Blues Sailing It is not often that the British weather is obliging towards
sporting events. However, the sun shone and a perfect ten knot
breeze blew as over 200 competitors arrived at Chew Valley lake
for the 2004 British University Sailing Association Team Racing
championships. The event, involving vast numbers of University
crews was hosted this year by Bristol University. It is the high
point in the university sailing calendar. and the three days of
racing is some of the most competitive team racing in the
country. Inland Oxford may perhaps not be able to boast such easy
access to open water as some of its opponents, yet this year
three Oxford teams qualified for the event: two mixed teams and
one ladies team. Led by captain of sailing Nikki Catt (Keble)
represented the University proudly. The first day began with threeleagues, and a round robin in
each league. Oxford 1, with a high seeding of sixth working to
their advantage, fought hard and performed excellently on the
first day. They beat all in their league, only falling victim to
first seed Southampton 1. This took them through to the Gold league the next day. The
lower seeding of Oxford 2 meant they had much to do on the first
day, but led by Captain Rob Grieg-Gran, performed excellently,
securing victories against first and second teams and they also
went through to a second day of racing. The favourable weather conditions held for day two, and racing
in the gold league began with warm sunshine and a strengthening
fifteen knot breeze, which built through the day, leading to cut
down sails being called for. Racing at this higher level was very
competitive, with the second, third and fourth placed teams from
each league coming together to fight it out for the remaining
places in the quarter finals. Oxford 2 continued to show their
best form of the season, winning three out of the eight races,
and worrying many more senior teams. Unfortunately, important losses against Southampton 2 and a
very tight loss to Loughborough 1 led to Oxford 2’s exit
from the competition at the end of day two, coming tenth overall.
Meanwhile Oxford 1’s greater experience showed through and
after winning the all important grudge matches against Cambridge
1 and Oxford 2 made it to through the play-offs to the last
quarter final spot. Day Three dawned with very light winds, and
after a short delay racing got under way, albeit frustratingly
slowly. Oxford 1 took their quarterfinal to a nail biting third race
after the first rounds ended one a piece. Eventually, however,
they lost to Bristol 1. Southampton 1 went on to win the event,
defending their title. In the ladies racing Oxford Ladies
performed well on all three days, reaching the semi-finals, but
did not make it beyond this stage.ARCHIVE: 0th week TT 2004 

Jock Strip always endeavours to be light-hearted but last week
took a step too far. The very notion that Oxford’s glamorous
and brilliant women’s football side should be commiserated
on “defeat in Varsity” was absurd. Of course the real
score was 4-3 to the might of the Dark Blues in a hugely
entertaining encounter. The Tabs had started as favourites,
having won twice in a row in 2002 and 2003, but to no avail.
Apologies to readers and the side for the mistake, and the very
best of wishes to the side for next season. It is all change at the top of the Oxford Sports hierarchy as
Georgie Webb, third-year star of the recent Varsity basketball
triumph, takes over the sabbatical post of Sports Federation
President from fellow Brasenose sportswoman Libby Payne before
the Michaelmas term. Given that the main task of the President is
to ensure the efficient running of University sports clubs, the
fact that her Basketball Club was recently chosen as the Sports
Club of the Year certainly bodes well. Thursday marks the anniversary of sporting history being made
at Oxford – 50 years since Roger Bannister ran the four
minute mile on the track at Iffley Road. To mark the occasion,
Oxford University Athletics Club are re-creating the fixture of
6 May 1964 against England AAA where the record was broken. Races
begin at 3pm, with an elite mile race at 6pm, the time that
Bannister set off half a century ago. Tickets for the event cost
£10 and are available from the University Sports Sports
Department. With dreary February mornings only a vague memory in the
average rower’s mind, it is only four weeks until Eights,
reminding us why anyone endures the hell of Torpids – for
the sake of Summer Rowing! While the Isis is crammed with
bare-chested boaties, business minded spectators can play the
rowing stockmarket via www.bumpsdaq.com You can now trade in
shares in Oxford colleges, gambling on race results and trying to
make a virtual fortune out of your boatclub. Sounds intriguing,
though Jockstrip would always bet on topless rowing over topless
trading.ARCHIVE: 0th week TT 2004

