Oxford University has expressed uncertainty over a government-proposed plan to introduce a post-qualification admission (PQA) system, despite being encouraged to back it by the Department for Education and Skills.
The Director-General for Higher Education at the DfES, Sir Alan Wilson, outlined a move towards a PQA system in a paper launched on 9 September. In the foreward he states, “Under a PQA system, applications would be made when exam results are known. This would enable students to apply for places that best matched their ability and needs. Higher Education Institutes would consider applications on the basis of more accurate information about students than at present. This would allow them to make better quality decisions, based on reliable and fair assessment of each student’s ability.”
Oxford University is amongst the institutions showing resistance to the PQA plan. A spokesperson for the University told Cherwell that Oxford “supports the idea [of PQA] in principle as long as it does not affect the University’s ability to maintain a high calibre of students. The fair way to do things is to assess everyone at once and give all the places at once, and the proposals wouldn’t allow that”. The University is still to respond formally to the PQA proposals sent out over the summer.
Currently students are accepted by universities based on predicted grades, over half of which turn out to be incorrect according to a recent study by the Sutton Trust. The same study claims that the current system has disproportionately negative effects for students from lower-performance schools, as they are more likely to be predicted grades below their actual achievements.
Under the PQA plan, universities would offer places to students at two different times during the year. The first offers would be made, as they are now, based on predicted grades and other achievements. However, universities would be required to set aside a stipulated number of places available only to students applying after the release of their final examination results.
Wilson spoke about the implementation of the potential changes, “We are clear – and all the soundings we have taken so far confirm our view – that it is not the Government’s role to impose or to be primarily responsible for implementing change.
“We heard strong arguments though that such a complex and far-reaching programme of reform is unlikely to be successful if it is left to develop in a wholly piecemeal fashion. We suggest that there is a clear need for leadership and co-ordination of the reform programme and that this role is for the various sector stakeholders acting in partnership.”ARCHIVE: 0th week MT 2005

Azim Ansari, the Afghan student who spent his first year trying to repeal the Home Office’s decision to deport him, is taking a year out from his studies at Oxford to deal with his visa application in Ireland.
A statement by Emma Jones of the student-run ‘Keep Azim in Oxford’ campaign confirmed that “Azim will be taking this year off and has asked that the campaign give no statements at present, beyond thanking everyone very much for their solidarity”.
The President of St John’s College, Sir Michael Scholar, said that he believed Ansari, now 18, is in Ireland, from where he will apply to return to England to continue his studies. Scholar said that both the college and Azim thought it best that he took a year out in order that he could “get it all sorted without mucking up his uni career” as the process will “take a while”.
Ansari married his 29 year-old girlfriend, Becky, last November. He may be able to apply for a marriage visa, but Home Office regulations state that “the person applying for entry clearance must be outside of the United Kingdom and Islands at the time of application.”
Ansari gained a distinction in his Engineering Prelims despite the disruption caused by the appeals process last year.ARCHIVE: 0th week MT 2005

Two Oxford University Boat Club oarsmen were left wounded in a Seville hospital on Sunday 18 September after a group of the rowers were attacked by a gang of Spanish youths.
OUBC were participating in a regatta to mark the centenary of Seville Football Club.
The incident happened at 2am in a suburban street shortly after the rowers involved left a nightclub. They were surrounded by the youths and attacked with bottles, motorcycle helmets and motorcycle ’D’ locks. The hospitalised rowers were able to leave the Medical Centre the next morning. A preliminary statement from the Boat Club says that the pair have “recovered well and are back in full training”.
Spanish police have now confirmed to the victims that the group of youths are “well known” to them for similar offences, and that ten people have been charged with the attack.
The reason for the attack is said by the Boat Club to be “unknown”, although the police have speculated that it “may have been a recurrence of the violence that plagued the Liverpool-Betis football match earlier in the week”.
OUBC came fourth in the regatta after Betis, Cambridge and Seville.
Barney Williams, President of OUBC, said “The OUBC in conjunction with the University is reviewing the format of the event to ensure that this was an isolated event. The health and safety of its athletes is a priority of the OUBC and the club is currently conducting a review of all events in which it participates to ensure that the respective organisers share this sentiment.”ARCHIVE: 0th week MT 2005

