John Snow College
Durham University
| Motto | Per scientiam et prudentiam quaere summam To seek the highest through knowledge and wisdom |
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| Named after | Dr John Snow | |||||||||||||||||
| Established | 2001 | |||||||||||||||||
| Principal | Prof. Carolyn Summerbell | |||||||||||||||||
| Senior Tutor | Janet Dixon-Dawson | |||||||||||||||||
| JCR President | Chris Howard
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| Undergraduates | 913 | |||||||||||||||||
| Postgraduates | 16 | |||||||||||||||||
| Website | John Snow College | |||||||||||||||||
| JCR Website | Snow JCR
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| Boat Club Website | John Snow Boat Club | |||||||||||||||||
| Campus | Queen's Campus |
John Snow College is a college of the University of Durham in England, and one of two located at Queen's Campus in Thornaby-on-Tees, 23 miles (37 km) south of the city of Durham itself. The College takes its name from the nineteenth-century Yorkshire physician Dr John Snow, who is regarded by many as one of the greatest doctors and a world-leading pioneer in anaesthesia, epidemiology and public health.
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[edit] History
In 1992, the Joint University College on Teeside of the Universities of Durham and Teesside (JUCOT) was established on the site as a joint venture between the University of Durham and the University of Teesside. This was initially intended to grant joint degrees validated by both institutions (BAs and BScs). However, Teesside, which had only become a university in 1992, had difficulties in taking on its responsibilities for the college and Durham took full control in 1994.
A programme of integration with Durham began, leading to the college becoming University College, Stockton (UCS) in 1996 — a college of the University of Durham and the only college with teaching responsibilities. Further integration led to the campus being renamed the University of Durham, Stockton Campus (UDSC) in 1998, and the removal of its teaching responsibilities. In 2001, UDSC was split into two colleges: one was John Snow College, and the other was George Stephenson College; the campus was also renamed University of Durham, Queen's Campus (UDQC), in honour of the Queen's jubilee.
[edit] Facilities and Societies
The college accommodation is located within several buildings surrounding two courtyards; one of which is for college parking and the other a landscaped area with trees, lawns, benching and a BBQ area. The college benefits from a large common room with a decked area and houses the college bar 'The Igloor' serving drinks, coffee and smoothies throughout the week to college members.
There is a large games room with 2 snooker tables and games consoles, a modern computer suite exclusively for college members, a quiet study room and an art room for all students and the art society. In addition to this a music block also exists which is available to book by all students of the college for practice and rehearsals.
Infinity Musical Theatre is one of the most successful new societies at Queen's Campus and were finalists at the DSU Awards Dinner for Best New Society in 2010. They performed the North East Premiere of Bad Girls The Musical at ARC Theatre, Stockton in February 2011 and actively recruit each year for new members. Their next production will be the smash hit production of Footloose being performed at ARC Theatre in February 2012.
Along with this society is the Art Society, Christian Union, Fatso’s, Street Dance Society, Finance Society, John Snow Striders (running), Drama Society and Equinox Jazz all exist at the college as well as an impressive selection of sports teams.
[edit] Traditions
Termly formal dinners exist within the college in which members of college attend in their relevant Academic dress of Durham University and follow the rules outlined by the college and disciplined by the JCR Chairman. Two college Balls are held per annum, one in the Michaelmas Term and a further Graduation Ball in the Epiphany Term in which large numbers of the college attend.
Snow Day occurs once a year and is a celebration of everything it is to be a member of the college, the event is held within the college halls of residence and features entertainment, music and food. A new tradition of Snow Day is to start the day with a water fight in the spirit of John Snow's discovery from the Broad Street water pump handle; the water fight commences early in the morning as a signal to wake up all college members for the day ahead.
Being located at Queen's Campus there is much competition between John Snow College and Stephenson College, and a tradition of competing against in each other in almost anything that can be won over the other college occurs. This starts with ensuring that all new members of the college are taught the college songs and told what is expected of them as a 'John Snow Ranger'.
