Junior Members Association

Freshers Handbook 2012-13

Freshers Guide

Contents
Welcome from the JMA president................................3 Where youll live..........................................................4 Corridor reps...............................................................5 Eating at fitz................................................................6 Laundry ......................................................................8 What to bring?............................................................9 Financial....................................................................11 Academic information...............................................15 Books.........................................................................19 Computing.................................................................20 Welfare......................................................................21 Key college people....................................................24 The porters................................................................26 The JMA.....................................................................28 Glossary....................................................................31 Clubs & societies.......................................................34 College facilities........................................................41 A word from the Master.............................................44

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Freshers Guide

WELCOME FROM THE JMA PRESIDENT... Welcome to Fitz! Congratulations on achieving your place at Fitz. This guide has been put together by the JMA (Junior Members Association) to give you a bit of information about life at our college. There are 24 committee members and well be around for the whole of Freshers Week to help you settle in. Youll also have a corridor rep to answer any questions, show you where things are and make you a cup of tea when you arrive. It is impossible to really explain what Fitz is like in a booklet. What I can say is that it doesnt take very long for people to feel like they belong here. I think the collegiate system is one of the best things about studying at Cambridge, it gives you a shared identity with a group of people large enough to keep things varied and interesting but small enough for you to get to know everyone. It also makes it really easy to get involved in whatever you are interested in, whether it is sport, music, drama or something else entirely. Most importantly, I think the atmosphere at our college is really supportive. Cambridge is an amazing place to learn, but also to live. The best advice I can give is to try everything once and make the most of all the opportunities available to you. Over the next few weeks youll be contacted by your college parents (2nd and 3rd years who have adopted you as their college offspring); typically one of your parents will be studying the same subject as you so feel free to ask them any subject related or non-subject related questions - what to bring, the price of a pint in the college bar, good books to start reading anything at all. Please also feel free to drop me an email (jma.president@fitz.cam.ac.uk) if there is anything that I can help you with no question is too trivial, too ridiculous or too outrageous so dont hesitate to ask. I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer and that youre looking forward to coming to Fitz and meeting your fellow Fitzbillies (as we are collectively known). See you soon! Ellie

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Freshers Guide

WHERE YOULL LIVE First-year accommodation is found mainly in Tree Court. The Court is divided into staircases, lettered from A to P; your room number is prefixed by its staircase letter. (Rooms are referred to by letter and number, e.g. A14, and corridors by floor: top, middle or bottom, so you could end up on Top F or Middle A). First year rooms are all located near to each other, so a community feel develops pretty quickly and the rooms are allocated randomly. Most corridors are singlesex and each corridor has people taking a range of different subjects. In later years, housing is allocated by a ballot. First and third years live on the college site, but about half of the second year choose to live in one of the nearby college houses. The College can offer accommodation to all undergraduates no one has to rent privately, and no one has to share a room! You will be charged for your room for three residence periods in your first year (2 of ten weeks and 1 of nine) irrespective of whether your room is occupied. If you wish to remain in Fitz outside the normal Residency Period, apply to the Domestic Manager (you may have to switch rooms during the holiday period). Your Room Tree Court rooms are usually about 3m x 5m or so (Ok, youre trying to work out how big that is... Not huge. But first year rooms are the smallest accommodation improves as you move through the years. Theyre not as big as in some colleges, but they quickly feel like home). Almost all rooms have a sink; those that dont are cheaper. All rooms have a wardrobe (including shelves and hanging space), a desk, desk lamp, and fast Internet connection. They also come with a bed, pillow, chair(s) and a heater. E and F block have ensuite showers as well as sinks, and a larger kitchen area (with a breakfast bar) but no lockable storage to keep things in over the holidays. You have the possibility to ballot for these rooms before you arrive in the autumn.

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Freshers Guide Corridors Your corridor will have between 5 and 10 rooms on it (normally 8), one or two toilets, a bath, at least one shower and a kitchen. The kitchen has at least two hobs, a fridge, a microwave, a toaster and a kettle for communal use. Telephones The phone in your room is for calls on the internal university network and are free. Your phone number will be 4 digits. To call someone in college, just dial the 4 digit number. To call a number on the free university network (a 5 digit number) dial 8 first. Internet You will need a computer. Online time is charged at 0.33 per GB of traffic used (be careful about using things like online radio, BBC iPlayer and so on - internet charges can mount up). Misc. Overnight guests should be signed in with the porters. Folding beds can be obtained from the domestic office for a small fee. If you have any problems with your accommodation, the Domestic Manager, Joanne Smith is there to help. Her office is on bottom K. Talk to her if you want to book the college Guest Rooms, or if you have any questions about your room. Your Bedder (Cambridge term for cleaner) will empty your bin every day if you put it outside, and hoover your room once a week (if its tidy...). They wont make your bed or do your washing up. Any problems with accommodation should be taken to Sandra Welch in the Tutorial Office (L staircase). CORRIDOR REPS To make sure every student has someone to help them when they arrive and support them through the first week, there will be a designated rep for each corridor. Their role is to be around on the first day when you arrive, giving advice, carrying stuff, and generally helping you settle in.

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Freshers Guide Everyone has questions when they arrive, and the reps will be on hand to answer them all, since they've done it all before. Then as the week goes on, the reps will make sure their corridor knows exactly what's happening, informing you of all the activities taking place. Theyll be at nearly every social event, as well as hanging around in college for a chat or to answer any questions. It's a busy calendar for the first week, and the corridor reps can point you in the direction of the things best suited to your interests, and perhaps what to avoid in some cases as well. The reps will also be there to offer advice if you have any problems throughout your first week or so. It can be a tough time, and if you need someone to give you advice or point you in the direction of any other support, the reps are there to do just that. The whole system has been put together to help you, giving advice, pointing you in the right direction, and generally making sure you have an enjoyable start to life at Fitz. EATING AT FITZ If you want something to eat you basically have two options. The first is to to Fitz, is Iceland (shock, horror!) buy and cook your own food. Aldi, close a good option for those watching the pennies. and a Co-Op are also found near Aldi on Histon Road and will probably have all you need. For those with a flair for cooking theres a local minimarket Nasreen Dar, selling largely south Asian products and ingredients. Theres also a market in the town centre for fresh fruit and veg, where you can also find a very busy Sainsburys. However for cooking youll have to make do with only 2 hobs, a microwave, a kettle, a toaster and a fridge.

The second option is to use the Buttery. This is the name given to the college canteen, which is found in the Hall in the central building. Meals are self-service, you pay for what you eat, except for Formal Halls (see below). You can pay with your university card until you run up a 250 bill when you have to pay some of it off. The Buttery staff put on a spread of hot, cold, vegetarian and vegan food. Look out for the Sunday roast and the famous Fitz fry-up. The cost of meals varies depending on how much you purchase, but there is always a chefs special option, low in price at 3.02 for a main course and two veg. Anyone with special dietary needs should contact the Catering Manager (Robert Clarke, catering.manager@fitz.cam.ac.uk) who will be more than happy to help. There is also a suggestions box in the Screens for anyone who has any problems or suggestions for improvement.

