Before interviewing Hannah Ruddick, I was concerned about my lack of time. I had an essay to hand in for the next day and I was desperately trying to find sports articles to replace the one’s that were destroyed by the recent bad weather. After speaking to her for half an hour, I realised it should not have been me complaining about a hectic schedule. Ruddick is possibly the busiest student in Oxford, having to maintain a rigorous Olympic training regime in between labs, tutorials and lectures. She’s been up since four o’clock, but this is nothing out of the ordinary. Having played international volleyball for six years, she is aware of what is required to achieve in sport. Not that this makes it any easier: “It’s really stressful; not just trying to find time for work but also having a social life as well. Over Christmas, I had just three days off: I’m in an unusual position.” Unusual is an understatement; both of her circumstance and of her capacity to cope with pressure. When asked about the prospect of playing for her country in the 2012 Olympics, she is clearly excited but remains pragmatic. “Playing in front of a home crowd will be amazing and there will certainly be a degree of pressure attached. But British Athletes are not expected to do well at the moment so it’s an interesting mixture. The main pressure will come from inside of me.” “I analyse everything. I’m such a perfectionist and it’s a massive problem. Even in a game like Monopoly, I’m really bad. I can’t bear losing- I throw away all my silver medals as they remind me of defeat.” In light of this inbuilt competitiveness, I ask her if she can relate with disgraced former Olympic winner Marion Jones, who was imprisoned for six months on Monday for lying to doping investigators. “I can understand her situation. Like all international athletes, she was preoccupied with being the best and winning at any cost. She just overstepped the mark.” The mark that she refers to is a complex one that is continually changing under the jurisdiction of The World Anti Doping Agency (WADA). “All international athletes are making amendments to their dietsthat’s enhancing their performances and it is hard because the guidelines are shifting all the time. I have to be particularly careful in a social situation. If someone is smoking cannabis, I have to leave as it could be enough to contaminate a drug test.” For someone who reputedly has an offer of a professional contract in Venice waiting for her, her enthusiasm for university sport surprises me. On the 9th of February, she will be playing in the annual Volleyball Varsity match: “I’m so psyched for the Cambridge game; I’ve been thinking about it for months. I just want to destroy them.” Perhaps it is this rational agression that will bring Britain success in 2012.By Harry McDowell 

BLUES HOCKEY   OXFORD 5 COVENTRY 0  The men’s hockey blues earned promotion from their BUSA league on Wednesday with a convincing 5-0 victory against Coventry University. The match never looked in doubt as Oxford took the lead early on with 2 penalty corner strikes from Captain David Cresswell. The game was being re-played after the previous meeting between the two teams was abandoned. A delayed start was followed by a Coventry player suffering a dislocated hip having got on the wrong end of a strike from the reputable Mark Oeuf. A strong Oxford line-up, including veteran Aussies Michel Molinari and Brad Tucker, dominated from start to finish. Perhaps the biggest positive for Oxford was that Jamie Holdoway, a surprise inclusion at the centre of defence, showed moments of class and a very cool head under pressure. The game was over when Martin Tricker scored twice in the second half, with Andrew Van Biltong capping off a polished performance by finishing a move including 15 passes with a reverse-stick strike. The win means the Blues will be playing in Midlands Conference 2A next year, a league somewhat below the class of the Oxford team on show here. I asked Cresswell how his side ended up so low in the BUSA standings: “It all goes back to a few years ago when we qualified for the National League. We found we didn’t have time to balance the Saturday games with midweek BUSA games, so pulled out of BUSA. When we came back down from the National League, BUSA decided to put us back in at the bottom. So we are having to work our way back up each season.” Judging by today’s performance, it will not be long until the Blues are fighting for honours at the top again.by Ian Rossiter

