Oxford University’s quality of research has once again been judged one of the best in the UK, coming second only to Cambridge.

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), which grades research undertaken at UK universities every 7 years, announced the verdict as part of its Research Assessment Exercise (RAE).

70% of Oxford’s research, submitted by 2246 staff, was deemed to be either world-leading or internationally excellent. This contrasts with Cambridge University’s 71% submitted by 2040 staff.

Oxford’s Vice-Chancellor, John Hood, said, “we are delighted with these results. Having submitted over 85% of our academics for assessment, this is a genuine reflection of the breadth and depth of Oxford’s research activity.”

Because of many variables assessed, there are several different league tables in the circulation. Tables based on the average research standard place Cambridge University first, but Oxford tops the charts that prioritise number of researchers assessed.

Of all UK universities, 54% of the work examined across the institutions was world leading or internationally excellent.

David Eastwood, HEFCE’s Chief Executive commented, “this represents an outstanding achievement, confirming that the UK is among the top rank of research powers in the world.”

RAE grading influences how £1.5bn of government funding is distributed to research institutions. The news is eagerly awaited by many universities concerned about their financial futures, amid predictions that the government will cut back on HE spending in the current economic conditions.

Wealthier institutions like Oxford have also lost money from their endowments in the economic downturn.

ITV has announced that it will not renew its contract to broadcast the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race beyond 2010.

The network has decided to financially prioritise football over the historic Boat Race, despite 7.6 million viewers tuning in last year – the highest number of viewers since the event was first broadcast on the channel in 2005.

A spokesperson for the network said, “ITV has invested heavily in a fantastic football portfolio and therefore we will not be renewing our contract for the Boat Race, with the 2009 race the last on ITV1.”

“One of the most expensive events”

ITV’s decision may be part of cost-cutting exercise. The race requires various camera positions along the Thames and two helicopters overhead, making it one of the most expensive sporting events to cover.

The decision has come as a shock to many. The Chairman of the Boat Race Company, Giles Vardey, expressed regret at ITV’s refusal to renew their contract.

He said, “we are naturally disappointed that ITV has decided not to extend its coverage of the Boat Race beyond next March. Discussions are continuing with other broadcasters regarding coverage of the Boat Race.”

A spokesman for the Boat Race Company rejected claims the company would not be able to secure a contract as profitable as that negotiated with ITV four years ago.

“Back to the BBC”

He explained, “there is the assumption that there will be a drop in income. However, we do not know for certain until the negotiations have finished.”
He said the company would favour a return of the Boat Race to the BBC, which broadcast the event for over 50 years.

“There is a desire to see the Boat Race on terrestrial television and the BBC would be a preference, if possible.”

The BBC declined to comment on whether they would be bidding for the contract. Channel 4 and Five are also thought likely to bid for the rights.

Robin Ejsmond-Frey, a member of the Oxford rowing squad for the past four years, expressed sadness at ITV’s decision to drop the Boat Race.

“The race will go on”

He said, “I think it is a shame that ITV have decided to pull out, especially because I think they have done a great job in covering the race.”

But he added, “whatever happens, the race will go on; television or no television, sponsor or no sponsor, the Boat Race will continue – of this I am certain… as long as the spirit of amateur oarsmanship and sportsmanship is upheld, the essence of the race will remain the same.”

Other students have expressed their support for the annual Boat Race.

Tom Gilligan, a Worcester first-year, said, “I love the boat race and always have. I would prefer it on the BBC because there would be no adverts. I do think it is an important event as it shows university competition at the highest level.”

“A lost opportunity”

Some, however, have remained indifferent to its fate.

Chris Greenwood, a first-year rower, said, “I can’t see many people caring about it too much. I suppose it’ll be a lost opportunity to observe some fine technique, but I won’t lose any sleep over it.”

Another student commented, “I watched it for the first time last year. If I wasn’t at Oxford, I wouldn’t be interested in it. I only have four channels and so I wouldn’t be able to watch it if it was on Sky etc. But I would prefer other things to be on those channels much more than the Boat Race.”

Oxford University’s U21 Rugby squad is to be sent on a cultural diversity course following investigations by Proctors into alleged anti-Semitic behaviour by some team members.

The decision came as a result of an investigation launched by University Proctors into the “Bring a fit Jew” social organised by the squad in November.
Despite being asked by officials from Oxford University Student Union to change the theme of the social, it was alleged that some members of the squad wore stereotypical Jewish clothing to the event.
“Facepaint and loincloths”
The following week, photographs emerged of members of the team ‘blacked up’ and wearing loincloths for an African themed Safari Bop.
After completing their investigation into the rugby team’s social, the Proctors cleared the team of breaching University regulations.
A University spokesperson said:
“They have concluded that initial reports about what was planned and about what actually happened were exaggerated.”
However, all members of the Under 21s team will attend a seminar on cultural diversity given early next term by the University’s equality and diversity unit.
The three-hour workshop will take place on January 29th in St. Anne’s College run by head of the Equality and Diversity Unit of the University.

Steve Hill, director of OURFC, was asked by organisers of the seminar to submit a list of those who should attend.

He has decided that the members of the squad that represented OURFC for the rugby match at Twickenham for the Varsity match should be the players that should represent the squad at the workshop, regardless of whether or not they attended the social.
A member of OURFC has called the seminar “unnecessary.”
He said:
“I think the seminar will be a waste of everyone’s time. The team isn’t racist.
The original social was insensitive, but it has been misrepresented – as supported by the proctors’ investigation. So, these measures are unnecessary.”
A member of the Cambridge U21 rugby team expressed sympathy for the U21 squad.
He said:
“I can see how a group of guys can think that it is a bit of fun at the time without meaning to cause offence.
People often react without considering the humorous side and this social shouldn’t be shouldn’t be taken so seriously.”
He also doubted whether the course was an “effective way to educate a rugby team about diversity.”
Students across the university have also questioned the value of the seminar.
An LMH finalist commented, “I think a cultural diversity lesson will just make the team think that their behaviour is even more of a joke – it will probably just become a legendary event for them to boast about.”
“The team should learn about anti-Semitism in history”
Rabbi Eli Brackman, director of the Oxford Chabad Society, an Orthodox Jewish group, stated that the University should “take these matters more seriously.”
He declared that the team should visit a Holocaust museum or former concentration camp Auschwitz to learn about the effect of anti-Semitism throughout history.
“They would be able to learn about history, allowing them to become more sensitive and aware of the full implications and meaning of their behaviour.”
He has registered his concern regarding the “trend” of offensive behaviour towards the Jewish community.
“Ignorance and lack of sensitivity at the university”
“I am concerned about the trend following the hosting of David Irving at the Union, which also offended the sensibilities of the Jewish community and students.
“One might be able to dismiss each event individually but combined they seem to reflect an ignorance and lack of sensitivity directed at the Jewish students at the university.”
A spokesperson for the Union of Jewish Students has praised the action taken by University proctors and stated that they hoped that the training would provide a “positive outcome to an unsavoury episode.”
“The response from by Oxford University and Oxford University Student Union has been excellent and shows that the institution is serious about being a welcoming place for all students.”
“Such behaviour is not ‘banter’.”
Raphel Cohen, the President of Oxford University Jewish society, JSoc, refused to comment on the cultural diversity seminar but stressed that it was important to combat “casual racism” within the university.
He said, “I do think it is important that casual racism of all kinds, whichever group it is aimed at, is recognised as such and it is not acceptable to wave away such behaviour as ‘banter’.”