Women’s Cricket Oxford UCCE 241/2
Cambridge UCCE 137/6
Oxford won by 104 runs Oxford UCCE women’s cricket team began this season as
they finished the last – with a comprehensive victory over
their Cambridge rivals. This time the arena was not the Nursery
Ground at the home of cricket, Lord’s, but the Pembroke
Sports Ground in Cambridge, and the match the team’s first
in the BUSA Southern Premier League. Last year’s Varsity match was won by an outstanding
bowling and fielding display, which restricted the Light Blues to
a paltry 56 runs – whereas this weekend’s result was
thanks to some extraordinary batting, especially by last
year’s captain Kat Dickens who carried her bat for a
superbly fluent 124 not out. The opening partnership between the two St Anne’s
players, Dickens and Heather Lang, lasted for 33 of the
game’s 40 overs and contributed 174 runs, before Lang was
bowled by the Cambridge captain, Abi Carter. After a slow start
against the new ball, Lang compiled an excellent and patient 59,
while her partner ruthlessly punished the Cambridge bowling. Once the opening partnership was broken, Georgia Gale Grant
fell for 1 but Annie Bowden joined Dickens to make 25 in as many
balls, to accrue an unbroken stand of 66 in the last 6 overs. The final score of 241/2 in 40 overs put Oxford in a very
commanding position, but Cambridge’s openers were resilient
and rode their luck in taking a few unwise singles. The first wicket did not fall until the 21st over, Olivia
Sanderson being bowled for 25 by Amy Stamp’s second ball in
an Oxford shirt. Despite the fact that the openers had lasted
this long, the score was only 68 and the Tabs were well behind
the asking rate. After a run-out brought about by some sharp fielding the
following over, an Oxford victory seemed inevitable. The presence
of Cambridge’s senior batsman, Rachel Cowans, at the crease,
though, did leave the Light Blue eleven with some hope to cling
desperately on to. Cowans carried her bat throughout the innings
for a steady 77 not out, but received little support from the
rest of her team. They succeeded in occupying the crease but
never came close to achieving the run-a-ball target. Emma Collins, who bowled superbly throughout her eight over
spell and was backed up by some energetic, effective fielding
from her team-mates, took two wickets in two balls to finish with
2/22. The return of the rejuvenated opening bowlers, Helen Turner
and Gale Grant, quickly put paid to any lingering hopes the
Cambridge side had of saving the game, removing two further
batsmen. Turner and Gale Grant finished with identical figures of
1/26 in their eight overs as Cambridge finished with 137/6 in 40
overs. Helen Smith and Annie Bowden both bowled impressively but
were unlucky to finish wicketless. The result, a superb 104-run victory, will give the Blues
much needed confidence as they go into matches against Brighton
and Exeter. Bettering last season’s BUSA performance –
the team reached the quarterfinal, only to lose a hard fought
game against Durham by four wickets – is a tough but
eminently attainable goal. The recent victory in the 2004 BUSA Indoor championship, where
a strong Exeter side containing a number of England
internationals were emphatically defeated in the final, certainly
bodes well. This year’s Varsity match, where Oxford will
hope for a repeat of last year’s victory, will take place
concurrently with the men’s match when The Tabs next come to
Oxford on Wednesday 12 May. ARCHIVE: 0th week TT 2004