The debate into Socially Responsible Investments of individual colleges continues as it has been revealed that St Hilda’s college held 24,796 shares in online gambling company PartyGaming.
The investment was made shortly after the company floated on the London Stock Exchange in June, but the shares were sold after five weeks.
The NUS spoke out against the company ahead of floatation, stating online gambling to be “a very dangerous way to supplement income which could result in great financial loss”. In an article by Guardian Education, the NUS also expressed a concern that that online gambling may tempt cash-strapped students, making endorsement of such companies a risk to student welfare. It was also noted that one third of online poker players are female.
Silje Vold of the Campaign for Socially Responsible Investment at St. Hilda’s College told Cherwell, “I understand that St.Hilda’s have jumped on the online gambling craze by investing in one of the most successful online Gambling companies. Considering the dubious ethical nature of such companies, I think it gives St. Hilda’s a negative public image to endorse the activities of such a company.”
“The College is currently committed to make ethical considerations in their investment decision, but as the investment in PartyGaming shows, to ‘consider’ it does not seem to result in excluding companies from the investment portfolio for ethical reasons”, she added.
St Hilda’s Vice Principle, Janet Howarth said, “The College has a socially responsible investment policy, which was agreed by the Fellows of the College after discussion with student representatives. The selection of shares is left entirely to asset managers who act on behalf of the College.”
HSBC, the college’s assets manager, have reported that they would not “invest in a company outside the parameters agreed with our clients.”
Vold presented a paper to the governing body of the college on 15th June 2005 entitled “Why should the College adopt a stricter policy on Socially Responsible Investment?” following a motion passed by the JCR on 6th of June calling for greater transparency of college investments and Socially Responsible Investment policies.
The paper stated that, “in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, the JCR asks for greater transparency in Hilda’s investments and hence that the JCR is being informed regularly about the College’s investments.”
JCR President Ailbhe Menton told Cherwell, “The JCR is currently gathering as much relevant information as possible regarding the matter and calling upon the JCR report on Socially Responsible Investment. Unfortunately, most students have not returned from vacation yet. Once they have arrived, they will be informed and a discussion held.”ARCHIVE: 0th week MT 2005

St. Peter’s College has been left “shocked and saddened” by the death of a popular and talented student during the vacation.
Jonny Fraser, 21 from Pinner, drowned in powerful currents in Verkala, India, while attempting to save a fellow swimmer he had befriended during his trip. She was eventually saved but Jonny was overcome by the current.
Jonny was due to return to begin his third year of a PPE degree at St Peter’s College, where friends are said to be devastated by the loss. JCR President Omar Shweiki said, “St Peter’s has been deeply shocked and saddened by the death of one of our community’s most enthusiastic and popular members, and is only just beginning to come to terms with our loss”.
A passionate talker and keen thinker, Jonny was looking forward to a career in banking and, just prior to his trip to India, had been offered a place at Rothschilds Bank in Mergers and Acquisitions. He then planned to teach.
Joe Hacker, an SPC student and friend of Jonny’s since the age of 15, said, “I’ve never met anyone so optimistic and passionate, especially with respect to his ideal future in banking and then teaching… Knowing that the first part of his dream was just slotting into place makes his death all the more painful to bear.”
His interest in politics and discussion made Jonny a lively and engaged student as well as friend. Dr Tim Mawson, Fellow and Tutor in Philosophy at St Peter’s, who taught him for many of his Philosophy papers, described Jonny as “perceptive and enquiring” and “determined to get to grips with the thorny and various problems we tackled together.”
Jonny’s serious attitude to work was coupled with a great sense of humour, and Dr Mawson recalled Jonny’s ability “to explore thoroughly some philosophical question and yet laugh just as thoroughly at some of the answers ventured to it, including very often those ventured to it by ourselves.”
Dr. Hartmut Mayer, Fellow and Tutor in Politics at SPC, also remembers Jonny as “a special student who combined passion for the subject with intellectual rigour.” Dr. Mayer added, “He was always willing and able to challenge conventional wisdom, and he had all the qualities we are looking for in our brightest students.”
A former member of the Oxford Union’s Secretary’s Committee, Jonny was often embroiled in a discussion on politics or philosophy. Joe Hacker described to Cherwell that zest for argument: “One of his closest friends said of Jonny that he would rather have been disliked for his views that to have remained indifferent; I whole-heartedly agree.”
Tributes to Jonny stress that, above all, he was a good friend. Thomas Lind, a student at SPC and friend of Jonny’s, told Cherwell: “Johnny was a great kid, and everyone liked him; and obviously, despite the love for bullshit banter, damned good in a foxhole.”
SPC’s flag was flown at half mast as a mark of respect during the period after Jonny’s death and on the day of his funeral. The Master of St Peter’s College, Professor Bernard Silverman, said: “It’s a terrible blow to lose such a bright, talented and promising student as Jonathan. He was immensely popular with teachers and students, and will be greatly missed.”
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.” Peter and Bette Fraser, Jonny’s parents, said “We will always treasure the years we had him with us. Jonny would have wanted us to make something positive out of our grief and as dutiful parents, we have always tried to do what Jonny told us to.”
A public memorial service is planned and details will be announced after the beginning of term.ARCHIVE: 0th week MT 2005

