ID-Soc President to go
Peter Orlov, co-founder of new sexual minorities society ID-Soc, has resigned from his position as President, citing "work and other commitments". Orlov, president since the foundation of the society at the end of June, stated: "I cannot give ID the time and attention it deserves".
ID-Soc, founded to provide a wider spectrum of social activities for Oxford's sexual minorities communities, has already been active this term, organising events which society members have called "large and successful".
Organisational problems have led to tensions within the society though, after the unprecedented Pink Party at the Union was reported to be less successful than planned and failed to secure bookings of proposed artists.
Orlov was heavily involved over the summer in arranging many of the society's entertainments, but he insists that there was no pressure for him to resign. He told the Oxford Student: "This has nothing to do with ID...I have finals coming up and I am scaling down all my commitments this term. There has been no big rift in the society". Orlov himself remains a member of ID-Soc, and has continued to cut down his commitments elsewhere, resigning as President of Psychology Society Psychosoc and as co-chair of the Queer Rights campaign.
Craig Knott, other president of ID-Soc said the society received Orlov's resignation "with regret", but other societies remain supportive. Lee Rowley, President of LGB Soc, refused to comment on the resignation, explaining: "LGB Soc congratulates other societies...and hopes such a wide variety of events for lgb members of the university will continue in terms to come."
The focus now is on the future of the society, with committee members Craig Knott and Katherine Mellor taking over as acting presidents until elections can be held for new officers. They intend to delay for a few weeks while they 'consolidate' the society. Knott said: "We want to gather together the committee as a group of focused people who believe in the society and its aims".
Elections will need to be held for both President and Treasurer, and while there are not believed to be any obvious contenders as yet, Knott says "We want to encourage anyone who believes in the ideology of the society to stand".
8th Nov 2001