Van Mildert College
Encyclopedia
Van Mildert College, commonly known as Mildert, is a college of the University of Durham in England
. Founded in 1965, it takes its name from William Van Mildert
, Prince-Bishop of Durham from 1826 to 1836 and a leading figure in the University's 1832 foundation.
Van Mildert College occupies grounds of eight acres (32,000 m²) alongside South Road and is centred around a large lake. The college's accommodation and communal facilities are modern and spacious, and includes an adjacent conference centre which is regularly used by external organisations.
Van Mildert College was established in 1965. Women postgraduate students were first admitted in 1967, studying certificates in education. While female undergraduates were first admitted to the college in 1972, making it the first Durham college to become co-educational.
The accommodation blocks are named Tyne, Tees, Middleton, Derwent, Wear, Tunstall and Deerness, the latter two of which are fully en suite. They are all situated within the college grounds and the university is in the process of refurbishing each of the buildings in turn. In total the College can provide 550 single rooms for its members.
The college's Dining Hall is one of the largest in the UK. It measures 30.8m by 13.2m and can seat approximately 350 members at formal dinners. The dining hall is used for a variety of functions over the academic year and plays a central role in the lives of livers in (students who live on the college site) as it is where college meals and formals are held. The hall also acts as a venue for drama productions, use as a sports hall and in 2010 was one of the main locations for the Inter-Varsity Folk Dance Festival . The portrait of William Van Mildert
, whom the college is named after, hangs at one end of Van Mildert dining hall, along with portraits of the former Principals and Masters of the college.
Although undergraduates constitute the majority of the student population of the college, the postgraduate community benefit from a refurbished Middle Common Room, separate accommodation in Deerness block where all rooms are en-suite and have access to kitchen facilities due to the fact that postgraduate students are often resident in college outside of normal term times. Postgraduate members of the college are also members of the JCR and therefore are entitled to make use of all the JCR facilities.
is well equipped with over 12,000 books & journals and along with St John's College Archives
is the only other College library in Durham to be listed in The National Archives. Opposite the library is the newly refurbished Kent Room, which is where the library's fiction collection is kept. The library is run by a part-time librarian and the library committee of the JCR, which also provides much of the funding to maintain the library. The library has recently undergone a process of automating its catalogue of books.
. For example bops, discos after formal dinners, band nights and amateur theatre productions. Both rooms have large plasma screen TVs which are used to show major sporting fixtures during the academic term.
The College has a host of other social facilities, most notably a music/recording suite with drums, grand piano and recording equipment. The College also has a gym, computer room, shop, tennis court and a full-size snooker table.
ed as "Gules
two Scythe
blades in saltire
in chief
the Cross of St Cuthbert Argent
And for the Crest
On a Wreath
of the Colours in front of a Castle of three Towers Sable
a silver penannular brooch proper the ends charged with Gilded Crosses of St Cuthbert." The scythes and the red field
are taken from Bishop Van Mildert's episcopal arms; the cross of St Cuthbert is a common emblem of Durham City and University. The college generally uses only the shield of its arms for most purposes.
is not required to be worn to formal events nor at Matriculation
, instead formal dress is used. In addition, students wear black tie attire at the end of term balls
.
. Students are required to wear formal dress for formal dinners except when it is a black tie event. At the end of the dining hall a High Table
consisting of members of the SCR and guests is present at every formal, the Master's entrance signifying the official opening and closing of the formal meal.
. A Kazu is a celebratory action which requires the winning candidate of every election to kick a full can of Coca Cola down the stairs in the foyer, throw it over their head three times and then opening the can over his/her head. The JCR Constitution notes that it "may be done wearing clothes".
with the fellow residing in the College and becoming a member of the SCR. Recent fellows have included Adi Ophir
and Mikhail Epstein
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Founded in 1965, it takes its name from William Van Mildert
William Van Mildert
William Van Mildert was the last palatine Bishop of Durham , and one of the founders of the University of Durham...
, Prince-Bishop of Durham from 1826 to 1836 and a leading figure in the University's 1832 foundation.
Van Mildert College occupies grounds of eight acres (32,000 m²) alongside South Road and is centred around a large lake. The college's accommodation and communal facilities are modern and spacious, and includes an adjacent conference centre which is regularly used by external organisations.
History & Buildings
The accommodation blocks are named Tyne, Tees, Middleton, Derwent, Wear, Tunstall and Deerness, the latter two of which are fully en suite. They are all situated within the college grounds and the university is in the process of refurbishing each of the buildings in turn. In total the College can provide 550 single rooms for its members.
