Welcome, Freshers 2025!
We're so excited to welcome you to Josephine Butler College and the Butler JCR family.
Freshers Guide: The Full Guide
Although the content below is for quick reference, you can find the full freshers guide below:
A Welcome
Welcome to WOW (Welcome and Orientation Week), also known as Fresher's Week, your exciting introduction to life at Josephine Butler College and Durham University! This week is all about helping you settle in, meet new people, and get acquainted with everything college life has to offer before the academic term begins.
We have a team of FReps (Freshers Representatives), who you can be introduced to on pages 50 to 54 of the full freshers guide! They are headed by two Head Freps:
Elizabeth Keyworth-Munns
Hi, I'm Elizabeth (she/her), a third year student of Religion, Society and Culture from Essex.
I'm one of Butler's Volunteering Coordinators and President of our Boat Club. Molly and I can't wait to welcome you all into our college community and we have a jam-packed freshers' week planned to get you all involved.
I'm especially looking forward to our crafty activities and the freshers' formals
Molly Barnes-Tate
Hello! I'm Molly (she/her), a third year biologist from Sunderland (up the north) and one of the Head Freps.
I'm the President of Shellshock, the university's best (and only) improv comedy society. I play for Josephine Butler WFC and I'm an avid D&D player.
We have so much planned for freshers' week, and can't wait for you all to see it. Good luck for the coming year, and welcome to Butler! :)
Moving In
Your WOW Week kicks off with your designated move-in day. The college will be buzzing with energy as our dedicated Frep team welcomes you to your new home.
They'll be on hand to answer any questions, help with anything you need, and ensure that the atmosphere is lively and welcoming.
Prefer a quieter move-in? We offer a calm, quiet slot to suit your needs.
A Week Full of Excitement and Tradition
Once you've moved in, get ready for a week packed with activities designed to give you a true Josephine Butler welcome.
You'll participate in the Durham University Matriculation ceremony at the Cathedral, where you'll officially be registered as a university student.
We'll also host our own special college Matriculation where you'll have the opportunity to take photos around college and take part in our scavenger hunt!
Throughout the week, we'll host essential talks introducing you to key college figures and providing important information about living in college.
You'll also attend a JCR (Junior Common Room) meeting, where you can learn how the student body is run and even have a say in how the JCR operates.
Dive into College Life
In addition to mandatory events, the JCR will host a variety of Fresher's events to help you connect with your peers and discover what the college community has to offer.
Expect themed bar nights at JB's, arts and crafts sessions, sports tasters, movie nights, board games, Dungeons & Dragons, and so much more!
With such a diverse range of activities, there's something for everyone, so follow your interests and start making connections.
What Should I Bring?
Here's a quick checklist to help you settle in:
Bedroom Essentials
- Bed sheets, duvet, pillows & covers
- Mattress protector & blanket
- Laundry basket, detergent & drying rack
- Clothes hangers & storage boxes - you can store things under the beds
- Note that a desk lamp will be provided, and there are 6 power sockets in a bedroom.
Kitchenware
- Crockery, cutlery, mugs & glasses
- Chopping board, sharp knife & tin opener
- Frying pan, saucepan & baking tray
- Food storage containers
- Tea towels, sponges & washing-up liquid
Documents
- Passport or UK Driving/Provisional Licence (for registration)
- Bank card & any money (note that most college bars are card-only)
- Any visa documents (if applicable)
Health & Toiletries
- Any medication and prescriptions
- Toiletries bag: toothbrush, shampoo, soap
- Towels
Study Supplies
- Laptop & charger
- Notebooks, pens & folders
- Headphones
Clothing
- Everyday clothes & formal wear
- Raincoat or umbrella
- Sports kits, and fancy dress (black tie) items - there'll be themed events!
- Pyjamas, slippers
Extras
- Fairy lights, photos & posters - to decorate your room!
- Reusable water bottle & coffee cup - they do come in handy, especially at Butler!
- Bike & helmet (if needed)
What's On?
There will be many things on every day, and every night. In addition to this, every night of Fresher's Week has its own theme, and fancy dress to fit it is 100% encouraged!
There may be additional events for early move-ins (due to being an international student) - keep up to date with the international committee on this at @butler_internationalcomm
Saturday, 27th September 2025
- Move-In Day & Gown Collections
- Mandatory College Talks
- JBs (our college bar) will be open
Sunday, 28th September 2025
- Move-In Day & Gown Collections
- Mandatory College Talks
- Colours Night in JBs
- Tote Bag Painting
- JBs Theme: Bleed Butler! We want a sea of red and yellow!
