Hild Bede SRC

To help Freshers settle in and to introduce them to 2nd, 3rd and 4th years, the SRC runs its hugely popular Adopt—A—Fresher scheme. You will receive a form which you can fill in and send back if you want to be matched up with a “parent” from another year. They will normally have similar interests and be studying a similar subject to you and will meet you on the first Saturday of term. If you’re lucky, they might even buy you a drink!

However, the main purpose of this scheme is to give you another source of information and advice. Your parent(s) will have been Freshers too and they will be sure to pass on their hard-earned wisdom to a new generation! It will also help forge links between different years and introduce you to a new group of people.

If you’re after invitations to house parties, passed down lecture notes, advice with essays/lab reports, another excuse to go out then join Adopt - A - Fresher. By the time some fourth years leave, they are proud “great-grandparents” in an extended college family!

While teaching takes place within the academic departments, the College plays an essential role in the administration and support of the academic work within the university. The greatest virtue of the collegiate system is the extensive network of support for anybody who faces problems, be they emotional, financial, academic or health related.

For various reasons things may go wrong, but if they do then there are a number of people to contact whose main purpose is to help you. Sarah Unwin, the SRC President, is an obvious person to talk to about any problems you have or if you are concerned about any of the students around you. Everything you say to her will be treated in the strictest of confidence and as he lives in college (the President’s flat is located above Reception) she is available all day throughout the year. The SRC also has a dedicated Welfare Campaigns Officer, who this year is Kate Newton. Kate is a student herself, very approachable loves giving hugs!) and will help as much as possible; her job is your welfare!

A number of college staff are also available to speak to if problems arise. You are encouraged to speak to Mrs Laura Wilson, our Senior Tutor, who has her own office next to the College Office, and is available to advise students on any matter whatsoever. In the College Office work Mrs Julie Blake, Mrs Anne Franklin, Mrs Joanne Thirlaway and Mrs Bonny Bainbridge, and you will find that these people are the first port of call for all matters relating to your student life (such as course registration, exam concessions, student loans, reporting illness, and obtaining hardship forms). Also on hand is Elaine Franklin, who is the colleges Admissions Officer,

You must also feel free to contact Prof Chris Hutchison, our Principal, about any query or anxiety you may have. Remember that the College, the College Officers and staff are there to help students. You will also be assigned a pastoral tutor who will make themselves available should you need any help or advice; there is more information about them later on in the handbook.

We are confident that amongst this group of people you will find someone with whom you feel comfortable enough to talk to and ensure that your time in Hild Bede is as enjoyable as possible. If you have any questions or comments concerning welfare before you arrive at Durham then please contact Sarah Unwin, the SRC President.

You should have received a ‘Room Allocation Form’ with the first wave of info sent to you by college – this is possibly the most important form in the pack.  It is the information that you put on this form that determines where and with whom you will live for the next year.  It should go without saying that the more truthful you are, the more likely that you will be in a place that suits you best.  It is the SRC President, Sarah, who reads these forms, not a member of College Staff.  She will treat whatever you write with the strictest of confidence; no one else will see them and they will be destroyed in a year’s time.

The bar is a focal point of college social life and arguably the most fun spot in college. Situated in the Caedmon Complex, the Bar is open for drinks every evening from 6.30pm to 11.00pm, except for Friday and Saturday when it closes at Midnight. Its is open during the day for anyone to chill out. It also opens on various afternoons when there are sporting events on the big screen. But if you don't fancy a drink we have a Nintendo Wii set up on a giant plasma in the back bar, the cheapest pool table in Durham (20p), wireless internet, a darts board and an amazing table football table! This year it will also be open as a coffee bar during the afternoons, with real lattes and cappuccinos available for only £1!

The bar is a great place to meet new people and relax, have a few drinks and a good laugh. The prices are LOW, there will always be people there that you know, and it is right on your doorstep, making the college bar THE place to be. Most of our ents are based around the bar; the weekly bar quizzes, bands in the bar, the always popular karaoke nights and special one-off events such as Halloween Night.

The aptly named Dan Stout (pictured on the right) is our bar steward and token dismayed Newcastle United fan! A former Soho Bar Manager and college porter, Dan now makes sure that students are sufficiently refreshed in the Vernon Arms, which is no mean feat! The bar is restricted to students and members of college staff, but feel free to bring along any guests who are staying with you. If you are interested in working behind the bar (yes, you do get paid!), see Dan for details.