Graduate Common Room

The Graduate Common Room (GCR) refers to both the physical space in college reserved for students of Reuben College to relax and work, as well as the general student body of the college. The term “GCR” may also sometimes be used to refer to the committee of students elected by the wider student body to represent them. 

In the form of the general student body, the GCR operates as an independent entity within the college with its own by-laws and leadership team. (The GCR Constitution and By-Laws can be found here).

The GCR represents the entire student body, meaning that every student at Reuben College is automatically a member of the GCR. Every student is therefore electable for a role within the GCR committee. Elected officers and executives of the GCR host events, organise guest dinners and deal on behalf of the student body with College and University on manners such as welfare and the academic program. 

Each term the GCR Executive committee organises a ‘GCR Meeting’, where the committee and wider student body can come together to discuss College matters and suggest improvements (in the form of ‘Motions’) for the GCR. Attending these meetings is a great way to engage with peers, have your say on what you think could make Reuben even better, and normally involves pizza as a thank you for your time!

The GCR committee has organised a wide variety of events throughout the first few years of Reuben College, such as the first ever Reuben-Linacre Ball, multiple formal dinner exchanges with other colleges, and several BOPs. The GCR has also played important roles in representing the student body regarding accommodation and settling into our wonderful college building. Additionally, the GCR organises the non-College-led social events around Fresher’s Week.

Moving forward, the GCR is always looking for feedback on the student experience at Reuben as well as new inspiring ideas from future academic and social events. 

Meet the team

The GCR committee contains over 30 different officer positions such as IT officer, LGBTQ+ Officer, Part-Time Students Officer, Sports Officer, and Social Secretaries.

More information on what these roles entail can be found here within the GCR by laws.

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  • IT Officer 
  • Publicity Officer 
  • Graduate Director of AI and Machine Learning 
  • Graduate Director of Cellular Life 
  • Graduate Director of Environmental Change 
  • Graduate Director of Ethics and Values 
  • Graduate Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship 
  • Graduate Director of Public Engagement with Research 
  • Arts Officer  
  • Charity Officer 
  • Disabilities Officer 
  • Environmental Officer 
  • Facilities Officer 
  • International Students Officer 
  • LGBTQ+ Officer 
  • Part-Time Students Officer 
  • Racial Diversity and Equality Officer 
  • Religious Diversity and Equality Officer 
  • SU Officer
  • Welfare Officer 
  • Women’s and Gender Minorities Officer
  • Alumni Engagement Officer  
  • Sports Officer 
  • Social Secretary (x2)
  • Social Secretary for Formal Dinners 
  • Social Secretaries for the Ball 
  • Welcome Officers 

These Officers are supported by the executive team of the GCR committee consisting of the President, Secretary, Treasurer, VP of Academic Affairs, VP of Community Affairs and VP of Social Affairs. At the moment, these positions are held by Jayroop Ramesh (President), Rachel Anscombe (Secretary), Christopher Bell (Treasurer), Wiktoria Luczak (VP Academic), Katherine Faulkner (VP Community) and Paul Heller (VP Social).

Get involved!

Elections for the GCR committee positions (excluding the GCR Executive positions: President, Secretary, Treasurer, VP Academic, VP Community, and VP Social) are held during Michaelmas Term each year, with elected members expected to fulfil their roles until at least the end of Trinity Term.

Information regarding the election process will be shared by the GCR Exec during the first few weeks of Michaelmas Term. Vacant committee positions following Michaelmas Term elections may be filled throughout the year, as we are always looking for help.

Please note that elections for GCR Executive positions are held each year during Hilary Term, with roles spanning from Trinity Term until the end of Hilary Term in the following academic year.

Feel free to send an email to graduate.secretary@reuben.ox.ac.uk with any questions.

It is however definitely not needed to become an officer or join the executive team to play an important role within the GCR. By attending one of our termly GCR meetings, or simply lending a hand at one of the events, you can already make a difference and contribute to what makes Reuben’s student community so special.

GCR Newsletter

Each week during term time, a GCR newsletter is sent around to the student body. If you would like to share any achievements or advertise any events either held within college or more broadly throughout the University, please email graduate.secretary@reuben.ox.ac.uk with this information by Friday 5pm to be included in the following week’s newsletter.

Associate GCR Membership

Spouses, partners and former GCR members are able to apply for Associate GCR Membership too. Please see here for further details. 

Application forms should be sent to the GCR President (graduate.president@reuben.ox.ac.uk) and the Academic Office (academic.office@reuben.ox.ac.uk) for approval.