

Jeremy Cook, who has been Durham’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Colleges and Student Experience, will step down from his role in March after being in the role for five and a half years, according to a notice from Durham University posted on Friday, 22nd November.

In his role, Mr Cook was responsible for overseeing the student experience at Durham. This included Durham’s 15 maintained colleges, Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and Experience Durham, the organisation that oversees Durham’s student theatre companies, sports clubs and music societies.

He joined the University in September 2019 from the British Army, where he co-ordinated overseas operational planning and the generation of security forces for the London 2012 Olympic Games, for which he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

The statement from the University reads: “Jeremy has achieved so much during his time with us. He has overseen a significant period of growth and transformation and leaves his division in a very strong position.

“​​He has made significant enhancements to operational efficiency and the profitability of our campus retail services. He has also overseen several infrastructure projects and our residential refurbishment programme, which is improving the safety, compliance and condition of our Colleges and student experience facilities.

“Over the last two years he led the pan-university review of our Student Support system, delivering an enhanced system which places students at the heart of the service.

“He has also represented the University successfully in the community and developed very effective relationships with key external stakeholders.

“Jeremy has found his time here immensely rewarding and has been particularly proud of the achievements of his teams, including the Volunteering Team’s Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.”

The University has said that they “will shortly provide an update on interim arrangements and long-term plans.”

Article: Will Dixon and Lily Gershon
Image: James Tillotson

21/11/2024

Happy distribution day! On this very chilly morning we bring you issue 879… you can pick up a copy from any University building, or from one of our wonderful distributors who are braving the cold to hand out copies throughout town!

14/11/2024

Have you been wondering how to get involved with Palatinate? Look no further! Anyone is able to contribute or pitch their own article, and we highly encourage you to get involved. To join the contributor groups on Facebook, click on the links below:

Politics: https://www.facebook.com/groups/palatinatepoliticscontributors/

Comment: https://www.facebook.com/groups/445842306111366/

Sport: https://www.facebook.com/groups/453987301957986/

Sci-tech: https://www.facebook.com/groups/scitechcontributors/

Satire: https://www.facebook.com/groups/palatinatesatire/

We look forward to seeing your submissions!

11/11/2024

The Durham Union Society’s debate titled “This house believes Palestinian leadership is the biggest barrier to peace” took place on 8th November amid protests and a heavy security and police presence. 

The Union Society’s previous attempt at holding the debate was postponed on 7th June after a pro-Palestinian protest elicited concerns for the safety of those debating by blocking the doors into the building.

Protestors assembled outside the Union’s debating chamber, located in the Pemberton Buildings on Palace Green at around 7 pm on 8th November after a post by Durham Students for Palestine on Instagram.

The decision to move the debate to lecture theatre 201 in Elvet Riverside, rather than the chamber on the top floor of the Pemberton Buildings, was taken by the University after advice from Durham Constabulary. 

Article by Will Dixon and Lily Gershon
Image: Ollie Smith

07/11/2024

Collect your free copy of Palatinate from any University building or one of our amazing Editors, who are distributing copies throughout the city!

28/10/2024

Durham Students for Palestine have interrupted a talk from BAE Systems at Durham University on Tuesday 24th October. During the talk, held by Durham’s CareerConnect Service, one student accused BAE Systems of manufacturing weapons that are used to “murder children” before leaving the room of their own accord. 

Tuesday’s talk, titled ‘Into to BAE Systems Digital Intelligence’ was not advertised on Durham’s Careers Event Bulletin nor as part of the University’s STEM Careers Week, which happened the same week. The location was also withheld on the CareerConnect website, where attendees booked tickets.

In response, a Durham University spokesperson said: “Our Careers and Enterprise Centre provides a professional, comprehensive, and accessible service, following guidance from the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS), to enable and allow students to make informed decisions about their future.

Article by Elliot Burrin and Anoushka Mundey

Image by Thomas Tomlinson

24/10/2024

Collect your free copy of Palatinate from any University building, or one of our amazing Editors, who are distributing copies throughout the city!

10/10/2024

Klute, a grade II listed veteran Durham nightclub, announced it would be reopening after it closed earlier this year.

“Friday Night Klute” read a cryptic post late on Tuesday night to the venue’s social media account, set to the famous Eminem line “guess who’s back”.

The doors will reopen this Friday, 11th October, and remain open for the whole weekend. It is not clear whether it will open permanently.

Palatinate spoke to Dillon Blevins, the former manager who is now involved in the reopening. When asked whether the reopening was permanent, he answered “if students have the same amount of love and appreciation [for Klute] … you can expect to see more”, but that plans for further nights were “in the ether.”

Article by Will Dixon and Elliot Burrin
Image by Joe Harston

07/10/2024

Want to get involved in Palatinate’s podcast team? Host applications are now open!

The application form can be found in the link in our bio, or on our website. The deadline for these positions is 23:59 on Friday 18th December.

If you have any questions, please email our Podcast Editor on [email protected]

04/10/2024

This event will take place in Room 106 in the TLC on 9th October at 7pm, and is OPEN TO ALL!

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An evening with Rosa Furneaux, Sir Harry Evans Investigative Journalism Fellow.

Palatinate invites you to an evening with Rosa Furneaux, an investigative journalist and Fellow at the Institute of Advanced Study.

Rosa currently reports with Reuters in London. Previously, she covered global health at the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, with particular focus on access to healthcare around the world during the pandemic.

Her investigations have been recognised with awards from organisations including Amnesty International, the Association of British Science Writers, and the Medical Journalists’ Association. She has reported from Europe, the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East.

Join us to hear about her experiences in the field, the biggest stories she’s uncovered, and how she became an investigative journalist.

03/10/2024

Approach Social Work (formerly known as the Frontline programme) is a three-year, fully-funded master’s programme, building a new, diverse generation of social workers. By blending learning and practice, what you discover in theory is eased into real-life settings supervised by a social worker.

Gaining your postgraduate diploma within 12 months, will be the first step in your life-changing career. Meaning you can earn while you learn, then open the door to a job that makes a difference.

Be part of something bigger. Join the next generation of social workers.

02/10/2024

Want to join the Palatinate team and get involved in award-winning student journalism?

Applications to join our team are now open! These role will give you the opportunity to help support the paper’s legacy and business aspects, or leave your mark on Palatinate’s website.

Applications are open until Monday 7th October, 11.59pm. If you have any questions please email [email protected]

Application forms can be found in the link in our bio, or on our website.

02/10/2024

Erin Donnelly reflects upon her freshers week and first-year experiences as a finalist....

Erin Donnelly reflects upon her freshers week and first-year experiences as a finalist.

02/10/2024

'Strap in, have fun, and dress well.' Martha Powell gives her advice on...

‘Strap in, have fun, and dress well.’ Martha Powell gives her advice on

02/10/2024

Food and Drink Editor Louise Montefiore discusses newcomers to the local food scene....

Food and Drink Editor Louise Montefiore discusses newcomers to the local food scene.