Information for New Graduate Students€¦ · Graduate Students 2014 - 2015 . MCRHandbook2014015$ Page2$ Welcome to Murray Edwards MCR! Introduction to Murray Edwards MCR 3 - What

Murray Edwards MCR

Information for New Graduate Students

2014 - 2015

MCR Handbook 2014-‐15 Page 2

Welcome to Murray Edwards MCR! Introduction to Murray Edwards MCR 3

- What is the MCR? - Committee Members - MCR Facilities

College Life 4

- Useful People in College - College in General 5 - Graduate Gateway 5 - Recycling and Composting 6 - Extra-curricular activities 6 - Academic Terms 7-8

Living in Cambridge 8 - Financial Matters - Food – in College and in Town 9-11 - Transport 11 - Healthcare 12 - Entertainment 12-13

Bits and Bobs 14

- Academic Gowns Useful Websites 14

The aim of this handbook is to make your introduction to college life that little bit easier, with useful information on getting settled in Cambridge and tips previous generations of students wanted to pass on. Your first few weeks will invariably be busy, so we hope to help by removing some of the stress! This guide is in no way exhaustive, so if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask, or check out our MCR website:

www.srcf.ucam.org/memcr/


So what exactly is the MCR? MCR stands for Middle Combination Room. It represents both an organisation of people and also a physical room. The MCR is the student union for the graduate student body of the College, as well as affiliated final-year undergraduates. Within College there is a similar JCR (Junior Combination Room) for undergraduates and SCR (Senior Combination Room) for Fellows. You automatically become a member of the MCR when you begin a graduate level course at the university. Yes, we agree it is a little confusing that “the MCR” refers to the student body, the MCR room and also sometimes the MCR Committee, but that is one of those quirks of Cambridge you will get used to! The MCR Committee is an elected group of students who represent you in College and across the university. We also organise activities for the graduate community. Basically we exist to look after your welfare while you are here, so don’t hesitate to come up and introduce yourselves, or suggest events you’d like to see happening! You can always contact any member of the committee for help and advice and be sure to come out to our daily events during Freshers’ Week. Committee positions come up for election twice a year on a rolling basis. The next election will be partway through Michaelmas term, so please think about joining the committee yourself! It’s a great opportunity to get involved in college life, make new friends and help change the MCR for the better. We are always looking for new people, so if you don’t fancy a huge commitment you can join as a general member. The following is a list of the current committee members and contact details: MCR Committee President: Maryam Serajiantehrani [email protected] Vice President: [email protected] Secretary: Fatima Baldo [email protected] Treasurer: Karishma Patel [email protected]

Social Secretaries (x4: 2 internal, 2 external): [email protected] Welfare Officer: [email protected] Green Officer: [email protected] Computing Officer: Desi Hristova [email protected]

MCR Facilities

MCR Common Room The MCR room is on the ground floor of Canning and Eliza Fok House. It’s open to all graduates 24/7, even if you don’t live in the house, with access using your university card. If you have problems accessing the room, please talk to the porters to check your card has been activated. The MCR is the hub of graduate life in College, and should be thought of as your living room! The MCR has a television with DVD player and Playstation, a selection of board games, pool table and sofas. There is also a kitchenette with facilities for making tea and coffee, plus biscuits too! The MCR can be booked for social occasions if the committee is not using it for an event. Please see the


MCR website for more information and details on how to book the room and schedule of existing events. https://memcr.soc.srcf.net/facilities/the-combination-room/

MCR Office The MCR office is the area next to the common room, which contains two PWF computers and a printer for graduate use. The printer is maintained by the College so the ink and paper will be regularly monitored and replaced. If you require assistance or would like to report a malfunction please feel free to contact the IT Manager Andy at [email protected]. College Life People in College

Executive Graduate Tutor The Executive Graduate Tutor oversees the totality of the graduate experience at the College. Dr Robin Hiley, our current EGT, will be retiring in December after which Mrs Nicola Cavaleri will take over in this role which oversees the Graduate Tutors and is responsible for, among other things, making Admissions decisions. Dr Hiley can be reached on crh1 and Mrs Cavaleri on nch23.

