York St John University

York St John University
Established	1841: The Diocesan College in York 2006: University Status
Type	Public
Chancellor	The Most Revd. and Rt. Hon. Dr John Sentamu
Vice-Chancellor	Professor David Fleming
Admin. staff	618[1] (14 executive) (235 academic) (297 administrative) (74 ancillary)
Students	6,057[2]
Undergraduates	4,655[2]
Postgraduates	869[2]
Location	York, North Yorkshire, England
Campus	Urban
Website	http://www.yorksj.ac.uk/

York St John University (formerly known variously as York St John University College (2004), York St John College (2001), Ripon and York St John: a College of the University of Leeds (c. 1996), University College of Ripon and York St John (c. 1990), College of Ripon and York St John (1974), St John's College, York (c. 1900) and York Diocesan College (1841)) is located in York, England. It is one of several higher education institutions which have religious foundations; others include Canterbury Christ Church University, Liverpool Hope University, St. Mary's University College (Twickenham), University of Chester, University of Chichester, University of Cumbria, University of Derby, University of Gloucestershire, University of Winchester, and Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln. It occupies an eleven-acre city centre campus on Lord Mayor's Walk, close to York Minster and the city walls. As of July 2011, there were 6,057 students, reading a wide variety of subjects, in four faculties: Arts; Education and Theology; York St John Business School and Health and Life Sciences.

History and development

The university descends from two Anglican teacher training colleges, which were founded in York in 1841 (for men) and 1846 (for women). In 1862, the women's college relocated to Ripon. Over the next century, the colleges gradually diversified their education programmes. The colleges merged in 1974 to form the College of Ripon and York St John.

Quad West entrance

In 1990 the combined institution formally became a college of the University of Leeds; this arrangement allowed it to award degrees in the name of the latter, while remaining in practice largely autonomous. Between 1999 and 2001, all activities were transferred to York and the college received the name York St John College.

In February 2006, the College was granted the right to award degrees in its own name and the right to call itself a University College. On 10 July 2006 the Privy Council approved a request from the college to become a full-fledged University; the name became York St John University on 1 October 2006, and the first Chancellor (installed at a ceremony in York Minster on 7 March 2007) is the Archbishop of York John Sentamu.

Academic profile

Courses

Students can study a range of subjects at foundation and undergraduate level, including film and television production (see filmmaking), physiotherapy, occupational therapy, literature, linguistics, psychology, counselling, business management, marketing, tourism, history, music, art, design, theatre, dance, sport related programmes, psychology, theology and primary education.

At postgraduate and post-experience level, York St John Business School offers a suite of Masters programmes including a new MBA programme. Other subject areas offered at postgraduate level include theology, education, theatre, fine art, film production, music composition, counselling, health, linguistics and TESOL.^[3]

Research ranking

The University was ranked third from bottom (113th of 115) in the United Kingdom Research Assessment Exercise in 2010.^[4] In 2005, the university was included amongst 74 other academic institutions which were permitted to use the wording "centre of excellence" in its publicity and other material.^[5]

Graduate employment rate

Currently, almost half (49%) of the University's graduates will remain unemployed one year after graduation.^[6]

Research

In recent years York St John has developed its research capacity in Allied Health Professions & Studies; Psychology; Education; Sports-related Studies; English Language & Literature; Theology & Religious Studies; and Drama, Dance & Performing Arts. In the last Research Assessment Exercise in 2008 the growing research excellence was rewarded with a 518% increase in funding (against an 8% sector average).

Average student debt on graduation

In 2010, the average student debt on graduation was calculated at £16,335. For comparison, students at Huddersfield University face an average debt of £8,309 while Hull University students face an even higher £21,290.^[7] Overall, student debt at York St John was second highest in the region.

Students' Union

Many activities are organised in association with the Students' Union and the university offers several sporting and other interest groups in which students can become members.

Reducing antisocial behaviour amongst students

In 2010, the University's Student Union began a programme of action designed to combat the growing antisocial behaviour amongst its own students. Private security staff paid by the Union were reported to be on patrol until 3am in areas where record numbers of complaints had arisen.^[8] In 2002, a campaign entitled "SSHH - Silent Students Happy Homes" was initiated to combat local residents' fears of studentification. This has subsequently been adopted by other students' unions around the UK, although in many instances the expansion of the abbreviation has been dropped, leaving campaigns called "Shh", "Sshh", or variants^{[verification needed]}. In 2005, the Students' Union launched another community-friendly campaign called 'Pick It Up'. This campaign was designed to reduce litter levels on campus and in the surrounding community.

YSJSU is run by three Sabbatical Officers; President, Vice President of Education and Welfare and Vice President of Student Activities.

