Welcome to James College!

About James College

James College, originally founded in October 1989, is the seventh college of the University of York, has grown to become one of the largest and most prestigious colleges on campus. The college originally consisted of just Blocks A, B and C (which explains why the JCR (Junior Common Room) is so bloody small!) and was named after the first Vice-Chancellor of the University; Lord Eric James of Rusholme.

Currently, the college has accommodation for around five hundred students, organised into twelve comparably sized blocks. About four hundred of these students will be new to York in October. Blocks A – F are organised by means of houses; an up and down arrangement with central kitchen facilities. Newer blocks G – M are organised by means of flats, with up to eight students sharing kitchen facilities. The college has a centrally shared Common Room in ABC Quad which is free to use at all times. It can be booked by visiting Sarah in the Office (or emailing sad5 (at) york (dot) ac (dot) uk.)

The college has recently undergone major changes; in the past year students have witnessed the re-branding of the college coat-of-arms, a marked improvement in the state of facilities in the JCR (Junior Common Room) and sadly the departure of the first and original James College Provost; the legendary Ken Todd. The Provost is the life and soul of the college; a figurehead for all to respect and admire – Ken Todd certainly was this. That is not to say that all is lost. On the upshot, we do have a new Provost joining us permanently, Dr Neil Lunt of the York Management School. You will all have the chance to meet Neil in the first few weeks of the Autumn Term.

Student activities within the college are organised and co-ordinated by the James College JCRC (Junior Common Room Committee.) These ‘student activities’ include the provision of welfare, running of the website facility, organisation of charity fund-raising and of course, the organisation of social events. Major social events are normally held twice per term, although other events such as Quad Dash / Bash are also the responsibility of the acting JCRC. It is also us glorious people that take over the organisation of the upcoming Freshers Week. If you have any questions or queries about Freshers Week / James College / the JCRC, feel free to email freshers (at) jamescollege (dot) com.

College Events

The quads have lent themselves to the most famous James College tradition, "Quad Dash", held in Week 7 of Summer Term. Quad Dash models itself on the film Chariots of Fire. It was the brainchild of James College Chair, Fergus Drake. College residents turn out in their hundreds to enjoy a day of sunshine, free beer, quad races, ice cream, bouncy castles and fun.

James College is also responsible for the annual Full Stop event. It is held each year in conjunction with a wide variety of societies and raises over Ł1000 for AIDS charities.

Wildlife

In addition to one of the largest populations of students anywhere on campus, James College is also home to several hundred ducks, geese and other assorted wildfowl. In the summer term, particularly, it is not unusual to find whole flocks of birds patrolling the quads and pecking at kitchen windows. There have been occasions where ducks have been, accidentally, allowed to enter the houses and flats of James College.