Tutorial Office The Graduate Administrator is located in the Administration Corridor (hallway across from corridor that leads up to the Dome). Rosann Smith is happy to help you with just about any query you might have. Email her at [email protected]. You will also get a plethora of emails from the Tutorial Office Manager, Wendy Klein ([email protected]), that you should not ignore as they contain a lot of information regarding funding opportunities, invitations to college events and other general items of interest.

Your Tutor When you arrive you will be assigned a Graduate Tutor - a senior member of College (Fellow) who is there to oversee your welfare (both non-academic and academic) while you are in Cambridge. They can be a valuable ally in times of need, ready to help with any problems with accommodation, finance, well-being and your course/supervisor/College. Please utilise this invaluable resource if you ever have the need. If in doubt, just set up a meeting; you’d be surprised how helpful a chat can be sometimes. www.murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk/students/tutors/graduatetutors/

The Porters The Porters provide security for the College. They are extremely helpful and nice and are also a goldmine of information about College matters, how things are done, where things are, etc. They are on duty 24 hours a day in the Porters’ Lodge (or “Plodge” as you will very quickly come to call it). Introduce yourself to them when you arrive, they like to see friendly faces! You will also notice the pigeonholes, one of which you have been assigned, next to the plodge. This is where all your mail and packages will be sent. There is also a free-to-use phone that calls Panther Taxi next to the mailbox at the plodge.


The College President Dame Barbara Stocking is very approachable and will make arrangements throughout the year to meet with all graduates to get to know you in groups or individually. You are also welcome to make an appointment to see her by emailing her PA, Louise Ovens (ljo30).

College Nurse

The College has its own nurse who is available during Full Term. Her surgery times are pinned to her office door at the bottom of the staircase next to the entrance to the IT Suite. She is available to discuss any physical or mental health issues. Email [email protected] if you would like her direct attention. College in General

Graduate Gateway New in 2014 is a programme of Academic Development sessions put on by the College exclusively for our graduate students. There will be two separate streams – one for Arts/Humanities and one for Science and Technology. A detailed programme will be available in your arrival package. An “Introduction to UK Study” will be held on Wednesday 1 October (see the Freshers’ Programme for details). Everyone is encouraged to participate.

Computing Facilities The IT Centre, downstairs next to the library, is open to all students 24 hours a day and has 20 computers with a range of software. There are facilities for printing, scanning and copying. Please note printing and copying in college will be charged to your next College bill at 5p/sheet and requires the use of an activated student card to release items from the queue to the various devices. Graduate rooms have Ethernet sockets to connect your computer to the College network, for a charge per term (included in your rent). You may buy an Ethernet cable from the IT office and the charge will appear on your next college bill. Information on how to set up a connection, and how to use the College’s wifi network (murrayedwards and eduroam), is available on the College website and will be given to you on a USB key. The College IT Office is located at the end of the Administration Corridor and can be emailed on [email protected] with any questions about computing in College, or you may also email the MCR computing officer ([email protected]. Wireless is available in the MCR and in Canning and Eliza kitchens if you are not able to connect in your room upon your arrival. You should register for Eduroam as soon as possible as you can use the network all over campus and at several other universities and national libraries.

Library The Rosemary Murray Library houses 60,000 books, videos and CD-ROMs related to a range of topics. The library is open 24 hours a day. The library staff will host a few drop in library induction sessions, which are helpful if you ever plan on using the library. All of the librarians are very friendly and they can often get you a book if it is not available in the college collection, so be nice!

Guest Rooms You can book guest rooms in College via the Events Office ([email protected]). You may host guests in your room, for no more than 2 consecutive nights, and you need to escort any


guests around College between 23.00 and 6.00. In general the College asks all of us to be vigilant when it comes to security in our places of residence (Canning & Eliza and Beaufort House) so please don’t let anyone into the building that you don’t know.

Bar

The College Bar is located below the Dining Hall in the Dome. It is open seven days a week in Full Term between 19.00 and 23.00 (18.30 if Formal Hall). Keep an eye on posters around College for changes to these times. The bar is run by the JCR (Undergraduate club) and often hosts events and pub quizzes so pop in if you ever fancy meeting some new faces.

