Welcoming the first Kofi Annan Scholars to Mansfield

You could watch the sunset reflected on the post-it notes pinned to the walls, and go to sleep at a reasonable hour. Or not; stay up instead, join conversations with the lights off confessionals with fairy-lights draped over your shoulders. Then go out, and hear your heels clatter on old uneven pavements, keeping balance then losing it on stable ground, be caught when you fall and hold on when you’re fine again and notice the moonlight on a clock tower, learn that night is not dark, it’s blue, it’s silver, it’s a rosy gold leaking from streetlamps. And sense the mist rising around you, ghostly boats floating in the fog on a canal, and let it remind you of home, the damp, grey country air. You might elude the sunrise, or catch its last remnants. You could count up everything you missed, or learn to be content all the same.

I have been very fortunate to have my second year at Mansfield shaped by my role as JCR President. This has been an exceptional privilege, despite the extraordinary circumstances which have tested my mettle, and that of the entire College.

It is clear that the past academic year has been split into two remarkably different experiences: pre- and post-lockdown. The early half of 2019/20 saw Mansfield establish itself yet again as a small but mighty force. There were several outstanding achievements by our JCR members, which when listed here sound like nothing short of bragging. We are home to novice rowers, trained at MCBC, who won places in the Blues Boat; both our male and female football teams made it to Cuppers semi-finals; and we can also boast the founding committee of Oxford’s first and only Feminist Society, the presidents of University-level societies such as Oxford Women in Law, and the winners of esteemed prizes such as Eisteddfod Crown and the Green IS Environmental Film Award.

But alongside the rest of the UK, in March 2020 we all had to adapt to a new lifestyle under lockdown. The JCR Bench was quick to react and moved much of life at Mansfield on to virtual formats; it was overwhelming to see how well our community thrived despite these circumstances.

One of the greatest challenges was to ensure people stayed connected. Our dedicated Bench members posted daily Facebook threads and competitions, where JCR students could describe their experiences of lockdown. This alternative version of Cuppers was a real pick-me-up and let everyone know that Mansfield was there for all its students – even after we had left the building. When term resumed, weekly events were held to provide some normality. In true Oxford style, Sunday evening quizzes became highly competitive. Every Wednesday afternoon, an hour was set aside for a virtual welfare tea when College members could log on to Zoom and speak with one another. Online peersupport sessions were also held each week, run by students on the Welfare Bench.

We pride ourselves on our diverse community. With students from across the world among our number, timing and format of events had to be considered to ensure they were inclusive. I hope the way we banded together as a family throughout this time will remain a source of comfort and pride for students, academics, and staff.

As well as changing our social life, we also had to modify how we learned. Everyone played a part to make the transition to remote learning and virtual exams as smooth as possible. Communication between the Bench and our Principal, Senior Tutor and Librarians, was the key to assuring students that they could continue their studies. We especially empathise with our finalists, whose time with us was cut short. The JCR Bench is making it a priority to enable our recent graduates to return and be celebrated once restrictions are lifted.

While we worked through the University’s first ever virtual term, the shortcomings of Britain, and Oxford, regarding historical and systemic racism were played out in the media. Mansfield JCR accepts this reality and is seeking to tackle our internal inadequacies. A public statement was drafted and released by Mustaqim Mohammad Iqbal (our BME Officer), Sean Sinanan (future President of Oxford’s Afro-Caribbean Society) and myself to dedicate efforts to be actively anti-racist and inclusive at Mansfield. We have passed motions to fundraise and donate to two worthy charities, the Amos Bursary and Stopwatch; the Bench is assisting our Principal in establishing an Equality Library; and we are allocating resources to allow JCR members to attend the ‘Uncomfortable Oxford’ tour and learn about our University’s colonial past.

Every time I write a speech or address in my capacity as JCR President, the first draft is, understandably, a love letter to this wonderful College. However, admitting our flaws and lifting rose-tinted glasses is something we all must do. With the support of our Principal and Governing Body, our JCR will strive to turn these words into concrete actions.