CW: Mental Health, Suicide.

Around 12% of Oxford students have made use of Oxford University’s counselling services in the past academic year, Vice-Chancellor Irene Tracey said in her Oration this year. 2,000 staff have also received training to provide mental health support to students.

Last year, the University joined the University Mental Health Charter Program, an initiative by charity Student Minds to support universities in improving their mental health services. Tracey said that the Charter is a new commitment that will “strengthen” Oxford’s existing policies.

This is in line with the University’s pre-existing “Common Approach to Student Mental Health”, which commits to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of all students across the collegiate University, including through access to a range of specialist services such as counselling. The priority of the service is that all treatment be “efficient and focused”. As a result, the University acknowledges that students must use the NHS or private services for long-term talking therapy. 

A uniform approach was implemented across colleges after a review into five student suicides in Cambridge, which concluded that a significant cause was “wide variations” in provision between colleges. Cambridge’s new updated policies on mental health are similar to the Common Approach in centralising the mental health provisions to provide a single university-wide standard. 

A student who has accessed Oxford’s counselling services in the last year appreciated the speed at which they replied to her request. However, she expressed frustration over the limited time offered: “45 minutes every other week isn’t enough to form the sort of relationship that I needed to make any progress. Besides, after two sessions my counsellor told me that I wouldn’t need any further meetings and dismissed my feelings as ‘freshers’ anxiety’, despite me disagreeing.” The student told Cherwell that she went on to seek private counselling.

A 2023 investigation by Cherwell found that students did not believe that the University’s services were adequate to meet mounting mental health challenges.

A University spokesperson told Cherwell: “We take the mental wellbeing of our students very seriously and encourage those who are in need of support to access the extensive welfare provision available at both University and college level.  A range of specialist support services for students who experience mental health difficulties is accessible via the Student Counselling Service as well as college Welfare Teams. Oxford’s Student Support and Welfare Services are committed to delivering timely, high-quality and effective support to all members of our student body who need information and support.”

An 1872 medal from the Varsity Boat Race between Oxford University and Cambridge University was scavenged in the River Thames by two mudlarkers. It likely fell amid severe weather conditions described as “a pitiless descent of swirling snow [that] was literally blinding” by the Times.

The medal, bearing the crests of both universities, is inscribed with the words “University Boat Race Putney to Mortlake” – the same route used today. The reverse side is engraved with the year “1872”. It was likely a commercially produced souvenir rather than an official medal awarded to participants.

The find was made at Southwark on the banks of the Thames by Tom Chivers, author of London Clay: Journeys in the Deep City, and Nicola White, who posted a video of the discovery to her mudlarking YouTube channel.

Mudlarking is a centuries-old tradition which entails combing the shores of rivers to find valuable items. London is particularly well known for this particular pastime, with the Thames holding objects from the Roman period to the present day. The Boat Race medal is one of many objects uncovered by mudlarks along muddy shores of the River Thames, where significant artifacts, including mammoth remains and Tudor garments, have been discovered by licenced mudlarks such as Chivers and White.

The 1872 Boat Race marked the 29^th time rowers from Oxford and Cambridge competed in this event, with Cambridge winning for the third consecutive year. That particular race was notable for being the last year to feature fixed seats before sliding seats were introduced.

A snowstorm during the 1872 race led to poor visibility and fewer spectators than usual lining the banks of the river, with the Times describing it as “of the most cheerless character” and “in the teeth of a bitter gale and snow storm”. The weather conditions marked the worst the Boat Race had seen until 1912, when strong winds caused both team boats to sink – an incident that has not been repeated since.Now a world-famous event, the Boat Race attracts around 250,000 spectators to the Thames riverbank each year, with millions more tuning in to watch the race on television. Last year Oxford lost to Cambridge, giving defending champions Cambridge a 87–81 record for men and 48–30 for women.

The OvarianVax project by Oxford University professors Dr Ahmed Ahmed and Dr Nancy Zaarour’s has received £600,000 of funding from Cancer Research UK to use across three years for a preventative ovarian cancer vaccine.

On average 1,000 women in the UK are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, with 60% of the cases found in the later stages of the disease, making them harder to treat. There is currently no screening process. Most at risk are women born with genes, such as the altered BRCA2 gene, which can increase risk by up to 65%.