The college's Dining Hall is one of the largest in the UK. It measures 30.8m by 13.2m and can seat approximately 350 members at formal dinners. The dining hall is used for a variety of functions over the academic year and plays a central role in the lives of livers in (students who live on the college site) as it is where college meals and formals are held. The hall also acts as a venue for drama productions, use as a sports hall and in 2010 was one of the main locations for the Inter-Varsity Folk Dance Festival . The portrait of William Van Mildert
William Van Mildert
William Van Mildert was the last palatine Bishop of Durham , and one of the founders of the University of Durham...
, whom the college is named after, hangs at one end of Van Mildert dining hall, along with portraits of the former Principals and Masters of the college.
Common Rooms
The student body is divided into three "Common Rooms". The Junior Common Room (JCR) is for undergraduates in the college. The JCR elects an Executive Committee which ensures the successful running of the JCR, in conjunction with the College Officers. The Middle Common Room (MCR) is the organisation for Postgraduate students, while College Officers, fellows and tutors are members of the Senior Common Room (SCR).Although undergraduates constitute the majority of the student population of the college, the postgraduate community benefit from a refurbished Middle Common Room, separate accommodation in Deerness block where all rooms are en-suite and have access to kitchen facilities due to the fact that postgraduate students are often resident in college outside of normal term times. Postgraduate members of the college are also members of the JCR and therefore are entitled to make use of all the JCR facilities.
Library
The College libraryLibrary
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
is well equipped with over 12,000 books & journals and along with St John's College Archives
St John's College, Durham
St John's College is a college of the University of Durham, United Kingdom. It is one of only two 'Recognised Colleges' of the University, the other being St Chad's. This means that it is financially and constitutionally independent of the University and has a greater degree of administrative...
is the only other College library in Durham to be listed in The National Archives. Opposite the library is the newly refurbished Kent Room, which is where the library's fiction collection is kept. The library is run by a part-time librarian and the library committee of the JCR, which also provides much of the funding to maintain the library. The library has recently undergone a process of automating its catalogue of books.
Bar & Junior Common Room
Van Mildert has a bar which is extensively used by members of the college, as well as by students from other colleges. In recent years, the college bar has won the 'University Bar' category of the Best Bar None awards for Durham City for the 2008-09 and 2010-11 academic years. The Junior Common Room, or JCR lounge, is used for holding JCR meetings and many of the social events that are organised by the JCRJCR
JCR may refer to:* Revolutionary Coordinating Junta of 1970s urban guerrilla communist parties in South America* Content repository API for Java * Junior Common Room...
. For example bops, discos after formal dinners, band nights and amateur theatre productions. Both rooms have large plasma screen TVs which are used to show major sporting fixtures during the academic term.
The College has a host of other social facilities, most notably a music/recording suite with drums, grand piano and recording equipment. The College also has a gym, computer room, shop, tennis court and a full-size snooker table.
College Traditions
Arms
The college arms are blazonBlazon
In heraldry and heraldic vexillology, a blazon is a formal description of a coat of arms, flag or similar emblem, from which the reader can reconstruct the appropriate image...
ed as "Gules
Gules
In heraldry, gules is the tincture with the colour red, and belongs to the class of dark tinctures called "colours". In engraving, it is sometimes depicted as a region of vertical lines or else marked with gu. as an abbreviation....
two Scythe
Scythe
A scythe is an agricultural hand tool for mowing grass, or reaping crops. It was largely replaced by horse-drawn and then tractor machinery, but is still used in some areas of Europe and Asia. The Grim Reaper is often depicted carrying or wielding a scythe...
blades in saltire
Saltire
A saltire, or Saint Andrew's Cross, is a heraldic symbol in the form of a diagonal cross or letter ex . Saint Andrew is said to have been martyred on such a cross....
in chief
Chief (heraldry)
In heraldic blazon, a chief is a charge on a coat of arms that takes the form of a band running horizontally across the top edge of the shield. Writers disagree in how much of the shield's surface is to be covered by the chief, ranging from one-fourth to one-third. The former is more likely if the...
the Cross of St Cuthbert Argent
Argent
In heraldry, argent is the tincture of silver, and belongs to the class of light tinctures, called "metals". It is very frequently depicted as white and usually considered interchangeable with it...
And for the Crest
Crest (heraldry)
A crest is a component of an heraldic display, so called because it stands on top of a helmet, as the crest of a jay stands on the bird's head....
