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Cherwell live tweet the #OxfordUnionVigil

Jack Doyle
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Cherwell live tweet the #OxfordUnionVigil

Over 100 people have gathered outside the Oxford Union in a vigil to protest the “casual response” to rape allegations against Union President Ben Sullivan.

This follows the Union’s decision to avoid a vote of no confidence in Sullivan last week.

Sullivan was arrested on 7th May on suspicion of rape and attempted rape and subsequently released on bail without charge.

Since then, the Oxford Union has come under criticism from students and the wider public. Several of this term’s planned speakers have cancelled engagements at the Union, including Tawakkol Karman, Julie Meyer, Eric Whitacre, and Norman Finkelstein. Other speakers, like philosopher A.C. Grayling, have defended their decisions to attend on the basis that Sullivan is innocent until proven guilty.

Get the most recent updates on Twitter here.

Students and Oxford townspeople speaking at outside the Union #OxfordUnionVigil pic.twitter.com/UTcdRJVsJT

— Cherwell (@Cherwell_Online) June 5, 2014

Worcester victorious at Corpus Tortoise race

Charlie Atkins
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Worcester victorious at Corpus Tortoise race

Last Sunday saw Corpus Christi’s annual Tortoise Fair take place. The event, this year attended by thousands of students and residents of Oxford, centres around a thrilling and surprisingly fast paced inter-collegiate tortoise race.

Corpus JCR voted to donate all proceeds to Oxford’s Mind Your Head campaign.

Worcester College triumphed in this year’s race, with Zoom and Shelly taking first and second place respectively. The duo had previously come second and third last year.

“Zoom had a lot of pressure on him with a name like that”, explained one observer, “but he handled it well.”

Hopes of a home victory were dashed as the race officials announced Foxe, Corpus’s entrant, had been “disqualified for assaulting another tortoise”.

Corpus Christi President, Richard Carwardine, acted as head official and took charge of the proceedings.

Worcester’s Tortoise Representative revealed to Cherwell, “Any talk of a steward’s inquiry is just hot air… The competition just wasn’t that good to be honest”.

“It’s disappointing that he let his frustrations out in the race”, explained Corpus Tortoise Keeper Arthur Harris of Foxe’s actions. “But hopefully next year it’ll be his year.”

Second year lawyer Aled Jones revealed a potential source of Foxe’s problems. “Unfortunately Foxe’s partner Oldham died over the summer”, he explained. “It was terribly sad.”

The competition, which some sources have claimed traces its origins back to the 1920s, also saw the debut of Hope and Faith, tortoise siblings of around five years in age. The Oxford-based sisters faced competition from reptiles as old as eighty and based as far away as London.

Alex Doody, a first year at Exeter, expressed his admiration for the participants. “They were so quick”, he said. “They were like Tort-athletes… One of them was like Usain Tortoise Bolt!”

Corpus Christi college itself was shell-shocked earlier this year when Oldham, the Corpus Tortoise, died in late August.

The tortoise had a long battle with ‘fly-strike’, whereby a wound in his carapace became infested with fly eggs and maggots, weakening him severely.

The news was broken in an email from the JCR President to all Corpus student. “Oldham, one of our favourite tortoises died over the summer… I don’t really know how to handle the news.

“This will be discussed at the first JCR meeting of term and if anyone needs to talk to someone please look towards the peer supporters, who are there for these moments.”

Summer Eights Review

Jon Hubbert
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Summer Eights Review

Summer Eights came to an exciting finish on Saturday as thousands of people descended on the banks of the River Thames to see the rowing. The weather held off as the barbecues on Boat House Island were lit and the Pimms flowed, the spectators eager to see the final day of Trinity term’s bumps.

Men’s division 1 saw Oriel bump both Christchurch and Pembroke on their way to winning headship, with a dominant row over on Saturday to seal it. No crew managed to get blades or spoons in division 1 this year, Trinity and Keble both came close to the former. Had Keble not had to attempt to overbump Worcester on day 1 or had Trinity had Oympian Constantine Louloudis in the boat rather than injured, then the result might have been different. Wadham made it into division 1 on the penultimate day at the expense of Hertford.

Wadham secured headship in women’s division 1 by bumping St John’s on Thursday and rowing over on the final two days. The middle of the division remained in a similar order, with Wolfson climbing three places only to be denied blades by a quick Keble crew. Somerville bumped into division 1 at the expense of Merton who received spoons.