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Freshers Guide Finally its probably important to note that although cooking Sainsburys Basics stuffed pasta is a great way to budget that maintenance loan of yours, the buttery (particularly within the first week or so) is a useful place to socialise and meet your college mates. By the same token, it may be a good idea to show off those recipes you learnt furiously over the summer, or picked up watching marathons of Come Dine With Me, by cooking for your corridor. The Stretton Room, which has a fully equipped kitchen and dining room, can be booked in advance to host a dinner party. The Butterys opening times 12pm - 1.30pm lunch 6pm - 7pm dinner

Also, with the Caf open from 8am-6pm most days(including for breakfast), youll never go hungry! Our caf serves sandwiches, cakes and coffees amongst other things. Formal Hall Formal Halls are a popular way to celebrate birthdays and entertain guests. Unlike Buttery food, you get your dinner served. You can bring wine if you like, but you have to get corks removed at the bar beforehand. Everyone dresses in formal wear (suit and tie needed for men) and their gown. You have to book a ticket in advance using the online billing service. You can also buy tickets for guests, who dont need to wear gowns. Bookings and cancellations are available until 2pm two days beforehand. You should request any special dietary needs by then. The Formal Hall itself starts at 7.30pm. Undergrads should be seated by that time (a gong will sound) and then stand while Fellows enter and say Grace. This may all sound a bit uptight and joyless, but you wait until the food & wine start flowing. Guests Guests are welcome to any dinner, except special college occasions. It is requested that you consult the Stewards Secretary in advance if you wish to entertain more than three guests. Superhalls Superhalls happen about twice a term. These are big themed fancy

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Freshers Guide dress affairs. The main Superhalls in the first term are generally the Freshers Superhall (therell be posters up giving you the low-down) Halloween and Fitzmas, when even the Fellows cant resist getting involved. Get planning your costume now. Remember to buy tickets early, as they sell out quickly. Superhalls are usually followed by a bar extension and a bop (see Glossary). The (lucky?) few even get to sit with the Master. Vacation Arrangements Students wishing to stay at Fitz over the vacation periods may use the Buttery as normal. Times may vary; these are on the college website. There are no Formal Halls outside residency periods. The College closes down for two weeks in August and one week at Christmas. Kitchens/fire safety Hopefully you will have all used a kitchen before. Good. Nevertheless we should remind you not to leave food cooking unattended as this is how fires are most likely to start, and no-one wants one of those. On the subject of fires, naked flames, candles, cigarettes etc. are strictly prohibited for safety reasons - there are smoke detectors in your accommodation. You will be reminded of this at your fire safety talk in freshers week. LAUNDRY The soft whirring of the dryers, the fresh smelling linen and the rattle of the washing machines, it can only be the laundry room The laundry is found at the bottom of F staircase. It contains ten washing machines, six tumble dryers, and an electric iron and board. The washers and dryers are token operated. Washing tokens and drying tokens may be purchased from the Porters Lodge (youll probably need two drying tokens to dry a load). You will need to buy your own washing powder - capsules are probably best.

When you have to resort to your fancy dress, its time to do the washing.

Here are some hints to make the whole laundry process as painless as possible for those who previously left it to mum and dad: Take a laundry basket / black bin bag, etc. to carry all the stuff there.

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Freshers Guide If you leave dry washing in a dryer for too long, someone will probably put it on top of the dryer and use it themselves. Each drying token lasts 12 minutes, so try and work out when it will finish. You can use multiple tokens in the dryer, but press START after putting each one in. Otherwise, you will be wasting your money. (This will make more sense when you get there and see the machines yourself).

Dont mix whites and colours Wool shrinks if you wash it at a hot temperature Check whether you can put something in a tumble dryer first by looking on the label. A circle in a square with a cross through it means you cant. Never put a fleece in the tumble dryer. WHAT TO BRING? So, this is probably the bit that is going to be the most useful. All those questions youve had about what to bring and what not to bring...? Heres the definitive guide. Things to Bring DIARY. Freshers week is a maelstrom of dates and information. Speaking from experience, having a diary right from the start will make your life SO much easier. Bedding. Pillowcase, sheets, duvet, whatever you need. If you like, you can hire sheets and pillowcases (20 a term), which can be exchanged for clean ones weekly. You can also hire duvets for 30 a year. Just go to the Linen Room (bottom K) on your first Saturday, or on weekdays 8.30-12 noon. Clothes Hangers. A Suit / Formal Wear for Matriculation and Formal Halls. By the way, its not true that you have to wear black and white for the matric photo, but a lot of people do.

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Freshers Guide Small First Aid Kit and any medication you may need, especially (blister) plasters and paracetamol. Music! Very important. You will need music. Sharing the same internet means you can share the same i-tunes. So if you have the whole vengaboys, 911 and b*withched back catalogues you may want an alter-ego, to hold back the crowds from your door. Also bring DVDs to watch with friends. Even if youve seen them you can always swap with someone else in return for one you havent. Bedside Lamp. You dont want to keep unplugging your desk one. A four-in-line power adapter or 2... There are only two sockets in each room, and no other kind of adapter is allowed in college. Posters and other decorations to make your room your own. There are poster sales in the first few weeks, but check out the internet if you dont want the exact same Muhammad Ali poster as half the college. Posters and decorations are key as theres nothing worse than a plain white room. Kitchen utensils: a few saucepans, cutlery, plates and bowls, sharp knife and lots of mugs, teaspoons, tea and coffee to entertain people who call round. A toastie maker (with a current PAT sticker) is always a good idea. Youll have room in the kitchen. Bicycle and helmet. If you can get one safely to Cambridge, its a good idea. Everyone wants a bike in the first few weeks here. (See Getting around.) Drivers Licence: Most places in Cambridge dont accept Cambridge Uni cards as ID - silly, we know. Some other things that you will need: Cheque book Notification of any financial awards you are receiving (Grants, Scholarships, etc.) NHS Card, to help you register with a doctor (UK students only) Passport photos for various cards National Insurance Number.

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Freshers Guide Things NOT to Bring But most peoples problem is not that theyve forgotten something but that theyve brought far too much. Everyone brings too much the first time they come to Fitz. Vacation storage space is very limited and its use is restricted to overseas students only. Most rooms, however, have a lockable storage space for use over the vacation but if you are a home student you will be Riding on your bike is a cheap and easy way to expected to take the rest of get around Cambridge. Maybe not like this though. your belongings home over the holiday periods. As first year rooms arent that big, the less stuff you can bring the easier life will be. FINANCIAL Show me the money. So, on top of studying here, and making sure you find yourself something to eat... youve also got to make sure that you can live within your means. Fortunately, because of the short terms and amount of financial aid available from the college, living and studying in Cambridge is actually cheaper than pretty much everywhere else. Your College Bill A college bill is the first thing you get when you arrive, and the last thing you get before you graduate. How romantic. It covers the following: Rent. This varies according to your accommodation. In the first year, it is between 913 and 1052 for the first two terms (ten weeks each) and proportionally less in the third, nine week term. Rents rise as rooms improve in later years. Buttery Bill. Not included in the first college bill. Students have up to 250 credit per term to spend in the buttery, which is added on to the following term's bill. Bar Bill. Allows you to put up to 25 a night on your college card (a limit not a challenge), which is good when the money dries up

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Freshers Guide as the nearest cash points are a 10 minute walk away. Use at your peril. Kitchen Fixed Charge. This is To be confirmed by Accounts per term this academic year. Minimum Meals Charge. [To be confirmed by Accounts] Students living in college can expect to be charged 80 per term on top of their kitchen fixed charge. This amount is deducted from your buttery bill at the end of term. No refund is made if you spend less, but there is an additional 10% discount if you spend more than double that amount. The MMC has been the subject of some controversy, as it punishes those who don't use the buttery often. However, it does reduce the Kitchen fixed charge, and there are ways of spending it without eating in the Buttery: Formal Hall tickets, buying your washing tokens there, using the Buttery for snacks, drinks or essentials such as milk and bread. If all else fails you can always just treat a friend to a meal. Tuition fees. Students who have a support notification from Student Finance England will be charged 9000 per annum, divided over three terms (less any contribution towards your fees from the student loan company). Self-funding students will be charged differently according to their situation. College Deposit. A one-off payment of 150 is payable on matriculation, and returned on graduation. This money is invested by the college, and the interest is added to funds for financial assistance, travel grants and prizes. Fitzwilliam Society. You will be charged a small membership fee for the alumni society (see page 43). Accident Transport Fund. A fee of ten pounds which pays for free taxis to hospital and to lectures if a student has an accident or injury. Student Insurance: If you are living in Fitzwilliam College accommodation then you will have insurance. Details of the policy were sent to you in August. For students on 29-week contracts, about 10 will be added to your College bill in Michaelmas Term.

