The decision by Oriel undergraduates to remain outside OUSU
has been criticised by 23 JCR Presidents who feel that their
members “subsidise” services which Oriel JCR does not
pay for. Yet, as the plethora of JCR Presidents request Oriel to join
them in OUSU, the vast majority of JCR members considered
themselves to be better served by independent status. In a letter
to Cherwell, the Presidents cited their
“disappointment” that Oriel will continue to “miss
services and support”, citing in particular the role of
sabbatical officers. Last Thursday, Oriel JCR members voted overwhelmingly against
re-affiliating to OUSU in last week’s referendum.
Constitutional change in Oriel requires a two thirds majority but
on a turn out of some 77% of the JCR, over 70% of students voted
against affiliation. Returning Officer, Mohammed Khuram, defended the sovereignty
of Oriel members and stated that their overwhelming rejection of
Student Union membership “showed that College members
neither want nor need” such services. However, the referendum did not pass off without controversy;
a tribunal had to be called after complaints of electoral
malpractice were made against David Follows, the leader of the
“no” campaign. Follows had quoted various people
criticising OUSU on “Vote No” posters. Two of those
quoted complained that their comments had been taken out of
context. The tribunal report concluded Follows had not misquoted them,
but conceded that neither individual was “anti-OUSU”.
It suggested that in future referendums permission should be
sought for use of quotes in the context of the referendum.ARCHIVE: 4th week TT 2004
Anger at ‘costly’ Oriel rejection
