Oxford's defence...
OXFORD UNIVERSITY WAS this week attempting to defend itself in the face of the national accusations of elitism.
Magdalen's Admissions Tutor, Andrew Hobson, defended the college's publication of a letter sent to Laura's school regarding her interview performance. He pointed out that Dr Kelley, headmaster at Monkseaton School, had been the first to breach the confidentiality of the letter by releasing misleading extracts to the Newcastle Journal. The college felt compelled to defend itself and the integrity of the interview process for medical applicants, which Mr Hobson termed a "gold standard" to which all admissions tutors should aspire.
Hobson also expressed surprise that any concerns the school and Laura had over her treatment by tutors had not come to light during the feedback system the college operated. In fact, the furore over the matter took the University by surprise. Although Mr Hobson had been asked to comment by the Newcastle Journal on the case, he was only aware of his college's involvement when he received a telephone call from the Today Programme. University authorities had some warning before the Chancellor branded it elitist; his office informed them of the content of his speech a full hour before he made it.
Students have added their voice to the uproar against the Chancellor's views. Alex Freudmann, OUSU Vice President, himself a Magdalen student from a state school background said: "The Chancellor's comments will damage the very purpose he purports to be committed to improving. In highlighting an imaginary problem, namely that state school students are discriminated against in the Oxford interview, he has exacerbated the real problem, that not enough state school students apply in the first place."
Disappointment over the Chancellor's comments has been expressed by students involved in the Target Schools Initiative as he condemns the University as complacent over the problem of admissions. Anas El-Turabi, President of Medsoc, observed: "It's not where you are, it's the direction you are moving in." The percentage of state school applicants offered a place at Oxford has been steadily increasing each year, reaching 53% in 2000. Anas believes one positive aspect of the issue is that it will publicise the arguments he is putting forward to sixth form pupils considering Oxford, and that it will confirm "getting into Oxford is not all about getting 10 A*s and 5 As."
Others share his view that the real issue is not one of admissions, but of a power struggle. The battle between the Government and Higher Education, and within the Labour Party itself, where Laura Spence has been turned into a "political football." OUSU Press Officer, Jeff Glekin, sees Gordon Brown's phillipic as the latest in a series of attacks on universities and students: "This will not really stop a lot of people from applying to Oxford. People who are bright enough to apply will be bright enough to see through the misinformed, irresponsible statements of the government."
He condemned the government for "washing its hands of the responsibility of elitism, whereas by abolishing the grant, introducing the loan and tacitly approving of top-up fees, it has done a great deal to discourage potential university applicants." He is of the view that by perpetuating damaging misconceptions about Oxford and its students, it will make any proposed cuts in funding easier to 'spin' and sell to the public.
All those involved in admissions to Oxford, whether it is students participating in Target Schools or Admissions Tutors, are now scrambling to answer the damaging claims that have gained so much publicity recently. The University's Vice Chancellor reaffimed his committment to attracting the best: "For years, Oxford has been doing its level best to encourage bright students, no matter where they come from, to apply." He added: "We are interested in the best students and we don't care where they come from" - a message that many hope will reach the very people most likely to be swayed by the negative coverage of the case.
25th May 2000