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Freshers Guide This is extremely competitive and is on the basis that there is no provision to opt out. If you decide to take out your own insurance as well it will be as a 'top up' to the cover provided. Please note: students must pay their bill by eighth day of full term. If this will not be possible (e.g. if your loan is delayed) There are ways to minimise your college bill. you must obtain written permission from Hopefully yours will look as appetising as this. your tutor. Delayed payment without permission incurs fines, although you will get a reminder before you are charged. The exception is self-funded students, who must pay all fees, including deposit, annually in advance. The cost of living Naturally, this depends upon your lifestyle. The Bursar (who knows about these things) suggests a termly budget of 1000 to cover food, books, entertainment, etc. This doesnt include rent or Kitchen Fixed Charge, and varies according to your circumstancestudents who dont return home during the short vacations will have to adjust their budget accordingly. Those with a fondness for beer will also need to allow more money. Its almost impossible to live within the full non means-tested loan. Food is the biggest expense, and with two hotplates, a microwave, a kettle and a toaster, it is possible to cater for yourself (which can help your budget if done carefully). Alternatively, the buttery allows you credit until the following term, which spreads out your costs somewhat. You can pay off some or your entire bill in the accounts department whenever you want. Your bank account You will definitely need a bank account, to pay your loan into if nothing else. Student accounts are the best, and if youve got an ethical bone in your body the Cooperative Bank could be right up your street. If you intend to open it when you get here, ensure you have all the requisite documentation with you. If you open it at home, ensure your Bank has a branch in Cambridge. You may find that Cambridge bank managers are more sympathetic to the plight of students, making it easier to obtain overdraft facilities. An overdraft is very useful: even the best planned budget can go wrong. Theres nothing worse than going 10 over and finding out its become 300 within a week. Dont panic about using it, these student ones are

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Freshers Guide literally made for people like you. Most student accounts offer an interest-free overdraft you should check how much it is. This is so much more important than cheap cinema tickets, cash bribes or even an iPod. Annoyingly, the nearest cash machine is a 5-10 minute walk away, next to the Co-op supermarket. Again, dont panic. Most banks are quite tolerant of students because they know you will pay your debts on graduation, so are happy to let you work them up now. You can work in your holidays too, to get back up to that magic 0. By the same token that doesnt mean that once youve secured that overdraft you can go off and purchase a widescreen TV and Xbox. And no, (most) Cambridge students dont live off Daddys credit card. Were all in the same indebted boat here, so dont be afraid to talk to your Tutor, or anyone, about your financial woes. Where can I get money from? A. Student loans: in the first week, those of you receiving support from Student Finance England (almost all home students) will receive your student loan paid directly into your bank account, as long as you have given the SLC (Student Loans Company) your bank details and signed the Redit Book (see Glossary) in the porters' lodge. B. A Job: An undergraduate who registers with his/her Tutor may, with the Tutors consent, undertake paid employment during the Residence Period, up to a maximum of 6 hours per week on average. However, with 28 weeks a year in which you arent in lectures or supervisions you can work in the holidays and save up. C. Maintenance Bursary. The College and the University distribute various maintenance funds. Details of these are available online and information on some is circulated through your pigeonholes or by email. Check these out; the Cambridge Bursaries (funded primarily by the Isaac Newton Trust) are a particularly good source of cash for home students, while all undergraduates are eligible to apply for College Maintenance Bursaries. The money has to go somewhere, so dont be afraid to apply! D. College Travel Grants. In the Christmas and Easter vacations, these are given for travel directly related to a students course; in the long vacation they are given for generally educational trips. Whether its Berlin or the Sudan, as long as it has some educational merit you should get some funding for it. Again, if you

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Freshers Guide dont apply, you will not receive any moneyforms are available online. E. The Foundation Essay Prize is given for an essay on any subject, providing it was not written directly for your degree. Four prizes of up to 400 are available and the closing date is in May. Contact the Masters secretary for details. F. The Brewster Debate takes place in second term of each year and has a first prize of 100 for best speech. The debate is usually about something topical, this years being This house believes education is worth paying for. G. One sure-fire way of securing 300 is by getting a First in your exams, earning yourself a scholarship and a prize! H. If things get desperate, contact your Tutor. The College wont let it get to a stage where you cannot afford food. Even if the bursary fund deadlines have passed, if your situation is desperate the college will ensure that you can continue to live, as long as your reasons for financial difficulty are valid. ACADEMIC INFORMATION The JMA Academic Affairs Officer is Kellie Tan (jma.academic.affairs@fitz.cam.ac.uk). Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions, no matter how insignificant they may seem. Lets face it: if all youd wanted from university was three years of nonstop partying you probably wouldnt be coming to Cambridge. Sure, we like to relax and let loose, yet the other side of the coin is that we work pretty damn hard as well. But were all in the same boat, and come hell or high water, despite the panics, we all seem to emerge relatively unscathed at the end of each academic year.

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You may be able to get a bit of extra tuition from Alumni. A Cambridge education isnt cool? Think again!

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Freshers Guide Anyway, hopefully the next section will give you an introduction to what studying at Fitz is actually like, how it will work, and the key people you need to get to know. Cambridge is the best Uni in Europe for a reason, and you will work harder here than you ever have before. The workload can be quite daunting, but with some good time management and a little bit of discipline, it shouldnt overwhelm you. Try not to be nervous about your work, but give it the respect it deserves and be prepared to do some hard studying right from the off. Lectures. We all have them, though their number and structure differ enormously between subjects. Arts subjects tend to have fewer lectures than the science subjects, and though many lectures arent compulsory, its a good idea to go to them. They are a core part of your course and support your supervision material. Revising from lecture notes is also a good tactic come exam term and can be (for certain subjects) representative of what will be in the exam. Supervisions: a supervision is a small group teaching session, usually consisting of two or three students and a supervisor. A supervision isnt intended to be another lecture, rather a two-way process: its good to contribute and let your thoughts be known. They are where work is set, discussed and returned to you. Seminars: these are generally more common later in your university career and resemble supervisions but with larger groups. They are more structured and so usually require a greater amount of preparation. Practicals: these are only really found in science subjects. They are somewhat similar to A2 practicals, but more difficult and with more people in them. In some subjects, write-ups are graded towards your final result. . Field trips: enjoy yourself... remember to do some work... What you can expect from supervisions: A full hour of teaching. A manageable-sized group, allowing you to participate fully, usually a maximum of four.

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Freshers Guide Guidance on how best to prepare for supervisions. To be set a reasonable amount of relevant work, and to receive constructive feedback. Your work to be marked before the supervision. Discussion of your questions and problems. Respect for your own opinions, and questions to be dealt with thoroughly and effectively. A clear idea of how many supervisions you are going to have, and what they will cover. An understanding of whether extra supervisions will be possible if necessary. An environment in which dialogue is encouraged between you and your supervisor about the quality, relevance or structure of the supervisions. What is expected of you: Turn up on time. Do your best to complete the work set and cover any necessary preparatory reading. Hand in your work on time. Contact your supervisor in plenty of time if for any reason you are unable to make the supervision or complete the work set. Many of your supervisors will have passed through the Oxbridge system themselves and will be sensitive to the difficulties you may experience. However if you are absent and fail to let your supervisor know you may be personally charged for the appointment. By the same token you have the right to expect a full hour from your supervisor (unless they have explicitly indicated otherwise). Make an active contribution.

