Blatter’s remark was in response to the discussion of Manchester City midfielder Yaya Touré, who was allegedly the subject of racist abuse at a Champion’s League match in Moscow this past week. Touré stated, “If we [black footballers] aren’t confident at the World Cup, coming to Russia, we don’t come”. This incident has drawn international attention and speculation, and was a key subject of the debate with Blatter at the Union.

Blatter’s remarks came as part of a litany of self-justification in the face of critiques of FIFA in the public sphere. “Perhaps you think I am a ruthless parasite sucking the lifeblood out of the world and out of football – the Godfather of the FIFA gravy train, an out-of-touch, heartless schmoozer,” he joked with the audience. He later went on to suggest that he and FIFA were “a scapegoat” for larger social problems that come to a head in football matches.

Racism has nevertheless been a virulent issue for FIFA over the course of Blatter’s fifteen-year tenure as president. Over the past few years in England alone, the Premier League has seen drawn-out legal battles like that of Chelsea captain and then-England captain John Terry, who was charged last year for racially abusing former QPR defender Anton Ferdinand, and heated debates about the usefulness of anti-racism campaigns like Kick It Out.

Yaya Touré’s case against CSKA Moscow supporters goes before UEFA’s disciplinary board on Wednesday, and after Blatter’s remarks at the Union is expected to fuel the on-going debate about how to stamp racism out of football. Sepp Blatter’s solution? “We have to take more sanctions that hurt clubs because financial sanctions do not hurt”, he said Friday. “FIFA has taken a resolution and has said after a warning you can have other sanctions and these would mean you could deduct points or expel people from a competition.” Blatter stressed the importance of targeting reputations and ability to compete rather than earnings as lasting consequences for racism.

Blatter’s words at the recent Oxford Union debate have drawn fire from more than anti-racism campaigners in the international football limelight. On Tuesday evening, Cristiano Ronaldo demanded an apology for one of Blatter’s more light-hearted responses in the debating chamber. When asked to compare the Real Madrid star with Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, Blatter declared: “One has more expenses for the hairdresser than the other”. Blatter later called this an “amusing” off-the-cuff statement, Ronaldo stressed in a Facebook post: “This shows clearly the respect and consideration that FIFA has for me, for my club, and my country”. Blatter has since apologised.

Blatter is currently eligible for a fifth term as FIFA president. After Friday’s Union debate, however, one postgraduate student echoed the feelings of many footballers and fans alike: “He should just step down. An innocent and responsible president shouldn’t have to spend that much time explaining why they’re not a disgrace to the game.”

A recent Oxford Fine Arts graduate has won a prestigious contemporary art prize from the Saatchi Gallery and Channel 4.

Jack Stanton, 24, who graduated this year with a BFA from the University’s Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art, was awarded the New Sensations Prize, which is open to all BA or MA students graduating in a particular year from a UK or Republic of Ireland art school, for work he was asked to produce as one of four finalists in the competition. In addition to a gallery showing of the winning artist’s work, the prize brings with it a cash award, the amount of which is not made public.

First awarded in 2007, the New Sensations Prize is known by some as the “baby Turner Prize,” a reference to the highly influential Turner Prize, winners of which include contemporary art heavyweights Damien Hirst and Anish Kapoor. New Sensations’ promoters bill their award as “the most important annual prize for emerging artists” in the UK.

Stanton’s winning entry featured an installation called “The Personality Agreement,” in which different “morsels” of sampled video were shown on two large screens while original music by Stanton played alongside. The eight-minute “operetta” explores what the artist sees as contradictory representations of adolescence in the mass media.

In another video made for the project, Stanton explains his process: “I approach my artwork with the mindset of a pop musician… Usually I gather an array of imagery from found material, then I zoom in to isolate whatever it is that interests me, searching for moments that function independently of their origins [and reveal] something of the inner workings of our digital reality… in a camp, dumb sort of way.”

The artist told Cherwell he was pleasantly surprised at his win. “I think virtually everyone in my 3rd year at The Ruskin applied for New Sensations after our degree show,” he said. “Its just something you’re encouraged to do. … I had no expectation of getting through to the long-list, let alone getting a bursary to make new work for the show.”

Elizabeth Price, a fellow of Lady Margaret Hall and Stanton’s tutor during his final year at the Ruskin said she was “delighted, but not unduly surprised” by the news. “I thought he had an exciting future in the profession,” she said. “This high profile Prize confirms his great potential, and will bring him many exciting opportunities to publicly fulfil. It’s great for the Ruskin too – as it builds our reputation as an art school generating innovative, experimental contemporary art.”

