NUS Mess
STUDENTS ARE reeling after an NUS Conference described by one as "the most frightening environment I've ever been in". Complaints of intimidation have always accompanied the annual hack-fest, but the usual political infighting took a particularly ugly turn after Presidential candidate Helen Aspell was assaulted by an unidentified student, who abused her with homophobic taunts then punched her in the face.
All political factions were quick to condemn the attack, with Aspell's opponent for the Presidency, incumbent Owain James, saying made him "ashamed for the first time to be President of the National Union".
Some activists, however, are less convinced that it was a one-off. LGB reps on the National Executive warned that the incident reflected a growing trend of intolerance within the Union, and many students complained of experiencing racism, sexism and homophobia during the four day event. Despite this, delegates voted to support the creation of a full-time black students officer.
In general terms, however, NUS maintained its traditional hostility to Oxford policies with delegates voting against a non-payment campaign and occupations strategy. Oxford will, at least, be represented on next year's National Executive after Lee Sergent (ex-New College) and high-profile fee fighter Helen Salmon secured election in second and sixth place respectively.
26th Apr 2001