Activities

The MCR prides itself in having one of the best social calendars in Cambridge. There is at least one large social event a week, even during vacations, and at peak times as many as four. There is a MCR formal dinner several times a term, formal 'swaps' which involve having dinner at other Colleges, fancy dress parties ranging from themes such as 'Toga' to 'Cowboys and Ninjas', whiskey tasting evenings, movie nights, BBQs, garden parties, outings, real tennis sessions, the 'Cabron' football club etc. The list goes on and with our members' enthusiasm for the new and unusual events, different activities are being added all the time. However, Fitz MCR is also dedicated to its members' academic achievements. Not only do we host two annual graduate conference in which we showcase our academic projects, people from the same subject also exchange tips and advice on their work. We also take pride in the tradition of fine music at Fitzwilliam and have an annual MCR concert of classical music in the chapel. Check out the events page.

The Buttery provides a reasonably priced luncheon from 12.00 to 13.30hrs seven days a week and dinner from 18.00hrs to 19.00hrs except on Sundays. Formal Halls are held at 19.30hrs on Wednesdays and Fridays.

The MCRC will designate certain Formal Halls to be MCR Formals. In which case pre-dinner drinks will be served at 19.00hrs in the MCR Parlour for members and their guest. Port may also be served after the dinner. The price includes the meal and pre- (and sometimes post) dinner drinks for members of the MCR, but not wine with the meal, which you will have to provide yourself.

Bookings are open only for a short time and close at noon two days before the formal. You can book your ticket and one guest ticket via the Online Bursary (see the links page) - here you can also see the menu and choose you dietary requirements.

Members of the MCR may book 9 further guests from the Steward’s Secretary Lorraine Evans: lje34@cam.ac.uk. To do so they will need to fill in a form and submit it at least five working days before the formal. This length of time is necessary as the Dean needs to approve your guest list. All in all you are permitted up to ten guests at an ordinary formal.

Should you wish to book a formal on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday, you will have to contact Lorraine Evans at least ten working days in advance and book at least twenty tickets.

On certain evenings graduate students will be invited by the college to dine with the fellows on high table. An invitation will be sent to you by the Steward’s Secretary. Alumi of Fitzwilliam have the right to dine on High Table. You can also dine on High Table without invitation if you are prepared to pay. Arrangements can be made with the Steward’s Secretary.

When we dine at another college it is known as a Formal Swap. It is the ideal occasion to check out another college’s MCR and food. You will receive an email regarding the formal swap from the social secretary organising the event. They will inform you about time, place, dress code, whether you are permitted to bring wine or if it is supplied with the price.

Payment for a formal swap is by cheque made payable as indicated in the email informing you of the swap. If you do not have a cheque book please arrange for someone to write a cheque for you or get a postal order from the post office. Write your name on the back! Cheques should be placed into the pigeon hole of the social secretary who sent the invitation mail no later than the time indicated by the social secretary.

If you have put your name down for a formal but cannot attend usually someone from the waiting list can take your place and pay for the ticket. If there is no one on the list and you can not find a replacement yourself, you will have to pay for the ticket. Social secretaries are responsible for the payment of formals to other colleges - they shouldn't have to pay for the tickets out of their own pocket. So, if you’re on the list for the dinner, you are responsible for the payment to the social secretary. Unfortunately if you fail to pay for a booked ticket we will not be able to invite you to a formal swap again.

You can only book a ticket for yourself. Guests, either from within the MCR, Fitzwilliam or outside can not be booked. People who have not been to a formal in the term in question will be treated preferentially.

Most Clubs and Societies are administered by the Junior Members Association and run by undergraduates. The senior societies are Music and Fine Arts. The list of societies is long and includes the Debating Society, History Society, RAG etc. If you can’t find what you are interested in you can always found your own! Societies usually keep the whole college up to date on what they are doing, so it is easy to contact them. The best time to join is at the societies fair at the beginning of the academic year. Otherwise contact a member of the JCR for more details (see links page).

Fitzwilliam has a long and proud sporting tradition. The playing fields at Oxford Road have a special place in the college’s history. There are scores of sporting clubs, including a cricket and a football team exclusive to graduates. If you are interested in joining a club, please contact the Sport Officer who will be able to provide you with details (see committee page). You can also get in touch with the president of the Amalgamated Sports Clubs via the JCR website (see links page).