2011 Hertford College Magazine (Issue 91)

take an historic leap forward and vote to
denounce the Minister publicly. In terms
of fees it is clear that if the foremost academic
body in the land is not prepared to
take the lead on asserting education as a
right for all, then the students will, and we
have been brainstorming concerted strategies
that may help ameliorate the impact
of what are decidedly ignorant reforms.
The JCR have developed an e-mentoring
scheme, started active participation in outreach
events and ‘insight days’, provided
student input into a college access review,
and created a new ‘Access Officer’
as part of our Executive Committee, while
I am now recruiting and raising funds
for a new student ambassador scheme
that will be launched in the autumn.
“ Oxford is in danger of becoming
conservative in all the
wrong ways ”
Since taking office in January, the
new Student Executive has been labouring
hard to rewrite the JCR’s Governing
Documents: codifying practices such
as the Housing Ballot for future clarity,
and removing void positions and creating
new ones such as ‘Equal Opportunities’
Officer to fill glaring gaps in our
representative framework. We have similarly
instituted new clauses that will make
the JCR Executive more accountable for
their management of social, political and
financial affairs, thus ensuring that the
JCR is both more professional and also
safe-guarded against any malpractice
or negligence. In addition, I am deeply
glad to say that relations between Common
Rooms have significantly improved
over the past two terms, owing principally
to the tremendous efforts by all parties
to address issues surrounding the extraordinary
dynamic that is the bar. After
HERTFORD COLLEGE MAGAZINE
Hertford year: JCR
a rather shaky start to the academic year
back in October, it is wonderful to see a
situation now where students are working
‘down the bar’ once again and running
certain nights on their own. The atmosphere
has been rejuvenated and the concerns
of all involved last year have been
resolved by frequent discussions, proposals,
and immense enthusiasm, all balanced
by a willingness to reach compromises
for the greater good of the College
community. The spirit of cooperation on
display in these negotiations is undoubtedly
an indicator of future success and
harmony within Hertford’s community.
On a slightly more light-hearted note,
the social scene at Hertford has been punctuated
by a series of enjoyable events, including
‘Fountains & Feminism’, hosted
by our Women’s Officers, and a brilliant
sports day that saw undergraduates flock
to the playing field for food, football,
rounders, bouncy castles and all manner
of fun activities. Yet the highlight must
be the annual College ball, which commenced
with a traditional champagne reception
in the Old Quad. Dressed in their
finery, students moved to the Oxford Union
where a haute cuisine BBQ and an excess
of strawberries typified the ‘British Summer’
theme. Drink was free flowing, music
operated on numerous levels in the ‘silent’
disco, while Morris dancers, caricaturists
and photographers added to the entertainment.
Also performing on the night were
the fantastic a cappella group ‘Out of the
Blue’, who deserve a special mention for
storming into the semi-finals of ‘Britain’s
Got Talent’, needless to say thanks
to the vocal genius of our own Dominic
Stockbridge and Ollie Stephenson.
Earlier this year Hertford JCR was
equally proud to offer itself as a venue for
part of a 12 hour improvised comedy marathon
performed by the Oxford Imps, and
47.