Being a Society

What is Cuth’s?

“Cuth’s” is short for “St. Cuthbert’s Society”. We are the second largest of the Durham colleges and the third oldest.

Why is Cuth’s called St Cuthbert’s Society and not St Cuthbert’s College?

In the 1870s, there were a number of students who wished to study at Durham but not have to belong to a college. These were primarily local and mature students who already had homes nearby and families. The University agreed to recognise these students as having no collegiate designation. They were designated into what the University called the ‘College of Science’ although they were known as ‘The Unattached’. After a number of years, the Unattached began to desire some of what their fellow students had: sports teams, societies, clubs and a real identity. In 1888 they founded themselves as St. Cuthbert’s Society; a society of students but not a college. They adopted the motto “collegae non collegum” (colleagues not a college) and worked for the mutual benefit of one another without support from the University. It was not until the 1950s that the University provided the Society with a fixed base at 12 South Bailey, which remains our headquarters to this day. St. Cuthbert’s Society became the collegiate designation for all those who did not want to be attached to a college.

Nowadays, things have changed significantly. We function nowadays in a similar way to most of the other colleges – you will live, eat, socialise and be looked after on site by full-time Society staff. However, our JCR prides itself on fighting to retain a democratic and student-orientated ethos. We always strive to listen to our members – that’s you! Although we are not a Society as we were in 1888 — we are now managed in the same way as the other colleges — it is still the JCR [the student body] who provide and/or maintain most of the facilities you will use here and we are still very involved in the day-to-day aspects of student experience.

Cuth’s is a unique community with a family feel to it. We pour more money into student sports and societies than any other Durham College and we have a policy that any student can get involved and will be welcomed in doing so! Our motto ‘Gratia Gratiam Parit’ can be translated as ‘Friendship begets Friendship’, and in Cuth’s this genuinely is the case!

We do not agree to something just because it may be the ‘done’ thing and believe in change when it is for the benefit of our members, not when it is merely for change’s sake. For example, a recent Review of St Cuthbert’s Society, suggested that we should change our name to St Cuthbert’s College as a sign that we are now a Durham College like all the others. There was massive outcry at this suggestion from all sides including current students, alumni and some Society staff. Although we accepted we are now managed as a Durham College, we lobbied to retain the name St. Cuthbert’s Society in honour of the Society’s proud heritage.

Saying this, we are at the same time also renowned for being a brilliantly laid-back and welcoming environment to students from around the University. Where else could you chill out in the bar with a coffee watching early afternoon Neighbours!

Cuth’s is a tremendously open and accepting place, and we hope you feel at home here. We value your opinions, and rely on your input to make sure that you are getting out of University life what you want and need! You have an elected Exec – make sure you make use of them!