Gym The gym is located in the basement of the main College building, and membership costs £15 termly/£40 yearly. It is run by the Events Office with assistance from the Gym Committee. An induction is required before membership. Watch for emails about induction times in Michaelmas Term. Check out the college website for information regarding booking an induction session and the required forms for completion: http://www.murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk/exploring/sports/multi-gym/membership

Tennis and Squash Courts There are tennis courts located across from Canning and Eliza, and squash courts near the plodge, which can be booked at the Porters’ Lodge.

Maintenance Any problems in your room should be reported by emailing [email protected] - be very clear about the problem and be sure to give them your room number. By sending the email you are giving permission for the maintenance team to enter your room during the working day – Monday to Friday 9 am to 4 pm. They will often leave a note if they have been in your room.

Designated smoking areas Essentially, the College is a non-smoking property – there is one “Bus shelter” in the Storey’s Way carpark adjacent to Canning & Eliza where smoking is permitted.

Recycling and Composting for Canning and Eliza Fok House Please put recycling in the three containers in the kitchen: blue=cardboard, red=tin (rinsed) & plastic (crushed), green=glass (rinsed); and paper in the big yellow bin at the end of the hall. Staff will empty the red bin, but Canning & Eliza residents need to take the other three out to the recycling point at the back of Canning & Eliza. If these are full there is a full set of collection bins in the covered car park beside the Accommodation Office. Food scraps (fruit, vegetables, organic material) may be placed in the green bin labelled "Cambridge City Council Compostable Waste Only" in the car park adjacent to the MCR. Extra-Curricular Activities

Music There are a wide range of musical activities that you can get involved in, within College and in conjunction with others. See the JCR link at the end of this section for more details.


Murray Edwards Music Society The music society organises recitals and concerts both by College members and professional musicians, as well as music socials. Concerts range from formal performances in the Fellows’ Drawing Room and the Dome to relaxed, informal events in the College bar. They are always keen to hear from musicians in College of all styles and standards and those who would like to play an organisational role in College music. Plus, there’s a Steinway, so pianists rejoice! There is also a keyboard in the MCR that college members may use whenever they wish.

The music society is always open to new ideas, so do get in touch! For more information contact the the College’s Director of Studies in Music, Chloe Valenti ([email protected]) or President of the Society, Sophie Ip ([email protected]). Orchestra on the Hill OOTH is a collaboration of the 'Hill' colleges (and some not quite so hilly) to form a friendly (non-auditioned, though a standard of about Grade 8 is expected) orchestra playing a variety of music. There are two concerts in Michaelmas (a Freshers' Concert and an End-of-Term Concert) as well as one in Lent. A number of Murray Edwards students play in the orchestra. For information on how to join: www.orchestraonthehill.co.uk

Murray Edwards Chamber Choir This is a non-auditioned choir, singing a variety of music from choral classics to fun popular pieces. They put on a concert about once a term, and perform at the Summer Garden Party, Burns Night and Christmas formals. For information and rehearsal times contact Sophie Ip [email protected]. New members are always welcome!

Chapel Choir Singing Many Murray Edwards students sing in Chapel choirs, Fitzwilliam, Robinson and Churchill being the most popular choices. Fitzwilliam, Churchill and Robinson each meet twice weekly to provide music for the choral services in chapel. You don't have to be religious or know much choral music to participate. For more on Fitzwilliam choir, contact Will Warns on [email protected]. For Churchill choir, contact Mark Miller, [email protected] and for Robinson, contact Edwin Lee, [email protected].

Additional Facilities There are four music practice rooms available in the Coach House with pianos, a harpsichord and music stands. Pianists of “concert pianist standard” (typically Grade 8 or above) are welcome to use the Steinway grand piano in the Fellows’ Drawing Room when the room is not in use. Please contact the Porters if you would like to use it.

Art As you may have realised from walking down the hallways, we are a college that is adorned in artwork – in fact we have the largest collection of art by women in Europe. The college regularly hosts new exhibitions and workshops to which students are invited. Do take advantage of your surroundings and come meet some artists!

