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<html>
<head>
<title>College History</title>
</head>
<body bgcolor="#ffffff" link="#555555" vlink="#000000" alink="#000000">
<h1><a href="index.html"><img src="folklore-icon.gif" alt="Folklore" align="bottom" width="31" height="33"></a>
College History</h1>
York was planned and built as a Collegiate University, but with all
colleges close together on the main campus. The original six
colleges were built at much the same time and look very similar in design,
with only newer extensions differing between them.<p>
There is also other University-owned
accomodation (such as St Lawrence Ct and Fairfax House), which are
covered in separate documents (see end for refs).<p>
There is some official information (and photos!) available on the
central web server:<p>
<blockquote>
<img src="/icons/bluedot.gif" alt="*">
<a href="http://www.york.ac.uk/univ/coll/">Official College Web Pages</a>.
</blockquote>
From the original 1962 development plan, (with some interpretation, but it's
pretty clear), the correct order of the Colleges is
<ol>
<li> Derwent
<li> Langwith
<li> Alcuin
<li> College 4 (Not built)
<li> Vanbrugh
<li> Goodricke
<li> Wentworth
<li> College 8 (James)
</ol>
Derwent and Langwith were built at the same time, and were the first to
open, in 1964. Alcuin and College 4 were next to be planned, although
College 4 was not built, possibly due to the poor ground conditions of
the land where it was to go (next to the library). Goodricke and Wentworth
came last, then there was a long gap before rising student numbers
prompted the building of James, starting in 1991.<p>
Before James was built, some of the existing colleges were extended by
the building of new accomodation blocks. These colleges were
Derwent and Langwith (the `Derwith' blocks) and Alcuin (E Block).<p>
Some comments on the general campus
<a href="buildings.html#concrete">concrete building style</a>
are also available.<p>
<h2>Individual College Histories</h2>
<ul>
<li> <a href="#derwent">Derwent</a>
<li> <a href="#langwith">Langwith</a>
<ul>
<li> <a href="#derwith">Derwith</a>
</ul>
<li> <a href="#alcuin">Alcuin</a>
<li> <a href="#college4">College 4 (Not built)</a>
<li> <a href="#vanbrugh">Vanbrugh</a>
<li> <a href="#goodricke">Goodricke</a>
<li> <a href="#wentworth">Wentworth</a>
<li> <a href="#james">College 8 (James)</a>
</ul>
<h2> <a name="derwent">Derwent</a></h2>
Derwent is named after the River Derwent, following the initial policy
of naming all the colleges after local geographic features.<p>
The following plaque outside the dining hall marks the opening:
<p align=center>THIS COLLEGE<br>
WAS OPENED BY<br>
HER MAJESTY<br>
QUEEN ELIZABETH II<br>
ON 22 OCTOBER 1965</p>
<p>There is also a triangular plaque on the outide of the common room, with
the inscription ``CIVIC TRUST AWARD 1968''</p>
Derwent is well known for it's annual Barbecue.<p>
This article from <i>Nouse</i> No. 17 (19th May 1966) must be
referring to the original two colleges, Derwent and Langwith. Presumably
when first opened each only had two or three blocks.
