A city welcome for the new Vice Chancellor

NEWS
A city welcome for the
new Vice Chancellor
Professor David Fleming was
inaugurated as Vice Chancellor
of York St John University at a
formal ceremony held in York
Minster on 2 November, in front
of an audience of staff, students,
guests and professional partners
of the University.
The event began with a procession down
Stonegate towards York Minster. This
involved staff and students, members
of York’s civic party and the University’s
Chancellor, The Most Reverend and
Right Honourable Dr John Sentamu. The
inauguration ceremony included musical
performances, symbolic gift giving and
ended with dramatic African drumming to
accompany the procession as it left
the Minster.
In his inaugural speech Professor Fleming
said, “This has been a fantastic event
for the University’s students, staff and
friends. I believe that this is a remarkable
university in the heart of a remarkable
city. Today marks the start of an ambitious
period which will establish York St John
as a leading, internationally recognised,
teaching led university.”
Dr Sentamu commented, “I warmly
welcome Professor Fleming to his new
role as the Vice Chancellor of York St John
University. His enthusiasm is a great asset
and I am delighted that he has
joined us.”
Front page: (left to right)
the Vice Chancellor, the
Archbishop of York and
Pro Chancellor Robin Hall.
Top: the Archbishop
and Vice Chancellor lead the
drumming.
Centre: the Vice Chancellor
delivers his inaugural speech.
Bottom: the ceremony in
York Minster.
Creating our future: fresh
thinking in the heart of York
In October, Vice Chancellor Professor David Fleming set out the University’s
vision for its long-term future and how those ambitions would be achieved.
Understanding our current profile is
essential in identifying York St John’s
strengths, gaps, positioning and options
for the future. It is also key to appreciate
the environment in which we are
operating. The economy is transforming
both nationally and globally and
technology is having a significant impact on
the way in which we communicate, study
and work. Within this context there are new
policy makers who will influence our future
direction and their views and actions are
being shaped by a number of
key debates.
Building a new vision
We have a strong mission but we need to
rethink our offer as a University and create
a new vision for the future. This vision rests
on three pivotal themes:
1 Exceptional learning and teaching
2 Exceptional student experience
3 Exceptional graduates.
Key work streams
The University has identified a number
of key areas for the implementation of
accelerated change. These include:
1 Student Experience
2 International Development
3 Partnerships & Civic Engagement
4 Employability & Enterprise
5 Learning, Teaching & Research
Enhancement
6 Academic Portfolio Management
Each work area will be led by a member
of the Senior Leadership Team with
opportunities for all staff to get involved
and shape change.
Please refer to the
Creating our future booklet
distributed at the staff
forums in October for more
information. If staff have any
questions about the new
vision for the University they
should speak to their manager
in the first instance.
talk
CONTENTS
02 News
08 Research news
08 Widening participation
09 Graduation 2010
10 Focus on… Development Office
& SPARK scholarships
12 Opinion: Vanessa Simmons
on widening participation
13 In the spotlight
14 The view from the
Students’ Union
15 Announcements
16 Noticeboard
02
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