ICU has recently learnt that the Department of Mathematics is to impose a compulsory deposit of £200 and a longer, even more bureaucratic booking system on any Union club or society who wishes to book a room within the department.

The apparent reason behind this announcement, eloquently explained by Mr Richard Walker, ICU Deputy President (Clubs & Societies), in an email recently distributed to all Clubs and Societies Committees, was the continued misuse and abuse of equipment and facilities within the Maths department by what is understood to be one club in particular.

In his email to Union Officers, Mr Walker describes the leadership of this committee as having “mummies and daddies [who] didn't teach their children to be good little boys and girls.” He goes on to explain how: “These naughty children have made big messes of all the posh stuff in the mathematics' department rooms. The Math's department is usually very considerate in allowing clubs and societies use their rooms and they see the value in such use. However the exploits of these naughty clubs are so horrific that even maths have finally said enough is enough.”

This is not the first time a college department has expressed displeasure with the treatment of its rooms by a Union club or society, with the Electrical Engineering department voicing particular concerns last year. This is, however, believed to be the first case of a department requiring a large deposit for use of facilities.

The DPC&S has suggested that ICU clubs and societies should avoid booking rooms in the maths department adding that “if the Union hears anymore complaints about naughty clubs who act like children then the Union will also take action and those clubs will be spanked and have their room booking privileges removed for the rest of the year.”

Mr Walker, who is refusing to name the “naughty” club involved, has yet to elaborate on the procedures involved in the spanking of committees although they are likely to involve formal disciplinary procedures and/or a very large wooden spoon.

The Department of Mathematics declined to comment.