A Study by Oxford University’s Migration Observatory published on December 30th 2014 reported that there hasn’t been a huge influx of Romanian and Bulgarian (often referred to as A2) immigrants to the UK over 2014, as many as expected.

A year after EU countries were legally required to stop restricting Romanian and Bulgarian migrants’ access to labour markets, the report concluded, “The number of A2-born population grew by a similar amount before and after transitional controls were ended, with most of the growth occurring before… controls were lifted.”

Following the flurry of speculation in the media about how many A2 migrants would come to the UK after the ending of transition controls, the University of Oxford Migration Observatory sought to offer independent and evidence-based analysis of migration statistics used by the press.

Head of Media and Communications at The Migration Observatory, Robert McNeil told Cherwell, “News stories are more than just the transfer of information, they are a part of a ‘product’ – be that a newspaper, or a TV programme or whatever. The Migration Observatory works to inform public debate, making an effort to ensure the correct numbers are used, but we don’t take a view on how they should be interpreted.

“The 2013 stories about the anticipated scale of the movement of Bulgarian and Romanian migrants to the UK after January 1 2014 stemmed from different news organisations’ efforts to segment their audience – so depending on the audiences, some media suggested that the numbers would be large, others that they would be small, but, critically, none actually knew how many would come.”

He added that the language of scale is relative and therefore the statistics could be used in different ways, with the increase by September 2014 of 47,000 being interpreted as a serious influx of immigrants by some media outlets, whilst others saw it as essentially no different to the increase of 45,000 of 2013.

Pembroke undergraduate Carl Gregs commented, “There seems to be an overwhelming negative bias against A2 migrants throughout the entire media spectrum, which I personally wouldn’t have expected. Obviously they are all allowed to voice an opinion. But seeing as the immigration wave they were scaremongering about did not happen as this data shows, I reckon it was the wrong opinion – especially the tabloid publications seem very inadequate.”

The report specifically discussed the significant increase in the number of National Insurance Numbers allocated to Romanian and Bulgarian-born people in 2014 recently reported by press, putting the large amount down to the decision of migrants already living in the UK before 2014 to apply for NINs, rather than a “significant spike” in the number of migrants themselves.

Nonetheless, The Migration Observatory stated that it was “less clear” to what degree the controls actually prevented people from joining the UK labour market after their introduction in 2007.

Dr Sara Hirschhorn, an Oxford lecturer in Israeli Studies, has made a speech claiming that any resolution of the settlement problem in the West Bank would make little impact on peace in the Middle East whilst any ideological tensions remain.

The West Bank is an area of land east of Israel. Designated as part of a new Arab state in the UN 1948 partition plan, it was taken over by Jordan after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. Israel subsequently took control of the land in 1967 after the Six-Day War, and has since been building settlements in Palestinian teritory, despite this being illegal under international law. UN Resolutions 242 and 338 stipulate that Israel must withdraw completely from the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem.

Speaking at Limmud 2014, a Jewish festival of arts and ideas, Hirschhorn remarked, “The settlements are not the problem. It’s not a conflict about territory, water, refugees or any of the practical political issues [alone].

“If you’re a policy maker, there’s any number of plans you can use to reach a peace deal. This doesn’t matter, because it’s not a conflict about all of these things; it’s a conflict about narrative. This is an ideological conflict.”

Hirschhorn told Cherwell, “The two-state solution or any other political solution that does not resolve underlying ideological tensions is unlikely to be a claims-ending, durable peace.”

She did point out though that this did not mean settlements were unproblematic, saying, “Continued building causes pain and lack of trust amongst the Palestinian population, and weakens the moderate Palestinian leadership that needs to be empowered as a partner to a future peace deal.”

Stressing the complexity of the settler movement, she said that she has tried to illuminate “the complexity of this movement made up of more than 300,000 individuals beyond stereotypes presented in the media and popular culture”.

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The Oxford Students’ Arab Cultural Society commented, “Dr Hirschhorn’s opinions, as put forth at Limmud 2014, reflect the views of Israel and the extremist settler parties that now dominate its government.

“For those familiar with Israeli propaganda, Hirschhorn’s comments fit into a well-worn narrative that detracts from the horror of Israeli settler-colonialism by posing Israel’s illegal military occupation as an existential ‘conflict of narratives’.

“This attempts to alleviate Israeli responsibility for its historic and continuing project of forcible population transfer (ethnic cleansing) and the regime of institutionalised racial discrimination (apartheid) by which it is realised, and of which Israel’s armed settler gangs are but the tip of the iceberg.

“It is a shame that an Oxford University lecturer chooses to propagate views that undermine international legal norms and support the extremist policies of the Israeli government rather than supporting legal accountability, peace and justice.”

Law undergraduate David Browne commented, “There seems little doubt in the minds of the international community that Israeli settlements violate international law, but the vast majority of such settlements are near the Green Line, meaning that their existence should certainly not be a deal-breaker to peace.

