Let’s face it, we’re all addicted to Facebook. I’m sure I’m not alone in checking my notifications just after I get up and just before I go to bed. Lord knows how many ‘quick breaks’ I’ll take from the old essays to have another sneaky peak. At the end of the day, it’s a convenient way to balance staying social with the latest (potentially all engulfing) essay crisis. Not everyone is such a fan though. A friend recently committed Facebook suicide by deleting her profile and denouncing the networking ‘cult.’ She categorically stated that anyone who considered themselves her real friends knew they could make the effort to call her. She is by no means alone in this. Whatever happened to those romantic days of letter writing and personal phone calls? As much as receiving wall posts is nice, when you realise that you’re one of ten recipients in a friend’s latest ‘Facebook sesh’,  it’s not quite so special.
So why don’t we all abandon it? Well, for starters there’s that minor issue of money, something we students tend to be quite reluctant to part with – let’s face it, calling all our friends would knock up a huge bill and sad though it might seem, we just wouldn’t do it. And then there’s the problem of time – a precious but irritatingly sparse commodity. At Oxford I barely feel that I have enough time to eat or wash; making individual calls to all my friends back home, again, even with the best intentions, probably wouldn’t happen.
So what about the dark ages before Facebook even existed? When my mother (Facebook’s biggest critic) was dating my dad at university, their communication consisted of a scheduled public phone box call once a week. In the world before the internet or mobiles, that was the way a couple at university kept in touch – one conversation a week. Waiting in the cold for a phone to ring seems bad enough to talk to a boyfriend; I highly doubt she would have done it for 20 odd friends as well. So were friendships and relationships really of a better quality before social networking?  Using it as a solitary means of communication would of course be destructive, not to mention downright unhealthy, but in reality that’s not what it’s about. Of course we all love receiving calls from friends back home, but who can deny that a little Super-Wall here and there keeps us topped up with a healthy dose of socialising to keep us going in the mean time.by Helen Smith

A vote on Krishna Omkar’s proposals to change Union rules has been delayed until Thursday. If passed, the rule changes will overturn lifetime bans from running in Union elections. Omkar is currently subject to such a ban.The vote was originally going to take place yesterday but President Emily Partington proposed for it to be “requisitioned” until fifth week to “enable the general membership of the Union to have a chance to make their mind up about the changes.”However as Omkar will be in Delhi during fifth and sixth weeks for personal reasons, a compromise of fourth week has been reached.Minutes of the Emergency Standing Committee that voted on the delay show that Omkar criticised the move as being “for the political self-interests of Committee members.”He was referring to the elections due to take place at the end of this term, in which several members of the current Standing Committee are expected to contest the Union’s presidency.  Omkar believes that those members do not wish to stand against him in an election. Emily Partington admitted that the delay “could easily be construed as political”, but insisted that it was in the best interests of the society.“There is nothing detrimental to leaving it for a week,” she said.  “What would be worse would be looking back and saying we’ve rushed it through the chamber.”

Student residents in Jericho have been battling with rodent problems and have complained of negligent landlords, despite high demand for housing there.One third year student, who preferred to remain anonymous, said, “The rats have been there all year but the landlord has only just come with traps.” Seven students, each paying £330 per month, share the Cardigan Street address with three rats that have apparently been terrorising the flatmate living in the basement, even plaguing his dreams in which he thinks they have bitten him.The housemates initially contacted their landlord and the letting agency Homefinders but discovered that the former was responsible once the contract has been signed.  One housemate said, “He’s been slow throughout the whole thing because he can get away with it.”After delays at the Council, who took two weeks to bring traps that did not work, the housemates resorted to an internet-advertised rat catcher. After being charged £100 and still facing a rodent problem at the end of it, the landlord eventually provided the housemates with working traps. The students, however, were burdened with this bill.The student added, “We may consider not paying next month’s rent.”by Sarah Fleming 

The New College room ballot system has been labelled “ridiculous” after many students were mistakenly told that they would have to find rooms outside of College.

An email sent out on 28 November last year demanded that students reply before 6 December if they wanted to be included on the room ballot. When a number of students, believed to be between ten and 15, missed the deadline they were omitted from the ballot, provoking fierce complaints.

Caroline Thomas, New College Home Bursar who composed the email, defended the College’s actions. She explained, “There is a convention at New College that students should reply to emails within 24 hours… The header makes it clear that it is very important that [students reply] if they want a room for next year (‘VERY important information about rooms for next year- please read carefully’).” She also noted that the opening lines of the email stated, “If you disregard any instruction you will prejudice your chances in the ballot.”

