Union feeling the squeeze
THE OXFORD UNION may now be too successful for its own good. A meeting of the Standing Committee this week heard concerns over the number of members who have to be accommodated at events.
Many events, which are expected to pull in the crowds, are having to be ticketed in order to make them more manageable.
Recent ticketed events include the Jerry Springer appearance last Hilary term and this week's Rock Debate, which is already fully booked.
Although the tickets to these speaker events and debates are free, it is still an inconvenience for members to have to scramble for tickets after they have already paid a significant sum to join. The queues for tickets to see Jerry Springer stretched from the Frewin Court gate, along Cornmarket Street and up St. Michael's Street, virtually circling the Union. In many cases some members did not get to attend.
Union President Ben Seifert told the Oxford Student that the Union has been getting, "bigger and better," and hence there has been much more demand for big events.
While acknowledging that the possibility of capping membership had been suggested at the meeting as a possible solution, he was keen to find other means of accommodating the massive membership.
It is possible, if the Union were to restrict the number of members they take in per year, that financial considerations could force a rise in the existing membership fee, currently at £120.
Seifert reassured the Oxford Student that he was not in favour of increased membership fees, stressing that any move of this sort would clearly require the approval and support of the membership, as it would constitute an effective change in the rules of the society. This would presumably take the form of a referendum or debate on the problem.
He added, "I personally have no desire to raise the fee," hinting at a possible future expansion onto other sites. Another possibility that may be explored is the expansion of Union facilities.
The existing buildings are prevented from expansion due to their hemmed-in location beside Frewin Annex and the shops in Cornmarket Street.
However, Seifert revealed the Union owned a number of properties that it could, "claim back."
These could then be used as possible alternative locations for some Union events. Seifert pointed out that no decision on this subject would be taken until the summer when it can be properly considered.
28th Oct 1999