The history books are packed with occurrences of great leaders being poorly treated by ungrateful subjects. Churchill only managed a couple of months in Downing Street after winning the war before he was kicked out by the labour-loving British electorate. And what thanks did Saddam Hussein get for his years of public service?

English is amongst the easiest subjects to blag, lacking any real substance. Do not be fooled though. English students, incapable of engaging with a practical discipline, will choose the degree for this very reason: English is blagging in its purest form. Graduates tend to find work in advertising and PR, so the English course is the training house for the next generation of Britain’s liars and fraudsters.

As I start my third term as MP for Selby, it is not lost on me that when I first started campaigning as a young candidate at the University some two decades ago many of those studying at the time will by now be parents themselves, perhaps even with children at University.

President Elect, Micky Armstrong, tells us his plans for the year ahead and asks what we want from the SU

If you can’t be bothered to read this don’t bother to condemn it! My first column for a student newspaper; I do not want to seem patronising, dictatorial, bombastic or idiotic… so bear with me.

I start my term in office having been elected in the most poorly attended elections of my university career. This does not shock me. Throughout campaigning I was amazed that many people didn’t know what the SU was, never mind what it was meant to be doing. Therefore perhaps it wasn’t student apathy that led to only about ten per cent of people voting. Then again, perhaps it was.

Financial before ethical concerns of the university reflect those of arms industry-government collusion, says John Prebble

This University, through its investment in arms exports companies, even with its ethical policy complacently “in place”, is involved in the widespread financial and political support of the arms export industry.

Start the year as you mean to go on, says Steph Thomson

University is a time of opportunity. Whether a new or returning student, there are many societies that would be keen to have a new member. Societies give the chance to meet friends, explore new interests and gain skills.

This season’s must-haves, reports Richard Tator

Oooh Scandal! So the new prospectus has arrived in time to be handed out to windswept prospective students. And how captivating it must be for them, as they frolic around the campus and play matching up all the pictures and colourful descriptions with their concrete reality.

Well isn’t this one a turn out for the books? Brilliant new rooms will be ready for a few lucky freshers when they arrive this Autumn they promise. You won’t have seen anything like them before they say. The Ritz holds nothing on us they insist.

Now that the University have successfully gained their 2am late licenses, students no longer have any excuse not to go drinking on campus. Thanks to this fantastic news it seems all the profit problems commerical services’ have had over the last year will end, as students pour into the bars at all times of day.

I am pleased that the university is finally taking a responsible attitude towards binge drinking. Not only have they increased drinks prices on campus to limit the amount of alcohol students can afford to buy but they are even facing difficulties over the application for a new license.

In devoting a substantial amount of coverage and action to the University’s proposals for Heslington East, Nouse claims to be driven to promote students’ interests into managerial policy, and, vice versa, to expose corporate stakes to the student consciousness.

I’ve been surprised that the proposals for Heslington East have not generated more discussion amongst York students. Nouse has done a crucial job in highlighting the issue and bringing it to our attention.

You might not know who I am, but I used to be News Editor back in the day (graduated in 2001) and I did a lifestyle type page called ‘Life in general’ for a while.
Anyway, I just wondered what you’re going to do about the fact the Guardian has stolen your visual identity?

I am a third year student and over the past three years I have enjoyed reading Nouse. However, your latest edition has radically changed my view and negatively affected how I will remember Nouse when I leave York. This is the result of the images relating to the story about Halifax residents skinning a rabbit.

Enough of what our writers and editors have to say, we sent reporters to find out what York students think of today’s issues

1. What do you think of uni investment in the arms trade?
2. Will late licenses reduce students’ binge drinking?
3. What impressions of campus were you given by the prospectus?
4. How will you be spending Freshers week?