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Freshers Guide Your Director of Studies Your Director of Studies (DoS) will play a big role in your time at Fitz. Basically, your DoS organizes the work for your degree through arranging your supervisions and will often teach you directly. If you have any academic complaints or problems, you should talk to your DoS. He or she will usually be a Fellow of the College involved in teaching and researching the subject you are studying. Your DoS will: Meet with you, probably at the beginning and end of every term, to discuss how you are doing. There will be a meeting in the first week to discuss the course objectives, the teaching youll receive, the amount of work and any questions or problems you may have. Be available at least once a week to discuss any queries you may have. Provide information if you are considering changing subject. Ensure that each student is entered for the correct examinations. Tell you about course changes or lecture updates. Respond constructively to any concerns you may have about the quality or quantity of your supervisions. Essays These are a lot different from A2 level. They vary according to subject, but you are expected to have done a lot of background reading, to be able to analyse material, express your opinions, and to present it in an organised manner. You cant get away with just wafflinglonger isnt always better. Remember, a well written essay can be all you need for revision, but also recognise that supervision answers and exam answers are not the same thing; an exam answer is written in a much shorter time and is thus shorter, though hopefully still detailed and focused. Exams All students will have exams in the third term of your first year. Many will have preliminary exams in January, though this varies by subject. But dont worry about these yet. Youll have plenty of time to do that when you arrive. The most important thing to say is that the work/play balance is key in your academic success and enjoyment, and the sooner you arrive at the optimal balance, the better for you and your DoS!

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Freshers Guide BOOKS One of the advantages of the collegiate system is that youll have three libraries to choose from. Fitz Library. This contains over 27,000 volumes and is open 24 Hours, 7 Days a week. Most importantly our new library building is one of the fanciest in Cambridge and has four floors, lifts, computer rooms, internet access for your laptops, water coolers and a view from the top thatll actually give you a valid reason to stare out the window and do no work. It may sound a bit geeky now but once you get into the work youll end up appreciating the new building like we all do (plus you were all lucky enough not to see what the old one looked like). Books are borrowed on your uni card. Fines are added to your college bill. The book collection is still growing and you can order books online. Department Library. These are situated all around Cambridge, many on the Sidgwick Site. They should provide a wider range of books suited to your specific educational needs. You can take books out from other departments libraries too, though you might need a recommendation from a supervisor. University Library. If you just cant find what you are looking for, try the UL and you will. I guarantee it will have it, because it is one of six copyright libraries in the country and so is entitled to a copy of every book published in Britain. If you dont fancy staying there to work, you have the option of taking out up to 5 books at a time. Its definitely imposinga massive Stalinist brick-monster that they used as the Ministry of Love in the film of 1984. Its not especially difficult to find your way around, but it is enormous, so guided tours operate in the first few weeks. But seriously dont be scared of it! Most first years only ever venture there Easter term, which is a real shame as it can offer a really good opportunity to

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Freshers Guide escape from the distractions of your college or department. You will need your University Card to get in. COMPUTING Computers and the Internet form a vital part of today's world, and Fitzwilliam College is no exception. All students living in College or College-owned accommodation have the option of connecting their own computers to our network via an Ethernet cable (given out free at the porters lodge), which provides very fast access to the internet. The benefits are obvious: you can work in comfort and privacy, yet still have the University and College facilities at your disposal. As you have a permanent connection, you can receive emails the instant they arrive and always have a world of information at your fingertips. The College also has a computer room for undergraduates, which is situated in the basement of the new library. Access is gained with your uni card and the computer room is open for 24 hours a day. This room has 10 PCs and 3 Macs. There are also 3 photocopiers (which double up as printers & scanners) which can print on A4 & A3, in colour and double-sided. The PCs are managed as a part of the University's Managed Cluster Service (MCS) maintained by University Computing Service Desktop Services, which means that they should work the same way as other MCS computers throughout the University. The Desktop Services provide a central file space (DS-Filestore), which is directly linked to your MCS account, so you can get to your files wherever you are in the University. To use any MCS facilities you use your MCS credentials. Email is the normal way to communicate. The University's e-mail system is called Hermes, and you will be issued with a Hermes account and email address. The College, course organisers and supervisors frequently use email, so it is essential to check yours very regularly; not having checked your email isnt a valid excuse in Cambridge. If you are considering bringing a computer to Cambridge with you, the following information may be useful. You can connect any kind of computer you wish to the network, provided that you have a suitable wired Ethernet adapter. We do however suggest a modern PC running Windows XP, Vista or 7 for minimum fuss and maximum availability of assistance, though Macs are fine too. There is a charge of 0.33 per Gigabyte of traffic transferred to & from the Internet, excluding traffic within the Cambridge University network (any website within the *.cam.ac.uk domain)

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Freshers Guide The use of the network is subject to the Universitys rules, which prohibit the use of the network for any illegal activity. This means, among other things, the unauthorised downloading of copyright protected material e.g. Films, TV programmes and music. The College acts decisively on complaints received about this activity and it could result in disconnection and possible disciplinary action. The JMA Website Officer is James MacAulay(jma.website@fitz.cam.ac.uk). If you have anything that you want advertising or questions about the current website, get in touch. WELFARE Cambridge can be an place. You feel there are so many organising supervisions and books and making friends. there are also many people to help, guide and support overwhelming things to sort out: lectures, buying However, at Cambridge you.

The JMA Welfare The JMA Welfare Officers are Grace Carroll and Adam Thelwall. Their job is to be there for you with friendly advice and support for almost anything! They are happy to chat about whatever youd like, from buying a bike to contraception advice, over a pot of tea. They are wellacquainted with the avenues of support within the university, so if there is nothing they can do for you they are there to point you in the right direction towards people or organisations that can help. At Cambridge there is a broad support network, including tutors, director of studies, the University Counselling Service, CUSU (Cambridge University Students Union) student support, college nurses and your college welfare officers. The welfare officers can support you in every part of college life and are ready to listen to any problems you may be experiencing. In addition, it's important to remember that there should be no stigma attached to being unhappy, depressed, or simply just not enjoying your Freshers' week. Freshers' week is not always for everyone and you may quite easily find you enjoy the rest of the first term much more. If you have any niggling problems before you arrive in Cambridge, or even when you first arrive, either welfare officer can be contacted by email at jma.welfare@fitz.cam.ac.uk. They also plan on having a welfare phone which you can call or text confidentially in Freshers week this number will be posted on the college website and around college at the

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Freshers Guide beginning of term. Please do not hesitate to contact them with any problems to do with your first few weeks in Cambridge. There will be drop in sessions for any teething problems and then they can be contacted throughout the year. JMA Womens Officers Though the college has been mixed for 30 years now, 600 years of an exclusively male University has left a gender deficit that has yet to be fully rectified. The JMA therefore has a Women's Mariel Richards the women's officers are available to all genders to discuss anything relating to women or gender in Cambridge - contactable at jma.womens@fitz.cam.ac.uk. JMA LBGT Officer Another aspect of Fitzs welfare support is our LBGT Officer (Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Trans) Gavin Stephenson. He provides support and information for Fitz's LBGT students, as well as organising events with nearby "Hill Colleges". Feel free to get in touch with Gavin at lgbt@cam.ac.uk with any problems or questions, and hell be around in Freshers Week. In addition, CUSU LGBT run a LGBT Parenting Scheme for Freshers, which is a fantastic way to make new friends and meet people who can answer any questions you might have about LGBT (and indeed non-LGBT) things in Cambridge. Visit www.lgbt.cusu.cam.ac.uk/freshers to find out more and sign up if youre interested. Working alongside the JMA Welfare Committee, a number of students at the College are Peer Supporters, trained by the University Counselling Service to discuss your options in any situation confidentially and nonjudgementally. Contact them at peersupport@fitz.cam.ac.uk or via http://fitzpeersupport.wordpress.com/ Your Tutor Your Tutor is a Fellow who will usually remain with you for your Cambridge career. His or her academic subject is deliberately not your own so that you can raise any problem about your course or supervisors without treading on the toes of your Tutors immediate colleagues. Any matter, whether trivial or traumatic, academic, social, financial, medical or to do with your home life can be brought to your Tutors attention. Although you can expect your tutor to deal sensitively with any issue, you are perfectly welcome to contact another tutor if you would prefer to discuss a particular matter with them. Other jobs of your Tutor: Advising on academic issues, work/life balance etc.

