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In Oxford's federal collegiate system, it is the
colleges that are responsible for admitting
undergraduates, with membership of the University
becoming automatic upon acceptance by a college. As a
result, an Oxford students first
loyalty is to college, which is both a home
and a focal point for social and academic life.
Undergraduates typically meet with their college tutor
once a week for a one to one tutorial lasting at least
one hour. Study objectives are set, work reviewed and
the finer points of the subject discussed at length. The
intimacy of the tutorial system is unique to Oxford and
Cambridge and often brings the student into direct
contact with leading authorities in their subject.
Most undergraduates live in college for at least two
years of their course, usually living in the original
lodgings clustered around the college quads. Those who
are unlucky enough to have no bathroom on their
staircase can sometimes be seen, draped in towels,
gingerly crossing the main quad on a frosty winter
morning! For most students, the experience of living in
a building which can be up to 800 years old compensates
for these discomforts.
These days, meals are available in cafeterias.
However, many colleges observe the traditions of 'formal
hall' at least once a week. Students must wear gowns on
such occasions, but are treated to several courses and
table service, all under the benevolent gaze of
distinguished former Wardens, whose dusty portraits hang
from the wood panelled walls. The Dons dine at High
Table, a long table situated on a raised platform at the
head of the Hall, and eat a more extravagant fare washed
down with fine wines and port.
Many traditions are maintained. The
college chaplain leads grace before the meal and, at
many colleges, students are obliged to bow courteously
towards high table before taking their leave. During the
meal, a student may be 'sconced' by another student over
some point of honour. The challenged must stand on the
bench and drink a yard of ale in one go. Having
succeeded, he may immediately return the 'sconce' if he
wishes. These days, rugby and rowing dinners are more
often the excuse for multiple sconcing!
Undergraduate social and political life centres
around the Junior Common Room (JCR). The JCR president
and committee are elected for a term of one year in
surprisingly keenly fought elections. Hustings,
manifestos, dodgy deals and a fair measure of mud
slinging are not uncommon, as Britain's future ministers
and politicians earn their political stripes! Most JCR's
pursue some political cause, ranging from campaigns to
lower rents to lobbying for the back quad to be renamed
in honour of their favourite, communist revolutionary
leader! (For example, Ho Chi Min Quad at Wadham
College).
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The oldest and most distinctive part of
an Oxford College is the front quadrangle ('quad' in
Oxford speak). Comprising a Chapel, Hall and student
rooms (usually built around a number of spiral, wooden
staircases), entrance to the front quad is via the
porters lodge. The centrepiece of the quad, the lawn,
has often been nurtured over hundreds of years and is
prized - walking on the grass is an extremely serious
misdemeanor at some colleges!
Oriel College front quadrangle
Students typically 'live in' during
their first and final years, often occupying rooms which
are centuries old and have facilities to match. Rooms
are tended every morning by a scout. The duties
of a scout are these days limited to cleaning, changing
linen and, above all, exercising discretion! However, in
days gone by a scout was originally a student's
manservant, acting as butler in their home from home.
The college entrance is guarded by the
Porter. Often caricatured as a student hating
ogre, the porter is actually the college's willing
dog's-body and is usually very popular with students.
Wadham College even named their prize boat 'The Burt',
ensuring that the popular and long serving porter of the
day went down in college history.
Social life in college is centred on
the 'Common Rooms'. This being Oxford, their are three
common rooms in each college catering for three levels
of seniority: the Junior, Middle and Senior Common Rooms
(JCR, MCR and SCR respectively). The JCR runs the
college bar, organises discos and maintains the TV,
whilst the SCR specialises in quality newspapers, fine
Port and polite conversation.
The head of the college governing body
is variously referred to as the Principal, Master
or Warden. These positions are usually filled
from the ranks of semi retired, public figures with both
parties basking in the glory of their association.
College lodgings, a generous dining allowance and a
portrait hanging in the Hall are the traditional rewards
for service.
The
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