However one second-year, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “Some of us don’t check our emails every day. Since when do they make people homeless for not sending an email? That is a pretty harsh fine, especially with a ridiculous deadline. It was a ridiculous three thousand word email, especially as students don’t have the longest attention spans.”

Ben Karlin, JCR President, defended the College authorities. He said, “I certainly would not come down hard on the College…I think it was a series of slightly unfortunate events. People should have been more organised. The JCR and the College can learn from it and make changes for the future.”

William Cowell de Gruchy, Editor of the New College paper, The Newt, echoed Karlin’s sentiments. “As far as I’m concerned the situation arose more from undergrad laziness than a fault in the system, though given that many of our undergrads seem to be incapable of reading long emails, perhaps they should be spoon fed such stuff in future?”

Ginny Howells, the New College JCR Accommodation officer, explained that, “I pushed for the deadline to be extended for everyone…So the deadline was extended, and the people who were late for the first deadline are now back on the ballot.”by Rob Pomfret 

So what’s it to be: baggy or bootcut, flared or straight-leg, high-waisted or low-rise, relaxed fit or slouch fit? Buying a new pair of jeans is no easy feat these days, what with the immountable piles of different styles, shades and fits which populate every clothes-shop. Choose from a £3 Tesco pair, or skip up through the high-street offers on Cornmarket, or perhaps even to the never – will – afford – on – this – student – loan – designer styles, from the old classics of Jordache and Calvin Klein to the new, rising brands VB and Sass & Bide. Screw the essay – this is a challenge. Boyfriend jeans? Just nick a pair from a Teddy Hall boy getting naked on a crew date. Skinny jeans? Honestly, how did a fashion that only serves to accentuate the hips and the thighs ever become so popular and, apparently, a wardrobe stable – now available in pink, turquoise or red.
Gone are the days of old, when overalls made out of a strong, practical blue material called denim were made for factory workers in Western America. Supplied by a Mr Levi-Strauss, the men’s jeans would have the zipper, as it is now, down the front, whereas women’s had the zipper down the right-hand side. Flattering. In the 1930s, Western films took America by storm and as cinema-goers were enraptured by the hardened, authentic cowboys on screen, with them came their jeans. They henceforth became the symbol of all things rugged, virile and independent, moving away from association with labourers and obtaining, by the 1950s, a popular fashion status. The original Levian, John Wayne, was soon replaced by James Dean – rebellious, smouldering, and devastatingly sexy in denim.
Fast forward several decades and every American, on average, owns seven pairs. Inspired to buy yourself some more now, in the hope of reaching a Rebel Without a Cause level of seduction? Button up that coat, and check out the myriad on offer. But be warned: thou shalt be careful in thy purchase, and thou must avoid anything which will transform your perfect denims into a devastating tragedy. No diamanté studding (so no River Island, then), no excessive bleaching which suggests you’ve had an accident in the Scout’s cupboard, and absolutely NO over-the-top, obviously-fake, perfectly-square ‘rips’ and ‘tears’. So with all these guidelines, it’s back to the changing-room…

by Gini Sharvill

 Kate McGettigan
Oxford University Quiz Society 
Who does OUQS represent and why should we sign up?
We exist to promote and organising academic quizzes in Oxford. You should sign up if you like quizzes, want to practise for your 15 minutes of fame on University Challenge, or just want to show off what a smart arse you are!

Why do you think OUQS is important?
It allows students to stretch their intelligence beyond their subject, and provides healthy competition outside of conventional sports. Also, we’ve never lost a Varsity Match, so we are very good at maintaining the glory of Oxford.

As a member of OUQS, what has been your most memorable experience so far?
Watching our A team beat Cambridge in the Varsity Match was definitely a highlight. I really hope we can do the same this year – I don’t want to be the first captain to lose the trophy.

What does OUQS have planned for 2008?
The Inter-Collegiate Quiz is just beginning, which is the big event for 2008 and takes about three weeks in total. Next term will be the Varsity Match, which is being held in Oxford and will be very exciting for all concerned.

Tell us something you didn’t / couldn’t say at fresher’s fair?
We have Strip Buzzers. We get them out after we’ve had a few drinks.

