Many of you will have been following government policy decisions regarding tuition fees very closely and will be aware that Council has approved proposals with respect to future undergraduate tuition charges and new arrangements for student financial support. These proposals are subject to approval by the Office for Fair Access (OFFA). The detail can be found in a message from the Vice-Chancellor here.

Council has approved proposals to charge UK and EU students between £3,500 and £9,000 in tuition charges per annum, depending on household income, from 2012/13. While the new tuition charges will result in a £10 million increase in income for the University, 70% of that income will be put back into student support and outreach. The University will nearly double its current spend on financial support for students. The collegiate University will continue to meet almost half the £16,000 annual cost of educating an undergraduate out of its own resources - a subsidy of around £77m a year. In addition, Oxford will increase spending on services like counselling, careers advice, and disability support. The University needs to compete effectively to attract the best academic talent and will continue to provide a world-class, highly personalised, college-based undergraduate education.

Alumni and guests gathered bankside to watch Oxford’s stunning victory on Saturday 26 March as they upset the odds to win the 157th Boat Race. The dark blues, who opted for the Surrey side of the river after winning the toss, eased to victory in a time of 17 minutes and 32 seconds, beating Cambridge by four lengths.

There was further joy for Oxford as they won the Women's Boat Race at Henley, watched by Sir Steve Redgrave whose daughter Natalie was in the Oxford crew. The Isis boat also triumphed, beating Goldie by six lengths. In the Men's Boat Race on Saturday the crews jostled for the lead until near the halfway point, when Oxford put in a surge before Hammersmith Bridge. From there, under the watchful eye of experienced coach Sean Bowden, the dark blues never looked back.

Several alumni branches around the globe held successful boat race events to mark the occasion – pictures sent to the alumni office are very welcome!
 

Tayside, UK ーWe are very sad to announce the death of former Hon. Secretary  for the Tayside branch, George O’Brien. George recently stood down from his post in the branch due to illness, following more than eight years in the post. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.

Ukraine ーSergiy Naraevsky has been appointed as area contact for the Ukraine to reach out to alumni in the region. We’re delighted to welcome Sergiy to the network.

Zurich, Switzerland ーRebekka Greminger is the new President of the Oxford & Cambridge Dining Club of Zurich, having taken over the position from Nick Jacobs. Thanks to Nick for all his hard work and a warm welcome to Rebekka.

Christine Fairchild, our new Director of Alumni Relations has been touring the West Coast of America over the last week meeting alumni there as part of the Vice-Chancellor’s visit.

You will shortly receive copies of the new Networks at Home and Abroad Publication which features branch news, as well as an updated directory of branch contacts around the world. We hope that these two publications in their new format will prove invaluable for alumni to pick up at events or request by post for easy reference. Thanks to branch officers for contributing and checking contact information and I look forward to your feedback on the new design.

Booking opens this month for the Volunteer Leadership Conference. You will receive notification once booking is open and we do hope that many of you will be able to attend.

The conference will commence on the Friday evening with a drinks reception and dinner hosted by the Vice-Chancellor at the Divinity School. This will be followed by a full day of talks, group discussions and interactive sessions on the Saturday. Topics will include Admissions and Student Outreach, Careers Mentoring and Student Internships, Student Bursaries and Awards, and Running a Successful Events Programme. There will also be a chance to meet with students over lunch. On Sunday there will be an opportunity to see behind the scenes at some exciting Oxford venues. 

A reminder that there’s now just a few days left to book tickets for the Oxford European Reunion which takes place in Paris on 6 – 8 May. As part of the buffet lunch at 12.30pm on Saturday 7 May at the École Militaire, there will be a special opportunity for branch officers to get together. Booking closes on Thursday 7 April and over 400 alumni and guests have currently reserved a place, so final tickets are going quickly.

To see the full programme and book your place, click here.

Join us at the Oxford and Cambridge Club on 9 June 2011 for a professional networking event exclusively for alumni. The event is for all alumni who work, or are interested in the medical sciences sector, and will provide alumni with the opportunity to network with each other in an informal environment.

Speakers include Professor Alastair Buchan (University, 1977), Head of the Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford and Dr Nicholas Edwards (The Queen's, 1979), Director, MedInnovate Ltd, Creating, Developing and Transforming Life Science Businesses. For more information and to book your place click here.

What are your thoughts on the future of the University? This is your chance to put your questions to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andrew Hamilton, and enjoy drinks and networking with other Oxonians. The event will be held in the elegant surroundings of the Banqueting Suite in the Manchester Town Hall, and is supported by the Manchester alumni branch.

To book your place, click here.

Alumni Card-holders already benefit from a 10% discount off Oliver’s usual performance fee, and he is now offering a free close-up magic performance during dinner with every after-dinner cabaret magic show booked before the end of March 2011.

Full details of the offer are available here.

The beautiful Palacio de Prelo is located in a commanding position in the valley of the river Navia at the heart of the Navia Historical Park in Spain. Alumni Card-holders are entitled to a 15% discount all year round, and now you can stay in this exclusive setting for just €115 per room per night (£98) between 1 March and 30 June 2011 (min stay of 2 nights).

More information about Palacio de Prelo is available here.

To send in news and stories to feature in this newsletter, please email zoe.washford@alumni.ox.ac.uk I look forward to hearing from you soon!