University Life

Residence University Cards Matriculation Graduation The MA Academic Dress (Gowns) Examinations and Academic Matters Awards

Libraries Computing Facilities Bicycles Cars and Motorcycles Buses Health Problems

Residence

Undergraduates are expected to come up (to Cambridge) not later than the first day of Full Term. Your Tutor's permission may be sought to come up late or go down early, but this commonly causes difficulties for Supervisors and Directors of Studies. On arrival and departure you must sign the Residence Book in the Porters' Lodge, and if you go away during Full Term, you must make a note in the Exeat (mid term absence) Book giving the dates and a means of contact in case of emergency. You must also, of course, ensure you do not miss a supervision or other vital engagement.

You must keep nine terms by residence (six terms for an Affiliated Student) in order to qualify for the BA degree. To keep a term by residence you must be here for part of each day and night for a number of days equal to those in Full Term. If you are away for any reason during Full Term, the time must be made up between the dates of Full Term and Term. It is not possible to go away every weekend and keep the residence requirements, but there is no difficulty about being away for a couple of weekends. Special arrangements can be made in the case of illness. See the University's list of Term Dates. 

As Full Term is much shorter than at most Universities, it is very important to make good use of the time outside it as well. Murray Edwards College supports this by allowing you to remain in residence without extra charge longer than most Cambridge Colleges: subject to the particular terms of any licence agreement that may apply to you, you can normally stay for the entire duration of term, though outside Full Term you may have to move to a different room. You are not, however, expected to stay outside Term unless your Tutor accepts that you have a particular reason for staying - for example, if you have no home in this country, or if you need to be in Cambridge to take examinations or to pursue a course of directed reading or a research project.

Graduate students must keep the appropriate number of terms by residence in order to qualify for a higher degree (the number of terms depends on the type of qualification for which you are studying); for graduates, 'keep' means that you must spend at least 21 nights in Cambridge during that term. If, owing to the nature of your research, you need to work away from Cambridge for some period, application is made through your Supervisor (not through the College) to the Board of Graduate Studies.

University Cards

All students are issued with a University Card which acts as ID across the University and as a swipe card for access to buildings within Murray Edwards College, the University Library, and (once enabled) to University departments and faculty buildings. The card is also used to manage students' debit accounts in College (for further information see the Finance pages).

You should consult with the Porters about any problems with your card and, to maintain security, you must report to the Porters at once if your card goes missing. A £15 charge is made for replacing a lost card.

Matriculation

The Matriculation Ceremony, on your first arrival, marks your admission as a member of the University: the University recognises the qualifications you already have, and you sign the following declaration:

I understand that in becoming a member of Murray Edwards College (formerly New Hall) I accept the responsibility of membership of the College and University community and agree to abide by the statutes, rules and regulations of these institutions and to do nothing that is harmful to the work or reputation of either of them.

I consent to the processing by the College and the University of personal data (including sensitive personal data as defined in the Data Protection Act 1998) about me for the proper purposes of these institutions. I undertake to observe the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 in relation to any personal data I may myself hold and process as a student of the College and the University, and I agree to indemnify the College and the University from liability for any claims or damages that may arise from the processing of this data.

I promise to observe the Statutes and Ordinances of the University as far as they concern me, and to pay due respect and obedience to the Chancellor and other officers of the University.

By signing in the row below, I confirm that my particulars are correct.

Graduation

At the end of your course, after success in your exams or, for graduate research students, approval of your thesis, you will be presented for your degree by the College. Details of arrangements for Degree Days can be found on the Graduation pages.

All undergraduate courses lead to the University's BA (Honours) degree; those on four-year science courses have the MEng. or MSci. degree conferred together with the BA.

The MA

All those who receive a BA are automatically able to return six years after matriculating to receive the MA degree; this now unusual arrangement (which originally marked the end of the seven-year apprenticeship to the Medieval Guild of Scholars which made up Cambridge University) effectively recognises seniority rather than anything else, but provides an excellent occasion to meet old friends

Graduate students who are not Cambridge graduates have BA status or, if they are 24 years of age or over, MA status. Those with MA status have certain additional privileges; your Graduate Tutor can provide more information if this applies to you.

