DOCSLIB.ORG

Impact Report 2016/17

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Impact Report 2016/17 1 Oxford University Students’ Union Impact Report 2016-2017 Introduction The past year has in many ways been a transformational one for the Students’ Union. A new sabbatical team, a new CEO, eight new staff and an upcoming new Organisational Strategy have all meant that this year has had to have a focus on meaningful introspection. However, this has not held us back in our outward student engagement, and indeed has provided an opportunity to truly refocus, rebrand and reposition ourselves within the Oxford student and community landscape. In the last six months, the Students’ Union has engaged more students, in more ways and across more demographics, than ever before. Some of our achievements include: • Running a community festival with a footfall of ~2000 people • Our biggest ever Teaching Awards with 895 nominations and 25 award-winners • Elections with the highest turnout in three years (more than doubling graduate turnout), and • A sustained student wellbeing and stress relief programme reaching hundreds of students a week throughout Trinity Term. Our vision of an SU that is valued by every single student at Oxford is closer than ever, and we now have a plan to close that last gap. In addition to increased outreach and broader student engagement, OUSU retains a strong commitment to its core educational, representative, and campaigning mission. We have built on our heritage as a Union that empowers, enables, and channels student interests to improve our University through dedicated collaboration and constructive criticism. On education, a high-profile campaign against the Higher Education and Research Bill contributed to planned fee increases for on course students being dropped and over 70 members of the House of Lords being directly lobbied to amend the bill. In wellbeing, we launched another piece of robust research into the impact of academic structures on student stress and performance, and developed the staff and departmental links to position ourselves as a sector leader in research in this area for years to come. The National Union of Students (NUS) followed us when we successfully lobbied them 2 to roll out welfare surveys based on our own to every SU in the country building a rigorous source of benchmarked data to drive change targeted to where it is needed. Lastly, citizenship and ethics campaigns have gone from strength to strength and a new and much needed campaign on class- based issues has been launched with the highest uptake of any campaign in our history. The OUSU community grows and thrives. Our achievements this year speak volumes, and throughout this report you will see evidence of the meaningful impact we have had time and time again. As President, I have the privilege of looking at the overall picture and this is what fills me with the most pride. This year our approach has been to build student leaders throughout the University, from Common Rooms to campaigns, empowering our members to drive for change and for a happy, healthy and accessible university experience. I can safely say we are a Student Union of and for our members and the course has been set for us to take the position in students’ lives we can and should occupy in future years. I look forward to watching on as subsequent sabbatical teams take us there. - Jack Hampton, President 2016/17 OUSU’s purpose is to improve the student experience at Oxford and we do that by representing, supporting, empowering, informing, and bringing students together. This Impact Report outlines many of our successes this year across our new strategic themes of education, wellbeing, and community. 3 Education We believe that education is the foundation for the future. The better the education, the better the future for us all. Students tell us the quality of their academic experience is important and that’s why we work hard to improve this critical part of the student experience, as indicated in our Education Vision. The following are some of the highlights in this area. Student Representation • OUSU supported 565 Course Reps, of which 150 received face-to-face training. • We successfully recruited a full roster of eight student Divisional Board Representatives. • We helped secure substantial changes to the annual College Quality Assurance templates with a focus on undergraduate collections, provision for part-time and year abroad Students, and postgraduate College Advisers. • With our help, University policy has been strengthened in order to ensure that students are consulted on proposals for above-inflation fee increases for future cohorts. • OUSU represented students on over 30 academic-related committees, working groups, six departmental reviews, one review of a Permanent Private Hall, and one course review. Research • In Trinity Term 2017 OUSU launched an enquiry into the relationship between academic structures in undergraduate degrees, student stress and perceived academic performance. A survey is currently open to second year undergraduates, which after the first week has been completed by 15% of the cohort. This data collection exercise and its subsequent analysis will inform OUSU’s future lobbying priorities on course reform at undergraduate level. National Policy • OUSU was instrumental to the drafting of an open letter published in The Guardian raising concerns about the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), which received over 195 signatures from other SU Officers around the country. • By providing coach travel, resources and operational support, OUSU enabled almost 100 students to attend the NUS National Demo ‘United for Education’ alongside UCU Members. • Mobilised twenty student campaigners who wrote to 70 members of the House of Lords to make a case for amendments to the Higher Education and Research Bill. Key amendments later passed by the Lords included the cutting of a link between TEF and fees, students in migration numbers, protection for students. • Submitted response to Government Consultations on doctoral loans and part-time maintenance loans. 