THE SITUATION is quite simple. We have three remaining BUSA league matches and three victories will ensure that we are crowned midlands champions. We don’t have to rely on anybody else doing us a favour by taking points off other teams; essentially we have control of our own destiny. We will doubtlessly have to perform at our best and be willing to exhibit the levels of dedication and the quality of play that were evident throughout last term, but, at this stage, I couldn’t have asked for any better from all of the members of both our blues and centaurs squads. It was a shame that we lost our unbeaten record in the final game of last term against Warwick (in somewhat dubious circumstances it must be added) but it didn’t hurt us too much in terms of the league standings and I know that the memory of that defeat will be used as a spur when we confront our future opponents, Worcester, Nottingham and Bedford. We have already taken a combined total of 7 points from earlier fixtures against these teams and so we can be quietly confident that we possess enough quality to secure the required results. It was somewhat unfortunate that our first week fixture against Worcester had to be postponed due to inclement weather, but it will give us some more time to settle back into our patterns of play and raise our fitness levels after the Christmas break. Our coach Martin Keown has incorporated ‘spinning’ classes into our fitness schedule and he is keen to embrace many other varied forms of exercise to ensure that we are in the best possible shape for each and every game. He is additionally insistent on continuously performing shape drills, which essentially consist of lining up in our team shape in one half of the pitch and going through our passages of play, moving the ball from back to front, against ‘passive’ opposition. The emphasis is very much placed upon improving technique and formulating ‘pictures’ in your mind such that you develop a greater awareness of the space around you and the positioning of your team mates. The first sign of a poor touch, an underhit pass or poor body shape and the exercise is stopped and then started all over again. Very often Keown will run drills that he has observed on recent visit to watch the Arsenal first team train, and we are continually told how much Robert Pires loved to ’get down on his technique’ and how Dennis Bergkamp used to be ‘having himself’ after every scintillating touch. The dubious comments aside, we are certainly reaping the benefits of his meticulous and professional approach to the job, and we are hoping that this will be reflected by a successful culmination of our BUSA campaign.by Paul Rainsford (Blues' Captain) 

Leah Hyslop explores the obstacles facing state school students applying to Oxford A few weeks ago, a friend of mine told me the story of her attempts to apply to Oxford. ‘Privileged’ enough to attend a Southern grammar school, she was none the less a student whose place of study had little or no tradition of sending pupils to Oxbridge, and her first tentative attempts to broach the idea with the Head of Sixth-Form were met with nothing less than open-mouthed confusion. “Oxford? But wouldn’t you, well, have to get your UCAS form in really early?”To some, this story will sound all too familiar. To others, the concept of a school which doesn’t regard Oxbridge as the birth-right of its pupils will seem curious, even laughable. For all its attempts to broaden its state school intake, Oxford is still dominated by the private school monopoly that has given it its unfortunate “elitist” reputation, and the University’s most recently published set of statistics hardly helps. Though the balance in 2007 (in terms of UK candidates) between 53.5% state school students and 46.5% from independent schools may look alright in isolation, it entirely fails to reflect the proportion of state schools on a national level, and is in fact a swing in favour of independents. A shocking 38.5% of Oxford’s undergraduate body in 2007 was taken from London and the South East alone, whilst Ireland (1%) Scotland (2.1%) and the North East (2.1%) lagged sharply behind.So is Oxford consciously elitist? Tabloid scandals such as that of the so-called ‘Laura Spence Affair’ — the student with 5 A Levels who was rejected from Magdalen — would certainly lead us to believe so. Yet the fact remains that it is not in Oxford’s interests to discriminate against applicants from working class backgrounds. This is, after all, the age of “equal opportunities”: by 2011, Oxford is expected to take 62% of students from the state sector. Projects such as the Oxford Access scheme work to promote awareness of Oxford as a potential destination within state schools, whilst the Sutton Trust Summer Schools are exclusively aimed towards the underprivileged. Nothing could be more explicitly geared to welcome students from all backgrounds than the University’s admissions website, which pledges a commitment to recruit “the brightest and best students, regardless of their social, educational, regional or ethnic background.” What, then, is keeping the number of state school students at Oxford so depressingly low?
The answer probably has less to do with Oxford than the schools from which its applicants are drawn. According to one current Oxford student, a London-based private school such as Haberdashers gets at least 40 applicants into Oxbridge a year, through intensive coaching. A student from Bancroft’s, Essex, tells how her school had a system by which students were sent to be interviewed by an unknown teacher at another local school to gain the full “interview experience.” A far cry from the many comprehensives, and even grammar schools, that rarely send a single student to Oxbridge. Though Oxford claims that its interview process places emphasis on “potential rather than achievement,” the simple truth remains that a student who has been brought up to see Oxford as a birthright, and has had practise in an interview situation, will have an advantage over a student who has been flung into an alien world, for whom the sheer confidence of private school students is disorientating and even intimidating. I certainly spent most of my interview period quaking in my room, bewildered by the articulate and forthright students around me. I doubt I was the only one.It’s not just in terms of interview preparation that private school students benefit. Oxford admissions tests are touted by the University as a perfectly fair way of discriminating between students. But state school students are still at a decided disadvantage against pupils whose parents can afford tutoring, and whose schools will go out of their way to prepare them. How could the University compensate? Should it issue lower offers to students from schools where teachers and facilities are of a poorer standard? Is positive discrimination patronising? And, even more crucially, should Oxford accept students whose A Level subjects are regarded as ‘easy’ or ‘soft’, but are the subjects which their state schools specialise in? A lot of current students rant about how insulting positive discrimination is, and how it unfairly penalises more able or committed students from apparently “privileged” backgrounds. But then, these people rant about it very loudly, after rather too much port, and use phrases like “it’s political correctness gone mad.” And of course, they all went to Eton.