An overwhelming majority of Oxford students do not want OUSU
to endorse the new “Code of Conduct” restricting
behaviour at post-exam celebrations, a Cherwell opinion poll
today reveals. 87% of students oppose the University’s plans. The poll
of 331 people from eight colleges also showed that a significant
number of students are aware of the feelings of local residents
and consider some restriction necessary, but think that current
suggestions go too far. There was particular disappointment at
the ban on “fluid spraying,” which will mean the end of
foaming bottles of Champagne being sprayed by elated students. An Oxford spokeswoman said, “Students need to realise
that local residents may not enjoy walking down a street smelling
of alcohol for weeks on end.” But Robert Lane, a Geography
student at Jesus who is due to take his first public examinations
this term, said, “I can understand people not liking food
littering the streets, but liquids dry quickly and cause minimal
mess. Champagne is part of the Oxford tradition and has never
caused any problems before.” Few were concerned at the plans to ban pig offal, or even
flour and eggs, from the proceedings. Alex Holbourn, a Brasenose
Law student told Cherwell, “Flour and eggs are a bit
unnecessary but Champagne is par for the course. If that’s
banned, no one will take any notice of the regulations.” The
University was eager to point out that alcohol is banned from
Oxford’s streets. However, the police say that the relevant
bylaw does not extend to Merton Street, where exam celebrations
are traditionally held. They also said that they “would only
become involved [in policing the event] in very extreme
circumstances.” Although they are concerned about “the
views of those living in and around the Merton street area, who
may not appreciate buckets of pig offal on the street”, they
are adamant that “it is all about creating a balance, not
penalizing students who have worked extremely hard and want to
let off some steam in the traditional Oxford fashion.” The University was keen to point out that “the Code of
Conduct does not constitute a change in rules and regulations, it
simply spells out in more detail what is in the University
regulations.” However, the proactive attempt to bring
student inputs to the proposals suggests the University is keen
that it should hold credibility in students’ eyes. Ben Baulf, a first year classics student at Univ, pointed out
that “if Champagne had not been banned, there may have been
a chance of people adhering to these regulations. But as it
stands, few will pay attention to rules they see simply as
designed to spoil their well earned fun.” Breaking the code
could result in a £70 fine from the university proctors. Rosie Buckland, OUSU Welfare Officer, said she would be
encouraging support for the code which she believes is a good
compromise. The code does not ban glitter or confetti. It is to
be put to OUSU Council today at 2.15pm and, if passed, will have
the backing of the student union, which is constitutionally bound
to represent student opinion. If the council votes not to approve the code as it stands, the
student union will attempt to renegotiate the contents with the
University. There is a chance that the University will instead
impose the code anyway, or even introduce a total ban on
celebrations outside the exam schools.ARCHIVE: 0th week TT 2004 

A motion has been tabled for today’s OUSU Council which
would allow the student union to tacitly ignore the result of the
recent higher education referendum and to continue with their
current policy. The referendum was clearly won by the ‘reduce student
numbers’ option, and OUSU President Helena Puig Larrauri and
President-Elect John Blake have both agreed to change OUSU policy
on higher education to reflect this. Yet today’s motion would “permit OUSU officials to
interpret the phrase ‘decrease student numbers’
according to their own understanding of it”. The motion goes
even further by calling for OUSU’s policy to be clarified as
“to campaign for the abolition of tuition fees and the full
restoration of maintenance grants, and for the higher education
sector to be funded out of progressive general taxation”
with no mention of campaigning to reduce the total number of
student numbers. Ed Griffiths and Vladimir Gligorov, who framed the motion,
claim that “our policy to ‘decrease student
numbers’ does not in itself answer all the questions
surrounding higher education funding,” and so they must
“clarify certain details which it leaves ambiguous”. Mr
Griffiths is a self-styled Communist and it is not thought that
he carries the support of the majortiy of OUSU. However, Alexander Clark of the Educational Reform Group (ERG)
told Cherwell that “OUSU are very supportive of the
referendum results and both OUSU and the ERG are working together
to tie down the details of the policy. This motion is not a
serious threat to the integrity of the referendum result and
should be dismissed as such.” Mr Clark dismissed Mr
Griffiths and Mr Gligorov as “extremists and not the sort of
people you want in any organisation let alone a student
union.”ARCHIVE: 0th week TT 2004 