“However, it is difficult to suggest that, when Israel is surrounded by countries which do not even recognise its existence, and did not even before settlement construction began, and threatened by Hamas on its doorstep, that any resolution of the settlement question will make much of an impact on peace in the region.”

The Univeristy of Oxford’s outreach activities will expand significantly as part of a new government initiative. The £22m scheme includes three new National Networks for Collaborative Outreach (NNCO).

Oxford will take the lead in directing the activities of the Oxford and Cambridge NNCO. The programme will target Oxbridge-aspiring students in 1,600 English schools in order to improve the application support currently on
offer.

Admissions staff from both universities will also host online webinars, hoped to prove beneficial for students from geographically distant areas. Both universities aim to work with schools across England. Particularly targeted are schools which have had little past contact with Oxbridge outreach schemes, those with a history of sending very few students to Oxbridge and schools in socio-economically disadvantaged catchment areas.

A network of other establishments, including Somerville College, was also successful in its bid for an NNCO. 

Oxford’s current outreach activities include open days, school visits, UCAS higher education fairs and student and teacher conferences across the UK. Oxford also runs a Sutton Trust supported ‘Pathways’ programme, along with the free UNIQ summer schools, aimed at Year 12 state school students. OUSU runs its own shadowing scheme for Year 12 students through its ‘Target Schools’ strategy.

First year Theology student Eva Chapman welcomed the announcement of the NNCO, commenting, “It encourages bright pupils to aim high regardless of their background or the history of the school and it dispels many myths about the Oxbridge application process.”

Dr. Samina Khan, Oxford’s Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach, told Cherwell, “Oxford’s work with the National Networks for Collaborative Outreach will add to the already significant amount of targeted access work the collegiate University undertakes

across the UK. While this particular programme is funded by the government and HEFCE to target students in English schools, the resources Oxford will be making available include a substantial amount of online support that can be accessed by anyone across the UK.

“Added to our programme of student and teacher conferences and partnership with the Welsh government to create support hubs for potential Welsh applicants to Oxford and Cambridge, these new partnerships will further our goal of supporting bright students in applying to Oxford, no matter what their background or where they come from.”

Speaking about the NNCOs, Greg Clark, Minister for Universities and Science, said, “This programme will ensure that schools and colleges across England can help their students learn about higher education in the classroom, online and through local outreach activity. A record number of students entered higher education in 2014, with entry rates for students from disadvantaged backgrounds increasing by over ten per cent to its highest ever level. However there is still more work to do to ensure all students who want to study hard can benefit, irrespective of their background.”

Following Yasser Bhatti’s resignation, due to take effect on Monday 19th January, attention has turned to his replacement. A by-election is expected to be held later this term to decide who will replace him as OUSU Vice-President for Graduates.

Nick Cooper, the VP-elect for the Academic year 2015-2016, has categorically ruled out running, stating, “As per OUSU Election Regulation 18.6, Sabbs-elect aren’t eligible to run in by-elections such as this one.”

The role of Vice-President for Graduates is to be fulfilled in the interim by Louis Trup, OUSU President, and James Blythe, OUSU Vice-President (Access & Academic Affairs).

Bhatti, who was on the ‘Jane4Change’ slate, was elected in Michaelmas Term 2013 and was meant to fulfil the rôle of Vice President for Graduates for the academic year 2014-15. In the 2013 OUSU elections, Bhatti was elected to the position with 231 votes.

OUSU President Louis Trup commented, “Yasser has been a valuable member of the OUSU team, working tirelessly to represent the graduate students at this university. It has been an honour to work with such a capable, innovative and dedicated person. Alongside everyone at OUSU, I wish him all the best in the future.”

Yasser Bhatti told Cherwell, “Regrettably, I made the decision to step down as I feel I am unable to juggle the role of VP Graduates along with my family responsibilities.

“I apologise for stepping down from the opportunity to further strengthen and serve students and the University, but the intensity of this role is just too much for me and more importantly for my two little girls.”

The junction between Hythe Street and George Street has been reopened after 3 months of roadworks and amidst widespread concerns for cyclist safety.

Its new design has drawn criticism for a lack of signposting and an unfortunate traffic light system, which could endanger cyclists using the roads.

Oxford’s own Cyclists’ Touring Club (CTC) have sent out an email to local cycling groups warning about the lack of clarity at the junction. The organisation, along with Cyclox, had previously met with the council as part of the consultation process regarding the redesign, but since the reopening of the new layout have expressed further concerns about the dangers posed to cyclists due to several of the planned signs not being ready in time.

Cyclists have been left confused by the loss of the popular Hythe Bridge Street to George Street route, due to the absence of a planned sign which excluded bikes from having to follow the one way system imposed on other vehicles.

