35 Banbury Road, OX2 6HS Oxford

What is the MCR?

The Middle Common Room (MCR) designates all of St Anne’s graduate students. The MCR also refers to the physical building that hosts the common room and other graduate facilities. St Anne’s also has a Junior Common Room (undergraduates), and a Senior Common Room (tutors and lecturers).

About Eleanor Plumer House

Eleanor Plumer House (EPH) houses the Middle Common Room, along with 13 graduate students on the first and second floors. It is located at 35 Banbury Road, and can be accessed through the main college entrance on Woodstock Road. It is named after Eleanor Plumer, who was principal of the Society of Home-Students (later to become St Anne’s) from 1940 to 1953.

EPH is a really sociable space. We’re hosting a variety of events in the common room throughout the year (movie nights, end and start of term parties, tastings, welfare cake and tea), and it is a good place to socialize in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.

Facilities

The Common Room

The common room is the MCR’s main social space. It has been refurbished in the summer 2017 and consists of a large, comfortable sitting area which has a wide-screen television, Nintendo Wii, PS3, and a DVD and video player, as well as an extensive selection of newspapers and magazines to which the MCR subscribes.

The Study Room

Our study room has cozy couches, a large TV and four computers with wireless internet access. It has been refurbished in the summer 2018 and is an excellent place to work in a relaxed and quiet atmosphere. We’re holding co-working sessions – Shut Up and Write (mornings) and Work and W(h)ine (evenings) – every week.

The Kitchen

We have a communal kitchen equipped with cooking supplies, a microwave, stove, fridge, dishwasher and a Nespresso machine. It is regularly supplied with tea and coffee, and as such a very social space where you can have (not so) confidential conversations.

The Bathrooms

EPH has two bathrooms, one of which is accessible. The bathroom that is adjacent to the kitchen has a shower, in case you want to refresh yourself after cycling or exercising at the college gym. Both bathrooms are regularly stashed with feminine hygiene products, in case of emergencies.

More Information

Events

Every member of the MCR can book the Common room once a term for a private event. On weekdays, all events must end by 11.30 pm. Please contact the MCR President much in advance at president@st-annes-mcr.org.uk

Newspaper and subscriptions

The MCR has a subscription to many of the major daily newspapers, which are kept in the common room. The MCR is open to considering new subscriptions to newspapers or magazines, so if you have any preferences, please let the Treasurer know at treasurer@st-annes-mcr.org

Punts

A Punt is hired at the Cherwell Boathouse for everyone in the MCR to use for free (we say free, it’s actually funded by a levy) starting from around mid-March and lasting until the end of the summer vacation, exact dates depends on when the Boathouse opens. Sign up are done via a Google sheet booking form and punting tickets. First, enter your name in a free slot (do so much in advance as it becomes increasingly popular during Trinity Term). On the day of your punting slot, take one of the tickets from the study room, write your name, then take this ticket with you to Cherwell Boathouse.

Music Rooms

St. Anne’s has 4 music practice rooms in the basement of 50 Woodstock Road. Three of the rooms are open and have upright pianos. The other room, known as the “Annie Barnes Music Room,” is only available to those enrolled in a music degree or those who receive a music scholarship at the music competition (usually scheduled for the middle of Michaelmas term). The Annie Barnes Music Room comes equipped with a Yamaha grand piano. Please also see the Music page for more information on college activities in this subject area.

Parking

There are plenty of bike racks outside of EPH. The college site can also be accessed through Banbury Road; the Wicket Gate is located close to cycle storage, behind EPH, and can be opened using your FOB. Please note that the gate closes at 11 pm.