When do you meet and how can we get involved?
We hold quizzes on an ad hoc basis a couple of times a term – to be added to the mailing list e-mail [email protected]. Squad Trials are held in Michaelmas of each academic year.
 Interview by Louise Collins

Oxford research has claimed that there is a strong link between the “mindset” of engineering students and Islamic extremism.Diego Gambetta, of Nuffield College, and Steffen Hertog, a lecturer at Durham concluded in their paper ‘Engineers of Jihad’ that there is strong relationship between an engineering background and involvement in Islamic terrorist groups. The authors found that graduates from subjects such as science, engineering, and medicine are strongly overrepresented among Islamist movements in the Muslim world, but engineers alone are over-represented among those who gravitate to violent groups. Hertog explained, “We had heard the anecdotal story that engineers are more prone to right-wing and religious thinking than people of other faculties so we checked the educational background of radical actors.  We found that a high proportion had been through higher education and found that among these actors engineers were clearly over-represented compared to actors from other degree backgrounds.”
The paper does not suggest that it is engineers’ technical skills that made them more attractive to radical groups. Instead, it says that among engineers there is a  “mindset bias” which is more likely to attract a larger number of them to Islamic extremism.  “Studies have shown that Engineers are more right-wing and religious than other faculties.  There may exist a mind-set bias among engineers towards conservatism, they may be attracted to the predictability, the strong hierarchies, and the desire for a lost order [that is apparent in Islamic extremism],” Hertog said. “There are very few engineers involved in left-wing extremism,” he continued.
The research claims that this “mindset” has particular impact when the social conditions endured are tough. “Engineering is considered a very high-status degree in Islamic countries so engineers are more likely to be frustrated by the poor socio-economic conditions and lack of social mobility in their countries,” Hertog said.The authors claim that engineers might have “peculiar cognitive traits and dispositions” which makes a disproportionate number of them open to right-wing traits of “monism”, believing that there is one best solution, and “simplism”, the idea that if only people were rational, remedies would be simple.  A past survey in the United States has shown that there is a higher proportion of engineers who declare themselves to be on the right of the political spectrum than any other disciplinary group.  
“We could thus hypothesize that personal dispositions and style of thinking among engineers differ from those of students in other subjects in ways that could make them more prone to become involved in violent forms of radicalization, not just as willing recruits but as prime movers,” the paper states.  However, it adds that its findings are not proof of its mindset theory.“The mindset hypothesis predicts that we should find engineers to have more extreme ideological tendencies than people in other disciplines, and a greater predilection towards joining radical political groups in general,” the research continues.  In addition, the report also argues that engineers might be more present among right-wing and religious groups because of a another “mindset” feature, “preservatism”, the craving to restore a lost order of authority and privilege. “This way we (try to) explain why they’re not present on the left, but present on both the right and among Islamists”, said Hertog.A third-year engineer at Pembroke said,  “I think the ability of an engineer to act in a purely practical and clinical way, removing the element of human feeling to an extent, sits quite well with terrorism.” But he added that an engineering “mindset” alone would not be enough to attract people to terrorism. Octave Oppetit, another third-year engineer, commented, “We believe it is our god-given right to knock down what we have built up in the first place.”Hertog emphasised that the study does not claim that all, or even many, engineers have a quasi-terrorist ‘mindset’, saying, “We do not make generalizations about engineers in general, just about the radical fringe among them.”The authors hope to continue their studies, saying that they want to better explain the over-representation of engineers in extremist Islamic groups. “We want to conduct further psychological cognitive studies on individuals to put our fingers on exactly what it is that explains the over-representation of engineers amongst Islamic radicals,” said Hertog.  “Engineering is merely a proxy for some underlying condition that tends towards right wing and extreme religious views,” he added.
Hertog concluded, “There is strong evidence to suggest that nothing predicts a person’s social and political views as well as their faculties, and, at least according to US data, engineers are outliers in their religious and right-wing views.”by Nadya Thorman 

