University of Huddersfield

Infobox University
name = University of Huddersfield


image_size = 113px
caption =
latin_name =
motto =
established = 1825 Science and Mechanic Institute
1970 Huddersfield Polytechnic
1992 University status
type = Public
staff = 1,100 academic,
900 support
chancellor = Patrick Stewart OBE
vice_chancellor = Professor Bob Cryan
students = 19,740cite web|url= http://www.hesa.ac.uk/dox/dataTables/studentsAndQualifiers/download/institution0607.xls|title= Table 0a - All students by institution, mode of study, level of study, gender and domicile 2006/07|accessdate= 2008-04-09|format= Microsoft Excel spreadsheet|publisher= Higher Education Statistics Agency]
undergrad = 16,175
postgrad = 3,570
city = Huddersfield
state = West Yorkshire
country = England
campus = Semi-urban
free_label = Newspaper
free = "Huddersfield Student"
colors= Blue and Gold color box|#000066color box|#FFCC00
affiliations = University Centre Oldham
University Centre Barnsley
footnotes =
website = http://www.hud.ac.uk/
address = University of Huddersfield
Queensgate
Huddersfield
HD1 3DH
publictransit =
telephone = 01484-422288
coor =

The University of Huddersfield is a university in the town of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England. It has around 20,000 students and is located near the town centre. The Chancellor is the actor Patrick Stewart, who is originally from Mirfield.

The University of Huddersfield has scored highly for student satisfaction in the 2005, 2006 and 2007 National Student Surveys. Huddersfield was also ranked joint first out of all Yorkshire universities for high quality staff and lectures in the Opinion panel Research survey in 2007.

The University of Huddersfield has an international reputation for research in a range of subjects. The University’s Centre for Precision Technologies is widely regarded as the best in the UK and one of the top three in Europe, and the new sonic research lab for music students will be the first of its kind in England. The University is further developing its research and enterprise through significant new investment including the appointment of 20 new Professors.

History

The University traces its roots back to a Science and Mechanic Institute founded in 1825.

Significant dates

1799 - 1882 - The life of "Frederic Schwann"
1841 - 1844 - Young Men's Mental Improvement Society
1844 - 1884 - Mechanics' Institution Formed
1846 - 1883 - Female Educational Institute Formed
1883 - 1883 - New Technical School Holds Exhibition
1884 - 1896 - Technical School and Mechanics' Institution
1896 - 1958 - Technical School and Mechanic's Institute becomes the Technical College
1958 - 1970 - Technical College becomes College of Technology
1970 - 1992 - College of Technology becomes Huddersfield Polytechnic
1992 - present - The University of Huddersfield

The University is one of the founding members of the Northern Consortium of universities.

Chancellor

It was announced in October 2003 that Patrick Stewart was to become the new Chancellor, replacing Sir Ernest Hall. Patrick Stewart attends a limited number of graduation ceremonies in Huddersfield each year. In January 2008 he presented students who had studied University of Huddersfield programmes at Caritas colleges in Hong Kong with their degrees at a special Hong Kong awards ceremony. In addition, Stewart opened the University's new Student Centre on the Huddersfield campus in November 2007.

Organisation

The University is organised into the following academic schools:
* Applied Sciences
* Art, Design and Architecture
* Computing and Engineering
* Education and Professional Development
* Business (formerly known as Huddersfield University Business School (HUBS))
* Human and Health Sciences
* Music, Humanities and Media

Campuses

Queensgate Campus

The University of Huddersfield's main campus, the Queensgate Campus can be found south-east of Huddersfield's town centre. Over £70 million has been invested in the campus and its resources over the last 10 years, including:
*Following £1million of renovation work, the Student Centre was opened in November 2007. The Centre enables students to access a range of support services – computing, library, careers, welfare support – in a single location.
*A £4million Students' Union building was opened in 2005 and offers a variety of social, leisure and retail facilities.
*New drama facilities were opened in the refurbished Milton building in 2005.

A Creative Arts Building is currently under construction. To be completed in 2008, the building will house a recital hall, electro-acoustic research studio, new art and design studios and live recording facilities. Her Majesty The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited the University in May 2007 to unveil the foundation stone of the new Creative Arts Building. [http://www.leethomascherry.com/2007/05/24/did-you-enjoy-your-indian-maam/]

University Centre Oldham

University Centre Oldham, located in Oldham, Greater Manchester, was opened in May 2005.

