Race Relations
Just when it seemed that Oxford couldn't be getting any more bad publicity, the issue of racial prejudice rears its ugly head. If indeed the judicial review of the case of Nadeem Ahmed finds that there has been racial discrimination and unfair treatment by Dr. Fritz Zimmerman of St. Cross College, the University should come down on it very hard. Apart from the obvious wish to root out any racial prejudice within Oxford, there should be a concern that at this time, of all times, the University can do without further allegations of prejudice that would harm access schemes to the University and the public image of it. It cannot afford to give the media another stick to beat it with. It does, however, seem sad that such a case should have to go all the way to the High Court - a fact which suggests that there is no really effective procedure for such complaints within the University. Regardless of the eventual outcome of this case, Oxford University would be well advised to look at introducing a more effective racial complaints procedure.
19th Oct 2000