 Violet Graham leaves the High Street and explores the lure of the second-hand.Shopping in charity shops is a divisive issue. Whilst volunteering for an hour or two on Saturday during our schools years was one thing, Duke of Edinburgh service points contributing to a glittering CV, (or so we thought), moving pensively between the rails on a Tuesday – perhaps with Grandma and Grandma’s friend from the church – is another. Indeed, the thought of pre-used clothes in their original habitat, on unknown and unnamed bodies, is a little alarming. Our fears of germs and bacteria become suddenly acute in this environment, and arguably not always undeservedly either, since my volunteer friend once unloaded a dead cat along with the nightgowns and old curtains of a bag of donations. Contempt has also formed over the belief that clothes are worn-out and out-of-date, whilst ‘frequently hideous’ demonstrates well the popular view of the ornaments taking pride of place along the back wall.
But charity shops should not be snubbed, and indeed recognition of their value is on the rise. No longer are these shops perceived as exclusively for the aged but rather as treasure troves for the popular youth as well. Society has returned once again to our long-established, sometimes suppressed, passion for bargains and to standing out from the crowd: and charity shops, now movements desiring ‘one-off vintage pieces’ have okayed their existence once again, are the haven for just these kinds of find.
Disputably, a large part of our contemporary interest in charity shops stems from current fashion trends rather than ethical or moral concerns. Since Moss and Miller first aired their vintage finds – fashionable young starlets grabbing at this opportunity to be different – a vast section of the population has taken to adorning themselves in the unseen and the old – the lacy with the ‘80s clutch, the matronly skirt worn as a dress with a sunhat, and so on. Oxfam has become the focal point of a fashion pilgrimage that others might make to Jack Wills, the super-skinny section of Topman or across the uniformity of JJB Sports: where items are to be had to formulate specific cut-out-and-keep identities.
So some believe in shopping in charity shops as if this, in itself, is a statement. But whilst fashion, ever developing but also ever-cyclic, is pulling up the same items over decades – think leggings, high-waists and check shirts, which have all come round again, and again – charity shops can actually throw up statement clothes. This kind of item should not, I think, be about being different but about contributing to and enlivening your wardrobe. The best combinations come from a blending of the old and the new. Quality items are to be found across Help the Aged, Cancer Research, Save The Children and beyond; and these things, like jackets and belts and trouser suits can not only contribute to our outfits but strike a statement of ‘100% cashmere’ or ‘finest quality yarn’ across our Primark infested lives, calling remarkably on the same prices or lower. City charity shops in particular deserve mention, offering extensive variety and quality: a multitude of identities on the rails.
And trendy clothes are obviously not the only exciting finds to be had. Paintings, records and jewellery are also to be sifted from the drudge in your regular charity store. Books too, organised alphabetically and by genre – a section of footballers’ biographies alongside Jamie’s eat the world a better place, the classics, war literature and steamy romances – are usually on hand to be considered. Sometimes the keen sifter alights on something old –something antique – something interesting. And just the thing you needed may also be there too: waiting to complete collections or inspire interest – the final ‘Now’ album for your collection perhaps, or a selection of Keats’ poetry to provoke the soul.
There is in fact a lot to say in the defence of charity stores as the ideal shopping experience. In the last few years these good purpose shops have in many cases been whitewashed and hoovered. At home, where we have a charity shop collective of over ten stores, a hierarchy has been established amongst them, and Cancer Research – with shining, happy staff, colour coordinated rails and two floors – is in fact up with the best of them: boasting designer clothing and exotic window displays all year round. Shopping in a charity shop has become more of a fast paced experience and bargains are often to be achieved through early starts and queuing. More and more charities are also selling their own, new, items: helping those they support by providing craft-based jobs and buyers overseas in their UK stores; who buy the coffee, ceramic pots and beaded purses along with their second-hand finds.
Today, I think, charity shops are more successfully responding to our commercial instincts. At the conception of the first stores – the first Oxfam was on Broad Street in 1947 –  was the notion that people needed to buy things cheaply, post WWII, and that these shops could achieve this whilst also raising money for charity – sometimes the causes were reflected in their buyers. However, in an age of greater consumerism, it is as if stores have only recently really tuned in to promoting their commercial status: that is to promoting the appeal and pull of their stores, rather than hoping and depending on good will as well as need. In buying at a charity shop, the ‘good’ part is enormous. Happy in the knowledge that we will look fabulous at the ball – a beautiful concoction of fabrics, classic cuts and sparkles folded neatly into the carrier bag- we are also giving our twelve pounds to helping the development and issue of medicine and food in conditions of famine. If society is interested, or able, to donate money directly to charity, then this is great. But if we can dress ourselves or inspire our interests, in part, in these stores – and not in money-grabbing high street chains entirely – then this is also a really good thing. By also donating items and clothing – things no longer wanted – we can keep the system going: inadvertently completing others’ perfect outfits in to the bargain, through giving an unwanted scarf, the jeans that no longer fit, the heels that were just too high.
So the charity shop is definitely something to be involved with. Whether using them as a source for great fashion triumphs, outrageous 80’ glamour outfits or in the noble pursuit of Jordan’s Crystal at half the price, there is a lot to be gained. There is also a lot to give, and if you still can’t stomach shopping, then maybe the thought of others wearing your clothes or reading your books isn’t so bad – donate and feel involved: charity will always be in.

