Spring Martlet 2017

COMMON ROOM NOTES
FROM THE JCR PRESIDENT
Stella Kremer is currently reading PPE at Univ. A
former student of St John Fisher comprehensive school
in Harrogate, and the joint Sixth Form with St Aidan’s,
Stella was awarded an organ scholarship by Univ.
I would like to thank my predecessor, Agatha-
Christie Onwuzuruike, and her committee,
for their excellent work over the past year.
Their efforts were an important part in
the process of Univ achieving Living Wage
accreditation, and I hope to build on Agatha’s
success in making Univ a more inclusive and
progressive place to live and work.
Michaelmas term began with Welcome
Week, during which the Welcome Week
Committee ran daily events for the new
intake of undergraduates. As well as a time for
socialising, it was a chance for the JCR Welfare
and Liberation Reps to set a tone of tolerance
and inclusion through various workshops.
During Michaelmas, the JCR has come
out in support of the Univ Divestment
Campaign, in our efforts to further improve
the College’s position on environmental
issues. We have also sought permission to
hold a ball in Trinity 2018, following the great
successes of the 2016 Interstellar Ball. At
the moment discussions are taking place
regarding the Student Support Fund and
how to make it more accessible for all, and I
am also looking forward to working with the
Domestic Bursar on renovating the bar and
moving the JCR.
Follow us on Twitter @UnivJCR.
Stella Kremer (2015)
FROM THE WCR PRESIDENT
Daniel Woods is reading for a DPhil in Cyber Security
at Univ, after completing an MSci in Mathematics at
the University of Bristol. His research looks at using
economic theory and financial markets, in particular
insurance, to address the problem of Cyber Security.
And so a new year is upon us. Unlike at
undergraduate level, graduate courses vary
greatly in length. Some taught masters last just
eight months, while some DPhils can go on
long after the designated three years. As such
the graduate community changes significantly
year on year, particularly when time spent on
researching abroad is taken into account. Yet a
continuous sense of community remains.
That community is in part based on shared
values. The curiosity endemic among graduates
lends itself to exploring the intricacies of each
other’s research. This can just as easily take
place at a Martlets Talk, a series of talks given
by WCR members about their research that is
kindly hosted at the Master’s Lodgings, as over
a pint in a bustling pub.
Another important factor is the shared
experience found in events that recur year
after year. The scavenger hunt of Welcome
Week is a seemingly endless source of tales
every year, some less savoury than others.
DPhil students perilously deep into their
write up will live vicariously through freshers
exploring Oxford for the first time. These
shared values and experiences are just part
of why Univ boasts one of the most active
graduate communities in Oxford.
For regular term-time updates on our
activities, follow us on Twitter @UnivWCR.
Daniel Woods (2015)
THE MARTLET | SPRING 2017 41