Oxford Glossary
Arriving at Oxford, you will likely find yourself immersed in an entirely unique and remote culture that has acquired its own vocabulary over a very long period of time (more than eight hundred years, in fact). As this shibboleth system and preference for acronyms can prove somewhat alienating or daunting at first, we aim to provide some of the keys to your linguistic success. Here are some words you can get to know before you arrive. You will soon become accustomed to using them before you even notice it (much to the chagrin of folks back home).
Advisor:
A Senior Member of the college assigned to you by the college. Your College Advisor is responsible for your pastoral care whilst at St Anne’s and is generally in your field of study. In addition to the Tutor for Graduates, your advisor is one of the first people you should talk to about any difficulties you may be experiencing.
Battles:
Your termly bill from college, including fees for tuition, accommodation (if you live in college), MCR levies (such as punting fees), and any other charges you might incur (e.g. printing). Battels are payable online via the Online Battles/Meal Booking site or in the Accounts Office, located on the ground floor of Hartland House.
The Bod:
Short for the Bodleian Library, is the library system of the University of Oxford, comprising 26 library buildings (separate from the college libraries). The Bod is the 2nd-largest library in the UK, only after the British Library.
Bod Card:
A commonly used synonym for your university student card. Your Bod Card gets you access to the Bodleian Libraries, colleges, and, department buildings. It is also used to purchase meals in the dining hall. You can use it as proof of student status and get you discounts around town.
BOP:
A themed party at a College. Abbreviation of a Big Organised Party, legends say. St Anne’s specialty are its well-known MEGABOPs.
EPH:
Eleanor Plumer House, the site of the MCR common room, study room, kitchen, and some graduate accommodation. Named after Eleanor Plumer, the Principal of the Society of Oxford Home Students (now St Anne’s) from 1940 to 1953. By her gracious permission, we have the Plumer family’s shield as our college’s coat of arms.
(College) Fellows:
The high-level staff and faculty of the College. They are the Governing Body of the college and manage and plan the college’s activities. They may be academics or non-academic officers of the College.
Fresher:
A first-year (graduate or undergraduate) student of the college.
JCR:
The Junior Common Room – its body of undergraduates and a room for
their use in Hartland House. This is the undergraduate counterpart of the MCR (our babies 💖).
(Porter’s) Lodge:
Or sometimes, the “plodge” – the first floor of Ruth Deech Building on Woodstock Road (main college entrance) where porters are stationed 24/7 to help you with packages/mail and any questions. If you have guests, meeting them here is a good idea. Every college at Oxford has an equivalent office/location.
Matriculation:
A formal ceremony held in the first weeks, admitting freshers as students of the University. Gown and sub fusc are required. This is the official moment of induction to the University.
Michaelmas-Trinity-Hilary:
The names of the 3 terms (in order) at Oxford : a uniquely jam-packed academic term system (8 weeks), followed by nice long breaks.
MOLT:
Mary Ogilvie Lecture Theatre, where many of College events will be held. The theater is located on the side of Clare Palley building, opposite from Hartland House. Also is the location of film nights, special lectures, and termly music recitals.
OUSU:
Oxford University Students’ Union, or OUSU (pronounced ‘Ow-zoo’), is Oxford’s central student union. It represents the students on University committees and provides a number of services to students. MCR members are automatically members of OUSU. See Oxford SU for more information.
Pidge:
Short for Pigeon Hole – your college mailbox, located on the side of Harland House (entrance from across Tim Gardam library). Graduate mail slots are located in the back of the room and arranged alphabetically. Note that packages/parcels and larger items get delivered and stored at the Lodge.
RDB:
The Ruth Deech Building, which is the first (long) building you see when entering St Anne’s. It houses extensive conference facilities (the Tsuzuki lecture theatre, seminar rooms, and dining facilities) on the lower ground floor, in addition to the Lodge and undergrad accommodations.
Porters:
Lovely individuals who work at the Lodge, direct visitors, sort mail, answer questions and give out keys and codes for college rooms. Make sure you mention you are a member of the MCR when asking for room codes.
Punting:
A cliche, but nonetheless wonderful Oxford activity, where you can test your core strength by pushing a boat down the river with a metal stick, or sit back and watch your friends struggle 🙂 The MCR has a punting membership for its members, see the our website on punting for more information.
Scouts:
College employees who clean the buildings. They generally operate from 6am to noon. Scouts clean your room in college every week, providing you with clean bed linen (if you use the linen provided by the college). They also routinely cleans common area (bathrooms and kitchens). Scouts do not do the washing up, take out recycles, nor will they tidy students’ rooms.
Sub fusc:
The formal academic dress of the university. Undergraduate and graduate students alike are required to wear it for University exams, matriculation, and graduation.
Term Card:
The list of events that the MCR puts on during term. You will be e-mailed the term card in the weeks before each term. Term cards are also available on the MCR website.
Week X:
X is a number from -1 to 9. At Oxford, terms (Michaelmas, Hilary and Trinity) are divided into eight weeks, referred to as first week through eighth week. The weeks preceding and succeeding terms are 0th week (“noughth week” or “week zero”) and 9th week, respectively. In this system -1st week and 10th week also exist.
