running events, providing representation and supporting societies for undergraduate members, middle common rooms (MCRs) for postgraduate students and senior common rooms (SCRs) for college officers, fellows and tutors. JCRs and MCRs are run by executive committees, usually headed by a president although some colleges use other titles.
Each college has a unique identity and a variety of facilities for students ranging from computer rooms and libraries to tennis courts and gyms. Most colleges have their own sports teams and compete in the collegiate leagues (such as Durham College Rowing) and may also have their own theatre and music societies, which operate in parallel to the university-level sports teams and organisations.
=== Student organisations ===
Approximately 200 student clubs and organisations run on Durham's campuses, covering academic, arts, culture and faith, hobbies and games, outdoors, politics, law and music interests. Durham Students' Union (DSU) charters and provides most of the funding for these organisations. The Durham Union Society, founded in 1842 as Durham's Student Debating & Union Society, claims to be the largest independent student society in Durham, and hosts weekly debates and addresses from invited guests. The Durham University History Society is the oldest academic society at the university, founded in 1926.
=== Diversity and inclusion ===
Black, Asian, Minority and Ethnic (BAME) students made up 32.6% of full-time Durham students in 2019/20, although students who classified themselves as 'black' numbered only 382 out of 18,430 full-time students (2.07%). A 2018 article for The Tab said that the low representation of black students meant that support structures for many young, vulnerable, black students were non-existent.
Incidents of racism, sexism and social elitism have been reported at Durham University. The university has stated that they condemn all racism and hate crime. The university established an independent commission, the Durham Commission on Respect, Values and Behaviours, …
