Univ Record 2017

The Chalet
The Alps, being mountainous, are subject to frequent and often fierce changes of weather.
Every Chalet party leader knows the risks of this; the prospect of a group of healthy, fit
and active young people being confined to a wooden hut halfway up a mountain for ten
days simply doesn't bear thinking about. And yet when the sun shines one wonders if
there can be a more attractive spot on Earth. So it is a real pleasure to report that after
the advance party had opened the Chalet for the 2017 season in thick fog and drizzle the
two consecutive parties were blessed with almost perfect weather throughout. For those
who were new this year to this remarkable institution and its magnificent surroundings
it could not have been a better introduction.
This allowed us a near-ideal mix of quiet study periods and strenuous walking days.
Both parties threw themselves into this with an enthusiasm identical to that which they
demonstrated for the basic needs of cooking and cleaning. As so often, the standard of
cuisine achieved by the groups was remarkable. Morning runs down to the village for
breakfast patisserie were taken with very honourable ascent times.
Jack Matthews (Chalet 2012-15) demonstrated his continuing commitment to the
Chalet as a highly able assistant leader to both parties. It was good to welcome back Ben
Smith (Chalet 2007-9, 2011) as another assistant on First Party. Richard Ashdowne (ex-
New College chaletite) joined Second Party and had ample opportunity to assess how
the Univ approach compares with that of his alma mater. The Master was with us for
most of first party and demonstrated once more that seniority and gravitas are no barriers
to competing with the energies of youth.
Chalet parties at this time of year are enlivened by news of degree results reaching the
Prarion. This year we can record with satisfaction universal success by Univ chaletites, an
additional pleasure to our days on the mountain.
This year First Party had an unusually high number of members making the Chalet
their last event at College: not a bad place to end, many might say. We wish them
bon voyage and every success in their future lives. Most of Second Party will have the
opportunity of a further visit, which we hope they will take up.
Univ continues to manage the care of the Chalet: a week's visit from Works Dept
manager Adam Walker ensured that once again we left the Chalet a little better than
we found it.
Visits from Old Members are always welcome: this year we were fortunate with the
company of Andrew Ward (Chalet 2008-11) and Ziang Chen (Chalet 2013) came down
from his postgraduate work in Paris. SJG records with particular pleasure the brief visit
of his daughter Marina (Chalet 1997-2001, 2003), making her return to the Chalet after
14 years.
Next year (2018) on 9th September the Chalet Trust will hold a celebration of the
150th anniversary of the birth of Francis "Sligger" Urquhart. All three colleges will
combine for this. This will be the first time a combined event has happened and we hope
that many past chaletites will want to support it.
One of the members of the 2016 party, Oliver Vince, has published on the internet
some of his photographic work at the Chalet in both summer and winter. One of us,
speaking as a professional imager, finds the work very impressive and Old Members may
like to take a look: bit.ly/univ0112 bit.ly/univ0113
Stephen Golding and Keith Dorrington
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Junior Common Room
Following its success in 2016 with Living Wage
Accreditation, this year the JCR has continued to
work closely with the college in improving the student
experience and the college’s impact on the wider world
and community. Termly open meetings with the whole
student body and the Domestic Bursar and Senior Tutor
have been established, and I am very grateful to the
senior College officers for their support of this initiative
to improve communication and transparency between
the JCR, MCR and the College. Collaboration between
the JCR and the College has been essential during complex discussions surrounding
hardship funding and Colleges rents; in both of these areas I hope we came to solutions
which protect both the interests of affected students and the long-term position of the
College. Looking outwards, the Univ Sustainable Investment campaign, led by members
of both the JCR and MCR, has gathered significant momentum this year, pushing the
College to consider aligning its financial ventures with its position on the environment
and sustainability.
The JCR’s achievements this year have been made possible by the tireless work of
Vice-Presidents Jonah Oliver and Tom Fisher. As VP/Secretary, Jonah has efficiently
organised fortnightly JCR meetings and was crucial to the smooth running of the
many Welcome Week events. Tom Fisher, as VP/Treasurer, has judiciously managed
JCR funds, budgeting in such a way that maximised our community’s benefits from
generous charitable resources. All members of the JCR Committee were committed,
from Welcome Week onwards, to improving the provisions made for students. Welfare
Reps Ellen Hodgetts and Ismaile Yaqub, with the JCR Liberation Reps, did their utmost
to advertise and make accessible the college and university welfare support available,
as well as putting on their own events such as their famous weekly Welfare Teas. Our
Entz Representatives, James Raftery and Alice Habisreutinger, continued to cultivate a
thriving college social life through BOPs, Open Mic Nights and other popular events.
The many members of the Committee have all contributed to the success of this year, and
I’d like to express my gratitude for their commitment and hard work.
The JCR continue to contribute to a vibrant College life. The artistic talent of our
members has been displayed in the many UCMS Concerts, as well as in the Univ Players’
ambitious production of Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood and the annual Revue. Summer
VIIIs, mixed hockey cuppers and even a rounders league are just some of the sporting
pursuits that have brought our community closer together this year.
The upcoming academic year promises to be another successful one for Univ’s
undergraduate community. Under Chris Burr’s Presidency, the Trinity Term Ball will
undoubtedly be a professional operation and unforgettable evening. I, with the rest of
the outgoing JCR Committee, am very much looking forward to seeing what the next
committee will achieve under my successor Maninder Sachdeva, who is very much
committed to and capable of furthering the activities of the dynamic and inclusive JCR
community.
Stella Kremer
President, Junior Common Room
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