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Freshers Guide Advising on personal matters, if you wish Advising on matters, such as cars, travel grants, funds, exams and Statutes Advising on financial problems Acting as a referee in job applications, whether permanent or temporary Representing your interests if you get into trouble with the College, University, or Police Supporting you should you be taken ill Discussing the possibility of changing subjects, and initiating such a change. Meeting your Tutor at the beginning and end of every term (including your first term of first year) is compulsory, even if you have nothing specific to discuss. This is so your Tutor can keep up to date on your situation. What to do if you experience academic problems: Talk to other students, to see if they are having similar difficulties. Compare notes with supervision partners, etc. Talk to your supervisor as early as possible after the problem becomes apparent. If you cannot talk to your supervisor, or get no response, speak to your Director of Studies. If you cannot speak to your DoS, speak to your Tutor or the Senior Tutor, or to the Departmental Course Organizer (depending on your subject). Dont delaythe problem could get worse. Be sure to document your problems in the termly supervisions questionnaire.

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Freshers Guide What to do if you experience other problems: Speak to your friends and family. They will know you best, and may well be able to help you. A weekend trip home can be great to gain some perspective on things: just getting out of Cambridge may help. Of course, there is the possibility that they may be part of the problem. Speak to your Tutor. They will be able to advise you on personal or administrative matters, as well as academic. Dr Chirico, the Senior Tutor, is available to speak to all students. The University-wide support services: Linkline is a student-run active listening organisation, open from 7pm to 8am during term time. The telephone number is 01223 367 575. The University Counselling Service employs professional trained counsellors (male and female) and is available to talk about any problems: emotional, sexual, social or psychological. You can contact them direct at 2-3 Benet Place, Lensfield Road, 01223 332865, through their website: http://www.counselling.cam.ac.uk/, or via your Tutor. If you feel desperate, you will be seen quickly. Both these services are free and confidential. The Peer Support team are on hand to discuss any issues: http://fitzpeersupport.wordpress.com/ The college nurse Mary Cavender-Attwood is based at our neighbouring college Murray Edwards and is on hand if you want any medical advice. Specialist advice and support is also available on a wide range of issues (addiction, sexual assault etc.): http://www.counselling.cam.ac.uk/other.html KEY COLLEGE PEOPLE To maintain a college as great as ours obviously requires a hell of a lot of people. Introducing all of them here would be tedious in the extreme. But its definitely worth familiarising yourself with the following people. Prof. Robert Lethbridge, The Master The Master is in charge of the College. He chairs the major committees, which determine College policies. Youll probably see him first as the man reading the Grace in Latin before your Matriculation Dinner, but you will have other opportunities to meet him. He is also Provost of the

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Freshers Guide Gates Cambridge Trust and an expert in nineteenth century French literature. Dr Paul Chirico, The Senior Tutor The Senior Tutor looks after the day to day running of Fitz. He deals with academic, tutorial, social and medical problems. He organizes the teaching and Tutorial systems (see Academic Information and Welfare), so if you have any problems your Director of Studies or Tutor cant help you with, go to Dr Chirico - hes very approachable. Youll meet him at the welcome address in Freshers Week. He teaches eighteenth and nineteenth century English literature and is the DoS for English. Dr Sean Holly, The Dean The Dean deals with all disciplinary matters. Its a good idea to keep on the right side of him by not breaking the College Regulations (in other words, doing something really stupid). If you get Deaned (summoned to a formal meeting), you could be looking at a fine, community service or even a bar ban (the colleges version of an ASBO). Thankfully, this doesnt happen very often. The Dean will introduce himself in Freshers Week and then say, I never want to see you again. And you probably wont see him again. Apart from... you know, in Sainsburys or something. Just keep calm and dont show any signs of guilt: hes exCIA. Not really. Or is he? He is also Director of Research at the Faculty of Economics. Professor Michael Potter will be Acting Dean for Michaelmas Term. Claire Claydon, Head of Tutorial Office You can find Claire Claydon in the College Office on Middle L. She knows everything there is to know about the college, and can help with any queries you have. She basically single-handedly runs the place and is quite possibly The Nicest Woman in Fitz. Jo Measham & Sandra Welch, Accounts and Accommodation Jo is in charge of Accounts. You can find her in the Accounts Office (V staircase). You will need to go and see her to pay your college bill. Sandra (L staircase) is in charge of allocating accommodation. If youve been given the key to a cleaning cupboard, she will be able to help. Unless thats your room. Revd Dr John Munns, The College Chaplain John is here to offer help and support to all members of the College. He is happy to see people for any reason (not just religious matters), and is someone you can talk to in confidence about anything. The Chapel is a beautiful space that can be used by any member of College. Services are on Sundays, with Holy Communion at 9.30am and Evensong with Choir and Preacher at 6pm. The termly chapel card has more details.

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Freshers Guide John Eisold and Co., The Porters Youll probably have more dealings with the porters than any of the other college staff. They are the first people to go to if you have locked yourself out of your room, blown your lightbulb, or cant find the laundry room (by F staircase, just so you know...). The porters will make your life really easy if you make friends with them early ontheyre like your surrogate mum and dad and sort you out in a crisis! Mary Cavender-Attwood, The College Nurse A cheerful soul for your times of need, based in our neighbouring College, Murray Edwards. Students are normally expected to register with a Cambridge GP and give their details to the Nurse within their first week. This is important even if you are already registered with an NHS doctor at home. The Huntingdon Road Practice is right next to Fitz, so you can just pop in there or register at their session in College. Further details

I think one of these is the Domestic Bursar

THE PORTERS The Porters know just about everything to do with college, so dont be afraid to ask them questions no matter how stupid you may think they are (thats the questions, not the porters). It would be impossible to list all the Porters functions here. They are responsible for the general welfare and safety of College Members, and are on call 24 hours a day. Security. The Huntingdon Road entrance is always locked. Storeys Way entrance is locked

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Freshers Guide at 9pm. When locked you can gain access using your uni card, so ensure you carry it with you at all times. Keys. Come to the porter if you have locked yourself out, or if you need a key for a particular room, for example a music practice room. Communication. Taking messages from tutors, supervisors, parents and sports captains. Also, they sort mail into student pigeonholes. Selling everything from stamps, laundry tokens, to college merchandise. Looking after Redit and Exeat books (see glossary) Answering your questions. In other words, they do everything except take your final exams for you or carry your bags (though there are a few luggage trolleys to hire for a refundable 5). The Lodge has a post-box, with collections Mon-Fri 5pm, Sat 12pm. It also has a payphone, a Freephone to Panther Taxis, and a time machine. Only joking.