<blockquote>
<b>Clasp Improvements</b><p>
Although cheaper building materials are being used and there is a general
cutting down of space, an attempt has been made in the new `D' blocks to
rectify blatant faults and improve facilities. Double rooms in their
conventional form are replaced by `single/doubles'. These are divided
into two by wardrobe and bookshelf units, with share sink unit facing the
door.<p>
Single rooms marginally smaller then before and wardrobes have sliding
doors which appear to be a space saving device rather than an
improvement. Colours introduced - an orange wall here and there in the
bathrooms and toilets, different door and pinboard colours. Instead of
kitchens, there are one-a-floor mini common rooms with cupboards,
cooker, sink, etc. in one corner. An improvement or another space
saving device? Flooring material changes and wall to wall carpets in
some single rooms. Beds will be convertible into settees. But there
still isn't anywhere for clothes when taking a shower; and waste chutes
have been ridiculously replaced by large disposable bags on each floor,
which must have cost as much and in the future will prove very
inconvenient.<p>
</blockquote>
The rubbish chutes in blocks A-C were closed following the
<a href="morefire.html">Biology fire</a> in 1973 - chutes there were
a contributing factor to the spread of the fire.<p>
<p>Some of the Derwent rooms were refurbished in 1998. The central bar/`reception'
area was also substantially refurbished and opened out. One side-effect of the
work was a campus-wide power cut when workmen hit a mains cable.</p>
<h2> <a name="langwith">Langwith</a></h2>
Langwith college is named after Langwith Common, an area of land near
the university.<p>
The following plaque outside the library marks the opening (it is identical
to the one at Derwent):
<p align=center>THIS COLLEGE<br>
WAS OPENED BY<br>
HER MAJESTY<br>
QUEEN ELIZABETH II<br>
ON 22 OCTOBER 1965</p>
Langwith used to hold the Athletic Union offices, and has a boules
terrain and an outdoor chess board.<p>
<p>Langwith D block was one of the first to be refurbished, in 1987(?) The
block was gutted and the rooms rebuilt as en-suite.</p>
<h2> <a name="derwith">Derwith</a></h2>
<p>Built across the road from Derwent, next to the Chemistry Department,
Derwent and Langwith College Extension (Derwith) has a distinct atmosphere of
it's own. The complex consists of
four blocks, two each belonging to Derwent and Langwith.
These buildings were the first break from concrete-based construction
on the campus. The following
item comes from the University News Sheet, Issue 205 (March 1989)</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Derwent and Langwith College Extension, which was opened in 1987, has gained
a commendation in the Civic Trust's Awards scheme for 1988.</p>
<p>Of the 993 entries throughout the United Kingdom, 24 awards and 126
commendations were made. The Extension was one of only two commendations
in North Yorkshire</p>
<p>The Assessors' comments on the Derwent and Langwith Extension read as
follows:</p>
<blockquote>
``These new residential blocks are grouped to create an informal
courtyard, which, although as yet immature in terms of planting,
already possesses a real sense of place, and in fine weather it is
well used as an outdoor study place. The quality of the whole is
more than the sum of its parts, and it is this quality that is
commendable, for the buildings themselves, while well finished
and detailed, are unexceptional. Nevertheless, they sit happily
in the wider context of the fine University landscape.''
</blockquote>
Geoffrey Williams, Bursar's Department
</blockquote>
<h2> <a name="alcuin">Alcuin</a></h2>
Alcuin is named after Alcuin of York.
This from <i>Nouse</i> No. 13 (Thur 10th Feb 1966)
(spelling mistake included):<p>
<blockquote>
The New Colleges:<p>
The next two University colleges are to be named Vanbrugh and Alcuin.
Whilst not strictly following the previous policy of naming the
colleges after places, both are named after historical figures with
close connections with York.<p>
The two colleges when finished will stand on the far side of the new road,
to the York side of the present science block behind the library. They are
due for completion in October 1967.<p>
Alwin was a noted Catholic Scholar and writer and was born in York
about 732. He was noted principally for his writings and
for his carrying of English learning to France where he worked as
head of the Palace school at Aachen where the Emperor Charlemagne was
taught.<p>
</blockquote>
The term `behind the library' may be misleading, presumably it does not
mean directly behind but set back from the road.<p>
A little more detail is added by this article from the University News Sheet,
Issue 209, Nov 1989:<p>
<blockquote>
1208 years ago, Charlemagne and his court arrived in Aachen for the winter.
Alcuin, who had a position in the court corresponding roughly to Minister
of Education, was an important influence on Charlemagne's belief,
as expounded in his <em>Admonitio generalis</em> of March 789, that
the seven literal arts (which were divided into the trivium -- grammar,
dialectic and rehetoric -- and quadrivium -- arithmetic, geometry, astronomy
and music) were essential for a priest to discharge his duties properly.
It is possible that <em>Propositiones ad acuandos juvenes</em>
(Propositions for sharpening the minds of youth), the first medieval
mathematics text known, was written by Alcuin.
