Merton College has decided to impose a two-week curfew on current and prospective JCR members still in college.
From the end of 8th week, the North Lodge gate and the Late Gate will be closed from 18:00 until 06:30.
The Lodge will also not be accessible from 22:30 until 06:30.
Merton’s Vice President, Monica Gupta, announced the restrictions to the JCR via email, stating that neither she nor the lodge had “any involvement” in the decision and that they did “try and ask them to change the decision”.
She told Cherwell, “We had no notice and were only told on the night because I specifically asked; otherwise we wouldn’t have been notified. It seems very sudden. It has been adopted only for the two-week interview period to cause less hassle in college during the interview season. I’ve had lots of complaints from both the JCR and MCR at Merton.”
A second year lawyer who is helping with interviews and consequently affected by the restrictions, commented, “For many interview candidates, this measure could give them the wrong impression of what life at Oxford and Merton in particular is all about. Whatever the motives behind the decision, it does no good to the reputation of the college if they are perceived to be treating their members like children.”
A Finalist still living in college said, “It’s pretty ridiculous that they’re imposing the curfew. Considering how many students, particularly finalists, live on the main site and are staying for work reasons, telling them they have to be back when all the seventeen-year-olds have to is pretty patronising.”
“Moreover it just doesn’t make any sense – it worked without a curfew for the last few years so I’m not sure why they are imposing one now. The College’s communication has been non-existent – only people helping with interviews were told so the rest of us had to find out through word of mouth.”
This is not the first time that Oxford colleges have imposed restrictions on when you can leave and enter college during interviews. Alex Shickell, a second year at University College who interviewed at Exeter, said there may have been a curfew imposed when he was staying over for interviews.
He told Cherwell, “What we remember there were rumours of having to be back by 10, because no-one had a bod card or fob to buzz in – but we were not sure. I definitely went to the pub one night and rang the buzzer on the front gate to get in, but I was just given a stern look but no telling off.” Cherwell is yet to hear of other colleges imposing a similar curfew during this interview period. Merton College and the JCR President have been contacted for comment.