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THE JMA The JMA provides a voice for the student body and a link between you and the people in charge. It organizes many aspects of undergraduate life, tries to make Fitz as caring as possible, and occasionally attempts to entertain you. What is the JMA? Every college in Cambridge has some form of Student Representative Body, whether it is called a Student Union, JCR Committee or, as we have at Fitz, a Junior Members Association (JMA). The system is slightly complicated, but there are basically three groups: The JMA The JCRC (Junior Combination Room Committee) The MCR (Middle Combination Room) Dont be scared by these names. The JMA is officially 4 posts: President, Vice President, Treasurer and Entz Officer. The JCRC is a load of other posts, like Access Officer, Social Steward and Womens Officer, etc. The JMA and JCRC meet together once a week and everyone just calls them the JMA...or the JM A Team. The MCR deals with the graduate students at Fitz, so do not worry about these guys...yet. The JMA is elected annually in late November, and serve until a year later. This means that most students can stand in their first or second year, or both. How do I know what its doing? If you want the JMA to raise or discuss anything, email, speak or write to JMA President Ellie Davies (or a JMA member who you think may be able to help with your specific issue), or come to one of the JMA Open Meetings. The JMA can only exist with input from you. Its your way of expressing your view on events both inside and outside college. Things get done in college all the time simply because someone gets involved. Its all about getting your KEEN on. How to know whats going on: A summary of every meeting is put up on the screens (the notice boards in the central building).

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Freshers Guide The Communications Officers send out a weekly Billy Bulletin email, which is also available online. There is a termly satirical college magazine called FITZBITZ. Where you will probably find out a lot about your friends that you dont knowjust try and stay out of it. Fancy Being a Member of the JMA?... Elections to the JMA take place at the end of Michaelmas term each year. This means that at the end of your first term you can stand for a position. Its a great chance to change and influence the way college works. To be on the JMA all you have to do is get two people to nominate you. Make a poster. And then take part in Hustings. This is where all the candidates make a speech about why they should be elected. And then everyone else gets to ask them a few questions. Sounds a bit daunting, but its usually a great night with a lot of junior members attending and candidates given a chance to air their views. Voting then takes place over the following two days. Go on give it a go. Its as simple as that; all you need to do keen! is... get

Target & Access Fitz Target and Access scheme reflects its proud history of accepting individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds. It aims to break down the social, psychological and financial barriers that stop extremely capable kids from applying to Oxbridge. This is done by building links with schools and teachers and providing as much information as we can about the university experience. Fundamentally, we want to encourage and inspire kids to think about their options! Every year we have over a dozen schools that need touring around the college and the city, prospective students who need shadowing for a few days, and especially people willing to go back into their old school's to encourage others to apply. All of this is run by the elected Target and

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Freshers Guide Access officers but it requires A LOT of help from the student body. Anyone can help out: you dont need to come from a State school or be on the JMA! If youre interested in Access and fancy helping out in any way the Access Officers, Dan and Kerry(jma.target@fitz.cam.ac.uk) would be more than happy to hear from you. Green Fitzwilliam is a really environmentally friendly college! Everyone from the Fellows to the students are involved in making college life sustainable and less wasteful. Every year the college gets fully involved with Green Week and Fairtrade Fortnight. This year we had a great selection of events from Fairtrade Wine Tasting to Fashion Steps Forward (an ethnical fashion show joint with the Hill Colleges). Recycling is also an important part of life at Fitz. We have recycling bins in each kitchen which need to be emptied regularly into the big bins outside C and P block. Here are our top 5 green tips for term: Make your money last longer: vegetables are always cheaper than meat Shut the windows if the heatings on, especially in winter (the frames are draughty enough as it is). Save energy to make future rents lower! Keep your belongings out of the way of the heater; itll help your room get warmer quicker Turn off your lights before you go out Use recycling boxes clear plastic, milk bottles, glass and cans in there; just make sure you wash it out because no-one wants their kitchen to smell of stale beer and rotting food

Email Amber Morley JMA Green jma.green@fitz.cam.ac.uk if you want to find out anything, or have an idea to make Fitz even greener.

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GLOSSARY At Fitz we like to use lots and lots of silly words that no-one else but Cambridge students will understand. This probably made us feel special once but now can be a tad embarrassing. Anyway its useful to know them as they will come up regularly. Bedder: Archaic term for your cleaner. He/she will vacuum your room and empty your bins. They will not make your bed or do your dishes. Billy: Small boy or goat, who is the personification of College Spirit. For example, our sports teams often play for Billy Pride. Also a common way of referring to Fitz in general. Blue: Someone who has represented Cambridge against Oxford at certain sports. Refers to the person and to the award itself: you are a Blue if you have a Blue. They get to wear a, er, nice shade of pale blue. Boatie: Rower Bubble, the: Cambridge in term time; lack of knowledge of affairs outside of Cambridge or even the buttery. Youll see. Bumps: A race that boatie people do at various times of the year the aim being to bump into the boat in front. And break it. Great fun to watch in Fen Ditton (village just outside Cambridge). Buttery: Canteen Come up / Go down: <insert innuendo here> To arrive at Cambridge and to leave it, respectively. CompSci: Pronounced Comp-Skee. Someone who studies Computer Science. Cuppers: intercollegiate sports tournament CUSU: Cambridge University Student Union Desmond: Another way of saying Lower Second Class Honours (Desmond Tutu = 2:2)

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Freshers Guide Domestic Bursar: the person in charge of college facilities. Used to be called the manciple, whatever that meant. Entz and Bops: Bad, bad names for college entertainments. Bops are free discos, with a DJ and a bar extension. Entz are larger events, with several rooms, bars and distractions. Check out Clares, Kings and Queens (and Fitzs, obv.) Oh and Churchills if you like outrageously bad school discos. Fellow: The senior members of the college, engaged in research and/or teaching. Formal Hall: A dinner where you wear a suit and gown, bring your own bottle. Superhall: bigger, fancy dress version of formal hall where most of the college turn up. Gyp Room: Kitchen. Stick with kitchen for your sake. High Table: A raised table in the dining hall where the Fellows usually sit. Matriculation: What you do when you get here, on the first day of full term. Wear your gown and sign a book. Basically like signing your Giro but quite a lot posher. Mature Students: Students who have been away from full-time education for 3 years or more. Not always mature. May Week: In June, and lasting ten days, May Week involves lots of May Balls, Garden parties and general outrageous behaviour. Michaelmas: The Cambridge name for the first term, followed by Lent and Easter. Natsci: (Not Natzi, nat-skee) Saying natural scientist is a bit tiresome after a while. Dont, however, use this term outside of the bridge. In fact, best not to use any stupid Cambridge words when not in the bubble (see bubble, the) or sometimes when in the bubble. Natscis can be bio or phys (biological or physical). Pigs: pigeon-holes: a row of boxes in the Porters Lodge where all your mail and messages are put. Check yours often!

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Freshers Guide Porters: All-knowing, all-seeing people who live in the plodge. Plodge: Porters lodge. South porters lodge: splodge. Ya see what we did there? Redit / Exeat: The books you MUST sign on coming up and going down. Screens: The notice boards outside the Buttery. Squash: A meeting of a society in the first few weeks of term, where current members persuade freshers to sign up for the club. Suicide Sunday: The first day of May Week. (greatest of your life). Tab: Refers to someone from Cambridge, short for Cantabrigian. Also the name of the online student newspaper. Varsity: student newspaper, as is The Cambridge Student. (N.B: both make sturdy wrapping paper if too poor to buy real thing). Also a match between Cambridge and Oxford. Rah and so on, Im sure.

