More Camps—Chaplain

This year has been no exception and there were four to my knowledge. They spring up and then, when March is over, they die down again until next year, like true perennials. It is an interesting phenomenon, but I wonder why they do not bloom throughout the whole study season?

Presumably their aim is to provide an opportunity for study and discussion of a cultural (or multicultural) or of a religious nature.

So much of University life is spent in coming or going or attending lectures and so many of the clubs meet only at night that the majority of students do not find much opportunity for discussing together matters not directly related to their courses.

This being the case, together with the great lack of halls of residence, there seems to be a definite need for weekend camps and the like, to give students opportunities for what is a real part of university life.

Indeed such occasions might be far more valuable, if used in the proper way, than a number of the present activities of our innumerable clubs. There could be all sorts of mutually valuable weekends held, such as one between the Anarchists and the Religious Societies on the relations of "Church and State" or say, among the Music, History and Psychology departments on the "influence of God Save the Queen on the British character."

I am a little suspicious of these camps which flourish in March and are then no more.

What are the organisers after? To integrate the freshers into the student body? If I were a fresher, I think I would begin to resent a little all these attempts to orientate and integrate me.

Are they organised then to gain recruits for some particular set, sect or society? It seems that this must be the reason, else why should they stop by April 1? Presumably by then freshers have produced a resistant strain and high-flown aims like study and discussion together are forgotten.

I have not heard or seen around the University anything about the "World Freedom from Hunger" week, which Corso have been organising.

Last year when a similar week was held I remember a few students sitting by the doors in the Sub with boxes for donations. This year, nothing—so far.

What has happened? Not a word from the Students' Executive (by the way where has Wus gone these days?)—not a word even from the religious or political societies which might be expected to initiate or sponsor some effort.

As I sit in the cafeteria at lunch time and look around, it seems hard to believe that we can take so much for granted. Food here is good and cheap and plentiful—we can even afford to leave some on our plates.

One does not expect any great show of idealism in the community at large but among young people and especially among students, there may yet be hope. One hears of student groups in other places keeping certain days as "fast days," lunching on bread and water and giving the money thus saved to those for whom "fasting" is not voluntary.

The value of such a thing would not only be in the giving and receiving of money but in the sharing of an experience, even if only for a moment, and with no fear of continuing hunger.

Not only does the plight of millions and millions of hungry people disturb me but, almost as much, the apparent lack of idealism among students. What worries me is that there seems to be no cause today that arouses, nothing certainly to die for nor even anything for which to fast a little.

Perhaps it means that we have found nothing to live for, that is, outside of ourselves. I hope I am wrong.

John Murray.