On a Wreath
Wreath
A wreath is an assortment of flowers, leaves, fruits, twigs and/or various materials that is constructed to resemble a ring. They are used typically as Christmas decorations to symbolize the coming of Christ, also known as the Advent season in Christianity. They are also used as festive headdresses...
of the Colours in front of a Castle of three Towers Sable
Sable (heraldry)
In heraldry, sable is the tincture black, and belongs to the class of dark tinctures, called "colours". In engravings and line drawings, it is sometimes depicted as a region of crossed horizontal and vertical lines or else marked with sa. as an abbreviation.The name derives from the black fur of...
a silver penannular brooch proper the ends charged with Gilded Crosses of St Cuthbert." The scythes and the red field
Field (heraldry)
In heraldry, the background of the shield is called the field. The field is usually composed of one or more tinctures or furs. The field may be divided or may consist of a variegated pattern....
are taken from Bishop Van Mildert's episcopal arms; the cross of St Cuthbert is a common emblem of Durham City and University. The college generally uses only the shield of its arms for most purposes.
Academic Dress
At Van Mildert the undergraduate academic gownGown
A gown is a loose outer garment from knee- to full-length worn by men and women in Europe from the early Middle Ages to the 17th century ; later, gown was applied to any woman's garment consisting of a bodice and attached skirt.A long, loosely-fitted gown called a Banyan was worn by men in the 18th...
is not required to be worn to formal events nor at Matriculation
Matriculation
Matriculation, in the broadest sense, means to be registered or added to a list, from the Latin matricula – little list. In Scottish heraldry, for instance, a matriculation is a registration of armorial bearings...
, instead formal dress is used. In addition, students wear black tie attire at the end of term balls
Ball
A ball is a round, usually spherical but sometimes ovoid, object with various uses. It is used in ball games, where the play of the game follows the state of the ball as it is hit, kicked or thrown by players. Balls can also be used for simpler activities, such as catch, marbles and juggling...
.
Formals
Formals usually take place fortnightly during the academic term on either a Tuesday or Thursday evening. As with all colleges there are a number of traditions at Formals, such as pennyingPennying
Pennying is a drinking game popular amongst students attending various universities throughout the United Kingdom. It is one of the International Drinking Rules, or Pub Rules...
. Students are required to wear formal dress for formal dinners except when it is a black tie event. At the end of the dining hall a High Table
High Table
At Oxford, Cambridge and Durham colleges — and other, similarly traditional and prestigious UK academic institutions At Oxford, Cambridge and Durham colleges — and other, similarly traditional and prestigious UK academic institutions At Oxford, Cambridge and Durham colleges — and other, similarly...
consisting of members of the SCR and guests is present at every formal, the Master's entrance signifying the official opening and closing of the formal meal.
The Kazu
The Kazu is a ceremony performed by the winning candidate after executive officer elections by ballot box in the JCRJCR
JCR may refer to:* Revolutionary Coordinating Junta of 1970s urban guerrilla communist parties in South America* Content repository API for Java * Junior Common Room...
. A Kazu is a celebratory action which requires the winning candidate of every election to kick a full can of Coca Cola down the stairs in the foyer, throw it over their head three times and then opening the can over his/her head. The JCR Constitution notes that it "may be done wearing clothes".
Doing It For The Bishop
The adventurous motto by which students of Van Mildert College live, having an enjoyable experience of College in honour of founding Bishop Van Mildert himself.The Master
Professor Patrick O'Meara is the current Master of the College and is due to retire in September 2011.List of Past Masters & Principals
- Dr. Arthur Prowse (1964-1972)
- Dr. Paul Kent (1972-1982)
- Arnold Bradshaw (1983-1988)
- Dr. Judy Turner (1989-1999)
- Prof. Ian TaylorIan Taylor (sociologist)Ian Taylor was a British sociologist. He was born in Sheffield.- National Deviancy Symposium and Critical Criminology :...
(1999-2000) - George Patterson (2000-2004)
- Prof. Patrick O'MearaPatrick O'MearaProfessor Patrick O'Meara was the Master of Van Mildert College and Professor of Russian and Russian History at Durham University. Until 2003, he was Associate Professor of Russian at Trinity College, Dublin...
(2004–2011) - David Harper (2011-future)
College Fellows
The College has two fellowships for visitng scholars; the Arthur Prowse Fellowship, named after the College's first Master, and the Arnold Bradshaw Fellowship. The fellowships are typically awarded for one academic term in conjunction with the Institute of Advanced StudyInstitute of Advanced Study (Durham)
The Institute of Advanced Study is a research centre of Durham University. The IAS has been set up to bring researchers from across the world to collaborate on cutting edge research. The IAS was set up to mark Durham's 175th anniversary and will be housed in the Grade I listed Bishop Cosins Hall...
with the fellow residing in the College and becoming a member of the SCR. Recent fellows have included Adi Ophir
Adi Ophir
Adi Ophir is an Israeli philosopher.Professor Ophir teaches philosophy at the Cohn Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Ideas at Tel Aviv University...
and Mikhail Epstein
Mikhail Epstein
Mikhail Naumovich Epstein is an American literary theorist and critical thinker. He is Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of Cultural Theory and Russian Literature at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia...