Monday, 29th September 2025
- Mandatory College Talks
- Academic Department Sessions
- Sports Tasters
- Freshers Formal I
- Night under the Big Top in JBs
- Greatest Showman Screening
- JBs Theme: Roll up, roll up, for the best show in town! Bright colours, bold patterns, and a bit of sparkle!
Tuesday, 30th September 2025
- Subject Quizzes
- Sports Fair for Durham University (at Maiden Castle)
- Freshers Formal II
- Black & White Club Night at Babylon
- D&D Pick-Up Games
- T-Shirt Decorating
- Club Theme: Monochrome is a must, with the all important "White Lies" T-Shirt
Wednesday, 1st October 2025
- College Matriculation Photos (Gowned)
- College Scavenger Hunt
- Mandatory Durham University Matriculation at the Cathedral (Gowned)
- Societies Fair for Durham University (at Maiden Castle)
- Slumber Party at JBs
- Board Games
- JBs Theme: Wrap up in your comfiest lounge wear, after the busiest day of the week!
Thursday, 2nd October 2025
- Academic Department Sessions
- Sports Taster
- Neon Club Night in Newcastle, with Mulligans Golf
- Digital eSports and Gaming in JBs
- Ceramic Painting
- Just Dance
- Club Theme: Given it's the Newcastle Night Out, neon colours and UV face paint is encouraged!
Friday, 3rd October 2025
- Academic Department Sessions
- Sports Taster
- Botanic Gardens Picnic
- Casino Night in JBs
- Cookie Decorating
- Golden Age of Hollywood Movie Screening
- JBs Theme: What happens in JBs, stays in JBs âÃÂàstep into Vegas with your best black tie apparel!
Saturday, 4th October 2025
- College Sports and Societies Fair
- Back to School Night in JBs
- Silent Disco
- Bracelet Making
- Board Games
- JBs Theme: It's never too early to reminisce over your school days. Dress like it's the Year 6 Disco!
Sunday, 5th October 2025
- JCR Meeting in JBs
Freshers Wristbands
To make the most of your Fresher's Week, be sure to purchase your Fresher's Week wristband!
This wristband grants you access to all JCR events, including bar nights with live music and entertainment, crafts, drop-in sessions, and free entry to Loft on Tuesday.
Wristbands are available for GBP 24 online, or you can purchase one with a card at the Fresher's Week stand on Arrival Day.
Don't miss our Neon-Themed Newcastle Night Out, a highlight of Fresher's Week!
This private, ticketed event includes free transport to and from Newcastle, a round of mini golf at Mulligan's, and entry to our chosen club for the night, Flares.
With limited tickets available, be sure to secure yours for the great price of GBP 19, online or at the Fresher's Week stand on Arrival Day.
Buy your Freshers Wristbands & Newcastle Night Out Wristbands here
JCR Levy
To become a JCR member, we operate a membership fee or levy which covers 3 years of your undergraduate degree.
Whether as one payment of GBP 162 at the beginning of your time here at college or split up into manageable termly instalments in your first year, the JCR Levy works so that you will be able to access great discounts on features such as sports, societies, or events, as well as other college-specific facilities such as the on-site gym and the JCR lounge.
On average, JCR members were able to save up to GBP 100 per year from discounts on our gym, our external Ball dinners and Butler Day whilst still being able to participate in sports or societies of their interest.
At the same time, your Levy payments mean that we can continue to run everything we have to offer here at such a high quality!
As an independent organisation, separate from the college and wider Durham student cohort, we rely on the contributions of our members and we make sure that those contributions are duly rewarded!
JCR members are integral to the college community here at Butler and we can't wait to show you what we have in store!
- Levy: GBP 162.00 (for 2025/26 entry) - installments available
- Link: here
After Freshers
Throughout the year, many events are out there, including formals (which includes themed ones, such as murder mystery!), our Winter Ball & Summer Ball, and Butler Day.
We may also have more events throughout the year, such as festive celebrations from the international committee!
Click here to see a brief idea on what events we have in college!
Need Help?
- @josephine_butler_freshers_2025 has more information on Freshers Week events
- @butler.sabbs / butler.jcr@durham.ac.uk will connect you to our President & FACSO
- @butler_welfare / butler.welfarejcr@durham.ac.uk are our welfare team, if you need any other support throughout freshers week, or indeed, after
#GetInvolved
There are societies and sports at a university level, but our college also has some of its own localised societies, sports, and committees.
You will be able to access the intranet if you have already got a university email address and a CIS code (the abcd12 format code) to view more details, including contacts.
A snapshot is also available at the student groups page.