Introductions#
College Director - Alice Walpole#
On behalf of the Governors and staff, I would like to welcome you to Goodenough College. Congratulations on becoming a Member of this very special institution.
The College is much more than just a residence for international postgraduate students in London. It is a lively, friendly, academic community where people live together in a spirit of shared ideas, interests and values. Our focus is not only to provide a welcoming home for students, regardless of their background, but it is also an endorsement of a higher ideal: to enlarge our Members’ perspectives and foster respect and mutual understanding. Bringing together Members from different academic disciplines, different cultures and different continents, the College encourages them to question and challenge; to be willing to entertain new or different ideas and values; and to cultivate the habits of an open mind. We are proud that we are a community where every voice is heard and every contribution is valued.
The success of Goodenough, therefore, depends largely on your active engagement in the life of the College, and its intellectual, cultural, sporting or social activities. You will, of course, have your own academic studies to pursue, but I hope you will also take full advantage of the activities offered under the College’s lively programme.
My personal aim, and that of all staff, is to ensure that each one of you (and your families, if they are here with you) has a happy and fulfilling time at Goodenough College. I am convinced that the more you put in to your involvement in College life, the more you will benefit from, and enjoy, the experience.
I very much look forward to meeting you in person.
Alice Walpole
The Dean - Dr Alan McCormack#
Goodenough College is a totally unique place. It aims to bring together talented young people from around the world and to provide a warm, welcoming, supportive and stimulating context in which talents and abilities can flourish. It is the envy of many of the London institutions that surround us. Together we manifest a tangible sense of community here in the heart of historic Bloomsbury.
My responsibilities within the College as Dean are overseeing the care of the community in its broadest sense, and encouraging, facilitating and directing the programme of events and activities that together constitute the College’s life. I work closely with the College Registrar, Caroline Persaud, regarding all aspects of College life.
I work also with the two College Chaplains, Father Christopher Cawrse and Father Brian Creak, in the areas of interfaith literacy and practice. There is a fine College Chapel in London House and it is open as a space for reflection for everyone in College.
You will read more in this handbook on how to work with me in generating events and how to get involved in the fantastically diverse life of our College. I would like, however, at this point to draw your attention to two very special aspects of the College.
There are very few activities at Goodenough for which attendance is compulsory, but the one which you should put in your diaries immediately is the date of your designated Faculty Dinner. Further details are available later in this handbook, and you’ll be sent the dates in the autumn, but let me stress that the College’s Faculty Dinners are the highlights of the year. They are amazing and impressive occasions and are remembered with great fondness by the generations of alumni who have gone before you. Don’t miss yours!
Again, elsewhere in this book you will read a section on The Burn, the College’s Scottish Highland seat, set in gloriously unspoilt countryside between Edinburgh and Aberdeen. I encourage each and every one of you to take advantage of this wonderful place while you are here in the UK. Whether you stay there as part of a College group, go there on your own or with your family (if your parents are visiting you this is an ideal place to take them) you are sure to have an excellent time in very tranquil and beautiful surroundings.
Finally, you will know about the many opportunities presented in the College programme chiefly through the College’s intranet, The Square. Please ensure you register on this as soon as possible and check it daily. www.square.goodenough.ac.uk/whatson
I look forward to meeting and getting to know you over the coming months. Together we will make this a brilliant and rewarding year for us all.
Dr Alan McCormack
The Registrar - Caroline Persaud#
I and my team are here to support you. The House Administrators are always your first port of call for many aspects of College life. The numbers of tasks they cover is too immense to list on this page, so suffice it to say that if you have a question, do see Ljiljana Mijic (London House Members) or Marco Masina (Willie G Members). Prior to your arrival, you might have corresponded with Prudence Kahawa and Angela Martin, who are the dynamic duo who help run admissions and accommodation allocation, respectively. My deputy Iwona Newton is based in London House and together we look after policy and other matters. We are always happy to see you if you want to stop by.
With the privilege of living here comes obligation! I expect you to be familiar with the policies procedures and regulations outlined in the Members’ Handbook, and to take responsibility for your actions.
