Fifth Week Blues seem to of have presented themselves with unusual virulence if this week’s Cherwell is anything to go on.
Oxford students have always been notably close to the edges of ‘functional’, so it’s debatable whether this apparent slide into criminal behaviour is really any surprise at all. Indeed, it is perhaps to be expected; perhaps the Oxford bubble is experiencing Britain’s famous social decay, but just a few decades late. Oxford lags behind other UK universities in terms of the prevalence of violent incidents. This could mean a number of things, not least that on the odd occasion when there is an interesting news week, we might horribly overreact.
And to get seriously worried – or at least, getting het up about spiralling violence – does seem to be a bit of an overreaction. I agree wholeheartedly that night time attacks are a problem, but the more customary Oxonian behavioural issues on the other hand… throwing food and a little mix up with some fish? This week’s behaviour isn’t violent so much as childish.
What should be concerning us, then, is that as a body of young adults we are incapable of acting any better than our little siblings. I’m tentative to suggest that I’d rather we had real incidents, but it would be nice to grow up a little bit.
Of course, trashing rooms is not a victimless crime. Someone has to pay for the damage to both the property and to the university’s good name. That said, a spot of room trashing is hardly a recent development for Oxford. That it is no longer the preserve of the super-rich (and super-obnoxious) is perhaps a sign that the social side of Oxford is finally democratising a little bit and isn’t this what we all want?
Despite how it may seem, for the most part we know how to behave. It’s true that when we get together in groups and have a drink or two we sometimes let this lapse a little bit. However, far more important than what goes on is the spirit in which it’s undertaken. Throwing something at a porter is an undeniably odious action and no doubt merits a little punishment and a thorough apology (although I suppose he already sent a nice bottle).
A lack of foresight with a silly prank has unpleasant consequences – particularly if you’re a fish – but is a product of just that, a lack of thought, rather than a more severe behavioural problem. The lesson we have to learn from this week is to think before we do, and sooner rather than later, before the consequences do become more serious.