.
Notable alumni
Van Mildert alumni are active through organisations and events, such as the Van Mildert association, which cater for the more than 7,500 living alumni.- George AlagiahGeorge AlagiahGeorge Maxwell Alagiah OBE is a British newsreader, journalist and television news presenter.Since 3 December 2007, he has been the sole presenter of the BBC News at Six and has also been the main presenter of GMT on BBC World News since its launch on 1 February 2010...
- Broadcaster - John BarrowJohn D. Barrow-External links:****** The Forum-Publications available on the Internet:************...
- Cosmologist, winner of the 2006 Templeton PrizeTempleton PrizeThe Templeton Prize is an annual award presented by the Templeton Foundation. Established in 1972, it is awarded to a living person who, in the estimation of the judges, "has made an exceptional contribution to affirming life's spiritual dimension, whether through insight, discovery, or practical...
and Fellow of the Royal Society - Jonathan EdwardsJonathan Edwards (athlete)Jonathan David Edwards, CBE, is a former British triple jumper. He is a former Olympic, Commonwealth, European and World champion, and has held the world record in the event since 1995....
- OlympicOlympic GamesThe Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
gold medal-winning and current World Record-holding triple jumpTriple jumpThe triple jump is a track and field sport, similar to the long jump, but involving a “hop, bound and jump” routine, whereby the competitor runs down the track and performs a hop, a bound and then a jump into the sand pit.The triple jump has its origins in the Ancient Olympics and has been a...
er - David WaltonDavid WaltonDavid Robert Walton was a British economist, and a member of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee from July 2005 until his death in June 2006....
- Economist and member of the Bank of EnglandBank of EnglandThe Bank of England is the central bank of the United Kingdom and the model on which most modern central banks have been based. Established in 1694, it is the second oldest central bank in the world...
's Monetary Policy CommitteeMonetary Policy CommitteeThe Monetary Policy Committee is a committee of the Bank of England, which meets for two and a half days every month to decide the official interest rate in the United Kingdom . It is also responsible for directing other aspects of the government's monetary policy framework, such as quantitative... - Martin WhartonMartin WhartonJohn Martin Wharton CBE is a British Anglican bishop. He is the current Bishop of Newcastle.Wharton was born in Ulverston, Lancashire, the son of John Wharton and Marjorie Skinner. He was educated at Ulverston Grammar School and Van Mildert College, Durham where he graduated with a Bachelor of...
- Lord Bishop of NewcastleBishop of NewcastleThe Bishop of Newcastle is the ordinary of the Church of England's Diocese of Newcastle in the Province of York.The diocese at present covers the County of Northumberland and the Alston Moor area of Cumbria... - Sally Morgan, Baroness Morgan of HuytonSally Morgan, Baroness Morgan of HuytonSally Morgan, Baroness Morgan of Huyton is a British Labour Party politician.Morgan was educated at Belvedere School for Girls, Liverpool, and at Durham University, where she graduated in 1980 with a B.A. in geography. After taking a Postgraduate Certificate in Education at King's College London...
- British Labour Party politician, former Minister of StateMinister of StateMinister of State is a title borne by politicians or officials in certain countries governed under a parliamentary system. In some countries a "minister of state" is a junior minister, who is assigned to assist a specific cabinet minister...
for Women and Board Member of the Olympic Delivery AuthorityOlympic Delivery AuthorityThe Olympic Delivery Authority is the statutory corporation responsible for ensuring delivery of venues, infrastructure and legacy for the 2012 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in London... - John B. WilliamsJohn B. Williams (musician)Not to be confused with Jon B., an American R&B/soul singer.John B is an English DJ and electronic music producer...
- Electronic music producer and DJ - Jesse HoneyJesse HoneyJesse Honey is an English quiz player best known for winning the Mastermind series 2010 and becoming a member of the English National team later in the year.-Life:...
- Winner of BBC Mastermind 2010
External links
- Van Mildert College official website
- Van Mildert College JCR student organisation
- Van Mildert MCR website
- Van Mildert Boat Club (VMBC)
- Mildert B unofficial alumni cricket club
- Van Mildert Association, Mildert's alumni association
- Van Mildert PA Committee, a student run committee of the college which provides technical equipment