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St Catherine's College, OxfordTSR Wiki > University > Choosing a University > University Guides > Oxford > St Catherine's College, Oxford
LocationCompared to colleges like Balliol or Brasenose, Catz doesn't seem that central, and looking at a map may give you the impression that it's "far out". In fact, walking to Broad Street or the High Street only takes 5-10 minutes, so unless you're exceptionally lazy, walking to the centre of Oxford won't seem like a big deal. In many ways, Catz's location is actually an advantage. It's tucked away down Manor Road, away from all the noise, but it's not a huge trek into town either. The fact that it's a bit further out means that the college feels more spacious, and perhaps less claustrophobic than the colleges that are stuck next to each around Turl Street or Broad Street. Besides, the location, and perhaps also the lack of dreaming spires, means that we're safe from the tourists... The University Parks, quite a few shops and buildings like the English Faculty and the Bodleian Law Library are only five minutes away, so you really won't feel too isolated. Compared to other colleges it's quite far from the train station, but that's about it. AccommodationThere are four types of rooms at Catz:
The second years get to choose from the new en-suite rooms. And the third years get to choose from the rest. The box rooms are always left for the first years because the rooms with better facilities are allocated to 2nd/3rd year students. But there are usually a small number of rooms from options 2 and 3 left over so some first years get them. There are also some twin rooms which are reserved for the American visiting students. Social SpacesBeing situated only a few minutes walk from town, Catz benefits from being very spaciously laidout. It has two main sets of buildings; the older buildings overlook the quad and contain the first and third year 'box' rooms, whilst the newer buildings overlook the carpark and house the porters lodge and second year accomodation, which are some of the most modern, comfortable and spacious ensuite rooms you'll find in any oxford college. Apart from accomodation, the main social space for undergraduates will be the JCR. St.Catz has the largest undergraduate population of all oxford colleges, but luckily it also has the largest JCR of oxford colleges, comprising 4 main spaces including a games room (with 2 pool tables, darts board, games machines and many seats), massive TV with SkySportsHD (well equipped to deal with big large sporting occasions), the large bar, and JCR lecture theatre. The college's JCR parties (entz) are held in the JCR normally every other week, where decorations transform the JCR according to the theme, and the games room is cleared to turn into a dance floor. The JCR is kitted out with Bose soundsystem, and so is well equipped to keep the party people happy. Graduates and mature students have their own seperate common room, the MCR, a smaller space near the Bernard Sunley Lecture theatre, but still includes a bar, TV, games console and other entertainments. Library and ComputingCopying and PrintingYou can print from any of the college computers in the library and in the dedicated computer room. There's a printing terminal in the JCR email room as well. You can print from your own computer to the college printers if you get a some client software. I think it costs 4p a page for black and white and 50p for colour. These are put on your battels. Photocopying is 6p a page whether A4 or A3. WelfareSt. Catz, having a large number of students, has a well maintained welfare system to ensure everyone is happy at college. Two (one male one female) members of the JCR are elected to positions of welfare reps, and hold weekly sessions where people can come and talk about any problems they have in a friendly environment, whilst grabbing all the free food that's on offer! One on one sessions are also available for more personal problems. Catz also has a large panel of peer supporters that undergo special training, available to talk to. The welfare officers, as well as free food, have free condoms that can be discretely pidged to any member of the college. AtmosphereFacilitiesFacilities at Catz give you everything you need to live a comfortable college life. This includes a laundry room with many machines that are simple to operate, and an ironing board on every new staircase and on one or two of the older ones. Each room has web and TV access points, and some have telephone points (requests to the lodge). Two computer rooms are also on site, as well as the college IT officer who can sort out any computer related issues that you might have. A large hall near the JCR serves all the meals in college. A sports building can be found past staircase 8, as well as a punt house nearer the newer staircases. One of the most prominant features of Catz is probably its library; big, even by most colleges standards, it has its own computer room, quiet room (for tutorials and other meetings) and many, many books. Most subjects are well stocked up on, and the library has lots of desk space for those needing some quiet, undisturbed working time. FoodFor all meals, you can pay by cash or card (college girovend). The girovend is a card that you get from Catz and you can load money on to it to spend around college- eg at the bar, vending machines, in hall, laundry. Everything that you can buy with your card is cheaper than buying it with cash because its either subsidised/doesn't include VAT. The girovend also lets you into all the staircases, library and gym. Breakfast: 8:15 till 8:45 can be bought with a ticket, card or cash. With a ticket you can get 8 items for about £1.70. Or if you don't want 8 items then you can just pay for your breakfast with your girovend on a per item basis. Items available range from fruits and yogurts to sausages and bacon and everything inbetween. Handy if you've got a long day of lectures ahead of you. Lunch: 12:45 till 1:30 girovend or cash only. Full hot meal and desert is around £3.00. A cold meats and salad bar selection is also available, cost per item, including jacket potatoes, chips and breads. 'Scaf': 6:00 till 6:45 girovend or cash only. A cafeteria style dinner, with a few main hot dishes available and your choice of the sides that is the same daily, and paid per item. Useful as a quick dinner or if menu for hall doesn't take your fancy. Hall: 7:15 prompt till 8:00 girovend, cash or dinner points. Buying dinner points in advance is cheaper than buying dinner from the till. This is as close to being formal hall without being formal. No dress code, but seated, 3 course servings and coffee afterwards. Generally a very good meal, although often a bit of a hit or miss for the vegetarians. Many other colleges will have this once every week, where gown must be worn, and is formal hall, but at Catz is daily and non formal (formal dinners do occur throughout the year on special occasions, such as Catz Night). SportsSports is a big deal at Catz. Known as a sporting college, it has its hand (or feet!) in most sports, including success in rowing, football, rugby, squash, hockey, basketball (Catz and Balliol field a joint team and are the current college champions), as well as other sports such as badminton, darts, pool, tennis, ultimate frisbee, lacrosse, netball, croquet, volleyball etc. If there's a sport you want to play and is not available at Catz, its easy enough to start a team and get playing! Facililtis include a large playing field (rubgy, football, tennis courts) a short cycle ride away, and on site, one of the largest, well equipped gyms in an oxford college, boasting 2 treadmills, 2 rowers, bike machines, a full sized snooker table (the only one in a college), 2 very well maintain squash courts, and general gym equipment, including smith machine, upright rower, range of dumbells, barbells and e-z bar, pecdec, leg machines, lat pull down, chinning bar, free bench press, and mats. Recently installed is a set of speakers with which a hifi or ipod could be attached. Gym usage is free, provided you are a member of the college and have undertaken a gym induction course with the college, which costs £3 and takes about 45mins. Student-eye view |
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