The current treatment for patients with the altered genes removes their fallopian tubes or ovaries. This eliminates their risk of cancer but stops the women from conceiving naturally. If the vaccine’s clinical trials are successful, these high-risk patients will be the first to benefit.

Dr Ahmed’s project builds on earlier discoveries of the immune cells’ ability to “remember” the tumour. In past years the research involved analysis of 6,000 cells from 16 women, some of whom had cancer. Single cell RNA sequencing allowed scientists to identify new types of fallopian tube cells and notice that some had molecular fingerprints mirrored in individual ovarian cancers – thereby identifying women who are most at risk of ovarian cancer.

OvarianVax will draw from this previous knowledge to use tissue samples from the ovaries and fallopian tubes of people with cancer to recreate the first stages of ovarian cancer. The premise of the research is to train the immune system to recognise over 100 tumour-associated antigens, which are proteins on the surface of ovarian cancer cells. This could increase the ability to prevent the cancer spreading from its earliest stage.

The project benefits from the large breadth of vaccine research which occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic. If the research goes to plan, the next step will be advancing to clinical trials.

The researchers involved women with lived experience of ovarian cancer. Ovarian Cancer Action, a charity that has previously given funding to Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, created a workshop in which these women shared their opinions on the new study. Researchers intend to continue working with members of the public to find out how popular the vaccine will be, and people’s preference regarding how to administer it.

Dr David Crosby, head of prevention and early detection research at Cancer Research UK, has made it clear that it will be “many years” before the vaccine can progress to public use. However, the charity’s chief executive, Michelle Mitchell, described funding for OvarianVax as “a really important step forward into an exciting future”. Cancer Research UK aims to help 3 in 4 people survive cancer by 2034.

A new termly series to “reaffirm the importance of free and inclusive speech” was announced by Oxford University Vice-Chancellor Irene Tracey in her annual oration on 8^th October. Named the Sheldonian Series, these events will explore “the big questions of our age” and observe a set of ‘Free Speech Tips’.

The series is open to all students and staff, who will have the opportunity to hear from a wide range of scholars. The first topic will be “Democracy” and is scheduled to commence this November, just weeks after the US elections. Speakers for the events are yet to be confirmed. 

The Sheldonian Series will follow a set of  “Free Speech Tips”, which provide detailed guidance on how to conduct debates on controversial topics. This intercollegiate initiative was developed by students, academics, and Heads of Houses from Balliol, Brasenose, Mansfield, Somerville, and Worcester College. It aims to supplement, not replace, official Oxford University guidance on free speech.

The tips advise that while the contents of conversations may be discussed outside the event, specific comments and questions should not be attributed to individuals, with the hope that people will feel freer to speak. It asks for organisers to consider contingency plans in case “respectful communication breaks down” and encourages people to seek the advice from college heads if their events are facing “roadblocks”.

Associate Professor Julius Grower was amongst several colleagues the Vice-Chancellor thanked for their help developing the Sheldonian Series. Grower is a signatory of an open letter addressed to Education Secretary Bridget Philipson, which seeks the reinstatement of the previous Conservative government’s Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 that was halted by the Labour government.

The act gave greater protection to academic freedom of speech; universities that failed to do so could have faced sanctions and fines. It also provided a complaint scheme for academics and visiting speakers if they were prevented from speaking. The government has said the reason to pause the act was in the interest of student welfare and to protect vulnerable groups. Grower was the sixth academic to sign the letter. There are now over 650 signatures from academics, among them Richard Dawkins, Kathleen Stock, and seven Nobel Laureates.

An academic recently won a legal battle against Oxford University after being unfairly dismissed over accusing a colleague of plagiarism. 

Former Oxford academic Dr Amin Moghaddam and Professor Quentin Sattentau collaborated on a groundbreaking study which found that dry-roasted peanuts are more likely to trigger an allergic reaction than raw peanuts.

A 2014 paper outlining their research was released with Sattentau as the lead author, which Moghaddam claimed to be a breach of academic guidelines as he was the main contributor. 

In 2018, Sattentau produced a review of the paper in which he was cited as the sole senior author with Moghaddam named “third author”, leading to further accusations of plagiarism.

