Weeding the Ivy

For eight centuries, regulations have proliferated as fast as the ivy at Britain's tradition-loving Oxford University. Still technically on Oxford's books are Latin-couched laws forbidding gladiators, rope dancers and deer hunting on the premises. More irritating, because still enforced. are such medieval regulations as the one that imposes a midnight curfew on all undergraduates. Fighting the rules is generally futile. It is Oxford legend that when one modern undergraduate demanded the pint of ale to which he was entitled when taking examinations, the university proctors duly presented him with his tankard--together with a stiff fine for not wearing a sword, another moldy statute he had overlooked in his researches.

Last week, though still proliferating. Oxford's rules took an uncharacteristically liberal turn. Henceforth, decreed the proctors, undergraduates may "smoke in public in academic dress,'' and "women students may entertain men in their lodgings until 10 p.m. rather than 7 p.m.. provided college authorities are willing." But with their usual imperturbability, Oxonians scoffed at the changes. Undergraduates have long smoked in public anyway, and girls seemingly prefer the 7 p.m. blue law. Said one proper fresh-woman: "I take my bath at ten, and I should hate to be seen in curlers. I would rather be seen nude than in curlers." Last real progress at Oxford in the eyes of most undergraduettes: a 1930s decision that they need not move their beds into the hall while entertaining men.

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