The*Asterisk

My last article, comparing IU against IICS, received a lot of criticism – both knowledgeable criticism and pure lunacy. This next article, however, probably won’t be as controversial, as I’d like to look at the advantages and disadvantages of both schools as related to sports, space, and general socializing.

The urbanized IICS campus has many benefits- it is close to malls, sporting goods stores, fine dining, an aura of more liberal-minded people, and a more social group of people (relatively more social, that is). But the one thing it doesn’t have, as compared to the rural IU, is tons of space, sports all over the place, and clubs that are very active and very social.

While IICS does have some space for some sports, it is nothing compared to IU. Nilai’s campus offers several basketball courts, a tennis court (which is also used as a multi-purpose court), a football field, futsal courts, squash courts, badminton courts, a gym, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, and a sports hall used for various sports (most notably table tennis). Sports flourish the school and is a haven for those who are sports obsessed.

IU is also known for having both major and minor events frequently, as often once or twice a week depending on what the different clubs have prepared. Major events like Orientation Night (Social Board), Charity Night (Leo Club), INTI Idol (STACT Club), Pasar Malam Night (ISS Club), and Sports Fiesta are just a few of the much anticipated events that happen at IU. While IICS does have events going on, they are nowhere as well marketed, nor do they attract the crowds that IU clubs manage to pull off.http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6997550754423713600

In the battle between the two schools, this round goes to IU for its space, its sports, and the active clubs. The score is now IU 1 – 1 IICS.


By Seth Borges
seth_borges@live.com

The Asterisk received reports this week of student abuse of INTI facility. In the space of just two days images of toilet rolls being abused were sent to us.

Bad behaviour.

First, students threw toilet rolls about at the male toilet at Academic Block A, Level 2. And then, we received images of a burnt toilet roll in the urinal at Student Centre, Level LG (next to the Hair Salon).

The images can be viewed The Asterisk's brand new Flickr page, here.

Ms. Lillian Tai of the Student Affairs Office (SAO) informed me that it costs more than RM5,500 a month to provide toilet paper for all of the toilets in the Academic Block and Student Centre.

Perhaps some of the newer INTI students should be taken back a few years to a time when we weren't provided with toilet rolls in our restrooms. Times were tough, bums were wet. I don't want those days back!

INTI's job is to provide us an education, everything else is just a perk. Unfortunately, some students' caveman-like behaviour may lead to us losing one of those perks.

If this were to happen, who can we blame other than ourselves?

The Crooked Asterisk is a column written by editor-in-chief Sandheep Nair. The views of Sandheep are strictly his own and do not reflect the views of The Asterisk or the general INTI population.

Associate Vice-President of Administrative Affairs of INTI International University, Mr. Danny Lee has confirmed that from June 2011 onwards the field at INTI will no longer be available for use.

The decision was made as there are plans for the field to be turned into "service apartment and retail outlets", 15th INTIMA confirmed via their official website.

The field, nicknamed INTI's second swimming pool due to the frequency of waterlogged pitches, is unfortunately not owned by INTI.

Depending on construction costs and INTI's financial performance, a field may be laid next to the Learning Resource Centre (LRC).

Regardless of the construction however, effective June 2011 INTI will rent out the field owned by the Nilai Town Council and provide transportation to the facility.

The issue of the field has been raised many a time by students during Students' Forum. The management had previously responded that there were plans afoot to develop the field at the aforementioned land next to LRC.

Unfortunately, the management did not react fast enough to avoid what will be a tough few months for the famous frisbee and soccer teams at INTI IU.

This story is a follow up to The Asterisk’s previous story about the engineering students’ fee schedule.

The engineering students previously faced some issues regarding the fee structure for their January 2011 semester.

The Asterisk can proudly reveal that the Finance Office have now divided the fees and fixed the previous mistake. The new fee schedule accounts for a three semester calendar year based on a four year engineering degree program.

