College Bulletin 27 November 2020

COVID-19 Update: Oxford Tier 2

Following the Prime Minister's announcement this week, Oxford will be exiting national lockdown and going into Tier 2 (high alert). Please keep an eye out for further email updates about the situation as we make plans for how this will affect College life in the coming weeks.

College Lunches

Thanks to our accounts assistant Alison McKay for this lovely picture of our Hall tree!

Takeaway lunches are still available from the catering team. Please book via the booking system: https://booking.stx.ox.ac.uk/

African Graduate Thrive Fund

The African Graduate Thrive Fund (AGTF) Fund provides awards of up to £500 to African graduate students currently studying at the University of Oxford. The Fund supports African graduate students to pursue activities that will ensure academic excellence, meet unexpected and urgent financial circumstances and support other urgent needs that might be considered appropriate by the award committee. 

Applications are open all year round. Please find further details here.

Race Equality Task Force - Launch Event

All Oxford students are invited to join a special online event to mark the launch of the Race Equality Task Force on Tuesday 1 December, 12:30-13:30. The Task Force was formed this month to address racial inequality at Oxford.

The event will include an introduction from the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) about the aims of the Task Force, followed by short presentations by Dr Rebecca Surender, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Advocate for Equality and Diversity, and student representatives. The presentations will be followed by a Q&A session. Students can join here.

Student Barometer Survey

This survey is the largest and most comprehensive university-wide survey of the year, and is your chance to share your views on your student experience to date, including how the pandemic has impacted your time at Oxford. Check your inbox for your unique survey invite.

Pusey House Advent Lessons & Carols 

Pusey House's Carol Service will take place on Saturday 5 December, 16:00. Carols and Anthems will be sung by the Choir of Pusey House under the direction of the Master of the Music, David Bannister, accompanied by organist, Laurence John. The guest preacher will be The Right Reverend Right Honourable Richard Chartres, sometime Bishop of London, who will expound the Advent theme of ‘Waking Up’.
 
St Cross members are invited to watch the event livestreamed via Facebook Live or Youtube.

St Cross Library & Pusey House Library Advent Calendar

St Cross Librarian Philippa Taney and Pusey House Librarian Jessica Woodward have prepared a digital advent calendar showcasing the treasures and history of both libraries.

Visit the advent calendar here - the first door will open on 1 December and a new door will activate each day!

College Events:

Anthony Geffen Film Screening: Attenborough's Journey
Tuesday 1 December, 18:00

As Sir David Attenborough enters his 94th year, this unique and intimate film documents the highlights of his incredible life. St Cross Fellow and BAFTA-winning filmmaker and director Anthony Geffen will give a live Q&A afterwards.

Book your place here.

Save the Date...

Christmas cookie 'Bake-Off' and mulled wine making

Test your baking skills in this festive 'bake-off' event!
You'll be provided with the ingredients and recipes.

Date TBD, sign-up here by 12:00 on Weds 2 December

A Capella Christmas Song Medley with the FourVoice quartet
Friday 11 December, 19:00

The FourVoice quartet will sing an a capella medley of Christmas favourites livestreamed from the studio. FourVoice are a vocal quartet who have sung to acclaim on Channel Four, performed gigs at Claridges and the Royal Exchange, and performed to sell-out crowds at the Edinburgh Fringe. 

Book your place here.

Winter Wine & Canapés
Thursday 17 December, 18:00

Dr Graham Harding, St Cross alumnus, Member of Common Room and College’s resident wine expert, will lead an online tasting of three wines laced with stories, wit, pictures and a bit of background data on the chosen wines. We are also excited to share with you some recipes for delicious festive canapés from St Cross' very own Catering Manager, Paul White, General Manager at BaxterStorey. Paul will be leading a fun cook along session giving his top tips to create the perfect canapé.

Please register for this event here. 

More events on the College website.

College News:

Image: Kensington Palace/Reuters

It has been an extraordinarily busy week for our Vice-Master Prof Andrew Pollard, as the interim trial data from the Oxford Vaccine trials was announced, showing the vaccine offers a high level of protection. Read our round-up of this week's coverage here.

External events in College:

For your information, the following event(s) will be taking place in College over the next week. Visitors have been informed of the College's COVID-19 guidelines regarding face coverings and social distancing, and each event is fully risk-assessed. Any concerns can be raised by contacting events@stx.ox.ac.uk.

Monday 30 November - Friday 4 December
Oxford Internet Institute - Seminar Room/Lecture Theatre

Wednesday 2 December
Filming - Lange/van Heyningen Room

Thursday 3 December
Filming - Lange/van Heyningen/Wigdor Room/Sybil Dodd

Friday 4 December
Filming/student appointments - Wigdor/Lange/van Heyningen Rooms