The Centre provides fully equipped facilities including working art rooms, multimedia room, drama studio, contemporary lecture theatres, IT facilities and learning resource centre. £5million is currently being invested in developing a second phase of the University Centre. The new building will house subject areas including construction, architectural technology and interior design, performance, technical theatre, multimedia and journalism. The first graduation ceremony was held at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oldham in November 2006.

University Centre Barnsley

University Centre Barnsley, located in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, was opened in 2005. The Centre offers specialist facilities for subjects such as music, art and design, journalism and media production. IT facilities include a wireless system throughout the building, video conferencing, web casting equipment and a suite of digital industries studios. The first graduation ceremony was held at Barnsley Town Hall in November 2006, the Chancellor, Patrick Stewart, was in attendance and Darren Gough was presented with an honorary degree.

International Study Centre

The University of Huddersfield International Study Centre is maintained by Study Group. The Centre offers courses to overseas students which on successful completion assure entry to degree courses at the University. [http://www.studygroup.com/isc/huddersfield]

Graduation ceremonies

Graduation ceremonies have been traditionally held in the months of October and November. This has caused inconvience for graduands as many have moved away from the area by then and have to pay expensive travel costs and possibly accommodation costs to be in attendance. Also some graduands are in full time employment by then, so have to use up some of their holiday allowance to be in attendance.

From 2008 graduation ceremonies will be held in the summer to overcome some of these problems.

Sport and societies

Sport

Around 20 different sports are currently based at the University, [http://www.huddersfieldstudent.com/minisites/index.php?cat_id=32] the most prominent listed below.

Rugby Union

The Rugby Union Team (coached by Josh Cammiss, playing at Lockwood Park), are one of the most successful at the university, are current Yorkshire Cup holders, have won the West Yorkshire Varsity game against rivals Bradford for the last 5 years. They have won the Ben Randall Memorial game for the last 4 years - a cross-codes game played against the universities league side) last season managing to win both in the Union and League half's. The Rugby Union team is one of the few teams at the university that manage to field two teams each week. The captains for the 2007/08 season were 1st XV Lawrence Sanderson and 2nd XV Dave Harrison

American Football: Huddersfield Hawks

The "Huddersfield Hawks" are the Univerity's American football team, created in June 2006. Under the Head Coach John Edley, former coach of the Sheffield Hallam Warriors, the team became part of the British Universities American Football League for the 2007-08 season. They finished their inaugural league campaign with an 0-8 record. For the 2008/09 season, they will compete in Group 2 (Northern Section) under the BUAFL's new conference alignment.

Basketball: Huddersfield Heat

"Huddersfield Heat" are the University's basketball team. Heat play in the BUSA championships on Wednesdays where they compete against other Universities on a weekly basis.

Ice Hockey: Huddersfield Ice Hawks

The "Huddersfield Ice Hawks" are the University's Ice Hockey team. The Ice Hawks currently compete in the British Universities Ice Hockey Association Division 2 North under the guidance of coach Herr Beevers. The 07/08 season will be the Ice Hawks inaugural season and they currently train at Bradford Ice Rink, their home ice, on Saturday nights.

Rugby League: Huddersfield University

"Huddersfield University" (full name "Huddersfield University Rugby League") are the University's Rugby league team. Under Head Coach Chris Plume, the team won the Yorkshire league while losing only one game in the 2007/8 season. Andy Tillotson captains the current line-up. The team are sponsored by night-club chain, "Tokyo's", while the University sponsors Super League side, Huddersfield Giants and Huddersfield Choral Society [http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-yorkshire-news/2008/07/12/huddersfield-choral-society-in-sweet-harmony-with-uni-86081-21328213/] .

Societies

Societies at the University specialise in everything from real ale appreciation to medieval re-enactment. Societies in the 2006-07 terms included the African Caribbean Society, the Christian Union, the Huddersfield University Gaming Alliance, the Motorcycle Club, and the Socialist Students Society.

Accommodation

Storthes Hall Park, the main purpose-built student village, was once a psychiatric hospital. This was mostly demolished and developed into the student village, opening in 1995. Storthes Hall is 4.5 miles from the main University campus, set in the countryside, near Kirkburton on the A629 road to Penistone. A bus service runs between Storthes Hall and the University between 08:00 and 23:30 (all buses are free to residents before 18:00). While under University ownership (up to 2003) this bus service ran until 2am, providing a safe form of transport home for students after a night out. Ashenhurst Houses is located closer to the main campus, with less than 300 places, it houses a lot less students than Storthes Hall. Ashenhurst Houses have recently been refurbished to cure problems such as drafty windows and doors and worn out kitchen appliances and carpets. At Ashenhurst Houses up to 8 students share two toilets, one shower and one bath Both were sold to Ubrique Investments Limited in 2003, having previously been owned by the University.