4 Empowering Students • Produced information booklet for suspended status students in conjunction with SusCam (Suspended Status Students Campaign) and OUSU’s Student Advice Service. • Updated and produced new resources to help students make the case for accessible lectures in their departments. • Launched Class Act Campaign – a campaign for working class, first generation, state comp educated, and low income students. The campaign was established unanimously by OUSU Council, and during its first week had 500 likes on Facebook, 200 sign-ups to the mailing list, and attracted over 200 attendees to the launch event including students, academics, and senior University figures. There were 55 nominations for committee elections with 150 self- identifying voters – all unprecedented in the history of OUSU Campaigns. • Ran our first year abroad event, attended by over 50 students, to equip students to plan their career and educational opportunities on their year abroad, with representatives from the Careers Service, Erasmus, Student Advice Service, and international student groups. • Ran two undergraduate and two graduate Exam Preparation sessions, attended by over 160 students. Access and Admissions • Conducted survey of lead student helpers over the admissions period, and subsequently brought report and recommendations based on findings to the Admissions Executive and Admissions Committee to improve safety and wellbeing of both current students and applicants. • Ran BAME Access and Admissions focus group with 20 students and 70 registering interest for future work. • We had significant input to AdEx’s Access Targets Working Group Report and the University’s forthcoming Access Strategy. • Trained, supported, and surveyed JCR access officers from around 80% of colleges. • Our student-led access and outreach programme Target Schools has run 12 shadowing days, reaching over 200 sixth form and college students over the course of the year, and provided safeguarding training and leadership opportunities for many undergraduate students. Academic Quality • Teaching Awards received a record 895 nominations, a 37% increase on 2016, with 107 individuals shortlisted and 25 winners across 7 categories. We also introduced a new category of ‘Best Postgraduate Teacher’ to celebrate the work of graduate students who undertake teaching, which received 63 nominations. • In Trinity Term 2017, we presented OUSU’s Annual Quality Report to Quality Assurance Subcommittee, following up on recommendations contained in the Student Written Submission last year. This piece of work will feed into a report to be considered by University Council in Michaelmas Term 2017. 5 Other Achievements • After years of campaigning from students, the University committed to charging a single combined fee for graduate students (for university tuition and college fees). • Contributed to saving Oxford students £1.2 million of unexpected debt from proposed on- course tuition fee hikes. • Following manifesto pledges and recommendations from the Higher Education Review stemming from last year’s Student Written Submission, we contributed to new guidance surrounding student workload. Wellbeing OUSU is committed to empowering, supporting and defending students. We know from student feedback that students need to feel more supported with their health and general wellbeing at Oxford, and that’s why we’ve continued to increase our focus on this vital area of the student experience. The following gives some highlights of our efforts on improving student
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Ii ©[2014] Susanna Polihros ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
    [2014] Susanna Polihros ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ii BATH, CITY UNDER SIEGE: ARCHITECTURE STRUGGLING TO REMAIN WED TO NATURE By SUSANNA POLIHROS A thesis submitted to the Graduate School – New Brunswick Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Graduate Program in Art History written under the direction of Dr. Tod Marder and approved by Dr. Katharine Woodhouse-Beyer Dr. Archer St. Clair-Harvey _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ New Brunswick, New Jersey January 2014 iv ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS: Bath, City Under Siege: Architecture Struggling to Remain Wed to Nature By SUSANNA POLIHROS Thesis Director: Dr. Tod Marder This thesis examines current historic preservation and conservation efforts for Bath, England’s only complete UNESCO World Heritage city, where urban and commercial development remain a controversial threat to its status. This is best represented by the opposing views of the Bath Preservation Trust and the Bath & North East Somerset Council. While the Trust stands as a supporter of saving Georgian Bath, the Council continues to sacrifice precious greenbelt areas and historic buildings for the purpose of attracting tourists and prospective residents. Both organizations are extensively examined in order to better comprehend Bath’s future. Although no definite answer can be reached at this point in time, besides establishing balance between old and new architecture, examining social and political issues in this city demonstrates that there is a serious need for legal intervention to prevent further destruction to a past way of life so that the modern world can emerge. Areas explored include the conserved Roman Baths, the recent developments of SouthGate and the Western Riverside Development, the conserved Beckford’s Tower and the demolished Gasholder.
