Union Lunacy
THE OXFORD UNION has been confronted with a series of problems this week, re-igniting several long-running issues. The controversial smoking ban is set to be restored to the bar following a problem with interpretation of the Union Constitution, and the long-planned Union book sale has been cancelled after several valuable books were found amongst the stock. Adding to this, the Union Standing Committee has been hit by the resignation of the Reverend David Johnson.
The smoking motion passed last term under former President, Charlotte Keenan, stating that "members may only smoke in the bar", was deemed unconstitutional by a Disciplinary Appeals Committee this Sunday. This was due to the fact that the Union had failed to advertise the motion in a national paper 48 hours prior to the result, as is required by the rules.
Last term an Extraordinary Disciplinary Committee accepted that the advertising problems were "outside the power of the Union", as the information had been submitted to the papers in question, but not published, but this ruling has now been overturned. Patrick McKerras, who had campaigned vehemently to retain the bar's smoking ban, declared that "the ruling has prevented the injustice that occurred after the results of two legal referenda were overturned."
To add further embarrassment to the Union, the installation of smoke extractors, at the expense of £3000, could prove to have been wasted if the motion falls. It looks likely that this argument will be used if the motion to restore smoking is brought again, which OxStu sources suggest is likely. In the meantime, however, members who adhere to the former rule, now run the risk of incurring potential fines of up to £25.
This week also saw the postponement of Monday's planned book sale, in which over 6000 books from the Union's library were to be made available to Union members. Despite checks from acclaimed experts, including librarians from the Bodleian and Exeter College's library, a large number of valuable books were not retrieved to be kept within the Union's possession. On Sunday night, however, President Karen Price found that several extremely valuable books, including first editions and signed editions, had still been put out for sale. She was forced to cancel the sale whilst members queued at the door.
The President denied allegations of disorganisation, stating that "what would have been reflective of this would have been the sale going ahead. I stopped it. That's organised". The sale is due to go ahead, without the valuable books, next Monday. Precisely who was to blame for the discrepancies remains unclear.
The Union's woes were further compounded when the Reverend David Johnson this week resigned from the Union's Standing Committee, making it the third resignation this term.
In a resignation letter to Price, the Reverend claimed that he could no longer serve on the committee due to his "profound duty to be present at the Jubilee Celebrations" and to "spend more time with my Queen and Supreme Governor." He added, "being a monarchist I would rather attend on my Queen than on a president."
Following the disqualification of Ed Tomlinson, and the resignations of Lis Bilingsly, Drake Slaikeu-Lawhead and now the Reverend David Johnson, Chris Benson becomes the fourth replacement member on the committee, and actually came ninth in last term's election. The situation leaves just one of the first five elected standing committee members, Willem Marx, who himself came close to being forced to resign after missing two meetings earlier this term. Karen Price said the Reverend had "been great fun," but also believed that Benson would be a "good addition" to the committee.
6th Jun 2002