Oxford students studying in Lebanon have been left unharmed but shaken by a bomb attack in the capital Beirut last Friday, which killed eight people. The Foreign Office temporarily raised the country’s listing to a Red Zone last week, strongly advising against all travel in the region.

The classification was revised over the weekend, and downgraded to an Orange Zone. They now “advise against all but essential travel to the whole of Lebanon.” Oxford University confirmed that seven students from the Faculty of Oriental Studies are currently on their year abroad there.

There has been a recent upsurge in violence in Lebanon over the summer. Friday’s bomb attack was particularly significant as Wissam al-Hassan, the head of a government security agency, was killed. The explosion could reportedly be seen and heard all over the city, while that night the streets were empty and all bars and clubs were closed. 

The students were unharmed, and described themselves as being “overcautious.” A University spokesperson said, “The Faculty is in frequent contact with the students and the University is closely monitoring the situation in Lebanon.” Students also received e-mails from the Foreign Office explaining that it wouldn’t be necessary to leave the country, but that they should continue to remain abreast of any developments.

It is as yet unclear whether the University has a contingency plan in place to anticipate any escalation of the situation, in light of last year when students were evacuated from Egypt in the midst of the Arab Spring. Farhaana Arefin, a 2nd year French and Arabic student from Balliol College, is currently living in Beirut on her year abroad.

She and other students are staying in Achrafiye, only a mile away from Sassine square, the site of the explosion. She said, “Sunday was obviously Wissam al Hassan’s funeral, so we were indoors all day. By Monday, the situation on the streets seemed fine. Beirut’s bounced back! Most Lebanese people I’ve spoken to recently have seemed pretty casual; this city has seen far, far worse. I feel safe here again, and, until further notice, definitely plan on spending the rest of the year here.”

She added that this week, students had been more scared “about having to give a ten minute long presentation in Arabic against the sporadic gunfire we could hear around us. For me, life seems to have returned to normal.’

Oxford University has joined a national campaign supporting experiments on live animals for medical research. The campaign was first launched two years ago, initially backed by 41 organisations. Supporters include the coalition government, Cancer Research UK, Arthritis Research UK, Parkinson’s UK, pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline as well as other universities such as Cambridge and Durham.

The campaign justifies use of animals in medical research with claims that life sciences sector develops vital treatments and cures which benefit both animals and humans, stating, “We need to increase understanding of normal biological functions and disease. Where possible, we use cells grown in a lab, computer models and human volunteers. When this isn’t possible, research may involve animals.”

David Willetts, the Science Minister, said, “The Government is committed to working to reduce the use of animals in scientific research, but we do recognise that there remains a strong scientific case for the careful regulated use of animals in scientific research and that this does play a role in ensuring new medicines are safe and effective.”

More than 3.79 million licensed animal procedures were conducted in British laboratories in 2011, with the vast majority being conducted on mice. Public support for animal testing is currently declining, with a poll by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills finding that 66 per cent support it for medical research, a drop from the 2010 figure of 76 per cent.

Many scientific and academic organisations have been reluctant to acknowledge their use of animal experiments due to the threat of being targeted by animal rights activists. Oxford researchers have previously been targeted by arsonists.

The director of the Wellcome Trust, an organisation supporting the campaign, said, “There are understandable reasons why some members of the research community have been reluctant to speak out in the past, in the face of intimidation. The Government has acted firmly and helped build an environment in which it is safer to carry out and speak out about animal research. It is now up to us — funders, academia and industry — to build on this and create a culture of greater openness and transparency.”

An Oxford University spokesperson commented, “The University of Oxford was happy to sign up to this declaration and we look forward to seeing how all parties can take this forward.”

There have been recent disruptions in British animal research after transport firms refused to import animals used for scientific experimentation. Life sciences companies argue that by giving into animal rights activists, they are hindering potentially life-saving research and undermining a £4 billion industry.

However, concerns regarding these experiments remain. Penny Hawkins, senior scientist

at the RSPCA, is worried about a lack of transparency in the scientific community, arguing that they should “not just talk about the potential benefits of research.”

