PEMBROKE FRESHERS’ GUIDE 2013

The Pink Panther, Pembroke’s mascot, welcomes you to Pembroke College.

You are the chosen ones. You, young apprentices, have made it past

every hurdle that has been strewn across your path. You have

navigated the icy waters of university applications and personal

statements. You have survived those infamous interviews. You have

leapt valiantly past the temptations of Christ Church’s Harry Potter

hall, and Univ’s tortoise. You have chosen the righteous path to

enlightenment:

You have chosen Pembroke. Pembroke, in turn, has chosen you.

We hope that this college – this collection of beautiful buildings, old

and new – will become your home over the next few years. As JCR

President I may be biased, but I’m certainly very proud to wear Pembroke pink. Our college prides

itself on being an inclusive, friendly, fun and stimulating environment in which each person can

thrive.

All undergraduates at Pembroke automatically become part of the JCR (Junior Common Room). Each

year, it elects its own committee to organise events, ensure your well-being and represent your

views. We have fortnightly meetings, with discussions over issues that affect you. We value and

appreciate your opinion and look forward to seeing you contribute to the JCR in whatever way that

may be.

This guide will give you an idea of what to expect when you come to Pembroke. In here, you’ll find

advice on what to bring with you, how to get around, and how to understand the strange Oxford

lingo amongst other things.

You’ll also find some great mug-shots of the JCR committee – they are here to support you, and will

always be there if you need. Remember, we were in your position only a year ago. We understand

that starting university is a huge step, and that it can seem daunting and overwhelming at times.

Striking the balance between academic work and life may take some time, but you can do it. Just

don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

As JCR President, it’s my job to make sure that you are represented and supported, and that our

community stays strong, cohesive and happy. I’m very lucky that I have a wonderful committee to

work with, and – frankly – an incredible group of people to work for. Pembroke and the people

within it inspire me every single day. I hope that – in time – you’ll love it here just as much as I do. I

hope you’ll be proud to wear pink.

In a year’s time, one of you will be writing this. You will be welcoming the new Freshers. The year

will fly by, so make the most of all the time you have here. Try new things, get involved, challenge

yourself. You’ll be absolutely exhausted at times, but it will be worth it. You’ll learn so, so much

about yourself. And bits and pieces about your subject, too.

I hope you have a lovely summer, and that you come to Pembroke prepared and excited. I can’t wait

to meet you all.

Becky HoweJCR President

DEAREST FRESHERS,

PEMBROKE WHO’S WHO

A few names of the important people in college, and what they do: (don’t worry, you’ll get to know

them in person soon enough!)

Lynne Brindley - Master

Mark Fricker - Academic Director

John Church – Bursar

Mike Naworynsky – Home Bursar

Clive Siviour - Dean

Esra Kaytaz and Timothy Cheng- Junior Deans

Andrew Teal - Chaplain

Steve Capper - Head Porter

Jackie Lewis – Academic Registrar

Lynn Wilkinson – Student Support Advisor

Sarah Dragonetti - College Nurse

Jane Osborne - Accommodation Manager

MONEY MATTERS

Student bank accounts: It is a good idea to set up a student bank account; many banks offer bonus

features such as student railcards. For International students, it is important to have a British bank

account.

Phone SIMs for international students: If you are here for one year, ensure you get a pay-as-you-go

SIM card, most are free and some service companies offer generous packages in terms of minutes

and text allowances.

Loyalty cards: wherever you can, pick up loyalty cards in shops and cafes. You might not think it

would make much difference, but once you get addicted to G&D’s, that 10th coffee free will help you

along.

Work out a weekly budget- ensure your last weeks of term will have some fun nights out

Salto Cards: These are electronic cards with which you enter college, but also pay for food and

coffee in Farthings Café and lunch in Hall.

Battels: Battels (the name given to your termly bill) have to be paid at the start of each term. On it

you will find: College and University fees; the rent charged for your room; the costs of any events or

dinners which you may have signed-up for. You have a couple of weeks until you have to pay Battels,

so there’s no manic rush to worry about if your finances are not quite sorted at the start of term.

Books: Don’t feel the need to buy all of your books on the reading lists. The college library is well

stocked and your faculty libraries will also stock the books you will need throughout term.

DOMESTIC

Rooms

The different rooms in college are allocated different ‘bands’:

• Band A: Small-sized room with sink

• Band B: Medium-sized room with sink

• Band C: Large-sized room with sink

• Band D: Medium-sized room with en-suite

• Band E: Large-sized room with en-suite

Rent is lowest in the Band A rooms and highest in the Band E rooms, and students with Oxford

Opportunity Bursaries have priority over Band A and B rooms.

