Mona Lisa Smile explores the life of progressive teacher Katherine Watson (Julia Roberts) as she starts her new job as an art history teacher in a 1950s girls college. The film hangs on the ensuing clash between her own liberal views of what women should be, and what she sees as the stale academia and social convention which limits the potential of the students she teaches.

The film falls flat on several counts, one of which is the character Watson. There is no attempt to hide her faults but there simply isn’t enough charisma in Roberts’ performance to convince us that we can ignore them.

The result is that the denouement of the film is nowhere near as hopeful or emotional as it should be, and the overall message is exposed as weak. This story has been done before, and better

The unveiling of the government’s controversial plans for funding higher education has infuriated the Oxford University Student Union (OUSU), but has been welcomed by senior University officials. Under the new policy, the poorest students would receive living grants and a reduction in fees. Higher Education institutions meanwhile, would be free to set their own fees, up to a maximum of £3,000 per year. The proposal coincides with the release of OUSU’s ‘Alternative Future of Higher Education’ paper.Tony Blair faces considerable opposition from his own party, and the opposition. Labour MP Eric Illsley is leading the calls for Blair’s resignation over the issue. Former Conservative Party Chairman, and Oxford University Chancellor Chris Patten, however, is supportive of the plans, “If this government fails, then I’d be very worried about the future of universities in this country,” he told Cherwell.Patten’s comments have infuriated the Oxford University Student Union (OUSU), which has consistently campaigned for free higher education, and for fairer reform of university funding. Helena Puig Larrauri, OUSU President, told Cherwell, “There is another alternative for funding Higher Education that is both viable and a better way to make access to university fair.”OUSU’s White Paper, released last week, concludes that raising income tax for the country’s highest earners would provide the funds both to cover the current fee deficit. The paper also proposes grants of £5000 per year for every student.OUSU’s Access and Academic Affairs Officer, Louise McMullan, also expressed grave concerns about the government’s plans, “Grants may soften the blow but they will never persuade students from the poorest background to overcome their fear of debt.”Emma Norris, who works on the OUSU Finance and Funding Committee, added, “The current proposals still mean you’re in a worse position. That is why we are going to lobby MPs at the House of Commons on 21st of this month.”Questioned on OUSU’s proposal, Patten admitted that it was a “highly understandable point of view”, but he still confirmed his support for top-up fees. “My starting point is that all universities face a serious crisis,” he explained, “and there is no obvious evidence that we can resolve it by increasing taxation.” Eric Illsley publicly congratulated OUSU, stating that he was “impressed” with the OUSU paper and expressed his support for the campaign.
The University’s Vice Chancellor Colin Lucas, who has been a prominent advocate for top-up fees in the national press, welcomed the bill. He expressed doubts, however, over whether the introduction of top-up fees would secure the University’s financial future, “the University and its Colleges still face a significant shortfall in the amount it costs to provide the high quality teaching and research for which we are internationally renowned.” Lucas also backed the controversial introduction of differential fees, “We welcome the fact that individual institutions – which are best placed to assess the needs of their students – will be given the freedom to provide a financial support package to meet the particular requirements of their student body.”Oxford University Registrar, David Holmes, cautiously welcomed the plans: “The package is a welcome step towards providing poorer students with essential financial support.”The vote in the House of Commons is set to take place on January 27, presenting a tough test for Prime Minister Tony Blair. Over 150 labour back benchers have signed an Early Day Motion pledging to oppose the Government’s initial proposals which contravene Labour’s 2001 election manifesto.Archive: 0th week HT 2004

Anti-OUSU sentiment has excited calls for JCR disaffiliation, culminating in a botched St Peter’s referendum on the issue which could have seen a rejection of OUSU membership. St. Peter’s student Matt Richardson, a staunch supporter of a college breakaway from OUSU, maintains that the referendum was “a farce from the beginning”. An appeal was lodged against his system of  proxy voting – previously validated by the JCR Executive – by the Returning Officer five minutes before the referendum was due to close, nullifying the vote. The ballot box remains with Master John Barron, uncounted. During the course of this dispute, the Master, who had been brought in as an arbitrator, declared that the JCR Constitution had in fact never been ratified, rendering the referendum void and the JCR without constitution.The JCR President, Rosalind Morgan, stated that, “A written complaint was brought by a member of the JCR and it was unanimously upheld.” Greg Stafford, a fellow anti-OUSU campaigner of  Richardson’s, was “disappointed” at the JCR Executive’s behaviour, claiming that the vote would have been largely in their favour.Richardson and Stafford had sought to block the annual statutory reaffiliation motion – arguing that OUSU “is not representative of the needs and views of St Peter’s”. The referendum has been rescheduled for this term. Stafford is convinced that they can “win again”.Oriel is the only college JCR to have successfully disaffiliated from OUSU, back in 2001. There was “overcharging” said Marcus Little Johns, former JCR President. There have also been rumblings of dissension amongst Merton and Magdalen. Worcester threatened to quit OUSU in June of last year following proposals to increase subscriptions. The student union later backed down to explore other means of making savings.
Archive: 0th week HT 2004

The Oxford Union is set to face an electoral tribunal after sacked bouncer Imran Abrahams vowed to fight the allegations that led to his dismissal over the Christmas vacation.Describing the entire affair as a “fucking joke” Abrahams refused to comment further but was known to be in close contact with his lawyers throughout the week, as well as liaising with other Union insiders in efforts to secure his former position.Abrahams left his medical degree at Oriel College to work as a full time security officer at the Union. A former captain of the blues boxing team, he is skilled in Kray Maga – the Israeli military defence art. Members of Standing Committee, the Society’s ruling executive, were given the details regarding his departure in a secret meeting on Monday, an act which invariably ensures the leaking of all confidential information. Union President Edward Tomlinson stated that he was unable to enter into the details of the events concerned, merely confirming that Abrahams had engaged in actions warranting the charge of “gross misconduct”.At the time of going to print Cherwell is unable to disclose any details regarding the disputed allegations upon which Mr Abrahams’ dismissal was based.
Archive: 0th week HT 2004

Former Merton College student and Oxford writer Mark Haddon, is the favourite to win the prestigious Whitbread Prize for his children’s novel, ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.’ Haddon’s best-selling story has already won the Whitbread section prize for best novel.The book, which tells the tale of a fifteen-year-old mathematical genius with Asperger’s Syndrome, has also won him the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize and the Book Trust Teenage Fiction Award. Though the novel was not shortlisted for the Booker Prize, bookmakers William Hill put Haddon at 2/1 to win the Whitbread Prize.Since graduating from Merton College in 1981, Haddon has worked in diverse fields: he has been a live-in carer for someone with Multiple Sclerosis, a cartoonist for The Guardian and Private Eye, and has won two BAFTAs for his television work. The Whitbread winner will be announced on January 27.
Archive: 0th week HT 2004