To many of the rowers, Saturday brings mixed feelings. To some they know that if they bump the crew in front, they will earn blades and be immortalised in chalk on college walls. However others are acutely aware that if they get bumped, they will receive spoons – the least impressive of all rowing’s many trophies.

In total 16 crews earned blades, 10 in men’s divisions and 6 in women’s, and 19 received spoons, 7 in men’s divisions and 12 in women’s. St Peter’s were the highest ranked men’s crew to get blades by climbing from the bottom of division 2, an impressive feat. Exeter on the other hand were the most senior crew to receive spoons and now sit just one place above division 3, some way below 3rd places in division 1 where they sat 10 years ago.

On the women’s side the highest ranking blades were for University II. The feat is made especially impressive by the fact that University III received spoons and are three divisions below. Particular mention must go to St Hugh’s Boat Club who were +11 between their three women’s boats. They only missed out on an incredible third set of blades for the squad because they could not quite manage to complete the overbump to Linacre on Thursday.

The happiest overall colleges will be Wadham with their women’s headship and M2 blades, and Green Templeton and St Peter’s, who both managed to earn blades in men’s and women’s divisions. Pembroke by contrast received spoons for both M3 and W3, and Exeter received spoons for every boat they entered in the competition and will be hoping for much better at Torpids 2015.

Review: As You Like It

Archive
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Review: As You Like It

Before the play begins, the audience of Buskins’ production of As You Like It are escorted away from the elegant buildings and well-kept lawns of Worcester College, down passageways and across bridges, into a woody clearing of the College gardens, which serves as the stage for Shakespeare’s comedic venture into the pastoral. It begins, lightly, to rain. Umbrellas are flirted with but given up on. The audience, like the court of the banished Duke – Rosalind, Celia, and Orlando, must adapt to the environment of the Forest of Arden, simple, wild, and laden with possibilities.

Another striking choice is the all-female cast. The director, Charlotte Fraser, wanted ‘a means of providing more roles for the female talent in Oxford,’ and this has certainly been an enormous success. Not only do we have an appropriately witty and charming Rosalind in Clemi Collett, and Claire Dowman as a deliciously sardonic Celia, the audience is also treated to accomplished performances of the play’s many male characters. Ellie Wade brings hilarity and originality to Touchstone; Madeleine Herbert incites both amusement and sympathy as melancholy and self-consciously intellectual Jaques. Aoife Cantrill’s dorkily besotted Orlando has an endearing naivety, creating a far more interesting, appealing, and amusing take on the character than the vast majority of actors – male or female – could manage. This not only demonstrates the formidable talents of Oxford’s female actors, but also illustrates the directorial claim that casting has ‘shed more light on the piece than [they] could have imagined,’ as it gives an intriguing twist to the play’s treatment of gender roles, and to the androgynous figure of Rosalind-as-Ganymede.

The cast deliver the well-worn lines of the play – ‘All the world’s a stage…’ etc. – with a freshness and inventiveness that makes them seem new and revelatory, as if they were spontaneously extemporised. This is a real indication of how well-realised the characters are, small parts like Charles and Le Beau just as much as larger ones like the play’s feisty and fiercely intelligent heroine.

The production is so engaging the audience would likely have neither noticed nor minded had there been a sudden downpour, but maybe bring a raincoat just to be on the safe side. Get to Worcester early to get seats near the front – otherwise, you may have to contort yourself into a variety of sitting and kneeling positions to get a good view. If you like Shakespeare, go and see this play. If you are in love, go and see this play, ideally with the object of your affections in tow. If you like plays, go and see this play. Sweet, hilarious, and moving, it honestly is an absolute must-see.

Trashing supplies website trashes its criticism

Esther Hodges
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Trashing supplies website trashes its criticism

The website trashing.me, established this term to provide trashing supplies for Oxford students, has responded to criticism from the University and colleges.

The University discourages the practice of trashing and many colleges have threatened fines and other sanctions for students caught engaged in the activity.

A spokesperson for the University told Cherwell, “We urge students to celebrate responsibly and to show consideration for local residents and other students still taking exams. In addition, this year, for the first time, we are working with the Oxford Food Bank to collect any foodstuffs brought to the examinations for misuse, for distribution to people in need in the local area.”

A member of the trashing.me team said, “Friends come together to see each other when they have finished exams, and this is a unique thing about Oxford which makes it particularly special: I do not know of any other universities where people come to see their friends when they finish their exams and help them relax and forget about anything that might have happened in the exam hall.

