Welcome to the JCR!

Dear incoming freshers,

First off, congratulations on receiving your offers to Jesus College! I remember how excited yet also daunted I felt after results day, preparing to start the next chapter of my life at university. If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, you’re absolutely not alone! Imposter Syndrome is something that many of us experience, and it was definitely something I struggled with when moving to Oxford. So, I just wanted to say: you do deserve to be here, and I hope you enjoy your time at Jesus, my home away from home, as much as I do!

To introduce myself, my name is Sam. I’m a 4th-year mathematician (I know, I’m getting old!) and I come from a small town in Shropshire. I also have the privilege of being your JCR President, so it’s my pleasure to welcome you to our community of undergrads here at Jesus.

What is the JCR? The JCR (Junior Common Room) refers to both the undergraduate student body at the college and an actual room within the college. The physical room is a social space for all JCR members equipped with everything from a pool table, to a Wii, and hopefully by the time you arrive, a brand new kitchen, an example of something that we can achieve as a student body.

What does the JCR offer? The first interaction you will have with the JCR is during Freshers’ Week. We have a packed schedule to get you fully into the swing of term, including many social events. We’ve done our best to maintain a good balance between drinking and non-drinking events, so everyone can feel welcome and included. After the first week, we run weekly events such as welfare teas and yoga, and regular events such as ‘bops’ (parties in the JCR) and the occasional one-off event like a Charity Casino Night and Charity Scavenger Hunt. We also have termly black-tie events where everyone can spend some time together after what can be quite a busy term.

What do the JCR President (that’s me!) and JCR Committee do? At the end of Michaelmas Term (the first term) the student body elects the next JCR President, as well as the rest of the JCR Committee for the coming year. It’s the President’s job to liaise with College staff on matters which affect the student body, voicing our concerns at various college meetings. I also chair the biweekly JCR meetings (complete with free pizza) where we can discuss anything that’s on our minds. This is also where you can submit a motion for money for anything from producing your own play to founding a society with your friends. The rest of the JCR Committee is responsible for running social events, welfare and access, sending weekly notices to the whole JCR about events taking place, and looking after the bar (arguably the best in Oxford).

How do I get more information? The Jesus College and Jesus College JCR websites are both fantastic resources, but if you want specific information, you are always welcome to email me (samuel.owen@jesus.ox.ac.uk). Our Freshers’ Week presidents, Navi and Angus, have also made an Instagram account (@jesusfreshers25) and a WhatsApp messenger group just for incoming freshers where they will be providing the most up-to-date information about your first weeks here with us, so do give it a look! You should be finding out soon who your College parents are. This is an amazing system we have here at Oxford, as these are (usually) 2nd-year students who can give you guidance and information about what life at Jesus is like, and explain the various slang terms and traditions to you. You will meet them to have brunch and go to the 2nd year accommodation for dinner during freshers week.

Again, I know how daunting starting at Oxford can be so feel free to reach out if you need anything! Can’t wait to meet you all!

With the warmest regards,

Samuel Owen

JCR President, Jesus College