Hall

The most recognisable building in college, the hall is where ‘hall’, or college food, is served. Lunch is

a pay-as-you-go, canteen-style option, paid for with money on your salto card. There is a selection of

vegetarian, non-vegetarian, salad and soup.

Dinners in Hall are batteled at the start of term, with dinners served all nights except Saturday, when

students must make their own dinner. Formal dinners are a three-course affair at 7pm on Tuesdays,

Thursdays and Sundays. These are compulsory for freshers - gowns must be worn, and Sunday

formal also has a formal dress code. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights there is ‘Informal

Hall’ - this is served canteen-style, from 6.30 to 7.30pm.

Kitchens

Take advantage of the kitchens in college (most of the staircases have one) - useful for making a

quick lunch before a lecture or for food on Saturday night.

Farthings Café

The New Build has a café which offers sandwiches, paninis, bagels, cakes, coffee, tea and other

drinks. It’s a nice place to catch up with friends, work or grab a quick lunch. Items are bought with

money topped up on your salto card. You can also use a debit or credit card (2% surcharge).

Laundry

There are irons, ironing boards, washing machines and tumble dryers in the laundry rooms in

staircase 14 and the Mac. The washing machines and driers use only one pound (£1) or twenty

pence (20p) coins so make sure you keep a few spare! Bring your own detergent too.

Cleaning

One of the perks of college life is the weekly cleaning- your room will be cleaned by your ‘scout’ -

vacuumed, sink cleaned etc - with the bins emptied every weekday. Scouts have keys to your room,

so leave your bin outside if you are sleeping late.

Washing Facilities

Bands D and E include an en-suite bathroom: a shower, toilet and sink. All other bands have access

to communal facilities within their staircase.

KIT LIST

The challenge of packing for university is daunting to say the least, but look over these suggestions

for essentials and you will be perfectly prepared.

Passport photos

Bank details, and student loans paperwork

NHS and National Insurance cards

Alarm clock

Laptop, and an ethernet cable for connecting to the Internet in your room. Having your own printer

is not essential, but is definitely useful when your essay deadline is looming and there is a paper jam

in the computer room printer.

Extension leads (fused) - because rooms tend to have just two sockets

Posters/pictures - make your room your own! There is also a picture lending scheme in college

where you can loan art work for your room.

Duvet and bed linen

Towels and toiletries

Kettle and tea/coffee etc

Plates, glasses, mugs, cutlery, bottle opener, tin opener, etc.

Clothes for cold weather - pile on the jumpers. Or onesies.

Fancy dress clothes

Gown and ‘sub fusc’: a suit and white bow tie for guys, black skirt/trousers, shirt and black ribbon

tie for girls. You can order the gown before you come up, or buy one in Freshers’ Week.

‘Smart’ clothes - there will be several black tie events and formal occasions, so make sure you

have some options.

Sports kit/trainers

A full length mirror as they’re not provided in rooms (there will be a mirror above your sink,

though)

Stationery - pens, highlighters, post-it notes, writings pads etc.

A bike - not essential, but having a bike makes it easier to get around quickly and bikes can be

conveniently stored in the college bike shed.

Small medical kit - painkillers and cough sweets to get through your inevitable Freshers’ Flu, and

Pro-Plus for those essay crisis all-nighters.

A camera

Washing powder tablets

HERE IS JUST A SELECTION OF ACTIVITIES YOU CAN GET INVOLVEDIN AT PEMBROKE…

BULLFROG MAGAZINECHAPEL CHOIR

CHRISTIAN UNIONCRICKET

CROQUETDRAMA CUPPERS

FOOTBALLFUNDRAISING

HOCKEYLIFE DRAWING

NETBALLPEMBROKE ASSASSINS

PEMBROKE COLLEGE BOAT CLUBPEMBROKE MUSICAL

'PEMINISTS' (Pembroke Feminists)RUGBY

SUBJECT SOCIETIESUNIVERSITY CHALLENGE

Life at Pembroke is not always just about your next essay deadline (whatever your tutormight say)- and it’s important to get the balance right. If you’re not sure what you’d like totry out, here are some suggestions:

Are yousporty?

Like earlymornings?Are you

creative??

ROWING: Join PCBC(Pembroke College

Boat Club) and get toknow people in

different years andget fit!

