No Way Scout
MAGDALEN LAW STUDENT Ronan Hanna has been up bright and early to see his college from a slightly more sober angle this week as he completes a unique punishment for 'misdemeanours' at his student house in 62 High Street last Saturday.
Not content with the traditional fine for disturbance late at night the Junior Dean of Arts at Magdalen, Andrew Hobson, asked the student to perform an act of 'community service' to make up for his drunken transgression. As a result, he is donning a pair of Marigolds and a duster for the week as he becomes a scout, rising at seven every morning to clean and polish his way through the college.
Ronan, a Fresher from Northern Ireland, had been high spirited that evening as he entertained friends from home. Their antics and the disturbance they caused were not taken to kindly by graduate members of the house, however, and complaints to the porters led to an early morning disciplinary meeting on Sunday 11th November. "I didn't mind being punished" said a jovial Hanna, who currently shares responsibility for the maintenance of tutorial rooms in the college, "I think it should be introduced in all colleges. It's a really good idea."
In fact he was more than willing to accept his punishment in good spirit, offering to do two hours per day instead of one. He meets the Head Scout, 'Helen', at 6:45 every morning and is allowed to leave before 9:00 to attend lectures. There is no official name badge however and definitely no pinafore.
Magdalen College seems to be the only college in the university to offer such an unusual form of retribution. The scouts have been so pleased with his work that he has been released a day early from duties on good behaviour. He has asked about the availability of a part-time scout position, but has been denied the opportunity to develop his domestic skills to such a professional level.
Hanna is remaining tight lipped about the scandals he has witnessed in his tutors' rooms, but has certainly become more conscientious about his friends' untidiness and drunkenness. "They don't realise that I have to clear up after them" he joked. Meanwhile they have dubbed him a "Victorian urchin."
Perhaps more significant than the experience of cleaning up other peoples' mess was the sobering thought of his Law essay that week. The title: "To what extent is intoxication a defence?"
23rd Nov 2000