University College, Durham
Encyclopedia
University College, commonly known as Castle, is a college
of the University of Durham in England. Centred around Durham Castle
on Palace Green
, it was founded in 1832 and is the oldest of Durham's colleges. As with all of Durham's colleges, it is, independently of the University, a listed body under section 216 of the Education Reform Act 1988. Almost all academic activities, such as research and tutoring, occur at a university level.
University College moved into its current location in 1837. Around 150 students are accommodated within Durham Castle. Other halls of residence, dating from the 1950s and 1970s, are within five minutes' walk of the Castle. It has 700 undergraduates and is currently the most over-subscribed college of the University . In 1987 it was changed from an all male college to a mixed gender college. Since 1998 its Master has been geologist
Professor Maurice Tucker
, who will retire from the post in the summer of 2011.
had been the home of the Prince Bishops of Durham, and Bishop van Mildert
, one of the founders of the university, had intended for the castle to be given to the college. Temporary accommodation for students was provided at the Archdeacon's Inn (part of Cosin's Hall) on Palace Green until University College moved into its permanent home. Castle moved to its current location at Durham Castle in 1837 after van Mildert's successor, Bishop Edward Maltby
, completed renovations of the building. The castle's keep
, formerly a ruin, was redeveloped for student accommodation; in particular, the college's chapels and Great Hall
have been restored. Since then high levels of maintenance have been, and still are, necessary to preserve the buildings of the castle.
The university's second college, Hatfield Hall
, was formed in 1846 as a response to the high costs of maintaining Castle. These costs arose from the students' expectations of being provided with servants and room furnishings. The university struggled for the rest of the 19th century, held back by a lack of prestige and a distance from the centres of power in the UK. By 1882, Castle contained some 79 undergraduates out of 205 at the university as a whole. Despite the university largely failing to gain recognition and prestige, a number of other colleges had opened by the end of the nineteenth century. Of these, Cosin's Hall failed to become financially viable and was absorbed into University College in 1864. Enrolment numbers continued to fluctuate.
The inter-war years
were transformative for Castle. The college was the smallest in Durham university, with just 34 undergraduates in 1928,
and was struggling to meet maintenance costs. The Castle, situated on the banks of "The Peninsula
", was in danger of collapsing into the River Wear
and many of its internal structures were weak. The combination of high costs and low undergraduate numbers meant that the college was often threatened with closure or merger with Hatfield. Castle was saved largely through charitable donations. A visit in the 1920s from Edward, Prince of Wales
, helped increase the profile of the cause. In the 1920s, the castle's foundations were secured through reinforcement with concrete. Following these and other extensive building refurbishments of the 1920s and 1930s the college was now able to expand.
One of its most successful periods followed during the Second World War
when personnel of the Durham University Air Squadron were posted in the castle, doing short courses before joining the Royal Air Force
. Those from the college who died during World War II were commemorated by the redevelopment of the Norman Gallery area of the Castle in the 1950s. This period also saw the launch of Castellum, an annual journal of the Castle Society, created to keep former students in touch with college life. In order to continue this expansion, the college purchased Lumley Castle
in 1946 to house students, and by 1948 seventy five students were housed there. This section of the college developed a spirit of its own and is still remembered today through activities such as the Lumley Run.
During the 1950s and 1960s the college expanded through developments at Owengate and Bailey Court, both around Palace Green
. In the 1970s, the college sold Lumley Castle
. The proceeds were used to fund the development of Moatside Court, and meant that all the college's students were now housed within five minutes of the main castle. During this period there was rapid change in the size and structure of the college, which expanded to over 300 undergraduates by 1979.
Female students were admitted to the college for the first time in 1987; until then it had been single sex. Since this time the college has become fully mixed, with undergraduate numbers expanding to nearly seven hundred. Expansion caused a strain on college numbers, however, and in 2004 the college was unable to provide accommodation for all of its fresher students for the first time in its history. Following the foundation of Josephine Butler
, Durham's first new college to be opened since 1972, pressure from the university to take on additional students has lessened, and undergraduate numbers have been intentionally reduced in recent years.
Construction of Durham Castle
began in 1072, which makes it the oldest building in use at any University in the world.
The castle retains much of its original design and structure, and is part of a UNESCO
World Heritage Site
with Durham Cathedral
.