Sports Graduates can become involved in sports at many levels, from a friendly game of tennis with a neighbour, to joining a College sports team or the College Boat Club, or to representing the University. We are sure that you have heard about our legendary rowing club and you are sure to be


accosted by avid “boaties” during Freshers’ Week. http://mecbc.soc.srcf.net/. The main requirement is enthusiasm - don’t worry if you haven’t played for a while!

College and University Societies This is just a tiny taste of what there is on offer. There are of course many other societies to get involved in, both within the College and in the wider University community. Many will be represented at the “squash” (a gathering where the societies tell you about what they do and you can sign up to their email list to keep informed) at the start of term, and at the University Societies’ Fair in Freshers’ Week. Go along and see what takes your fancy. Maybe now is the chance to discover you’re amazing at something new! http://www.societies.cam.ac.uk/ Academic Terms The academic year in Cambridge is broken up into terms and you will find that many things such as opening hours, club & society dates, etc., will be referred to in relationship to “term” time. However, the use of the word “term” can be somewhat confusing for those new to the Cambridge system. A document about “keeping term” is in your arrival package.

Term Names The academic year is divided into three terms – Michaelmas Term first, then Lent Term and finally Easter Term (also known informally as Exam Term as it’s when most undergraduates write their exams).

University Term or “Term” University Term has fixed dates according to the University statues and ordinances: Michaelmas Term begins on 1st of October and consists of 80 days, ending on 19th of December; Lent Term begins on 5 of January and consists of 80 days, ending on 25th of March; Easter Term begins on the 10tht of April. Many Graduate courses however operate on the basis of the “Academic Year” which extends beyond the end of the Easter Term, finishing on 30th September each year. Both graduates and undergraduates are required to “keep term” which means be present in Cambridge for so many nights per term: 59 nights in Michaelmas, 59 in Lent and 52 in Easter Term.

Full Term “Full Term” consists of three-quarters of the longer University Term and refers to the roughly eight weeks during which lectures are given. The dates of Full Term differ slightly from year to year within the fixed dates of the whole Term. The designated term times for this year can be found on the university website: http://www.cam.ac.uk/about-the-university/term-dates-and-calendars . Please note that although these are the designated term dates, this is only valid for undergraduates. As graduate students you may be required to be in Cambridge outside of these dates (full term or otherwise). Please check with your course coordinator, supervisor or the Tutorial Office before booking any holidays or return flights. Confused? Ask your Tutor or Supervisor to explain further.

Living in Cambridge Financial Matters


Financial Difficulties

Your tutor can advise you with respect to funding opportunities and hardship grants if you find yourself in financial difficulty. Don’t wait until it’s desperate – it’s important to talk to someone early enough so that something may be done. Your first port of call can be the Murray Edwards finance webpage for information on funding available; it also gives you information about accessing other University funds. http://www.murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk/students/finance/fin_info/ Watch for emails from the Tutorial Office giving deadlines for applications to the termly College’s Graduate Funding Committee.

Banking The College asks that you do open a bank account. All main banks have branches in the city centre, so it is worth shopping around for those with the best interest rates and perks, and most forgiving overdraft fees, on offer. Some banks also have more support available for overseas students. If you are based on the Addenbrooke’s site there is a Barclays branch on site. The Tutorial Office can provide a letter to prove your student status if required by completing the form at the following link: http://www.murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk/students/transcripts/request/ Make sure to take your passport to the branch when you set up an account.

Additional Sources of Income The Board of Graduate Studies requires that graduate students work no more than 10 hours a week (or fewer for students on some grants), and in an area relevant to your studies. Lab demonstrating and undergraduate supervising (small group teaching) are good sources of extra funds – wages vary, but expect to receive £6-10 an hour for demonstrating and £17-35 an hour for undergraduate supervision. Those on Tier 4 visas should carefully read their working restrictions. You can find out about the availability of these jobs by talking to your supervisor, your department or directly to the Directors of Studies at different colleges. If you have the time it is a very rewarding way of supplementing your income, getting good teaching experience and CV points! Food in College

Dome Cafeteria

There is a cafeteria service in the Dome for lunch every day during Full Term from 12:30-13:30, and for dinner from 18:00-19:15; except for Formal Hall evenings (normally Tuesdays during term, but also some Fridays) and Saturdays. Saturday brunch is popular amongst the student body, and is served from 11:30–13:30 instead of the usual lunch service. You can pay with cash or from your “account” using your University student card. You can top up your account online using the meal booking system: http://www.murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk/students/finance/fin_info/cashless_till You will save money if you pay with your card.

