UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20729, 14 December 1932, Page 5

UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD.

THE YEAR REVIEWED. FACING THE TIMES. A comprehensive account of the «vents and activities of th© past jear at the! University of Oxford is given in the annual report of the University, which lias just been issued. The report ehow*} a curtailment of some activities as a tesult of the financial difficulties of the times, but at the same time there has been no notable falling off in the number of undergraduates taking up residence for tho nrst time at the University. The trend of intellectual interest among the undergraduates is shown by their distribution among the principal courses of study.' Of the total number of men and women, 899 were reading Modern History, 626 Literae Humaniorcs, 445 Jurisprudence, 404 Philosophy, Politics, and Economics; 398 Eaglish Literature, 385 Modern Languages, 227 Chemistry, 127 Theology, and 119 Mathematics. Modern History was unquestionably the favourite subject, but the great and famous School of Literae flumaniores continued to attract a respectable number. The increasing popularity of the School of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics reflects the invreasinpr importance of what are known a«t social studies. Present Difficulties. The academic year of 1931-32 opened shortly after the economic- crisis and the departure of Great Britain from the gold standard. Contrary to general expectation these events did not materially affect the number of undergraduates in residence. Some economies of administration were effected, but economic pressure left its mark mostly on the general life of the undergraduate population—the consumption of beer and spirits fell to about half of what it had been the previous year (judging by the experience of some college stores), While a "moratorium" of one year was observed for bump suppers and college balls. The universal decrease in income somewhat curtailed the sums normally available for the encouragement of young research workers by Fellowships and Senior Scholarships. In dealing with the difficult problem of finding occupations and careers for those who had completed their course at the University the Oxford University Appointments Committee was active in extending its connexions. The number of Oxford M.P.'s in the new Parliament is 124, while 18 Oxford men have received posts in the present National Government. A remarkably high proportion of the M.P.'s eonsist of young men who have been up since the war—quite a number, in fact, who have only just left. Tho Oxford Society. The formation of an Oxford Society, open to all members, past and present, of the University, is noted in the tcport. The value "of the judicious backing of a well-informed body of old members in times when the University "may at any time need support against attack," of securing for each generation of graduates the assistance of the older generations, and of the possibility of the Society being able to benefit the University financially are particularly referred to. , .. The report refers to ehangei in tne external aspect of Oxford as a result of building that has bemi going oa, par-

tieularly i» connexion with the Taylor Extension in "St. Giles, the imposing structures on either side of the St. Aldate'a entrance into Carfax, the Balliol Hostel 11 St. Cross road, and t the new buildings of Lady Margaret Hall beyond the Parks. The beginning of a "renascence" of Oxford in the fffild of sport also receives attention." Oxford defeated Cambridge in boxing, Bngby and Association f dfftball, polo, golf, rackets, lacrosse, ice hockey, water polo, and jiu-jitsu.