The Queen's College Record 2023

Reports and College Activities
popular in the JCR. Students of all years now, once again, sit together and chat
where in previous years they have eaten alone in their rooms. This has been one
of the greatest triumphs of this year in re-establishing the community at Queen’s.
Finally, the most significant change for the JCR this year has been the redecoration
of the JCR. To create a community, you must offer a friendly, welcoming space for
that community to interact, and we felt that the JCR did not provide that. Having
asked many Fellows if they remembered when the JCR had last been decorated,
it seemed no one in living memory was quite sure when it had last been given a
facelift. Over the course of the academic year, the Recreation Rep, Gionata Vernice,
and I worked to make the JCR the beautiful space it could be. With the grand
reopening in Trinity Term, the common room is now the beating heart of the JCR
once again. If you pop in at any time, I’m sure you’ll find a group of friends chatting
in our dedicated socialising area, or you’ll see a heated game of Ping-Pong or chess
in the new gaming area, or some students enjoying some food they’ve made in the
JCR kitchen at our new dining tables. This thoughtful design has meant people can
enjoy the space in various ways, encouraging all types of socialising.
All in all, this has been a fantastic year for the JCR community. I want to thank
the JCR Committee, whose work has made this all possible, in particular: Eva
Bailey, Gionata Vernice (the incoming President), Dan Kelly, William Davis, Ellen
Laker, Cameron Hutchinson and Yu Hang Hui, who have been vital members of
the Committee. I’m certain Gionata will continue the great work that he’s achieved
already this year, and I wish him all the best.
54 The Queen’s College | College Record 2023