1 The 4 minute mile Whilst claims that the feat was considered impossible, even medically dangerous, breaking a world record that had stood for 9 years standing on a windy day at Iffley isn’t bad for someone who only trained during their lunchbreak. Roger Bannister’s achievement was the greatest of all the Oxford sporting achievements, even more so coming in an era where professional sport had started to take hold. 2 Oxford win the FA Cup OK, so what the final was played at a cricket ground, in front of a conference side attendance, in 1874 against 9 lieutenants, a captain and a major. We can still claim an equal share in the meritocractic glory of the FA cup (let’s ignore the fact that the top 4 have held it for the last 12 years). Prehaps it is not surprising we won, the team included 4 England internationals and we had God on our side in the shape of midfielder Rev. Arthur H. Johnson. 3 Oxford student equals World Long Jump record Perhaps the ultimate rennaisance sportsman, C.B Fry held blues in cricket, football, rugby and athletics (excelling at both the long jump and sprinting) finding the time to equal the then world record of 7.17 meters in 1893. If you don’t hate him already you should know he also got a first. His life after Oxford wasn’t as interesting, a spot of nude modelling here, a spot of international cricket there (I needn’t bother to explain he was an all-rounder). Oh, and he was offered the throne of Albania. 4 Oxford win Boat Race by a foot 2003 saw the closest boat race ever with the lead changing 3 times and Oxford rowing at 40 strokes per minute to fend off a late Cambridge attack, after taking the lead with only around a mile to go. Oxford were underdogs too that year, fielding the much lighter crew. 5 Oxford student wins Rowing World Championship Matt Pinsent to be more precise, 3 times rowing blue and boat club president. He won 2 world championship golds and a bronze during his time at Oxford and took a year out from his studies to win gold at the Barcelona Olympics. More importantly he was in the winning 1990 boat race team, although during his year as president he had to endure one of the few defeats of his career. 6 Oxford win first ever Ice Hockey match in Europe On some kind of Victorian version of the Varsity Trip in St Moritz, a few Oxbridge students got together for a puckabout, Oxford winning 6-0. The Varsity Match is now the longest running fixture in the sport. Whilst most Brits probably couldn’t care less about ice hockey, it constantly being a degree too hot to play, the Canadians do, and many eminent Canadians including prime minister and noble peace prize winner Lester Pearson have represented Oxford. 7 Oxford win by an innings and 227 runs at Varsity For those of you allergic to cricket this is a lot. The 1923 varsity match at Lord’s had to be finished a day early after a domineering Oxford display that saw Cambridge bowled out twice on the same day for 59 and 139, Bettington ending with figures of 11-85. If that isn’t bad enough the tabs were beaten by an innings and 425 runs by the 1938 Australian tourists, strewth! 8 Blues beat the USA from 34 points down The rugby league side’s 42-38 victory over the US students after trailing 38-4 at half time in 1999 is pretty impressive. So is the fact we have a rugby league team considering that league players were banned from playing rugby union by the university for many years, and players therefore had to play under pseudonyms of childrens' cartoon characters. With the ending of this ban league has risen in prominence and now commands the full blue it deserves. 9 Tabs sink in 1978 Boat Race Not really a great Oxford sporting moment, perhaps more of a victory for the weather, but still funny and Oxford (unsurprisingly) did win. Cambridge went one better in 1984 when they sunk before the start line after hitting a barge, thus wreaking a £7,000 boat. The excuse given was the 5”4 cox couldn’t see over the rowers. 10 Irish international scores all the points at Twickenham Probably a good idea to finish on a defeat so we don’t get too cocky. David Humphrey’s performance at the 1995 varsity match, however, was one of the greatest personal displays in the rugby varsity fixture, the Irish international of over 70 caps scoring all 19 of Oxford’s points. This included a grand slam (the scoring of a try, conversion, penalty and drop goal in the same game), a rare feat and the ultimate achievement of a fly half .By Jeremy Kelly 