To the west of the courtyard is the medieval Great Hall, still used as a dining room by students and staff. It was built during the time of Bishop Bek in the 13th century. For two hundred years this was the largest Great Hall
in Great Britain
; however, it was shortened by Bishop Fox
. It still stands some 14 m (46 ft) high and 30 m (98 ft) long. The black staircase that leads from the Great Hall to the Senior Common Room dates from 1662, and is another of the older sections of the college still in use. Underneath the Hall is the college bar, located in an 11th-century undercroft
. Around these are student accommodation, the Lowe Library, and kitchens.
The castle's northern wing originally contained another dining hall, but this was later divided up to make more luxurious quarters for the Prince Bishop. This area is also home to the two chapels of the college. The Norman Chapel dates from the 11th century and is the oldest accessible part of the castle, and retains its original Saxon
architectural style. The Tunstal Chapel is the larger of the two; it dates from the 15th century and is named after Bishop Tunstal. Both chapels are used for worship within the college.
To the east of the courtyard lies the Keep
. It was re-built in the 1830s, having previously lain in ruins. This area has the largest concentration of students living in the castle. To the south of the courtyard is the Gatehouse, built originally by Bishop Pudsey in the 12th century and re-developed in the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries. Around this are the college's more modern offices.
The college's other buildings are at Moatside Court, Owengate and Bailey Court. The developments at Moatside Court and Bailey Court date from the 1960s and 1970s, whilst Owengate was formed from a series of old houses in the 1950s. Of these, Moatside Court's rooms were of a notoriously poor quality, but have recently been renovated at the cost of over £1 million.
. It was formed from a bequest from Colonel W.D.Lowe, an officer of the Durham University Officers' Training Corps. He later became a Classics tutor at the university and rowing coach for University College, staying until his death in 1921. The library was opened in 1925, extended into the college's wine cellar in 1997, and now contains over 10,000 books. It acts as a support to the central university library, providing access to core textbooks.
As with all colleges at Durham, students study for degrees with Durham University
, not their college, and teaching takes place in academic departments. University College is a "listed body" under the Education Reform Act (1988) and so handles its own admissions.
Within Durham's colleges, there is a strong competitive rivalry. Castle's main rival is Hatfield College
, which is Durham's second oldest college, having separated from Castle in the 1850s. The rivalry is maintained by student pranks and tricks and in various intercollegiate sporting events.
There are a number of arts societies within the college. Most notable is the "Castle Theatre Company", which produces a play each term. These plays are usually performed on the college's grounds, although they sometimes tour nationally. They have also appeared at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
The college has a commercial arm, taking advantage of the attractive nature of the college's buildings. It hosts corporate events, conferences and weddings during the university vacations.
The Castle is open to tourists only via guided tours. These occur daily outside of term time, but are more restricted during the term due to potential conflicts with the running of the college. Furthermore, events in the university timetable may result in their cancellation. Tourists are not otherwise permitted entry to the college or any common areas. There is relatively little conflict between students and tourists, with many of the guided tours done by students themselves.
Some 700 undergraduates attend Castle, making it slightly smaller than the average Durham college. Of these students, around 100 live in the castle itself, while another 250 are housed in the college's surrounding buildings.
It remains the most popular college in Durham for applications, with around 23 students applying for every available place.
The undergraduate student body (Junior Common Room or JCR) is governed by an elected Executive Committee headed by the Senior Man
(even when a female student holds the role) and supported by several other officers. Regular JCR meetings are held to discuss and vote on important issues. There are several other elected non-executive officers such as Returning Officer, Fresher Rep and Sports Captain who organise other important college functions. The Senior Man meets regularly with college and university authorities to represent the JCR. University College JCR also supports many societies run exclusively for Castle students. The most popular societies include University College Boat Club (UCBC), Castle Theatre Company, Castle Football and Castle Hockey.
The JCR runs three balls every year for its students, with one held during each term. The largest is the end of year June Ball, which is the social highlight of the academic year, and claims to be the most exclusive and prestigious event in Durham University
. Tradition dictates that its theme remains closely hidden until the doors to the Castle open.
The graduate community at Castle forms the Middle Common Room (MCR), which is based in the Maurice E Tucker
(previously William St Calais) Room. However, due to size restrictions, no members of the MCR are currently able to live in the college grounds. The MCR, like the JCR, organises a number of social events and activities, such as the college's entry into the inter-collegiate University Challenge
competition, which acts as trials for the University's team. The Senior Common Room (SCR), is an organisation of academics and tutors connected to the college. The SCR also organises formal meals with guest speakers.