    [Show full text]
  • Gender Critical at Work – Media Compilation
    GENDER CRITICAL AT WORK Search MENU tuesday march 30 2021 Linda Bellos had said she would be ‘publicly questioning’ some transgender politics ROGER ASKEW Linda Bellos barred in Cambridge University row James Gillespie and Sian Griffiths Sunday October 01 2017, 12.01am, The Sunday Times Share Save A leading feminist has had an invitation to speak at Cambridge University withdrawn amid concerns that transgender activists could oppose her. Linda Bellos had been invited by the Beard Society at Peterhouse College and sent a list of dates — which were withdrawn after she said she would be “publicly questioning some of the trans politics . which seems to assert the power of those who were previously designated male to tell lesbians, and especially lesbian feminists, what to say and think”. Ailish Maroof, the co-president of the society, which describes itself as a “gender and feminism” group, replied: “I’m sorry but we’ve decided not to host you. I too believe in freedom of expression, however Peterhouse is as much a home as it is a college. The welfare of our students in this instance has to come first.” The prospect of laws to let men redefine their gender without a physical transition and then gain access to changing rooms and women’s refuges has angered many. “I’m not being told by someone who a few months ago was a man what I as a woman can or cannot do,” Bellos said. Maroof declined to comment. Search MENU tuesday march 30 2021 Heather Brunskell-Evans had been asked to give a talk this week on the subject of pornography and the sexualisation of young women Barred academic Heather Brunskell- Evans warns of cowardice over trans issues Lucy Bannerman Thursday November 23 2017, 12.01am, The Times Share Save An academic who was no-platformed by university students after she discussed transgender issues on a radio show has attacked the “reprehensible cowardliness” of public institutions.
    [Show full text]
  • Regent's Park Visiting Student Programme
    VISITING STUDENT PROGRAMME Regent’s Park College is a Permanent Private Hall of the University of Oxford Contents 1 Welcome to Regent’s 2 Introduction 3 Studying at Regent’s 4 Teaching and learning formats 5 Libraries 6 Living at Regent’s 7 Student life at Regent’s 9 Visiting the visiting students 10 Applications “Being a visiting student at Find out more If you would like to find out more about College, Oxford will challenge you to arrange a visit or if you are thinking of applying, question everything you know, please do not hesitate to get in contact. give you the tools to find the Tutor for Visiting Students: answers for yourself, and leave Dr Lynn Robson Regent’s Park College you with the confidence that Pusey Street Oxford you’re capable of more than OX1 2LB you ever thought possible.” E: [email protected] [email protected] T: +44 (0) 1865 288120 W: www.rpc.ox.ac.uk Regent’s Park College is a Permanent Private Hall of the University of Oxford Designed by: CDP Photos by: PS: Unlimited Photography Visiting Undergraduate Prospectus Welcome Regent’s Park College could be just the place for you. If you want to study abroad on our Visiting Student Programme in a welcoming, friendly community which values academic excellence then look no further. Put simply, our mission is to create an exceptional community of learning and research made up of individuals from a broad range of backgrounds and life experiences. Our Visiting Students make a valuable contribution to our mission, increasing the diversity and depth of that community.
    [Show full text]
  • Guide for International Students Undergraduate Study at Oxford University Contents
    Guide for International Students Undergraduate study at Oxford University Contents Courses 4 Tutorials 6 Colleges 8 Student life 10 The city of Oxford 12 Oxford around the globe 13 Getting a job after Oxford 14 Applying to Oxford 16 Greg Smolonski Greg 2 Why Oxford? Oxford University is internationally renowned for academic excellence. We encourage applications from academically strong students irrespective of their background, and welcome the diversity that international students contribute to the University. Centuries before most of today’s leading universities existed, Oxford welcomed the first international student, Emo of Friesland, in 1190. Oxford is now one of the most international universities in the world. Today, one third of its students, including 17% of undergraduates, are from outside the UK and come from 140 countries. Oxford students receive an intensive education, including personalised tutorials, taught by academic leaders in their field. The University is made up of colleges. These are multidisciplinary communities within which students are supported and intellectually challenged, and have the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life, many different cultures and from all around the world. Oxford is consistently ranked one of the world’s top five universities. 3 Subjects available ... Archaeology and Anthropology Biochemistry Courses Biological Sciences Biomedical Sciences Chemistry Classical Archaeology and Ancient History Classics Computer Science Earth Sciences Economics and Management Engineering Science English Language and Literature Fine Art Geography History (Ancient and Modern) History of Art Human Sciences Law Materials Science Mathematics Medicine Modern Languages and Linguistics Music Oriental and Middle Eastern Studies Politics, Philosophy and Economics Physics Psychology (Experimental) Theology and Religion ..