Don’t mind abit of mud?

Handy with abat?

DARTS, NETBALL: Ifyou’re looking for less

commitment, morefun, then darts and

netball are great funand not time-

consuming

CRICKET

FOOTBALL, RUGBY:Arguably the twobiggest sporting

groups in college, agreat way to meet

new people

YOGA:organized byyour welfareteam, a great

opportunity tochill out

Likesinging?

CHOIR: start singingwith the college choir

at Evensong, everySunday. Also try outfor the PEMBROKE

MUSICAL, the annualstudent-run

production in Trinityterm

Were you bornfor the stage?

DRAMA CUPPERS: get ateam together and

produce a short play -it can even be self-

written - and competeagainst other colleges

Talented writer?

PEMBROKEBULLFROG:Pembroke’sstudent-runpublication

Arty?

LIFEDRAWING:classes held

fortnightly, anyoneis welcome to

come along

Don’t panic! It is almost impossible to avoid getting involved with the variousopportunities and activities at Pembroke. There are many other groups, such as

subject societies, the Pembroke feminist ‘Peminists’ society, and the Christian Union.

NIGHTS OUT

Worried that Oxford is just for work and constructive hobbies? Nay, dear Freshers. Worry not.Student nights at clubs across Oxford ensure that you never have to go too long without puttingon your best frock/some clean clothes.

Monday – Bridge: for those wishing to start the week as they mean to go on, this nightclub/bar isjust a 10-minute walk from Pembroke.

Tuesday – Camera: usually a very large Pembroke turnout, as this club is literally next to ouresteemed college. Two floors of fun and familiar faces.

Wednesday – Park End: one floor of the latest dance tracks, one floor of 80s, 90s and early 2000sone hit wonders, boybands, power ballads, theme tunes and more. If you spend an evening on this‘cheese floor’, as it is known, it is almost impossible that you will not dance to Busted, Avril Lavagneand the Pokémon theme tune. You may even find yourself passionately belting out all the words, tobe met by approval by your fellow Park Enders. It is – for this reason – a popular night out. (NB theclub is actually called Lava & Ignite, but is on Park End Street – hence it is known as Park End.)

Thursday – Bridge or Varsity: Thursday nights at Bridge tend to be really busy and lively, with peopleeither winding down in time for the weekend or gearing themselves up for one last night out beforean impending essay crisis. Alternatively, it’s Ladies’ night at Varsity which is just off the High Street.

Friday – Camera or Wahoo: celebrate surviving another week at Oxford with an outing to Camerawith another large Pembroke turnout. If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, head to Wahoo. It’sabout a 10-minute walk from college and offers a great night out.

Most people tend to go out on week nights, as they offer the best student deals and always have agood atmosphere. Most clubs have fun Saturday nights though, they’re just a bit pricier and lessstudent-frequented.

THE BEST NIGHTS OF TERM tend to be our COLLEGE BOPS – themed parties for Pembrokians everyfortnight.

IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT GOING OUT TO DISCOTHEQUES! Your Entz reps are here to ensure that youhave access and information to all the fantastic things you can do in your free time. Oxford is aplace to be EXPLORED – there are so many bars, pubs, cafés and restaurants to explore on yourown, or with societies, sports teams and friends. Do make sure to give yourself enough time offhitting the books to really take advantage of the amazing city we live in!

PLACES OF INTEREST

Where is the best place to grab a sandwich, or the place to get drinks before a night out?

The nearest Tesco’s, open till 11pm weekdays

G&D’s, a 30 second walk from college, selling delicious paninis, bagels, hot chocolates and ice

creams. And the best thing is, it is open till midnight, so perfect for late night cravings.

Westgate Shopping Centre. It has a Sainsbury’s (open weekdays till 8pm and5pm on Sundays) and a

Primark, useful for last-minute shopping before a bop.

Camera. A conveniently-located club, enjoy the cheesy tunes and sticky floors on Tuesday and Friday

nights.

The Blenheim, our ‘local’- cheap drinks and a welcoming atmosphere. Good food, too.

House: For the trendier ones among you, head to House, offering great cocktails with student

discounts.

No.9, or Varsity: Thursday night at the club is Ladies’ night

The Radcliffe Camera

Cornmarket Street: pedestrianized zone with lots of sandwich and coffee places, banks and shops

George Street: If you’re looking for a nice meal out, look no further than George Street- there are

plenty of restaurants, from burger bars to Italians.

