The proctors have announced that the Oxford University Conservative Association (OUCA) will no longer hold the right to use the University’s name in its title and will not be allowed a stall at this year’s Fresher’s Fair.
The decision to remove these privileges comes as a response to allegations that members of the organisation encouraged and partook in the telling of racist jokes at hustings last term.
OUCA was the focus of national media attention after the events were reported in Cherwell. The members involved in the controversy have since resigned from the Association.
Anthony Bouthall, President at the time, defended the organisation after the scandal. “I cannot reiterate strongly enough that OUCA has no place for racism, and abhors and rejects all racial prejudice,” he said.
Ben Lyons, co-chair of the Oxford University Labour Club, welcomed the decision. “We could have the Oxford University Thatcher Appreciation Society or the Oxford University Let’s-Pretend-We’re-Victorian Club but there’s no place for the Oxford University Bigots.”
In a statement released by the press office the University emphasised its commitment to equality and good race relations, pointing out that the events in question “do not reflect the way the overwhelming majority of our students think or behave,” adding, “The University strongly condemns any form of racism and discrimination.”