Oxford University has appointed a new Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Jeremy Harris. Harris, who will start his new job in late October, worked at the BBC from 1974 until 7 years ago when he took up a public relations job for the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Harris will be responsible for the University’s communications, both internally and with outside media. He said that he was “looking forward hugely to helping a great institution develop an even greater future.”
Harris is to take over the role formerly occupied by Helen Carasso, who has now moved to the position of Acting Director of Admissions.
Harris’ role is currently being covered until his arrival by the Head of Press Office and the Head of Publications. The Press and Information Office will be under Harris, as well as the Events Office, the Media Production Unit and the Publications Office, which produces the University prospectus.
One of Harris’s main tasks will be to defend the reputation of University Vice-Chancellor Dr John Hood, who last year came under criticism for his academic reform strategy and the primacy given to “business considerations”. Hood welcomed Harris’s appointment, speaking of his “broad strategic experience” and saying that Harris “has clearly demonstrated his leadership skills in a complex and high-profile organisation.”
Harris himself was criticised in 2003 while working as Deputy Head of Staff and Secretary for Public Affairs at Lambeth Palace. A report he had drafted on the issue of gay clergy was leaked to the press, in which Harris considered strategies for “displacing [the issue] at least partially from public and media attention.”
He proposed diverting interest by “finding attractive alternative stories involving ABC” (shorthand for the Archbishop of Canterbury). Suggestions included “ABC as poet – do a reading, make a high-profile Lords intervention, announce a theology prize.”
Harris studied English at Clare College, Cambridge, and completed a PGCE in English and Drama at the University of Nottingham before joining the BBC in 1974. During his time at the BBC, Harris reported from more than 40 countries including assignments at the Chernobyl nuclear disaster and the first Iraq War. He later also worked as a presenter and foreign affairs analyst on BBC radio.ARCHIVE: 0th week MT 2005

