The Master of Corpus Christi College, Dr Chris Kelly, was absent for all of Lent Term 2026 and for 14 days during Michaelmas Term 2025, Varsity can reveal.

Findings from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request revealed that the Master was absent from 23 October to 2 November, and between 15 and 19 December. Speaking to Varsity, a Corpus spokesperson said: “These absences did not require approval by the governing body.”

The FOI also revealed that Kelly was absent for all of Lent Term (5 January to 17 March) – this was approved by Corpus Christi’s Governing Body on December 1, with the Master appointing the Senior Fellow as his deputy between 1 January and 30 April. Of this absence, a spokesperson for the College told Varsity: “The Master was on sabbatical leave, which was agreed by the Governing Body.”

One Corpus student told Varsity that “there is a feeling that the master or mistress of a college should be an important figure in the student experience,” and, due to Kelly’s absences, “at Corpus we are missing out on that.”

Another member of Corpus described Kelly’s absences as “extremely disrespectful to the College.” They continued: “Corpus is a small place. The Master’s Lodge has been vacant for huge amounts of time, yet it is almost as large as Old Court. It feels extremely unfair, especially given some of the pressures we’ve had on accommodation this year.

“The Master also has a flat at our second site, Leckhampton. It’s a real kick in the teeth when we’re once again paying more for the same, or indeed less.”

One student claimed Master is disengaged from the student body: “at other Colleges, Masters make a real effort with their students […] I don’t know how many students Kelly could name.”

However, others took a more positive view of Kelly’s involvement with the College. One Corpuscle remarked: “I am aware that he has been active in promoting the Corpus Christi Giving Day, including making videos in support of it with Corpuscles, and sending multiple emails to students”.

Another said: “as far as I’m aware, freshers at least haven’t seen him much since Matriculation.” However, they admitted: “I wouldn’t know if he does more behind the scenes.”

Kelly was appointed as Master of Corpus Christi in 2017, starting the role in the summer of 2018. He previously served as College President, and his tenure saw controversies among the College’s student body.

During his time as President, Kelly introduced an academic room ballot, which reserved the best rooms at the College for the best performing students. This decision, along with an episode when he temporarily closed the college bar, caused sufficient controversy among students to be covered in The Times twice, in 2000 and 2001.

Kelly continues to serve as Master of the College, a position which ends in the summer of 2028.