</blockquote>
<p>Alcuin is also said to have invented the famous puzzle about the
chicken, corn and fox:</p>
<blockquote>
<i>You are a farmer, you have a chicken, corn and a fox, you must cross a
river in a boat which will carry only one. How do you get across without
the fox eating the chicken or the chicken eating the corn?</i>
</blockquote>
<p>Alcuin was extended in 1990/91 by the building of a new block
of houses at the back of the existing buildings. The University
News Sheet Issue 216 (December 1990) had the following article:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Work begins on Alcuin Extension</strong></p>
<p>Work has just begun on a new extension to Alcuin College. The College
currently has 295 residents and the new terrace of three `houses' will
accomodate 48 more students - 16 in each house.</p>
<p>These places will be filled by undergraduates and are part of the
University's planned expansion.</p>
<p>The cost of the project will be about £850,000 and will be
met largely by mortgage loans. Vacation conferences and student
residence fees will help pay the mortgage costs.</p>
<p>The University's policy is to provide accomodation for 70% of
all full-time students and the extension will be ready for some
of the 120 extra students expected next October.</p>
<p>The architects are Hunt Thompson Associates of London, the quantity
surveyors Franklin and Andrews of York and the contractor W G Birch
Construction of Harrogate.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>From 2 December 1996, the north-west corner of Alcuin has been the home to the
Department of Health Sciences and Clinical Evaluation.</p>
<p>More student accommodation is being built behind the existing buildings
(summer 1999), when complete the older blocks will be converted to teaching or
office space.</p>
<h2> <a name="college4">College 4 (Not built)</a></h2>
This was to be built on the hill next to the library, where the
new Computer Science building is going now. (There is a wooden map in
Heslington Hall showing the location.) Judging from the <i>Nouse</i>
article (above) and other reports, it was going to be built at the same time
as Vanbrugh, and called Alcuin.<p>
<h2> <a naaame="vanbrugh">Vanbrugh</a></h2>
Vanbrugh is named after Sir John Vanbrugh, who amongst other things
designed Castle Howard, a few miles from York.<p>
The above-mentioned <i>Nouse</i> article contains this information:<p>
<blockquote>
Sir John Vanbrugh was a dramatist and architect of not in the seventeenth and
eighteenth centuries. His best known building as an architect is that of
Blenheim Palace, home of the Marlboroughs. His connections with York
and more particulally Heslington stem from his marriage to the
daughter of the oft-remembered Colonel Yarborough of Heslington.<p>
</blockquote>
(Yarborough used to own Heslington Hall)<p>
The dining room in Vanbrugh is decorated with a mural by local artist
Richard Barnes, whose work can also be seen in Vanbrugh College library.
The dining room mural is titled ``Jam Today''.<br>
<i>Source: </i>University Magazine<i>, June 1995.</i><p>
<p>The central blocks were the first to be built, with the separate X-block
appearing a few years later. X-block is also the first of the concrete buildings
to suffer demolition as part of the accommodation refurbishment scheme. In
summer 1999, part of X-block is being refurbished, while the wing nearest the
road is being demolished.</p>
<h2> <a name="goodricke">Goodricke</a></h2>
Goodricke is named after the astronomer Sir John Goodricke who
identified the motion of the binary system Algol. A
<a href="algol.html">sculpture of the star</a> sits outside the college.<p>
The plaque outside the Dining room reads:
<p align=center>GOODRICKE COLLEGE<br>
OPENED BY<br>
MICHAEL SWANN FRS<br>
18TH OCTOBER<br>
1968</p>
<p>(<a href="swann.html">Micheal Swann</a> was vice-chancellor of the
University at the time)</p>
<p>The first Provost of Goodricke College (1968-72) was Michael Woolfson,
former head of the Physics Department.</p>
<p>Goodricke used to have some rowing boats on the lake, and a raft moored
just off the patio area.</p>
<h2> <a name="wentworth">Wentworth</a></h2>
<p>Wentworth is named after Thomas Wentworth, as related by the plaque
at the main entrance:</p>
<blockquote>
Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Stafford, Born 13 April 1593 and beheaded
on Tower Hill 12 May 1641.<br>
Knight of the Shire and Sheriff of Yorkshire, he later became Lord
Lieutenant of Ireland and Charles I's chief councillor. As the last
Lord President of the Council of the North (1628-41), he and his
deputies administered the supreme Law Court of northern England from
the King's Manor: there his shield-of-arms still adorns the courtyard
he did much to complete.