Public attitudes in the latest polls appear to be against the pharmaceutical industry and seem concerned over how effective the regulations on animal testing are, with 33 per cent mistrusting the regulators.

Ms Hawkins commented, “These results reflect a deep public concern about animals who suffer in the name of science.”

The chief executive of the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection, Michelle Thew, commented, “We have been requesting transparency on animal experiments for many years, rigorously opposed by the research industry. If, however, they are now serious about favouring greater openness, then it is time they back up their claim by disclosing exactly what they are doing to animals and why.”

Balliol College’s 750th anniversary commemoration ball has been met with concern from JCR members.Issues surrounding ticket costs, white-tie hire, as well as the ball’s ‘opt-out system’ have all caused controversy.

At a JCR meeting last Sunday, Balliol student Will Tummon proposed a motion singling out the “extortionate” requirement for students to wear white-tie, as  well as the potential stigma attached to anyone who chose to opt-out .He called for the JCR to endorse a change to the ‘opt-in’ system and to encourage its members to refuse to pay the ticket price of £150 until financial details were clear. He also pressed for the ticket price to be reduced by at least half for JCR members.

The original motion submitted by Tummon was not passed; however, an amended version, proposed by Sam Ellis and Omid Pakseresht, passed without opposition. The amended motion shared concerns about the ball possibly being too expensive for some students and resolved to work with the college’s Welfare and Housing Officers in exploring financial aid options, such as subsidising some tickets. It also pledged the JCR’s full support to the Ball Committee.

Tummon told Cherwell, “The amendment has made some progress in that it should help advertise the existing welfare provisions available to JCR members who might like to attend the ball but can’t for financial reasons.’

However, he continued, “Perhaps the college might consider chipping in rather more for its own birthday party, since it sits upon an endowment of about £64m, and a large proportion of its students are sitting upon a growing pile of debt. Such an act of fairness might best demonstrate the progress our wonderful institution has made, rather than galvanize the idea of Oxford as exclusive.”

Sam Ellis commented, “The original motion gave the JCR a great opportunity to discuss the price of commemoration balls. The main point to address was that members of the JCR might be priced out of the ball.

”Tessa McGuire, President of Balliol Ball, said that the ticket price of £150 was “justified by virtue of the unlimited food, beverages and first class entertainment that will be provided.” One Balliolite disagreed, commenting, “I think £150 is pretty high, especially given that it’s for Balliol’s 750th anniversary.”

Magdalen JCR members opposed to increased catering charges are spending fourth to sixth Week as ‘hall refugees’, after their motion to go on strike from Magdalen Hall has come into effect

.Meg Trainor, President of the striking JCR, stated, “At the General Meeting on Sunday 7 October, Magdalen JCR voted to go on Hall strike from 22 October until 4 November. As College did not change their position on the charge in the interim, the strike began on Monday. All JCR members have been boycotting Hall, and many have volunteered to provide alternative food options during the strike. On Monday 22 October, JCR volunteers served over 80 portions of homemade lunch and dinner to fellow JCR members.”

The college’s bursary justified the proposed catering charge as a deficit reduction method for the catering department. One option for future students included a termly redeemable £150 charge and an additional termly fixed charge of up to £70. The proposals were rejected by 80% of the JCR, which published a detailed document criticising the charges as, “unnecessary and deeply unfair.” 

Third year PPPist Kate Eccles is serving soup and a roll at lunch for £1. Proceeds go towards a local charity. She said, “We thought that what people needed in this time of crisis was a nice bit of soup… We had a good turnout yesterday; we sold about 30 bowls of soup which was great.”

Magdalen’s Grove D Kitchen has been providing meals from  £3 Third year Chemist Elena Harty, one of the volunteers cooking there, said, “Morale is great; everyone’s doing a great job to make this a success, both in and out of the college. So many other colleges have offered their support and we really appreciate it.”