Ros Dampier, who was due to take over as OUSU’s VP
(Women) at the end of this term, has resigned due to ill health.
A by-election will be held shortly to find a replacement. Dampier was due to begin work as a Sabbatical Officer in Ninth
Week of this term. Catherine Wallis, the present VP said that
they were “all very upset that Ros can’t take up her
position as she would have done a fantastic job and we hope she
returns to good health quickly.” Nominations for Dampier’s replacement have opened and can
be submitted until next Thursday, 6 May. Hustings will take place
on 10 May and the election itself will be held three days later.
OUSU’s Returning Officer Dan Paskins told Cherwell that
“anyone who wants to can stand.” Paskins acknowledged
that Trinity term was a difficult time to be holding this
election and said that OUSU were hoping to make it as stress-free
as possible for those taking Finals. Any female student can stand
in this election and the vote is open to all women students. The OUSU VP for Graduates election was held on Thursday.
Voters could choose Roland Enmarch of Univ or re-open
nominations. Results will be posted today on the OUSU website.
Voters could also complete a survey on their attitudes and
impressions of OUSU.ARCHIVE: 0th week TT 2004 

Oriel postgraduate student Marcus Walker has been nominated
for the Professorship of Poetry of Oxford, an honoured post
established in 1708 and previously held by Matthew Arnold, WH
Auden and Seamus Heaney. Walker, a figure with a notable love of notoriety amongst the
student body, hopes to restore rhyme, rhythm and meter to poetic
style – “much unlike the current Poetry Professor Paul
Muldoon” whose five year stint as Professor ends in
Michaelmas. However, he will face virtually unbeatable competition from
fellow nominees Christopher Ricks, Anne Carson, and Peter Neville
Frederick Porter. A former President of both OUCA and the Union,
Walker is well known for his loonish antics and archaic sense of
dress. Although he can recite from heart Tennyson’s Charge
of the Light Brigade and Lewis Carroll’s Jabberwocky, it is
thought that he has not written any poetry since his school days. Accompanied by the Editor of Cherwell, Mr Walker handed his
signatures to the University Registrar only hours before the
close of nominations. Asked whether he would be willing to give
our readership a flavour of his poetic style Mr Walker said that
“none of it is clean enough to print”. At the time of
going to press, the acceptance of Mr. Walker’s nomination by
the university was pending. The duties of the Professor include giving termly public
lectures, and an oration at honorary degree ceremonies, as well
as the ability to judge and award a number of poetry prizes to
the value of many thousands of pounds. In return they will
receive an annual stipend of £5,427. Elections for the
Professorship will take place at the Divinity Schools on Saturday
15 May, and polls will be open for four hours. Members of
Convocation – the graduate body which elected Chancellor
Chris Patten last year – will be able to exercise their
right to vote in person. At the previous contested election, in
1994, only 451 members of Convocation turned out to vote.ARCHIVE: 0th week TT 2004 

Gay partnerships received the backing of the Union’s
governing body this week, as members voted to recognise the
Government’s Civil Partnership Bill by 13 votes to 3. Ex-Treasurer, Laura Poots, proposed an amendment to allow same
sex ‘spouses’ of Union members to qualify for
membership, a privilege until now enjoyed only by those in
heterosexual relationships. The Union “ought to be
proactive”, Poots told the meeting. The Civil Partnership Bill, which seeks to give legal status
and financial security to long term same sex couples, is
currently in the committee stage of the House of Lords and is
expected to become law early next year. Seconding the motion, Chris Farmer felt that the Union’s
move would not only help overturn its image as old-fashioned and
out of touch, but could also add pressure to ensure the bill
achieved royal assent. However, prominent Catholics and
Evangelicals amongst the Union’s Standing Committee felt
that such an amendment before the passage of the Civil
Partnership Bill into law would, in the words of Returning
Officer, Alex Young, make it appear that the Society had simply
“jumped on the bandwagon”. Timothy Ayles asserted that the proposed partnership “was
an entirely different kettle of fish to marriage”, and
expressed fears that it might allow any “Tom, Dick, or
Harry” to join the Union. Yet despite the controversy
regarding the Union’s stance, the result of the secret
ballot (to ensure ‘personal and moral commitments’ were
upheld) ensured the motion will have Standing Committee backing
as it is debated by members in third week. governing body this week, as members voted to recognise the
Government’s Civil Partnership Bill by 13 votes to 3. Ex-Treasurer, Laura Poots, proposed an amendment to allow same
sex ‘spouses’ of Union members to qualify for
membership, a privilege until now enjoyed only by those in
heterosexual relationships. The Union “ought to be
proactive”, Poots told the meeting. The Civil Partnership Bill, which seeks to give legal status
and financial security to long term same sex couples, is
currently in the committee stage of the House of Lords and is
expected to become law early next year. Seconding the motion, Chris Farmer felt that the Union’s
move would not only help overturn its image as old-fashioned and
out of touch, but could also add pressure to ensure the bill
achieved royal assent. However, prominent Catholics and
Evangelicals amongst the Union’s Standing Committee felt
that such an amendment before the passage of the Civil
Partnership Bill into law would, in the words of Returning
Officer, Alex Young, make it appear that the Society had simply
“jumped on the bandwagon”. Timothy Ayles asserted that the proposed partnership “was
an entirely different kettle of fish to marriage”, and
expressed fears that it might allow any “Tom, Dick, or
Harry” to join the Union. Yet despite the controversy
regarding the Union’s stance, the result of the secret
ballot (to ensure ‘personal and moral commitments’ were
upheld) ensured the motion will have Standing Committee backing
as it is debatedARCHIVE: 0th week TT 2004 

