2012 Annual Report - Jesus College - University of Cambridge

Societies
Student Union
SOCIETIES I Jesus College Annual Report 2012 93
This has been another highly successful year for the JCSU and for Jesus College’s
societies. Jesus has consolidated its reputation as the strongest sporting college in
Cambridge with a series of barnstorming performances in rowing, hockey, football,
rugby and other sports. Music in College continues to benefit from large doses of
dedication and talent, and the Jesuan contingent in the University’s theatre scene has
never been more impressive. These extracurricular opportunities, combined with the
College’s friendliness, means that the student experience at Jesus is exceptionally
enjoyable and constructive.
The year began, as always, with a hectic freshers’ week, the aim of which was to best
prepare the incoming students for their undergraduate years in College. The social and
academic mix was such that the freshers found themselves fitting in to College very
quickly. Every year, at the start of Michaelmas, the extraordinary benefits of College life
become apparent – a true community can be formed so easily when staff and students
work to welcome new undergraduates. That Jesus pulls this off with aplomb every year is
the reason, I think, for its continuous successes.
In addition to its ongoing responsibility of keeping the student experience in College
ticking over, the JCSU has organised a range of successful events and schemes in the
past year. Halfway Hall, the Jesus Garden Party in June, the co-ordination of CUSU’s
Shadowing Scheme, the annual accommodation ballot and a range of entertainments
(such as music evenings in the bar) are only some of the things for which the JCSU has
been responsible. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the committee for all
their hard work, and the staff of College for the invaluable help and facilitation they
provide for the JCSU. I feel confident that the coming year will see College’s student
successes strengthened yet again, and the incomparable experience of third-level
education at Jesus continued.
Matt O’Kane
Middle Combinaton Room (MCR)
This year has been a thoroughly enjoyable year for the MCR. Despite the challenges
resulting from the dispersal of graduate accommodation across Cambridge, we have
had a fantastic response from the graduate community. Many graduate events this year
have experienced exceptionally strong attendance, thanks to the outstanding efforts of
the MCR committee. Our newly renovated Grad Room has also been key to this,
providing a comfortable and relaxed meeting place in college and a welcoming venue for
events. Groups of students are to be found using it most evenings and many individuals
find it the perfect quiet working environment during the day.
We have continued our thriving Fellows’ and Graduates’ symposium series, now
following Grad Hall on Wednesday evenings. This year has included highly engaging
and thought-provoking presentations from Drs Clackson (Classics) and Hanke
(Botany). In March we were also delighted to invite Mrs Margaret White to talk at our
Annual Women’s Dinner. She gave a fascinating talk about the introduction of women
to Jesus College.