Finalists open to charges over celebrations
Finalists may be forced to rethink their post-exams-celebrations after Oxford police announced plans to crack down on drinking in public. University Proctors have warned JCR and MCR Presidents that the local police will have a greatly increased presence at this year’s major exams, to prevent students breaking the city centre ban on the consumption of alcohol.
The Proctors warned that police will patrol the area outside of Exam Schools and Ewert House and will prosecute anyone with open alcohol containers due to recent restrictions on drinking in public, introduced to strengthen an existing local by-law. Christ Church JCR President Will Dorsey said, “We were told that police were going to be down there at every major exam, allowing for manpower.
An email sent by Dorsey to Christ Church students warned, “My advice would be to douse your mate in Veuve/Dom/cheap Cava on private property only, and preferably private property that you have a right to be on.”Others present at the meeting have raised doubts that Thames Valley Police can manage such an undertaking. Lincoln JCR President Ollie Munn said, “I think most of us have got used to restrictions on drinking outside Schools.
But it seems that this year there could be a change in how it’s managed and policed. “I personally don’t see how they’d have the manpower to patrol outside Schools at 12.30 and 5.30 during all of the very busy exams.” Hertford finalist Amy Jones said, “It’s pretty ridiculous for the police to be getting involved in a matter like this.
“I think students should have the chance to celebrate after such a stressful period, and I also don’t think it’s right for them to worry about the possibility of being arrested as they try to have a drink with friends. I understand the importance of the law, but I’d prefer this to be left to University authorities.”
18th May 2006