JCR Presidents at the third week Intercollegiate Presidents’ Committee offered their support. Queen’s President Jane Cahill asked her JCR “to invite a Magdalenite to dinner to quell their hunger, and to make sure they are meeting their dietary requirements and they resist the temptation to break the strike.’

The Lodge strip club, which was closed two weeks ago when the Council refused to renew its licence, was reopened on Wednesday after the High Court stayed the decision pending a full hearing.

Following campaigns to have the club closed at its city centre location in April 2011, the Lodge relocated last October to its current location by the Ice Rink on Oxpens Road. However, when the club owners sought a renewal of the club’s stripping licence, they were denied this by the council on the basis of local complaints.

After receiving a reported 23 letters from local residents opposing the renewal of the club’s licence, the Council announced its decision to deny it, with Sub-Licensing Committee Chairman Van Coulter alleging, “We have evidence that the existence of the club has created a hostile atmosphere, and we decided to give weight to that.”

At the time, Al Thompson, the manager of The Lodge argued that the accusations were “hearsay” and stated the club would appeal the Council’s decision. 

Following their appeal to the High Court, the decision by the Council has been stayed and the club allowed to temporarily reopen. Oxford City Council released a statement, saying, “We have been notified that the High Court, on the application of the owners of The Lodge, has granted a stay of the City Council Licensing Committee’s decision not to renew the sexual entertainment venue licence. This will allow them to carry on providing sexual entertainment until their judicial challenge to the decision not to renew their licence is resolved. 

Unapologetic about their prior decision, the Council claimed the ruling was “a disappointing development which runs counter to the evidence presented to the Licensing Committee on concerns generated by the presence of The Lodge.”

They continued, “The committee’s decision not to renew the licence for these premises for sexual entertainment was taken in good faith on the balance of evidence presented to it, and the Council will continue to monitor the operation of these premises during the period of the ‘stay’ to ensure that the limited controls provided by licence conditions are adhered to.”

Club manager Al Thompson told Cherwell, “We are very very pleased that the decision of Oxford City Council to refuse our application to renew our SEV license at The Lodge Gentleman’s Club Oxpens Road has been stayed by the High Court pending the full hearing.“

The Court have noted the good history we have operating in Oxford and the potential strength of our case. Myself, staff and the management team are both relieved and delighted to back at work.”

Not all are pleased with the latest developments, however, with one female student, who wished to remain anonymous, telling Cherwell, “The issue was not so much the club itself as its customers. When coming home from midnight ice hockey on a Wednesday evening we’ve had to call an ambulance for one man who was passed out on the road and subsequently wet himself.“

Another time I walked past a pair of men about to get into a taxi. One of them tried to grab me and although luckily his friend held him back, as I walked away I could hear the friend convincing the first man that he couldn’t ‘have’ me, even though ‘he could have if he had wanted to’.”

However, one employee of the club, who said she was a graduate student working there to fund her education, defended it. She claimed the area outside Lodge was “relatively safer than the road outside Park End or another big club.” She also added that the Lodge was a “pretty good employer”, where all the girls were selfemployed and able to earn a decent commission for their night’s work.

Netiya Shiner, a commenter in the Facebook group ‘Misogyny Overheard at Oxford Uni’  voiced the belief, “I don’t think it’s my place, as a feminist, to tell other women what is and what is not an “acceptable” profession. That said, no one should have to put up with harassment for any reason, let alone their career choice, and to ignore the issues many face in the sex industry is to reinforce patriarchal values like the objectification of human beings.”

Benedict Hardy, added, “It seems to me that working in the sex industry should be ‘just another job’. Clearly it isn’t, because exploitation is still rife in all sectors of the sex industry, but that doesn’t mean that the problem lies in sex work itself. There are (shock horror) women who happily work in the sex industry, of their own free will, and for fair pay.’

10 out of the 58 businesses in Oxford’s Covered Market are looking to sell. 

Stall owners are blaming proposed rent increases of between 20 and 90 per cent, as well as competition from the internet. Smoothie vendor Moo Moo’s faces the largest rent increase, though its premises are little more than “a shed”. 

