Short for Junior Common Room, the JCR represents both the undergraduate student community and the communal spaces we all share.
The JCR Committee is the governing body elected from among the JCR to ensure that Somerville has a vibrant undergraduate community which welcomes everyone. We do this by running events, providing welfare support and making sure the voice of the student body is heard. We’re also responsible for dealing with any issues that undergraduates at Somerville face, from housing ballots to acquiring new equipment for college.
A Message From the JCR President
“In 1879, Somerville College was founded to include the excluded. From the very beginning Somerville was non-denominational, international and anti-establishment. The college gave those who traditionally could not be educated, a place to flourish, and soon enough, Somerville became a beacon of female academic success. This spirit is at the heart of being a Somervillian, who we are, what we do, to this day.
It’s embedded in our community, our ethos of inclusion, opportunity and excellence remains as strong as ever. The college remains at the forefront of creating greater equality and inclusivity within Oxford colleges, recently becoming one of only two Colleges of Sanctuary. This is perhaps one of the reasons why, year on year, Somervillians are known to be the most friendly, welcoming cohorts in Oxford, as we always aim to foster an environment where no matter who you are or where you come from, you can flourish.
Coming to university can be incredibly daunting; it’s a huge life stage and for many of us, the first time living away from home. Ever since arriving at Somerville, the atmosphere and people I’ve met have made me feel incredibly welcomed and what’s really struck me is that so many students, myself included, really do feel like Somerville is a home away from home!
Fundamentally, the JCR (Junior Common Room) is the entire undergraduate community here at Somerville. The JCR committee consists of elected students who’s sole purpose is looking after the well-being of students, representing your views, concerns, interests, and continuously trying to make life here at Somerville as good as it can be for all our students. We liaise with College management to ensure student voices are heard, so if there are any issues or ideas you may have about how College is run, the committee is your first port of call. The committee are an amazing group of really dedicated students, who are always there for you, you can find all their profiles below!
Up the Ville!”
JCR President 2021-2022
The JCR Committee
Maddie Gordon
JCR PresidentHi! My name is Maddie (she/her) and I’m a second year PPEist, and Somerville’s current JCR President.
My role as President entails leading the JCR, which consists of all the identity officers, welfare and administrative officers who represent and run the JCR. As well as leading the JCR more formally at our fortnightly Open Meetings, and sitting on college committees, I’m also always around to support students, whether they have any questions for college, welfare concerns or just want to chat!
Tariq Saeed
JCR Vice PresidentHey! My name is Tariq (He/They).
I’m a 3rd year Biologist and the current JCR Vice-President. My role as VP (or ‘Veep’ as it is also called) spans a whole range of things from representing Somerville JCR at the SU’s Student Council, supporting other JCR officers (particularly our amazing JCR president!), and even organising stash (our college merch) collection each term!
As I was previously our JCR’s Ethnic Minorities Officer (and alongside my other roles within the SU LGBTQ+ Campaign and Campaign for Racial Equality and Awareness) I am particularly interested in equality within college! As a result, I also co-chair our JCR’s Equality Committee and sit on the colleges’ Equality and Diversity Working group! The role of VP is large loosely defined but being able to do a great range of things on the JCR is what makes it such a fun and rewarding role!
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions/concerns!
– veep :))
Sophie Farrell
JCR SecretaryHi, I’m Sophie (she/her). I’m a second-year law student, and the current JCR secretary!
My role mainly involves keeping JCR members updated with emails and notices, collecting motions for biweekly JCR open meetings, creating meeting agendas, and taking and sending minutes. Feel free to reply to my emails or send me a message if there’s anything you need or questions you want answered!
Oliver Eyre
JCR Welfare Officer, JCR Environment and Ethics OfficerHi, I’m Ollie (he/him) and I’m one of your JCR welfare officers this year.
My role as a Welfare Officer includes organising events during term time such as welfare teas, signposting students to resources they may need to access, and making sure students have access to free sexual health and anti-spiking supplies. Welfare is really important here and the whole team pitches in to help make Somerville as safe and welcoming as possible. If you have any questions or concerns about any aspect of life at Somerville while you’re here, feel free to get in contact via email (oliver.eyre@some.ox.ac.uk) or messenger (Oliver Eyre).
Michelle Stanley
JCR Welfare OfficerCallum Lloyd
JCR Academic Affairs and Careers OfficerHi, I’m Callum, a second-year Law student and the current JCR Academic Affairs and Careers Officer. In my role as Academic Affairs Officer, I sit on the college’s Education Committee and work to propose, scrutinise, and implement academic policy. I also work closely with senior members of college, including the Principal and Senior Tutor. In my role as Careers Officer, I work with the Skills Hub Director, Claire, to organise and publicise careers events, including networking events and CV workshops.
If anyone experiences academic-related difficulties whilst at Somerville, please feel free to get in contact with me and we can try and find a solution to your concerns. This can be anything, from unreturned collection papers to difficulties finding resources.
Aarthee Parimelalaghan
JCR Access and Admissions OfficerUrsula White
JCR Arts OfficerHi! I’m Ursula, a third year English Student, and one of the JCR Arts Officers
I am responsible for overseeing the JCR Arts Fund (where students can access funding for Arts Projects such as – but not limited to- bands, plays, art exhibitions and magazines), and reviewing peoples bids. I am also responsible for organising the JCR Arts Week, and bi-weekly JCR Arts Socials. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about the Arts at Somerville, or would like to arrange a chat to discuss the arts funding available at Somerville! (Ursula.White@some.ox.ac.uk)
Wolfstan Doel
JCR Environment and Ethics OfficerGrace Yu
JCR IT and Communications OfficerHi everyone! I’m Grace (she/her), a second-year Maths & Stats student here at Somerville and your IT & Communications Officer this year!
