HOMERTON UNION OF STUDENTS jcr I sit at my paper-strewn desk, each scrap containing a nugget of interest or achievement from the last two terms, during which I’ve had the pleasure of being JCR President. Atop these lies the last issue of the Homertonian, flipped open to page eighteen, and I read last year’s equivalent article, written by my predecessor, Pippa Dinnage. I can’t quite understand how she managed to squash the year into a measly five-hundred words. That’s not even half an essay. And I’ve already spent a hundred words waffling. Better get started. It began with PGCE Freshers’ Week. After two marathon rounds of registration, the JCR and MCR began welcoming our 350 one-year members. Although plans for a barbecue didn’t quite weather the drizzle, the week was a success, even if our teachers-in-training barely had time to enjoy it. Laughs were had at the pub quiz, movie night saw us camped around the MCR’s flashy flat screen watching Music & Lyrics (not Hugh Grant’s finest hour), and both Matriculation Dinners were a delight. It’s a shame that we don’t see much of the PGCEs throughout the year, but the week was a great introduction. Training week followed, during which new HUS Executives were shown the ropes, met college officials, and played some very silly games. Before we even had time for a second round of Mafia or another jug of Pimm’s, Freshers’ Week was upon us. My hat goes off to the team, who did a fantastic job during our busiest, most sleepless week of the year. By the time of the bop on Saturday evening, you could tell the freshers already felt at home, verified by our (entirely scientific) Silly Costumes Index, which hit a 9.0 that evening. Prizes went to two ladies sporting Georgian personas to match their dresses. And the guy dressed (or rather, not dressed) as the Incredible Hulk. Since then, the HUS has gone about its usual work, helping students in all manner
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of sticky situations, attending college meetings, and generally complaining about things. Our students have been busy too. For the second year we held a Harry Potter Formal, put on for two nights rather than one, but still managing to sell out in thirty minutes in the dead of night. Special thanks to Esther Harding, to whom the organising baton was passed, and who did a wonderful job making the evening (and particularly the South Corridor) magical. That night we welcomed students from our Oxonian sister college, Harris Manchester, and ecstatic emails indicated their enjoyment. Sporting success has continued on field and water; particular highlights came from men’s football and women’s rowing. Further afield, congratulations must go to Mike Thorp for a brilliant performance in this year’s Boat Race, even in the face of controversy. Drama boasted another great year of Hatstands, and some terrific productions put on in college. Visit the ADC, and you’ll also find a raft of Homertonians populating each and every show. I don’t think I’ve managed a theatre trip this year without seeing a few college members treading the boards. So there we have it: the year in a nutshell. I haven’t managed to clear even half the scraps from my desk, and with another term to go, you can bet it has yet to see its messiest day.
Ben Wheawell HUS President 2010–2011
Mcr Just as any project in development, the MCR spreads its wings further and wider every year. Within its third year of existence, we have learned so much more about how to make the experience at Cambridge and Homerton College one to never forget. The start of the academic year brought new graduate students from all over the world not only seeking the knowledge a degree here can provide but also eager to discover why being a student at Cambridge is so unique. To start the year on a high note, an incredible Freshers’ Week was organized by the MCR committee so as to help the new students feel welcome at college. Among tours of Cambridge (including the popular ghost walk tour), pub crawl, the typical punting outing, film night, bowling, potlucks and visits to some beautiful nearby locations such as Grantchester and Ely, the graduate freshers were extremely busy. Freshers’ week also brought the work of our committee to the attention of many freshers who were keen to be even more involved in College and they now make up roughly two thirds of our committee. Throughout the year we strive to maintain the quality and quantity of events to give our students the possibility to always have a friendly support system within college. We have had potlucks and get-togethers to celebrate holidays from all over the world and thus help with the homesickness some might feel, especially those away from their home countries for the first time. College formal dinner exchanges have reached an all-time high this year, helping foment and strengthen relationships with other colleges. This year the MCR has also taken over the film club (originally initiated by a fellow), a club dedicated to showing award-winning films. Homerton MCR is also highly involved with the rest of the university, including the Graduate Union. Together with other college MCRs, we have endeavored to bring to