The student bar of University College is called the Undercroft Bar (known colloquially as The Undie), due to its location in an 11th-century Undercroft
. It developed from the original Junior Common Room, which opened in the early 1950s. It is run by the Bar Chairman and the Vice Bar Chairman.
Castle alumni are active through organisations and events such as the two annual reunion dinners, which cater for the more than 7,000 living alumni. A number of Castle alumni have made significant contributions in the fields of government, law, science, academia, business, arts, journalism, and athletics, among others.
. As the first master of University College, Archdeacon Charles Thorp
, also held the post of university warden. Following Thorp's death in 1862 the mastership was created as a separate position, and has been held by twelve people:
Colleges of the University of Durham
This is a list of the colleges within the University of Durham. These colleges are the primary source of accommodation for undergraduates and graduates at the University, also providing bursaries and scholarships to students...
of the University of Durham in England. Centred around Durham Castle
Durham Castle
Durham Castle is a Norman castle in the city of Durham, England, which has been wholly occupied since 1840 by University College, Durham. It is open to the general public to visit, but only through guided tours, since it is in use as a working building and is home to over 100 students...
on Palace Green
Palace Green
Palace Green is a small area of grass in the centre of Durham, England, flanked by Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle. The Cathedral and Castle together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site....
, it was founded in 1832 and is the oldest of Durham's colleges. As with all of Durham's colleges, it is, independently of the University, a listed body under section 216 of the Education Reform Act 1988. Almost all academic activities, such as research and tutoring, occur at a university level.
University College moved into its current location in 1837. Around 150 students are accommodated within Durham Castle. Other halls of residence, dating from the 1950s and 1970s, are within five minutes' walk of the Castle. It has 700 undergraduates and is currently the most over-subscribed college of the University . In 1987 it was changed from an all male college to a mixed gender college. Since 1998 its Master has been geologist
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
Professor Maurice Tucker
Maurice Tucker
Maurice Edwin Tucker is a leading British sedimentologist, specialising in the field of carbonate sedimentology, more commonly known as limestones...
, who will retire from the post in the summer of 2011.
History
University College was formed upon the creation of University of Durham in 1832. It was the first college of the university, and is therefore known as the "foundation college", but the university was founded explicitly on the Oxford model, and the intention was already for the university to develop along collegiate lines in the manner of Oxford and Cambridge, as indeed it has. Durham CastleDurham Castle
Durham Castle is a Norman castle in the city of Durham, England, which has been wholly occupied since 1840 by University College, Durham. It is open to the general public to visit, but only through guided tours, since it is in use as a working building and is home to over 100 students...
had been the home of the Prince Bishops of Durham, and Bishop van Mildert
William Van Mildert
William Van Mildert was the last palatine Bishop of Durham , and one of the founders of the University of Durham...
, one of the founders of the university, had intended for the castle to be given to the college. Temporary accommodation for students was provided at the Archdeacon's Inn (part of Cosin's Hall) on Palace Green until University College moved into its permanent home. Castle moved to its current location at Durham Castle in 1837 after van Mildert's successor, Bishop Edward Maltby
Edward Maltby
Edward Maltby was an English clergyman of the Church of England. He became Bishop of Durham, controversial for his liberal politics, for his slightly naive ecumenism, and for the great personal wealth that he amassed....
, completed renovations of the building. The castle's keep
Keep
A keep is a type of fortified tower built within castles during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars have debated the scope of the word keep, but usually consider it to refer to large towers in castles that were fortified residences, used as a refuge of last resort should the rest of the...
, formerly a ruin, was redeveloped for student accommodation; in particular, the college's chapels and Great Hall
Great Hall
Great Hall may refer to* Great hall, the main room of a royal palace, nobleman's castle or large manor house* Great Hall of the People, Tiananmen Square, Beijing* Great Hall of the University of Sydney, Australia* Cooper_Union#The_Great_Hall, New York...
have been restored. Since then high levels of maintenance have been, and still are, necessary to preserve the buildings of the castle.
The university's second college, Hatfield Hall
Hatfield College
Hatfield College is a college of the University of Durham in England. Founded in 1846 by the Rev. David Melville, it is the second oldest of Durham's colleges, and was originally called Bishop Hatfield's Hall...
