Glossary of Oxford terms

Academic dress

Prescribed clothing to be worn on formal, official occasions, consisting of an appropriate gown/hood for the person’s qualification and sometimes sub fusc. See www.admin.ox.ac.uk/statutes/regulations/48-012.shtml for full details of what form of dress is appropriate on which occasions.

Aegrotat

Exam pass granted on medical grounds.

Almanack

Poster-sized calendar published by OUP each year, comprising an original piece of art on an Oxford theme and a January–December calendar listing University terms, accompanied by a current list of all senior administrative staff of the University and Heads of House.

Alumni

Collective term that refers to all former students of the University. Former students also become alumni of their individual college or hall and are often referred to as Old Members. Feminine forms: alumna (singular), alumnae (plural); masculine singular form: alumnus.

Ashmolean

University museum of art and archaeology, founded by Elias Ashmole in 1683; the oldest museum in the UK.

www.ashmolean.org

Assessor

Senior officer of the University, elected annually by the colleges in a set cycle (published in the University Calendar) who is responsible particularly for student welfare and finance. The office was created in 1960. The Assessor works closely with the Proctors.

Bate Collection

Bate Collection of Musical Instruments, housed in the Faculty of Music buildings on St Aldate's.

www.bate.ox.ac.uk

Battels

Charges made to a member of a college (student or fellow) for accommodation, meals etc.

Bedel

Ceremonial official attending the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor at events such as degree ceremonies and Encaenia, and at meetings of Congregation and Convocation. There are four Bedels: of Divinity, Law, Medicine and Arts.

Blue

Blue is the highest sporting achievement at Oxford and Cambridge, and is awarded only to members who have competed in the annual Varsity Match in certain sports (see www.sport.ox.ac.uk/sports-federation/blues); cf Half-Blue.

Blue Book

The University Calendar.

Blueprint

News publication for staff of the collegiate University. It is published twice each term and carries a mix of news and features plus information about people, awards, honours and other aspects of University and college life.

www.ox.ac.uk/blueprint

Bodleian Libraries

Collective name for the University's integrated library service, formerly known as Oxford University Library Services (OULS).

Bodleian Library

Also known as ‘the Bod’; named after Sir Thomas Bodley it is the University’s main research library and the second largest library in the UK after the British Library. Together with its dependent libraries, it holds more than 8 million volumes. The Bodleian dates from 1602 and is one of the oldest libraries in Europe.

www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Botanic Garden

Oldest botanic garden in Britain, with a national reference collection of 7,000 different types of plant which makes it the most compact yet diverse collection of plants in the world. The garden was founded in 1621 by the Earl of Danby as the Physic Gardens for the study of medicinal plants.

www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk

Bulldog

Nickname for the Proctors’ Officers.

Bursar

Chief financial officer of a college. The majority of colleges have two Bursars: an Estates or Finance Bursar, who has overall responsibility for the college's assets, income and expenditure; and a Domestic Bursar, who is responsible for domestic aspects of college life, including accommodation, security, catering and housekeeping and external lettings, and for managing non-academic staff.

Calendar

See University Calendar.

Carfax

Located at the conjunction of St Aldate's, Cornmarket Street, Queen Street and the High, Carfax is considered to be the centre of the city of Oxford.

Chancellor

Elected by Convocation, the Chancellor is the ceremonial head of the University. The current Chancellor is Lord Patten of Barnes.

www.ox.ac.uk/about_the_university/oxford_people/key_university_officers/chancellor.html

Cherwell

1) River which flows through Oxford and which is a major tributary of the Thames. 2) Student newspaper, published on a weekly basis during term time (www.cherwell.org).

Christ Church Picture Gallery

Located inside Christ Church, the Picture Gallery houses an important collection of 300 Old Master paintings, including work by Leonardo, Michelangelo and Rubens, and almost 2,000 drawings.

www.chch.ox.ac.uk/gallery

Churchill

Hospital located in Headington which houses many Medical Sciences departments.

Class

1) Level of award of a degree (eg 2.1 or Upper Second). 2) Lesson attended by approximately 6 students (though possibly up to 15 to meet high demand) and of 60–90 minutes duration; usually intercollegiate.

Clerk of the Market

Originally empowered to set the price of grain in Oxford. The title is now honorary, and is bestowed by the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor; there are always two Clerks of the Market.

