Highlights of the year: from the JCR and MCR

Mansfield's JCR has continued to thrive during 2022/23

Alexander Boardman (PPE, 2021) JCR President

The year began with the unwelcome financial pressures of the cost-of-living crisis. To alleviate burdens, the Bench facilitated access to several new funds from the grant the JCR receives from College, including a prescriptions fund to subsidise students’ medical costs. In addition, the online Student Hub now makes it easier to get JCR help.

With the support of College, our Common Room has new pool and table tennis tables; they are proving extremely popular. Also enhancing our social space is the new Mansfield mural in the Crypt café, which brightens the interior while showcasing our students’ artistic talent. Welfare is a high priority for students, and we are grateful to College for its commitment to making Mansfield a supportive, nurturing environment for all.

Time seems to fly by as a student and to help capture the Mansfield experience we have, for the first time, created a Mansfield yearbook giving finalists a lasting memento of College life.

Mansfield’s nonconformist values deeply influence the JCR, galvanising increased fundraising activities to bring about positive change. This year we established an Environment Committee, which has introduced initiatives such as a community bike scheme, helping to make a tangible difference to our daily lives.

To finish, I would like to thank Mansfield’s staff and students for their fierce intellect, tireless dedication, and commitment to justice. It has been a privilege to work in such an inspiring community.

The College's MCR strives to be welcoming and inclusive

Karim Alaa El-Din (DPhil Atomic & Laser Physics, 2022) MCR President

I often get asked what’s my favourite part about being at Mansfield. For me, there is only one right answer: the people I meet. Fostering a huge diversity of backgrounds, identities and thoughts, Mansfield and the MCR maintain a community that’s as interesting as it is welcoming.

As President, I am honoured to encourage this diversity, facilitate conversations across subject boundaries, and, alongside the Bench, make our social spaces welcoming to both new and returning students.

To that end, the entire Bench worked hard and has built on the successes of previous years to deliver a host of events: some familiar, others brand new.

Beyond an amazing Freshers’ Week featuring scavenger hunts, pub crawls, karaoke and more, we have again organised a massive, sold-out Halloween bop, and are all looking forward to more events throughout the coming year.

Furthermore, we have endeavoured to make both the facilities and the community as welcoming and inclusive as possible. This includes upgrades such as a shiny new floor, a coffee machine (crucial for tired graduate students), and a rearrangement of our wall decorations. We have also arranged various new welfare events and provisions, including dedicated women’s and LGBTQIA+ mixers.

Throughout the year, we have been keen to represent all our students, so are mindful to keep an open ear to any requests or concerns.