It's probably a bit weird to be told that on
coming to Corpus you'll be a member of a
room. The term Junior Common Room (JCR)
refers not only to an actual common room,
but also a supportive community of all the
undergrads in college. The JCR is our room
- where we have coffee and snack
machines, big armchairs, free newspapers,
free internet access and lots of nice people
in one of the more well used, comfortable
and attractive JCRs in Oxford.
For most, the JCR is the main social hub of college. Located on the front quad, it is ideally situated to be the first port of call each time you enter Corpus. There are always people hanging around, so if you feel like taking a break from your work in the library (next door to the JCR), or even avoiding the work in the first place, it's perfect! Every weekday afternoon there is a free JCR tea, with hot drinks, biscuits and plenty of chat to be had.
Every one of the (235 or so) Corpus
undergraduate students is, by definition,
a "member" of the JCR. Loosely run by a
student-elected committee made up of
around 15 undergraduate students, the
JCR does everything from organising
socials and providing welfare to broadening
access and persuading college (the
lovely old lot who teach you) to do things.
Open meetings are held in the JCR three
times a term; any member is welcome to submit a motion for discussion,
ranging from the acquisition of Sky TV to the ongoing debate over buying
a JCR cat! Unlike in many other colleges, friendships in Corpus flourish
across all year groups and academic subjects, which gives us a strong
college spirit- everyone's friends in the JCR (and outside it!).
But it's not like Corpus is insular. Its students are to be found popping up in all walks of Oxford life; be that OUSU, the Oxford Union, writing for student newspapers, acting in one of the numerous student theatre productions or playing sport for the University. In the Corpus JCR community, you will find a secure, friendly and interesting base for whatever you want to do with your time in Oxford.