Fresher’s FAQs
Got a question and not sure who to ask? Hopefully this page can provide you with the answers you need! Email us at committee@st-annes-mcr.org.uk if you have further questions!
Why is our mascot a beaver?
Symbol of industriousness. Among other things RF Butler explained: Beavers live in communities and undertake work of a communal character but he returns to sleep in his own little lodge (remaining at heart a ‘home student’).
One of the founders of St Anne’s College was married to a Canadian, and the beaver is the national animal of Canada – if you’re feeling conspiratorial 😉
Who was Saint Anne?
The mother of the Virgin Mary (yup, Jesus’ granny!), who taught her to read.
Why do I need a Bod (University) Card, and how would I obtain mine?
Please check your emails, as you have been given extensive information about this before coming to Oxford! Your Bod Card (university card) is very important as you need it to get into University & College buildings and libraries, loan books, and get food at St Anne’s. There are several registration sessions at the start of each term at which you can pick up your Bod Card; you have to bring your ID (and visa if applicable).
How do I pay for food and drinks/top up my Bod card at Anne’s?
You will need to put money on your Bod card before buying a meal or drinks at St Anne’s. STACS and the bar take cash, but in Hall you can only pay with your Bod card. Log in to Meals Booking Site/Battels and pick the “EPOS” tab. Under Payment Description, select “Food Top Up.” This option gives you credit for the dining hall, STACS, and the bar (ignore the Bar Top Up option!)
How do I book a meal/ formal?
You only have to book for special events such as formals and meals during term breaks. You don’t need to book for a regular meal in hall during term time.
Log in to Meal Booking/Battels site and select “Meal Booking” tab.
You will end up on the Meal Booking calendar, which shows which days have meals you can currently book for. Make sure you have enough money on your Bod card, this can be topped up in the EPOS tab. Once booked the cost of the formal will be deducted immediately.
Can I bring my partner/friend/child to a meal in hall?
You can bring anyone you like to regular meals, although you have to pay for everyone with your St Anne’s bod card (there is no cash/credit card option).
For regular formals, you can bring a maximum of three guests, for whom you have to book places via Battels. For MCR dinners, you can bring one guest (booking through the Battels too). There are some formals to which you can’t bring guests, such as the Graduate Freshers Formal and the Christmas Dinner.
How do I apply for a research and travel grant?
See this section of MCR Academic Life for more information on graduate grants at St Anne’s.
What are the Oxford dress codes
In normal parlance, one could safely presume that a ‘formal’ and a ‘smart’ dress code would be synonyms for one another. However, Oxford, like in many other things, insists on doing things differently.
However, at Anne’s formals you will not be turned away for dressing inappropriately; even so, people will usually make an effort to look their best (e.g. no jeans, no torn clothing, no sportswear).
Formal attire:
Formal attire usually implies that one wear a gown and something smart underneath (see below). However, with very few exceptions, at St Anne’s you will not need to wear a gown to any event save your matriculation ceremony to which you MUST wear sub fusc. If you are invited to formal dinners at other colleges, you may be required to wear a gown; however, simply ask the person inviting you to advise you on the appropriate dress code for these.
Black and White tie:
These are the two most formal dress codes you will likely encounter at Oxford. However, aside from if you are feeling flush in Trinity ball season, and have friends who invite you to special and expensive dinners in other colleges, you will not need to wear this at St Anne’s.
Men: Dark suit/tuxedo, white shirt, black bow tie (for black tie), white bow tie (for white tie).
Women: Ball gown/prom dress or other similar equivalent.
Sub Fusc:
Sub Fusc is worn at matriculation and exams. For the official description of the Sub Fusc, see the university website.
You should all have been given explanations about your matriculation ceremony and the sub fusc uniform by the college in the information packs you received when you arrived. However, if any of you are still unsure about it the attire is as follows:
Men: black dress shoes, black suit/tuxedo, white dress shirt, black tie/black bow tie/white bow tie, graduate gown, mortar board.
Women: Black dress shoes, Dark stockings, black skirt/trousers, white collared shirt, black ribbon tie thingamabob/ black tie, graduate gown, mortar board.
Please note that the university regulations for sub fusc are NOT actually gender specific and so you need not feel constrained to the gender binaries suggested by the above recommendations.
Sub fusc is required for your matriculation ceremony and all examinations you may take during your time at Oxford.
We hope this helps you navigate the at times unfamiliar, sometimes downright archaic, but usually fun dress codes and look forward to seeing you bedecked in all your finery in due course.
Where can I buy a bike?
Second-hand bikes are mostly sold online (e.g. Gumtree or Stuart Bikes). On Facebook, you have the Students of Oxford Swap (Shop) and Buy and Sell Cycling Stuff in Oxfordshire. You can also visit some of the Oxford bike shops, such as Summertown Cycles, Walton Street Cycles and Cycle King. These shops also sell second-hand bikes.