What is the JCR?
The JCR (Junior Common Room) is the college equivalent of a student union, and fills the same role that a student union plays at other universities. The most important thing to understand about the JCR is that it refers to both the student body and a physical location.
As a physical location, it is located under Staircase 19 at the end of Third Quad, and is a brilliant place to hang out with your friends. Inside it we have a pool table, a ping pong table, a Wii, and some very comfy sofas. It is also where we host our bops (more on that later), so it is a place you will become very familiar with! We also host our fortnightly JCR meetings there, and you can find Welfare Tea there on Sunday afternoons.
As a student body, the JCR represents the students of Jesus College to both the college administration and the wider university. Every fortnight we hold a JCR meeting in the JCR, where anyone can propose motions to be passed. In the past these have ranged from funding drama projects within the university, to changes to the JCR constitution, or to getting some new games for the Wii. These meetings always have free pizza, and we would very much encourage you to attend and take part! It is this part of the JCR that is also responsible for organising all the social events through the year, and that is the job of our two Social Secretaries!
WELCOME TO JESUS, FRESHERS!!!
All the information you’ll need about what the JCR is doing for you during Freshers’ Week should be on this page! We haven’t fully finished planning the week yet, so for now this page is just going to contain some information about what Freshers’ Week is usually like - check back here in the future for links to the Jesus Freshers’ Group Chat, the Freshers’ Instagram Page, introductions to your Freshers’ Presidents, and more!!
Freshers WhatsApp:
Social Media Links!
As a fresher, there are a few social media accounts you’ll want to follow:
Freshers Instagram:
What to Expect During Freshers’ Week
Freshers’ Week is always a busy time, with lots of ceremonies, talks, and other events going on! Throughout all of this, the JCR will be putting on a number of social events through the week. These are the best way to meet your fellow freshers, and are usually a lot of fun!
On the first night, you’ll probably have your first bop (Big Organised Party). Bops are basically big fancy-dress parties that take place in the JCR, and they always have a theme to them. The theme of your first bop is usually designed to help you introduce yourself to other people, so take the opportunity to introduce yourself to everyone and forget all their names a week later. This bop is only for freshers, and always has a fantastic atmosphere - don’t have too much to drink though, as you have a welcoming ceremony the following morning!
Through the week there are also multiple clubbing trips that the JCR organise, alongside a second bop later in the week that is open to the entire JCR. These are often a great introduction to the nightlife of Oxford, and the second bop is a great way of being introduced to the wider college community.
There are also lots of non-drinking activities through the week, like movie nights and picnics! These are usually run by our amazing Welfare Officers, and are a great way to take a break from the busy week you’ll undoubtedly be having!! Be sure to go to Welfare Tea on Sundays, where our Welfare Officers buy a ridiculous amount of snacks from Tesco for everyone to eat!!
While we’ve definitely forgotten a few things that take place during Freshers’ Week, be sure to check out the rest of the Freshers & Applicants part of our website for more information!! We can’t wait to meet you!