, was formed in 1846 as a response to the high costs of maintaining Castle. These costs arose from the students' expectations of being provided with servants and room furnishings. The university struggled for the rest of the 19th century, held back by a lack of prestige and a distance from the centres of power in the UK. By 1882, Castle contained some 79 undergraduates out of 205 at the university as a whole. Despite the university largely failing to gain recognition and prestige, a number of other colleges had opened by the end of the nineteenth century. Of these, Cosin's Hall failed to become financially viable and was absorbed into University College in 1864. Enrolment numbers continued to fluctuate.
The inter-war years
Interwar period
Interwar period can refer to any period between two wars. The Interbellum is understood to be the period between the end of the Great War or First World War and the beginning of the Second World War in Europe....
were transformative for Castle. The college was the smallest in Durham university, with just 34 undergraduates in 1928,
and was struggling to meet maintenance costs. The Castle, situated on the banks of "The Peninsula
The Bailey
The Bailey, or The Peninsula, is an historic area in the centre of Durham, England. It is shaped like a peninsula thanks to a sharp meander in the River Wear, formed by isostatic adjustment of the land. The name 'The Bailey' derives from it being the 'outer bailey' of the Norman motte and...
", was in danger of collapsing into the River Wear
River Wear
The River Wear is located in North East England, rising in the Pennines and flowing eastwards, mostly through County Durham, to the North Sea at Sunderland.-Geology and history:...
and many of its internal structures were weak. The combination of high costs and low undergraduate numbers meant that the college was often threatened with closure or merger with Hatfield. Castle was saved largely through charitable donations. A visit in the 1920s from Edward, Prince of Wales
Edward VIII of the United Kingdom
Edward VIII was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, and Emperor of India, from 20 January to 11 December 1936.Before his accession to the throne, Edward was Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay...
, helped increase the profile of the cause. In the 1920s, the castle's foundations were secured through reinforcement with concrete. Following these and other extensive building refurbishments of the 1920s and 1930s the college was now able to expand.
One of its most successful periods followed during the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
when personnel of the Durham University Air Squadron were posted in the castle, doing short courses before joining the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
. Those from the college who died during World War II were commemorated by the redevelopment of the Norman Gallery area of the Castle in the 1950s. This period also saw the launch of Castellum, an annual journal of the Castle Society, created to keep former students in touch with college life. In order to continue this expansion, the college purchased Lumley Castle
Lumley Castle
Lumley Castle is a 14th century quadrangular castle at Chester-le-Street in the North of England, near to the city of Durham and a property of the Earl of Scarbrough. It is a Grade I listed building.-History:...
in 1946 to house students, and by 1948 seventy five students were housed there. This section of the college developed a spirit of its own and is still remembered today through activities such as the Lumley Run.
During the 1950s and 1960s the college expanded through developments at Owengate and Bailey Court, both around Palace Green
Palace Green
Palace Green is a small area of grass in the centre of Durham, England, flanked by Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle. The Cathedral and Castle together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site....
. In the 1970s, the college sold Lumley Castle
Lumley Castle
Lumley Castle is a 14th century quadrangular castle at Chester-le-Street in the North of England, near to the city of Durham and a property of the Earl of Scarbrough. It is a Grade I listed building.-History:...
. The proceeds were used to fund the development of Moatside Court, and meant that all the college's students were now housed within five minutes of the main castle. During this period there was rapid change in the size and structure of the college, which expanded to over 300 undergraduates by 1979.
Female students were admitted to the college for the first time in 1987; until then it had been single sex. Since this time the college has become fully mixed, with undergraduate numbers expanding to nearly seven hundred. Expansion caused a strain on college numbers, however, and in 2004 the college was unable to provide accommodation for all of its fresher students for the first time in its history. Following the foundation of Josephine Butler
Josephine Butler College
Josephine Butler College is the newest college at Durham University, having opened in October 2006. It is located at the Howlands Farm site next to residences of Ustinov College...
, Durham's first new college to be opened since 1972, pressure from the university to take on additional students has lessened, and undergraduate numbers have been intentionally reduced in recent years.
Buildings
Durham Castle
Durham Castle is a Norman castle in the city of Durham, England, which has been wholly occupied since 1840 by University College, Durham. It is open to the general public to visit, but only through guided tours, since it is in use as a working building and is home to over 100 students...
began in 1072, which makes it the oldest building in use at any University in the world.
The castle retains much of its original design and structure, and is part of a UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
with Durham Cathedral
Durham Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St Cuthbert of Durham is a cathedral in the city of Durham, England, the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Durham. The Bishopric dates from 995, with the present cathedral being founded in AD 1093...