The King’s Arms (or KA): a pub situated at a convenient meeting point at the crossroads on Broad

Street, friendly atmosphere.

19 Beaumont Street: the surgery/clinic, for any health concerns or troubles.

Park End and Bridge: the two furthest clubs from college but also the most popular, and the biggest-

both have different floors offering different music such as R&B or cheesy tunes.

Babylove: a cocktail bar and club, sometimes hosting ‘themed’ nights.

MEET YOUR JCR COMMITTEE

To email anyone in college, the email format is: firstname.surname@pmb.ox.ac.uk

Matthew McGonagle - Vice-PresidentHello, I’m Matt and I’m your JCR Vice-President for the upcoming year. AsVP, I hope to act as the bridge between the student body, the college staffand the JCR committee. If you’ve got any comments, suggestions or issuesabout Pembroke, just let me know and I’ll raise it with (or direct you to) therelevant people. I will also be chairing this year’s JCR meetings (fortnightly,on Sunday evenings) – if the prospect of shaping your college experience forthe better isn’t enough, then the free pizza and drink ought to tempt youalong. I also deal with hardship applications and travel grants, which you’lllearn more about during your time here. Anyway, any questions whatsoever– hit me up. I honestly can’t wait to meet you all, and I know you’ll have asublime time here at PMB.

Jenny Lanigan - SecretaryHello, I’m Jenny and I’ll be your JCR secretary for this year! Thatmeans that I’ll be sending out lots of lovely emails every week,to keep you up to date on all the things going on in college andacross the university. So whether you’re keen for careers talksor you’d rather something rugby-related, then peruse myemails with pleasure! I will also send out the agenda for theJCR meetings, with all the motions to be debated and voted on,and the subsequent results. It may sound a bit boring on paper,but it is a great opportunity to have your say and work towardsmaking life at Pembroke as enjoyable and rewarding aspossible. If you have any questions about the JCR or just ingeneral, please come to me. I know how daunting it can be in anew place with new people, but I am only ever an email away,and will do my best to make sure you get the most out of yourtime here. Hope you have a great freshers week and I’m veryexcited to meet you in person- see you soon!

Naveed Javaid and Thomas Brown - TreasurersHi! We’re Tom and Nav, the JCR Treasurersfor this year. We look after JCR funds andmake sure you get the most for yourmoney! We pay for everything from sportsequipment to the pizza at JCR meetings!The (hopefully) lovely new JCR that we allget to benefit from was also paid for byourselves. We are here simply to facilitateyour wishes and make sure we spend everypenny with you guys at heart. So if youhave any questions then please don’thesitate to get in touch by approaching usaround college or by email.

Abigail Finch - Female Welfare RepHi! I’m Abi and I’ll be your Female Welfare Rep for the year.Together with Andrew we are here to generally look after youand make sure you have all the support you need! You can comeand talk to us in person, email us, or ring us on the welfare mobileif you ever feel you need some support. I will always be happy tohear from you and will do my very best to help in any way I can!We will be organising events in fresher’s week to encouragepeople to get to know each other and welfare teas throughoutthe term to give people a chance to relax and enjoy some freefood. We can also provide you with free condoms, tampons,pregnancy tests and rape alarms as well as reimbursing you forthe morning after pill. All of which will be dealt withconfidentially. I really look forward to meeting all of you andgetting to know you over the year to come!

Andrew Humphrey - Male Welfare RepHi, I’m Andrew (or Andy if you fancy it). I am the male welfare repfor this year. The role of the welfare reps is to address anyquestions or concerns that you have about absolutely anything.There will be contact details in the Freshers packs that you will allreceive at the beginning of term and both Abi and I will free tocontact at any time of day. (My email is:andrew.humphrey@pmb.ox.ac.uk). We will also be hostingWelfare teas during Freshers week and throughout the term whichinvolves providing free food and tea for everybody. My main pieceof advice to you is to get involved in as much as possible duringFreshers week as it only happens once a year! Looking forward tomeeting you all!

Meltem Kamalvand and Rebecca Lander - EntzHi guys, we're your entz reps - responsible for making yourfreshers week the best week ever, as well as organising bops(themed parties just for pembroke people) and pretty muchevery kind of college fun. You'll find us most nights tearingup the dancefloors of Camera and the like, and causinggeneral mayhem. We look forward to you joining us in thisendeavour but if you have any questions or ideas about entzand the joys of Oxford nightlife then feel free to get intouch!

