The Face slams Oxford

By Unknown Author

"Eccentric toffs who are increasingly unaware of the realities of modern life," claims The Face magazine, of Oxbridge students. This month's issue contains an article prefaced with 'buggering toffs,' which asks: "will the dusty academic institutions ever solve their image problem?"

Perpetuating the image, Feature Editor Alex Needham's article, ponders the 'irrelevant world' of students that are, 'perfectly, um, normal' in a university that is, "a comfortable environment in which a decaying aristocracy can keep the world at bay."

Spouted from the mouth of an ex-Keble College English student, factual inaccuracy saturates the article. Apparently, students at New College walk, "backwards round the quadrangle for an hour when the clocks go back." An event, which is, according to Merton JCR president, whose college conducts the ritual, "definitely an entertaining evening." Entrance to the university is based on, Needham knowingly divulges, "a special exam followed by an interview; then, in Oxford's case, a risible '2 Es at A-Level' offer." Abolished in 1996. Only five years out. Oxford's oldest college, claims Needham, was endowed in 1294. University College was founded in 1249. Only 45 years out. Rather embarrassing for a magazine that claims to be at the cutting-edge of news and views, particularly in an article that slams Oxbridge graduates as people who "still don't appear to have caught up with developments like gay rights or the ending of the Cold War." Needham had no regrets: "If it's wrong, it's wrong," muttered the accused reporter, "I've got no apology."

An Oxford University spokesman branded the article as "flawed" and added that it draws, "upon an outdated perception of Oxford university life unrecognisable to most students"

In an exclusive interview with the Oxford Student, Needham labelled the university as "an old lumbering institution with an environment that fosters old attitudes." The aim of his article, he implored, was, "to build an argument and provoke a debate. Oxford is portrayed as a caricature by the media and it is annoying that the university does not respond to this image."

Alex, it seems, does not actually want a response to the image portrayed in his own article. "Don't be too hard on me," he begged.

4th Nov 1999