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Passage A
Clubs and Societies
Parties, drinking, eating - oh, and working - all help pass the time, but deep down there's something you're really eager to find, but you can't quite put your finger on. What you have been looking for, my friend, is the chance to throw yourself into the world of University Societies, and discover the huge range of activities which thrive in a city like Oxford.
OUSU is the Oxford University Student Union, a completely separate organisation from the Oxford Union. It is there to support students from all the affiliated Oxford Colleges in a number of ways by, for example, offering various student support services such as the Student Advice Service and The Oxford Legal Student Advice Scheme. OUSU also produces its own publications like The OUSU Living Out Guide, The Oxford Directory, The Welfare Directory and Freshers' Guide.
Freshers' Fair is one of the most important events in the student calendar, and the focal point of freshers' week. It offers Oxford's 6 500 new students a unique opportunity to sample some of the activities going on in the city and University. It also gives the 350+ student societies that exist the chance to recruit eager new members. There are rooms and a large marquee set aside for companies offering student services to display their products and attract potential customers. Stalls are set out by category, such as sporting clubs, international societies, and religious organisations. It is entirely organised and run by OUSU, and takes place in the major rooms of Examination Schools on the High Street, on Thursday and Friday the first week in October each year.
The Oxford Directory is the definitive guide to the 300+ clubs and societies that exist at Oxford. Whether you're into Aikido or want to be an OU Young Farmer, there's a club in here for you. In addition, there's information about OUSU, your student union, and the services it offers. There are sections on University departments and agencies such as the Careers, Computing and Counselling Services.
The Oxford Union is the world's foremost debating society, with a deserved reputation for bringing international guests and speakers to Oxford. Since its foundation in 1823, the Oxford Union has been the only central student venue in the City and remains the social focus in this fragmented college system. The Union's aim is to serve its members by providing numerous facilities. It has a restaurant, two bars, two full-size snooker tables, the largest lending library for students in Oxford, and the only late-night student bar. In short, with over 10 000 resident members and roughly 85% of new students joining every year, the Union is the centre of University life in Oxford.
The Guild is the largest student society in Oxford, with over 2000 members drawn from all around the University. It aims to give its members the best view of the working world available without actually experiencing it first hand. It attracts all the top graduate recruiters, from all areas. And what makes this all the more remarkable is that the Society and all its subsidiary organisations are entirely run by students, the members of the society. No other student society, anywhere, can offer as much exposure to the real working world, and graduate recruiters are increasingly aware of this fact. The Guild can give you the edge when it comes to interviews.
Whether you want to pursue an existing interest or develop new ones, your first move should be to check out the bewilderingly large array of clubs at the OUSU Freshers' Fair. With your Freshers' Fair ticket, you can get your hands on a brand-new edition of the comprehensive guide to all things at Oxford. If you miss the Fair, don't despair: you can see what societies are offered in the Oxford Directory , a handbook issued to you in Freshers' Week. Take a while to browse through --- it's your one major chance to find out about what goes on in the University.
The degree to which people get involved in societies varies a great deal. Some totally immerse themselves in a club, hardly speaking to anyone who isn't a member of that group for the next three years and rising to become a leader of the organization. Others prefer to take a more eclectic approach, being members of several societies and taking part in whichever of their events seem interesting. Many people, perhaps foolishly, completely ignore University societies and just hang out with mates in college.
Societies offer a great chance to meet people from outside college, which, especially for arts students, is something it is sometimes difficult to do. But don't forget that most colleges2 have their own flourishing societies, which you may be able to join in your college during Freshers' Week. Music and drama are often popular and it is very easy to get some mates together and start something up. If you have ambitions to open up your new Shakespearian Rap Society3 to the whole University, you can register it with the University Proctors, who give out start-up grants and loans, among other benefits.
One of the downsides, especially with larger societies, is the hacking which takes place. 'Hack' is the negative term applied to those seeking advancement (usually to President) in whatever Club or Society, and some clubs such as the Oxford Union or the Guild Society tend to attract those with the spark of ambition more than others. When students suddenly remember their blank CVs5 which are supposed to secure them a highly paid job once they graduate, hackery is almost inevitable. Do not be afraid, though: the vast majority of students tend to avoid such self-seeking behaviour and get on with life.
With over 300 registered societies there really is something for everyone. Apart from the obvious political parties and sports clubs there are groups for all the main religions; societies interested in the society and culture of countries from China to Bulgaria, and UK regions from Scotland to Essex; charities for those interested in voluntary work, literature, music, drama and sci-fi; and a fair number of strange groups such as the LMH Pudding Society,the Oxford Stunt Factory and the Pooh Sticks Society. You won't get bored.
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