St. Catherine’s underlined their championship credentials on Thursday of Oth week with a thumping away win over rivals Teddy Hall. Both sides had to endure hostile conditions at a wet and windy University Parks, in a fixture that had been rearranged from the end of last term. Hall just could not live with the pace and handling of a Catz backline that had been rejuvenated by the return of University squad members Ali Walker and Sean Mackenzie, and the visitors looked dangerous almost every time they were given good ball. Although they came into the game with injuries, and several players missing through University commitments, Hall will be disappointed not to have even threatened a try until the dying seconds, especially as the early stages were a very even affair. With wind and rain swirling around the ground, both sides inevitably struggled with the ball in hand. Attack after attack broke down thanks to the slippery ball. The Catz lineout was especially messy in the opening quarter, with their backs receiving little in the way of quality possession. The visiting scrum was functioning though, providing Catz with a solid and reliable platform of attack. Both skipper Sam Donaldson and Mackenzie managed to squeeze passes out of the tackle, allowing Peter Jones to muscle over the line for the game’s first score. Donaldson stepped up to slot the conversion. It wasn’t long before Catz found themselves once again on the attack, with Jamie Menzies going close before being unfortunately penalised. Hall couldn’t quite manage to clear their lines, with their kicks often failing to make touch. One such poor clearance led to the visitors’ second try, Donaldson finding the ball in his possession and embarking on a brilliant solo run to touch down under the posts. He converted his own score to put his side fourteen points up going into half time. As their lineout began to look more reliable, St. Catherine’s grew even more dangerous in the second period. From a set-piece, they worked the ball to the right, where Matt Perrins accelerated, leaving three Hall defenders for dead to record the third try for the visitors. Donaldson converted and then added a further three points from a penalty, effectively sealing the game with fifteen minutes remaining. Catz weren’t finished, though. Three-quarters Richard Godfrey and Henry Haslam created space on the wing for Walker to burst through and score on his return to the side. To Hall’s credit, they rallied and almost forced a try as the sky became dark in the dying minutes. But Catz were determined not to give their opponents a point, and held on for a famous win that will worry the rest of the top division.By James de Mellow 

