Goodricke College, York Explained

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Goodricke College
University:University of York
Location:Heslington East, York
Motto:"Setting the standard"
Established:1968
Named For:John Goodricke[1]
Head Label:College Manager
Head:Amy Perch[2]
Vice Head Label:Deputy College Manager
Vice Head:Helen Goodwill
Undergraduates:1,685 (2022/2023)
Postgraduates:150 (2022/2023)
Mascot:Ricke
Shield2:Goodricke Shield.png
Website:Goodricke - Colleges, University of York
Jcr:Goodricke College

Goodricke College is a college of the University of York. It was founded in 1968 and named after the astronomer John Goodricke.[3] The college has approximately 1500 undergraduate members, of which some 500 live in college accommodation, and about 140 postgraduate members, of which most live in college accommodation.

History

Heslington West

Goodricke College was opened on 18 October 1968 by Michael Swann and was the fifth college to be built. The opening of Goodricke is commemorated by a plaque on the outside of the Old Dining Hall - now part of James College.

While Goodricke College was located on Heslington West, it had four accommodation blocks: A, B, C and D. Blocks A and B were standard university accommodation, built to the CLASP system, and situated near the main college Nucleus. C-block and D-block were whitewashed brick buildings, considered to provide a lower quality of accommodation to A- and B-blocks. C-block was located next to the college Nucleus, while D-block was situated on the other side of the university lake from the main college buildings. The reason for the detached nature of D-block is that it was once part of Wentworth College. The internal walls of Blocks C and D were noted for their lack of plaster. Campus legend has it that this lack of plaster is due to fire regulations requiring a minimum width in corridors.

During the 2002 York University Students' Union (YUSU) 'Collegeopoly' campaign about accommodation rent Goodricke College C Block was deemed to be the worst accommodation at York University, inspiring the unflattering nickname Cell Block C. The Campaigns Officers created a mockup of a Monopoly board with different accommodation blocks taking the places of the traditional streets. Goodricke C-block took the place of Old Kent Road.

In 2002–2003, the Goodricke Student Junior Common Room Committee, ran a campaign to Grade C list C- and D-blocks to raise awareness amongst students and administration regarding the university's lack of maintenance of the accommodation. Over 10 years after the previous makeover, the blocks were finally given new carpeting, kitchen units, furniture and internet access. However, the rooms were upgraded to 'Standard' instead of 'Economy' by administration, thus forcing the inhabitants to pay the same amount as for more spacious accommodation. C- and D-blocks, meant to be demolished for a number of years, have exceeded their stated lifetime, but due to shortages in accommodation campus-wide, they have had to serve longer.

In 2003 the college saw the closure of its old dining facilities and the opening of The Roger Kirk Centre, now part of James College. The centre is a new purpose built amenities building and consists of a large dining room, and smaller coffee and snack bar. It is named after Roger Kirk, a former member of the University Court.

Move to Heslington East

In 2003, the university set out plans to create a campus for 5,000 additional students, Heslington East.[4] [5] In May 2008 the City of York planners approved the design for the new campus.[6] It was decided that rather than create a new college that an existing College should be moved. Goodricke College was selected for this and moved onto the new campus in 2009 with James College taking over its building on Heslington West. The old Goodricke buildings were divided between James College and Vanbrugh College.

2009 marked the 40th anniversary of Goodricke College, with celebrations throughout the academic year to mark the occasion.

Buildings and services

Goodricke Nucleus is the name of the main administrative and facility building in Goodricke College and is located on the Heslington East campus. It also houses the Junior Common Room and the General Common Room. Portering services are provided from the Ron Cooke Hub. Goodricke consists of a mixture of standard and en-suite accommodation and a large, central, 'nucleus' with large JCR, GCR and offices for staff. This approximately doubled the capacity of the college to over 600 students, including 100 postgraduate students.

The new college accommodation is divided into Courts, each named after a member of the university who has made a significant contribution to its life: Oliver Sheldon, Janet Baker and Kenneth Dixon. Originally, each of the Courts has a resident member of college staff. The College Dean lived in Janet Baker Court while at least one College Tutor lived in each of the other Courts.

Heslington East is connected to the Heslington West campus by the 66, 67, and 68 buses, all of which are free to students not travelling further than these campuses.[7]

Student life

Junior Common Room

The Junior Common Room is the undergraduate membership of the college which are governed by the Junior Common Room Committee (JCRC). This committee is responsible for all the college activities such as college sport, Winter and Summer Balls, bar quizzes and college events.

The 2024 CSAC executive officers are:

List of Provosts

The head of college of Goodricke is titled the Provost. The current Provost is Professor Matt Matravers.

Alumni

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Goodricke - Colleges, University of York. University of York. 13 February 2023.
  2. Web site: Goodricke College - Contact and support . 2023-11-16 . University of York.
  3. Web site: College History. Goodricke College. 21 January 2015.
  4. Web site: University outlines plans for new campus . 29 May 2011 . Garner . David . 27 February 2003 . University of York.
  5. News: University threat to 'last farm' . . 14 May 2004 . 29 May 2011 . Mike . Chilvers.
  6. News: Gavin . Aitchison . Work starts on new university campus . 28 July 2008 . The Press. 29 May 2011.
  7. Web site: 26 August 2022 . Bus service news . 14 February 2023 . University of York.
  8. Web site: College History. 9 July 2021.
  9. Web site: Jane Clarbour. Department of Psychology. University of York. 1 February 2016. Provost, Goodricke College (July 2004 to July 2015).
  10. Web site: Head of College . Goodricke College . University of York . 1 February 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151027083958/http://www.york.ac.uk/colleges/goodricke/whos-who/key-staff/ . 27 October 2015 .
  11. Web site: Looking at some of the famous faces who went to university in York . 16 May 2023 . York Press.