Plans have been unveiled by Oxford University for a £100 million scheme to create a library system for the 21st century.
The plans include major redevelopment of the New Bodleian and the Radcliffe Science Libraries, a new depository site and the creation of a New Humanities Library on the site of the old Radcliffe Infirmiry. The plans are to be put before the congregation next month.
Fears for the safety of the 8.25 million volumes of books that would be affected in the change stem from warnings of flood risks, leading Professor James Howard-Johnston, a fellow of Corpus Christi College, to describe the plans as “lunacy” in the Oxford Times. In order to protect the books, they will be stored at the Osney Mead depository site, which Roland Milne, Acting Director of the Oxford University Library Service told Cherwell is above the level that floods have reached over the past 100 years.
Milne stated that they would attempt to keep the distribution of books to a minimum, an estimated twelve deliveries per day, in order to prevent an increase of congestion in the city centre. Milne hopes that the new Humanities Library would provide “much improved facilities” and conditions for students. He cited the example of the Theology Library on St Giles, which is “very cramped”, and “not really good enough.” With the new libraries he said there would be “more books on open shelves”, “longer opening hours” and more access to electronic resources.
Milne described the current university system as “the best library system in the country” but that improvements were always necessary. Currently the University rents commercial storage in places as far away as Cheshire, which Mr Milne notes is “not a capital investment.” He said the new site would give the University “growth space” and added that high use stock will remain in central Oxford. He said that the changes should not affect the amount of time the library takes to fetch a book from the stacks.
The plans for the construction of the humanities library will mean the closure of smaller departmental libraries such as the History Faculty and Oriental Institute. Last term, OUSU launched an online survey to get students’ views on the centralisation proposals for libraries outlined in the Establishment review. 1585 students completed the survey. 46.8% of students either opposed or strongly opposed the plans to merge the humanities and arts libraries and 15.7% agreed with the proposals.
When asked about the new Social Science library students felt that opening hours had improved but a majority believed that the availability of books had not changed. A majority of students (78.8%) said that they would prefer to work in historic Oxford libraries than more modern libraries. Commenting on the OUSU Library survey Ronald Milne said “I love historic buildings too” but also stated that the Old and New Bodleian as well as the Radcliffe Camera will remain part of the library system as reading rooms. “We have to provide new facilities, some libraries are not acceptable.”
OUSU President Emma Norris said the plans “seem like a very good idea because the current site is at breaking point”. She added that the off-site depository system has “worked fine.”
A committee will meet with the Curators of the Universities Libraries in 6th week to discuss the findings of the survey, Charlynne Pullen, VP Access and Academic Affairs, told Cherwell her main aim was to ensure that “students can get access to the books they need and that the University can make them accessible for longer.”
Professor James Howard-Johnston, a fellow of Corpus Christi College who had spoken against the original plans, has since described the new published plans as “a very great improvement.” Professor Howard-Johnston also stated that there should be “maximum consultation” about the amalgamation of smaller libraries as the closure of the Commonwealth Studies Library was “viewed as damaging academically.”
Professor Howard-Johnson concluded by saying that “I haven’t completely made up my mind” about the proposals, expressing concerns about the expense and logistical problems of transferral to the Osney Mead site. “If the cost is reasonable it should get the go-ahead” he added.ARCHIVE: 0th week MT 2005

Serenity
dir Joss Whedon
out 7 OctoberIt depends on whom you ask: Serenity is either the highly-anticipated result of an unprecedented fan-led revolution, or the doomed offspring of a failed TV show. The film is a continuation of Firefly, Buffy creator Joss Whedon’s sci-fiwestern. When Firefly was cancelled after only eleven episodes, overwhelming fan support (and, more cynically, DVD sales) led to a surprising film offer.Set some time after an unspecified disaster has forced mankind to leave Earth, Serenity follows the crew of a small cargo ship whose regular diet of small-time piracy is disturbed by the results of government experimentation on one of their number. On the run from the authorities, they are forced from planet to planet, until the eventual discovery of the sinister reason behind their persecution.Much of this is a direct translation of the TV show’s formula, which, along with the return of all nine original cast members, ensures that the (slightly rabid) fanbase will be in heaven. Entirely separate from this is the question of whether it is actually any good.The shocking answer is: Yes. Very. The cast (largely unknown in film roles) are universally impressive, managing, despite the swift pace of the plot, to maintain both plausibility and emotional weight. Combine this with a witty script and superb, often artistic, cinematography, and the film avoids the danger, familiar from Stars Wars and Trek, of imploding under the self-indulgent weight of its own mythology.In fact, the future world presented in Serenity is one of its most intriguing aspects. Mankind’s exodus from Earth gives opportunity and wealth to the rich, and strands the poor on barely fertile moons. The result is a surprisingly believable dystopia. Other details, such as the ubiquity of both (American) English and Chinese as de facto linguae francae, add the impression that, while PPEists may be unconvinced, there is more going on under the surface than we are privy to.The plot, while entertaining, is the film’s weakest element. Although the grisly experiments performed on River (the young sister of the ship’s doctor) by the authoritarian Alliance government are intriguing, the revelation which forms the film’s major twist is involving rather than shocking, and does not feel weighty enough to provoke the reaction which comprises the end of the movie.Regardless, Serenity is worth watching – even for those who have never heard of Firefly, or wouldn’t normally enjoy science fiction. Quality acting, spectacular special effects and an unusual backdrop make for a captivating two hours. And, as an added bonus, the film comes with optional DVD extras in the form of the original eleven-hour long series box set.ARCHIVE: 0th week, MT 2005

