Oxford Prejudice Undressed
THE DAILY MAIL last Saturday joined in the Oxford class debate when they published an article on State school students at Oxford. Six girls from three colleges were interviewed about different aspects of their lives at the university. Readers were enthralled to learn that all Brideshead myths are true and that intelligent people can also survive on toasted cheese sandwiches.
The daring students posed for the Daily Mail dressed only in mortar boards and gowns - for reasons of modesty, we must assume, the ordinary commoner's gowns had been abandoned in favour of the somewhat fuller scholar's version. The six girls speak of their individual experiences on arriving at Oxford, and initial impressions of their contemporaries - all agreeing that the divide between public and state school students is barely noticeable.
The students co-operated with the Daily Mail with support from their respective JCRs. Helen Thomas, then acting president of Christ Church JCR, felt that the interview would provide good publicity both for the college and for the university. The girls were happy with the article despite some worries that the photo would not be adequately flattering. The feeling around Christ Church in relation to the article is hard to gauge, considering that the college does not subscribe to the newspaper. However, the few students that have read the article have expressed their approval.
A spokesman at the Press Office confirmed that they had co-operated with the Daily Mail, but added that they did not necessarily support their article. The article follows on the heels of the recent bright prospects calendar, and led one student from LMH to comment, "At least we at last have confirmation that Oxford students are news-worthy, as well as attractive."
16th Nov 2000