Moghaddam was dismissed in 2019 after 16 years of employment at the University, with the reasons cited as being unable to secure further funding and his fixed contract ending. 

Following the termination of his contract in March 2019, Moghaddam took the university, Sattentau, and his chief supervisor, Professor Matthew Freeman, to an employment tribunal which ruled in favour of the University and threw out his unfair dismissal claim. However, Moghaddam has won his recent appeal of the tribunal’s verdict.

Although the initial tribunal concluded that Moghaddam had not been unfairly dismissed but rather the funding he required was simply not available, Judge Shanks overturned their decision and concluded that it could not be supported, stating that the “breakdown in relationship” with Sattentau and the “detriment because of whistleblowing, protected disclosures based on his allegations about Sattentau stealing his work” had not been adequately considered in the first tribunal.

Dr Moghaddam’s case will now be taken to another tribunal to consider whether he is due any compensation, having already succeeded in two of his four grounds of appeal.

Heavy rain has prevented Oxford rowers from going on the river as September marked the wettest month Oxford has seen since 1774. Researchers at Oxford University’s Radcliffe Meteorological Station recorded a staggering 193mm of rainfall last month, making it the second-rainiest ever recorded in Oxford.

Due to excess rainwater, the current and volume of the river frequently renders it far too dangerous for rowing expeditions; college boat club practices have increasingly had to take place inside. Last year, at Godstow rowers couldn’t row 85% of the time, whilst on the Isis rowers couldn’t 61% of the time, a Cherwell investigation found.

Annabeth Brown, a captain at New College Boat Club, told Cherwell: “we’ve had to postpone this year’s taster outings, and last year both the Novice Regatta in Michaelmas and Torpids in Hilary term were cancelled because of the rain and most training sessions being indoor on ergs.” 

Cambridge University rowing, by contrast, row on the smaller and calmer River Cam. Emily Richmond, the lower captain of Cambridge’s Peterhouse College Boat Club, told Cherwell: “we have all been allowed to go on the river this year, and as far as I know there haven’t been any red or yellow flags on the Cam.”

While at Oxford, Brown said that “the Blues teams have had to do a huge amount of travelling just to try to get enough time on the water” with countless hours commuting to a safe river. College boat clubs also cannot afford journeys to and from calmer rivers, and thus miss out on rowing time, she said.

The rainfall, which is 374% the average for September, amounted to the highest two-day total in the meteorological station’s history. Radcliffe Meteorological Observer, Charlie Knight, said in an Oxford University release that the “exceptional amount of rainfall” is made all the more concerning “given that September is typically not a very wet month”. Two of the five wettest months recorded in Oxford since 1767 have been recorded in the last five years. 

Countless areas faced flooding as a result of the heavy rainfall. Oxford is uniquely vulnerable to shifts in climate and weather partly because of its situation in historical marshlands and floodplains. Freak rainstorms, exacerbated by climate change, have already begun to take a toll on student life and traditions, as well as shifting the geography of the city itself. In January 2024, Oxford City Council released a statement warning people against walking along towpaths by the river, as the exceptional rainfall rendered sheer proximity to Oxford’s rivers a “serious risk to life”.

Rowing is central to student life for many Oxford students and the flooding issues, coupled with issues with E. coli, have kept students away. Brown told Cherwell: “not being able to get on the water regularly means rowers can’t work on their technique at an individual level, and also can’t get to know their teammates… and learn how they work together as a crew.” 

Oxford is “well on its way to becoming the first all-electric city in the country,” Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said after visiting Oxford on Tuesday to meet public transport stakeholders in the region and speak about the challenges of transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs).

The same day, Go-Ahead Group, the parent company of the Oxford Bus Company, announced they would be investing £500m to build 1,200 electric buses, battery-powered with no emissions. The company has stated that it aims to cut its overall emissions by 75% by 2035, and to become fully net-zero by 2045.

On X, the Transport Secretary described the Go-Ahead Group’s decision to invest in the production of 1,200 electric buses as “a huge vote of confidence in our economy” because it would “support 2,500 jobs, clean up our air, and take us a step closer to our bus revolution”.