“Trashing marks the end of your degree, and the beginning of summer and real life – and as such, is a symbolic and integral part of Oxford life. I understand that throwing food is a common complaint that is made about trashing but would point towards other festivals and events such as Tomatina where the tomatoes paint the street.

“Nevertheless, we have deliberately not provided
any foodstuffs but only party items.”

50% of charitable uni donations go to Oxbridge

Dorothy Finan
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50% of charitable uni donations go to Oxbridge

An annual survey of donations to UK universities has revealed that Oxford and Cambridge received around £357 million in donations during the 2012-2013 financial year.

The results of the Ross-CASE Survey show that, between them, the Oxbridge institutions received just over half of the income generated
from the £660 million donated to all of the universities
surveyed.

The gap between Oxbridge donations and other universities is shown to be widening. The median largest donation to the two universities
was recorded as being a massive £19.5
million.

In contrast to Oxbridge, which was described by the report as having “elite fundraising programmes” and where income from philanthropy
has shown an increase on the previous year, the wider Russell Group has experienced a decrease in donations. Universities in the “University Alliance” group, such as Oxford Brookes and Manchester Metropolitan, had an average donation income of just £772,000.

Across all universities, 59% of donations were received from organisations, the vast majority being charitable trusts and foundations, with under a third of these being from companies. The rest were from individuals, mostly alumni.

The survey suggested that the success of Oxbridge philanthropy can be largely attributed to the large amount of money invested in fundraising. It found that every pound received in donations costs 7 pence in fundraising costs.

A University spokesperson told Cherwell, “We are delighted that philanthropic support for higher education is showing an upward trend and that fundraising at Oxford is helping to lead the way. In 2012-13 almost £220m was raised in philanthropic support for the Oxford Thinking campaign, which reflects fundraising activity across the collegiate University.

“The support received throughout the course of the Oxford Thinking campaign is having real, demonstrable impact – from providing scholarships and other support for students, to expanding research programmes across a wide range of academic disciplines and helping enable the construction of new buildings which benefit staff and students alike.”

Students demonstrate in protest against new Spanish king

Alex Stronell
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Students demonstrate in protest against new Spanish king

Opponents of the Spanish monarchy marched through Oxford on Monday in protest against the installation of a new Spanish king, following the abdication of Juan Carlos I in favour of his son, Felipe.

Some 35 protesters, among them Oxford students, marched from the Radcliffe Camera to Cornmarket Street calling for a referendum on the continuation of the monarchy. The protest’s organisers expressed their approval at the size of the crowd, given they had only four hours’ notice. 

Protesters chanted, “One, two, three, republic once again”, referencing the two former Spanish republics of 1873 and 1931.

Arturo Zoffman Rodriguez, who organised the protest, told Cherwell, “The king has been the visible head of a system that has taken Spain to crisis and brought misery to millions, while a few parasites line their pockets. Those same parasites orchestrated the repression
of our grandparents in 1936, were at the helm under Franco, and are still calling the shots nowadays.”

He continued, “The Spanish youth and workers are starting to re-evaluate all the institutions that have been in charge of society; the traditional parties, big business, the church, and, of course, the monarchy. We don’t want to see a new king being imposed upon us as Juan Carlos was imposed upon our parents. We want to have a say and take our fate into our own hands, and the first step to do this is to have a referendum on the monarchy.”

Juan Carlos I became king of Spain in 1975, having been named the next head of state by dictator Francisco Franco. He presided over Spain’s transition to democracy, and played a major role in preventing a military coup in 1981.

The king announced his abdication on Monday, stating in a televised address that it was time for a new generation to take on the burdens
of reform.

Several republican protests have since taken place across Europe in the wake of the king’s abdication, in cities including Paris, Amsterdam,
London and Berlin. 

Juan Carlos’ successor, Felipe, is due to be crowned on 18th June.

University to update harassment policy following OUSU talks

Tom Hall
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University to update harassment policy following OUSU talks

The University has confirmed that it will be updating its policy on harassment and bullying following talks with Sarah Pine, OUSU’s Vice-President for Women and the It Happens Here campaign.

The policy, expected to be finished by the end of Michaelmas, will include a number of suggestions made by OUSU. A draft policy has been amended to include sexual violence and stalking, online harassment and clarification of the university’s role when harassment and bullying cases are criminal.

