FAQs

Below you will find a list of frequently asked questions about the GCR, the GCR Committee, and services and facilities around college. If you can't find what you are looking for, please get in touch. You can find out which committee member can best help you if you look at the job descriptions on the Contacts page.

Howlands Farm

• How do I contact the porters?
• When is the Howlands Farm Bar open?
• Can I hold a party in Fisher House?
• Can I use the music room in the Howlands Building?
• How can I borrow the GCR's barbecue grills?
• When does the Chinese Food Van visit?

GCR

• What does my GCR levy pay for?
• How do I ask the GCR for money, and how can I get reimbursed for expenses?
• Can I borrow electronic equipment from the GCR?
• Can I opt out of the GCR?

General

• What is Nightline?
• What is your advice for walking at night?
• When does the Nightbus run?
• How can I travel in Durham City?

Always come down to Fisher House first and see if the porter on duty is in. In an emergency, call 0773 6365153. Damages and requests for repairs can be reported in the red folder by the pigeon holes in Fisher House. Top of page.

The usual opening hours are 8pm to midnight, but these may vary sometimes over the holidays or on days where there are induction or sporting events. Top of page.

Yes, but it depends on what kind of party. If you have merely asked a few friends over and do not intend to sell alcohol or play music, you can sit in the coffee shop area if it is available. If you want to organise a bigger event, for example a club social or bar night, you need to fill in a form and arrange this with the College and the Bar Manager. The Social Events Notification Form can be found on the Documents & Forms page, and needs to be sent to the Bursar, the Bar Manager and the Social Secretary. Top of page.

Yes, but you must first become a member of the Music Society (see Clubs & Societies page). Afterwards, you may book and use the room as available. Top of page.

If you would like to use the GCR's barbecue and tools, you should contact the porters at Howlands Farm. There is a £10 deposit which is refunded when you return the equipment cleaned! Top of page.

The van arrives at Howlands Farm every Sunday at 2pm from Newcastle and sells a wide variety of Chinese food not available in the city centre. Top of page.

Every member of the GCR pays £25 GCR levy (i.e. membership fee) at the beginning of each academic year. These £25 go towards funding for clubs and societies, subsidies for parties and events (such as the formal dinners and ball) to keep ticket prices affordable, the GCR barbecue, regular expenses such as the subscription fee for satellite television in the bar, facilities such as the gym, the DVD library, the Common Room and Pool Room in Fisher House, and many more. The levy is NOT used to pay any of the committee members - all GCR committee positions are voluntary and unpaid. Top of page.

You have to apply for funding before you make a purchase or spend money for an event. Otherwise, the GCR might not approve your expenditure and you might end up not getting your money back! Funding for clubs and societies is allocated at fixed dates throughout the year, usually one round in the first half of Michaelmas term, a second round before Christmas, and another one over the summer. This is because clubs and societies tend to require larger sums of money, and this kind of funding needs to be ratified by a GCR meeting. If you need money for anything else that potentially benefits all GCR members, fill in a Purchase Approval form (see Documents & Forms page) and submit it to the GCR Treasurer. Again, larger sums have to be approved by a general GCR meeting, so larger purchases should be suggested by submitting a motion. Top of page.

Yes. The GCR owns speakers, microphones, DJ-ing equipment and screening equipment, which can be borrowed by clubs and societies or individual members by arrangement. Please get in touch with a member of the Executive about this. Just send an e-mail to tell us what you need and when, to see if it is available. Top of page.

Yes, you can. However, you have to do so in writing and within a month of arriving in Durham to the College Senior Tutor and GCR Treasurer. You can't opt out after that deadline, and if you opt out you forfeit your right to use any GCR facilities (such as the gym), attend events at GCR prices, vote in GCR elections or run for a position on the committee. Top of page.

Nightline is a confidential listening service that you can ring free of charge if you need someone to talk to. They are open from 9pm to 7am every night of term to listen and support you, however you are feeling. Please have a look at their website for further details of their services. Top of page.

Generally, you should avoid walking home alone but if you have to, keep away from badly lit and secluded areas. Carry an attack alarm if you can. The police can be contacted on 08456060365 or, in an emergency, dial either 999 or 112. There is a form for reporting incidents (see Documents & Forms page) which should be sent to the DSU Welfare Officer at the Students' Union through the internal post. Top of page.

The Nightbus is a service provided by your Students' Union. It receives the majority of its funding from the profits generated by DSU's commercial services, and is a request service. If you need a lift at night, you can call the driver's mobile: 0785 4838890 and let him know where you are and where you need to go. He will then tell you how soon he can come and pick you up. Priority is always given to lone travellers. The bus costs only 75p per journey, no matter where you need to go (within Durham), and you need to show your Campus Card to use it. Unfortunately, the Nightbus only runs during term time. Top of page.

How can I travel in Durham City?

Read the handy guide here . Top of page.