Academic Dress (Gowns)

Students are required to wear academic gowns at various formal occasions including matriculation (the formal admission procedure), matriculation dinner and graduation.  They are also normally worn at formal halls at this College as well as other Colleges you may visit for formal hall.

Since gowns are unlikely to go out of fashion any time soon, it may well be worth buying one for use while you're a student here, and then selling it on second-hand when you leave. Gowns are often advertised on the GU 'For Sale' forum. As well as buying second-hand from departing students, gowns can be bought or hired from Ede and Ravenscroft and Ryder and Amies. You can also hire gowns from the Graduate Union Shop. Gowns are also worn by the student representatives on the College Council and by those invited to the annual College Feast.  

Examinations and Academic Matters

Every summer, all undergraduate students are expected to sit and pass the University Tripos or Preliminary Examinations appropriate to the course they are studying. There is no provision at Cambridge for 're-sitting' examinations (nor for re-marking scripts), and failure at any stage - though very rare - blocks your intended degree path. Ultimately, the College Council may impose conditions on your continuing, or require you to leave the University. There are special procedures for academic problems arising from illness or other unavoidable difficulty; these are handled by your Tutor. For information on the College's academic policies and practices, see the undergraduate Academic Guide.

The principal academic focus for a graduate student is her Faculty or Department rather than the College. In view of this, you must make contact as soon as possible after your arrival in Cambridge with the Faculty or Department in which you will be working and, if you are a research student, with the supervisor who has been appointed to oversee your research. Please note that the arrangements for this first contact are not made by the College: if in doubt about what to do, contact your Faculty or Department Office. The most appropriate person for you to talk to is usually the Course Director, the Secretary of the Degree Committee (for a Faculty) or the Graduate Officer or Departmental Secretary in a Department.

Awards

A number of special awards are available throughout the University: for details see the Special November Issue of the Cambridge University Reporter.

Murray Edwards College awards annual scholarships of £400 to all undergraduates getting first-class examination results.

Murray Edwards College participates in the inter-collegiate Instrumental Awards Scheme. An information sheet [PDF] and application form [PDF] may be downloaded here. A College Music Scholarship is offered (by competition) in the Lent Term.

A large number of Travel Exhibitions, mostly around £100 but sometimes up to £1000, are offered in the Lent and Easter Terms each year to assist students in travel not specifically related to their courses. For further information, application forms, and a list of other University travel funds, please see the Funding web pages.

For details of general funding and student support, please visit the Finance web pages.

Libraries

The Rosemary Murray Library in Murray Edwards College is a well-stocked, primarily undergraduate library, open 24 hours a day. There are seats on three floors and it is a very pleasant place to study. The Librarian is usually available in the Library and can give advice and help on books and electronic resources. The Assistant Librarian is in charge of lending. They can be contacted by email (library@murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk). New students are offered a tour of the Library in the first week of term and are shown how to use the on-line catalogue. The librarian also likes to see all graduate students at the beginning of their first term to show them how to use the library and its online catalogue.

Please note that Murray Edwards College offers its students freer access to the Library than most colleges, and that this remains possible only provided it is used responsibly. Please be careful always to follow the procedures for borrowing and returning carefully, and remember that only members of Murray Edwards College are allowed in the Library.

Graduate students and most undergraduates will also use a Departmental or Faculty Library appropriate to their subject(s); each of these has its own regulations for borrowing. You University Card gives you access to the University Library (the 'UL'), which is probably the most useful resource for graduate students in arts and humanities. Only graduate students and third and fourth-year undergraduates may borrow books from the University Library.

