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
Livia Dimitriou
JCR Access and Admissions OfficerEd Speirs, Rohan Rana, Jess Sutton, Izzy Rothwell
JCR Entz TeamGrace Rogers
JCR Vice President and Class OfficerCeline Zeng
JCR BAME OfficerHi I’m Celine (she/her), a second-year PPE student from Australia, and one of your ethnic minorities officers here at Somerville. I enjoy rowing and swimming as well as going on a daily Coop trip with my friends. Somerville has honestly been one of the most supportive and kind communities I have been part of, and I am here to make sure you feel that too. Whether you have got questions about what to pack, how things work at Oxford, or what the BAME community is like here, I’m always happy to help. Do feel free to email me directly Celine.zeng@some.ox.ac.uk ! We have got loads of events planned this year hopefully every second week, and we would love for you to come along. For now, do follow us on Instagram @somerville_poc or join the WhatsApp group to stay in the loop!
Odetta Edoja
JCR BAME OfficerHi! I’m Odetta (she/her). I study History and I am one of the JCR BAME Officers for this term. This involves organising events for Somerville’s BAME community and being a point of contact for things ranging from issues or just a chat. I love watching films and tv shows, anything that gives me a chance to delay my tutorial essays!
Thomas Bainbridge
JCR PresidentHi! I’m Tom (he/him), a second-year English student, and I am your JCR president for this academic year.
My role in the college is to lead the JCR (Junior Common Room), which consists of identity, welfare and administrative officers who seek to represent your interests within the college. We strive to put on lots of events, including a series of infamous Somerville BOPs (basically College parties), but also take issues, new ideas, and demands for change to the College as to make your time here as comfortable and inclusive as possible. As part of this, we enable conversations between the student body and the college staff through fortnightly ‘Open Meetings’ (meetings open to the entire Junior Common Room/undergraduate body) which formally look to scope the changes the student body would like to see. If you ever feel like we can be doing something better as a college, want support for your own interests and endeavours, or are keen to start a society or initiative, we would love to support you this!
I am always up for a chat, albeit to answer questions about the JCR or even just help with getting to grips with the college and life at Oxford more generally, so feel absolutely free to catch me walking about Somerville, or shoot me a message at thomas.bainbridge@some.ox.ac.uk.
Harry Roberts
JCR Environment and Ethics OfficerEleanor (Nel) Wickins
JCR Environment and Ethics OfficerHi, I’m Nel, a second year biology student. I love birds and going on long walks whenever I can – especially by the coast! I’ll be one of the environment and ethics officers this year so if you ever want a chat about the role or help fill up the bird feeders, let me know!
Elle Jardine
JCR Returning OfficerHello my name is Elle (they/them) and I am the Returning Officer!! I oversee open JCR meetings, the constitution, and the election process for the JCR 🙂 Feel free to email me with any questions you may have about those things (or if you just want a chat :p I am friendly.)
Jamie Chua
JCR Charities OfficerWelcome to Somerville! I’m Jamie, a fourth-year studying Psychology and Linguistics (though it’s really just Psychology now rip). As the JCR Charities’ officer, my job is to help the JCR support a range of different charities and organisations through sharing volunteering opportunities, organising fundraisers, and organising the charity ballot (the termly donation of JCR charity contributions). In this role, I am also the college contact for RAG (the SU’s funding campaign) and Molly‘s library (set up in 2003 by a group of Somervillians in Ghana and continuing to receive support from college).
I’m always happy to hear about and help with any charity-related idea, initiative or whim, so please find me at jamie.chua@some.ox.ac.uk if you have any (and I mean ANY)! I hope that you find Somerville a place where you are free to pursue the causes you care about, and aim to help make it that.
Florence Cuckston-Fenn
JCR Arts OfficerAnish Vedantham
JCR IT and Communications OfficerSophie Stewart
JCR Disabilities OfficerSophia (Siman) Li
JCR Internationals OfficerHi! My name is Sophia (She/her). I am an incoming second year PPEist, and the JCR international officer! I like travelling, watching movies, and listening to Taylor Swift.
Lucy Pollock
JCR Academic Affairs OfficerHey! I’m Lucy, one of two of Somerville’s LGBTQ+ Reps. Our role is to represent and support the queer community at Somerville. This mostly involves running events, but it also includes supporting student welfare and running the Gender Expression Fund (GEF). Our biggest events are the LGBTQ+ Formal, a formal dinner held in Michaelmas; and Pride Week, but there are smaller events on almost every week.
E-shen Low
JCR Suspended Students OfficerMalina Mielczarek
JCR Women's OfficerHey, I’m Malina! (she/her) I’m a second-year studying Law and taking on the role of Women’s Officer. I love any and all music – attending concerts, listening with my headphones on or jamming along to in events, as well as bouldering/rock climbing!
Ismail Rahman and Gabriel Oldknow
JCR Keeper of the SlinkyKeeper of our college pet!
Grace Rogers (President), Margaret (Maggie) Williams and Eleanor (Nel) Wickins
JCR Freshers CommitteeHi! We’re Maggie (History), Grace (PPE) and Nel (Biology) and we are your freshers reps! This means we organise freshers week activities for the incoming first years and welcome them to life at Somerville. We’re always up for a chat if you have any questions/ concerns about starting at Oxford.