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CLUBS & SOCIETIES College life isnt all about work though. Oh no, that would make <insert name here> a very dull boy/girl <delete as applicable> indeed. Being at Fitz is also about participating in the rich social activities it has to offer. Whether youre sports-mad, fancy your chances at foxing Paxman on University Challenge (your parents would be so proud), or just want to chill out with some like-minded people, Fitz has it all. And if it doesnt, well just start a new society. UNIVERSITY Clubs and Societies All university-wide clubs and societies are organized by CUSU. They publish a list of all clubs and organise the Freshers Fair at Kelsey Kerridge Sports Centre. This is quite a long way from Fitz, but is definitely worth the visit. Ideally, you would go to the Freshers Fair, see what clubs are on offer, and only sign up for what you are sure you will have time for. But what usually happens is you spray your new email address around to everyone in sight, stuff your pockets with as many freebies as you possibly can... and then spend 3 years getting annoying emails about Korfball from someone called Crispin. However, try and go to as many squashes (see glossary) as possible, as they will usually have free food and wine. And it will give you a better chance of finding a club you want to stick with. Early in the year, trials will take place to join a University Sports team. If you represent Cambridge against Oxford in a major sport, you get a Blue (see glossary). Other sports award Half Blues. If youre interested in a trial, then ask the Fitz Club for more details. Most blues teams have second teams and/or under-21s, so you may well get to represent the university. COLLEGE Clubs and Societies All college clubs and societies are free to join, being funded by the JMA. The easiest way to get involved is to go to the Fitzwilliam Freshers Fair,

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Freshers Guide which takes place in the Hall during Freshers Week. Alternatively, keep an eye on the screens (notice boards). If the club or team youre after isnt listed below, I may have forgotten itor it may not exist. Contact the JMA Treasurer and set up the club yourself. Fitzwilliam is well represented in most sports. The clubs also attract many people who want to release the tension of their academic work. The larger clubs run more than one team, so whatever your standard you will be able to play for college at your preferred sport. Theres a pretty long list of societies below. But unless you are some sort of sporting great or really well rounded, only a couple will probably be of interest to you, so find them and read on... Badminton Fitz has its very own badminton court and a friendly club running weekly practices. All standards of players are welcome, and you can come along as often as you wish. Each year, Fitz enters both Mens and Ladies doubles teams into the intercollegiate leagues, as well as entering Cuppers. Basketball The basketball team is open to men and women of all standards. We play weekly matches at Kelsey Kerridge Sports Centre, and are hoping to build on good performances in both the League and Cup in recent years, so with a good intake of Freshers we can keep our eyes set on victory. Boat Club Cambridge has a big river running through the middle of it, and consequently rowing is a very popular sport. Fitz Boat Club aims to put out three mens and three womens novice crews. Each boat contains eight people plus a cox (who steers), and is coached by senior members of the club. Your crew will train together and enter races throughout the year, as well as attending socials with the other crews you crash into on the river. It is a great way to meet people, and, if that isnt enough persuasion, there are the infamous Boat Club Dinners to look forward to.

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Freshers Guide Cricket The Cricket Club plays fixtures throughout the Easter term, scheduled around exams. They can make an excellent break from workthe team has a great spirit. As there is no inter-collegiate cricket league the club plays a range of friendly fixtures against other colleges, local and touring teams. The standard of the team and the opposition varies, so everyone has a chance to shine. Nets take place at the start of Lent term and will be rigorously observed for the slightest hint of hand-eye co-ordination. Darts Fitz offers both social and competitive darts, boasting recently refurbished darts facilities and players from a broad spectrumup to Blues standard. There are matches in 2nd term and Cuppers in 3rd term and recently our team won the intercollegiate league. Mens Football The Football Club is the largest of Fitzs sports clubs. It is one of the best in the University, with an excellent Cuppers record. Fitzs 2nd also continues to perform strongly, demonstrating the traditional depth and strength of Fitz football. The 3rd team is for those who dont want to have to run quite so hard but still have a regular game. Womens Football Football is the largest womens sport in Fitz and the majority start as complete beginners. Its a great mix of relaxed joviality and a good dose of healthy competitiveness. The teams have weekly league or friendly matches and training. Mens Hockey The hockey club has had a mixed couple of years but now is back on track. They play once or twice a week on AstroTurf and grass. The standard varies from pretty good to complete beginners. If youre a seasoned pro or someone who just fancies playing in a relaxed, friendly team, then turn-up and enjoy. Womens Hockey The hockey club caters for the full range of talents and levels of commitment. They play matches most Sundays, and hold relaxed practices for anyone who can make them. Matches are arranged on the nearby university Astroturf. The club teams up with the men to play mixed friendlies and Cuppers matches Netball Fitz Netball Club is building on an impressive league and Cuppers record. The season runs from October to March, with one mixed and one ladies match each

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Freshers Guide weekend. You dont need to have played beforeeveryone is welcome. Mixed netball is increasing in popularity all the time, and netball is most definitely not just for girls in Cambridge. Pool Pool, among other things, gives you an unparalleled opportunity to explore other colleges bars. We have three teams of varying standards. Come and give it a go. Mens Rugby Union At Fitz the mens rugby team is very friendly and relaxed. Players of any level, from complete beginners to accomplished players, are all welcome to join in. The team trains on Saturday afternoons and plays on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The rugby club is a great way to relax during term and also has an excellent social life. To get involved in rugby all you need to do is come to the Fitz freshers fair and sign up. They also go on tour, last year to Dublin, where there was loads of positive bants. Squash Fitzwilliam boasts three squash courts on site, which are available for all to use. There is an informal squash ladder - a system for organizing friendly games between squash players at Fitz. All standards are welcome. In addition, we put out both Mens and Ladies teams for the intercollegiate leagues and for Cuppers. Matches are arranged for times mutually convenient for the players involved (usually about one per week). Table Tennis Fitz is one of the best colleges for table tennis. Its three teams consistently perform well in the intercollegiate leagues. The standard of play is high, but the team is always on the lookout to involve more players Tennis The 3rd term sees both the Mens and Ladies teams playing league and Cuppers matches. All matches are played on grass courts, which is a bonus as the chance is normally rare make the most of it! Oxford Road has three grass courts in the summer term for everyone in college to use. Fitz tennis is friendly and of a reasonable standard, but the emphasis is more on giving everyone who wants a game the chance to do their bit for college.

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Freshers Guide Academic Societies Most subjects organise social events at both a University and College level. Your Director of Studies or the older students will inform you of events in Fitz. Subject-specific talks are also often arranged by College and University societies. Obviously, speakers wont refer specifically to your individual papers, but they do give valuable context to the subject. University societies and departments also put on talks, and if youre really keen you can go to talks outside your own subject. University societies may ask for a membership fee and promise you some stash (branded clothing). Christian Union The Fitz Christian Union is part of the Cambridge Inter- Collegiate Christian Union (CICCU), who co-ordinate all college Christian Unions in Cambridge and lay on central events. They hold weekly Bible Studies, Prayer and Praise meetings. Fitz Theatre Fitz Theatre is a flourishing dramatic society which runs two productions a year: a musical at the end of 2nd term (in association with the Music society) and a play on the Grove Lawn in May Week, and with the auditorium has probably the best college theatre in Cambridge at its disposal. Productions are entirely student-run, so if you are interested in any aspect of the theatre, get involved. PS we also do a Christmas Panto oh yes we do! LesBiGayTrans First year rooms are notoriously small, with limited storage space, so there is no room for you in your closet as well. The Cambridge scene is very busy, but theres no need to limit yourself here. Cambridge really is as relaxed and tolerant as you hoped it would be. Music Fitz has an active music society that encourages all kinds of music in College and beyond. They organise weekly concerts in the Chapel on Sunday nights, featuring both student and professional musicians. They also host a May Week Garden Party. There are also performances in the bar by student bands. The society has a number of musical groups affiliated to it. The Fitz Swing Band is the most sought after Jazz Band in the university. Based in Fitz, it recruits from all over the university. The Barbershop and Sirens are male and female a capella groups who sing fun and cheesy versions of popular songs, and regularly in College and at other events. The Fitzwilliam Quartet is a world-renowned string quartet, founded at Fitz, and which returns once a term. These provide a great opportunity to learn from truly world-class musicians. The college choir is a non-auditioning group, which performs in the chapel services weekly, and in concerts throughout the year. It welcomes anyone

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Freshers Guide interested in singing. Alternatively, the college has excellent facilities for practice, whether solo or part of a group. College musicians also regularly join with performers from nearby Murray Edwards, Churchill, Magdalene and Girton in intercollegiate groups such as Orchestra on the Hill, Fitzwilliam Chamber Opera and Ensemble CB3. Photography Downstairs in the Central building you can find one of the best college Dark Rooms in Cambridge. Sign up with the Fitz Photographic Society.