Computing Facilities

The IT Resource Centre, at the entrance to the Library, contains PCs networked to the University Public Workstation facility (PWF), which provides disc space for individuals, some course-related software and common software for word-processing, spreadsheet and statistical analysis, databases etc. There are also facilities for scanning and printing (for which there is a charge); all PCs have writable CD/DVD drives, and have access to facilities such as the University's e-mail system (Hermes), the University Library catalogueand the internet. Students from elsewhere may not use these College facilities, except when assisting students from Murray Edwards College. They should be politely asked to leave.

There are two other PWF computers and a printer for use only by graduate students in the MCR office in Canning and Eliza Fok House.

On arrival all students are issued with a user-identifier (CRSid) for general use throughout Cambridge, an e-mail address of the form crsid@cam.ac.uk, and passwords for the PWF, Raven (an authentication service) and Hermes. The College's IT Manager and his assistants, can be contacted via pigeonhole or by e-mail (co@murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk). The Computer Office is in room B2.

The cost of internet use in the College's public computer rooms is currently met by the College and the University; you accept various conditions on your usage when you collect your user id and passwords, and may be disconnected if you breach these in any way.

The University Computing Service provides many short training courses, a Help desk open to all members of the University, and a central Public Workstation Facility (PWF) which supplements College facilities. Enquiries about these facilities can be made at the Computing Service Reception Desk on the New Museums Site.

A wireless network service is available in the public areas of College (not bedrooms), and all on-site College rooms have their own high-speed network connections (at a charge of £23.37 per term for 10/11, incorporated into the Utilities Charge) - you need to bring your own computer. Network cables may be purchased from the Computer Office for £3. Advice and help and information about setting up your network connection are available from the web site or Computer Office.

Bicycles

A bicycle makes nowhere in Cambridge more than a few minutes away, so do bring one if you can. It is quite possible to walk everywhere, and many students do, but the farthest departments are half an hour's walk away.

The University requires all cycles to be clearly marked with a College number; the police will dispose of any unclaimed cycles which are not marked with a College number. You will be given your own number and helped to mark your cycle on coming into residence. A good cycle lock is essential, and it is advisable to know the frame number for the information of the police if it is stolen. Make sure that you and your bicycle are visible when you are riding at night, with good front and rear lights, and preferably reflectors on the wheels and pedals as well; wear a safety helmet when cycling - the College subsidises the purchase of these for students in residence. It is also worth buying a high visibility jacket (bright yellow or orange with silver reflective tape on it) for use at night. For repairs and maintenance, there are bike shops nearby and in the centre of town. Note that police auctions of bikes do not often give good value for money and you should take care to make sure that you do not pay too much if you attend one of these auctions.

It is important that all students using bicycles should familiarise themselves with the rules contained in The Highway Code, especially those coming from countries where traffic keeps to the right or where priorities for road users may be different from those in the UK. It is important to remember that cyclists are expected to obey all the regulations relating to traffic signals, one-way streets and pedestrian crossings that apply to drivers of motor vehicles.

Cycles must be left in the cycle racks provided - either beside the main entrance or at the rear entrance off Storey's Way - and not on College paths or driveways. They may not be taken through the College grounds from one side to the other: please cycle round instead. The racks under the Long Room by the Porters' Lodge are under surveillance by closed-circuit television.

The College is willing to make a financial contribution of £12.50 to any cycle safety equipment you may wish to purchase (e.g. cycle helmets, lights, reflective clothing, locks). To receive the £12.50, please take the receipt for your product (with your name and email address written on the back) to John Cameron, Student Accountant. Your next College bill will then be credited with £12.50 to cover the contribution. Please note: all students are only entitled to this contribution once during their time at the College.

Cars and Motorcycles

Undergraduates may not use or keep a car or motorcycle in Cambridge without strong reasons (though each University Society may nominate one of its members to keep a car for its use); this is a University regulation the enforcement of which is watched carefully by the City Council. You should see the Senior Tutor if you want to make a case for yourself; the permission of the Pro-Proctor is required too.

Graduates may use or keep a car or motorcycle in Cambridge, but only with the permission of the Senior Tutor and the University Pro-Proctor for motor vehicles. No College garages are available and parking space is very limited. University and City Council regulations prohibit the parking of students' cars on the street overnight. Please let the Senior Tutor know if you need to keep a car in Cambridge.

