Oxford University's Bodleian Library drops $1.6 million on Jane Austen manuscript

In a perfect example of the huge financial power of one of the universities most important institutions, the Bodleian Library fought of international competition to buy Jane Austen's handwritten manuscript for "The Watsons". The story itself isn't complete and there are several interesting theories as to why this is (which can be found here, along with this lovely image above). But yes, you read that right; $1.6 million doesn't even buy you a finished story. Find out more about the library and its incredible collection on our tour! Yaaaaaay!

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Getting Trashed...

Here is the sight on one of our tours last week. Great bit of fun. Apparently people have been taking it a little too far, with one girl being fined for throwing a trifle, and then being told she will not graduate unless she pays off the fine. Perhaps this is a trifle too far by the University (yes,we actually did make that joke), especially after having seen curry paste and empty bottles of Tabasco around the road. If the trifle did actually look anything like it does in the newspaper article, we wouldn't mind some leftovers. 

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Oxford University takes a stance

In a landmark event, Oxford University has stated that it has "no confidence" in the policies of David Willetts, the Universities Minister, who, coincidently, studied at Christ Church, Oxford. Lecturers voted 283 to 5 on behalf of Oxford University's legislative body, in a vote held in the Sheldonian Theatre (above). This makes it the first University to publicly oppose the plans. We thinks its great that Oxford is keeping this issue at the forefront of public debate. Whether you agree or disagree with the plans, it is essentially that we continue to scrutinize them. More info here!

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Students Fined for Bad Behaviour

Information obtained under the Freedom of Information Act has lead to reports of the scandalous behaviour of Oxford University students.

Overall, the University is said to have given out £30,000 worth of fines, and has demanded hundreds of hours of community service.  It appears that St Edmund Hall  holds the title for fining its students the most for their behaviour. Its students managed to rack up £2,500 in fines.

What sort of things have they been getting up to? Well, "misuse of a car park" (wonderfully vague, but meriting 20 hours of community service) and throwing eggs (which received 10 hours). Even keeping neighbours awake with antics between the sheets is included.  Hit up the link for more info.

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Obama coming to Oxford University

Ok, so it isn't Barak, but Michelle Obama is coming to Oxford University to highlight the importance of education (click here for more info) Talking to people on the tours, it certainly is interesting discussing the financing of education. Perhaps with our comparatively low fees, it will draw attention to the unrealistic financial demands that are placed on American students. Although, with the imminent price rises coming to University fees in England, the difference in fees between these two countries grows ever smaller.

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Easter Special...

It appears that our favourite statue on Broad Street has been given a Easter makeover with a pair of bunny ears.......

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Oxford Literary Festival and Royalty

This Saturday (2nd April 2011) saw the start of the Oxford Literary Festival, and Footprints went down to be one of the first people to check it out.

Its being held between Christ Church, Corpus Christi and Merton College. Those who have tickets to attend will be able to go into Christ Church, which is a hugely enjoyable experience even on a normal day. But also visitors are able to listen to some of the most creative writers currently alive, talk their stuff.

While it would be hard to say what is the best thing to see, the awarding of the honorary fellowship of the festival is a great bit to see, this year it is being awarded to Kazuo Ishiguro (Booker Prize Winner - "Remains of the Day"), for his new book, "Never Let Me Go".

 Anyone out for a bit of Royal watching will be delighted to see HRH The Princess Royal coming to Oxford on Wednesday (6th April 2011). For more details about that event check it out here, or hit up the main website for more info.

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