Current Ruskin fine artists expressed admiration at Stanton’s achievement, and cited the School as a source of inspiration and encouragement. “Jack Stanton won because he deserved to win and because he was encouraged to win,” said Irina Iordache, a second-year fine artist at Christ Church, “That’s what the Ruskin does for you: it constantly pushes you outside your comfort zone; it makes you want to give your best.”

Stanton also praised the Ruskin School’s approach. “I think the two most valuable things that the school offers are the freedom to explore whatever avenue a student wishes to take, and that this work is then taken so seriously by the tutors,” he said.

The shortlist for the prize, which was revealed in late September and included 20 candidates, included three other recent graduates of the Ruskin school in addition to Stanton: Rhea Storr, James Cross and Finbar Ward. Ruskin graduates made up twenty percent of the shortlisted candidates.

Stanton is currently working on developing a two-person frisbee game with Ward, the court for which they are building in the basement of the Cock ’n’ Bull Gallery, Shoreditch.

Shoppers from across the city have been very positive about how it could give the Westgate shopping centre a much needed facelift. Many shoppers commented on how they were looking forward to visiting the new 10,000 square foot John Lewis.

The proposals also aim to develop a new car park, and hopefully include some new independent shops. As well as this, there are plans to include a cinema, café and a rooftop terrace. At the same time, new homes would be built.

Colin Cook, the city council’s executive development member said, “A decision on the outline planning application is expected to be made early next year, with construction work potentially starting later in the year and the new centre opening by Christmas 2016.

“This is probably the fifth major plan for the redevelopment of the Westgate Centre since it was built and I look forward to examining the detailed proposals in due course.” This would be a two-stage process. After the initial planning application is approved, then a full one will be submitted.

Oxford students expressed differing opinions about the opening store. Many seem indifferent and are not disappointed that it will be opening after their graduation. A second year student from New College commented, “I don’t anticipate that it will add much more, we’ve already got exceptional choice.”

An Economics and Management student stated, “I am not particularly gutted I will have graduated by then. I never really have reason to go into John Lewis.”

Another student seemed more positive about the store, explaining “I am very happy and excited for John Lewis to be opening. It will bring much needed variety to the Westgate shopping centre and will serve as a nice addition to Primark. It is a shame it will be open after graduation.”

The exterior of Clem’s nightclub in St Clement’s is being repainted after an agreement between the owner of the nightclub and Oxford City Council. The graffiti-like design is to be replaced with a different frontage.

The nightclub has already undergone a change to its paint scheme since the large letters spelling the establishment’s name that were originally on show were deemed to require advertising consent by the Council. A report from the Council’s press office stated that the lettering “exceeded the maximum height of 0.75 metres.”

However, the report claims that the second design, featuring cartoon characters which replaced the lettering, “is not in keeping with the surrounding area.”

The manager of Clem’s, Mr Bruno Garcia, is cited on the BBC website as stating, “We had to do what we had to do – we just want to make sure everyone is happy.” He told Cherwell that the new plans are to have an all-blue frontage, although added that “It won’t attract as many customers as before.”

The City Council report notes that the new plans will require neither planning permission nor advertising consent.

Michael Crofton Briggs, Head of City Development at Oxford City Council, said in the report, “Officers organised a lot of meetings with the owner to discuss the changes to the outside of the building.”

“I am really pleased that our hard work has meant that the owner has shown us the colour scheme that he intends to use and that we have agreed it instead of tackling him through the enforcement process. This is a much more effective process for the Council. The work is currently underway.”

Graham Jones, ward councillor for St Clement’s, told Cherwell, “It was pretty obvious that the design, while ingenious and interesting in itself, was out of character with the formal and mannered, mainly Georgian architecture of the buildings around The Plain.”

He added that he began to receive complaints  from members of the public on the same day that the painting appeared.

He said “I must stress that I like urban graffiti very much in surroundings which work for it and vice versa. There’s a great example at the rear of Clem’s in York Place. Another is on the first floor of shops on Cowley Road opposite Manzil Way. Take also the polemical mural on a house in Union Street. The frontage on The Plain wasn’t the right setting.”

He also suggested the idea of a “Neighbourhood Plan, devised locally and put to the people living in the area in a referendum.” He continued, “One thing we could do is to insist that all new building meets more rigorous environmental and sustainability standards than currently demanded by the city. Another is to give Conservation Area rules precedence over Advertising Regulations.”