Look out for these Freshers' Helpers, they will be working with the Entz Reps to make sure yousettle in quickly and have the best week possible:

Nell Thurtle Kate Williamson Pete Musson Simon PosnerEmily Frazier Genie Villarosa Luke Austen

Helena Sutcliffe - ArtHello! My name is Helena and I’ll be your Art rep for this year. Art atPembroke is fantastic and there will be loads of opportunities foryou to get involved throughout the year. Our JCR art collection isseriously impressive, and definitely a must see! I will be doing sometours around the gallery in Freshers’ week, and there will be plentyof other openings later on for you to take a look. I will also beorganising regular life-drawing classes and art competitions, bothof which everyone is welcome to take part in. I’m really lookingforward to making the art activities accessible to everyone (nomatter what your artistic talent might be!) and can’t wait to meetyou all in October.

Wharton Chan - Music and DramaLights. Flashes. And everything nice. This is your grand entrance toPembroke College, your world of theatre and glamour! Okay thatwas enough of a dramatic entrance. Perchance you wonder who Iam - Wharton Chan! One of the your Music and Drama Reps.Pembroke is a lovely place for you to express who you are, whatyou feel and let me tell you, you definitely need this to faceMichaelmas Term. From the more orthodox chapel choir, to yourcreativity haven of drama cuppers - you will come to learn aboutwhat all this is about in due time! Anyhow, rest assured, Pembrokeoffers a wealth of performing opportunities and Edwin and I will beworking very hard to ensure that you get your share of spotlight!We'll see you real soon, and don't forget, jazz hands!

Edwin Reynolds - Music and DramaAhoy! I am Edwin, your other Music and Drama Rep (oracle ofperformance-related wisdom at Pembroke). Too many talentedpeople never get their instruments out or put their stage make-upon when they get to university, but there are so many fantasticallyexciting opportunities in Oxford that we personally will make surethat you do! We don’t bite – honest! We will keep you informed ofeverything going on in Pembroke throughout the year, but inFresher’s week just make sure you look out for the ChoirWorkshop and the Drama Workshop. I am a bit overexcitedalready!

Alex Tsaptsinos - SportsVince Lombardi once said, "Winning isn't everything, but wanting to winis". (I know what you're thinking - who the hell is Vince Lombardi?) AtPembroke, there never comes a moment where we don't want to win.Ok, sometimes we aren't too bothered. At Oxford you'll find a plethoraof sports to get involved in, of all standards and of all competitiveness.It is my job as Sports Rep to aide you in your search for the sport orsports that interest you. I'm Alex and if you have any sports relatedquestions then I'm the man for the job - or wikipedia. Probablywikipedia. At Pembroke our aim is to try and get as many people aspossible involved in College sport, and during Fresher's week there'll be

inductions into all of the main sports as well as a sports activity for everyone down at the SportsGround. Freshers’ Week builds up to the legendary trip to Cambridge to play - nay, beat - our sisterCollege (Queens), so make sure you sign up during Freshers Week.

Pravina Rudra - OUSUOUSU is the abbreviation for Oxford University Student Union andis pronounced OW-ZOO. Unfortunately OUSU has nothing to dowith owls or zoos, but is the organization which brings togetherall Oxford students and colleges. Alongside college, OUSU is hereto help students with everything from condom supplies to adviceon how to deal with exam stress, and also runs really importantcampaigns that students want - such as for lower tuition fees anddecent wages for Oxford workers. My job is to make sure thatyou know what OUSU are doing, and more importantly, thatOUSU know what you want. If you have any questions orsuggestions about what OUSU are doing, I would love to hearfrom you!

Cat Jones - AccessHey! I'm Cat, your JCR Access Rep for this year. It is my job toencourage and assist bright state school pupils so that they have theconfidence to apply to Oxford and specifically Pembroke. Once youarrive in Oxford you will see that the diversity of the studentpopulation is one of the things that make this such an exciting place tobe. I hope that many of you will be keen to get involved in Pembroke'sextensive access plans. This year there will be opportunities to becomea Pembroke Ambassador and help to deliver: tours of Pembroke,access road trips, residential summer schools and assist duringinterview. If you want to know more about Oxford Access then pleaseget in touch via email or Facebook. Have a fantastic summer and I lookforward to meeting you all in Fresher's Week.

