Writtle College

Infobox University
name = Writtle College


caption =
latin_name =
motto = "Time Tries the Truth Some of the Time
established = 1893
type = Public
staff = 100+ academic/teaching
15 Research
50+ other academic
80+ other
principal = Professor David Butcher
students = 8,825 cite web |url=http://www.hesa.ac.uk/holisdocs/pubinfo/student/institution0506.htm |title=Table 0a - All students by institution, mode of study, level of study, gender and domicile 2005/06 |work=Higher Education Statistics Agency online statistics |accessdate=2007-03-31]
undergrad = 1,175
other = 7,645 FE
city = Chelmsford
state = Essex
country = UK
campus =
head_label = Patron
head = Alan Titmarsh
free =
colours = Scarlet and Bronze Yellow
affiliations =
footnotes =
website = http://www.writtle.ac.uk/
address = Lordship Road,
Writtle,
Essex, CM1 3RR
publictransit =
telephone = [phone]
coor =

Writtle College (near Chelmsford, Essex) is one of the largest land-based university colleges in the UK; it is also one of the oldest.Fact|date=April 2007 Writtle, previously known as Writtle Agricultural College, is a Partner Institution of the University of Essex and teaches FE and HE programmes.

Writtle

The College has diversified over the past to meet the changing demands of new students. 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". Professor David Butcher was instated as the new Principal in autumn 2006 and has instigated a major restructure of the management of the college and the school structure. Teams have been refocussed within four schools: Equine, Sustainable Environments, Design and Horticulture.

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.

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.

ocial and living

The College has an active students union, the union puts provides a varied social scene; major SU functions include the 'Freshers Ball' in September 'X-mas ball' in December and the 'Summer Ball' in June, the latter being particularly lavish, with a several marquees, fairground rides and semi formal meal. The price of the Summer Ball has came into question, it is believed by some of the student population that it is a money-spinner for the College and does not function as intended. There was also a serious issue at the 2007 ball, when a child went missing on the estate, he was later found in some of the college stables. The student union also organise the 'Writtle RAG' a long held tradition at the College, the students pick good causes to support, and then raise as much money as possible, this usually involves Themed party nights, a BBQ and Moulsham 11 (a pub crawl along Moulsham Street in Chelmsford). The student union has a number of sports teams including; Rugby (men's and women's), football (men’s and women's), clay pigeon shooting, hockey (men's, women's and mixed), netball, cricket and climbing. The collage owns a number of full size pitches, a recently re-furbished fitness centre, and a new climbing wall.

The "Baa and Chef", is the on-campus student venue, it is of a modern design, and includes a selection of big-screen televisions, games and an entertainment system which was generously donated to the College by entrepreneurial Writtle graduate Robert Forster in 2005.Fact|date=April 2007. The College has thirteen halls of residence: all are small compared to many other universities. All halls are mixed sex accommodation, non-smoking and have either network connections or wireless networks installed. All halls have basic cooking facilities and common rooms. Catering at the college is provided by a number of small units and the main refectory "The Writz", named by college veteran Geoff Owen following its extension in the early 1990s. The fee for students living on campus includes a catering allowance currently equivalent to 10 meals per week.

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.

References

External links

* [http://www.writtlesu.com Writtle College Student Union] - official Website
* [http://www.writtle.ac.uk Writtle College] — official website

ee also

Shuttleworth College (Agriculture)