Letters
Star Journalism
Dear Sir, In the light of Sarah Collinson’s article on fair access, I am writing to find out exactly who is proposing banning punting and, ‘making our tutors speak in ghetto slang’. Indeed, if someone could explain exactly where the ghettos in this country are and how people from them speak, I would be much obliged.
Instead of writing off the entire state sector as it currently exists, perhaps part of the answer is in students volunteering for Oxford Access Scheme events, instead of staying in and writing ill-considered, poorly-researched comment pieces that contribute nothing to the understanding of the issues.
David Johnston
Oxford Access Scheme Coordinator
Recycling Garbage
Dear Sir, I was very disappointed to read that Lincoln College has discontinued its college recycling scheme for the spurious reason that it presents a ‘danger to students and staff’. For those who have been working with colleges for years to establish a comprehensive and universal recycling scheme, this is another setback in a long list from institutions that seem incapable of dragging themselves into the 21st century.
I would urge any students who want to push forward recycling in the University to get in touch with the OUSU Environment Committee.
Councillor Matt Sellwood
Oxford Green Party
Party Wars
An open letter to George Galloway MP from Oxford University Labour Club.
Dear Sir, We are writing to express our disgust at your acceptance of the invitation to address Oxford University Conservative Association.
We cannot understand why anyone who claims to be of progressive left-wing principles would want to associate themselves with this most reactionary of political societies. Perhaps you are unaware that even the Tory Party itself has in the past had to distance itself from OUCA due to the Association’s reputation for holding extreme and offensive views.
We at Oxford University Labour Club are currently boycotting OUCA after it failed to take adequate disciplinary action against members making anti- Semitic jokes. Your speaking to OUCA will undermine our struggle to make Oxford free of those who tolerate fascist sympathies.
Jack Graves and Martin McCluskey
Co-Chairs of OULC
Burma
Dear Sir, Having spent four and a half months teaching English in Burma, I was disappointed by your article of 5th October 2005 (“Not just a place in the sun”, Jamie Gruffydd-Jones). The human rights abuses suffered by the Burmese people are appalling. But it is not enough to empathise with their pain, to dwell on it with almost voyeuristic detail, and then wash one’s hands and shut one’s eyes.
Whilst I applaud the author for drawing attention to the plight of the Burmese people, I think he would have served them better by focussing on positive action to support them: go and teach English; travel compassionately and make links with the people; raise money to support Burmese civil society (independent health and education movements); write letters with Amnesty International to the prisoners of conscience; get involved in Free Burma Society (email sara.clarke@ keble.ox.ac.uk).
The Burmese students of 1988 risked death for what they believed in; it’s a shame that the best Oxford students can offer is a deep sigh.
Zoe C. Sprigings
Somerville College
Misleading Statistics
Dear Sir, It struck me that the statistics used in your article ‘Whatever happened to fair access?’ did not seem to be particularly well researched.
Specifically, you drew comparisons between the number of undergraduates from ethnic minorities matriculating at Oxford in 2004 and the number starting degrees nationally. However, by not taking into account the unusually high proportion independent school pupils gaining places at Oxford you have inadvertently exaggerated the impact of ethnicity on access.
Scott Collier
Merton
‘Slam’ Slammed
Dear Sir, Please avoid the use of tabloid terms such as ‘slam’ in your headlines (e.g. ‘Parents of drowned rower slam university over cover up’, OxStu, 13/10/05). The descent into language such as this threatens the quality of your publication.
Alex Long
Merton
27th Oct 2005