[edit] John Snow Boat Club
Like all the Durham University Colleges, rowing is well catered for. Both John Snow and George Stephenson Colleges have a great natural advantage over the other colleges in that we have access to miles of wide, non-tidal water to row on thanks to the River Tees. There is a purpose designed rowing pontoon alongside the Campus.
When Durham University took responsibility of the campus in 1994 Tees Rowing Club was asked to help develop rowing at the campus. The campus became known as University College, Stockton (UCS) in 1996 and as such the boat club was called University College Stockton Boat Club (UCSBC) to differentiate it from University College, Durham. Further integration led to the campus bring renamed to University of Durham, Stockton Campus (UDSC) in 1998. The Boat Club was called University of Durham Stockton Campus Boat Club (UDSCBC) to differentiate it from University College Boat Club, which belonged to "Castle" College. The club rented out rack space for its boats in Tees Rowing Club's boathouse down Boathouse Lane, which had been the site of Tees Rowing Club's boathouse since 1864. The club raced under the Palatinate Colours, the remains of which can be seen on the old blades.
In September 2001 John Snow and George Stephenson Colleges were formed out of University of Durham Stockton Campus, which although it provided UDSCBC the opportunity to create two separate clubs, it was decided due to low membership and boats that it should remain a joint club. In November 2001 both TRC and UDSCBC left the site on Boathouse Lane and moved into new shared premises at The River Tees Watersports Centre, which was funded by the Big Lottery Fund and £80,000 from Durham University. In late 2010 the new purpose built boat house was officially opened. The boat house is situated on the southern shore of the Tees and on campus, shared by both the John Snow and George Stephenson Colleges.
[edit] The current fleet of boats
Singles: Michael and Susan. A brand new Swift single. Named after the kind couple who donated the money to John Snow College to buy the Swift boats.
Steve Wright. The other Swift single. Named after the Queen's Campus Sports Development Officer who helped achieve the multi-million pound sports development at Queen's Campus.
Fours/Quads: Joe Grey. A Janousek coxless quad built in 1996. It can also be rigged up as a coxless four.
John and Sheila Fitzmaurice. An Aylings bow loader four which was built in 1994.
Adrian Darnell. A stern loader four built in 2009 by Swift. Named after the Stephenson College Principal.
Gold Fever. Our flagship is an Aylings AX2 bow loader four, which can also be rigged as a quad. Built in 2000 for the victorious British Rowing team at the 2000 World Championship in Croatia. Donated to the University by British Rowing, named "Gold Fever" and signed by Matthew Pinsent on the 26th June 2001, and signed by Sir Steve Redgrave on the 23rd May 2004
Eights: Carolyn Summerbell. Made in 2009 by Swift and named in recognition of the John Snow College Principal who has helped the clubs tremendously since becoming Principal.
[edit] Successes
The boat club has been running for a decade now and won many Heads and Regattas. The most successful season to date being 2010-2011 in which 24 tankards were won and 2 trophies, including the prestigious Durham Mayor's Plate, for the winner of the novice four coxed event at Durham Regatta. In the same year we drew first place with Grey College for the Craven trophy. Despite the late success of the club we came joint 12th of 16 in Durham College Rowing's Pennants Series.
The 2011-2012 season looks to capitalise on the previous year's achievements. A woman's coxed four won IM3 at Tees Small Boats Head in October, while the men's coxed four came 7th overall at Tyne Small Boats Head in November out of 98 crews. A full 37 seconds faster than the next closest Durham College. This places John Snow at the top of the Pennant Series to date
[edit] College Officers
[edit] The Principal
Professor Carolyn Summerbell is the current Principal of John Snow College and is a Professor of Human Nutrition with research concentrating on Obesity Related Behaviours based at the Wolfson Research Institute close to the college itself. Carolyn Summerbell is an honorary Secretary of the Nutrition Society, and Chair of the Association for the Study of Obesity. She is a regular advisor to the WHO, and is currently leading the designation of a new WHO Collaborating Centre for Nutrition (to be approved later this year).
[edit] Former Principals
- Professor H.M. Evans 2002-2008
- Professor Carolyn Summerbell 2008 -
[edit] External links
- John Snow College Official Website
- John Snow College JCR Undergraduate Student Organisation
