Rooms for Undergraduates: a 'New Deal'

From October 2011, undergraduates studying at St John's will benefit from new accommodation arrangements worked out together by the College authorities and the Junior Combination Room (JCR). Currently St John's is able to offer accommodation in College throughout any undergraduate course. In addition, under the new model, our undergraduates will not have to give their rooms over to other purposes during the Christmas and Easter vacations. The new licence, which is similar to that governing many graduate students' room allocations, will allow them to make use of their rooms at any time from late September to late June. Students and their parents alike will be delighted to note that possessions will no longer have to be transported to and from home at these times.

Professor Christopher Dobson, Master of St John's, said that 'this development is a wonderful example of the way in which the various members of our community - students, staff and Fellows - are increasingly working together to enhance the intellectual environment of the College. It illustrates the support and encouragement that we can give to all our members. This exciting innovation in the Quincentenary Year of the College's foundation represents one of the ways in which we are planning for the success of future generations as well as celebrating the tremendous achievements of those who have studied here in the past.'

Matthias Doerrzapf, Senior Tutor, notes that 'making our accommodation and facilities available to students from late September to late June, including the vacations, is an enormous benefit for our students' education and personal development. I am particularly pleased that the College is able to improve still further the excellent value for money that we offer our students.'

Waheed Chaudhrey, President of the JCR, remarks that 'this model is a tribute to the College's aims to encourage academic excellence and social development. Environmentally friendly and wonderfully convenient, the model will make John's all the more homely and comfortable for students - albeit a very grand home!'