Oriel students went to the polls yesterday to decide whether
or not to re-affiliate to OUSU after three years outside the
student union. Votes in May 2001 and again in June 2002 revealed the
college’s anthipathy to OUSU. Yet OUSU President, Helena
Puig Larrauri, claims that the establishment has reformed itself
and that it is therefore time for Oriel to rejoin. Disaffiliation means that Oriel students cannot make use of
OUSU club nights, the Nightbus, OUSU publications, including the
OxStu, or any of the OUSU support networks for common rooms,
officers and campaigns. Tickets to the Fresher’s Fair also
have to be bought separately. However Oriel students are still
represented on University committees and can still vote and run
for positions within OUSU. Puig Larrauri said that, “OUSU does not need Oriel from a
financial point of view, we want them back because we think they
would benefit from affiliation.” She also pointed out that
“all the other 29 JCRs have re-affiliated this year, St
Cross has joined for the first time and Exeter MCR are holding a
vote on re-affiliating soon, leaving only Oriel and St
Benet’s outside OUSU.” One Oriel student, though, explained his reservations,
“it will cost us £1300 a year, which can be better used by
us instead of paying OUSU officials to occupy the exam schools
and disrupt our studies.” However as Oriel’s Chief Returning Officer, Mohammed
Khuram, said, “Under the college’s constitution a two
thirds majority is needed for a constitutional change” . He predicted a turnout of above 80% and said that he had tried
to ensure a free and fair election with a debate between OUSU
officials and their opposition and allowing the student
union’s ‘Yes’ campaign posters.ARCHIVE: 3rd week TT 2004
Oriel flirts with OUSU’s pants
