Established: 1968
Opened in 1968 on the University’s main Heslington campus, Goodricke was formerly lampooned for its awful accommodation that was often likened to prisons, gulags and cells. However, as of 2009, this unfortunate heritage was consigned to the University’s archives when Goodricke was the first college to move to the plush new Heslington East campus. A ten-minute walk from the main campus, Goodricke now finds itself lauding it over the ’Ensuite Elite’ of Alcuin as the new best in accommodation. Noted for its close social atmosphere, its Tellytubbyland surroundings and its sad lack of a bar, Goodricke no longer finds itself as the butt of all campus jokes. (That position now goes to Derwent).
Goodricke Chair – Nacho Hernando
1. Location?
Land of the Free, Home of the Brave – Heslington East Campus.
2. Why did you pick the college?
You don’t pick Goodricke, Goodricke picks you. Having a pioneering spirit is a must, wanting to be proactive is preferred and giving something back to the College and its students is obligatory.
3. Distinguishing features?
Brian the Goodricke Cat (check his FB profile! http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001074980748)
4. Best thing about the college?
Best accommodation, amazing common rooms, first college on Hes East (meaning that we are closer than a wolf pack), successful sports teams, an approachable College Welfare Team, a hardworking JCRC …all in all, if Carlsberg did colleges, Goodricke would still be better.
5. Worst thing about the college?
The ridiculously high accommodation fees mean that you will have to eat beans on toast for three terms if you want to live in the best College. In my opinion it is a clear diversity failure on the University’s part if only the richest students can afford going to a college.
6. College member most likely to say?
We put the “Good” in Goodricke.
7. College member least likely to say?
I live in a shithole/Derwent.
8. Why you love being College Chair?
Certainly not for the salary (non-existent) or for the CV – in my home country they don’t know what Colleges are let alone JCRCs! You can only be Chair if you have a disinterested devotion to help those around you. I’m proud of leading a fantastic group of hardworking people who ensure that by the end of the first term, Freshers will refer to Goodricke as ‘home’.
9. What animal would your college be and why?
We already have a mascot – the Goodricke Gorilla!
10. Best college memory?
GoodFest. Every summer term, Goodricke celebrates its awesomeness with the event that sets the standard for all other events. Live bands and DJs on a state of the art stage, sports, charity activities, and free booze – an amazing event from noon till midnight which will make you cry with joy.
11. What you wish you had known as a fresher?
A million and one different things, that is why the Goodricke JCRC has collated and condensed all the information given in the dozens of welcome leaflets and brochures, added our student touch, and produced the Goodricke Freshers’ Guide.
Goodricke Student – Emily Niamh Miller
1. Location?
The new and incredibly shiny Heslington East Campus – where every day is like something out of a university prospectus!
2. Why did you pick the college?
Partly for its close proximity to my department (which means I can roll out of bed and be at my lecture within 3 minutes if I walk at a “brisk” pace), and partly due to the lure of living in the most modern accommodation the uni has to offer.
3. Distinguishing features?
The futuristic looking buildings positioned around our common rooms, so it’s always easy to meet people and you’re never far away from your necessities of laundry room and vending machine! We also have a resident cat who’s an honorary JCRC member (he’s called Brian, and highly approachable if you see him around).
4. Best thing about the college?
How it feels like a little community despite the large number of students. Being the only college on Hes East means that every time you step out of your block, you are likely to see a familiar face.
5. Worst thing about the college?
Aside from the high cost of accommodation, it is spending half your life explaining to people from other (lesser) colleges that Goodricke is not another world away! With two free bus services and a shuttle bus running between campuses, the 15 minute (tops) walk becomes a five minute bus ride.
6. College member most likely to say?
“Let’s have a BBQ outside, fend for our food from the overly-friendly ducks, play FIFA in the common room, then head to that flat party in Janet Baker and end up back downstairs for some free toasties! GOODRICKE ‘TIL I DIE!”
7. College member least likely to say?
“I’ve seen better colleges.”
8. What the college website says?
“Welcome to the most vibrant College in the whole University! We want you to have fun and to gain the most you can from your time here”
9. What the students say?
“In the year that I spent in Goodricke I have seen and experienced firsthand the warm welcoming received from every single person. Whether it being a JCRC member or the cleaning staff, everyone participates in your university experience.”
10. Best college memory?
The best moments in Goodricke happen when everyone in the college comes together, so my favourite memories would be our bar crawls versus other colleges (when our Goodricke Spirit truly dominates), Goodfest, the Royal Wedding Tea Party.