Downing 2010 cover opt b_Layout 1 - Downing College - University ...

DOWNING COLLEGE ASSOCIATIONAnd we are competing with other Colleges and other Universities, in this countryand abroad, to attract the best candidates. There are strict rules in collegiateCambridge about the methods which can be used to attract applicants. So, forexample, it is not possible to attract undergraduate students by means of fullscholarships. But Colleges are able to use more subtle types of inducement, suchas enhanced book and travel grants, bursaries, the provision of computers andby enhancing library, sporting and other facilities. We try and compete with this,but with our modest resources it is increasingly difficult do so.But even though the College’s endowment is comparatively small we are ableto compete well in the things which really matter. Recently at a meeting with someother Senior Tutors, many from much better endowed Colleges, I was informedthat Downing punches beyond its weight as a less well endowed College. And wedo, because we are able to make the most of the resources which we do have. Theenvironment of the College, with its open space, elegant architecture, beautifulgardens and excellent facilities, does make it a highly competitive conferencevenue. This will, no doubt, be enhanced by the completion of the Howard Court.Another significant resource of the College is our staff, both those at the frontand back of house. Many students tell me how welcoming and friendly theCollege staff are. It is invidious to single out any particular departments whenall work so hard to make the lives of students, Fellows, old members andconference guests so much better, whether it is the gardeners, catering staff,Bedders (I am always reluctant to call them by their official title of DomesticAssistants or DAs, since that meant something very different when I was atschool) or members of the maintenance department. But I will mention twospecific departments, simply to illustrate the significance of their work to theCollege. The Porters in the Lodge regularly receive fulsome praise fromapplicants, who are often surprised that they are met by such welcoming peoplewho have a knack of calming the nervous candidate. The staff in the Collegeoffices are exceptional too in their friendliness and expertise. For example, anumber of our students who became ill during the examination season (we hadparticular problems with a vomiting bug which struck at just the wrong time)commented to me that they could not have got through their exams without thesupport and encouragement of the staff in the Tutorial and Admissions Office.The quality of the teaching staff too is another significant resource. But makingappropriate provision for teaching within the College is a matter of fiercecompetition too, since we are competing with other Colleges to attract UniversityLecturers and other academics to join the Fellowship. The recent elections to theFellowship, as identified in the Master’s letter, testify to the fact that we are ableto attract new Fellows, but largely because of the academic reputation of theCollege and welcoming Fellowship, rather than the financial and accommodation16