Collections

1) Written examinations organised at the start of term by a college. They are exercises used to monitor progress and help students develop exam techniques. Additional collections may be used by colleges in response to poor performance, with an attached penalty for failure ('penal collections'). 2) A report reading organised by a college. The student attends at intervals decided by the college, and reports are discussed in the presence of the Head of House and/or Senior Tutor.

College

One of 38 independent, self-governing institutions forming a core element of the University, to which they are related in a federal system. All students belong to either a college or a permanent private hall. Colleges select and admit undergraduate students, select graduate students after they are admitted by the University, provide accommodation, meals, common rooms, libraries, and sports and social facilities, and are responsible for students' tutorial teaching and welfare.

Collegiate University

The University of Oxford, comprising the academic divisions and departments/faculties, ASUC and UAS, together with the colleges and permanent private halls.

Coming up/going down

Arriving at Oxford at the beginning of the term/leaving at the end; cf sending down.

Commoner

Student who does not have a scholarship or exhibition. The majority of students are commoners.

Conference of Colleges

Body representing each of the colleges and permanent private halls, which enables colleges to act collectively on issues that matter to them and acts as a voice for college interests within the University community.

Conference Oxford

Central conference marketing office for the University and colleges. It provides a one-stop enquiry point for availability for conferences and group bookings at the collegiate University.

www.conference-oxford.com

Confirmation of Status

Formal assessment of a research student's progress towards the end of their research for a DPhil. It is normally undertaken after the sixth term of research and no later than the ninth term.

Congregation

Sovereign body of the University, consisting of more than 4,000 members, comprising: academic staff; heads and other members of governing bodies of colleges; and senior research, computing, library and administrative staff. As the legislative body of the University, changes to the University’s statutes and regulations are subject to the approval of Congregation. Council is bound by all resolutions passed by Congregation and all other acts and decisions taken by it. Major policy issues may be submitted to Congregation for its consideration by Council or members of Congregation. Congregation also elects members to Council and other University bodies and approves the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor.

Continuing Education, Department of

Offers courses covering a wide range of subjects, many of them leading to University qualifications. Provision is made for individuals, organisations and professional groups. Courses are offered on a part-time basis, online or in the form of short courses.

www.conted.ox.ac.uk

Convocation

Body comprising all former student members of the University who have been admitted to a degree (other than an honorary degree) of the University, members of Congregation and those who have retired and were members of Congregation on the date of their retirement. Its functions are to elect the Chancellor and the Professor of Poetry.

Convocation House

Built in the 17^th century to house Convocation, Convocation House is still used for University ceremonies, such as for the election of the Chancellor. It is situated at the back of the Old Bodleian Library and opposite the Sheldonian Theatre.

Council

Principal executive and policy-making body of the University; responsible, under the statutes, for the advancement of the University's objectives, for its administration, and for the management of its finances and property. It has five main standing committees: the Education Committee; the General Purposes Committee (GPC); the Personnel Committee; the Planning and Resource Allocation Committee (PRAC); and the Research Committee.

www.admin.ox.ac.uk/council

Creweian Oration

The Creweian Oration is named after Nathaniel, Lord Crewe, and is delivered at Encaenia by the Public Orator. In alternate years, the Professor of Poetry delivers the second part of the oration. The oration recounts the events of the past year and commemorates the University’s benefactors.

Custodians

Team of staff at Christ Church (www.chch.ox.ac.uk) who welcome visitors and are responsible for protecting the security of those who live and work in the college. A bowler hat is part of their uniform.

Dean

1) Head of House at Christ Church. 2) Fellow responsible for supervising the conduct and discipline of the junior members of a college. To be ‘deaned’ is to be sent to the Dean.

Degree Days

Various days throughout the year on which students may graduate.

www.ox.ac.uk/students/graduation/ceremonies/dates

Demonstrating

Supervision of a practical class; the term derives from the now obsolete post titles of ‘University Demonstrator’ (now University Lecturer) and ‘Departmental Demonstrator’ (now Departmental Lecturer), and may be applied equally to those in charge of practical classes and to those who assist in practical class teaching in the laboratory.

Department

Part of one of the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences, Medical Sciences or Social Sciences Divisions which provides teaching and research in an academic discipline (such as Chemistry, Economics, Paediatrics etc); cf Faculty.