Under the new policy, a support office will be set up in the Student Welfare and Support Services building, and specially-trained harassment advisors will offer support.

Sarah Pine told Cherwell, “The university are also really committed to the communication of the positive steps. Few plans on this have been finalised, but I will be lobbying for a system much like those used in the US, where there is a portal for all of this information online.

Pine continued, “We’ll also be including this information in the consent workshops, so JCRs and MCRs that have the workshops have the information highlighted again.

“The specialist training that harassment advisors will have is another big win for the VP for Women over the past couple of years. The training comes from an expert, Liz Jones, from Oxford City Council. It enables advisors to be aware of the issues and ways that they should support students through various different possible scenarios. Additionally, OUSU has pushed that this training is available to front-line staff, so those who might be first responders (like porters, chaplains etc) are also aware of what to do.”

Professor Sally Mapstone, the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Education at the University, said in a note to the It Happens Here committee, “The harassment procedure for students details the stages (informal, through to formal complaint) of the process, with a focus on ensuring support for students via the Director of Student Welfare and Support Services.

“This provides clarity for students as to where they should go for advice, both professional (via the Counselling service within SWSS) but also practical support. The procedure will also provide links to appropriate sources including harassment advisors, local welfare representatives and the OUSU Student Advice Service.”

Sarah Pine also clarified that this step will allay several of OUSU’s concerns about the University’s processes commenting, “This is a great move forward. OUSU has had concerns in the past about people speaking to harassment advisors and their responses harming students.

“This has been combined with me running sexual violence training sessions for students, so those in JCR and MCR committees know what to do. This was focused on JCR and MCR officers, but is open to anyone, and if anyone wants to come to one, they should email me at [email protected]”.

A University spokesman told Cherwell, “Harassment of any kind is unacceptable at Oxford, and when such incidents do occur, our culture is one of strong support for victims, including guidance and advice on making complaints. The University is continually considering how best to provide staff and students with relevant and sensitive advice and support. A review of the University’s harassment policy and procedures is nearing completion. The revised policy will make more explicit its inclusion of all forms of unacceptable behaviour, including sexual violence, assault and stalking. The revised procedure will give greater clarity about the sources of professional support available to victims. As is the case now, students will be encouraged to report allegations which are a criminal matter to the police.

“The University is working closely with Oxford University Student Union (OUSU), both on the development of the new policy and procedure and how best to communicate it to the wider student body once approved. We are grateful to OUSU for their work in researching student concerns about this issue.”

Hertford MCR and JCR Presidents living rent free

James Rhodes
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Hertford MCR and JCR Presidents living rent free

Hertford JCR members have expressed concern that the free room given to the college’s JCR President was not publicised well enough.

This comes amidst a debate in the Hertford MCR concerning the future of the free room given to the President of that common room. 

Currently, both Presidents receive a room rent-free as a gesture of goodwill from the college. When contacted by Cherwell, both Presidents acknowledged that the arrangement was uniquely “generous”.

Many Hertford students approached by Cherwell were unaware of the policy. Speaking anonymously, a second-year Hertfordian commented, “I think a lot of people in college aren’t necessarily aware that they get the free room and it also means the President gets quite disproportionate benefits compared to the rest of the JCR Committee, who also work really hard.

“It is definitely a concern if most people are not aware of the free room, and there should certainly be some mechanism for informing the JCR about the benefits that committee members are granted.”

They added, “I think that the JCR Committee deserve rewards for the hard work that they do and that for many of the committee roles, having a room in college is really useful for doing their job properly; for instance, the JCR President has a set allowing them to easily meet with people.” 

Another first-year Hertford student remarked, “I wonder why we aren’t made more aware that the JCR president gets a free room. Of course, they perform an important task, but important enough to elevate them above the whole JCR and have their rent waived? I’m not too sure.”

Hertford JCR President Josh Platt told Cherwell, “If JCR members believe it should be publicised more widely, as your investigation suggests, then I would be happy to discuss it at a general meeting or on any other occasion, in order to hear the full range of views.”

A number of MCR students have likewise questioned the policy. Hertford graduate student Miodrag Stamboldziev remarked, “I believe the policy is unethical on three moral grounds; first, towards the fellow colleges’ MCR Presidents, who do not receive pecuniary incentives; second, towards other MCR members who hold a leadership position and invest significant amount of time – for example, the Boat Club captains among the others – yet do not receive monetary compensation; and third, towards every fellow MCR member, as the monies could be used to fund a graduate scholarship.”