Oxford Union President Emily Partington was forced to deny allegations of sexual harassment and racism at the debating society this week after the story of Krishna Omkar’s disqualification hit national and international press.

Media interest began on Saturday with an article on page 3 of the Daily Mail entitled, “Poll rigging, sex jibes and a case of the Oxford blues” and focussing on the feud between ex-Treasurer Omkar and Charlotte Fischer, his opponent in last term’s elections. 

A similar article appeared in the Sunday Times the next day.When she resigned from Standing Committee two weeks ago, Fischer alleged that certain Union officers had sent her text messages saying “fancy a fuck?”.

Following an article in the Times of India that suggested members of Omkar’s slate were responsible for these messages, Emily Partington released a statement stressing that “Ms. Fischer has not alleged that Mr. Omkar or his supporters were responsible for the offensive messages.”

The statement continues, “The Oxford Union rejects any assertions of discrimination. It has a proud record of attracting committee members from all social, religious, and racial backgrounds, and does not discriminate on these, or any other, grounds.”

The story has made front page news in India. Omkar appeared on NDTV, an Indian television station, on Wednesday to defend himself.Being under the media spotlight has caused tension on the Union’s Standing Committee. 

On Monday, Librarian Ed Waldegrave asked committee member Ian Wellby if he had spoken to the Daily Mail. Wellby strongly denied the suggestion.Emily Partington added that she was unhappy with the coverage.

“I’m in the process of putting together a complaint to the Press Complaints Commission, and I’ve asked the papers to redress factual inaccuracies,” she said.She also commented that she was going to introduce a system of fines to discourage members of Standing Committee from speaking to the press without her express permission in the future.

 6-8 St. Michael's Street4/5 Two words which sum up the Nosebag: ‘elderflower wine’. Could you get any more wholesome without using ‘organic’ as a prefix? And wholesome is exactly what you will find if you venture up the creaky wooden staircase of the Nosebag’s 15th Century listed building and enter a world of terracotta walls, chunky check blinds, hanging pot plants and kitsch table flowers. The set up is simple; bench seating and counter service – cold food dished up and handed over on the spot, hot meals brought to your table. The ever-changing menu is as rustic as the décor might suggest, with simple dishes done to a consistently high standard. At lunchtime take advantage of the gargantuan portions of salad (£4.15 for three different kinds); choose between wheatberry and peanut, white cabbage and apple, or pesto pasta, for a start. Also available are quiches, jacket potatoes, soups and a handful of hot dishes such as lasagne. For dinner all the lunchtime options are still on offer, and a few extra ‘proper’ meals (£7 – £9) added.
We ordered our mains first, then decided to get a chicken liver pâté to start (£4.50 with a hunk of bread and salad). The waitress behind the counter raised her eyebrows as if we had asked for our chicken to be cooked rare. ‘Are you sure?’ This was a novelty; an employee advising against a purchase, though luckily my companion views eating as a competitive sport. She did, however, have a point; the servings are very large, so make sure you work up an appetite before you visit. The pâté was delicious, though like novices we misjudged the bread to spread ratio, and ended up having to slather it onto slices of tomato when the roll disappeared. The mains were hearty and filling, the best being the beef and Guinness stew with herb and horseradish cobblers, vegetables or salad (£8.75). The cobblers (a cross between a scone and a dumpling, but far superior to both) were delicious, buttery and light, with a genius ability to soak up the stew without going soggy. Our other main, a pumpkin and red pepper tagine with couscous and salad (£8.25) was tasty but lacked the comfort-food element of the stew. The Nosebag is an excellent place for vegetarian fodder which makes up around half of their overall output; it is, however, priced very similarly to the meaty options, which may make them seem expensive to some. I suppose you pay a premium for freshness here, but it’s a worthwhile premium to pay.
If you still have room, the homemade desserts and cakes should not be overlooked, and thus I am forced to make a very controversial statement: the brownies here (£1.70) are the best in Oxford. They are so good that I had to cut them up into little squares pre-consumption in order to savour every squidgy, fudgey mouthful. The Nosebag is ideal for an informal, impromptu bite to eat, a cosy haven of homely calm amidst the chaos of Oxford life. Take your mum, she’ll love it.

by Kate Hayter