Wadham College, uniquely in Oxford, combines its Junior Common Room (JCR) with its Middle Common Room (MCR) to form a united Students’ Union (SU). The main purpose of the Students’ Union is to represent the interests of the student body in the College and to the outside world, and to help the College meet the needs of every student, both academically and socially.

The SU is the focus of much of College life, providing a common room with comfy chairs, newspapers, a television, games machines, table football and a pool table. The SU holds ‘entz’ (entertainments) such as fortnightly ‘bops’ (a sort of disco), bar quizzes, karaoke and film nights. It also organises some very popular annual events including a summer music festival called Wadstock, at which student and local bands play.

The SU is keen to ensure that all interests are catered for and represented. It runs a welfare team headed by the SU’s Welfare and Housing Officer, who oversees a team of Peer Supporters: trained student volunteers, on hand to listen if any student has a problem they want to talk about. Current committee members also include a Women’s Officer, a Welfare Officer, an International Officer and an Access and Academic Affairs Officer.

SU meetings are held fortnightly. Motions can be proposed on any subject and discussion is often varied and lively. The SU supports a number of charities through an optional levy and also regularly sponsors a student from a developing country who would not otherwise be able to come to Wadham. SU Officers represent the students on various College committees and attend meetings of the College’s Governing Body. In summary, the SU plays an integral part in making Wadham the place it is, and all students are encouraged to get involved.

A great insight into the role of the SU and the lively and diverse activities of the student body may be found in the College’s Alternative Prospectus, written by current Wadham students. You can request a copy or view it online at http://su.wadham.ox.ac.uk/prospectus/