Oxford 12.5Cambridge 8.5The Oxford Men’s Blues Tennis Team finished off a successful year in style as they won a closely fought Varsity Match on the famous grass courts of The Queen’s Club in London.After victories over Nottingham University, The Queen’s Club and the prestigious All England Lawn Tennis Club, as well as reaching the semi-finals of the BUSA knockout tournament, expectations were high ahead of the yearly clash with the light blue enemy. And despite succumbing to defeat just once all season Oxford had to work hard to claim their first taste of Varsity glory for 3 years.Mark Carpenter set the theme of the two-day event with a closely fought 7-6, 7-6 victory over Cambridge’s leading singles player Paddy May. May was unbeaten in five matches in last year’s Varsity contest and Carpenter had to produce some of his best matchplay tennis to unsettle his opponent and edge out two tie-breaks. Carpenter looked to have let a major chance slip when he was broken when serving for the match at 5-4 but he held out magnificently for victory.With the Tabs’ trump card defeated Oxford must have thought their 21st victory out of 22 was going to be easier than expected. At the end of the first day, however, Cambridge, aided by the sort of weather so associated with British tennis, and courtesy of some gutsy tennis, were level at 5-5.Oxford’s no.4, William Partlett, this year making his 4th appearance in the Varsity Match, lost out to Cambridge’s no.3 in three sets, though James Spooner, Oxford’s no.6, continued Carpenter’s early good work and dispatched Cambridge’s no.5 in straight sets to put Oxford up 2-1 after the first round of singles. Despite a further singles victory the postponement of two of the day’s doubles matches meant Cambridge were able to level the match at 5-5 with it all to play for on day two.The postponed doubles matches came first and brought a restoration of Oxford’s two leg lead, as well the knowledge they were now just four games away from victory. Particularly impressive was the Oxford no.1 pairing of Raddant/Spooner who beat the useful Cambridge no.2 pair in straight sets 7-5, 6-1.Carpenter continued Oxford’s dominance with yet another tie-break win over Cambridge’s powerful no.2. Spooner then out-classed his Cambridge counterpart at no. 6 singles. William Partlett, however, could not get the better of Cambridge’s Captain Paul Riley in a tense match which ended in Riley’s favour 7-5, 6-4. With the second round of singles it seemed Oxford’s slender lead was under threat. The Oxford no. 1 singles player Phil Raddant was making hard work out of his encounter with Paddy May and dropped the first set 6-4. But Raddant fought back to take the second set comfortably. Raddant’s class now began to tell and by taking the third set 6-2, he had put Oxford within one match of the winning post. With the tension mounting, Oxford’s players surrounded Dorr’s matchcourt sensing a victory would make Oxford’s tally unassailable and the victory complete. Two tie-breaks later and Dorr was submerged beneath a jubilant dark-blue horde. Nearly 124 years after their first victory in varsity tennis they had tasted success again. Captain Paul Gulliver was understandably jubilant, stating “Every one of these guys have played their hearts out this week. I am so proud of the way the guys have performed I’m so glad we’ve come out on top. We now have a great platform to work from to go and do it again next year!” Certainly after a lengthy wait without a win against Cambridge the tables have turned and it is now the light blues who are facing the prolonged domination of their improving opponents.Unfortunately, Oxford’s women tennis players were less successful, losing out 17-4 to Cambridge.ARCHIVE: Oth week MT 2005

Balliol (98-0) beat Pembroke (97 all out) by 10 wicketsBalliol regained their league title with a humiliating 10-wicket defeat of Pembroke, the newly crowned Cuppers Champions. Winning the toss and putting Pembroke into bat, Balliol started irresistibly. In tandem with captain Pete Dunbar (2-25), Australian opening bowler Phil Clark (4-20) extracted good movement off the pitch, tearing through the Pembroke top and middle order in a devastating spell of fast bowling. The removal of Pembroke’s star university batsman, Sudhir Krishnaswarmy, signalled a dramatic collapse that at one stage left Pembroke 4-18. With no batsman making it beyond 30, Pembroke struggled to a paltry total of 97 on a dry and playable pitch.Chasing the total, Balliol openers Peter and Tom Dunbar cruised past the target in a mere 75 balls. Punctuated by a series of cracking pull shots, Peter Dunbar smashed 66 with brother Tom, also enjoying a superb year with the bat, finished with 26.While Balliol celebrated another year of dominance, Queen’s, Hertford and St Hugh’s were relegated from the top flight. Meanwhile, in Division 2, Somerville clinched a nail-biting title race over St Anne’s.ARCHIVE: 0th week MT 2005