    [Show full text]
  • The Men Who Shaped Science Melvyn Bragg on Oxford and the Royal Society 01111 297X210 Oxford Today CAP3 Layout 1 22/04/2010 09:57 Page 1
    Volume 22 No 3 | TRINITY 2010 Oxford Today The Universi T y M a g a z i n e Helping politics go with a swing David Butler on television elections Food for thought Rick and John Stein on boosting brains The men who shaped science Melvyn Bragg on Oxford and the Royal Society 01111 297x210 Oxford Today CAP3_Layout 1 22/04/2010 09:57 Page 1 TURN AMBITION INTO ACHIEVEMENT ENTREPRENEUR? FINANCE MANAGER? BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER? THE OXFORD CAREER ACCELERATION PROGRAMME This innovative general management programme will unlock your leadership potential and position you for the next level of your career. Three short modules allow you to combine study with a demanding career. Apply now for September 2010 www.sbs.oxford.edu/ca CAROLINE WILLIAMS T +44 (0)1865 422583 [email protected] WWW.SBS.OXFORD.EDU THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD: EDUCATING LEADERS FOR 800 YEARS Editor: Greg Neale Designer: Richard Boxall Head of Publications and Web Office: Anne Brunner-Ellis Editorial Assistants: Janet Avison, Martin Harrington, Anthea Oxford Today Milnes, Elizabeth Tatham The Universi T y M a g a z i n e Picture Editor: Joanna Kay Editorial Advisory Board: Trinity highlights Alan Bell i Anne Brunner-Ellis D David Clary, 7 16 45 48 President, Magdalen College Paddy Coulter Sue Cunningham, christian sinibal Director of Development jens ressing/Dpa/corbus pt of engineering science Mary Dejevsky, The Independent e D Zoe Flood Katie Gray, Member, e D ita ita greer/ Oxford University Society r Jeremy Harris, presi nt & fellows of st john’s college Director
    [Show full text]
  • 2020-SIO-Brochure.Pdf
    Summer in Oxford 2020 Programmes An exclusive summer abroad residential in constituent colleges of the University of Oxford for high school students aged 13+ 2020 2006 Welcome Welcome Welcome to 15 2020 Summer In Oxford 2006 15 We are delighted that you are interested in studying abroad at Summer In Oxford. We understand that students and parents are becoming increasingly focused on the options and decisions to be made after high school. With this in mind, we have designed this booklet, which focuses on our Summer in Oxford programme, to make the process easier by providing an insight into the academic and cultural aspects of “ our programme. Studying abroad offers a multitude of advantages for high school students aged between 13-19, particularly through the sense of independence they gain whilst enrolled on an academic course with a diverse group of delegates from all over the world. Our programmes provide the chance for academic, social, and cultural enrichment in the city of dreaming spires, whilst continuing your studies. You‘ll experience new teaching styles, whilst gaining knowledge, developing transferable skills such as public speaking and leadership, as well as expanding your international network with like-minded students. At WorldStrides | CBL International, we have been running academic study abroad programmes for over 15 years, and in that time we have welcomed over 6000 students of more than 100 nationalities. We deliver an intensive programme with a balanced cultural and academic schedule. The Summer Academies have been carefully structured, developed, and delivered by experts in their field. We understand that choosing a study abroad programme is difficult, and we hope this booklet is informative in providing you with an overview into the different academic electives we offer.