In January, the Oxford Bus Company, in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council and Stagecoach, launched an £82.5m project to deliver 159 new battery-powered buses. The Oxford Bus Company, who were responsible for delivering 104 of the planned 159 buses, completed the rollout earlier this month.

Emily Kerr, the Green Party councillor who has represented the St Mary’s ward of Oxford City Council since 2022, told Cherwell: “the shift to electric buses will make a huge difference to air quality. Unlike private cars, buses operate in the city centre where the high walls of colleges trap pollution and where there’s a high density of people breathing in the air.”

She identified the top of Headington Hill as one of the worst spots for pollution in the entire city.

Kerr continued: “Oxford is well suited to the switch to electric: we’ve got a strong charging network, plus initiatives like the ZEZ [zero emission zone] have meant that we’re already at the forefront of businesses switching to EVs.”

She anticipates that in the longer term, it is “definitely feasible” to see all-electric large vehicles but notes that “a rapid shift to 90% of vehicles [being electric] is much better than a slow shift to 100%.”

Nitrogen Oxide emissions in Oxford have significantly improved over the last few years, according to the city council’s 2023 air quality annual status report, but 68% of the current emissions are attributed to the transport sector.

The Oxford Bus Company is in agreement with Haigh and Kerr that the future of Oxford’s public transport is EVs. A spokesperson told Cherwell: “in Oxford it is feasible for the city fleet of buses to all be electric and this is something we achieved with our network recently.”

The company also stressed the other, non-environmental benefits to EVs, such as incentivising the use of public transport: “Offering modern, comfortable vehicles, a strong network and improved connectivity along with the current government £2 fare cap are all helping encourage more people to give buses a try.

“Oxford is a shining example of what can be achieved when funding and investment is made and key stakeholders work in partnership for the greater good.”

Oxford Action for Palestine (OA4P) is protesting at matriculation today and disrupted a ceremony. A student in subfusc unfurled a flag and made a speech inside the Sheldonian, while members of the group have been handing out Palestinian flags to freshers.

Earlier in the morning, a student unfurled a large flag and walked in front of the ceremony to deliver a speech. According to video footage shared by OA4P, she said: “…Humanitarian crisis in the Middle East, there is a genocide happening right now. You will not use the language of genocide. You will not be honest about that, and you talk to us about truth. It is disingenuous.” Two security officers escorted her outside.

There were no Bod card or ID checks for students entering the Sheldonian.

As thousands of freshers in subfusc walk down Broad Street, OA4P members in keffiyehs are handing out small Palestinian flags to the queue, and occasionally freshers accept. However, once inside the Sheldonian gate a University official is taking away some of the flags, according to video footage shared by OA4P. A student told Cherwell that she was able to take her flag inside by hiding it in her trousers.

In the afternoon, protestors staged a “die-in” where they lay on the floor, attempting to prevent students entering the theatre to matriculate. Each time the students were directed to enter through a new gate, the protestors moved to block it, causing long queues and crowds outside the Clarendon Building. Matriculants eventually were able to enter, walking past a banner which read “While you read Gaza bleeds”.

The scene echoed similar protests during graduation ceremonies throughout summer.

The University told Cherwell: “Oxford is committed to ensuring that we are an inclusive and welcoming place for all of our community. We are disappointed with OA4P’s attempt to disrupt and spoil the event for our incoming students at two of the 10 matriculation ceremonies today. We are pleased to report that all ceremonies were completed and there was much joy. We would like to congratulate all those students who matriculated, and we extend to them a very warm welcome to Oxford.

The University supports peaceful protest, in line with our commitment to freedom of speech, and provides clear guidance on demonstrations and protests. Actions which disrupt University events are not acceptable. Students in breach of University rules may face disciplinary action, fines or suspension.”

A matriculating DPhil student participating in the disruption said:  “I had to say something because why would I be silent in front of someone who is meant to lead our University but is actually friends with terrorists. Our fellow students deserve to know this. The entire central management of this University does not care about my Palestinian and Lebanese friends and alumni or their family in the Levant. If they did, they would end the University’s complicity in the murder of their people. The only explanation is racism. When they look at black and brown skin, they don’t see human value, they see profit from their slaughter.”