Congregation postal vote scrapped
Members of Congregation arrive at the Sheldonian last Tuesday
The principal policy-making body of the University has conceded defeat following the passing of a resolution in Congregation last week opposed to reform proposals. The University Council has decided not to press for a postal ballot on the resolution, despite member Dr Ralph Walker suggesting to The Oxford Student last week that it was a possibility.
A spokesperson for the University said: “Council has decided against holding a postal ballot, and will reflect further upon the views expressed by members of Congregation at the meeting on 17th May.” Professor Don Fraser, who has been at the forefront of opposition to the University’s Green Papers, expressed his relief at Council’s decision.
He said: “I think it’s good for the University, it really would have been foolish to press for a postal vote • they would have almost certainly lost. We’re all looking forward to Council’s revised plans later on in the year.” Meanwhile, the Student Union has launched its own response to the University’s reform programme. Last Friday an Extraordinary Council meeting passed a motion expressing its opinions regarding the University’s Green Paper on Academic Governance.
The motion declared the Student Union’s opposition to the creation of a Board of Trustees which did not have a majority of academics and without student supervision. The Student Union are also seeking students’ opinions regarding plans to radically alter the University’s library services. An online survey is being launched this week to gauge students’ views on the changes being considered.
Academic Affairs Co-Chair Alan Strickland told The Oxford Student: “Students need to make a choice between keeping historic libraries or embracing new facilities. The University will make the decision for us if we don't speak up.
Professor Gillian Evans, a Cambridge academic who has been heavily involved in the campaign against Oxford’s reforms, welcomed the move: “I'm really pleased at the expression of active student interest in the present discussion of governance changes in the University,” she said. “It is the students' university too and membership really means something.”.
26th May 2005