Director of Study

Senior academic with responsibility for a particular course or area of academic endeavour.

Divinity School

Built in the 15^th century to house the lectures of the Faculty of Theology, it is the oldest teaching and examination room of the University. It stretches from the main entrance hall of the Bodleian Library, underneath the library, to Convocation House. It is now mainly used for receptions.

Division

There are four academic divisions – Humanities (www.humanities.ox.ac.uk), Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (www.mpls.ox.ac.uk), Medical Sciences (www.medsci.ox.ac.uk) and Social Sciences (www.socsci.ox.ac.uk). All faculties and departments belong to one of the divisions, with the exception of Continuing Education.

Domestic Bursar

College officer (often a fellow of the college) with overall responsibility for domestic aspects of college life, including accommodation, security, catering and housekeeping, external lettings and sometimes sports facilities, and managing administrative non-academic staff; cf Estates Bursar.

Don

Professor, lecturer or fellow.

DPhil

Doctorate of Philosophy. The PhD is known as the DPhil in Oxford.

Duke Humfrey's Library

Oldest reading room in the Bodleian Library. It is the principal reading room for those studying medieval and early modern manuscripts and papyri, special and rare book collections, and codicological, bibliographical and local history.

EdC

Education Committee. One of the five main committees of Council, it defines and keeps under review the educational philosophy, policy and standards of the collegiate University on access and admissions; curriculum design and course structure; teaching, learning and assessment; academic and pastoral support and guidance; and provision and use of learning resources. Formerly known as Educational Policy and Standards Committee.

Eights

Intercollegiate rowing races, held in Trinity term.

Emeritus

Title held by professors and readers of the University who have retired over the age of 60 from a professorship or readership, including a personal or titular professorship or readership (and those who have retired from a professorship or readership and on whom the title has been conferred by resolution of Council). Colleges have their own rules for awarding the title.

Encaenia

Annual ceremony at the end of each academic year at which honorary degrees are conferred and the Creweian Oration is given by the Public Orator.

Estates Bursar

College officer who has overall responsibility for the college's assets, income and expenditure; cf Domestic Bursar.

Examination Regulations

Published volume containing details of syllabuses and assessment for all award-bearing courses. Available online in a regularly updated version, the print version (also known as the Grey Book) is published annually at the beginning of the academic year. Formerly called the Examination Decrees.

www.admin.ox.ac.uk/examregs

Examination Schools

One of the largest buildings of the University; situated on the High, the Exam Schools provides its main examination and lecturing facility.

Exhibition

Lesser student scholarship.

Expulsion

Permanent loss of membership of the University and college, for serious disciplinary offences.

Faculty

Part of the Humanities Division which provides teaching and research in an academic discipline (such as History, Theology etc). Law, in Social Sciences, is also a faculty; cf Department.

Fellows

In colleges, the senior members of college who, together with the Head of House, constitute the governing body of the college. Colleges may also have other categories of fellow, such as honorary or emeritus fellows, who are not members of the governing body. There are also research fellowships of various kinds in the University.

Final Honour School

Course of study and examination leading to an honours undergraduate degree. Often referred to as 'Schools'.

Finalist

Student taking, or about to take, their final public examinations for their undergraduate degree.

Finals

Final public examinations at the end of three or four years as an undergraduate student – the level of degree awarded is largely dependent on performance in these exams.

First

Highest class of degree.

First public examination (PE)

Exams taken during or at the end of the first year, which must be passed for a student to be allowed to continue their course; called either Prelims or Mods, depending on the course.

Formal Hall

Traditional meal held in college. Depending on the college, formal attire and/or gowns may be worn, and guests from outside the college may be invited.

Fresher

First-year student.

Full Economic Costs (FEC)

Method of calculating the cost of undertaking a research project which takes into account indirect overheads incurred by the University, such as building upkeep and administrative costs, as well as the direct cost of salaries, consumables etc.

Full term

Main undergraduate teaching period at Oxford. It lasts for eight weeks and runs from Sunday of first week to Saturday of eighth week. The dates of full term are prescribed by Council and are published in the Gazette in Hilary term and on the University website (www.ox.ac.uk/about_the_university/university_year/dates_of_term.html).