Martine Wauben - Academic RepI am Martine, your Academic rep for the year! I'm a Psychologyand Philosophy second-year from the Netherlands. I'm the oneyou speak to if you have any issues with or questions for any ofthe wonderful people who try to teach us things. We're all herefor our degree, after all, and it's the one thing we all share:essay crises, horrendous tutors and collection stress hit us all atsome point. I am there for you whenever you feel you need ahelping hand, and work with you and your tutors to find asolution. I am also your link to the Careers service, and will berunning the University Challenge rounds, so don't hesitate toask me about anything and everything!There are also reps for each subject, who will help youthroughout the year with advice, handy tips and maybe evensome old notes if you’re lucky- so if you’re struggling with a partof your course, get in touch with them:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AsXqBvBSBJQ3dHdaTXJFMm5Fa0M2Y3VnRDRvY1RxU2c#gid=0

Anna Hauperich - LGBTQHi there, I’m Anna, your LGBTQ rep for next year! My role is tosupport and represent you in any gender or sexuality relatedissues within College and the University. You’ll hear from meabout LGBTQ events and are more than welcome to join trips(they are for you! ) to the LGBTQ society drinks (Tuesdays at8pm) . Going alone can be daunting, but having Pembrokiansaround you will be a lot of fun and you’ll get to meet incrediblynice people. I will also be trained as a peer supporter and havean open ear (and tea!) for anyone who wants to chat aboutLGBTQ topics, be it coming out stories and fears or chats abouthow hot Emma Watson/[insert name here] is! ;) Don’t worryabout being LGBTQ at Pembroke, I only came out recently (forthe first time ever) and it was more than ok (there wascheering!). I would love to meet you all in October, don’thesitate to say hi!

Zoe Ford - RAGHi, I'm Zoe, and I'm the RAG representative. RAG stands for Raiseand Give, and we organise many events each year to fundraise fordifferent charities. My role on the JCR is to tell everyone aboutthese great events, and also run college events which can beseparate to, or affiliated to RAG. I really love organising theseevents, and last year there was a lot enthusiasm from the studentbody! If you're interested in getting involved in RAG or in anycharitable student organisation, I'm always here to answer yourquestions and put you in contact with students around theuniversity who are also passionate about charitable work andfundraising. My year on the committee will finish next term, soyou'll also have a chance to run to be the new RAG rep!

Maria Alonso - InternationalHey guys, I'm Maria, a second year E&M student and I'm yourInternational Rep. My role has got two main parts to it. Firstly, Iam here to look after the wellbeing of international studentssince it is understandable that adapting to a new country'sculture can be an additional source of stress when coming touni. On a more pragmatic note, I will help you with anytechnical issues, like setting back accounts, getting phones...Secondly, throughout the year I intend to promote the work ofthe different international societies around Oxford and toorganise some cultural events myself. Please, please, please,just remember that I am here for anything you may needthroughout the year, especially for international students, butalso for anyone who needs some extra support.

Sarah Wilmshurst- Women’s RepHello, I'm Sarah and I'm the women's rep on Pembroke JCR for theyear 2013/2014. I'm looking forward to meeting all of you (maleand female)! I'll be running events including women's self-defenceclasses and a women's brunch soon after freshers' week. I will alsobe organising events for Pembroke women who want to work inmale-dominated industries such as business and science. I'll alsobe a point of contact for any women who feel they are beingdiscriminated against due to gender. Abi, the female welfare rep,and I will be working together to put on social events for womenas well. The aim of my role is to make sure Pembroke women areable to enjoy all the benefits of college life - so I'll see you infreshers' week!

Sam Pugh- DisabilitiesHello lovely Freshers! My name is Sam Pugh and I am yourDisabilities Rep for this year. My job is split into two main parts;firstly, to help provide another avenue of support to students incollege with disabilities, specific learning difficulties or longterm health problems; and secondly, to help educate thecollege community on these issues. I will be organising a rangeof events throughout the year to help raise awareness incollege of disability issues and will be attending the WelfareTeas in Freshers' Week, and can chat to you about any teethingproblems you might be having (or just have a natter - lovetalking). If you have any questions about living with disabilitiesin Oxford, or want to find out or seek help on the range ofsupport that is available to you as a disabled student, pleasedon't hesitate to get in touch with me! I hope you have had afantastic holiday and I look forward to meeting you all during Freshers' Week!

There are also some positions on committee that YOU can run for this term:Environmental Rep, Publications Rep, Domestic Rep, RAG Rep

OXFORD A-ZAn introduction to some weird and wonderful words that will you’ll soon be using regularly!

A

Academic Review: An annual meeting with your tutors and the Master where they discuss your

progress. They only last about four minutes and, provided you’ve more or less kept up with work,

are nothing to be afraid of.

Aldates: The main road off which Pembroke is situated, also home to Christchurch.

B

Battels: These are the bills you pay to college at the beginning of each term for accommodation, Hall

food, and utilities. Drinks at the Boat House during regattas can also be ‘batteled’ (it’s a verb too). It

doesn’t feel like you’re spending real money which can be very good indeed but can equally be very

dangerous...

Blue: Someone who plays for a University sports team (as opposed to a College one). Technically you

have to have played in a Varsity match (ie. against Cambridge) to acquire a Blue.

Bod:

1. The Bodleian Library. Oxford’s biggest and most famous library, it holds every book ever published

in this country. Books here are reference only, which can be handy if all the books on your latest

reading list have been pillaged from faculty libraries by your course-mates.

2. Your Bod Card is your University Identification Card which gives you access to Oxford’s libraries

(including the Bod, your faculty library and College library), proves you’re a student for discounts,

and is something you should have on you at all times.

Bop: The name for a college-organised party. There’s always a theme which calls for a pre-closing

time Primark run on the day where you’re highly likely to bump into some fellow Pembrokians doing

the same.

C

Carfax: The meeting point of four major roads in the centre of Oxford (St Aldates’, Queen Street,

High Street and Cornmarket), on the corner of which is a 13th Century bell tower. Also an easy place

to hail taxis.

Cherwell:

1: Part of the river on which you can punt.

2: The name of one of Oxford’s major student newspapers, delivered to the JCR every week and

available online at Cherwell.org

Collections: Exams taken at the start of each term to check on the previous term’s work. You’ll

probably sit your first collection at the beginning of the second term, Hilary.

College Parents: Most colleges (including Pembroke) give freshers ‘parents’ - students in higher years

who help you find your feet.

Coming Up: Whether or not you live South of the city, returning to Oxford from home at the start of

term is referred to as coming up.

Cowley: Cowley, or more precisely Cowley Road, in East Oxford is a short bike ride from college, and

boasts an eclectic mix of places to eat, drink and shop.

Crew Date: A sports team from your college meets up with a team of the opposite sex from another

college for a night beginning at a BYOB curry house, moving on to a college bar, followed by a club.

D

Dean: Looks after the undergraduates at Pembroke - being ‘deaned’ means reporting to the dean to

be disciplined.

Don: Refers to a fellow, tutor, lecturer, or professor.

E

Entz: Abbreviation for entertainment, organised by your Entz reps Rebecca and Mel.

Essay crisis: The inevitable realisation that there aren’t enough hours in the day. Ideal remedy;

ProPlus, G&D’s coffee and Pembroke’s 24-hour library.

F

Formal Hall: On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays you get posher food served to you at dinner.

Fellows often sit at High Table on these days (eating even posher food). The meal begins with grace

and you must wear your gown.

Finals: The exams you sit in the last year of your degree (in most cases).

Farthings Café: Across in the new build and serving the best and cheapest coffee in town.

G

Gown: Your gown is worn on Matriculation Day, at formal hall, for academic reviews, collections,

exams and a few other occasions. If you manage to get a First in your mods/prelims, you’re

rewarded with a more expensive and flamboyant gown called a Scholar's Gown (everyone else

wears a 'commoner's gown').

H

Hacks: People who are heavily involved in Oxford Union or OUSU politics. Often found loitering in

the plodge around election time, luring potential voters with chocolate biscuits and a cheesy grin.

Hilary: The second term in the Oxford calendar, in the spring.

I

Isis:

1: The bit of the Thames where the termly rowing competitions take place and home to most Oxford

college boathouses. Found just off Christ Church meadows.

2: A student magazine.

J

JCR:

1: The Junior Common Room is the collective name for anyone studying an undergraduate degree in

the college. JCR meetings are held once a fortnight during term on Sunday evening in the common

room. Any member of the JCR (undergraduate) can bring motions to the meeting, which are then

discussed and voted on.

2: The large room designed as a central common room for the college, containing the pool table,

boardgames, newspapers and magazines and some comfy chairs. Ideal for procrastination.

Junior Deans: Postgrad students who perform an important welfare role, looking after undergrads

and lending a sympathetic ear. Also involved with disciplinary matters in college.

L

Len’s: Pembroke’s college bar which is named after our beloved, but now retired, bartender, Len.

The college drink is gin: look out for the Pink Ginger, Pembroke’s very own cocktail.

