Somerville-Jesus shark plans slated

If you thought Maggie’s funeral was going to evoke mixed emotions, then you have yet to experience the Somerville-Jesus Ball Committee’s refreshing brand of entertainment- entertainment that includes displaying a live shark in a tank. Yes, that’s right.

Sharking

Set to be held on May 4 and billed as a night of decadence, debauchery
and indulgence, the Ball posters advertised a Ginglymostoma Cirratum: the Latin for ‘nurse
shark’.

The cheapest tickets were sold for £110 with refunds offered for anyone who
objected to the presence of a shark in the formal hall.

The chair of the ball committee, Sam Levin debunked concerns of danger to the shark or the guests as a handler will be present at all times.  He also revealed that his inspiration for this idea came from the 1996 rendition of Romeo & Juliet in which the two lovers met across a fish tank.

However, there is doubt as to whether the plans will go ahead following a tweet from Somerville College yesterday. It stated that the College has requested that the Ball Committee cancel the shark appearance.

Anattempt was made to contact a number of Somerville undergraduates regarding the subject but all refused to comment.

Other students have been more vocal about the innovation at Somerville. “It sounds pretty dangerous to me. Keen-scented,bloodthirsty and way too many teeth. I don’t think Somerville students should be trusted around animals” said Daniel Bregman, a 2nd Year student at Merton.

‘The Last Ball’- ominous…

A 2nd Year from LMH commented: “I don’t have an issue per se with the shark
being on display but of course it depends on the measures they’ve taken to ensure that
the shark’s health and well-being is not affected”.

The RSPCA said: “Using sharks in any type of event would require very careful
planning to ensure their welfare, particularly in terms of transportation, housing and
the potential impact of the event itself. Like other fish, sharks are very sensitive to
vibrations and low-frequency noise.”