News in brief
Yeboah for Balliol?
Ghanian football legend Tony Yeboah, former Leeds striker and scorer of two of the Premier League's greatest ever goals, could be pulling on a Balliol 3rds jersey for a forthcoming charity match with the college's 1st team if the JCR has its way. JCR President Triona Giblin has been mandated to invite the 38-year-old, whose current whereabouts are unknown, to Oxford and inform him that if he makes the trip he will be made an honorary member of Balliol JCR with full access to pantry, bar and washing machine facilities.
Down with Oxbridge
Oxford and Cambridge faced renewed allegations of elitism during a recent debate on a Radio Four programme entitled 'Down with Oxbridge'. Both universities came under fire from Guardian journalist David Walker, who derided Oxford's "dysfunctional, socially exclusive colleges" and said their "piles of money" should be spread throughout the university sector. During the programme, writers, academics, students and teachers debated whether Oxbridge continues to be the preserve only of a privileged few or open to those from all backgrounds.
Redevelopment
Four architectural firms have been shortlisted in a competition to redevelop the 10.5 acre Radcliffe Infirmary site recently acquired by the University. The competition, run by RIBA, attracted 60 expressions of interest from architectural companies across the world, in what was described by Adviser Jim Chapman as, "an excellent response". The shortlisted companies will be invited to submit initial proposals to the University for consideration, including plans for a new £40m Institute of Mathematics.
Brookes murder
Concern has been raised over the safety of students living out in Cowley as a 15-year-old boy has been reprimanded in custody over the murder of an Oxford Brookes student living in the area. Arish Ghorbani-Zarin, 19, was murdered last November; his body was found in a car in Spencer Crescent Rose Hill with stab wounds.
3rd Feb 2005