Van Mildert College
Please note that this page is not affiliated with Durham University
Although the JCR and College often work closely alongside each other, the JCR is independent from college. View more about what the JCR does here.
Unfortunately this means that the JCR is unable to assist in any inquiries relating to accommodation, catering, maintenance issues, and so on. However, we have provided some information below, which we hope will be useful!
The College web page and contact details can be found here.
College Accommodation
Rooms
A typical fresher room will have a single bed, a sink and mirror, a large desk and chair, a wardrobe and under-bed storage. A limited number of en-suite rooms are available, prioritised to those with medical conditions.
Operations team
The College is staffed 24/7 by our wonderful porters who are ready to help out with almost any situation, be it replacing light bulbs or offering a friendly face and shoulder to cry on late at night when the rest of the world is asleep. The reception team sort the post (they've seen more Amazon parcels than you can imagine) and help you with things like room bookings and maintenance requests. The housekeeping team work to ensure that college is kept clean, and are also very friendly, so make sure to say hi!
Catering
During term-time, livers-in are provided with 3 meals a day (included in the accommodation fee) in our wonderful Ann Dobson Hall. As well as meaning that livers-in don't have to worry about food, it helps foster the sense of community in our College. It is common for each corridor to go together, but you can go anytime and with whomever you want. Out of term time, should you wish to stay, you can use the kitchen facilities on the blocks to cook for yourself. Not every block has an oven, but all have a fridge/freezer, microwave and kettle.
Returners
There are a limited number of returners rooms available in college, which tend to be taken by finalists who are looking to take advantage of the benefits of living in college in their biggest year of study. However, most returners will live out in Durham. The JCR puts on a housing information session and mixer every year to provide freshers with an opportunity to meet potential housemates.
Fees
The accommodation fees can be found here. Financial support for home students is available in the form of the Durham Grant.
College Facilities
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The college bar is headed by the Sabbatical Bar Steward who is a recent graduate and oversees the Bar with the College Food and Beverages Service Head. The bar is run by a group of mildertians, who form bar committee.
The team look for new members every year - all of these are paid positions within a fun and sociable committee.
The bar also hosts regular events, from a weekly bar quiz, live music, karaoke nights, and regular sport showings.
You can stay up to date with the bar on instagram - @mildertbar.
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The college gym has been recently refurbished, and contains a variety of equipment, including cardio machines and free weights.
The gym subscription can be bought either on a yearly basis, or for the duration of your degree, and is often a lot cheaper than other gyms in the city. Please note that College manage gym subscriptions, not the JCR.
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It's a truth universally acknowledged that whilst at Durham you'll have to do some work.
The Van Mildert College Library and computer room are both here to offer you help and support with your various studies. The library aims to support every area of study undertaken by Mildert students and constantly adds new titles to its collection.
You'll find the newly refurbished library in the main building on the same level as Reception. It is open 24/7.
During the summer examination season, other rooms within College are also available to be used as study spaces for revision. -
At Mildert, we're very lucky to have a recording studio on site, as well as 2 music practice rooms. Both of these facilities are available to all Van Mildert students free of charge - bookings made at reception (around events time they get very busy).
The Large practice room has an upright piano and drum kit. One bass amp belongs to the JCR.
The small practice room has a baby grand piano. Both practice rooms are wired into the control room. This has a 24-channel mixing desk and quad-core computer for making digital recordings and CDs. A range of microphones, stands and cables are available for making recordings.
The Ustinov Room contains the Bechstein grand piano. Built sometime between 1901-1914, it was recently restored and is available for use by JCR pianists of Grade 8 standard. -
The Shop (aka. “The Quack Shack”) aims to fulfil all of your snacking needs, and is located right next to the college bar. We sell a variety of confectionary, toasties, crisps, and drinks, as well as toiletries and household goods.
The shop is run by the JCR Shop Committee, which is comprised of 7 members including the manager. Interviews to apply to be on shop are held over the summer each year once a manager is appointed in late Easter term.
Members typically work a weekly four hour shift, as well as holding an extra voluntary role, such as filling the vending machines, and running shop’s social media pages.Email shop@mildert.co.uk if you have any questions.
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We are very lucky to have one of the best kept tennis courts of all the colleges. In an ideal location out of the wind and away from the public eye, this tennis court can be booked at reception. Just deposit your campus card and you'll be given the key in return!
Do remember to book in advance, particularly as it gets busy post exams or if we're in one of Durham's many sunny spells!