“That would allow businesses to know in advance if their plans for redesigned shopfronts were likely to be refused for the reasons that led to Clem’s having to remove its graffiti and think again.”

Oxford-based historian and art critic Estelle Lovatt has reportedly defended the artwork in the past, but was unavailable for comment when contacted by Cherwell.

Student responses to the constraint on the artwork included some angry reactions. Timna Fibert of St Anne’s said, “I think it’s ridiculous that personal aesthetic taste is dictated to by the Council. I mean, I think it was pretty ugly but why should my opinion, or even the opinion of a majority, stop people from expressing themselves and what they stand for?”

The constant change was greeted with confusion by students living in the nearby vicinity. Ben Whitman, from St Hilda’s and a resident of the flats above Clem’s, said, “‘it’s really stupid how they changed it and then changed it again. It’s just a waste of money in times of austerity.”

Another second year at St Hilda’s said, “The scrapping of the graffiti is an absolute outrage.   The dreaming spires are all very well and good but it’s a shame the city is so dismissive of contemporary art.”

He added, “Who knows – we might have just got rid of the next Banksy.”

‘Blinds’ are an event whereby second years invite all of their subject freshers to a party where subject related drinking games are played. Tasks and challenges are also sometimes set, with last year’s PPE freshers being asked to entertain the second years with a musical performance (with a drink penalty if it wasn’t satisfactory).

This year, blinds were explicitly banned in an email sent around to all second years by the college Dean, Stephen Payne. The email stated, “‘Blinds’ and other drinking games which put pressure on individuals to consume more alcohol than they would otherwise choose are strictly prohibited.

“Such practices, particularly when used in the context of an ‘initiation’ of some sort, constitute a form of harassment. Any individuals found engaging in these activities will be subject to Decanal sanctions.”

However, Chemistry students had drinks on Tuesday 22 October. In the course of the evening, one fresher fell, hit his head and had to be taken to hospital by a second year student.

PPE and E&M students also decided to hold drinks, yet referred only to a ‘Subject welcome evening’ in invites sent out to freshers. At the event, held last Friday, a declaration was read out to emphasise to all freshers present that they were not required to drink alcohol, and if they did not want to they wouldn’t have to.

However, the event was cut short by the Senior Dean and the two Junior Deans early on in the proceedings. In an email sent to the second year PPE and E&M students, the Dean said, “This is unacceptable behaviour and in clear breach of the college regulations.”

He then imposed three decanal sanctions in a later email, sent after a meeting with the students. It stated, “1. I am issuing a fine of £200, 2. I am reporting the matter in full to your Directors of Studies, 3. I am cancelling this year’s PPE/E+M Black Tie Dinner. Such a dinner will only be allowed to take place in 2014-15 if there is no repeat of ‘blinds’ next Michaelmas Term.”

Chemistry students received similar penalties, yet were fined £25 each instead of the £200 group fine due to the incident with the fresher. 

Sean Ford, Keble JCR President, told Cherwell, “The Dean enforces the college regulations to which we all agree on arrival at the college. Those that were punished knew the consequences of their actions and to this extent it seems only reasonable what has happened. As far as I am aware no one is challenging the decision and therefore everyone seems to have accepted the outcome.”

Ben Rosenbaum from St. Anne’s, in charge of the competition, said, “So far every college except Oriel have signed up a team online. Lincoln won a very close contest last year and it’ll be great to see if they can hold onto their Mo crown.

“Last year over 300 people at Oxford University took part and we raised over £18,500 making us the top fundraising university in the UK by a long way. This year we’re hoping that over 500 people will sign up and we’re trying to raise £30,000.”

He added, “I am a huge supporter of the charity and has high hopes for Oxford this year: Movember is a fantastic initiative… It’s so easy for people to get involved, and is one of the easiest things anyone could do for charity.”

The Mo’ Rep for New College, Dhruv Jayanth, said, “It has really taken off, and is a great opportunity for a few pre-pubescent looking college members to give facial hair a go!”

Lucas Shelemy of St. Catz commented, “I’m really excited for what’s to come in the next month. It’s great to see fellow mo-growers on the street and get the little nod of humiliated acceptance, and also it’s a fantastic way to fundraise and help a great cause fighting men’s testicular and prostate cancer.”

However, Movember is not just for men. Women too can become ‘Mo Sistas’ either by drawing on the occasional moustache, growing body hair or simply just supporting and encouraging their ‘Mo Bros’.

