WHAT WE DO
Welcome from your JCR President
Firstly, I’d like to welcome each and every one of you to another year at South College. Whether you’re joining us for the first time as a Fresher or Postgraduate, or returning to South for another year, I hope you’re looking forward to everything the year ahead has to offer.
I’m Mia, your JCR President for 2026/27. I’ve just graduated from South with a degree in Law, having spent the last three years here and experiencing all that college life has to offer. South has become such a huge part of my university experience, and I’m incredibly excited to now have the opportunity to lead the JCR and give something back to the community that has given me so much.
As Durham’s newest college, we have the opportunity to shape what South becomes and create traditions that will continue for years to come. But what makes South truly special is the people who make up our community. Whether it’s cheering each other on at sports, getting involved in a new society, spending an evening in the Nest, dressing up for a formal or coming together for one of our balls or South Day, it’s the people you meet and the experiences you share with them that make college life so memorable.
As JCR President, my aim is to give every student the best wider student experience possible. Alongside my Executive Committee, I want to create opportunities for you to meet new people, try new things and make memories that will stay with you long after you leave Durham.
If I could give you one piece of advice, it would be to throw yourself into college life. Join a sport or society, even if you’ve never tried it before. Come to events, attend formals and balls, spend time in the Nest, and say yes to things outside your comfort zone. Some of the best experiences you have at university will come from the things you never expected to do and the people you never expected to meet.
My time at South has given me some of my closest friends, favourite memories and experiences I never could have imagined when I arrived three years ago. I hope that, whatever your time at South looks like, you leave with the same feeling.
I’m incredibly proud to be your JCR President, and I can’t wait to meet you all and make 2026/27 a fantastic year for South.
Here’s to a brilliant year ahead!
What is the JCR?
The Junior Common Room - often referred to as the JCR - is the undergraduate body of students at South College. The JCR is run by and for students. All Durham Colleges have a JCR, which run very similarly to ours. We run everything from daily activities including sports, societies, bar events, welfare support and campaigns to larger events including our Freshers’ Week, College Day, Winter and Summer Balls. There are also several leadership positions that you can get involved with!
The JCR has a committee in charge of different aspects of the Common Room. They are elected by the student body, and meet regularly to discuss issues affecting you, represent South to the wider university and work to provide the best student experience possible. If you ever have any questions for any of our committee, find them during their office hours or reach out through their email.
“South College JCR and MCR are dedicated to and will create a diverse, inclusive and welcoming environment where everyone regardless of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, income or disability can get involved and become part of South College’s story.”
What do the JCR DO?
Run and support a variety of Sports Clubs and Societies.
Organise regular events and socials throughout the year.
Celebrating events such as Lunar New Year, Diwali, Pride and Christmas.
Organise larger events such as Freshers’ Week, seasonal balls and South Day.
Offer Welfare Support and supplies.
Provide opportunities to run for leadership and executive positions within the JCR, Sports Clubs and Societies.
Opportunities for volunteering, outreach and charity projects.
In order to access all the amazing benefits of the JCR, you will need to opt-into the JCR Levy. More information about what the JCR Levy is can be found here.
South Day 2026