FRESHERS WEEK EDITION

Life at Durham University is a unique experience compared to other universities, largely due to its distinctive collegiate system. Unlike many institutions where students are simply part of a larger university, Durham’s collegiate structure fosters smaller, tight-knit communities within the broader university context. Each college operates almost like a family, providing a supportive environment that enhances both academic and social life. One of the most cherished traditions within this system is the formal dinners, which are quintessential events that bring together the college community through good food, good company, and classic college traditions.

If you have never been to a South formal before, firstly, where have you been? But secondly and more importantly, here is a rundown of the night with the inside scoop added for good measure.

The evening starts with a welcome from myself before everyone stands for the arrival of high table. High table consists of guests invited on behalf of the principle who then welcomes everyone to the dinner so service can begin. I have been involved in some interesting conversations whilst seated at high table including discovering that I was sat opposite Dominic Cummings’ mother whilst engaging in a conversation about Love Island lingo with Lynn in the same evening.

Once food service has finished, Tim stands again and encourages everyone to join as we toast Oswald, the college mascot and our college motto.

Themed dinners are a highlight, making each event unique and memorable. Celebrations range from the Halfway Formal, recognising students halfway through their degrees, to the Movember Formal, which raises awareness and funds for men’s health. Other dinners align with global celebrations such as Halloween, Christmas, and Lunar New Year, integrating broader cultural festivities into the college environment. My favourite formal to organise was the annual awards dinner we have after exams are over, which we call the Owl Society Dinner. It is an opportunity to celebrate Southies’ achievements in sports, societies and overall college engagement to kick off the celebrations for the end of the year. We decorated the hall with 5ft lights saying ‘SOUTH’ (incase you forgot which college you were at) as well as balloons in our iconic college colours.

While students enjoy the seamless experience of these Friday evening events, much effort goes into the preparations behind the scenes.

Organising a formal dinner involves coordinating with the college on menu planning, creating promotional materials, and managing communications through email and the JCR Instagram (@southcollegejcr). In the week leading up to the dinner, seating preferences are collected, name cards are prepared, and decorations are finalised to ensure everything is perfect for the night. Despite it being a lot of work, being part of an incredible tradition here at the newest college at Durham means that we can start traditions of our own. Since the forming of South, we have started ‘love notes’ during our Valentine’s themed formals, wearing fake moustaches during the Movember formal and singing Christmas carols to signify the end of Michaelmas term. ∎

This article was originally published in Edition 1 (Jun 2024).

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