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RAG Fancy pub crawling in your pyjamas? Bungee jumping? Fire walking? Blagging your way to Hawaii? Parachuting, punt racing or just getting drunk at the cocktail party (not to mention the university-wide Valentines Blind Date...)? And its all for charity, you say? All these events and more are on offer. Watch the RAG board in the screens for more details, talk to the reps at the Freshers Fair. Become a rep yourself and feel that nice glowy feeling of doing something good. Aaw. Amnesty International There is an active Amnesty International Society at Fitz which regularly organises petitions and events in aid of the charity. Email Rosie Brown (rcb51@cam.ac.uk) or Tom Phillips (tp314@cam.ac.uk) for more information. Other bits of fun at Fitz Fitz Sessions A fantastic night of live music and performances in the bar. A few times a term, everybody goes to the bar to watch Fitzs musical talent (and a few acts brought in from around Cambridge). Barbershop, acoustic, Indie-pop bands, poetry, comedy all welcome to perform on a night not to missed (even if only for the drinks deals). Just search for Fitz Sessions on Facebook to check it out. Fitz Quiz For 1 entry a few times a term in the college bar, you stand a chance to win big cash prizes, usually around 100, in a popular Quiz. The contest is done in teams so get scouting early for the kind of person who knows who the first person to save a penalty in the FA cup final was.

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COLLEGE FACILITIES The Caf-Bar The Caf-Bar is a great space both to relax and work. In the day it is a caf, with wireless internet which people either choose to spend their day working in, or as a place to just grab a coffee (sandwich, cake, smoothie, all of the above) whilst having a gossip with your mates. In the night however, youll be relieved to know that its functioning as a workspace comes to a halt at 7p.m. when the bar opens its shutters and people flock in for a well-earned pint (coke, gin and tonic, all of the above).

DAY & NIGHT Social Space We have two common rooms in the Central Buildings, the Walter Grave and the DeSmith room. The first is a comfy space to chill out with beanbags and soft chairs, as well as a pool table, quiz and vending machines for those of you who have money to burn. The second is the TV room, where you can always find somebody to watch the footy with, if you get in before the sports fans, anything else that SKY has to offer. We also have a Nintendo Wii for anyone to pick up and embarrass themselves with. For a bit more peace and quiet, theres the Fitzwilliam Society Common Room on O staircase, above the archway from Fellows Court to New Court, and is open to all. In there is another TV as well as comfy chairs. Finally theres the Stretton Room, which is ideal if you fancy yourself as a bit of a dinner party host or hostess (it has a table, sofas and a kitchen adjacent). But the room does have to be booked out in advance if you wish to use it.

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Freshers Guide Music The Music Room and Practice Room complex is in the Auditorium building. If you wish to use these rooms you should sign out the keys from the Porters lodge on the Storeys Way side. The Music Rooms contains a Bosendorfer grand piano and a number of other pianos, a harpsichord and the college tympani. It also has two guitar amplifiers, a bass amplifier and a drum kit. The Chapel has an organ, built by Peter Collins, a Steinway grand piano and a Godel harpsichord. We normally request that users of these instruments have obtained Grade 8 in performance. The musical director, Mr F. Knights, should contact you by email regarding musical instrument use. Photographic Darkroom Downstairs in the Central building you can find one of the best college Dark Rooms in Cambridge. Sign up with the Fitz Photographic Society at the Freshers Fair if you wish to use it. Party Rooms The Gaskoin, DeSmith, and Reddaway Rooms (central building) and the Trust Room (bottom L) may be hired by any college member. Speak to the Stewards Secretary. The Stretton Room is owned by the JMA. As mentioned, you can book it for events. Gym During the first few weeks of term sign up outside the Gym for an induction and then you are free to use the college Gym anytime you want. Its not huge but very rarely do you have to wait to use a machine and for free its pretty damn good. Oxford Road Playing Fields The JMA owns the best playing fields that any Cambridge College has to offer; university teams ask to play here all the time. Importantly the fields were dedicated in forty-three from Fitzwilliam Hall who fell in the War.

1923 to the Great

Oxford Road is not just for the sporting teams of Fitz. If anybody wishes to use the fields, just ask the great Dave Norman (groundsman) and hell point you in the right direction. It boasts tennis courts (grass and concrete), netball court, football

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Freshers Guide (5 a side and full pitches), cricket pitches, rugby pitch and is the only Cambridge College with an on-site club house (with a bar). Throughout the year there are also activities up there such as Billy Day (watch out in Freshers week for this), where ALL the college go up for various fun, games, food and drink. Also, there is the 5-a-side football league in the final term to give a bit of a break from revision over 100 people took part last term so get involved! The Fitzwilliam Society One society you will almost all be members of is the Fitzwilliam Society. This is the association of former members of the College, and provides a link between past and present members. It gives those who have left a chance to keep in touch with old friends and to support the College. Members continue to support Fitzs clubs and societies. Society members sit on the College Development Committee, helping among other things to acquire the Boathouse and fund our new buildings. They also contribute to your Freshers Week. But, I hear you ask, what does all this have to do with me? I havent started college yet, and youre talking to me about people who graduated years ago. Well, they were once Freshers too. You may not feel part of the College yet, but you soon will. And, as well as wanting to keep in touch with their friends, they offer generous support to present students in the form of various grants and prizes and take an interest in the future life of the College. To that end, they are interested in getting current students and recent graduates involved in the Society. Members of the Fitzwilliam Society can also advise you on a particular career you may wish to follow. If you wish to contact them, speak to the JMA President, who sits on the committee. We hope that you will become members of the Society because in turn your involvement and support will be of great value in the future development of the College and for its members. Life membership is by subscription: 8 per term for those in residence for 3 years. 12 per term for those here for 2 years. 24.00 per term for those on 1-year courses. This amount will be added to your college bill automatically each term. If you wish to opt out, let Jo Measham in the Accounts Office know as soon as possible. You may also make a single payment of 72. You will receive the annual Fitzwilliam Journal throughout your time here, and beyond. You can also attend the annual dinner in London in May and the alumni weekend in Cambridge in September.

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A WORD FROM THE MASTER And to finish, a letter from the Master, On behalf of the College as a whole, a very warm welcome to Fitzwilliam. And, of course, to one of the world's greatest universities of which it is a part. For Cambridge will provide you with a challenging and enriching experience, and I hope you will take every opportunity to utilise it in the interests of your professional and personal future. A university education has been described as "a quest for knowledge in the company of friends". The first part of that will take the shape of intellectual demands, which you will only be able to meet by an enormous amount of hard work. If anybody tells you otherwise, don't believe them! The College and its dedicated staff will give you much guidance and support and will rejoice in your success. But you will be the one to take real satisfaction and pride in your academic achievements, quite apart from their pragmatic consequences for your career. As for the "company of friends", the College also offers a perfect context in which to make such friends for life. Fitzwilliam is an unstuffy and dynamic Cambridge college. To ensure you enjoy it to the full, you will need to get involved in some of the countless activities which make up College life, whether cultural or sporting. The students themselves organise this important dimension of your Cambridge experience and Fitzwilliam is known for the range and high standard of activities on offer. You will have doubtless received many congratulations on your success in gaining a place at Fitzwilliam. Now you owe it to yourself, and to those who have supported you, to make the most of it. Professor Robert Lethbridge

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