My main responsibilities include running the JCR website (the one you’re reading right now!) and social media (follow us on Instagram @somervillecollegejcr!) to make sure you can easily find all the information you need. So if you’ve ever used the college website’s JCR section to learn more about Somerville or come across any of the freshers’ week event promotions and JCR meeting summaries on Instagram, that’s me:) We’re actually trying to expand the information/functionalities of this website a bit this year, so if you have any ideas about what more could be included or just otherwise would like to contribute, please let me know! Feel free to reach out to me via Messenger or email (Yongqing Yu) should you have any comms/IT-related questions or concerns 🙂
Ming Song Oh
JCR Sports OfficerHi everyone! I’m Ming Song (he/him), a second-year lawyer who is serving as your Sports Officer!
I am currently in charge of coordinating efforts for the renovation of the college gym (we are going to have a power rack!!), and I also oversee sporting-related activities in college. In addition, I will also be planning and executing the annual Somerville-Girton Sports Day in Hilary Term which I hope many of you reading this are excited about 🙂 During my tenure, I hope to raise awareness amongst the student body as to the wonderful range of sports we offer here in college, and encourage more people to make full use of the resources we provide.
Miriam, Rea, Tasie, and Eden
JCR Entz TeamChloe Riley
JCR Class OfficerHi guys, I’m Chloe (she/her) and I’m in my second year studying PPE.
My role as the JCR Class Officer entails ensuring that the college is a friendly and accessible place to people from a working class background (which to me includes all sorts of economic and cultural backgrounds, not just the traditional blue collar workers), so I am on the JCR Equalities Committee, and Somerville’s Equality and Diversity Working Group.
However, as the role is still a fairly new one in college, and there’s no class community resembling that of the BAME and LGBTQ+ students here (yet!), it’s also my job to try and establish this by running events and always being there to try and help anyone experiencing class-related issues here.
Please contact me via Facebook (Chloe Riley) or Instagram (chlo.r4) if you have any questions or concerns, and keep an eye out on the JCR noticeboard and Instagram for any events I’m running!
Cameron Hodgkinson
JCR Disabilities OfficerDanae Ali
JCR Ethnic Minorities OfficerMinshu Gupta
JCR Ethnic Minorities OfficerTarini Kadambi
JCR Internationals OfficerHi! My name is Tarini and I’m a second-year biochemist. I’m the internationals officer for this year.
My role as the international officer entails supporting the international community at Somerville. This encompasses everything from community building events, welfare events, organising celebrations for certain festivals (such as the annual Lunar New Year festival), to solving some of the more logistical concerns international students face such as storage of belongings over vacations and vacation residence. I am on the JCR Equalities committee and voice any concerns from the international students at Somerville and promote equality within the college community. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns!
Charlotte Lim
JCR LGBTQ+ Rep.Hi, I’m Charlotte (she/they). I’m a second year chemist and one of Somerville’s LGBTQ+ Reps.
My role mainly involves addressing any issues which LGBTQ+ Somerville students might have and arranging wide ranging events for the queer community such as fortnightly Tuesgays Pres or the LGBTQ+ formal. We try to do something that everyone can enjoy emphasising both drinking and non drinking events as well as quieter, smaller events, in addition we often collaborate with other officers to run intersectional events such as the BAME x LGBTQ+ pub quiz. In my role, I am also on the JCR equalities committee and Somerville’s equality and diversity working group. Ensuring Somerville is a safe and inclusive space for everyone as well as supporting the college’s amazing queer community is really important to me so please reach out via facebook, Instagram or in person if you have any ideas or concerns :)!
Martha Wells
JCR LGBTQ+ Rep.Hi, I’m Martha (they/she)! I am one of Somerville’s LGBTQ+ representatives and a finalist, studying philosophy and linguistics.
My role includes organising informal events such as picnics, discussion groups, pres and other opportunities for the queer community within college to come together. I also coordinate some formal events such as dinners and speaker visits. These events are often also in collaboration with the other identity representatives. I work with the JCR Equalities committee and the college Diversity and Equality working group to promote equality within both JCR and wider college contexts. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns!
Tahira Abdul
JCR Suspended Students OfficerHi I’m Tahira (She/Her) and I will be your Suspended students’ officer this year.
My job as suspended students’ officer is to act as a first point of contact for anyone having any difficulty or doubt surrounding their degree. I hope to help and direct those who are feeling lost, from personal experience I know just how tough this can be. I will also ensure that any suspended students are supported during their time away from study and help ease them into their transition back to college life. Please feel free to get in touch through email or messenger if you would like to chat.
Matthew Morecroft
JCR Keeper of the SlinkyKeeper of our college pet!
Corinna, Zaynab and Flo
JCR Freshers CommitteeHi, we are Corinna, Zaynab and Flo and we are the Freshers’ team. Our role includes giving the new students a warm welcome into Somerville, organising events in freshers’ week, and supporting them during the daunting move to Oxford. We want to make the transition as smooth and enjoyable as possible!
JCR Blog
To learn more about our undergraduate community, visit the JCR Website.