Extract from the 1913 Minutes of Conference

CAMBRIDGE HOSTEL SCHEME.

Conditions Needed.

1. On consideration of the whole financial details, the Committee reports that in its opinion the Conference will be justified in proceeding with a Cambridge Hostel Scheme if there can be secured a further endowment of £20,000 in addition to the £5,000 already offered, accompanied by an increase in the annual income of the Theological Institution fund.

2. It is necessary to the success of such a Hostel that it must be situated in a central position in Cambridge, and the Committee understands that houses in such positions are very difficult to obtain. The overcoming of this difficulty may mean delay, but is essential.

University Requirements.

3. The Tutor must be an M.A. of Cambridge (or Oxford or Dublin, proceeding ad eundem) and a Member of the Senate.

4. Some one in authority must sleep each night in the Hostel.

5. Not more than twelve men may reside in the House. Others may be under the Tutor, living in lodgings.

6. Three years' residence is required for a degree. Suitable graduates of other Universities may join as Advanced Students and take a Tripos in two years.

7. Each year consists of three terms, and each student must be in residence a fixed number of days in each term in order to count it. (See Schedule on p.575.)

Proposals.

8. A suitable minister, preferably a married man, shall be appointed to be the Resident Tutor of a Hostel in Cambridge University for accepted Candidates for our Ministry.

9. Application shall be made to the Lodging House Syndicate of the University of Cambridge for recognition of such Hostel.

10. There shall be rented in Cambridge a house or houses to accommodate the Tutor, his family, and twelve men who have spent one year at least at the Institution and are thought capable of taking an honours degree.

11. The accommodation shall be such that each man shall have a bed-sitting room of sufficient size for private study and ordinary social requirements.

In addition there shall be, beside suitable housing for the Tutor, Dining Hall, Common Room, and Lecture Room or Rooms.

Discipline and Terms.

12. The length of the terms of residence shall be the same as those of the other Colleges of the Theological Institution, with such small modifications as may be necessary owing to University dates. It will be necessary to obtain leave for men to reside during University Vacations. This can be granted only if the Tutor be in residence.

13. The discipline shall be the same as that of ordinary Students of the University.

14. There shall be a House Committee and a Discipline Committee appointed by the Conference.

The Tutor’s Position.

15. The Tutor shall superintend the men’s University Studies, arrange the Lectures of outside teachers, assure himself of the men’s progress by conversation and such means as weekly essays, give instruction in Methodist Theology and Polity, arrange for preaching appointments, and be responsible for the general pastoral and spiritual oversight and ministerial training of the students.

16. The Tutor should be in a position to mix to some extent in the University life and hospitality. This should be considered in fixing his allowance.
The Tutor’s wife should have charge of the domestic arrangements, and board and service for his family shall be part of his remuneration so that there will be only one housekeeping account.

Financial Estimate.

17. In addition to the initial expense of furnishing, an annual minimum estimate for twelve men is offered as follows:

(a) Domestic:

Rent (not included in T.I. per man costs) – £195
Rates and Taxes – £82
Food and Household for 38 weeks – £1,205
Wages (incl. some Secretarial help) – £210
Coal and Gas – £90
Repairs and Renewals – £60
Total: £920
Average per man: £77

(b) Educational:

Average University Charges per man – £15
Average Outside Lectures – £6
Total per man: £21

Allowances – £250
Connexional Payments – £30
Total per man: £24

Total cost per man: £122

Total cost of Hostel: £1,450 to £1,500 per annum

Schedule:
The University Terms for 1911–12 are given as examples: