College Bulletin 20 November 2020

College Lunches

Takeaway lunches are still available from the catering team - next Friday (27th) there's classic fish and chips and next Wednesday (25th) there's the new 'St Cross special' on offer - venison and chocolate suet pudding. Please book via the booking system: https://booking.stx.ox.ac.uk/

Café Closure

Unfortunately the College Café will be closed from today. Although we had hoped to keep it open during the current lockdown, with only 4-5 customers per day, this is no longer viable. We will keep you updated with plans for re-opening as announcements are made about the lifting of current restrictions.

Christmas Vacation Plans and Testing

The University is working to provide students with clear guidelines on travelling home for the Christmas period, in liaison with the UK Government. The latest details will be published here: https://www.ox.ac.uk/coronavirus/students/christmas-vacation. We will also send an email update to all students once further information is available.

If you need proof of a negative COVID-19 test to travel internationally, please note that the University's Early Alert Service (COVID-19 tests) can not be used as proof that you are negative for COVID-19 to allow you to travel. If you need to have proof of a negative test for international travel you will need to take a test through a private provider. Entry requirements vary from country to country and it is recommended that you contact your airline or travel agent before arranging a test.

If you haven't already done so, please remember to fill in our online forms to help us plan for the Christmas vacation. All students should complete this form and anyone living in College accommodation should complete this form, if you haven't already done so.

Apple Mac OS 11 'Big Sur' Problems

The University is aware of some issues with the latest version of the Mac OS, 11 'Big Sur', particularly with regard to Ethernet dongles, software/application issues, antivirus software, and in some cases more significant problems rendering devices unusable. It is our recommendation not to upgrade to Mac OS 11 'Big Sur' due to the number of issues being reported.

The St Cross IT team are not able to support student device problems - if you encounter problems after you have updated, roll back the update if possible or contact an approved Apple reseller (Western Computer in Gloucester Green is the nearest). iPhones and iPads are unaffected by these issues.

Sandro Wiggerich Law Book Fund 

The St Cross Law Society is actively seeking to expand the College's collection of legal books through the Sandro Wiggerich Fund. You can nominate books by completing this application form by 4 December.

£100 Student Prize Draw: English Faculty & IT Services project wants you to share your experiences of the pandemic 

A project to capture experiences of life at Oxford under the pandemic is seeking contributions from students in any subject area.
If you are new to the University - how did you find your first experience of Oxford under the pandemic? If you are an existing student what had changed since you were last here? Any student entry (and you can submit more than one post throughout the term) has the option to be entered into a draw for £100 National Book Tokens in 10^th week. Entries to be in by 09:00 Monday 14 December.

If you have any photos, videos, or just thoughts and reflections of life in Michaelmas Term please share them at: http://lwf.it.ox.ac.uk/s/lockdown/

Oxford China Centre Event:
Where Next for UK-China Relations?
Tuesday 24 November, 13:00

After the Golden Age: Resetting UK‒China Engagement

This major report After the Golden Age, co-authored by Sophia Gaston, Director of the British Foreign Policy Centre, and St Cross Fellow Rana Mitter, Professor of the History and Politics of Modern China at Oxford University, calls for a fundamental reset in the UK’s relations with China, and sets out a conceptual framework for the British Government to develop a UK‒China Engagement Strategy.

Rana Mitter and Sophia Gaston will be in conversation with Professor Todd Hall, Director of the University of Oxford China Centre.

To attend this talk via Zoom, please register by contacting information@chinese.ox.ac.uk. 

College Events:

Introduction to Mindfulness Workshop
Wednesday 25 November, 17:30

This 75-minute workshop run by Oli Bazin from the Oxford Mindfulness Centre will provide an introduction to Mindfulness in theory, practice and research, and will offer a few tips to keep you grounded and steady in the midst of these challenging times.

Book your place here.

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.

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.

More events on the College website.

College News:

Emeritus Fellow Professor George Smith has been appointed an Honorary Fellow by the Royal Microscopical Society.
Read more

Who won the inaugural students vs Fellows virtual pub quiz?
Find out 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 23 November
Oxford Internet Institute, Seminar Room and Lecture Theatre
FACTS Study, St Cross Room

Tuesday 24 - Thursday 26 November
Oxford Internet Institute, Seminar Room

Friday 27 November
Oxford Internet Institute, Seminar Room
Master's student appointments, Lange Room