A campaign has launched to connect, share and represent the voices and experiences of first-generation students studying at Oxford University.
The stated aims of the campaign, run by Oxford First-Generation Students, are to “connect first-generation students across the university, raise awareness of the experience of first-generation students at Oxford and talk to prospective students who will be the first in their families to go to university to encourage them to make an application.”
Oxford First-Generation Students was founded towards the end of Trinity 2015. The group’s first meeting took place at Christ Church on Monday of 1st Week but many more events are already planned for the rest of Michaelmas.
Lynton Lees, a History undergraduate at Christ Church and President of the organisation, told Cherwell that a social will be taking place in 3rd Week. More long-term plans include a ‘First-Gen day’ to be put on next year, featuring visits from first-generation alumni and panel discussions on the issues facing first-generation students.
Questioned on the inspiration behind the campaign, Lees said, “We were inspired by similar first-generation student campaigns launching on Ivy League campuses in the US.
“Oxford spends millions of pounds annually funding access initiatives to attract first-generation students and students from low income backgrounds, but there’s no real conversation about what it’s like for these students when they get here.”
Oxford First-Generation Students currently has over 260 likes on Facebook and at least as many students subscribed to its mailing list. The group’s Tumblr page, designed to promote and complement the campaign, features photographs of first-generation Oxford students, which are captioned with the students’ experiences and perspectives.
Laura, a Classics undergraduate at Exeter, writes, “Being the first generation in my family to be here is just something I’m proud of. It would be fantastic if Oxford was more representative of the rest of the country, and having first-generation students here is a big part of that.”
When questioned on Oxford First Generation Students’ plans for this term, Lees said, “I think it’s time we started a conversation…being a first-gen student can be an amazing experience in a lot of ways, but it can also be a real challenge, particularly when you feel you’re the only one around.”
A second-year undergraduate at St Catherine’s told Cherwell, “The worst thing about being a first-generation student at Oxford is how small a number you are. Before Oxford I didn’t think of myself as disadvantaged in that way. Then I came here and I realised what a small percentage I’m in compared to the wider student body. It’s something I’ve never had to confront before.”
Katt Walton, a Christ Church undergraduate, told Cherwell, “My family come from very working class backgrounds. I feel an immense sense of achievement, not only for me, but for my family.
“Realising they’ve been able to support me and give me the opportunities they couldn’t have, and a sense of pride – that’s what being first-gen means to me.”