Buses

The Uni4 service runs at a 20 minute frequency throughout the day (four buses at peak times and three buses off-peak) between the Madingley Road Park and Ride site and Addenbrooke's Hospital. The buses display the University crest and name and a Uni4 logo. University Card holders pay a 50p fare for any single journey along the Uni4 route. The service runs on the May Day and Late Spring Bank Holidays. Timetables can be viewed on the Stagecoach website and further information about the service is also available on the University website.

Health

The University requires all students to register with a Cambridge doctor; if you are a Home student (loosely, from the UK), please bring your NHS medical card with you for this purpose. If you are an overseas student, please bring your passport with you.  While your Cambridge doctor is your primary source of medical care, in particular at weekends and at night, the college provides additional help through a Health Centre (with a rest room) at FC29 beside the main entrance to the Library, where a College Nurse holds regular week-day surgeries at the times posted on the door. She sees all new students soon after arrival, and will help you find a local doctor.

In an emergency, you should contact the Porter on duty, who will summon an ambulance, a doctor or the College Nurse as appropriate. Alternatively you can contact CamDoc (01223 464242), the out-of-hours service for all City medical practices. If you find it necessary for any reason to contact an emergency service directly, you should also call the Porters' Lodge (01223 762100) as soon as you can so that the service can be directed appropriately on arrival and anyone else appropriate can be informed.

The college operates a taxi scheme, partly funded by student contributions added to your bill, which meets the costs of travelling to and from lectures when you are temporarily unable to walk; see the College Nurse, or in an emergency the Porters, about this.

The University Dental Service at 3 Trumpington Street (tel. 01223 332860) offers treatment under the NHS (free to under-19 yr olds) and gives members of the University priority for appointments in Term.

For further information on doctors, dentists and other health matters, including a list of useful contacts, please see the Health and Welfare pages.

Undergraduates who become seriously ill may need to return home to be looked after, and may ultimately need to interrupt their course, resuming the following year. This procedure is called degrading, and requires University permission, for which your Tutor applies. Graduate students who need to take a break from their course due to ill health can apply to intermit.

Problems

Minor problems of order and discipline in College are dealt with by the College Dean or the Senior Tutor. Any serious breach of College regulations is dealt with according to the Statutes and Ordinances of the College. Sanctions for a breach of University or College regulations range from fines and prohibitions to temporary or permanent removal from Cambridge (hardly ever imposed now).

Within the College, Tutors are used to being consulted in confidence about personal and financial problems and work difficulties; they are not in any sense trained counsellors, but they are sympathetic and know from experience what is necessary for success in a demanding degree course. You can also approach other senior members of the College - particularly the Senior Tutor, the College Nurse, or your JCR/MCR representatives. If in any doubt, do ask for help, either for yourself or for a friend. Problems of one kind or another are not unusual as students adjust to the very different world of the University, and they can usually be far more effectively addressed early than late. A small number of people each year run into serious problems that might well have been averted given freer communication earlier.

Outside the College, help and advice is available as appropriate from the Student Union (CUSU), from your doctor, or from the University Counselling Service at 14 Trumpington Street, tel. 01223 332865, where students can see a professional counsellor whether being referred by a Tutor or simply calling in themselves. Many useful Counselling Service leaflets are available from the College Nurse or via the web (http://www.counselling.cam.ac.uk/leaflets.htm).

If you feel you have cause for complaint about some aspect of college life there are various channels through which complaints should be made - assuming of course that, where appropriate (as for example in the case of inconsiderate neighbours), you have tried first to see what you can do about it yourself. The section People: Who Does What gives a guide to areas of responsibility within the College which should help you route any complaints most effectively. The College has a written policy on complaints.

As required by law, the College also has a written policy relating to Drugs Education and Prevention. Copies are available on request from the Tutorial Office and contain a list of outside agencies that can help with drug or alcohol-related problems.

Checked and updated WK 08/10