He also pointed out that given Hertford’s comparatively small endowment, it was unjustifiable to gift the Presidents with a free room when richer colleges did not operate the same policy.

Despite this, Stamboldziev clarified, “I would like to state that I am content and grateful with the work of MCR Committee, especially the President, and my views are not to be interpreted in no way other way except as a constructive feedback to the college.”

Some students are concerned that the money the college invested in providing the free rooms to the Presidents would be better invested in bursaries or welfare supplies. 

While many colleges offer allocated rooms for JCR Presidents, or allow them to move to the top of the housing ballot, Cherwell is not aware of any other colleges which allow their common room Presidents to live rent free. 

JCR President Josh Platt acknowledged, “The College’s policy of allowing the JCR and the MCR President to go rent free is generous. While almost all common room Presidents receive perks from their College, Hertford’s policy is probably one of the kindest in the University.”

He continued, “I think it’s important for the JCR and the MCR to debate how College spends its money, and it’s totally right that we, as elected representatives, are held to account. If any member of the JCR wished me to lobby College on this issue, or to discuss it with them, I would be more than happy to do so, but nobody in the past two terms has approached me to talk about this. I must admit, however, that it has not been a priority for me during my term in office.

“I think it is important to remember that this is not money college simply gives to the JCR for us to spend as we choose. If the rent arrangement was removed, I would be keen to make sure that the money did not simply go back into College coffers, but rather became available for use by the JCR for another purpose.”

Likewise, Hertford MCR President Robert Carlsson remarked, “The fact is that the money does not come from the MCR budget but rather the college budget; I am certain that if the college was to change the policy the money would not make it into the MCR budget. In one way or another this could be viewed as less money going towards supporting MCR students.”

He continued, “I am fully supportive of the MCR debating this matter. Even though it is not for us to decide on this matter, as it lies with college, it does affect us in one way or another and it is therefore potentially relevant to discuss.”

Hertford College was unavailable for comment.

Petting zoo for Pembroke and Christ Church students

Stanislas Lalanne
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Petting zoo for Pembroke and Christ Church students

Pembroke and Christ Church JCRs organised a joint petting zoo this Thursday in a bid to provide some relief to stressed students undergoing exams.

The petting zoo, which included at least ten different types of animals, including meerkats, a giant rabbit and owls, took place in the Christ Church JCR. The event also featured less conventional petting zoo animals, including snakes, scorpions and a tarantula.

Pembroke Entz Rep Meltem Kamalvand told Cherwell that the aim of the event was to “provide some relief for stressed finalists whilst simultaneously bonding with our frenemies at Christ Church over the sweet joys of a petting zoo. It’s something a bit different and fun, and everyone loves animals.”

Pembroke finalist Nick Hilton remarked, “I think it’s a great idea, although it does appear to pair conventional petting zoo animals with their natural predators.”

Likewise, Jane Cahill, who promised a petting zoo for students during 5th week in her OUSU Presidential manifesto last Michaelmas, remarked, “I’m a big fan of petting zoos. I was totally lambasted for that policy but I stand by it to the end! I guess I wouldn’t have had a scorpion in an OUSU petting zoo though. Not very fluffy or relaxing, in fact quite stressful.”

Unfortunately the event was only open to students at Pembroke and Christ Church. The Pembroke Entz team stated on the Facebook event page stated that “cute animals don’t come for free we’re afraid and we have programmed the snakes to kill anyone from other colleges”.

Matt McGonagle, Pembroke JCR Vice President, said, “We pride ourselves on being natural at Pembroke, and we certainly have a wild side! A petting zoo has animals – who are both natural and wild – so suits us perfectly.”

Rebecca Howe, Pembroke JCR president, told Cherwell, “I think it will help calm nerves during the exam period. I took a stressed finalist to the petting zoo a couple of hours before his exam. He seems calmer now. This is a good thing.”

She added, “When the Entz Reps and I mused over proposing this last Michaelmas, I never in my WILDest dreams thought this would actually come to life. Now it has, it is like Friday of 8th, Oxmas, and LOVE all rolled up into one.

“If ChCh are up for doing it again, then we are. Even if they aren’t, I’m sure I speak for Pembrokians across the kingdom when I say yes – we would like this to happen again. Perhaps annually.”

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