All traffic coming off Hythe Bridge Street is therefore directed left towards Beaumont Street. The absence of the planned sign exempting cyclists makes the popular route from Hythe Bridge Street onto George Street illegal.

Perhaps more pressingly, concerns have been raised about the traffic light system, which, when the route is re-legalised, will potentially direct cyclists into oncoming traffic.

James Dawton of Oxford’ City’s CTC stated that, following their previous consultations with the council, “How the end result appeared is quite beyond me. Cycling straight across from Hythe Bridge Street into George Street on
a green light puts cyclists directly into the path of traffic coming from the left which also has a green light at the same time.

“Thus two conflicting streams of traffic have simultaneous green lights, so it is an accident waiting to happen.”

The Council has in response installed ‘new road layout ahead’ signs to warn cyclists of the redesign.

The redevelopment project was intended to revitalise Frideswide Square, and create a more welcoming first impression of the city to visitors arriving at the nearby train station.

Ironically it was also designed to help improve cyclist and pedestrian access to the area, and to reduce congestion. 

The impact and risk of this redesign will likely be felt most keenly by the returning student body of the University. Balliol College student and resident of the area, Georgia Irwin, disagreed with the new layout, telling Cherwell, “I
don’t understand why the junction had to be changed. As a cyclist, it always seemed perfectly fine before these new changes.”

The junction is located in an area frequented by students. Residents of both Worcester and Mansfield college live locally to the junction, whilst attendees of the University’s Saïd Business School are also frequent users. For many
students, the junction is also an unavoidable stop on the way to the nightlife offered in the area around the square, namely Bridge, Wahoo, Park End, and Plush All are located past the junction for students coming from Jericho, Cowley or the City Centre.

The Oxford CTC have also expressed concern for student welfare at the new junction, suggesting students now treat the junction as a “crossroads, with all the dangers that involves.” 

They have particularly expressed concern for students travelling from the vicinity of Worcester College towards the Saïd Business School or Railway Station.

Oxford Council’s Highways were not available for comment at time of publication.

A motion has been put forward to the University Congregation, a body made up of 5,000 senior University figures, to knock down the top floors of Castle Mill following an Environment Impact Assessment.

Castle Mill, an Oxford University graduate accommodation complex on Port Meadow, has been an ongoing source of controversy since planning permission was granted in February 2012. Many have been critical of the £21.5 million development, which blocks out Port Meadow’s famous view of Oxford’s ‘dreaming spires’.

Notable figures such as Phillip Pullman have spoken out against the accommodation complex, calling it “destructive, brutal, ugly vandalism”.

It has also had the dubious pleasure of being named one of the candidates for the 2013 Carbuncle Cup, the Building Design Online prize for the UK’s worst building.

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After a high court challenge in 2012, the University commissioned a retrospective Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The report found the buildings had a high “adverse impact” on Port Meadow, the Oxford skyline, the
Thames, and St Barnabas Church.

It suggested three options to rectify this. The University has previously opted for option one – in essence, to camouflage the buildings. 

This latest motion to the University Congregation favours option three: removing the top floors. This is estimated to cost upwards of £12 million, removes 38 bedrooms and require all residents to vacate the buildings for a year. 

Diarmaid MacCulloch, Rev. Professor of the History of the Church at St Cross College and TV historian, who submitted the motion to the Congregation, argued, “A lot of money is going to be spent whatever option of remedying the
environmental damage caused by the flats is adopted. What would be worst of all would be to adopt a minimal solution as the administration in Wellington Square wants, still spend a lot of money, and get very little result.”

Although MacCulloch regretted the expenditure, he maintained that the fault lay with the University administration because of its initial failure to fulfil the planning conditions.

He also argued that, though high, the initial expenditure of this motion would “restore the good name of the University in the city of Oxford and beyond… So much trust has been lost, so much anger generated – and that anger exists among potential benefactors to the University, who may turn away from further giving because of the Castle Mill affair.”

Louis Trup, current OUSU president, expressed concerns about this route given the lack of housing for students with families. He argued that the huge costs of knocking down the top floors could lead to the demolition of the entire development, meaning the 300 graduate students who live in Castle Mill
would need to find new housing.

This would lead to an increase in students searching for rental properties, which, said Trup, “is likely to cause rent increases for private rentals in the city”.

He added, “The members of OUSU note the concerns of the Save Port Meadow campaign, but believe that limited mitigation strategies that reduce the visual impact of the development can alleviate these concerns without having the negative impacts on students and tenants in Oxford that removing the top floor or demolishing castle mill presents.”

Castle Mill resident Jemma Day agreed, arguing that she does not think Castle Mill is “that much of an eye sore” and that she found it hard to see how removing just one floor would make a significant difference.

On MacCulloch’s motion, a University spokesperson commented, “The request will be considered carefully and in accordance with university regulations.” The motion will be debated in February.