Sara-Christine Gemson encourages students to stand up for what they believe inAt the end of September, the eyes of the world were riveted to the brilliantly coloured monks of Burma, risking their lives by protesting to obtain some basic rights from a brutally oppressive regime. Here in Britain, we no longer need to fight for these rights. The rights to protest, to be politically active and to express ourselves freely are taken as part of the natural order of things.  But to what extent do students at Oxford actually exercise them?It’s easy to discover the activist scene in Oxford, through mailing lists, posters, Facebook groups and web sites. An even better source is the newly launched organisation OxHub, which brings together different organisations involved in local and international development. OxHub’s goal is to provide resources to facilitate the work of existing student-run charities, whilst also encouraging new students to get involved. As Adam O’Boyle, the manager of OxHub, explains, “The Oxford prospectus says Oxford is a great place for students to get an education, and to get involved in sport and arts. We would like to add charity work to that list.”  The idea for OxHub came from a similar organisation already in existence at Cambridge University. In the decentralised context of the collegiate system, there is a pressing need to provide a focal point for the activism and charity work that takes places. Ritu Patwari, the president of the University of Oxford’s Amnesty International group, asserts the need for OxHub. “The decentralised college environment is a big factor. It means that it’s very difficult to get people involved in student activism.”    This obstacle is only one of many. While the proliferation of posters, the well populated mailing lists, Facebook groups, and the professionally designed web sites may give the impression of a politically active and involved student population, the reality is quite different. Speaking to the heads of different groups, the same refrain is always repeated. Mark Darby, president of the Oxford Aegis Society, a group that campaigns against genocide, summarises the state of student participation: “People might be interested or aware, but not many are willing to make the extra effort to campaign or get involved.” Ritu adds that “Especially at Oxford, people are willing to discuss things theoretically, but they don’t do anything practical about it.”  It can be disappointing to discover that the expectations and the publicity misrepresent the true state of activism at Oxford. Hizami Mohdiskandar came to the University from Malaysia to study law. He has been involved in a number of politically active societies, most notably as the president of the Free Burma Society. However, his experience so far has not lived up to his expectations. “When I came here I thought ‘this is Oxford, everyone is going to be political; everyone is going to care about causes. JCRs are going to be passing political motions all the time.’ Of course, this isn’t the case.” For some, it’s not just a lack of action but actual uninterest. Aisling MacSweeney is the secretary of the Palestine Society. “The disappointing thing is that the vast majority of students remain quite apathetic and even prefer not to take a political opinion.”There are various explanations for the lack of student involvement, the most likely being the lack of time. Mandisa Mbali, co-chair of Stop Aids, is sympathetic to those who cry off political activism due to time constraints. “There are a lot of people who want to support causes but with the pressures of the eight week term at Oxford, some simply don’t have the time.” In some cases, the lack of involvement is a more strategic calculation; a fear of having your name tied to a specific cause. Ritu has come across this problem many times. “People can be really interested in issues and they’ll discuss them and they’ll even come to events. But when you ask them to sign a letter, they’ll say ‘I don’t want to sign my name’ or ‘I don’t want to give my address.’ It’s good that people won’t just sign anything, but when people agree that something is wrong but they aren’t willing to put their names down, I think it’s odd.” Alternatively, they’re scared of upsetting potential employers. Mark faced this problem trying to get students to sign the UBS petition, which aims to push UBS to stop underwriting PetroChina’s investments in Darfur. Some students won’t sign because they are worried that it might affect their future careers in investment banking.  Socially, there may also be a certain stigma attached to being politically active. Aisling has faced hostility from other students for her activism. “I often find quite a negative attitude towards activism – like somehow I feel I have to explain myself to people for being involved in issues where there might be disagreement.” Adam also identifies a lack of mentoring on the part of professors at Oxford. “Tutors often don’t take a paternal role in politicising students. Their aim is to give us a well-rounded education but not necessarily to push us…to be socially conscious.”

