Matriculation and the marquee

18 December 2020

In October, our largest ever cohort of freshers joined us for a term like no other. We were delighted to smash our previous admissions records, with 81% of our new students coming from state schools, compared to the University average of 68%.

First the first time in its long history, Oxford’s matriculation ceremony took place online and our freshers joined in with the socially-distanced celebrations. Principal Tom Fletcher commended the freshers on their exemplary conduct in freshers’ week and raised a toast to all of those who helped them to get here. He also paid a visit to the isolating households who couldn’t join in the celebrations at the marquee, toasting them from the bottom of their staircases.

The marquee erected in OB Quad came into its own as an excellent outdoor venue and was put to good use for pizza and prosecco on matriculation day. Our tireless catering and domestic teams have done a phenomenal job this term – from organising the marquee and transforming it into a much-loved café, to managing accommodation for isolating students and keeping everything squeaky clean. In the words of one student:

The bond between all of us – students and staff alike – has become much stronger as a result of living through the pandemic. The University, and especially Hertford, have been incredible in doing all they can to provide for us during this time.