What is the JCR?

The JCR is the "Junior Common Room"; this is a physical room in College, but it is also means the students of Merton College. It is members of the JCR that have produced this guide to the college. At Merton the JCR appoints officers and committee members that do a range of things including providing entertainment in the form of bops and bar quizzes, welfare support, representation to college authorities and much more! You can almost think of it as a students' union within college.

The atmosphere at Merton is socially diverse and laid-back. We do not have a dominantly sporty or drinking culture, nor are we excessively caught up in fusty tradition. Politically the college has a reputation for considered apathy - we are all individuals , and proud of it, too! This means that everyone, whatever their interests, can feel at home at Merton.

Merton is a relatively small college, although it covers quite a large site with a beautiful garden overlooking Christ Church Meadow. The buildings, unlike the very formal quadrangles in some colleges, are quite loosely arranged and are in a number of different styles. Within the setting of the gardens they form a cosy and complete whole, but always feel welcoming. Similarly, the student body is small enough to be very cohesive and friendly, and yet never becomes claustrophobic. All in all, we think it is lovely.

And we have lots of fun. The bar, light and warm and filled with large wooden tables and benches, is always lively. We have legendary Bops' at least 3 times a term where we all dress up in silly costumes and have a large party at our Sports Pavilion. There's even a regular Merton holiday, subsidised by the college. All this, and we still regularly top the college league table for being clever!