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WENTWORTH TO BE A GRADUATE COLLEGE PROPOSALS HAVE been tabled that will bring to an end Wentworth’s 28 year history as an undergraduate college in York. The Wentworth Provost and the JCRC have been in consultation with the University facilities department and the SU over the possibility of Wentworth becoming an exclusively graduate college. The implications for the make-up of the University are huge. All graduates under the new proposals would belong to Wentworth. The number of under-
“Ideally we will ensure that Wentworth has no intake of freshers next year.” Dr Peter Lee, Wentworth College Provost
graduate colleges would be reduced to six with undergraduate admissions figures rising each year. There is concern that this may result in a dilution of College identity, an attribute that the University prides itself on. The proposal was first drafted in a paper by the Vice-Chancellor 18 months ago when it was decided that a graduate college was necessary and that Wentworth was the most appropriate location. The transition is likely to coincide with the reconstruction of much of Wentworth’s accommodation. At least two blocks are to be demolished and rebuilt with students shunted into the infamously dingy Wentworth C block. John Naylor, Press and Publicity Officer for the Students’ Union and former resident in C block claimed, “It’s awful! Narrow breeze-block corridors and tiny breeze-block lined rooms make it feel more like a prison than anything.” The problem that faces the college Provost, Dr
“The whole JCR is very concerned about its own future and the welfare issues raised.” Andy John, Wentworth JCR Chair
Peter Lee, is that of ensuring the well-being of the undergraduates still in Wentworth when the changeover takes place. “Ideally,” he told Vision, “We will ensure that the college has no intake of freshers next year.” As for those who are already undergraduate members of the college, work is unlikely to begin until January 2000 at the earliest, meaning that current finalists will not be affected. Current second year students may not be so lucky. “Some undergraduates may have to change colleges” warned Dr Lee. Andy John, Wentworth Chair, gave Vision the
JCR’s reaction. “Naturally the whole JCR is very concerned both about its own future and the welfare issues that will be raised. It seems that some students may end up living in Wentworth for one term and then moving elsewhere, never to return. This would undoubtedly restrict their opportunities within the collegiate system. “Even without this there is the issue of the redevelopment work and the disruption due to noise that this may cause.” The Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) has greeted the proposal with relief. Stuart Horne, GSA Press and Publicity Officer explained the benefits of the new system. “Finally graduates will have an independent venue, a community centre and facilities that we can use outside term time. The GSA currently lacks the identity it requires with graduates amounting to a quarter of the University’s population.” GSA President, Michael Kelly, would only comment, “We’re in discussion with Wentworth Provost and the SU to make sure that any change of the college status is carried out as smoothly as possible.” Glen Dewsbury, speaking on behalf of University
“Obviously the priority must be the welfare of undergraduates uprooted in the transition.” Helen Woolnough, SU President
Facilities Management, told Vision, “All these plans are still fairly fluid but a few options have been suggested for the best way to prevent undergraduates from suffering any adverse effects from the new system. The most likely solution is that Goodricke, Wentworth and James colleges are treated as one area in terms of facilities, a bit like James and Wentworth are already. Any development of nucleus college facilities is likely to be shared between all three. There is no reason why Wentworth portering facilities should not continue to be shared by James.” The implications of this proposed arrangement may affect the entire University as each college would be required to accommodate a significantly higher number of first year students. The SU has voiced support for the proposed restructuring of the University. Helen Woolnough, SU President, explained, “Graduates do need a college of their own and Wentworth is the most likely because it’s the next on the redevelopment list anyway and it’s set apart slightly from the rest of the University. Obviously the priority must be the welfare of undergraduates uprooted in the transition. We’re working on ways of minimising the effects.” As yet there are no precise dates for the change but students will be informed as soon as a decision is reached.
York Student Vision
Ben Hulme-Cross
SU RAG Officer Ange Davison and the Goodricke crew preparing for battle
RAG FLOATS ON MORE THAN one hundred and fifty students stopped traffic on Saturday 19th February in aid of the Lord Mayor’s Charities. The York RAG procession saw all seven colleges and Halifax Court enter the procession that included seven lorries, a bus, a vintage car, and a bath full of crumbly crunch. They progressed from Cliffords Tower, through the town crossing the river twice, then down through Parliament Street and back round to complete the parade at the Tower before taking part in a giant ‘conga’ line round the green. Following the theme of time and the celebration of the new millennium, the winners were Alcuin. Their impressive entry of A Hundred Years of Cinema, had stars like Marilyn Monroe, and Snow White. It was a close call when it came to the judging, with the Lord Mayor being greatly impressed by veteran winners Derwent, with their Viking ship. The college, who have won successively for the past three years, had constructed a 40 foot ship, where all were
clad in Viking helmets and axes. The hard work of the other five colleges over the preceding weeks produced equally outstanding displays. These ranged from Wentworth’s 60’s creation complete with Magic Roundabout characters Dougall and Zebedee; Langwith and the Greek’s, with University yellow togas to James and the futuristic, Men In Black party. Goodricke’s War of the Roses, with a Tudor castle was supported by the Fencing club while Vanbrugh paraded as the Romans. Halifax Court also entered with their theme of The Land That Time Forgot. Ange Davison, speaking to Vision, said, “The RAG parade isn’t just about being wacky, it’s about peopl;e turning up, getting dressed up and having loads of fun raising loads of money. We’re a force to be reckoned with.” The procession initiated the beginning of RAG week, where York RAG put on several events including fire-walking and Blind Date to raise awareness of the charity work that RAG does on campus and around the country.
Sophie Jewett
25th February, 2000 Issue 117