Single-sex students denounce principal

Students fear the loss of single-sex status

The students of Oxford University's only single-sex college have recorded a vote of no confidence in its principal, amid rumoured plans to admit men.

The Junior Common Room (JCR) of St Hilda's accused Lady English of "failing to communicate" whether a ballot on the issue had been proposed.

The students who took part voted unanimously for the no-confidence motion.

An earlier plan to make St Hilda's a mixed college was turned down by its fellows earlier this year. A poll showed the majority of students were opposed to any change.

'Unprofessional'

A JCR spokeswoman said: "Two votes in such quick succession would be immensely damaging to the student body.

"We have asked the principal to cancel any vote on the single-sex status to be held this year."

The JCR also declared that the behaviour of Lady English, principal since 2001, had been "unprofessional and must no longer be tolerated".

In a statement, it said it had tried for "weeks" to gain a "clear answer" as to whether a vote had been proposed for early December.

Helen McCabe, president of the JCR, said: "The governing body of the college, and in particular the principal, have not sustained clear communication with the student body.

"The governance structures of the college are archaic and introverted, and are failing to take the students¹ views into account.

Anna Mohr-Pietsch, a student at the college, founded in 1893, said: "I am tired of the college authorities not listening.

"All the students have a view on this issue. It is at the very core of the college's ethos, and one on which the principal should listen to us."

A proposal to allow male undergraduates to study at St Hilda's failed to gain the necessary two-thirds majority among fellows in March this year.

Lady English was not immediately available for comment.