M

Master: Head of Pembroke College (Lynne Brindley).

Matriculation: On Matriculation day (Saturday of First Week) you officially become a member of the

University after a service spoken in Latin.

May Day: The tradition is to go out the night before May Day and stay up until dawn on the 1st of

May to hear the Magdalen choir sing from Magdalen Bridge.

MCR: The Middle Common Room consists of any graduate students based at Pembroke. If you’re a

4th year undergraduate, you are also automatically part of the MCR, and can use their common

room and go to their events too.

Michaelmas: The first term of the academic year - Autumn Term.

Mods/Prelims: These are the First Public Examinations you take at Oxford which do not count

toward your degree, but you are required to pass them in order to begin your finals course. The

name of and point at which you take these exams depends on the subject, but most will complete

them at the end of 1st year.

Motions: A great way to put forward new ideas, get your voice heard in college and mandate the JCR

committee to act on your behalf, motions can be put forward by any undergrad. They can range

from funding a party in the JCR to altering the catering services provided by college. Proposals are

then voted for at the fortnightly meetings. Motions need to be submitted in advance of the meeting

to the JCR secretary.

O

OUSU: Not to be confused with the Oxford Union, OUSU is the Student Union representing every

student in Oxford. See the OUSU website for more info on their roles and services.

P

Pidge: Your pigeon hole in the Porter’s Lodge is where you’ll receive your battels bill,

messages/essays from Tutors, and any standard post addressed to you. The wonders of pigeon post

mean you can send stuff to anyone at any college in Oxford simply by putting their name and college

on the envelope and handing it to the porter in the lodge.

Plodge: Shortened form of the ‘Porter’s Lodge’, you need your salto card to enter the college

through here in the evening and on weekends. Important notices are often pinned up here.

Porter: A series of porters man the lodge 24 hours a day. You can come to them if you’ve been

locked out of your room, need to collect a package, wish to give in work to a tutor, or have any

questions - they are extremely friendly and helpful people!

R

Radcliffe Camera: Known as the Rad Cam, this is an extension of the Bodleian Library found in

Radcliffe Square, between the High St and Broad St.

Rustication: A deceptively pleasant term for temporary suspension from the University, usually as a

result of a major disciplinary offence, medical issues or poor academic performance. Essentially you

take a year out and restart your course the next academic year.

S

Scout: The wonderful person who cleans your room once a week and empties your bin every day.

Worth staying in their good books as they can be very helpful.

Sub-fusc: The garb you’re required to wear for Matriculation and for any University examinations

you take (not collections). Boys, you need a dark suit, black socks and shoes, white shirt and collar

and a white bowtie. And for girls, it’s a black skirt/trousers, black tights and shoes, white blouse, a

black ribbon thing that you buy with your gown and, if you so wish, a dark coat/jacket. On top of this

you wear your gown and hold your mortarboard (until you graduate, when you can wear it!) Girls

have the option of a soft cap, but it’s not particularly attractive, it must be said, so stick with the

mortarboard. Deals are available for mortarboards, white bows and gowns, bundled together for

around £25.

Summer Eights: In 5th week of Trinity Term, rowing fever descends on Oxford as the biggest rowing

competition of the year takes place over 4 days, Summer Eights. An occasion for much merrymaking

at the Boat House with Pimm’s galore. If you don’t row, be prepared for non-stop rowing chat!

T

Tab: A student from ‘the other place’.

Trinity: The third term of the year, worth the exam stress for the joys of lying on a sun-drenched

Chapel Quad!

Tutorials: Known as tutes, these are weekly sessions either in pairs or on your own with a tutor in

which you will go through essays.

U

Union: The Oxford Union is primarily the debating society, but they also invite world-class speakers

and hold regular black-tie events. Life membership is about £190, which sounds steep, but if you do

join, make the most of what’s on offer. Check out Oxford-Union.org for more information.

V

Vac: Short for Vacation, this is the Oxford term for holidays. Although you’ll be away from Oxford,

this doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be free from work!

Varsity:

1: The term for any match between Oxford and Cambridge, the most notable of which is the annual

Boat Race.

2: The largest student ski trip in the world, run every year for Oxbridge students. Chillingly cool, a

once in a lifetime trip! Watch out: places will go fast at the beginning of Michaelmas.

One last thing: if you are on facebook, join the ‘Pembroke (Oxford) 2013 offer holders’

group! A great place to ask some last minute questions and talk to some of the people you will

meet in October.

See you soon!