.
To the west of the courtyard is the medieval Great Hall, still used as a dining room by students and staff. It was built during the time of Bishop Bek in the 13th century. For two hundred years this was the largest Great Hall
Great Hall
Great Hall may refer to* Great hall, the main room of a royal palace, nobleman's castle or large manor house* Great Hall of the People, Tiananmen Square, Beijing* Great Hall of the University of Sydney, Australia* Cooper_Union#The_Great_Hall, New York...
in Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
; however, it was shortened by Bishop Fox
Richard Foxe
Richard Foxe was an English churchman, successively Bishop of Exeter, Bath and Wells, Durham, and Winchester, Lord Privy Seal, and founder of Corpus Christi College, Oxford.-Life:...
. It still stands some 14 m (46 ft) high and 30 m (98 ft) long. The black staircase that leads from the Great Hall to the Senior Common Room dates from 1662, and is another of the older sections of the college still in use. Underneath the Hall is the college bar, located in an 11th-century undercroft
Undercroft
An undercroft is traditionally a cellar or storage room, often brick-lined and vaulted, and used for storage in buildings since medieval times. In modern usage, an undercroft is generally a ground area which is relatively open to the sides, but covered by the building above.- History :While some...
. Around these are student accommodation, the Lowe Library, and kitchens.
The castle's northern wing originally contained another dining hall, but this was later divided up to make more luxurious quarters for the Prince Bishop. This area is also home to the two chapels of the college. The Norman Chapel dates from the 11th century and is the oldest accessible part of the castle, and retains its original Saxon
Anglo-Saxon architecture
Anglo-Saxon architecture was a period in the history of architecture in England, and parts of Wales, from the mid-5th century until the Norman Conquest of 1066. Anglo-Saxon secular buildings in Britain were generally simple, constructed mainly using timber with thatch for roofing...
architectural style. The Tunstal Chapel is the larger of the two; it dates from the 15th century and is named after Bishop Tunstal. Both chapels are used for worship within the college.
To the east of the courtyard lies the Keep
Keep
A keep is a type of fortified tower built within castles during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars have debated the scope of the word keep, but usually consider it to refer to large towers in castles that were fortified residences, used as a refuge of last resort should the rest of the...
. It was re-built in the 1830s, having previously lain in ruins. This area has the largest concentration of students living in the castle. To the south of the courtyard is the Gatehouse, built originally by Bishop Pudsey in the 12th century and re-developed in the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries. Around this are the college's more modern offices.
The college's other buildings are at Moatside Court, Owengate and Bailey Court. The developments at Moatside Court and Bailey Court date from the 1960s and 1970s, whilst Owengate was formed from a series of old houses in the 1950s. Of these, Moatside Court's rooms were of a notoriously poor quality, but have recently been renovated at the cost of over £1 million.
Lowe Library
The Lowe Library is the college's libraryLibrary
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
. It was formed from a bequest from Colonel W.D.Lowe, an officer of the Durham University Officers' Training Corps. He later became a Classics tutor at the university and rowing coach for University College, staying until his death in 1921. The library was opened in 1925, extended into the college's wine cellar in 1997, and now contains over 10,000 books. It acts as a support to the central university library, providing access to core textbooks.
Role and activities
University College is the most over-subscribed college at the university; for entry in 2006, there were 2,858 applications for just 170 places (approximately 17 applicants for every place).As with all colleges at Durham, students study for degrees with Durham University
Durham University
The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
, not their college, and teaching takes place in academic departments. University College is a "listed body" under the Education Reform Act (1988) and so handles its own admissions.
Within Durham's colleges, there is a strong competitive rivalry. Castle's main rival is Hatfield College
Hatfield College
Hatfield College is a college of the University of Durham in England. Founded in 1846 by the Rev. David Melville, it is the second oldest of Durham's colleges, and was originally called Bishop Hatfield's Hall...
, which is Durham's second oldest college, having separated from Castle in the 1850s. The rivalry is maintained by student pranks and tricks and in various intercollegiate sporting events.
There are a number of arts societies within the college. Most notable is the "Castle Theatre Company", which produces a play each term. These plays are usually performed on the college's grounds, although they sometimes tour nationally. They have also appeared at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
The college has a commercial arm, taking advantage of the attractive nature of the college's buildings. It hosts corporate events, conferences and weddings during the university vacations.
