BRASENOSE COLLEGE FRESHERS’ GUIDE 2018 Clubs & Societies Both the college and University have their own Freshers’ Fairs, and attending these will give you the opportunity to discover the wide range of clubs and societies, for all abilities, here in Oxford. There are hundreds of options, from Tea-Drinking to underwater hockey to getting involved in university-wide activism; here, we have an overview of three of the biggest: Sports, Music & Drama in Brasenose! Here’s a picture of BNC Sports Day (left) & the cuppers-winning women’s’ badminton team Sports Brasenose has a great sporting tradition and a solid reputation for it too. We have several different in-college sports teams which vary in skill levels and also in the level of commitment required; Brasenose sports really does have something for everyone. During Freshers’ Week you will have the opportunity to get involved in both college and University wide sports at the Freshers’ Fairs and the college Sports Day. These events will give you a great opportunity to meet team members and sign-up to the teams you wish. The college has a Sports Ground located on Abingdon Road. (It is on the other side of the river to college; you can enter through two gates: one opposite the Folly Bridge Inn and other across from the Londis Store). It has three hard tennis courts, eight grass courts (which we share with another college in the summer), two squash courts, and rugby, football, hockey, and cricket pitches. The Pavilion is reasonably equipped, with toilets and changing rooms. As well as the inter-college League matches that happen between the main BNC sports teams, there are also Cuppers tournaments. Recently, BNC teams have been 1st in Men’s football cuppers, sailing cuppers and trampolining cuppers, as well as 3rd in netball cuppers. There are also inter-college matches but these are relatively informal games between self-made teams. Enthusiasm and willingness to turn up are often the main skills required, but competition between the teams can get quite fierce. It’s worth noting that 16 BRASENOSE COLLEGE FRESHERS’ GUIDE 2018 many people start playing sports for college having never taken part before, and sometimes end up playing at university level! If you have any questions, get in touch with our JCR Sports Rep Tabs: [email protected] Email our organ scholar Bethy Music (right) for advice about the music scene in Brasenose The College has an extremely active non-auditioning choir and musicians of all standards are encouraged to put on concerts. There are two practice rooms at Frewin (keys are available from the lodge), and you can book the piano or organ in the chapel via the lodge (other instruments can also be practiced in the chapel). The College Music Society organises lunchtime concerts in the chapel as well as other events including performances during the summer arts festival. It is relatively easy to get involved in college music; if you play anything or are interested, go for it! You can email our organ scholar, Bethy Reeves, if you have any questions: [email protected] There is also a large music scene outside of college, from symphony orchestras and choirs to funk and rock groups! Whatever your ability there'll be something for you. Oxford University Music Society (OUMS) is the university's central music hub, with both auditioned and non-auditioned ensembles, depending on what you'd prefer. If you want to get involved in music outside of college, you can contact [email protected], or see them at the University Freshers' Fair. Drama Drama is very active at Brasenose. For newcomers (both on the stage and behind the scenes) there is Drama Cuppers in Michaelmas. It’s an inter- collegiate competition for first years only to produce a piece of short drama, which is then performed at the Burton Taylor studio; our Arts Rep will be happy to help those wishing to get involved. Previously, Brasenose’s team won “Spirit of Cuppers” for their excellent new writing (right). The college also hosts the second largest Summer Arts Festival in Oxford, in which Brasenose members are encouraged to take part. For seasoned thespians, the University Drama Society website www.ouds.org is the place to check out all the upcoming auditions. For those wanting to work behind the scenes, go to the TAFF website www.tabsareforflying.co.uk for further details. 17 BRASENOSE COLLEGE FRESHERS’ GUIDE 2018 The Christmas pantomime (some actors pictured above) is a more casual way to act in BNC, no experience necessary! Get in touch with our JCR Arts rep, Tesni Jones, for more information on how to get involved both in and outside of college: [email protected] See the Welfare Guide also in this pack for Welfare comprehensive information! Our lovely Welfare reps Tom and Ella (above right) are more than happy to help whenever possible, so please read the Welfare Guide (included in this pack) carefully, as it describes their role, the college’s welfare provision, and includes welcomes from our D&E rep Natalie M and Women’s Rep Jana too. Don’t hesitate to email the Welfare reps if you have any questions before you get here: [email protected] and [email protected] As mentioned earlier, the Porters can also help out with a cup of tea and chat, and Peer Supporters or First Responders are also available. See the Welfare Guide also in this pack for further information, as well as information on out-of-college services. Health The Freshers' website has information about different medical issues and guidance on how to complete online registration with the College Doctors. Please complete this as soon as possible to ensure you are registered when you arrive in Oxford. The College Doctors are Dr Leaver and Partners (http://www.leaverandpartnersjericho.nhs.uk/). They will be giving a compulsory talk on Friday of Freshers Week (see the timetable) – make sure you attend so that they are able to help you should you become ill. The doctors can be found at the Jericho Health Centre, Walton Street, Oxford, OX2 6NW (Tel: 01865 311234). Appointments can be booked directly with them or through the college nurse. The College Nurse, Kate Tempest (pictured right), is available between 9:45am and 11:45am Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and then between 12:30pm and 2:30pm on Tuesday and Thursday, in her surgery under staircase 12. She is the first person to approach if you are ill; you can also send her an email [email protected]. The College does not have an affiliation with a particular dentist, therefore students should seek treatment at a dentist of their choice. Students often use a local dentist on the Oxford Brookes University site called Studental (http://www.studental.co.uk), but other options are available (see http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/dentists/Pages/find-an- NHS-dentist.aspx). 18 BRASENOSE COLLEGE FRESHERS’ GUIDE 2018 Remember to complete the online process to register with the doctors in Oxford! From now on Oxford should be your permanent doctor and when you return home you should be seen as a temporary resident. And once more, don’t forget to attend the compulsory medical talk on the Friday of Freshers’ week! & Safety Oxford is a wonderful place but, as with any other city, you must be careful. Be wary of walking on your own anywhere at night (even just down Brasenose Lane); there are various University bus and walk services. The JCR runs a scheme whereby it will pay a share of your taxi fare if you are travelling to or from college (or home if you are living out) and are anxious about your safety (you have to get the receipt from the taxi driver). You will receive further information about these schemes – please use them if you need to. You will also be given the lodge phone number, and you can ring the night porter if you are walking at night and concerned about anything. The most common accidents are slips and trips, particularly in night clubs, plus sports and cycling injuries. If you cycle, use lights and wear a helmet and high-vis jacket. Oxford has many buses and lorries making deliveries and it’s a bad idea to try overtaking them on the inside. The rate of cycle theft is also very high so a good lock is essential. Every year students lose passport ID in clubs and replacing your passport is expensive and a hassle. A driver’s license is probably a better option and if you do lose it you don’t have to get the Senior Tutor or another college officer to verify your likeness and make up a story about how you’ve mislaid your passport to cover your blushes. Spiked drinks are another thing to watch out for so take reasonable care (don’t leave your drinks unattended or accept a drink from someone you don’t know). Personal Property The cosy atmosphere of College can easily lull one into a false sense of security, but be aware that thefts do occur. Always lock your door and close your windows, even if you are only popping out for a few minutes. If anything does go missing, report it immediately to the lodge or if you find any lost property lying around, the best thing to do is hand it in to the porters. Your room contents are now covered by the College insurance – further details are enclosed.