Your Letters
Dear Sirs,
With so many Oxford traditions in existence about how to maximise examination luck, I want to clarify which superstitions we can rely on to bring us good fortune when we come to sit our exams, and which ones are, unfortunately, quite
false. Firstly, many a student will testify to the abundant blessings that Kaya-Nu-Hima (Japanese goddess of herbs and flowers) generously bestows upon the wearer of the appropriately coloured carnation. Likewise, the powers of Eueucoyotl (Aztec God of spontaneity) can easily be invoked provided the same perfume is worn on the day of the exams, as was when revising. However, it has come to my intention that, based on an extensive survey of two people, almost
half of the population of Oxford believe that certain self-gratifying acts (that are best performed alone and at night in private...I think we know), can temporarily elevate one's IQ. If the performatory frequency of this act is directly correlated to one's intelligence, then we would see men constantly accusing one another of being intelligent, and women would try to claim that they were not as intelligent as people thought (although we know they
really did, and really are). The message to all who forgot to revise, and try to make it up in this way, is that it is clearly misleading advice... sorry.
Drake Slaikeu-Lawhead, Somerville
Thanks for the review of my elvis blackout. Sorry it made you sick. Yours, Simon Crump
Sir,
The article in last week's OxStu, "LGB Election in Chaos", is inmaccuarate in several areas. Following the receipt of nominations for the position of LGB Soc Chair, and after some cjoling onm our part, an official complaint was received about the nomination of Mr Rowley and Ms Eden. Sveral factors were taken into consideration in reaching our decision to go ahead with elections:
1) In the Society's constitution-approved and primarily drafted by Mr Knott-it clearly states that "all committee positions may be contested on joint tickets". Consequently, the nomination of a joint ticcket does not, in our interpretation, "(contravene) the rules governing the society"
2)Dr Brian Gasser of the Proctors' Office, on consultation over this issue, could see no reason why the election should not go ahead as planned.
Following the release of the Returning Offciers' decision to the interested parties, no further complaint or appeal was brought to our attention, despite those involved being given ample opportunity so to do. The society as a whole was made aware of the pending Proctors' decision, and the possible results of electing a joint ticket, via email before hustings and the election took place. Again, no complaint or appeal was brought. Finally, rather than being "close" the joint ticket was returned with a 25% majority.
LGB Soc has always been apolitical. It is our belief that this should continue. We hope all parties will respect this.
Yours, M Stamp, New K Troup, Christ Church Returning Officers
Dear Sirs,
I was mildly amused to read Julia Buckley's article in the latest edition of your highly esteemed organ. I know that we must admit to ourselves that journalistic flair has never been, nor ever shall be, her forte, for many have been the occasions when she has written that ethe reason is because', used edue to' as a conjunction, and buggered up the use of the apostrophe; it is, by contrast, a factual point on which I haul her up this time. She quoted Dan eThe Man' Rumney, JCR President, Christ Church, as saying that such a motion (as that successfully carried by Oriel to disaffiliate from OUSU) "would fall flat on its face in Christ Church". The fact that Julia herself, running for the lofty position of Christ Church JCR OUSU rep, was taken to a second round of voting by the ejoke' candidate, a commendably right-wing character (for all such must be a joke at OUSU), evidently did not figure in her argument. Be so good as to pass on my good wishes to her as she convalesces after glandular fever, and ask her not to write any more such utter claptrap from her sick bed,
Yours &c, H. L. Hunter, Christ Church
8th Jun 2001