The Oxford Boot Store is due to close. Staff member Matt Lintern described the rise in rent as “the final nail in the coffin.” 

Resentment towards the city council is running high among traders. The manager of Next to Nothing claimed that the council “don’t seem very interested” and that “everyone knows they’re not helping.” 

Sandie Griffith, manager of Jemini (one of two florists) and secretary to the Covered Market Traders’ Association, described the proposed rent increases as “disastrous.” Jemini had to halve the size of its premises from four units to two and the number of staff from 15 to eight after the previous rent rise five years ago. 

Lintern said that the Covered Market used to be “more like an indoor market than just a big cafe.” 

Griffith stated that the market now sees “more of a tourist industry” and alleged that the council used to adhere to an informal policy of keeping rents low in the Covered Market and reserving stalls for independents, especially those that are “labour intensive”, such as butchers, fishmongers, florists and bakers. 

Several chain stores now have premises in the Covered Market, including Timpson’s and Cards Galore. The manager of Cards Galore told Cherwell that he was unaware that the rent was increasing, and did not know how much the rent was in the first place. He claimed that the only person who does know works in London. 

Executive member for city development, Colin Cook, told Cherwell, “This situation is not just down to high rents. It’s partly as a result of the age of some of the traders, who are looking to retire and cash in their chips.” 

Griffith was “incensed” with Colin Cook’s statement. She argued that even if this were true, it would be impossible for older traders to sell and retire because of the proposed rent increases. 

Cook also said, “There is still room for negotiation over rent increases and the level of increase could come down during negotiations.” 

The Covered Market Traders’ Association has its “own surveyor in negotiation with the council”. Sharon from Timber Treasures said this “could be the end of the Covered Market.” 

Lintern said, “By the time they [the council] realise it’ll be too late.” 

Exeter College JCR has passed a motion calling for the removal of a college internet filter that blocks ‘pornographic’ websites.

The motion pointed out that there were ways of circumventing the filter, which were “inconvenient and unnecessary”.

It furthermore noted that the filter blocked websites which were “needed by students for genuine research purposes”, which included sites mentioning ‘The Origins of Sex’, a history book written by a tutor and fellow at Exeter.

Fourth year maths and philosophy student and ex-JCR president Katy Moe proposed the motion, in which she noted: “There is nothing wrong with viewing pornography.” Moe explained that the “provocative wording” was “deliberate”. She said, “I’d anticipated that the JCR would move to change the wording to rule out illegal and exploitative pornography which, of course, is not okay.”

However, she asserted, “Exonians are adults who are able to make their own ethical judgements. Exeter College is not in loco parentis. ”Describing the debate, she remarked, “Opposition to the motion was not very vocal. One person mentioned the risk of computer viruses. It was countered that this is not the reason the IT staff give for having the filter in place.”

The motion was passed on Sunday with 27 votes in favour, versus 17 votes against and 12 abstentions. The resolution mandated that the JCR Domestic and Accommodation Officer “propose to the college IT Committee that the pornography filter be removed”. 

Exeter College did not comment on the current system, but JCR IT officer Harry Willis explained how it worked. “Pornography websites are blocked by a standard commercial web filter, similar to those at most institutions,” he said.“College have the facility to whitelist incorrectly blocked sites, and the instructions for requesting such a change are clearly stated on the ‘blocked’ page.”

Exeter students generally agreed this was a long time coming. One PPEist vented, “Researching the film ‘Deep Throat’ for my politics essay on free speech proved difficult last year.” Second year PPEist Matt Slomka quipped, “Having spent many an unsuccessful post-Park End night frustrated in my room, I hope future generations of Exonians will no longer have to go elsewhere for painfully slow streaming.” 

Second year lawyer Jasmine Leng commented, “Whether you watch porn or not is irrelevant. It’s strange to me that students, who are usually encouraged to be engaged and well informed, should be censored on a controversial topic that actually provides a good forum for debate on wider issues.”

