Van Mildert College

The college has a reputation for student participation and liberalism. JCR members no longer wear gowns, unlike at most of Durham's colleges, and the level of student involvement in the running of the college is quite probably higher than any other Doxbridge college.

Centred around a large lake in eight acres (32,000 m²) of grounds, the college's accommodation and communal facilities are modern and capacious. College facilities and an adjacent conference centre are regularly used by external organisations, to raise funds for college life.

The accomodation blocks are named Tyne, Tees, Middleton, Derwent, Wear, Tunstall and the newly constructed Deerness. They are all situated within the main college area around the lake and the college is in the process of refurbishing each of the buildings in turn

The college crest is
"Gules two Scythe blades in saltire in chief the Cross of St Cuthbert Argent And for the Crest On a Wreath of the Colours in front of a Castle of three Towers Sable a Silver Penannular Brooch proper the ends charged with Gilded Crosses of St Cuthbert."

The scythes are taken from Bishop Van Mildert's episcopal arms; the cross of St Cuthbert is a common emblem of Durham City and University.

'Mildert' Traditions

The Kazoo is a ceremony performed by the winning candidate after elections by ballot box in the JCR. A Kazoo is a celebratory action which consists of the winning candidate kicking a soft drink can down the stairs in the foyer, throwing it over his head three times and then opening it over his head. It is done because, in the words of Kazoo himself, “It makes people happy.” The JCR Constitution notes that it "may be done wearing clothes"

The traditition is linked to the eponymous Kazoo, a fat Chinese exchange student back in the mid-1990s. He would remove his top, kick a can down the steps to the JCR foyer, and empty it over himself.

Snakey B

Widely acknowledged as the college's favourite alcoholic drink, this potent mix of Carling, Strongbow and Schweppes' Blackcurrent Cordial would elsewhere be known as Snakebite Black, Purple or Diesel.

The Mildebeast

Two large, carniverous fish living in the college lake, believed to be responsible for the early disappearance of ducklings. Since the dredging of the lake in summer 2003, confirmed sightings have decreased and it is possible that only one, or neither, still survives.

Mildert Day

An annual celebration of college spirit, after exams in Easter term. Bacon butties, inflatable games, music, widespread drinking (including the Mildert Challenge) , the Carrot Awards and the Mildert Day formal are usual features.

Van Mildert Boat Club

Notable alumni