One of my least favourite responsibilities is as College’s ‘official party-pooper’. While it is your role to get involved and have fun, it is also on your shoulders to do so in a considerate way. I am sure I don’t need to remind you that a community can only function if we have mutual respect for each other, members and staff. I look forward to getting to know you and hope I only ever see you to have a chat, share a joke and never to lay down the law. Thank you for joining our community and I know you will have a fabulous time at the College.
Caroline Persaud
From the Members’ Council#
Welcome to Goodenough College. We’re delighted to introduce the Members’ Council, your representative body.
The Members’ Council is here to support you during your time at Goodenough and to ensure that the College administration understands the diverse needs (financial, personal, social, and cultural) of our College Membership. We represent and advocate on behalf of the Members’ interests. Those who hold elected positions on the Members’ Council do so voluntarily, and are committed to creating a thriving and culturally diverse environment in which future leaders are inspired and international understanding and tolerance are fostered.
The Members’ Council holds monthly meetings which are widely advertised and open to all Members. We encourage you to propose agenda items, ask questions or bring up any issues you may have in this forum. Information about the Council, including who to contact on any issue and upcoming meetings, is available on the Members’ Council community page on The Square. Goodenough is a truly remarkable place, but if problems do arise please don’t hesitate to ask for help - either from a member of the College staff or the Members’ Council.
Positions on the Members’ Council:#
| College Chair (and Member Governor) | Chairs the Members’ Council, represents the interests of the Council and the membership to the College leadership. |
|---|---|
| Treasurer | Responsible for Members’ Council administration, ensuring clear and transparent communication both within the Council, and between Council and the general membership. |
| Secretary | Oversees and organises the Council’s funding committee, which decides how to allocate funds for College clubs and societies. |
| Community and Welfare Co-Chairs (2) | Advocate for the welfare of Members and seek to support and maintain the unique Goodenough College community. |
| Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Chair | Advocates for EDI considerations to be fully integrated in all College policies and activities. |
| Facilities and Services Co-Chairs (2) | Advocate for continuous improvement in the physical environment, catering and facilities-related College services. |
| Social and Cultural Co-Chairs (2) | Oversee social and cultural events, including organisation of the Spring and Winter Balls. |
| Environmental and Sustainability Co-Chairs (2) | Advocate for a more sustainable community at the College, including through greener estate and facilities management. |
| Alumni Relations Chair | Serves as a link between current Members and Alumni. |
| London House Chair | Has an overview of all things London House |
| William Goodenough House Chair | Has an overview of all things Willie G |
Council Elections#
The Council Chair and one of each of the Community & Welfare, Facilities & Services, and Social & Cultural Co-Chairs are usually elected each June so that they are in place for the start of the new academic year. Elections for the remaining positions are generally held each October.
Getting Involved in the Council#
Standing for a position on the College Council is an immensely rewarding experience offering the opportunity to play an active role in College decisions and operations by liaising between the Members and College leadership. If you are interested in joining the Members’ Council, please contact one of its current members. Other ways to be involved in the Council include attending meetings, proposing agenda items or participating in a Council committee.
Participating in the College Community#
In choosing to make Goodenough your home, you have joined a truly remarkable community of postgraduate students from around the world. We hope your experience here is one that you will never forget. There are lots of exciting opportunities to get involved in College life, whether you’re interested in social, cultural, musical or sporting events. It’s up to you to make the most of your time here.
We encourage you to use the Welcome Period to make new friends, join societies at the Clubs and Societies Fair, and find out more about your new London life in general. A great way of settling into our community is by using the College facilities - the Great Hall, the Large Common Room, Freddie’s and the G-Bar bring us together for food and drink and provide the perfect opportunity for meeting new people, catching up on and planning events and outings. Don’t miss the Winter and Spring Balls, the Halloween Party and the many cultural nights held throughout the year. If you can’t find the activity you’re looking for, set up an event, club or society yourself!
We hope you have a great year!