First year PPEist Asfandyar Qureshi hailed the “repeal of the porn laws.” Stating that there was  “nothing wrong with viewing legal pornography”, he remarked, “The JCR has sought to remove an unjustifiable ban that did nothing but bring student productivity to its knees through sexual frustration.”

Exeter equalities officer Ed Nickell added, “Our JCR fund a controversially named feminist magazine that discusses all matters of sex, gender, and sexuality. We’re a progressive college: caricatures of testosteronefuelled ‘lads’ couldn’t be further from the truth.”

OUSU women’s officer Sarah Pine commented, “Students are in a position to think critically about pornography. I hope they consider if anything they watch is ethically made: without coercion or danger to those involved.”

Other Oxford students applauded the move. An anonymous Christ Church physicist remarked that the JCR was “in good hands.” He added, “I regularly watch erotic movies on the JCR widescreens to give me inspiration for my next problem set.” 

St Anne’s student Ryan Widdows expressed “shock” at the filter. “Watching pornography is not illegal,” he said. “I sincerely hope that the block is removed so that Exeter students can experience poorly written porn films like the rest of us’.

Miranda Essex, a third year geographer at Hertford, had her bike stolen on Sunday evening, only for it to be spotted and chased down in town the following day by Angelo Fernandez, a heroic Hertford porter.

The bike was one of many to have been stolen from outside Hertford College on Catte Street, in a spate of recent thefts. It was taken at about 8.30pm on Sunday. Essex had reported the theft to the Lodge, but assumed she would never see the bike again.

Luckily, one Hertford porter was walking down Broad Street on Monday afternoon, on his day off, when he recognised her bike being ridden by an unidentified man. He chased after the person, shouting “That’s not your bike!” On hearing this, the perpetrator stopped, threw down the bike and fled the scene. Fernandez then returned the bike to Robert Dyas. He informed Essex of the events the following morning, and she later picked it up.

Essex was hyperbolic in her praise of her beloved porter. She said, “I’m amazed that Angelo was able to recognise my bike even when it was being ridden.” She added, “It’s way beyond the call of duty for him to accost a thief on my behalf and I’m very grateful. He’s saved me a lot of money and reunited me with my trusty (albeit unstylish) mountain bike!’

Dave Haxell, Head Porter at Hertford College, was equally impressed with Fernandez. He said, “Of all the bikes we have outside, it’s amazing that he recognised Miranda’s, especially as it’s not even a particularly unusual one. That it was being cycled makes it all the more impressive!”

He mused, “What a guy! You could say he’s an angel.” Haxell mentioned how lucky he thought Miranda was, acknowledging that it was a very unusual incident, and adding, “A Hertford porter is never off duty.”

Ben Williams, a third year English student at Hertford whose bike was purloined from outside college earlier this term, commented, ‘If only I had been so lucky to have a knight in shining armour rescue my bike!’

Hugh Grant has been elected Honorary Fellow at New College. Limited to 40 people, this is the ‘College’s highest award and is bestowed upon distinguished Old Members.’ It is presented to those with a sustained achievement in their chosen field.

The Dean of New College, Michael Burden, said, ‘There is no particular reason why the election was made at this time, and there are no expectations that an Honorary Fellow will do anything for the college. They may do so, but this is not a condition of election.’

Last Tuesday, Grant attended a Fellows’ Dinner, for purposes linked to his appointment. He then accompanied students to the JCR college bar, much to the delight of many undergraduates. A New College first year described Grant as ‘swamped’ with a group of fans.

The student continued, ‘I think it was really nice of him to come to the bar, and so many of us were waiting for him there! This has exceeded my expectations of Oxford – meeting abona fide celebrity in the first few weeks of being here!’

Not all students were equally impressed, however. Second year Classicist Poppy Rimington-Pounder commented, ‘He took so long to actually come to the bar to meet us. He’s not really quite good-looking enough to make us wait that long – I left.’

During the visit he joined the rugby team for a drink, and was presented with a club tie. Unlike on some of his previous trips to Oxford, he did not continue the party with New College students at a nightclub afterwards.