Formal Hall Cambridge is filled with strange traditions and formalities that can at times be overwhelming so we thought that we would give you a hand. As a member of Murray Edwards you are lucky to be able to attend free formals at our college. “Formals” refer to Formal Hall, a 3-course meal served in the Dome every Tuesday during Full Term and on selected Fridays, as well as some “Super Halls” which are usually for special events such as


Hallowe’en or Burns Night. There are 60 places reserved every week for graduates, and you can attend once a week for free! If you attend more than one formal per week you will have to pay for the second, don’t be surprised. Dinner starts promptly at 19:15. Late attendees will not be admitted. Pre-dinner drinks will be in the Fellows’ Drawing room starting at 18:50. It is a great chance to meet Fellows and colleagues alike and we have one of the best kitchens on campus (not to brag or anything!) so do be sure to sign up for some formals. Bookings can be made here: http://www.murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk/internal/till/index.php. The chef can account for a variety of dietary needs, which can be specified online. You will need to login to the secure server using your Raven ID and password. Be sure to sign your name and pick up your ticket before formal. You may also book up to 3 guests that may accompany you. Current prices available on the MCR website: http://memcr.soc.srcf.net/food-and-drink/formals-at-the-dome/ Be aware that if you making a booking and don’t turn up you will be billed (on your College bill for next term) the price of the meal you missed. The cost for guests will be taken from your account at the time of booking, so you will need credit on your student card to make the booking. Feel free to bring family and children; it is a family-friendly affair!

There is no set dress code as such, but be guided by the name Formal Hall: jeans and trainers are a no, smart trousers/skirt are a yes. Academic gowns are required, please see last section Bits and Bobs.

Around College Outside New Block, near Canning & Eliza, a vegetable and herb garden has been planted by the College gardeners, where picking of herbs, vegetables and berries is greatly encouraged! There is an old orchard at the back of College near Storey’s Way, with wonderful cooking apple and pear trees you are also urged to use when the season is right. There is a dedicated MCR allotment behind 69 Storey’s Way; if you’d like to get involved, gardening tools can be found in a drawer the MCR. In late summer, plums can be collected from trees scattered around college, and there are grape vines beside the tennis courts. You can always ask our friendly gardeners for more information! www.facebook.com/murrayedwards.garden/ Food – Town

Cambridge Market Cambridge is fortunate to boast an excellent food market every day of the week in Market Square in the town centre. Examples of the stalls on offer are: freshly baked bread, a butcher and fishmongers several days a week, a wide selection of fresh fruit and veggies, spices, an amazing English and Continental cheese stall, sweets, leaf tea, cakes, dumplings, pulled pork, waffle stand…you name it! The fruit and veg selection really can’t be beaten, and prices are, on average, similar to the various supermarkets in and around the town. It also has stalls selling clothing, books and CDs; and on Sundays it’s a craft market with handmade jewellery and gifts.

Supermarkets

A wide range of supermarkets are scattered about Cambridge; most are easily accessible on foot, by bike or by bus. Here is a selection:


