Wadham College JCR’s decision to spend £600 on a new croquet set has stirred controversy among students, raising concerns over frivolous spending at a time of economic hardship.
“I was quite shocked at hearing of this plan,” said Frances Foley, a Wadham second year studying German and Philosophy.
“At a time when funding for higher education is under attack, it is morally reprehensible for the student body of an Oxford college to set aside £600 for a leisure activity that is quintessentially the pastime of the privileged.”
Half the money will come from Amalgamated Clubs, an organisation that handles the distribution of funds to Wadham’s clubs and sporting societies. The other £300 will come from the Wadham College Student Union.
The college’s last croquet set, purchased for approximately £400 in 2007, broke in Trinity Term of last year.
“The entire set was rendered unusable by cocksure freshers with a completely disgusting disregard for college property,” said Michael Edwards, Secretary to Amalgamated Clubs.
“The new set offers the toughness and durability required by the demands put on a set by such an active croquet community as Wadham,” said Edward McCaul, Wadham Croquet Captain.
The Student Union Amenities Officer, John Owen, plans to implement a new method of signing out the equipment in order to prevent vandalism and increase accountability.
In 2009, Wadham was one of the most represented colleges in the croquet Cuppers tournament, fielding 17 teams of five students each.
“Other sports spend far more on their equipment and on entry fees,” added Edwards. “The boat club is spending more than £800 every term — they claim as much as £150 for a single competition entry.”
Some Wadham students, however, questioned whether spending excessively on one sport justifies spending exorbitantly on another.
“I accept the importance of sports and games, but is it really right that such a large sum should be set aside for this sort of student recreation when universities all around the country are feeling the squeeze?” asked Foley.
“The college could very easily divert these funds into areas where they are truly needed.”
Edwards went on to comment, “Get some perspective here. All we’re doing is trying to replace some college sports equipment. We’re not engaging in subterfuge.”