Gathered field

Method of grouping applications from potential students, setting a cut-off date whereby all applications received up to that date can be considered for admission as a group and ranked accordingly.

Gaudy

College event for alumni.

Gazette

Official journal of the University, published weekly in term time, in which information on the University’s formal business, including changes to statutes and regulations and meetings of Congregation, must be published. It also includes other information of interest to University staff, including general notices, special lecture information, notices of vacancies and classified advertisements.

www.ox.ac.uk/gazette

GCR

Graduate Common Room; see MCR.

Governing body

Body defined in the statutes of each college that has responsibility for its governance. Most governing bodies meet three times a term to conduct college business.

Graduate

Someone who already holds a university degree. Strictly speaking, someone taking a course of study after graduation is a postgraduate, but in Oxford the two terms are used interchangeably.

Greats

Four-year course comprising Honour Moderations in Classics (taken in the fifth term) and the Final Honour School of Literae Humaniores.

Grey Book

The Examinations Regulations.

GSO

Graduate Studies Office, part of the central University.

Half-Blue

Along with a Blue, the highest sporting achievement at Oxford awarded to members of certain sports clubs who have represented Oxford in a Varsity match. The awarding of Half-Blues is regulated by the men's and women's Blues Committees (see www.sport.ox.ac.uk/sports-federation/blues); cf Blue.

Harcourt Arboretum

Situated six miles south of Oxford in the village of Nuneham Courtenay, the 130-acre arboretum contains a fine collection of mature trees and shrubs, and is an integral part of the plant collection of the Botanic Garden.

Head of House

Head of a college or permanent private hall, known variously as the Dean (Christ Church), the Master (Balliol, Campion Hall, Pembroke, St Benet’s, St Catherine’s, St Cross, St Peter’s and University College), the President (Corpus Christi, Kellogg, Magdalen, St John’s, Trinity and Wolfson); the Principal (Brasenose, Green Templeton, Harris Manchester, Hertford, Jesus, Lady Margaret Hall, Linacre, Mansfield, Regent’s Park, St Anne’s, St Edmund Hall, St Hilda’s, St Hugh’s, St Stephen’s House, Somerville and Wycliffe Hall), the Provost (Oriel, Queen’s and Worcester), the Rector (Exeter and Lincoln), the Regent (Blackfriars Hall) and the Warden (All Souls, Keble, Merton, New College, Nuffield, St Antony’s and Wadham).

High Table

The table in a college dining hall, often on a dais, at which the Head of House and Fellows dine. Guests may sometimes be invited to High Table.

Highers

Scottish (generally one-year) qualifications which roughly equate to A-Levels.

Hilary term

The second of the academic year’s three terms, running from January to mid-March; cf Michaelmas term, Trinity term. Hilary term begins on and includes 7 January, and ends on and includes 25 March or the Saturday before Palm Sunday (whichever is the earlier).

The House

Informal name for Christ Church, after its Latin name Aedes Christi, the House of Christ.

iProcurement

Purchasing system used by much of the University: part of Oracle Financials. See Marketplace.

www.admin.ox.ac.uk/finance/purchasing

Isis

1) Name for the River Thames where it runs through Oxford. 2) Student magazine, published once a term (formerly a newspaper similar to the Cherwell).

http://isismagazine.org.uk

Isis Innovation

Technology transfer company, wholly owned by the University, which manages its intellectual property portfolio and provides Oxford researchers with commercial advice, funds patent and legal costs, and negotiates technology licences, material sales agreements and spin-out company agreements.

www.isis-innovation.com

JCR (Junior Common Room)

In addition to being the formal undergraduate student organisation of a college, the Junior Common Room is the hub of undergraduate social activity; also a physical location in a college for student recreation; cf MCR, SCR.

Jenner Institute

Located in the Old Road Campus Research Building, the institute develops vaccines against major global diseases. A major theme is translational research involving the rapid early-stage development and assessment of new vaccines in clinical trials.

Joint appointment

University lecturership held in association with a college fellowship, thereby providing simultaneously for teaching needs within both a college and a department or faculty.

Joint Consultative Committee (JCC)

Committee of students in a faculty who represent their peers and act as a channel of communication between the students and the faculty staff (known in Engineering as an ‘Undergraduate Liaison Committee’).

JR (John Radcliffe)

Hospital located in Headington which houses many departments of the Medical Sciences Division.