(1) Nasreen Dar Halal Supermarket: just down Histon Rd, less than 5 minutes from the Porters’ Lodge. It is a treasure trove of the mundane and exotic; if you need tea, milk or obscure spices all can be found here, as well as a great selection of Asian foods and household items. Join the “Nasreen Dar” facebook group for updates and special offers. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nasreen-Dar/152201914800758 (2) Aldi, Iceland and Co-op: a few mins further down Histon Road are the three of these grouped together. The small Co-op has longer opening hours than the Nasreen Dar, Aldi, or Iceland, including being open on Sunday evening after larger stores are closed. Aldi is definetly worth checking out for the economic shopper. (3) Sainsbury’s: Sidney Street in the town centre is the most convenient supermarket for the bulk of the student population; hence it is often very busy! Avoid evening rush hour if you want any fresh produce and to enjoy your toes intact. There is a larger one on Coldham’s Lane, though this is less accessible without your own transport. (4) Tesco: there are very large Tesco stores both off Newmarket Rd, which you can cycle to, and also north of the city at Bar Hill, which can be reached by car, on the Citi 5 bus that stops right outside College, or by bike, for the more adventurous. (5) Marks & Spencer: in Market Square, rather more pricey but excellent for a treat! There are also a number of international foodstores around Cambridge, particularly on Mill Road.

Restaurants & Cafes Cambridge is absolutely full of restaurants and cafes, most serving good food and some which are excellent! Ask your fellow members of the MCR for recommendations and enjoy trying them all out during your time here! Transport

Cycling Cycling is the preferred form of transport in Cambridge, and hence there are many bike shops! The website below gives advice on safe cycling in the Cambridge area, and the membership discount section gives a useful list of shops around town. For repairs, many shops will oblige; as well as the Bikeman in the Market and Spokes Cycle van which can often be found on the road next to Churchill College. Make sure you have working lights for cycling in the evenings; the police have been known to wait in Cambridge town centre to check people are cycling safely. Cycling without lights at night can earn you a £30 fine. It’s also a good idea to have a helmet. Especially if you are from a country that drives on the right, it is a good idea to take some cycling lessons before venturing out. We also advise that you have a good cycle lock – bicycles are quite regularly stolen in Cambridge, so be vigilant. More information is available here: www.camcycle.org.uk/ Remember to register your bike with the Porters’ Lodge so it doesn’t get removed from the bike racks! Canning and Eliza has a dedicated bike store for grads, and the largest indoor storage is down the ramp at the front of the College.


Buses

Most Cambridge city buses are operated by Stagecoach - for timetables and route maps see the website. For reference, a single journey on the Citi 8 from Victoria Road (over the junction opposite College) to the Railway Station costs £2.70 and takes 20 – 25 minutes. If you need to use the bus often Dayrider (£3.70) and 7-day Megarider tickets are cheaper than multiple single tickets. The Uni4 bus is subsidised for University Card holders and goes from the West Cambridge Site (Cavendish Lab, Computer Lab, Vet School) through the city centre down to Addenbrooke’s Hospital. A single journey costs 70p with your card. www.stagecoachbus.com/cambridge/

Driving

You need to obtain permission from the Senior Tutor to have a car in Cambridge; it is best to email the Tutorial Office to enquire about this topic. You will also need to obtain a parking permit to park in the College grounds. Generally people do not have cars here as everything you will need is within walking or cycling distance! Healthcare

Nurse The College has its own nurse who has regular hours within Full Term. Her surgery (office) is downstairs just outside the IT suite. You can reach her on [email protected].

Doctor (GP) You are required to register with a GP when you arrive. There is a surgery (doctor’s office) conveniently located right next door to College, at 1 Huntingdon Road, if this suits you. Please register with a doctor by Friday 17 October, informing the Tutorial Office of the doctor you’ve chosen.

Dentist The University Dental Service (at 3 Trumpington Street) opening hours are Mon-Thurs 9am – 1pm, 2–5pm; Friday 9am – 1pm, 2–4pm. Please consult the website on what to do for emergencies outside of these hours. You don’t need to register with the dentist, but the University Dental Service tends to have a long waiting list (often several weeks) so try to plan ahead if you need dental work done. www.dental.cam.ac.uk/

Medical Taxi Scheme Transport to a medical facility will be provided in an emergency. Speak to the Porters. Graduates living in College accommodation pay into a Medical Taxi Scheme which allows students to use taxis if they have health problems, once authorised by the Nurse of their Tutor. Entertainment

Pubs You really are spoiled for choice with pubs in Cambridge! Finding the right one for you takes stamina, diligence and determination but the quest is worth it! Here is a selection of the closest and quirkiest pubs which are recommended:


The Castle: The pub of choice for many students on the hill, this is a very popular pub with great food, no tv screens and an excellent beer garden. The County Arms: Opposite the Castle on the hill, this pub is often quieter on busy Friday nights when the Castle becomes very full indeed. The Champion of the Thames: This is a tiny pub on Kings Street with an excellent selection of Real Ales and a landlord more than happy to share his knowledge with interested parties, as well as a real coal fire for winter evenings! The Eagle: The most famous Cambridge pub on Benet Street, this was supposedly frequented by Crick and Watson during their work on the structure of DNA. The ceiling in the back room is covered with signatures of US airmen dating form the Second World War. The Granta: On Newnham Terrace, you can have your drink or meal watching people try to punt. The Maypole: Most pubs have their last round at 11pm. The Maypole, at 20A Portugal Place, is open officially until 12am Mon-Thur and 1am Fri-Sat, but unofficially is often open until even later.

Clubs

Student club nights around the town are listed on the CUSU (Cambridge University Student Union) website, and are held in many of the club venues around town. Many of the colleges hold their own events as well – ask your fellow MCR members for details. You may find a lot of them will refer to the clubs in Cambridge by names from several years ago, though - they change too frequently for some students who have been around too long to keep up with!

Cinemas Arts Picturehouse: The closest cinema to college is the Arts Picturehouse on St Andrews Street, next to Wetherspoons. It shows mainstream releases, but specialises in classic, arthouse & independent films and foreign language releases. It also has a very popular café. Vue: The next closest is the large Vue complex in the Grafton Shopping Centre on East Road. Shows the mainstream releases. Cineworld: On Clifton Road, this is quite a bit further away on the way down to Addenbrooke’s, but it also boasts restaurants and a bowling alley. All three cinemas have a variety of cheap days/deals and all accept the Orange Wednesday 2for1 promotion. Be sure to check out student memberships.

Punting A popular summer pastime in Cambridge. Discounted rates are available for College members at Scudamores – for more details, see www.srcf.ucam.org/memcr/facilities/sports.


Bits and Bobs

Academic Gowns Gowns are required at formal halls in our college and in others too. This will be the same gown that you will wear at graduation so it is worth investing in one. Gowns can be bought used or new from Ryder and Amies (on King’s Parade next to the icecream shop) or Ede & Ravenscroft (a little further down the street on the corner of Trumpington and Silver Street). Existing or recent graduates may also be selling gowns at the beginning of term so ask around at the Freshers’ events if you are interested. There are different gowns depending on previous degrees you may have and your age. Shop assistants are well versed in gown legislation and are only to happy to share their knowledge.

Summary This is just a small briefer into the life you can expect upon arriving in Cambridge. Don’t be overwhelmed and remember that help is just a hop, skip or jump away (or in this case I suppose an email, visit to the plodge, or knock on neighbour’s door away). If you have any questions big or small feel free to get in touch with any member of the MCR and if we can’t help you, we may know who can. We look forward to meeting each and every one of you next year and hope you’re looking to also have some fun this year amidst all the studying! Useful Websites Murray Edwards MCR: http://www.srcf.ucam.org/memcr/ Murray Edwards MCR Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/murrayedwards.mcr Murray Edwards Boat Club: http://www.srcf.ucam.org/mecbc/ Murray Edwards JCR: www.murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk/students/jcr/ Murray Edwards Info for New Students: http://www.murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk/students/newstudents/freshers/ International Students’ Team: http://www.internationalstudents.cam.ac.uk/ CUSU: www.cusu.cam.ac.uk/ The Cambridge Union: https://www.cus.org/ International CUSU: http://www.international.cusu.cam.ac.uk/freshersweek/ Graduate Union: www.gradunion.cam.ac.uk/ University What’s On guide: http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/whatson/ Cambridge Local Secrets – check out the special offers section: http://www.localsecrets.com/ Cambridge pub guide: www.cambridge-pubs.co.uk/ Updated 13.8.14

Documents

Information for New Graduate Students€¦ · Graduate Students 2014 - 2015 . MCRHandbook2014015$ Page2$ Welcome to Murray Edwards MCR! Introduction to Murray Edwards MCR 3 - What