    [Show full text]
  • UNIVERSITY of OXFORD STRATEGIC PLAN 2008–9 to 2012
    UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD STRATEGIC PLAN 2008–9 to 2012–13 Contents INTRODUCTION PURPOSE AND CONTENTS 3 MISSION, VALUES AND OBJECTIVES 4 THE STRATEGIC CHALLENGE 6 OUR CORE ACTIVITIES I LEARNING AND TEACHING 8 II RESEARCH 12 III WIDER ENGAGEMENT WITH SOCIETY 15 ENABLING STRATEGIES IV PERSONNEL 18 V ADMISSIONS AND ACCESSS 20 VI ACADEMIC AND STUDENT SERVICES 23 VII SPACE 27 VIII FINANCE 30 IX GOVERNANCE AND PLANNING 33 2 work contained within this Plan have been PURPOSE AND discussed and endorsed by one or more of the four major committees of Council and/or CONTENTS Council itself. 3 The plan has been discussed widely across the Collegiate University, and 1. The University’s Corporate Plan for 2005– modified as a result of that consultation. It was 6 to 2009–10 committed the University to approved by Council on the 19th of May 2008, updating the plan after a period of three years. and by Congregation on the 10th of June 2008. This Strategic Plan for 2008–9 to 2012–13 fulfils that commitment. It outlines a 4. The development and implementation of framework for the work of the Collegiate specific actions within this plan will be University 1 over the next five years, setting out scrutinised and monitored through the usual from the premise that its work should continue processes. to be guided by the core values and objectives articulated in 2005. These are set out in the 5. It is the responsibility of the four major opening section. The Strategic Challenge committees of Council to oversee the work section, which follows, lays out the main associated with each strategy, and to report challenges to the achievement of our regularly to Council and Congregation on objectives likely to face us over the period progress.
    [Show full text]
  • Student News
    Follow this link to view the web version of this email on the Student Gateway Student News Week 6 - Trinity term 2014 Student News is emailed to you fortnightly during term from Week 0 and contains key information, including deadlines, reminders and events from the central University. Further information is available from the Oxford Students website. Post examination celebrations As you are coming out of Finals, please remain silent until you are clear of the building for the benefit of any students still in examinations. Balloons, flowers and even the giving of bottles of alcohol for opening later are all appropriate ways of celebrating. Any attempt to ‘celebrate’ by covering your friends in foodstuffs or any other substances can and will result in fixed-penalty fines and summons from the Proctors. A message from the Proctors on behaviour after examinations is available to read on the Oxford Student website. Registering to vote From 10 June 2014 in England and Wales, and 19 September 2014 in Scotland, students who wish to vote will need to register themselves - this will no longer be done via the University. You can apply to register to vote at your non-term time address, your university address or both, via the Gov.uk website. Asia careers fairs 2014 Interested in working in Asia? The Careers Service will be hosting careers fairs in Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai this summer. The fairs are a great opportunity to meet employers from different sectors including top western multi-nationals and local organisations who are recruiting into each region. Visit the Careers Service website.
    [Show full text]
  • UGP HC Intro 2021.Pdf
    Oxford is full of possibilities, allowing you to develop your academic work alongside pretty much anything else you could possibly be interested in... it’s really about realising the University’s potential as much as your own. Oxford is well and truly what you make it… JESSICA 1 ...Your Community 4 worldwide 6 for life 8 for people like you 12 your city ...An exceptional education 14 about your studies 18 legendary libraries 20 amazing artefacts ...so much more 22 just about the work? 24 for sport 25 on stage and screen 26 volunteering 27 making music 28 speaking up Home of Big Questions www.oxplore.org ...for you 30 about you @studyatoxford 31 as a disabled student @oxoutreach 31 as a care leaver www.youtube.com/Oxford 32 as a mature student 33 as an international student ox.ac.uk/itunesu 2 ox.ac.uk/ugp/study With thanks to all our students OUR courses who volunteered to appear. 36 choosing what to study Go to 38 admissions requirements ox.ac.uk/2021feedbackprospectus 40 A-Z of courses to let us know what you think of our prospectus and you might win college life a £100 Amazon voucher. 142 what are colleges? 144 which colleges offer your course? 146 college facilities 148 do you choose? Would you like our 149 A-Z of colleges prospectus in another 182 accommodation format? Download a high-contrast version how YOU apply from ox.ac.uk/moreinfo Braille, large print and audio formats 184 application timeline are also available on request from: ox.ac.uk/ask What it costs Details are correct at the time of going to press in January 2020.