<blockquote>
<i>``His soule through the mercy of God lives in Eternal Blisse, and
his memory will never dye in these Kingdomes.''</i>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<p>Wentworth was the last of the colleges to be built, and there was even
less money available than for the earlier buildings. In general, Wentworth
was built on the cheap.</p>
The bar used to be much smaller, it was refurbished in summer 1993(?) with
the conservatory-type bit added.<p>
Wentworth is a favourite location for publicity photos of campus, since
there used to be rowing boats there for use on the lake.<p>
There used to be stepping stones round one side of B Block, but
landscaping in summer 1996 has filled in the lake at this point.<p>
Wentworth is home to three arts studios, used for pottery,
printing, drawing and painting.<p>
<p>Much of Wentworth is due to be demolished and replaced with new accommodation
blocks as part of the refurbishment scheme.</p>
<h2> <a name="james">College 8 (James)</a></h2>
<p>James is named after Lord James, who was the founding vice-chancellor of
the university. A plaque on A Block says:</p>
<p align=center>THIS COLLEGE IS NAMED AFTER<br>
LORD JAMES OF RUSHOLME<br>
FIRST VICE-CHANCELLOR OF THE<br>
UNIVERSITY OF YORK 1961-1973</p>
<p>The plaque was unveiled by Lady James on 5 October 1992, as part of
the formal opening of the college.</p>
The University News Sheet Issue 209 (November 1989) carried news of the
start of building works:
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Work starts on College VIII</strong></p>
<p>In response to increased student admissions, the University is
building new student accomodation costing £1.9m on the
Heslington Campus in the area behind Goodricke College.</p>
<p>Work has just started on Phase 1 of a new college. Nine three-storey
houses are to be built in three terraces around a courtyard
which on its fourth side will open onto the campus lake. The houses
will accommodate 144 postgraduate students. Phase 1 will also include
a student common room building.</p>
<p>The new college will be built in the same style as the recent
extension to Derwent and Langwith Colleges which won a commendation
in the national Civic Trust Awards for 1988</p>
<p>This October the University has admitted 1266 new undergraduates
needing accomodation. Two years ago the comparable figure was 1090.</p>
<p>The new college is to be built in the area behing Goodricke Provost's
lodge and facing Wentworth College across the lake.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Phase 2 of the college was opened in October 1993, consisting of
three more blocks of accomodation. This enabled James to be opened up
to undergraduates as well as graduates, with 126 of each being
admitted in the 1993/4 year. (Undergraduates have the advantage of
being away during vacations, when conference guests can use the rooms.)
The phase 2 blocks have en-suite bathrooms,
and have no computer connections, but otherwise they are much the same.
The iron suspension bridge to Wentworth also dates from 1993.</p>
<p>The first Provost of James College is Ken Todd, Lecturer in the Dept
of Electronics.</p>
<p>James residents purchased a huge Christmas tree in 1994, which stood in
the square between D-F blocks.</p>
There is a plaque to mark the running of the James Quad Dash, which reads (1996)
as follows:
<blockquote>
<pre>
James College
``Quad Dash''
2nd Saturday of February - Midday
1994 Stephen Hargreves 18.68s | Zara Luxford 19.63s
1995 Lundi Kumalo 17.11s | Moire O'Sullivan 18.64s
</pre>
</blockquote>
<p>Unlike the established colleges, there is no bar in James, no portering
and no canteen. A third phase was planned, with dining hall, social and
administration accommodation and further rooms, but was not built.</p>
<p>New blocks have been built as part of the refurbishment scheme. Work
started in spring 1999, and the rooms will be ready for the autumn 1999 term.</p>
<p><strong>Related pages:</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<img src="/icons/greendot.gif" alt="*">
<a href="alcuinbar.html">Alcuin Bar Refurbishment</a><br>
<img src="/icons/greendot.gif" alt="*">
<a href="st_accom.html">Non-college Accomodation</a><br>
<img src="/icons/greendot.gif" alt="*">
<a href="buildings.html">Campus buildings</a><br>
<img src="/icons/greendot.gif" alt="*">
<a href="original_dev_plan.html">The University Development Plan</a><br>
</blockquote>
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