Writtle College
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Writtle College |
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| Motto | Time Tries the Truth in Everything |
| Established | 1893 |
| Type | Public |
| Principal | Professor David Butcher |
| Patron | Alan Titchmarsh |
| Staff | 100+ academic/teaching 15 Research 50+ other academic 80+ other |
| Students | 8,825 [1] |
| Undergraduates | 1,175 [1] |
| Other students | 7,645 FE[1] |
| Location | Chelmsford, Essex, UK |
| Address | Lordship Road, Writtle, Essex, CM1 3RR |
| Telephone | +44 (0) 1245 424200 |
| Colours | Scarlet and Bronze Yellow |
| Website | http://www.writtle.ac.uk/ |
Writtle College (near Chelmsford, Essex) is one of the largest land-based university colleges in the UK; it is also one of the oldest.[citation needed] Writtle, previously known as Writtle Agricultural College, is a Partner Institution of the University of Essex and teaches FE, HE and postgraduate programmes.
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[edit] Writtle
The College has recently diversified to meet the changing demands of new students.[citation needed] Departments now include Business, Leisure Management, Design and Equine studies. There has been major investment in IT and science facilities, boasting free college network access to every student resident on campus. The college has recently built a new Lecture Theatre complex, numerous halls of residence and refurbished its Recreation Centre, including its student venue, The Baa and Chef.
The College continues to expand and attract significant student applications and is ever popular with the local population, staging community events and offering taster days.
The step down of long standing Principal Professor Michael Alder in August 2006 has seen the arrival of Professor David Butcher. A major restructure of the management team has taken place and the HE courses have been streamlined within four schools: Equine, Environmental & Rural Affairs, Design and Horticulture.
Prof. Butcher will tackle the College's economic difficulties, following revelations in the local press that the college may require further funds to remain sustainable.
It has been voiced by the student community that ecology, geography and environmental studies are suggested extensions to the College's repertoire, although the College has made no official statement, it certainly has the facilities in place (and reputation) to tackle these new and exciting programmes.
[edit] Facilities
The College has extensive facilities considering its relatively small size: it has a new library, major fully equipped science building and is based on a very large and beautifully landscaped estate (although recent years have seen a marginal drop in the maintenance of the estate, this is presumably a cost measure). The College is based over a number of "campuses", albeit they are (arguably) all on the single vast estate, they are a considerable distance from one another.
[edit] Social and living
The College has an active students union, a large sports team base, a number of full size pitches and a recently re-furbished fitness centre. Writtle is renown for having a well varied and unique social scene; major SU functions include the "Fire & Ice" Ball in December and the Summer Ball in June, the latter being particularly lavish, with a multitude of marquees, a fairground and extensive catering operation.
The Baa and Chef, the on-campus student venue, is of a modern design, and includes a selection of big-screen televisions, games and an entertainment system which is believed to have been donated to the College by entrepreneurial Writtle graduate Robert Forster in 2005.[citation needed]
The College has a number of halls of residence:[specify] all are small compared to large universities and are well maintained. The older halls to the east of the main campus are dated, but the college master plan benefits these buildings for major redevelopment long term. Catering on the main site is provided my a number of small units and the main refectory The Writz, named by college veteran Geoff Owen following its extension in the early 1990s.
[edit] Future plans
The College hopes to become an independent University College and receive a Royal Charter within the next decade. Writtle College degrees are presently validated by the University of Essex.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Table 0a - All students by institution, mode of study, level of study, gender and domicile 2005/06. Higher Education Statistics Agency online statistics. Retrieved on March 31, 2007.
[edit] External link
- Writtle College — official website
