165 Years after its foundation as a higher education institution, York St John University College has received official approval from the Privy Council of the UK to become York St John University.

Staff and students are today celebrating playing their part in the recognition of York St John as an institution worthy of such status, after receiving confirmation of the announcement from the Principal, Professor Dianne Willcocks. The Principal, soon to become the Vice-Chancellor of the country’s most recent University, is thrilled at this landmark news and says:

“It is difficult to put into words what it means for all of the staff and students at York St John to be acknowledged as a University. Our community has worked long and hard for many years for this moment of recognition, going through several processes of intense scrutiny to gain Taught Degree Awarding Powers in 2005, approval to use ‘University College’ in February of this year and now, the final endorsement of our success, in the announcement of York St John University in July 2006.

“For me personally, there is enormous pleasure and pride, knowing that this institution, which is so deserving of the accolade of University title, has finally achieved its goal. I am delighted to be part of York St John and look forward to the exciting times ahead which our University title will bring.”

The College of York St John was affiliated to the University of Leeds (as separate colleges of Ripon and York St John) in 1926. From the mid-1970s, the college’s own programmes have been formally validated for University of Leeds awards. “We have helped the College to increase its authority and responsibility for its own academic provision over a number of years,” said University of Leeds Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Arthur. “We fully supported the college’s move towards degree awarding powers, and we’re delighted that one of our longest established partner institutions has now been afforded university status.”

Dave Stockton, York St John Students’ Union President for 2006-07 is extremely pleased to hear of the University College’s announcement. He says:

“The Students’ Union is proud that York St John has finally been given University status. It really is a credit to the hard work and amazing achievements of our students, both on campus and within the local community.”

The application for York St John to become a University has long been supported by friends and colleagues throughout Yorkshire and beyond, and some have offered words of congratulation:

Steve Egan, Acting Chief Executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, says, ‘”We are pleased that York St John has achieved university status as it plays a vital regional role within the sector, particularly in widening participation and learning and teaching. We look forward to the university continuing and developing this work under its new title.”

Michael Noble, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Universities, who says, “On behalf of all of the higher education institutions in the Yorkshire & Humber region, I warmly congratulate York St John on achieving university status. York St John has already been an active member of Yorkshire Universities, the regional HE association, for several years. We look forward to continuing development of this relationship with the institution in its new guise.”

Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu says: “This is more than a change of title. York St John has served the community, the country and the Church for more than 150 years. It now merits university status and I am proud that a Church of England College is properly recognised as a major contributor to this country’s education.”

Councillor Janet Hopton, Lord Mayor of York, says, “This is a great achievement, well-deserved: it recognises the high academic standard across a wide range of subjects, consistently maintained now over many years, the regard in which the current degrees from York St John are held, and the excellent teaching and leadership. The extensive recent and continuing physical expansion on the site is a sign of its popularity for students as a centre for study and also of its confidence in its future as an independent University. Congratulations!”

Professor Gareth Rees, Principal of Askham Bryan College in York, says, “This news is of great benefit to York and to the region. York St John, like Askham Bryan, has an outward facing perspective and to have its own flexibility is an excellent step. We look forward to working in partnership with York St John University in the future in a way we wouldn’t have been able to before.”

Chief Constable Della Cannings of North Yorkshire Police says, “North Yorkshire Police are very pleased to be actively associated with York St John especially in regard to the provisions for our Initial Development and Leadership Programme. The approval of York St John as a University is superb news.”

Colin Mellors, Executive Chair of Higher York (York’s HE Partnership) says, “The establishment of the country's newest university at York St John is fitting recognition of the exceptional work being undertaken at the institution. Not only is it great news for staff and students, it also underlines the importance of higher education as an economic and social driver in York and North Yorkshire. It strengthen's York's claim to be a leading 'learning city'.”

3/3 York St John University – The UK’s newest University
The announcement of the new name, which will take effect from 1 October, has sparked a flurry of activity within York St John. A new mace and hoods are to be designed for use at Conferment ceremonies and a brand consultation is currently underway. The new ‘York St John University’ will be launched during a series of events taking place throughout October and November.

A Chancellor of York St John University will be installed in a ceremony at York Minster in March 2007. The name of the new Chancellor will be announced in the coming weeks.

For further information please contact Siona Mackelworth on Tel. 01904 716967
or E-mail s.mackelworth@yorksj.ac.uk