The Asterisk commends Finance Office for the quick response in the matter. The one week response shows that for all the complaints, the INTI departments do have the potential to respond quickly.

This situation did in fact prove that “where there is a will there is a way.”

Students interested in finding out the new fee schedule are gladly invited to the finance office to get further enlightenments.

Students interested in finding out the new breakdown of fees are invited to visit the Finance Office.

By Naheeda Suddoo
dragon_241291@hotmail.com

By Yugaataran Muniandy
yuga07_1902@yahoo.com

INTI IU’s Accommodation Office has been all over our headlines regarding the new fences installed by the management of INTI IU. Students have been so hung up regarding the fences that many have failed to take not of another important issue.

The Asterisk received reports from students of overcrowding in the hostel blocks so INTIans’ favourite paper paid a visit to AO in order to get a response.


Senior officer at AO, Ms Susan Low Pei Ling said that the INTI Hostels can accommodate up to 3660 students at any one given time. During the March and May intakes however, the number of students who need to be accommodated on-campus exceeds the limit.

AO overcame this problem by placing the extra students in Desa Palma, the residential apartments outside of our campus.

Currently, AO has placed students in around 10 apartments in Desa Palma. The rates for these rooms are similar to the amount a student pays for the on-campus accommodations.

Susan also stressed that they do not give preferential treatment to either local or international students when it comes to hostel room bookings. AO’s policy is that rooms are given on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.

This coming May will be an important date in my personal calendar. It would mark my third year as an INTI Nilai student.

Since joining the institution in May 2008, I have witnessed my dear college being taken over by the largest for-profit education service in the United States. I have also witnessed countless graduations, scholarship presentations and academic award ceremonies.

I am also one of the lucky students still in INTI IU who was here during the governance of the 12th INTIMA, one of INTIMA's most successful terms. The term of Calvin Chung and co will be remembered for a term of student support.

As I sat in the INTIMA Council Room on Feb 9, I thought of what the past terms have tried to achieve.

The 12th term, lauded as one of the best terms, probably didn't have the best club scene however.

The 13th did miracles for the clubs but didn't cover themselves in glory as the representatives of students as a whole.

The 14th tried to strike a balance, but in a term where Laureate began the 'new INTI makeover', the term wasn't able to meet expectations on both fronts.

Yet as I sat there, watching Kenny Ng lead the council meeting in the absence of Sree Shaarmen, I wondered if INTIMA had finally found the balance it needs.

This INTIMA term will probably be judged on how they deal with the fence issue (their first real issue). I however am looking forward to what Vice President of Activities Kenny Ng can do to heal the ailing club scene in INTI.

Kenny Ng (centre)

As he stood in front of the council, confident of his new regulations, I believed that this is the man, the lost piece of the puzzle that the great 12th term lacked.

His stern regulations have resulted in a more organised club scene while his history with STACT club and his achievements with it also means that he is well respected and supported by the council. That's the balance.

He supports his regulations well, giving fair reasons for their implementation but he has not passed the litmus test just yet. The Leadership Training Camp (LTC) ended with mixed reviews and as we approach March, we have not seen a memorable innovative event yet.

King Kenny has six months to turn all that potential he has into fruition. If he gets that right, the 15th term will be remembered for more than just exciting exhibition weeks.

The Crooked Asterisk is a column written by editor-in-chief Sandheep Nair. The views of Sandheep are strictly his own and do not reflect the views of The Asterisk or the general INTI population.

The Asterisk is back and better than ever this week.

We have decided to cover the issue on everyone's mind; the fences.

The Asterisk writers have been hard at work in getting you the information you need to stay well informed on this issue.

If you would like to read up on the issue, here are the articles:

- Students' Side: Wall of Anger
- Management Side: Wall of Miscommunication
- "No need for petition" - Dr. Sia

The Asterisk will continue to update you on the latest developments while our columnists will also weigh in on their opinions regarding this story!

Watch this space.