Graduate Common Rooms
The University of York has a collegiate structure meaning that each postgraduate student is a member of at least one of the eight colleges. Every postgraduate is automatically a member of Wentworth College, however it is possible for postgraduates to also be a member of other colleges as well. If a postgraduate lives in a college or residence that is not Wentworth, then they also become a member of this college. Additionally, postgraduates who studied in York for their undergraduate degree often stay with their original college.
Each college/ residence with postgraduate members has their own Graduate Common Room Committee (GCRC)/Residence Associations (RA). These committees are a key part of the University, designed to support and enhance the postgraduate working, living and studying environment. Consequently, the committees are comprised entirely of postgraduate students to ensure that the needs and interests specific to postgraduates are kept on the agenda and catered for appropriately. The work of the GCRC/RA is funded and supported by the GSA.
Thus the purpose of GCRCs/RAs is to be both a community-building tool and a representative body. In order to achieve this, GCRCs/RAs:
- Provide opportunities where postgraduates can meet one another
- Host social events and trips
- Discuss ideas, issues or concerns with fellow students
- Attend various committees on behalf of all postgraduates
- Channel and feedback information to postgraduates
Consequently, GCRCs/RAs are essential to maintaining a strong, supportive and progressive postgraduate community. While also providing a means by which postgraduates can be kept up to date about the latest events, opportunities and changes, as well as an arena where people can make friends and enjoy their time at York.
Every postgraduate student of the university can associate themselves with any number of GCRCs/RAs. Often students choose to be involved with the graduate committee their department is associated with. The following list highlights which departments are associated with a GCRC:
Alcuin: Chemistry, Economics & Health Science
Derwent: Politics, School of Politics, Economics and Philosophy & Post-War Reconstruction and Development Unit
Goodricke: Computer Science, Management School, Theatre, Film and Television & York School of Law
James: Mathematics & Psychology
Langwith: Education & English and Related Literature
Vanbrugh: History, History of Art, Language & Linguistics Music, & Philosophy
Wentworth: Biology & Sociology
Alcuin
The GCR share the Staff Common room alongside the SCR. The room makes for a pleasant meeting space with comfortable seating and coffee and tea making facilities or a place to relax when making the most of the flatscreen Television.
Location: First floor of the Administration Block ( D Block)
Contact: Tracy (Jungwon Kim) - Chair of Alcuin GCRC
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Derwent
The Graduate Common Room and Senior Common Room both share the facilities of the SCR. The room currently has a digital TV and DVD player, a large seating area and a fully equipped kitchen.
Location: First floor of the Derwent Nucleus Building
Goodricke
The General Common Room in Goodricke is for the use of all staff and graduate students in the college to use as a meeting point or simply to relax and unwind. Undergraduates also have access to the room until 7pm. The facilities available within the room are: a large widescreen plasma TV, a DVD Player, projector and screen, networked PC and printer, a PS3, an Xbox and a Wii.
Constantine House
Location: Constantine House
Contact: Ryan Hunt - Chair of Constantine House RA
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
James
James GCR currently shares the common room space with the JCR and SCR, although members are encouraged to make use of Wentworth facilities.
Langwith
Langwith Graduate Common Room serves as a combined space with that of the Senior Common Room. The room has both a dedicated work area and comfortable seating area. As well as a fully equipped kitchen including a microwave, oven and kettle. Postgraduates can also make full use of the Televiosn, video and dvd player. Students can also get access to a projector and screen in the Langwith Upper JCR.
Location: First floor of the Langwith, above the Courtyard.
Contact: Robin Jervis - Chair of Langwith GCRC
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Vanbrugh
The GCR can be used by any postgraduate, regradless of college membership. The room contains a dining/study table, sofas and comfy chairs. There is a selection of books avialble for people borrow or donate to the collection. Postgraduatres are also welcome to make the most of the kitchen facilities available.
Location: first floor of the main building in room V/104, Vabrugh College
Contact: Christopher Christmas - Chair of Vanbrugh GCRC
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Wentworth
Wentworth is currently the university’s only postgraduate college. Therefore all postgraduates are automatically a member of Wentworth, and gave access to the Wentworth GCR.
Furbished with comfortable seating and overlooking the lake, the Wentworth GCR makes for a relaxing place to meet with other students or study in between lectures.
The GCR is equipped with a wide screen TV, SKY, a dvd player, Nintendo Wii, table tennis table, board games and a selection of journals.
Location: First Floor of Wentworth College
Contact: Iris (Zhu Yihong) - Chair of Wentworth GCRC
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Halifax
Halifax GCR currently shares the common room space with the JCR and SCR, which also currently doubles as the Bar space for JJ’s. There are comfortable sofas, pool tables and a TV.
