Rich/ Poor colleges

The lack of price difference between rooms is something the majority of us view as a *positive* thing! It means that, no matter what your monetary situation, *everyone* can get a really nice room at some point in their time here. We have a closer 'banding' of rooms than at many other colleges (that is, there's less difference between the best and the worst, because our accommodation is really rather good). The way it tends to work is that your room gets better as you go through (because we choose our own rooms in 2nd & 3rd yr).
We don't like the system where the more wealthy students get good accommodation and the less wealthy ones have to stick with a hole -- that's not what Newnham's about. We also don't have a 'Scholars' Ballot' (where those who get 1sts get better accommodation).

Most of us like the equality in the rent.

ah, i do love how college loyalty sticks red hot pokers in the eyes of common sense.

Equal rents and room ballots are good things, I don't see why anyone would think they're bad... It means everyone has an equal chance to get a good room, and if you have a terrible room one year it will be made up by having a great room the year after. The only people who would disagree would be those who have enough money to buy the best rooms every year, which I don't, and I think such people should go throw themselves off a tower.

Equal rents and room ballots are good things, I don't see why anyone would think they're bad... It means everyone has an equal chance to get a good room, and if you have a terrible room one year it will be made up by having a great room the year after. The only people who would disagree would be those who have enough money to buy the best rooms every year, which I don't, and I think such people should go throw themselves off a tower.

epitome nowhere suggested that the ballot was flipped the next year.

if that was directed towards me, then epitome nowhere suggested that the ballot was flipped the next year. i don't dispute that's a good thing.

i don't see how equal rents are good though.. firstly for the obvious reason that's it's borderline communist - do you also think that all houses should be equally priced? it's silly. secondly, by definition, half of the rooms under such a system will be OVERPRICED, and it will be the case that there will be poor students in the college who will be essentially subsidising the accommodation of the rich.

i think i put forward a convincing argument.

At least you're modest. No system is perfect, but I do genuinely believe everyone should be equal in a college environment.

As for the Scholars' Ballot...I don't see why domestic and academic should be confused. It is simply irrelevant, and there are other incentive systems which are more appropriate. Namely, scholarships & prizes.

The lack of price difference between rooms is something the majority of us view as a *positive* thing! It means that, no matter what your monetary situation, *everyone* can get a really nice room at some point in their time here. We have a closer 'banding' of rooms than at many other colleges (that is, there's less difference between the best and the worst, because our accommodation is really rather good). The way it tends to work is that your room gets better as you go through (because we choose our own rooms in 2nd & 3rd yr).
We don't like the system where the more wealthy students get good accommodation and the less wealthy ones have to stick with a hole -- that's not what Newnham's about. We also don't have a 'Scholars' Ballot' (where those who get 1sts get better accommodation).

Most of us like the equality in the rent.

And yes, it is going up, in the short-term at least. It needs to. As for *how*...that's still under discussion. And don't forget that there are always brsaries available to help people out (more people than most realise, actually) -- if only people would f'ing *apply* for them!

And let me clarify. You cannot study Biology in Trinity College Oxford. We do not have Biology tutors, we do not admit Undergrads or Grads to study Biology. ie you are lying about college, university or subject.

On what basis are you able to choose your own rooms in 2nd and 3rd?

het up about it.

Good, isn't it? Yummy 14th century word.

14th century? Wow, I use it all the time

Dude, you use plenty of C14th words on a daily basis. Unless you don't, in fact, speak English. And Shakespeare will pop up several times a day too. Cool, innit!

That previous post was shameful considering I did a linguistics course last year where I focused on evolution of language.

I did wonder how a linguist managed to say that!
Still, I'm the one who once asked "Who was the monarch in Victorian times?", so I can't talk!

Borderline communist? Going a bit far. But, really, do you know *anything* about the history of Newnham? We're not really about elitism or exclusion (except of men from our institution...).

Oxbridge colleges are academic institutions, where academic success is rewarded, I don't see how anyone would have anything against someone who has done very well getting a cash scholarship. Yes colleges have been unfair places in the past (who you know not what you know) hence remnants of the old systems, such as high table etc. These are tradition, but colleges should be about fairness in the education received, rooms you get, how you are treated. Yes some people do better than others, but everyone should be treated fairly.

Put it this way: there are people who'll want a good room in second year (one that's been underpriced) and a good room in third year. There are people who'll get it. This necessarily means that there are others who'll get a bad room in second year and a bad room in third year. Now, if the balloting system is fair, the latter person will pay less than the former. I don't think equality is something anyone would want in the latter person's shoes.