JRF (Junior Research Fellow)

College academic post for those who are starting out on a research or academic career. It is usually a three-year fixed-term appointment at postdoctoral level or equivalent.

Junior Member

Student member of the University, either undergraduate or postgraduate.

Language Centre

Located on Woodstock Road, the Language Centre is open to all staff and students of the collegiate University. It supports those who need foreign languages for study and research, for academic exchange and for personal and professional development, through library resources, facilities for private study and a mixture of paid and free courses.

Lecturer

Lecturers are those who have the responsibility to present lectures, which all University students in that discipline may attend. In Oxford, not all lecturers are fellows of colleges.

Literae humaniores

Classics. See Greats.

LMH

Lady Margaret Hall.

www.lmh.ox.ac.uk

Long vac

Long vacation – period between the end of Trinity and the beginning of Michaelmas terms.

Marketplace

Web-based purchasing system for staff who do not have access to Oracle Financials. It acts as a portal for purchasing goods and services at negotiated prices from selected University-approved suppliers via iProcurement.

Master

Head of House at Balliol, Campion Hall, Pembroke, St Benet’s, St Catherine’s, St Cross, St Peter’s and University College.

Matriculation

Ceremony at which students are formally admitted to membership of the University.

MCR (Middle Common Room)

Self-governing body and social centre for graduate students in a college. Fourth-year students are also granted MCR membership. The MCR is also a room located in the college. Also known as the GCR; cf JCR, SCR.

Michaelmas term

First of the academic year's three terms. Michaelmas term begins on and includes 1 October and ends on and includes 17 December; cf Hilary term and Trinity term.

Mods (Moderations)

Honour Mods are first-year (or, in the case of Classics, second-year) University exams. They are the First public examination for the degree of BA. Results are classified as Firsts, Seconds etc. Not all students take Mods; some take Prelims, depending on the subject.

Moral Tutor

Someone in a college to whom a student can turn to with concerns about their studies or general welfare; title and scope of role may vary widely.

Museum of the History of Science

Located on Broad Street, the museum is housed in the Old Ashmolean Building. The exhibits of the museum include important collections of early astronomical and mathematical instruments, clocks, microscopes, photographic apparatus and medical instruments.

www.mhs.ox.ac.uk

Museum of Natural History

Located on Parks Road, the museum houses the University's scientific collections of zoological, entomological, palaeontological and mineral specimens.

www.oum.ox.ac.uk

Norrington Table

League table of colleges published annually, showing comparative performance of students in Finals.

www.ox.ac.uk/about_the_university/facts_and_figures/undergraduate_degr_3.html#anorrington_scores_and_number_of_students_20062011_sorted_alphabetically

Noughth week

Week before the beginning of full term.

Old Road Campus

Collection of buildings housing various Medical Sciences Departments, next to the Churchill Hospital.

OLIS

Oxford’s online library catalogue.

OPENdoor

Current human resource management system for University staff. It is due to be replaced following the Human Resources Information Systems review.

www.admin.ox.ac.uk/opendoor

Oracle Financials

University-wide financial system.

www.admin.ox.ac.uk/finance/financials

Oracle Student System

Database holding information relating to the administration of prospective and current students.

OUDCE

See Continuing Education.

OUDS

Oxford University Dramatic Society – student club which puts on plays etc.

OUP

Oxford University Press.

OUSU

Oxford University Student Union – affiliated to the National Union of Students and publishes the Oxford Student newspaper.

www.ousu.org

Oxbridge

Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

Oxford Limited

Wholly owned subsidiary of the University which manages its brand licensing programme as well as running the University of Oxford Shop (www.oushop.com) on the High.

Oxford Magazine

Independent magazine edited by members of the University and published by the Delegates of the Oxford University Press. Published four times each term and distributed to members of Congregation with the Gazette.

Oxford Student

Student newspaper, published on a weekly basis during term time. Owned by OUSU.

