Guest Dinners Off Menu At Christ Church After Simulated Sex Acts
Christ Church has been forced to ban guest dinners in response to unacceptable levels of drunken behavior. Hall staff demanded action be taken after drunken exploits reached new heights at the 7th week dinner last term. Antics included a pair of male students ‘dry-humping’ on High Table. The College Steward subsequently imposed a ban in 8th week, the duration of which remains indefinite. The two students who simulated a sexual act have been issued fines of £100 each.
They are still waiting to hear whether they will face suspension from college accommodation. Other incidents on the night in question included a male urinating in the Hall Forecourt and vulgar toasts being proposed – described by JCR Food Representative Charlie Barrow as “inappropriate”. After verbally attacking the JCR President Jo Lee-Morrison at a bop, the two second years were summoned before the Junior Censor and told it was unlikely they would be able to live in college this term.
The students – one of whom studies Modern Languages, the other Maths – claim the JCR President had blamed them for incidents for which they were not responsible and hope they will not be evicted from their rooms. Negotiations to re-establish guest dinners in Michaelmas term are currently underway with the college authorities. This is not the first time such a ban has been issued. In 2003 escalating drunken behaviour resulted in guest dinners being suspended.
Since then, diners have not been permitted to bring their own wine; it is now included in the ticket price. Barrow expressed his irritation at the ban, but stressed it should not be attributed solely to the actions of individuals. He told The Oxford Student: “I’m extremely annoyed that everyone’s rowdy behavior has caused the dinners to be banned. My understanding of it is that they have been banned because everyone was drunk at the meal.”
Lee-Morrison added: “The JCR’s position is one of disappointment that it had to come to this, but we fully appreciate that rowdy behavior is not only unpleasant for the other guests at the dinner, but also for the Hall staff who are working overtime to give us a nice dinner.”
21st Apr 2005