Untitled - Somerville College

Hall: This is the place where you go to eat college food. Whether you enjoythe food or not, it’s good to go a fair amount during the first term as itacts as a social space to meet and chat in a relaxed environment.Formal: Formal Hall (or formals) are special dinners put on by the collegewhere you are expected to turn up in smart clothes (no gowns required).The food is nicer than normal hall meals, although more pricey as well.You have to book into formals in advance on the college meal bookingsystem.Matriculation: This is a ceremony that will take place a couple of weeksafter you arrive in Oxford. You don’t have to prepare for it in any way,(other than getting a gown) it’s just to mark your entry into the university.OUSU: The Oxford University Student Union (OUSU—pronounced ‘owzoo’by most) is the body that represents the students of the university asa whole. You can find out more about them at www.ousu.ox.ac.uk. Not tobe confused with the ‘Oxford Union Society’.Pidge: Short for ‘pigeon hole’ (because that phrase is quite a mouthful),your pidge is where people will leave things for you to collect (mostlypost). You’ll find it in the porters lodge.Sconce: Used on a crew date as a means of telling or finding out a pieceof personal information. The is usually initiated by means of the phrase “Isconce anyone who has…”. I’ll leave you to fill in the blank.Scout: These are the wonderful people who make sure the college isclean. They’ll clean your room once a fortnight. They work hard so it’sworth doing small things to help, such as putting out your bin or washingup.Sub Fusc: Consists of dark suit/trousers/skirt with a white short or blouseand gown. Guys wear a white bow-tie and girls have a black ribbon. You’llhave to wear this for matriculation and exams.Tute: Short for “tutorial”. This is a teaching/discussion session with yourtutor in a small group of 1-3. It will generally be discussing an essay /topic/concept you have been working on or recently handed in.The Union: Not to be confused with OUSU—the student union—theOxford Union Society is an organization that was primarily set up as a universitywide debating society. Now it is best known for its ability to attractfamous speakers either to debate, or simply to chat and take questions. Ifyou’re interested in the political side or the debating side, the union has alot to offer, though with the hefty sign up cost, if you join you’ll want tomake the most of it.