Oxford Thinking

Fundraising campaign, launched in May 2008, to sustain and enhance Oxford’s international reputation and provide financial security that will guarantee the future of the collegiate University. It is the largest fundraising campaign ever undertaken by a European university.

www.campaign.ox.ac.uk

Oxford Today

Alumni magazine of the University which is published once a term in late February, June and October. Distributed to members of Congregation and approximately 170,000 alumni worldwide.

www.oxfordtoday.ox.ac.uk

Oxford University Archives

Body which selects and preserves the administrative records of the University and its departments, and makes them and the information they contain available for administrative and research purposes. The Archives are based in the Bodleian Library, but are a separate department of the University.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust

One of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country, comprising the Churchill and John Radcliffe Hospitals and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford, and Horton General Hospital in Banbury. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research.

Oxford University Press

Department of the University, housed in Walton Street; the world’s largest university press.

www.oup.com

Oxford University Society

Alumni association for the University of Oxford.

www.alumni.ox.ac.uk

Papers

Constituent parts of an examination.

Parks

Seventy acres of parkland on the banks of the river Cherwell, which are open to members of the University and the public. The Parks provide a large collection of trees and plants, as well as offering a number of sporting facilities.

Permanent private hall

Religious hall licensed by the University to matriculate students for degrees. There are six permanent private halls: Blackfriars Hall, Campion Hall, Regent's Park College, St Benet's Hall, St Stephen's House and Wycliffe Hall.

Personnel Committee

One of the five main University committees that report directly to Council, responsible for the development and review of comprehensive policies on the employment of all University staff, including policies on recruitment and selection, staff development and training, equality of opportunity, and salaries and other conditions of service.

PGCE

Postgraduate Certificate in Education.

PGR

Graduate student undertaking a course of postgraduate study via research, or such a course.

PGT

Graduate student undertaking a course of postgraduate study via teaching, or such a course.

Pigeon post

Nickname for the University Messenger Service, the free internal mail system. To ‘pidge’ is to send a message via this service.

Pitt Rivers Museum

Established by General Pitt Rivers in 1884, the museum holds one of the world’s finest anthropological and archaeological collections. It is accessed via the Museum of Natural History.

www.prm.ox.ac.uk

Planon

Facilities management software to manage information about the University's estate. It is used by departmental administrators and building managers to make online helpdesk requests and to see information relating to the buildings for which they are responsible.

Postdoctoral

Referring to a member of the University, usually research staff, who has completed their DPhil.

Postgraduate

Student who has already completed (at least) one university degree and is studying for another, higher degree. Often referred to as a graduate or graduate student.

PPE

Final Honour School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics.

PPP

Final Honour School of Psychology, Philosophy and Physiology.

PRAC (Planning and Resource Allocation Committee)

One of the five main University committees reporting directly to Council, which advises Council on planning, budgets and forecasts, resource allocation and other financial arrangements, and monitors performance against plans and budgets.

Prelims (Preliminary examinations)

First-year examinations which are not classified into Firsts, Seconds etc. but awarded on a Pass/Fail/Distinction basis. See First PE; cf Mods.

Pre-sessional

Pre-sessional English Courses are summer courses to prepare international students and academic visitors for study at the University.

President

Head of House at Corpus Christi, Kellogg, Magdalen, St John’s, Trinity and Wolfson.

Principal

Head of House at Brasenose, Green Templeton, Harris Manchester, Hertford, Jesus, Lady Margaret Hall, Linacre, Mansfield, Regent’s Park, St Anne’s, St Edmund Hall, St Hilda’s, St Hugh’s, St Stephen’s House, Somerville and Wycliffe Hall.

Proctors

Two Proctors (Senior and Junior) are elected each year by colleges in rotation to serve for one year (cycle published in the University Calendar). The statutes provide that they shall generally ensure that the statutes, regulations, customs and privileges of the University are observed. They serve on the University’s main committees and may receive papers and attend meetings of other committees. They have responsibilities under the statutes and regulations for aspects of student discipline, for ensuring the proper conduct of examinations and for dealing with complaints. They also carry out ceremonial duties, eg at degree ceremonies.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (PVC)

There are five Pro-Vice-Chancellors with specific responsibility for Development and External Affairs; Education; Research, Academic Services and University Collections; Personnel and Equality; and Planning and Resources. There are a further eight Pro-Vice-Chancellors without portfolio.

Provost

Head of House at Oriel, Queen’s and Worcester.

PRS (Probationer Research Student)

Students working towards a DPhil or an MLitt or MSc by research must apply in the first instance for admission as a Probationer Research Student.