More generally, there seems to be an increasing hesitation on the part of JCRs and MCRs to go beyond welfare issues by passing motions on politically sensitive causes. Officially, OUSU encourages them to take a stance. Claire Addison, the Vice President for Charities and Communities, gives OUSU’s position. “JCRs and MCRs are independent and it’s up to the individual members of common rooms to decide which policies are adopted. However, OUSU wishes to encourage debate and dialogue on all issues that are being discussed by the Student Union and so it would often be appropriate to discuss political motions in order for their representatives at OUSU Council to be properly representative of their common room’s student body.” However, during a JCR meeting at Pembroke at the end of October, there was debate over the legitimacy of passing motions on non-student related issues.Geoff Cameron is president of the Oxford University Baha’i Society, and is currently campaigning for the rights of Baha’is in Iran who are being denied access to higher education. He disagrees with categorically refusing to discuss any matters not directly related to student welfare. “I understand that JCRs and MCRs want to be focused on matters that concern students. But students, particularly at a university like Oxford, are not only concerned with themselves. They have an interest in the world. And student bodies, as collective organisations, can also exercise some power by expressing their views on international issues.” Mandisa echoes the importance of JCRs and MCRs in this role, arguing that there is no better place than Oxford to become politically active.  ‘We have all the resources of Oxford at our disposal so I think we should debate issues. Not to do so is to abdicate moral responsibility as intellectuals and as students. You can’t see the University as a sort of degree sausage factory.”This lack of involvement is a source of concern to many of the activists. Adam is particularly concerned about the future. “If students aren’t politicised now, they never will be. You can’t wait ten years from now to get involved. At that point, people will be entrenched in their lifestyles; change will be too hard then. The more it’s delayed, the less likely it’s going to happen.” Hizami also worries about future generations. “If we don’t create an activist environment now, then the students who follow us won’t do it either. And there won’t be an activist core growing up. In many ways, the world needs activists now even more than in the seventies.” Making the current generation conscious of social and political problems is especially pertinent in a university where many are likely to go on to “great things.” The Oxford Aegis Society branch was started by the national organisation two years ago because they recognised the importance of reaching future leaders while young. Mark explains the importance of raising awareness with Oxford students. “They are going to be in positions of power twenty years down the line…hopefully they’ll remember to do the right thing.”  However, while those involved agree that the situation isn’t ideal, they say they still have it easier than their counterparts at most other universities. Mark points out that Oxford’s eclectic mix of student bodies means that there are at least some people interested in even the lesser known causes. “You can have an obscure event like a film on the Guatemalan conflict in Spanish here and people will come. In another city you’d only get one person showing up. It’s easier to find a niche here.” The impression that students are becoming less involved and more apathetic is perhaps a false one. For certain causes, there may even be an increase in interest and involvement in the last few decades. This is what Paul Martin, a lecturer in politics and a student here in the early nineties, has observed. “I don’t honestly see a massive change overall. I do think that there are a lot more students involved in international politics issues nowadays – I’ve taught a lot of undergraduates who’ve been involved in the anti-war movement, the Palestine solidarity campaign, and so on.” Claire also mentions considerable success for campaigns promoting the anti-Trident movement, and highlighting the Darfur crisis. She explains that it’s important to look at student activism from a broader perspective. “These things tend to go in cycles. Activism takes many shapes and forms and right now the trend seems to be for very specific issues, running individual campaigns and particularly events.”The motivating factor behind the first step into campaigning varies from one activist to another. Geoff’s motivation is deeply personal. “I’m a Baha’i so I happen to know about the situation of the Baha’is. As a student and a member of the University, I feel I have a moral obligation to let others know about the situation affecting my co-religionists.” Aisling’s involvement dates back to her pre-Oxford days. “I originally got involved in campaigning for Palestine when I was at school. I started off in the anti-war movement, but it didn’t take me long to realise that the Israel/Palestine conflict was at the heart of the so-called “divide” between Islam and the West. I realised that without a just resolution for Palestine, there would never be an end to the “war on terror” or the rise of Islamic fundamentalism, and peace would never be achievable.”For some, it was a slippery slope into activism. They showed up to a meeting and gradually got more involved. Ritu started out in a minimally committed position, then found herself helping out other committee members, participating in different events, and before she knew it, she was president of the Amnesty society. Others were guided into activism. Adam was lucky enough to have a few mentors who put him on the right path. “I was made to realise that in the long run my time and skills were more valuable than my money, which was was a substantial factor in shaping plans for my career.”To talk to these student activists is to be swept up in their passion, their energy, and their firm belief that they can change the world. Hizami is unshakable in his belief in the power of the individual. “One person goes out there, learns about something, talks to someone else, changes someone’s mind. That person goes out and does the same thing. That’s how change happens.” Having seen first-hand the difference that aid activism has made in her native South Africa, Mandisa can’t help but be motivated to keep fighting for her cause. “You can see change and it makes you think ‘Wow! I’m actually not powerless!’ As an ordinary citizen, working with other ordinary citizens, we can actually change things from the bottom up. That’s the real meaning of democracy and that’s why I wish more people would get involved in activism.” Geoff thinks that Oxford students are in a particularly influential place. “When student bodies or colleges or the University itself issues statements that are very clear-cut morally and ethically, I think people are more likely to listen because of the international stature of the University. The connections it maintains throughout the world via its students makes Oxford an international institution with international responsibilities.” Those responsibilities apply to its students as much as to its staff. These three years are the best chance you’ll have to make a difference. Get involved.

Flood warning on the River Thames running through Oxford remains in place alongside two other flood warnings on the Rivers Thames and Ray running through Oxfordshire. Only one village in west Oxfordshire has been flooded so far but the possibility of flooding of roads and homes in Oxford is still at large.

“We have had little or no rain overnight but it has started raining again now and will continue through the day,” said Rob Alexander, spokesman for the Environment Agency. “The River Thames is still rising and this will affect all the watercourses running through Oxford.

With the River Thames expected to rise over 10 cm by the end of day, Oxford’s emergency planners say they are “planning for the worst but hoping for the best,” after having undergone extensive flood damages last summer.