In fact, St. Anne’s JCR recently passed a motion to make the JCR president, Christina Toenshoff, and Charities Rep, Abby Whiteley, wear beards to all formal events throughout ‘Movember’.

Christina commented, “I think it’s a really good idea that the charities’ rep and I – both of us unable to grow a real moustache – will raise awareness by wearing fake facial hair. The beard is a bit annoying when you try to talk, but at least they let me put it down when the food gets served at formal halls.”

“I really don’t mind looking a bit weird if that contributes to charity and as a Mo Sista of our college team, I’m happy to support the guys by adapting to their looks.”

For the fourth year running, Byron Hamburgers is offering every ‘Mo Bro’ and ‘Mo Sista’ who raises at least £25 for the charity a free burger or salad every day from the 8th to the 17th, between 3-6pm. These burgers normally cost about £8 which amounts to almost £80 worth of burgers overall.

‘Movember’ is a global charity which raises funds and awareness for testicular and prostate cancer as well as men’s mental health charities. The charity challenges men to grow a moustache for the 30-days of November. In becoming a ‘Mo Bro’ they not only raise awareness of the cause but also raise funds through sponsorship.

The Exeter College Incentive Scheme (ECIS) was set up by David Webb, a Mathematics graduate from 1983, who explains, “The plan is simple: each year, donors pledge a certain amount for each first class undergraduate degree in the following finals, and the result determines how much the College actually collects.” This academic year takes ECIS into its seventh year, having received over £179,000 in its first five years.

How the money is allocated is up to the College. David continued, “I wanted to incentivise what I regard as the most important outcome of university education: academic excellence. I have no idea how to achieve that outcome, so don’t tell them where to allocate my money, but they will get more if they achieve that outcome. I also wanted to incentivise students to do their best.”

He added, “Students also know that their performance contributes directly to fundraising and to the future sustainability of their College.”

It is questionable just how much students will be motivated to work harder, by the knowledge that their efforts secure more money for their College. One Exeter student said, “All donations are obviously welcome, but I don’t think we’re going to see students hitting the books instead of the bop juices!”

However, ECIS is also intended to incentivise good tutoring and good decision-making by the Rector and Fellows in how best to allocate the available funds. It then may not be a matter of incentivising students, but providing a better education, in order to promote academic success.

The pledge form inviting alumni to donate observes, “some potential donors may feel that in helping the College, they want to see a connection between their philanthropy and academic performance.”

However, some students feel that the funds could be better used in pursuing alternative objectives. Edward Nickell, the JCR President at Exeter, suggested: “Alumni should get creative and choose something less arbitrary than the Norrington table! Donations could be linked to student satisfaction or the number of rustications. My future four figure donation will be contingent on the abolishing of the catering charge.”

Another student at Exeter commented, “To be frank, students are perfectly happy with the teaching. Rather, there is discontent with living costs, and these donations may be going to the wrong cause. Improving things like welfare may affect results to a larger extent than simply spending more on tuition.”

Of course, many students are appreciative of the scheme, despite any beliefs about how the money should be used. One student remarked, “Obviously it’s good that he wants to donate.”

The criticism was aimed at an Oxford study published which assessed the careers of humanities graduates to raise questions about the government’s prioritisation of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) courses.

The study, named Humanities Graduates and the British Economy: The Hidden Impact, observed that more humanities graduates from Oxford are now going into careers in media, finance, and law, altering previous trends which favoured teaching.

Collini, professor of English literature and intellectual history at the University of Cambridge, claimed that universities should not assess the value of academic courses based on their economic potential, stating that the study was “a saddening illustration of how not to do it”.

The head of humanities at the University of Oxford, Shearer West, stated, “I get very concerned when I see pupils in schools being advised not to study humanities because they won’t get a job. It’s the cultural perception and it gets embedded without any evidence.

“There’s absolutely no doubt that STEM is important to the economy. But what the report is demonstrating is the contribution that the humanities can make.”

However, Collini was not convinced by the study’s claims; he stated, “It is hard to know who exactly is supposed to believe that the statistics in such a report make a compelling case for the importance of the humanities.

“This is in effect saying: ‘Yes, we know this is not the real justification for studying these subjects, but there are some people…who can only understand the question in these terms’.”

Collini also claimed the report assumed that “if you make a quick killing in currency trading, then you obviously make more of a contribution than if you teach a child to read.”

A University of Oxford spokesperson said, “Our report shows that a humanities degree equips students for a range of careers and demonstrates to pupils that humanities are not an obstacle to choice of career.”