College family (university)
A college family is an informal and traditional student support system at some universities in the United Kingdom, including the University of Cambridge,[1] University of Oxford,[2] and Durham University.[3] In this system, older students pair up and "marry" to provide guidance to new students, known as their "college children", entering the university. "Children" are allocated by their college to whom prospective "parents" indicate their readiness to "adopt" beforehand.
The tradition helps new students acclimate to university life, offering them advice on academic, social, and practical matters. The "parents" are usually responsible for organizing social events and being a point of contact for their "children" throughout their first year. "Spouses" and "siblings" can also provide support to each other.[1][3][4]
Typically "parents" can only adopt in their later years of studies, but students tend to form "marriages" already in their first year.[1] Over the years, various rituals and rules have developed, such as engagement parties and the taboo against romantic involvement with one's "college spouse."[1][4]
A typical college family consists of two "parents" and three to four "children",[1] although group marriages can also exist.[2][5] The family tree can be extended to include "siblings," "grandparents," "aunts" and "uncles". Some positions within student societies are "hereditary," such as the Antisocial Secretary at Queen's College, Oxford.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Rowe, Scarlet (30 October 2020). "Navigating the Weird and Wonderful World of College Families". Varsity (Cambridge). Archived from the original on 22 June 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ a b Seifert, Lukas (23 May 2023). "A guide to college marriages". The Oxford Student. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ a b Eichinger, Laetitia (24 February 2021). "A fresher's perspective on college marriage". Palatinate. Archived from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ a b Suri, Tanmay (12 February 2024). "Happy College Families". The Tab. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ "ECSU Freshers' Guide" (PDF). Emmanuel College, Cambridge. 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ "The Constitution and Standing Orders of the Taberdars' Room of the Queens' College in the University of Oxford" (PDF). Queen's College JCR. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.