Stephenson College, Durham

File:Stephenson College.jpg

In 1992, University College, Stockton (UCS) was established on a new site in Thornaby-on-Tees, in the borough of Stockton-on-Tees, as a joint venture between the University of Durham and the University of Teesside. This was initially a joint venture, granting joint degrees validated by both institutions (BAs and BScs). However, Teesside, which had only become a university in 1992, had difficulties in taking on its responsibilities for the college and Durham took full control in 1998.{{cite book|url=http://oxcheps.new.ox.ac.uk/MainSite%20pages/Resources/OxCHEPS_OP3.pdf|title=Breaking the Mould: The Surprising Story of Stockton|author=John Hayward|date=2003|access-date=1 November 2015|archive-date=13 May 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060513190857/http://oxcheps.new.ox.ac.uk/MainSite%20pages/Resources/OxCHEPS_OP3.pdf|url-status=dead}}

A programme of integration with Durham began, leading to the college becoming a college of the University of Durham in 1994 — the only college with teaching responsibilities. Further integration led to the campus being renamed the University of Durham, Stockton Campus (UDSC) in 1998, with teaching responsibilities being separated from the college structure.{{cite book|title=The Durham Difference|author=Nigel Watson|date=2007|publisher=James & James (Publishers) Ltd., London}}{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041016085906/http://www.dur.ac.uk/about/history/qcs.php|archive-date=16 October 2004|url=http://www.dur.ac.uk/about/history/qcs.php|title=Foundation of Queen's Campus}} In 2001 UDSC was split into two colleges: George Stephenson College and John Snow College.

In 2006 the college name was changed to Stephenson College.

2010 saw the opening of Stephenson Central, in the middle of the college, housing a library, games, meeting and TV room with a bar at the centre, as well as the Junior Common Room office.{{cite book|page=12|title=20 Years of Stephenson College|publisher=Durham University|date=2021}}

File:Stephenson College Accommodation blocks.png

Stephenson College and the other Queen's Campus college, John Snow College, relocated to Durham on a phased basis starting in October 2017, completing in 2019. Stephenson College took over buildings formerly occupied by Ustinov College on the Howlands Farm site, adjacent to Josephine Butler College.{{cite web|url=https://www.dur.ac.uk/johnsnow.college/move/applicants/howlands/|title=Howlands Farm|website=Durham University|date=2 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003014139/https://www.dur.ac.uk/johnsnow.college/move/applicants/howlands/|archive-date=3 October 2018}}

The college is a 15 minute walk from the Mountjoy site which contains many departments and large lecture theatres.

Stephenson is a self-catered college, with rooms arranged in flats with shared kitchens.{{cite web|url=https://www.durham.ac.uk/colleges-and-student-experience/colleges/stephenson/accommodation/|title=Accommodation and Catering|website=Durham University - Stephenson College|access-date=11 Jan 2023}} All rooms are single-occupancy, and include en-suite rooms as well as those with shared bathrooms.

As of 2023, the college has 1304 members, with 433 living in college accommodation.{{cite web|url=https://www.durham.ac.uk/colleges-and-student-experience/colleges/|title=Our Colleges|website=Durham University|access-date=11 Jan 2023}}

Communal facilities in the college include "Platform 1", the college's café and bar;{{cite web|url=https://www.durham.ac.uk/colleges-and-student-experience/colleges/stephenson/facilities/cafebar/|title=Platform 1 & Stephenson Central|website=Durham University - Stephenson College|access-date=11 Jan 2023}} "Platform 2", a performance venue and social space with two dart boards and a pool table;{{cite web|url=https://www.durham.ac.uk/colleges-and-student-experience/colleges/stephenson/facilities/social/|title=Platform 2|website=Durham University - Stephenson College|access-date=11 Jan 2023}}"Platform 3", a study space and library; a shop, two gyms, further study spaces and a music room.{{cite web|url=https://www.durham.ac.uk/colleges-and-student-experience/colleges/stephenson/facilities/|title=Facilities|website=Durham University - Stephenson College|access-date=11 Jan 2023}} The college also shares use of a multi-use space, Howlands Hall, with Josephine Butler College, which is used for sporting activities as well as formal meals.{{cite web|url=https://www.durham.ac.uk/colleges-and-student-experience/colleges/stephenson/facilities/gym/|title=Gym and Sports|website=Durham University - Stephenson College|access-date=11 Jan 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.stevojcr.co.uk/community-dining|title=Community Dining|website=Stephenson College Junior Common Room|access-date=11 Jan 2023}}

Stephenson is a self-catered college and has no dining hall. However, optional formal and informal communal meals are held, with around six of each during the year.

The undergraduate student body (Junior Common Room or JCR) is governed by an elected Executive Committee headed by the President and supported by several other officers. Regular JCR meetings are held to discuss and vote on important issues.

The JCR also supports many societies run exclusively for college students. The most popular societies include Stephenson College Boat Club (SCBC), Football, Rugby and Badminton.

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.dur.ac.uk/stephenson/ Stephenson College] official website
• [http://www.dur.ac.uk/stephenson.jcr/ George Stephenson College JCR] undergraduate student organisation

{{University of Durham}}

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Category:Colleges of Durham University

Category:Educational institutions established in 2001

Category:2001 establishments in England