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1.4 Glossary of ‘Cambridgespeak’

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Like any institution, both Selwyn and the University generate cargo and acronyms that people get used to very quickly but which can be confusing on first encounter. Here is a selection of some terms which might seem confusing to a newcomer. 

Bedmaker/Bedder

Traditional term for a cleaner in College (short for bedmaker; they no longer make beds). Selwyn has replaced the term by ‘Housekeeping Assistant’.

Bursar

The College’s senior financial and administration officer.

Come up / Go down

Arrive in Cambridge at the beginning of term / leave at the end.

Court

Enclosed area usually of lawn of grass surrounded by College buildings. Known as a quad (quadrangle) in Oxford. Selwyn has three – Old, Cripps, and Ann’s.

Intermit

If a student has to miss a significant part of their course for ‘grave cause’, they may request permission to take a period away, before returning to resume their studies.

Director of Studies

The Fellow of the College (or other senior member of the University) responsible for overseeing an undergraduate’s academic studies.

Division of Term

The day that marks the mid-point of Full Term, at the end of the 4th week. It is quite often used by the University for deadlines.

Easter Term

The term after Easter.

Exeat

Permission to spend a night away from Cambridge. Students must sign out and back in again whenever they are away from Cambridge to satisfy University requirements to ‘keep term’.

Fellow

An academic senior member of the College.

Formal Hall

Formal dinner (served at table) on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Fixed Period of Residence (FPR)

Ten weeks per term when you are entitled to access to your room without special permission, except for freshers who come up one week later than the start of FPR in Michaelmas.  Generally starts on a Saturday and finishes on a Sunday 10 weeks later. You don’t have to be there all ten weeks subject to keeping term.

Full Term

The eight-week teaching term. All undergraduates must stay in residence during this time. Named Michaelmas, Lent and Easter in Cambridge.

General Admission

At the end of June/early July undergraduates students are awarded their degrees at this University ceremony. Selwyn students graduate on the Friday. There are other ceremonies for postgraduate degrees.

Gowns

Black cape, to be worn on formal occasions (e.g. formal hall, chapel, matriculation). Graduates and Fellows wear a longer BA or MA gown.

Graduands

Students being presented to receive their degree, having successfully passed their exams.

Gyp Room

A very small kitchen, suitable for preparing snacks, not full meals.

Hall

Dining Hall used for cafeteria meals and also formal dinners.

Hostels

College accommodation in detached houses, on or adjacent to, the main site.

JCR

Junior Combination Room. Undergraduates are members of this.

Junior Members

Undergraduates and postgraduates.

Keeping Term

Satisfying the residence requirements of the University.

Matriculation

Becoming a member of the College and the University, promising to obey the College and University rules.

May Ball

Post-exam celebration – in June.

May Week

Also in June. The week after the end of the Full Easter Term; highlights include May Balls and garden parties.

MCR

Middle Combination Room. Postgraduates are members of this.

Pigeon-hole

Where your paper mail is left for you in the Porters’ Lodge.

Porters’ Lodge

Reception, mailroom, security.

Porter

College employee responsible for security, signing in and out, mail and spare keys. They do not carry bags.

Postgraduate

A postgraduate student; may be studying for either Masters’ or doctoral degrees.

Praelector

College Officer responsible for matriculation and graduation ceremonies.

Reading

Studying – “I am reading Natural Sciences”.

Rediit

Used to be a book you sign on the day you come into residence at the beginning of each term. Now done in the Porters Lodge electronically by scanning your University Card.

Residence

Cambridge is a residential University; students are required to spend a certain number of nights each term in order to be eligible to take their degree. Once you have come up, you are in residence.

SCR

Senior Combination Room. Fellows are members of this.

Senior Members

Fellows and Directors of Studies.

Supervisions

Small group teaching organised by Directors of Studies and that are called tutorials in Oxford.

Supervisor

The academic responsible for your supervisions

Term

A longer period than Full Term. There is no formal teaching outside Full Term.

Keeping Term Form/Terminal Exeat

The form that must be signed in the presence of your Tutor at your end of term meeting to confirm your going down and coming up dates.

Tutor

A Fellow with pastoral responsibilities connected to student welfare and wellbeing and who acts as your advocate in various matters.