The Castle is open to tourists only via guided tours. These occur daily outside of term time, but are more restricted during the term due to potential conflicts with the running of the college. Furthermore, events in the university timetable may result in their cancellation. Tourists are not otherwise permitted entry to the college or any common areas. There is relatively little conflict between students and tourists, with many of the guided tours done by students themselves.
Student body
It remains the most popular college in Durham for applications, with around 23 students applying for every available place.
The undergraduate student body (Junior Common Room or JCR) is governed by an elected Executive Committee headed by the Senior Man
Senior Man
Senior Man is a position held in some collegiate universities by the head of a college's JCR . It is the equivalent of 'President'. The Senior Man acts as the chief representative of the student body, as a figurehead for the JCR and as an elected official...
(even when a female student holds the role) and supported by several other officers. Regular JCR meetings are held to discuss and vote on important issues. There are several other elected non-executive officers such as Returning Officer, Fresher Rep and Sports Captain who organise other important college functions. The Senior Man meets regularly with college and university authorities to represent the JCR. University College JCR also supports many societies run exclusively for Castle students. The most popular societies include University College Boat Club (UCBC), Castle Theatre Company, Castle Football and Castle Hockey.
The JCR runs three balls every year for its students, with one held during each term. The largest is the end of year June Ball, which is the social highlight of the academic year, and claims to be the most exclusive and prestigious event in Durham University
Durham University
The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
. Tradition dictates that its theme remains closely hidden until the doors to the Castle open.
The graduate community at Castle forms the Middle Common Room (MCR), which is based in the Maurice E Tucker
Maurice Tucker
Maurice Edwin Tucker is a leading British sedimentologist, specialising in the field of carbonate sedimentology, more commonly known as limestones...
(previously William St Calais) Room. However, due to size restrictions, no members of the MCR are currently able to live in the college grounds. The MCR, like the JCR, organises a number of social events and activities, such as the college's entry into the inter-collegiate University Challenge
University Challenge
University Challenge is a British quiz programme that has aired since 1962. The format is based on the American show College Bowl, which ran on NBC radio from 1953 to 1957, and on NBC television from 1959 to 1970....
competition, which acts as trials for the University's team. The Senior Common Room (SCR), is an organisation of academics and tutors connected to the college. The SCR also organises formal meals with guest speakers.
The student bar of University College is called the Undercroft Bar (known colloquially as The Undie), due to its location in an 11th-century Undercroft
Undercroft
An undercroft is traditionally a cellar or storage room, often brick-lined and vaulted, and used for storage in buildings since medieval times. In modern usage, an undercroft is generally a ground area which is relatively open to the sides, but covered by the building above.- History :While some...
. It developed from the original Junior Common Room, which opened in the early 1950s. It is run by the Bar Chairman and the Vice Bar Chairman.
Castle Society
The Castle Society was formed in 1947 by Castle Alumni. It was originally named the Durham Castleman's Society. Membership is open to anyone with academic ties to the college, and its aim is create a wider Castle community beyond its immediate students. The society makes regular donations to the college library, chapel, student bursaries, and various college societies. It has helped fund a number of projects in the college, including the accommodation at Moatside Court and Fellows Garden, as well as the West Courtyard Common Room. The Castle Society produces the annual journal "Castellum", which chronicles life at the Castle and reports on activities of Castle alumni. Since 1990, it has contributed towards the University College Durham Trust, the college's charitable fund.Notable alumni
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, former captain of the England national rugby union teamEngland national rugby union teamThe England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
, studied economicsEconomicsEconomics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
at the college from 1988–1990. - The Rt Rev. George HillsGeorge HillsGeorge Hills was a Canadian Anglican bishop.He was born in Eythorne, England. His father was a rear-admiral in the British navy...
, who became the first bishop of the Diocese of British Columbia. - Robert William Bilton HornbyRobert William Bilton HornbyRobert William Bilton Hornby was an antiquarian, priest and Lord of the Manor of Heworth York, England.- Ancestry :...