Facilities are better at Ashenhurst student village even though storthes hall park is newer and provide en-suite facilities the student village at ashenhurst provides a more pleasent place to spend your days. Various blocks make up the development, including High Green, Jenkinson and Slade. Flats are generally made up of 8 rooms and are either mixed or single sex populated. Each block generally includes 8 flats across 4 floors. The development is truly a student village community and enables first year students to meet many new friends upon arriving at University. The Strothes hall site is considerable in size, with only around half of it redeveloped into the current student village. Some small remains of the original hospital complex remain at the top end of the unused section of the site. The on site student bar and the reception buildng are housed in two of the original builings. Other facilities on site include a astroturf football pitch, shop and laundry room.

There are also four other halls of residence in Huddersfield: "Aspley" and "Little Aspley" provided by Opal, both these accommodation located on Firth Street. "Firth Point", located on Firth Street, and "Snow Island" provided by Unite. All of these are located in central Huddersfield, opposite the University.

Students' Union

Location

The Students' Union used to be in the Victorian-style Milton Hall, a former United Reformed Church (now part of the Music, Humanities and Media department). However various problems with the building, in particular the heating system, along with issues with its listed status caused this to close. The union did continue to be based in Milton Hall, housed in a smaller section of the building.

Development of a new union was planned for some time and after a number of delays, construction began in 2004. Milton Hall closed in December 2004, later developed into new drama rooms and performance areas.

In January 2005, the new £4M purpose-built union opened, located behind the Harold Wilson building. The building provides a range of social, leisure and retails facilities over two floors. In November 2005, Chancellor Patrick Stewart appeared at the venue during graduation week to take part in a live Question and Answer session with the students.

Political climate

The Union is less political than other student unions. However, a recent campaign to keep Wednesday afternoon free for sports and societies had a good response. The student newspaper is called Huddersfield Student, published eight times throughout the year.

Executive Committee

The Students' Union has a five person sabbatical team with elections held in March every year. The executive committee run the Union with a number of other elected officers (non-sabbaticals) and staff members. The officers elected on the 5 & 6 March 2008 are [http://www.huddersfieldstudent.com/news/index.php?page=article&news_id=8738] :

* President - Julien Boville
* VP Internal Affairs - Junaid Ejaz
* VP Education and Welfare - Haneef Rashid
* VP Communications - Lauren Stewart
* VP Sports and Societies - Gareth Weeks

Surveys and Rankings

The National Student Survey

Huddersfield has scored highly for student satisfaction in the 2005, 2006 and 2007 National Student Surveys. Huddersfield was ranked joint first out of all Yorkshire universities for high quality staff and lectures in the Opinion panel Research survey in 2007.

The Sunday Times Good University Guide

The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2008, ranks the University 92nd out of 119 in the UK. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/section/0,,8403,00.html] In 2005, The Times Higher Education Supplement ranked the University top for teaching quality among all new UK Universities in the North of England. [http://www.hud.ac.uk/uni/index.html]

The People & Planet Green League

The University has risen 63 places to 8th in The People & Planet Green League, representing the highest rise by any University. [http://peopleandplanet.org/gogreen/greenleague2008] Despite a standing of 71st in 2007 it achieved the second lowest CO₂ emission rate of any university in the UK, [http://peopleandplanet.org/gogreen/greenleague2007/table] The rise to 8th in the UK has been attributed to existing green activity, including the use of canal water in cooling systems and the continued low carbon emissions (13% lower than 2007), as well as new foci such as a push for improved levels of recycling and the introduction of rain water harvesting. [http://peopleandplanet.org/gogreen/greenleague2008/universitycasestudies/huddersfield]

References

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/4012651.stm New Chancellor for the next generation]
* [http://ichuddersfield.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100localnews/tm_objectid=15064909%26method=full%26siteid=50060-name_page.html New Student Union building opened.]

External links

* [http://www.hud.ac.uk Official University of Huddersfield website]
* [http://www.huddersfieldstudent.com Official University of Huddersfield Students' Union website]