Public Orator

Elected by Congregation, the Public Orator’s duties include making a speech in Latin to introduce those who receive honorary degrees at Encaenia and at other degree ceremonies, and giving the Creweian Oration at Encaenia in alternate years. He may also be called on to compose letters of greeting to other universities and loyal addresses to the Monarch, and he is ex officio examiner for certain University prizes. The office can be traced back to 1564 when the University appointed an Orator to greet Queen Elizabeth I on her visit to Oxford.

Radcliffe Camera

Known as the Rad Cam and located in Radcliffe Square, the Radcliffe Camera is a reading room for the Bodleian Library and one of the most recognisable buildings in Oxford. Designed by James Gibbs, the domed building initially housed the Science Library before becoming part of the Bodleian Library in 1860.

Radcliffe Observatory Quarter (ROQ)

Major new development site for the University, occupying land between Woodstock Road and Walton Street.

Recognised Student

Student working in Oxford for up to a year (ie one, two or three terms) but not preparing for a higher degree – they are entitled to use library and other University facilities, but do not have a college association.

Rector

Head of House at Exeter and Lincoln.

Regent

Head of House at Blackfriars Hall.

Registrar

Senior administrator within the University and formally Secretary to the Council of the University, responsible to the Vice-Chancellor and to Council for the effective organisation of the University’s administration, and line manager for a large number of senior officers within the administration.

Regius Professor

Holder of a chair founded by the Crown, and to which the Crown still formally makes the appointment. The Regius Chairs are Civil Law, Divinity, Ecclesiastical History, Greek, Hebrew, Medicine, Modern History and Moral and Pastoral Theology.

Research Committee

One of the five main University committees that report directly to Council, advising Council on policy and planning issues relating to research, overseeing the University's major institutional research collaborations, and developing the University's strategy on knowledge transfer.

Research Excellence Framework (REF)

Arrangement to assess the quality of research in UK higher education institutions and to inform the distribution of funds by the UK higher education funding bodies via a single unified framework for the funding and assessment of research across all subjects.

Resolve

Bespoke software package used by the University to cost and price externally funded research projects according to Full Economic Costs (FEC) methodology.

Romanes Lecture

Annual lecture given by a distinguished public figure who has been invited by the Vice-Chancellor. The address, which traditionally focuses on topics relating to science, art or literature, is given in the Sheldonian Theatre. The first Romanes lecture was given in 1892 by William Gladstone.

Ruskin

Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art: the fine art department of the University.

Rustication

Withdrawal of the right of access to the land, buildings and facilities of the University, including teaching, exams and all related academic services, for a fixed period of time or until specified conditions are met. It usually occurs as a result of a major disciplinary offence.

Salary exchange

Salary Exchange for Pension Contributions. An arrangement for members of USS and OSPS, which affects the way in which pension contributions are made, bringing financial benefits for both individuals and the University.

Salary sacrifice

Scheme whereby members of staff can reduce their gross salary over a 12-month period in exchange for a non-cash benefit and thereby reduce the amount of income tax and national insurance contributions they are liable to pay. The University currently operates two salary sacrifice schemes: a Childcare Salary Sacrifice Scheme, and Salary Exchange for Pension Contributions.

Schools

1) Examination Schools building on the High. 2) Prelims/Mods/Final Examinations in general: ‘to take Schools’. 3) Specific course of study: ‘Honour School of Philosophy’. 4) Part of the Social Sciences Division providing research and teaching in certain disciplines. Drawing and Fine Art, in Humanities, is also a school.

SCR

Senior Common Room. Organisation to which all fellows and college lecturers belong; also the name of the room in college which is used by SCR members as a coffee and reading room, as well as for special events hosted by SCR members; cf JCR, MCR.

SEH

St Edmund Hall.

Sending down

Known as ‘termination of course’; where a student is expelled from the University for failing the First Public Examination twice, or from college for failing penal collections, or for a disciplinary offence.

Sheldonian Theatre

Main ceremonial hall used by the University for events such as Encaenia, Matriculation and degree ceremonies.

Split Finals

Arrangement whereby half a student’s Finals exams are taken at the end of the second or third year, and the remainder are taken at the end of the third or fourth year, with both counting towards the final degree attained.

