Being an ordinary member allows you to shape the course of postgraduate experience at Hatfield through. As an ordinary member, you can vote in MCR elections and referendums, propose modifications and amendments to our standing orders and have your say on how the MCR operates. Remember your voice matters and being an MCR member gives you the chance to meaningfully imprint on postgraduate affairs!

Following on from the last point, being an ordinary member allows you to be an officer of the Middle Common Room Executive committee. There are also non-executive roles such as International Officer and LGBTQ+ Officer – more information about these later on in the guide.

One of the most unique Durham experiences is the College Formals. Formals are a traditional college event featuring a three-course meal taken together at the Dining Room. They have a formal dress code (hence ‘Formal’) which means things like dresses, suits (trousers, shirt, jacket and tie) and smart shoes. Hatfield is a gowned college, which means we wear gowns for formals – this is the same gown you wear for matriculation. You can buy a gown from the MCR. We also have a limited supply of gown available for one-off borrowing. Being an ordinary member gives you a substantial discount from the full price of Formals. Prices are yet to be fixed for the next year but all going well, we are planning to keep MCR prices below £10.

The MCR participates with the Hatfield Trust to support members for the purposes of research and professional development, supporting initiatives such as conference attendance and field trips. More information is circulated ahead of application deadlines. You can also write to hatfield.mcracademic@durham.ac.uk.

Ordinary members usually have free entry to events run by the MCR, although some of our events have a small charge. We run a varied programme of events, including pub trips, picnics and parties, as well as academic events such as “research roulettes” (symposiums).  We often charge entry fees to non-members/associate members for events which would otherwise be free to ordinary members. This charge is to cover costs of refreshments and other items for the events. More members, more and better events!

We have MCR led trips to nearby sites of interest. These could be museums, galleries or short excursions to places like York or the Northumberland coast. More locally, in Durham City, we coordinate trips to pub quizzes or other activities like bowling. We also run a limited MCR tab for some pub and café trips.

Being an ordinary member of the MCR entitles you to minutes of the General Meetings and published accounts of MCR spending. So not only do we spend the levy to give you your best Hatfield experience, we tell you what we spent it on.

In order to continue to run an exciting programme of events, we rely on payment of an annual levy (which is currently £50). You can pay the levy here: https://pay.durham.ac.uk/colleges-and-common-rooms/membership-programs/hatfield-college-mcr-membership-2024.

You have the right to opt out of this charge if you do not wish to be an ordinary member of the MCR. Students who opt out are still able to use college facilities including the library, reading rooms, IT room and music practice room. However, students will be charged a higher price for formals and other events. If you join the university later in the year, are an Erasmus student or have any other query about paying the levy, please contact hatfield.mcrtreasurer@durham.ac.uk. Our Treasurer Lucy Weatherill will be happy to help!