Taping the Tabs
Following repeated complaints over the interviewing process at Oxbridge, Cambridge has revealed that it is considering videotaping candidates' interviews.
Barry Everitt, Master of Downing College, has suggested that Cambridge, wearying of criticism of its admissions procedures, wants to take action to stop students making accusations of unfair treatment at the hands of dons.
Recent cases include the daughter of Oxford fellow Dr Chatty, who claimed that she was "bullied and intimidated" at an interview for Medicine.
Out of the approximate 20,000 applicants to Oxford and Cambridge every year, around 14,000 are left unsuccessful and potentially disgruntled at the interview process. The large increase in claims that tutors have unfairly discriminated against would-be students for reasons of class or race is particularly worrying to the University.
The new idea of taping interviews would allow claims of unfairness to be fully investigated, and any false allegations to be quashed.
Student opinion on the matter, however, remains mixed. New College second year Oliver Rudd told The OxStu, "I don't see any other way for the University to prove that they are being fair - transparency is the way forward." On the other hand, an English & Modern Languages student pointed out that "any extra scrutiny at interview would be unwelcome as the situation is already stressful enough."
Oxford University is yet to make clear its position on the issue of taping candidates.
22nd Jan 2004