, a notable antiquarianAntiquarianAn antiquarian or antiquary is an aficionado or student of antiquities or things of the past. More specifically, the term is used for those who study history with particular attention to ancient objects of art or science, archaeological and historic sites, or historic archives and manuscripts...
and priestPriestA priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
at York MinsterYork MinsterYork Minster is a Gothic cathedral in York, England and is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe alongside Cologne Cathedral. The minster is the seat of the Archbishop of York, the second-highest office of the Church of England, and is the cathedral for the Diocese of York; it is run by... - Simon Hughes (cricketer)Simon Hughes (cricketer)Simon Peter Hughes is an English cricketer and journalist. He is the son of the actor, Peter Hughes, and the brother of the historian Bettany Hughes.-Cricket career:...
, writer, cricket analyst and former Middlesex and Durham fast-medium bowler - Sir Timothy LaurenceTimothy LaurenceVice Admiral Sir Timothy James Hamilton Laurence, KCVO, CB, ADC is a senior British naval officer and the second husband of HRH The Princess Royal, the only daughter of HM The Queen...
, husband of Anne, Princess RoyalAnne, Princess RoyalPrincess Anne, Princess Royal , is the only daughter of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
and son-in-lawSon-in-LawSon-in-Law was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and an influential sire, especially for sport horses.The National Horseracing Museum says that Son-in-Law is "probably the best and most distinguished stayer this country has ever known." Described as "one of the principal influences for stamina in...
of Queen Elizabeth IIElizabeth II of the United KingdomElizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,... - Edward LeighEdward LeighEdward Julian Egerton Leigh is a British Conservative politician. He has sat in the House of Commons as the Member of Parliament for Gainsborough in Lincolnshire since 1997, and for its predecessor constituency of Gainsborough and Horncastle between 1983 and 1997...
, Conservative MP and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee - Piers MerchantPiers MerchantPiers Rolf Garfield Merchant was a British Conservative Party politician. He was the Member of Parliament for Newcastle upon Tyne Central from 1983 to 1987, and then MP for Beckenham from 1992 until he resigned in October 1997 following a scandal.- Education :He was educated at Nottingham High...
, former MP and "Senior ManSenior ManSenior Man is a position held in some collegiate universities by the head of a college's JCR . It is the equivalent of 'President'. The Senior Man acts as the chief representative of the student body, as a figurehead for the JCR and as an elected official...
" of the college - James WhartonJames Wharton (UK politician)James Stephen Wharton is a British Conservative Party politician, who has been the Member of Parliament for Stockton South since the 2010 general election, having defeated the sitting Labour MP Dari Taylor.-Early life:...
, youngest Conservative MP in the House of Commons, elected 2010
Masters
The college is run by a "Master", the most senior position in the SCRCommon Room (university)
In some universities in the United Kingdom — particularly collegiate universities such as Oxford, Cambridge and Durham — students and the academic body are organised into common rooms...
. As the first master of University College, Archdeacon Charles Thorp
Charles Thorp
Charles Thorp was an English churchman, rector of the parish of Ryton and, later, Archdeacon of Durham and the first warden of the University of Durham.-Life:...
, also held the post of university warden. Following Thorp's death in 1862 the mastership was created as a separate position, and has been held by twelve people:
- Archdeacon Charles ThorpCharles ThorpCharles Thorp was an English churchman, rector of the parish of Ryton and, later, Archdeacon of Durham and the first warden of the University of Durham.-Life:...
1832–1862 - Dr Joseph Waite 1865–1873
- Rev Herbert Booth 1873–1875
- Dr Alfred Plummer 1875–1902
- Dr Henry GeeHenry Gee (dean)The Very Rev Henry Gee DD, FSA was an Anglican dean in the first half of the 20th century.He was educated at Exeter College, Oxford and ordained in 1877. He was a Tutor at the London College of Divinity then Principal of Bishop’s College, Ripon...
1902–1919 - Dr Henry Ellershaw 1919–1930
- Rev J. H. How 1930–1939
- Colonel Angus Alexander Macfarlane-Grieve 1939–1954
- Colonel Len Slater 1954–1973
- Dr D. W. McDowall 1973–1978
- Dr Edward Salthouse 1979–1998
- Professor Maurice TuckerMaurice TuckerMaurice Edwin Tucker is a leading British sedimentologist, specialising in the field of carbonate sedimentology, more commonly known as limestones...
1998–2011 - Professor David HeldDavid HeldDavid Held is a British political theorist active in the field of international relations. He will be chair of politics and international relations at Durham University from January 2012 and is currently Graham Wallas Professor of Political Science and co-director of the Centre for the Study of...
External links
- University College official website
- University College JCR undergraduate student organisation
- University College MCR postgraduate student organisation
- University College SCR staff organisation