Gay couples will be offered the chance to celebrate their
relationships in commitment ceremonies at Oxford’s second
annual Pride festival this Saturday. Same-sex couples may also have their relationships blessed in
a special ritual performed by Father John Hyde of the Open
Episcopal Church. Christians remain divided over the issue of homosexuality. The
Bishop of Oxford, Richard Harries, supports moves to grant gay
couples the same legal rights as married heterosexuals. His
appointment of a celibate homosexual, Jeffrey John, as Bishop of
Reading in 2003 provoked a backlash from evangelical Christians.
The President of Oxford’s Christian Union, John Aldis,
refused to comment directly on the blessing ceremonies, but
declared that evangelicals opposed sex outside “monogamous,
opposite sex, marriage relationships.” The May Day event, which will include live music and
entertainment, runs at Oxpens Park from noon until 7pm. The
festival chairman, Karl Andrews, told Cherwell that he hoped the
occasion would not only be fun, but also “bring
Oxford’s communities together.” Organisers are hoping
to repeat the success of last year’s event, which was
attended by two thousand people. Oxford Pride is the first of the ‘Fun in the Parks’
events run by Oxford City Council, which is flying the rainbow
Gay Pride flag over the Town Hall all week as part of the
celebrations.ARCHIVE: 0th week TT 2004 

Animal rights activists have intensified their campaign
against University plans to build a new research centre in South
Parks Road. OUSU is, meanwhile, debating whether it should offer
support to University members or staff who are intimidated or
threatened by campaigners. The new centre will offer “a higher quality of
accommodation for animals” says the University. Animal
rights group SPEAK is angry about the plans, but spokesman Mel
Broughton told Cherwell that the group is organising “legal,
lawful campaigning” against Oxford’s intentions. The
aggressive tone of SPEAK’s website and the group’s
reputation, however, is causing concern among University staff
who fear the campaigning will escalate into more threatening
forms. One ‘Action Report’ on their website comments on
a recent demonstration, “Receiving a visit was ******* a
head of department at Oxford Uni, again no reply but there was a
very noisy calling card left. Rest assured all those living
around ******* Road, Oxford now know exactly who you are and the
fact they have collaborators in animal torture in their
midst.” These threats have forced OUSU to discuss the issue in its
Council meeting. A motion, seconded by President Helena Puig
Larrauri and due to be debated today noted, “Council
believes that whatever members of OUSU believe about the
necessity, acceptability and desirability of experimentation on
animals, in a democratic state it is wholly unacceptable and
morally abhorrent to use terror, violence and intimidation of
innocent people as a means of effecting political change.”
Association of Medical Research’s Dr Simon Festing said
SPEAK’s “claims that they’re legitimate are
ridiculous, there is always an escalation to threatening letters
and threatening phone calls.” The University reasserted that
while “we respect people’s rights to protests lawfully,
we will not accept unlawful harassment. The building will go ahead."ARCHIVE: 0th week TT 2004