Welfare and Support
Student Support & Wellbeing
The college has a comprehensive system of student support, headed by Dr Jill Tidmarsh, the Senior Tutor & Vice Principal. It is designed to ensure that students get the most from their time at Durham, are able to obtain help when in difficulty and support in their personal development through university and beyond.
Senior Tutor Drop In Sessions
Drop in sessions are between 11:30am and 12:30pm, each Monday and Thursday in term time. Please check in with Reception on arrival and note that students are seen by the Senior Tutor & Vice Principal in the order of arrival.
College Mentors
Every undergraduate Fresher is allocated a College Mentor and undergraduates may opt in for future years. Postgraduates are automatically entitled to direct support from Jo Dedhar our Postgraduate Student Experience Officer and may call upon her as required. Mentors are mostly members of the academic staff of the University or individuals with a connection with the College or University. The role of the mentor is essentially pastoral: he or she provides the student with an individual point of contact for any non-academic concern, giving advice, support and friendship. College Mentors can act as referees for jobs and further courses as they pay particular attention to students' progress.
College Mentor Nights are on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 5.30pm - 7pm in the Bar.
Mentors write reports on their students at the end of every academic year, after discussion with the student.
If a Mentor leaves, their group will be reassigned with as little disruption as possible. If students have any problems with the Mentoring system, they should speak with the Senior Tutor & Vice Principal.
Proctors (Living In)
Proctors are returners with extra responsibilities for a group of students. They provide a friendly face and a point of contact for pretty much anything! Proctors publicise events and ensure that their 'proctees' know what is going on in college all the time, as well as all the opportunities available to them.
There are both livers-in and livers-out proctors, to ensure that everyone at Josephine Butler is kept up to date with everything, from social events to welfare support, from societies and sports clubs to new food in the Josephine Butler kitchen!
If you are interested in becoming a proctor please contact the JCR President.
Resident Tutors
Resident Tutors are available to support living in students with pastoral and academic issues, and to resolve difficulties out of office hours and at weekends. Their contact details are posted in the student kitchens and on the College website. Resident Tutors are answerable to the Senior Tutor & Vice Principal and an important part of the College's welfare system.
Your resident tutors are Louise and Olly. You can phone them (they take it in turns to be on call) at any time through the night on 07599 817 889 or ask the porter (Reception) to get them for you. The Resident Tutors are also College Mentors.
JCR Exec Welfare
The student body provides confidential peer support through the JCR Welfare Officers, with drop ins and phone line. Please visit their website.
Learning Support
Study skills help is available in College, from the Senior Tutor & Vice Principal and Mentors Team.
Resources are available from the Mentors Boxes in the Library on: Essay writing; Time-Management; Presentation Skills and Revision Skills.