Oxford City Council has installed a water pump and a JCB digger at PC World on Botley Road and has also delivered sandbags to various locations in the city. Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service has firefighters out in most areas of risk.

Oxfordshire’s assistant chief fire officer David Etheridge told BBC Oxford, “We have to accept that flooding is part of everyday winter life now.” He also advised residents affected by floods last July, to lift furniture from the ground and sandbag “external openings” such as front and rear doors.

A vote on whether to approve the OUSU admissions policy will be held at the council meeting on Friday.The admissions policy document was drawn up last term by OUSU Access and Admissions Officer James Lamming, in coordination with JCRs. There have been debates on the policy in JCRs across the University, and representatives from affiliated colleges will vote on it at the OUSU council on Friday.Among other things the new admissions policy recommends that applicants to Oxford are selected on the basis of their academic potential, but that their school’s overall results (“educational context”) should be taken into account when evaluating their A-level grades. It also recommends that tutors minimise the use of subject tests and stop using submitted essays in the admissions process, since these measures are likely to be perceived as an “additional hurdle to applying to Oxford.”The policy document will be discussed and possibly amended at the Council on Friday, before becoming official OUSU policy. Once this happens, James Lamming will use it as the basis for his discussions with collegiate admissions committees. He said, “It can be a very strong argument to say, this is perceived as being unfair by students who’ve been there and done it, so you need to take it into account.”Several colleges have already debated the policy in the last week, including Merton and Magdalen.
Merton Affiliated Organisations rep Josh Monahan said, “There is no doubt that the university needs to take into account the views of undergraduates when deciding undergraduate admissions policy.”Diana Walford, Warden of Mansfield College and Chairman of the Admissions Executive and Admissions Committee, said, “We work very closely with the student body on access issues […] The collegiate University and OUSU are in agreement over the aims of widening participation to attract the best students irrespective of their background.”Not all students’ views will be represented by the final document, however, but only those whose college is affiliated to OUSU. James Lamming noted, “Disaffiliated colleges are welcome to discuss amendments, but they don’t have a vote. I wouldn’t be doing my job properly if I didn’t listen to their views. So the policy will reflect the views only of affiliated colleges, but I will be minded of the views of all students.”Sometimes, though, the admissions policy goes out the window. One Magdalen student said, “I’m sure the only reason I got in was because my tutor fancied me.”by Jack Farchy 

The Teddy Hall summer ball has been cancelled amidst ongoing disputes between the JCR and the college.The decision to cancel the ball for a second year in a row has prompted anger amongst students, with the college authorities accused of being “unacceptable.” A ‘Summer Event’ at the college is expected to be organised instead.The head of the Teddy Hall ball committee, Jonathan Taylor, resigned after college authorities refused to accept a capacity for the ball of 650 people.Taylor commented “The last Teddy Hall Ball (in 2006) was deemed a huge success by those who went to it. Unfortunately the college deemed it a complete disaster (largely because an SCR window was broken.) The Dean then wrote a report recommending that the college should have no bops or balls for 2 years – hence no ball in 2008.”“This year the college have re-introduced bops and agreed to consider a proposal for a ball…[Last term] they suggested that the capacity should be reduced from 850 in 2006 to 400 in 2008. Obviously this prompted long discussions.”Last Wednesday he informed the JCR President that he would not be prepared to organise a ball for any fewer than 650. The President offered 700 and then 650 which were both rejected.” Hence the capacity fell below my limit and prompted my resignation”, said Taylor.Emily-Kate Morton, JCR Women’s Officer, explained the JCR’s new plans, saying that the committee were “looking to draw up a new, smaller proposal, which will be more of a Summer Extravaganza, rather than a ball. This proposal goes to the governing body on Thursday, and after that we will know if we are going ahead with any sort of summer event.”However, some Teddy Hall students have reacted angrily. A Teddy Hall second year, who wishes to remain anonymous, said “Everybody is rather annoyed.”The student explained that Taylor had resigned “because the college governing body were being unacceptable…The governing body was putting a limit of the number of people…which the ball committee believed to be too little, as there would not be enough people there to make it any good. Meetings ensued between the governing body and the ball committee, but the governing body wouldn’t budge.” St Edmund Hall authorities declined to comment.by Rob Pomfret