Springboard

Personal and professional development programme for women.

www.learning.ox.ac.uk/support/women/programmes

Steward

1) Person in charge of certain domestic matters within a college, including accommodation and the booking of dinners and other events. 2) At Christ Church only: the equivalent of Domestic Bursar.

Stint

Number of weekly hours a college tutor is required to teach for their college.

Student

1) At Christ Church only: a fellow is known as a student. 2) In all other contexts: a member of the University working towards an undergraduate or postgraduate degree.

Sub fusc

Formal attire worn by students and academic staff on formal occasions, including matriculation, examinations and graduation. Sub fusc consists of a dark suit, dark skirt or dark trousers; a plain, collared white shirt or blouse; a black or white bowtie, black full-length tie or black ribbon; black shoes and dark hosiery; a mortar board or soft cap; and an academic gown. The name derives from the Latin subfuscus, meaning dark brown; cf academic dress.

Supplicate

Ask for a degree to be conferred at an award ceremony.

Suspension

Temporary withdrawal from a course of study, including at the student's own request. A student is typically suspended from their course for reasons relating to ill health or exceptional personal circumstances. Suspension also refers to an interim measure taken in student disciplinary proceedings pending further investigation, which involves the withdrawal of the right of access to all of the land, buildings and facilities of the University, including teaching, exams and all related academic services, for a fixed period of time or until specified conditions are met; see rustication.

Teddy Hall

Affectionate name for St Edmund Hall.

Torpids

Inter-collegiate rowing races held in Hilary term.

Trinity term

Summer term; cf Hilary term, Michaelmas term.

Tutor

Someone who teaches students on an individual basis or in pairs. They may be a Fellow, JRF, or a graduate. They act as both a teacher and an academic guide.

Tutorial

Undergraduates attend, on average, one hour-long tutorial every week, either on a one-to-one basis or with one or two other students. Students must undertake a considerable number of hours’ preparatory work for each tutorial, including background reading, essay-writing and problem-solving.

Tutorial System

The college teaching system whereby undergraduates are taught in very small groups by a tutor (usually a fellow of the college). Through tutorials, students develop powers of independent and critical thought, analytical and problem-solving abilities, and skills in both written and oral communication and argument.

Undergraduate

Someone studying for their first degree.

Union, The

University debating society; not to be confused with OUSU (Oxford University Student Union).

Univ

University College.

University Calendar

Published by Oxford University Press each academic year and put together by the Gazette team, the Calendar is a fully indexed compendium of information about divisions, departments, colleges and committees. It also includes lists of the recipients of honorary degrees for the past ten years and postgraduate degree results for the immediately preceding year. It is known informally as the Blue Book due to its dark blue cover.

University Chest

Finance Division of the University, which is responsible for central purchasing, internal audit, payroll, pensions and all other accounting services. The history of the chest dates back to 1240, when the Bishop of Lincoln directed that the revenue of the University should be paid into a chest to be kept in St Frideswide's Priory. Money was lent from the chest to needy students, who deposited as security some pledge of value, such as a garment or a book, which was then sold at the end of the year if the loan was not repaid. See www.admin.ox.ac.uk/finance/information/history/introduction.

University Club

Located on Mansfield Road, the University Club provides sporting and social facilities for University and college staff, graduate students, alumni, and staff of associated institutions (such as Oxford University Press).

University Parks

See Parks.

Vac (vacation)

Periods between terms; see also Long vac.

Varsity

Synonym for ‘University’, especially when concerned with sport.

Varsity Match

Sporting fixture between Oxford and Cambridge; see Blue, Half-Blue.

Vice-Chancellor (VC)

Senior officer of the University. The role of the Vice-Chancellor is to provide strategic direction and leadership to the collegiate University, and to position and represent the University internationally, nationally and regionally. The Vice-Chancellor chairs Council and other major University bodies, and nominates deputies to chair others. He or she works closely with the colleges to ensure a coherent vision across all the constituent parts of the University, and with Council, Congregation, the academic divisions and the Conference of Colleges to ensure that the governance, management and administration of the collegiate University are efficient and effective.

Warden

Head of House at All Souls, Keble, Merton, New College, Nuffield, St Antony’s and Wadham.

Wytham Woods

415-hectare expanse of woodland which lies three miles northwest of Oxford. Entrance is free for members of the University, but walking permits, which lasts three years, need to be applied for in advance.