Oxford Flunks Thatcher Policies

Oxford University dons voted overwhelmingly to refuse an honorary law degree to the venerable institution’s most prominent alumna: British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The Conservative Party leader was the first Oxford-educated prime minister since World War II to be refused an honorary degree by members of the university parliament, called The Congregation. And the snub--prompted by Thatcher’s cut in government subsidies to higher education and research--was bigger than expected. The vote was 738 to 319. In response, Thatcher’s office in No. 10 Downing Street declared: “If they do not wish to confer the honor, the prime minister is the last person to wish to receive it.” The opposition to Thatcher’s degree was led by Prof. Peter Pulzer.

--Greek shipping heiress Christina Onassis, 34, who was married last March for the fourth time, gave birth in Paris to her first child--a girl. Both mother and daughter were reported in excellent condition. Onassis is married to French businessman Thierry Roussel, 31, heir to one of France’s largest pharmaceutical companies.

--Comedian Bill Murray and actress-singer Cher have been selected as the Hasty Pudding Theatricals man and woman of 1985 for their “lasting and impressive contribution to the world of entertainment,” the Harvard University undergraduate group announced in Cambridge, Mass. Cher’s award, to be given Feb. 13, will follow a parade through Harvard Square, ending at the Hasty Pudding Theater. Murray’s award will be given Feb. 19, preceding the premiere of “Witch and Famous,” Hasty Pudding’s 137th annual musical comedy.

--Lee A. Iacocca, chairman of Chrysler Corp., is engaged to marry Peggy Johnson, 33, a New York ad agency executive, Detroit television stations reported. They said Iacocca, 60, a widower since May, met Johnson while working on the project he heads to raise funds to restore the Statue of Liberty.

--London surveyor Dave Pickett, 27, has just had his 15th car stolen in eight years. “I am in a Catch-22 situation,” he said. “I can’t afford an expensive car, but cheap ones are easier to steal.” And no insurance company will write him another policy. “Dave has always taken every precaution,” said Cathy, his wife. “He always locks the car and he uses chains and padlocks.” Sometimes the thieves just take accessories. Police called one night and said they had caught a man stealing his cassette player. Pickett drove to the station to retrieve it. While he was inside, someone stole his car.