Selwyn Undergraduate Freshers

Welcome to Selwyn!

Welcome from the Dean

As Dean, I deal with disciplinary matters in College. Although we try to have as few regulations as possible, I’m sure you would appreciate that some are necessary to ensure that the College is preserved as a pleasant and rewarding environment for the benefit of the community of people who live, work, and study here, and that we treat each other with respect and courtesy.

Student Guide and Accommodation Handbook

The Student Guide and the Accommodation Handbook contain the College rules and regulations as well as lots of other useful information and may be found on the College website - please do read them. I draw your particular attention to the sections of the Student Guide/Regulations pertaining to Formal Dinners in College, and also below to some topics that arise frequently at this time of year.

Noise disturbance

Selwyn is a friendly, close-knit community, but occasionally tensions arise when people live together in close proximity, particularly where alcohol has been consumed. One such problem is excessive noise, especially at night. Anyone subjected to disturbance of this kind is encouraged to report it immediately to the Porters’ Lodge (01223 335846) - such reports are invariably passed to me as Dean and I will take appropriate disciplinary action.

Motor Vehicles

Except with special permission from the Dean and the University Motor Proctor, students are not permitted to keep a car, motorcycle or moped in Cambridge during term. Requests to keep a car are highly unlikely to be successful, other than in absolutely exceptional circumstances (primarily medical), owing to the severe shortage of parking space within College. The deadline for applications for a permit for this academic year is Friday 13 October 2023 – the relevant form is available in the Porters’ Lodge and should be returned to the Head Porter (headporter@sel.cam.ac.uk).

Bicycles

Bicycle thefts are unfortunately endemic in Cambridge, so please keep your bicycle locked securely whenever you leave it. In order to dissuade would-be thieves, and aid in the tracing of stolen bicycles, you must register your bicycle at the Porters’ Lodge.

Electrical Appliances

Installation and use of electrical appliances for cooking purposes in College rooms is not permitted. However, other low power consumption electrical items such as kettles, computers, or hairdryers, etc, are permitted, but all such items need to be checked by the Maintenance Department for safety prior to being used on College premises. All appliances must conform to applicable standards.

The Maintenance Department will be carrying out portable appliance testing (PAT) on Saturday, 30^th September.

See the Accommodation Handbook for further details.

Public Rooms and Parties

The College has a number of public rooms, which may be booked by junior members. We have recently introduced an online room/event booking process, details of which can be obtained from the Catering Office. If food is to be served you must discuss hygiene arrangements with the Catering Office (whether or not the food is prepared by College). The Dean's permission is required if you plan to hold a private party, any gathering in College of more than ten guests, or hold an event at which alcohol will be served. In the first instance please see the Catering Office to discuss the procedures.

I am always delighted to hear from, or meet, members of the Selwyn community who think I may be able to be of assistance, and can be contacted via dean@sel.cam.ac.uk.

Professor C Summers and Professor G Stewart
September 2023

Welcome from the Dean of Chapel & Chaplain

Information about the role of the Dean of Chapel & Chaplain, Arabella Milbank Robinson, can be found at https://www.sel.cam.ac.uk/freshers. Arabella can be contacted in her room (D7 – Old Court, behind the sundial), or on amm245@cam.ac.uk and by text message to 07922 579 595 (messages will be read in office hours). In an emergency, the Porters will know how to contact her on 01223 335846.

Your Individual Start of Year Meeting in the first week

The Chaplain is available to provide pastoral support to all students throughout their time at Selwyn, whether they are of any particular faith tradition or none. The College therefore likes the Chaplain to meet all Selwyn freshers at the start of the year. These will be short, informal meetings so please ensure you book in as soon as possible at: www.sel.cam.ac.uk/dosbook avoiding any other compulsory meetings or sessions that have been arranged for you.

The Freshers' Service (1 October 2023)

All Freshers, of any faith or none, are also invited to the Freshers' Service, which will take place on Sunday 1 October 2023 at 17:30.