    [Show full text]
  • The Politics of the Imagination: a Life of F.R. Scott
    Dalhousie Law Journal Volume 12 Issue 2 Article 14 10-1-1989 The Politics of the Imagination: A life of F.R. Scott J King Gordon United Nations Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.schulichlaw.dal.ca/dlj Part of the Constitutional Law Commons, and the Human Rights Law Commons Recommended Citation J King Gordon, "The Politics of the Imagination: A life of F.R. Scott" (1989) 12:2 Dal LJ 567. This Book Review is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at Schulich Law Scholars. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dalhousie Law Journal by an authorized editor of Schulich Law Scholars. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Book Reviews Sandra Djwa, The Politics of the Imagination: A life of ER. Scott McClelland & Stewart, 1987.529 pages, ISBN 0771028253. Price $39.95. The task of a biographer is a challenging one at best. And when the subject is one who has achieved distinction in many fields the difficulties are magnified many times. Better, perhaps, to settle for a Festschift where colleagues and friends in fields in which the subject has excelled join together to pay their separate tributes. So in the case of Frank Scott and his biographer, Sandra Djwa. She is a professor of literature and has achieved recognition for the work she has done on the writings and life of E.J. Pratt. It was undoubtedly Frank Scott, the distinguished Canadian poet, who originally became the focus of her attraction. But ER. Scott was also distinguished as a creative political thinker, an expert in constitutional law, an active exponent of human rights, and a Canadian nationalist who, looking ahead, could say: "the world is my country." Sandra Djwa was aware of this and felt that Frank Scott should receive wider recognition.
    [Show full text]
  • State of the Unions PAPER BRIEFING How to Restore Free Association and Expression, Combat Extremism and Make Student Unions Effective
    State of the Unions BRIEFING PAPER How to restore free association and expression, combat extremism and make student unions effective By Maximilian Young and Lucky Dube EXECUTIVE SUMMARY • Student unions are student-led groups that are supposed to represent students on campus to university administrations, provide useful services, and support clubs and associations. • Student unions cost taxpayers and students £165 million per annum, an average of £75 per student per annum or £225 over a three year degree course. This is evenly split between taxpayers and students. They employ 600 full-time stu- dent sabbatical officers. • Student unions are perceived as ineffective by students, lack democratic legiti- macy, and undermine freedom of association and expression. • This has little to do with money available: student unions that receive higher block grants from universities tend to be poorer performing in the National Stu- dent Survey. • Only one-in-ten students actively participate in student union elections. Nev- ertheless, students are forced to be members of student unions, undermining freedom of association. • Many student unions are using taxpayer and student money to pursue a narrow political agenda that is irrelevant to representing students. These campaigns tend to follow a specific, “social justice,” political agenda focused on tackling alleged “structural oppression” against minority groups. • In pursuit of this agenda, student unions have sought to control student activ- ity, such as stopping students from wearing sombreros, putting on fancy dress, buying Bacardi rum, clapping, whooping and cheering, and eating meat. • Student unions have also sought to limit free speech, by limiting or blocking the selling of certain publications, failing to prevent or encouraged violence at meetings, seeking to approve speeches in advance, blocking the formation of free speech societies, imposing meeting rules, barring certain groups from freshers’ fairs, and requiring excessive red tape for speakers of which they dis- approve.
    [Show full text]
  • Oxford University Labour Club General Meeting Michaelmas 2018 31St October 2018, Mansfield College Oxford
    Oxford University Labour Club General Meeting Michaelmas 2018 31st October 2018, Mansfield College Oxford AGENDA 1. Welcome and apologies 2. Reports from exec 3. Motion 1: Antisemitism on the left 4. Motion 2: To protest Alice Weidel at the Oxford Union 5. LGBTQ+ Caucus 6. Motion 3: To celebrate the history of Oxford University Labour Club 7. Caucus 8. Motion 4: Stop Brexit – Defend migrants’ rights – For a workers’ united Europe 9. Motion 5: OULC condemns Prof. Michael Biggs’ transphobic views 10. Caucus 11. Motion 6: To support and campaign for the full decriminalisation of sex work MINUTES Francesca Best welcomed everyone to the meeting Apologies from Charlotte Austin Co-chair - FB gave her thanks to those involved in the welcome drinks - New campaigns officer elected Women*’s Officer - Had women*’s caucus - Put their support behind motion 6 - Pizza night tomorrow – if you need to can claim money back for this Treasurer - See apendix Procedural motion was raised to move motion 3 to be debated first, motion 3 second, and motion 1 third. Motion passed. Motion 1: Antisemitism on the left OULC notes: 1 1. Antisemitism has existed on the left historically in the form of conspiracy theories attacking “Jewish bankers”, which conflate Jews with finance and capital. This was rightly denounced in the 1890s as “the socialism of fools”. 2. In more recent years, antisemitism has also manifested on the left through a conspiracist conception of Jewish nationalism, Zionism, which inflates its real power and ascribes a uniquely reactionary character to Israel and any expression of Israeli-Jewish national self- determination.
    [Show full text]