MORE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE YEAR

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RUGBY TRIUMPH

For the first time in 38 years, Fitzwilliam’s men’s rugby union side won the College Division One title, just before the first lockdown began.

Fitz pair up with Sidney Sussex in the competition, but make up the majority of the team who were crowned champions for the first time since 1982, after Caius conceded ahead of the final scheduled match.

Captain William Lockhart said: “It was a feeling of elation and a bit of relief. We knew it would come down to two games just after Christmas, against Downing and Johns, and it was pretty pleasing to come out of those with wins.”

CUSU DISABILITY OFFICER

Rensa Gaunt (MML 2015) was voted in as CUSU Disabled Students’ Officer and started her new role in summer 2020, after graduating from Fitzwilliam College.

In her new role, Rensa wants to secure the future of the Disability Resource Centre and University Counselling Service, as well as push for continuous and linkedup curriculum, exam and welfare reform.

“I’d also like to increase awareness of mental health conditions as a disability that legally require the University, faculties and colleges to make adjustments,” she adds.

HEDGEHOGS

Laura Frost (Veterinary Medicine 2003), a veterinary surgeon at Wood Green, The Animals Charity, returned to Fitzwilliam College to rehome baby hedgehogs she had hand-reared back to health. Laura has looked after 15 hedgehogs at her home in Cambridge.

Fitzwilliam College has a growing population of hedgehogs. The gardens provide an ideal habitat for them, with a lot of low-growing shrubs and great biodiversity of insects for them to eat. Steve Kidger, Head Gardener at Fitzwilliam College, has worked hard to establish a hedgehog friendly habitat, including log piles, hog hotels and feeding stations in the gardens. He has also eliminated use of pesticides.

THE ESG POLICY

In November 2019, Fitzwilliam adopted new investment principles prioritising environmental, social and governance behaviour as part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability. Protection of the global environment, promotion of human rights and promotion of good business ethics and employment practices are fundamental tenets of the policy, which was developed following a series of consultations involving students, Fellows, alumni members and staff of the College.

Since 2016, the College has not invested directly in high impact fossil fuels, tobacco manufacturers, or weapons manufacturers. In placing ESG principles at the heart of the College’s investment policy, indirect investments in these areas will also be minimised and kept under constant review.

BLACK AT FITZ

Fitz JCR BME Officers, Leona Renard Kouame (HSPS 2019) and Tolu Mustapha (Law 2019), launched Black at Fitz in October 2020, during Black History Month, to highlight the experiences of Black students at Fitzwilliam College.

Black at Fitz is a digital archive of interviews with Fitz alumni, and is available on YouTube and Instagram (www.instagram.com/ blackatfitz).

FITZ EVENTS LAUNCH

In October 2019, an exclusive event was held at Fitzwilliam to celebrate the official launch of our conference and events offering – Fitz Events.

Guests were shown around our wonderful conference and meeting facilities thanks to personal tours from the Events team.

Alumnus and Fitzwilliam Fellow surgeon Kourosh Saeb-Parsy undertook a thorough presentation of the range of events that can be offered at the College and his many positive experiences in hosting events at Fitzwilliam over the years. 51