John Snow College is one of 16 constituent colleges of the University of Durham in England. The College takes its name from the nineteenth-century Yorkshire physician Dr John Snow.
History
In 1992, the Joint University College on Teesside of the Universities of Durham and Teesside was established on the site as a joint venture between the University of Durham and the University of Teesside. This was initially intended to grant joint degrees validated by both institutions. 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 1994. A programme of integration with Durham began, leading to the college becoming University College, Stockton in 1996 – a college of the University of Durham and the only college with teaching responsibilities. Further integration led to the campus being renamed the University of Durham, Stockton Campus in 1998, and the removal of its teaching responsibilities. In 2001, UDSC was split into two colleges: one was John Snow College, and the other was George Stephenson College; the campus was also renamed University of Durham, Queen's Campus, in honour of the Queen's jubilee. In 2018 John Snow College moved temporarily to Howlands Farm, Durham City adjacent to the Josephine Butler and George Stephenson Colleges. For the 2019-20 year, the college moves to Rushford Court in the centre of Durham, a privately-operated hall on the site of the former County Hospital. In 2020, the college will move to new purpose-built buildings at Mount Oswald, between a new college and Durham University Business School.
Traditions
John Snow holds termly formal dinners, in which members of college attend in their relevant Academic dress of Durham University. A set of rules governing behaviour at formals is outlined by the college, and disciplined by the JCR Chairman. Two college Balls are held per annum, one in the Michaelmas Term and a further Graduation Ball in the Easter Term, with a large portion of the college in attendance. Snow Day occurs once a year and is a vibrant and enthusiastic celebration of college life. The event is held within college accommodation and features entertainment, music and food. The day begins with a water fight in the spirit of John Snow's medical research into the causes of the 1854 Broad Street cholera outbreak, which was ultimately traced to the water supply. The first water fight occurred on the very first Snow day on 27 May 2002. The water fight commences early in the morning, serving to wake college members for the day ahead. John Snow College is the only college in Durham to have the position of 'College Bugler'. Each year the college bugler processes the new intake of students through the city of Durham and announces their arrival at the Cathedral, ready for Matriculation. The bugler also attends all formal events and announces the high table at the beginning of each formal.
When Durham University took responsibility of the campus in 1994, Tees Rowing Club was asked to help develop rowing. The campus became known as University College, Stockton in 1996 and as such the boat club was called University College Stockton Boat Club, to differentiate it from University College, Durham. Further integration led to the campus being renamed in 1998 along with the Boat Club University of Durham Stockton Campus Boat Club to differentiate it from University College Boat Club. The club rented out rack space for its boats in Tees Rowing Club's boathouse down Boathouse Lane, the site of Tees Rowing Club's boathouse since 1864. The club raced under the Palatinate Colours, the remains of which can be seen on the old blades. In September 2001, John Snow and George Stephenson Colleges were formed out of University of Durham Stockton Campus, which although it provided UDSCBC the opportunity to create two separate clubs, it was decided due to low membership and boats that it should remain a joint club. In November 2001 both Tees Rowing Club and UDSCBC left the site on Boathouse Lane and moved into new shared premises at The River Tees Watersports Centre, which was funded by the Big Lottery Fund and £80,000 from Durham University.
College officers
The Principal
Carolyn Summerbell is the current Principal of John Snow College and is a Professor of Human Nutrition with research concentrating on Obesity Related Behaviours.
