The Cambridge (Survival) Guide - Cambridge University Students ...

10Structure of the UniversityFiguring out how the University of Cambridge works can seem justas challenging as being a student here! Much of CUSU’s work in theUniversity consists of representing students’ interests in the committeestructure of the University, as CUSU has representatives and votes onover 60 of the 100+ committees which govern the University.CUSU also interacts with the numerous other parts of the University in order to improve theprovisions for students at Cambridge. If you ever have any questions about how the Universityworks, then do get in touch with the sabbatical officers who can assist you, and offer help onhow to change the University for the better! In the mean time, here are some FAQs to helpguide you to starting at Cambridge!How does a college work?Every student at Cambridge is a member of one of the 31 different colleges in Cambridge.Colleges consist of a set of students, a group of staff, and a set of academics usuallycalled “fellows”.Of these fellows, some are tutors, who are assigned students that they provide pastoralsupport to, one of these tutors will be the Senior Tutor who essentially leads the academicactivities of the college. Some fellows are also Directors of Studies in a particular subject,these DoS’s arrange supervisions and otherteaching for students studying this subject.Most colleges are run by a Governing Bodywhich consists of all of the college’s fellows,and which meets very occasionally to makebig decisions about the college. Most collegeswill also have a Master (sometimes calleda President) who is the figurehead for thecollege, and who may Chair meetings of thecollege’s Council.The Council is a smaller group of around20 fellows, alongside JCR and MCRrepresentatives, who meet much morefrequently to make decisions about themore important day-to-day goings on ofthe college. Colleges will also have onefellow who acts as the Bursar, dealing withthe financial and legal responsibilities ofthe college, he or she will also manage theBursary office and be responsible for thecollege’s staffing.