Few students have strong feelings about Grant receiving the Honorary Fellowship. JCR Vice-President Alexander May, speaking, on behalf of the undergraduate body, said, “I would say that the general feel was that it was a nice novelty, but not massively important.’

Sam Sharpe, a second year New College PPE-ist said, “I don’t really care about him being an Honorary Fellow or not. He did seem like a nice guy, and it’s good of him to come back. That, and About a Boy is a good movie.’

Leah Lazar, a second year classicist at New, added, ‘If his fellowship means he will be in the New College bar on a regular basis, then I’m all for it!’

Grant won the Galsworthy scholarship to study English at New College in 1979. He graduated in 1981 with a 2:1.

According to the New College website, Grant ‘abandoned doctoral studies in art history and soon became one of the most preeminent and successful actors of his generation.’

Indeed, Grant was involved in acting during his time at Oxford, with a part in his first film, Privileged, produced by the Oxford University Film Foundation, when he was a member of OUDS.

Nor did Grant go unnoticed by this publication during his undergraduate career: in 1981, Hugh Grant was described in Cherwell’s John Evelyn’s gossip column as ‘New College’s answer to Brooke Shields.’

Disciplinary actions following post-Matriculation celebrations at Brasenose have sparked outrage amongst students.

Freshers and second years received fines, ranging from £25 to £100, for hosting and attending parties incollege rooms.Three students were summoned to an interview with the Dean and were assigned scout work as a punishment.

As Cherwell understands, it is a tradition at Brasenose that celebrations begin in the JCR common room after Matriculation. This year however, owing to drinking and loud music, the meeting was broken up by the junior dean. Subsequently parties,some as large as 20-30 people, spreadinto student rooms. As college regulations stipulate that no more than10 people are allowed in one room, the parties were dispersed and thenames of those involved were taken.

The following day the students in whose rooms the parties had taken place were called to the Dean’s office for an interview. JCR members alleged to Cherwell that the Dean was abusive, telling students that they “did not deserve to be at Oxford” and that they “fundamentally misunderstood the nature of such an institute”.One student stated, “it felt like a cross-examination”. One student told Cherwell that the Dean said that there was no reason to celebrate afte rMatriculation since they had not yet achieved anything.

Those interviewed have told Cherwell that they were asked to provide names of other students involved and directly asked to name the 2nd years who had told freshers about ‘Matriculash’, despite the fact that the Dean had already obtained a comprehensive list of names.

One student commented that around 40 students are believed to have been fined. Some BNC students claim that the fines have been handed out arbitrarily and resulted in students being fined who were not involved and some who were not even on college premises at the time. A fresher commented, “one of my friends wasn’t fined although she had given her name to the junior dean, while another friend who wasn’t asked for her name received a fine”.

The Dean sent round an email to those who were fined which read, “For violation of College Regulations regarding behaviour on 13 October you are subject to the Decanal fine of £25. The fine must be paid to the Assistant College Accountant by the end of Fourth Week (2 Novembe r2012). Failure to pay by that date will result in the fine being increased by 20%. Cheques should be made payable to ‘Brasenose College’.” No indication of which college regulations had been broken was given.

The actions of the Dean and the decanal team have led to anger among the student body. One student commented that the Dean, who he described as “softly spoken, but slightly evil”, seemed to be “going out of his way to scare people”. Another student called his behaviour “outrageous”, “absolutely horrendous”. Several students are contemplating on paying the fine in 1p coins.

Students being assigned work usually done by scouts has caused concern, as students worry it impliesthat work as a scout is equivalent to punishment. One student told Cherwell,“it does seem to denigrate their role to have it used as a punishment, seeing as it is not really justified by any significant damage or mess. The parties weren’t especially raucous.” Others, however, have viewed it as appropriate, with one second year commenting, “I don’t think it’s that bad as a punishment; it’s effectively like detention we had at school.”

A student said that the JCR Committee had been very sympathetic, and that they had tried to deal with the matter by attending meetings with the decanal team. When presented with the allegations, Dean Christopher Thimpson declined to comment.