There are 31 Colleges in Cambridge and each is an independent institution with varying internal procedures. A College is where you eat, sleep, socialise and spend the majority of your time. Teaching is split between the Colleges and the University departments; supervisions and some classes are organised within individual Colleges whereas lectures, practicals and seminars are organised by the University department and combine students from all Colleges within your subject. Queens’ has its own library where you can find many of the core texts for your subject but most University departments have their own libraries, and the University Library is always available to find a book or study. Alongside the University facilities and clubs, Queens’ has a wide range of sports teams and societies that allow you to get involved in extra-curricular activities at any level (check out the ‘Sports and Societies’ Section earlier in the booklet).

Like the University, each College is governed by its own statutes and regulations. The Head of Queens’ is the President (Lord Eatwell) and the Head of the University is the Vice Chancellor. The Queens’ College Council is involved in making decisions that affect the entire College and changes to the JCR constitution are also discussed here. The Council meets regularly to discuss issues and is made up of some of the Fellows and JCR Committee members.
The College system plays a major part in a student’s experience of Cambridge. Colleges ensure everyone has a lot more individual teaching, they allow you to get involved in all areas of University life and create a friendly, familiar environment from the moment you arrive in Cambridge. Queens’ in particular is an extremely welcoming College with loads of opportunities to get involved, especially as the majority of undergraduates live within College for all 3 years.

Who’s who at Queens?

The President: The President at Queens’ (the Rt. Hon Professor Lord John Eatwell) is the equivalent of the Master at most other Cambridge Colleges. He has been President since 1997 and is also a professor of financial policy, lecturing at the business school. The president is the public face of the College and the most influential Fellow, overseeing all the major decisions within Queens’.
The Senior Tutor: Murray Milgate, the Senior Tutor at Queens’, has overall responsibility for the academic and educational activity of the College. His responsibilities are vary varied, and can involve dealing with students’ personal, examination or tuition related problems. For example, if you wish to apply for a travel grant or are ill on the day of an exam, the Senior Tutor is the person to see. The Senior tutor is also responsible for the Tutorial function of the College. Tutors are fundamental to welfare at Queens’ – every student is assigned a Tutor who is available for advice on any problem (for example, pastoral, financial or academic concerns). You will meet your Tutor in your first week but you can visit them (or any other Tutor) at drop-in sessions. The times of these sessions can be found for each Tutor on the College website.
The Dean of College: Martin Dixon is the Dean of College at Queens’ and his role is primarily discipline within College. Hopefully you will never need to encounter him within this role, but he deals with any complaints/problems regarding the students at Queens’! This role is important in that it separates the Tutors from ‘discipline’ situations, ensuring they remain a welfare support system for students.
The Dean: Jonathan Holmes (not to be confused with the ‘Dean of College’) is the resident clergyman at Queens’ and is responsible for the regular services that take place in the College Chapel. Choral Services occur every Sunday at 5.45pm and Wednesday at 6.30pm during full term, and morning and evening prayer services occur daily. Amongst his many and varied roles, the Dean also puts together the Queens’ College Record, which details annually the achievements of both current members of the College and alumni, and finds time to host dinner for all the freshers at various times throughout their first year! The Dean has a fundamental role in the welfare system, not least by holding Exam Teas (with very good cakes!) in the more stressful Easter Term.
The Nurse: During Full Term the College Nurse – Mrs Mairi Hurrell – holds a surgery in the Health Centre in Cripps Court (near CC staircase) every weekday. Details of opening times and an emergency contact number can be found on the College website (www.queens.cam.ac.uk). The Nurse provides fantastic health and welfare support for all students; if you are feeling ill, homesick or are stressed about work, she will always find time for a chat. No problem is too small to bother her with – she might just be that impartial friendly face you have been looking for to help you out.
The Porters: The Porters at Queens’ play a major part in the friendly atmosphere of the College. They are responsible for security and a porter is on duty 24 hours a day so you soon get to know them! Amongst other things, the Porters sort your post, lend you keys for rooms in College (gym/practice rooms etc.) and let you back into your room when you lock yourself out! They know a lot about College and deal with enquiries from everyone, so do take the time to get to know them – they’re always willing to have a chat.
The Housekeeping Staff: The Housekeeper’s Office is at the bottom of CC staircase. It is open on weekdays, when Mrs Pearson and her staff are happy to help by lending you a mattress if you have visitors or organising excess residence for you at the end of term. The Bedders are part of the housekeeping department; these are the people that change your bins, bed linen and clean your bathroom and kitchen. Obviously this is a two-way process – don’t expect them to clean up a messy room and do your washing-up!
The Maintenance Team: The maintenance staff are there to help if you have any problems with your room. You can fill in a ‘Maintenance Form’ in the Porters’ Lodge and someone will turn up to fix a leaky tap or broken shelf, usually within the next 24 hours. Alternatively, you can go to visit them at the far end of Dokett Building or fill in an online maintenance form.