In October 2009 the Student Union was awarded a Bronze Students' Union Evaluation Initiative award, one of 16 institutions to receive this accolade. Awards are made from bronze (lowest) to gold (highest). The scheme is administered by a former manager of Sheffield University Student Union. Currently Sheffield University shares the gold award with the nearby Leeds University.^[9]

York St John's football strip

Sports

The Students' Union has many sports clubs. The oldest of which is the Rowing Club, founded 11 years after the college in 1852 catering for all levels of experience from competent rowers to complete beginners. The club has a large visible presence on the River Ouse and are often seen practicing early in the morning, starting at 7am, well before lectures.

The Football Club play soccer at Heworth Green: one team competes under the name York St John University in the York Football League (they are currently in the Premier Division of that league system); their reserve team also feature in Reserve Division A, which is the top reserve league.

The Hockey club is one of the biggest clubs within the university offering 1st and 2nd mens and ladies teams and a mixed team. The mens 1st team are the last ever BUSA National Plate champions, having won the competition in 2008, after which BUSA became BUCS and changed the national competition set-up.

Societies

YSJSU houses around 15 different Societies ranging from Musical Production, Dance, Drama, and Snow Sports. The societies work together on many projects in the year^{[citation needed]} and all work hard^{[citation needed]} for the title of Society of year at the annual Sports and Societies Awards Dinner.

Union Council

Supporting the Sabbatical Officers in running the Union are Elected Officers who are elected each year to certain portfolios. They are Chair, RAG Officer, Equality and Diversity Officer, Campaigns Officer, Entertainments Officer, Ethics and Environments Officer, Mature, Part Time and Independents Officer, Arts Factulty Rep, Business School Faculty Rep, Education and Theology Factulty Rep, Health and Life Science Faculty Rep, Sports and Societies Officer and Volunteering Officer.

They meet once a month at meetings which are open for all students to attend. Each Officer is given a Sabbatical Mentor and they work together throughout the year on different projects.

Fountains Learning Centre

The Fountains Learning Centre, opened in 2004, is located at the Clarence Street entrance to the campus. It provides access to resources of all kinds including books, journals, DVDs and videos, media equipment, approximately 400 computers and a 200-seat lecture theatre^{[citation needed]}.

Notable alumni

• Julia Davis, comedy writer and actress best known for writing and starring in the BBC Three sitcom Nighty Night
• Harry Gration, television presenter, best known as one of the main presenters for the BBC Yorkshire regional magazine programme Look North
• Alistair Griffin, singer/songwriter who first came to the public's attention on the 2003 BBC television series Fame Academy 2
• Peter D. Robinson, Bishop of the Missionary Diocese of the West, United Episcopal Church of North America
• Peter Squires, Former England rugby international.
• Tom Wilkinson, former professional footballer
• Geoff Cooke, Former England Rugby International

See also

G P McGregor (1991) A Church College for the 21st Century? 150 years of Ripon & York St John, 1841-1991: A study of policy and its absence. William Sessions Ltd, York, England. (ISBN 1-85072-079-7)

References

1. ^ "Facts, figures & corporate documents : Staff profile". York St John University official website. http://www2.yorksj.ac.uk/default.asp?Page_ID=358&Parent_ID=355. Retrieved 2007-01-07. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} "Student profile at 1 May 2010". York St John University official website. http://w3.yorksj.ac.uk/about/facts--figures/key-facts-and-figures/student-profile-2010.aspx. Retrieved 2010-12-02. 
3. ^ "Study at York St John Univeristy". York St John University official website. http://w3.yorksj.ac.uk/study.aspx. Retrieved 2010-02-12. 
4. ^ "A-Z Unis and Colleges". The Independent Online. 2010-08-12. http://www.independent.co.uk/student/into-university/az-uni-colleges/york-st-john-university-459126.html. Retrieved 2010-10-06. 
5. ^ "Complete list of funded CETLs". Higher Education Funding Council for England. 2008-05-19. http://www.hefce.ac.uk/learning/tinits/cetl/final/. Retrieved 2010-10-07. 
6. ^ "The Sunday Times University Guide". The Times online. 2010. http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/stug/universityguide.php?sort=EMPLOYMENT. Retrieved 2010-10-10. 
7. ^ Students face £25,00 debt burden, shock report warns, Yorkshire Post, 2010-08-13, http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/Students-face-25000-debt-burden.6473388.jp, retrieved 2010-10-12 
8. ^ Bean, Dan (2010-02-01). "York St John University patrols combat bad behaviour". York: York Press online. http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/4883900.York_St_John_University_patrols_combat_bad_behaviour/. Retrieved 2010-10-10. 
9. ^ "The Students' Union Evaluation Initiative". SUEI. http://www.suei.co.uk/members.html. Retrieved 2010-10-07. 

External links

• York St John University
• York St John University Students' Union

Coordinates: 53°57′55″N 1°04′50″W / 53.965402°N 1.080673°W / 53.965402; -1.080673