Caius MCR statement: The Caius MCR is committed to promoting an environment of learning that is inclusive and welcoming to all students. Our commitment to diversity is a commitment to excellence. Our goal is to create an inclusive environment where differences are celebrated, and people of all backgrounds are empowered to be their authentic selves.

Mission of BME Officer: to campaign for the rights of minority students at Caius, and to implement policy changes that enable the college to be more welcoming and promote the recruitment of more BME students, fellows and members of staff, making the Caius community more diverse and a better place of higher learning.

Our Statement:

We hope all students have an outstanding experience combined with the academic excellence here at Caius and Cambridge. This should be a safe space to explore ideas and grow personally and intellectually. We have a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination and harassment, and we are committed to ensuring that Caius is a supportive environment for all. Nonetheless, we understand that incidents may take place, and for this purpose, we have an internal system at Caius for reporting any incidents faced by our members, especially students. Through this system, we hope you can feel comfortable enough to communicate any cases of bullying, microaggressions, or harassment that you personally experience or witness while at Caius. 

We understand the fear of retaliation or exposure might prevent you from disclosing experiences of this nature to the college. However, disclosing incidents anonymously helps the college keep track of the number and nature of reports. This will result in the implementation of policies to reduce these incidents, and make members of the College aware of the unacceptable experiences faced by our students.

“I’ve witnessed or been the recipient of an incident of discrimination/bullying/sexual abuse/harrasment/violence (physical or emotional) etc., – What do I do now?”

We’re here to help, listen and support you along your way (if you wish us to do so). Contact your MCR President (mcr.president@cai.cam.ac.uk), Vice President (mcr-vice.president@cai.cam.ac.uk), BME Officer or Welfare immediately. 

You can report the incident to make the College aware, but it can go as far as you would like, and can be done anonymously. 

This helps the College continuously improve our reporting system, and it helps us keep track of ongoing biases and internal issues. 

Melissa Calaresu is the to-go contact – she will help you navigate through the reporting process in more detail. 

Reporting Form against students, staff and fellows at Gonville and Caius.

Resources and Policies at Gonville and Caius.

Key Contacts

Andrew SpencerSenior Tutorsenior.tutor@cai.cam.ac.uk
Deborah Bowman 
Jonathan Evans
James Fraser
Graduate Tutors
Dr Melissa Calaresu
Dr Bronwen Everill
College Discrimination and Harassment Officerscdhc@cai.cam.ac.uk
Iman Sami
Shruti Janakiraman
BME Officer (MCR)mcr-bme@cai.cam.ac.uk
dp630@cam.ac.uk
Anne Limon Duparcmeur 
Susan Bowling
College Nurses01223 332421
college.nurse@cai.cam.ac.uk
Joe Eloi
George Carter
Carmen Watson
Neelima Mundayur
Welfare Officers (MCR)mcr-welfare@cai.cam.ac.uk

Places in Caius

  • Interfaith prayer room in U-staircase in Tree Court.

BME Events/Socials at Caius

There are a wide range of events and socials held at Caius for BME students to meet, interact, and socialise with one another across the academic year. For example, during Michaelmas Term, there is often a BME Formal hosted by the BME Officer where students are invited to dine with one another. From game nights, to barbecues to movie nights, there are various social opportunities for BME students at Caius to come together.

Diversity Day – Caius Diversity Day is an event hosted by Caius to create a platform where students, regardless of their College or societal connections, can discuss and celebrate their identity and culture. Cultural societies are invited, such as the BME Campaign, Pakistan Society, Bangla Society, Nigeria Society, Central Asian Society, Afro-Caribbean Society, and many more. Art, literature, food and dress from all around the world are on display, and attendees are able to take part in workshops, socialise with each other and celebrate the diverse cultures of Cambridge students.

Cambridge Clubs and Student Societies: 

  • BME Campaign
  • Afro-Caribbean Society
  • Pakistan Society
  • Indian Society
  • Bangla Society 

These are the biggest cultural societies at Cambridge, but of course there are many, many more, that can be found at cambridgesu.co.uk/opportunities/societies/societies.

The following resources have been compiled by the MCR committee for students who wish to support and learn about Black Lives Matter and associated causes. This is part of the MCR’s ongoing effort towards anti-racism:

Suggested reading

  • How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
  • Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi
  • Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson
  • White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide by Carol Anderson
  • Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think, and Do by Jennifer L Eberhardt
  • The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
  • Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower by Brittney Cooper
  • The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
  • Taking up Space: by Chelsea Kwakye and Ore Ogunbiyi. – Black at Cambridge 

Would you like to support via donation? 

Human Rights Organizations

Some high-profile groups doing important work you may want to be aware of include:

Useful Resources:

Addressing racial equality in higher education:

Legal limits of affirmative action

Suggestions for books to be added to the library:

Policies for making America better:

Financial Support

From college

  • Various grants
  • Hardship Fund

From elsewhere

Practical support

  • North Cambridge Soup Kitchen – serves hot soup and bread at the Meadows Community Centre, Arbury, CB4 2JL on the 3rd Sunday of every month from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm.
  • Olio – app for requesting/collecting food and non-food items from other users
  • Too Good To Go – app for requesting/collecting food from restaurants/cafes/etc. 
  • Cambridge Sustainable Food – pay as you feel cafe open every Wednesday from 12:30 – 2 pm at St Philip’s Church, 185 Mill Road, CB1 3AN.