Vanbrugh College (University of York)

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Vanbrugh College is a college of the University of York, a UK university. Vanbrugh College was opened in 1968.

Vanbrugh College is home to the History and History of Art departments as well as 166 undergraduates and 18 graduate students.

[edit] The College

The main college building consists of four blocks arranged within a square. Three of these blocks are known as A, B and C block, all of which were residential blocks when the college opened in 1968. The fourth side, often known as the teaching block, contains offices for the History and History of Art departments as well as two lecture theatres. It was also a home to the Mathematics department until the early 2000s. C Block also houses a Computing Service computer room, which was previously known as "vuft" when it belonged to Computer Science. In addition, social space located in an extension off the teaching block includes a large dining hall, bar, JCR, SCR as well as a Porters Lodge and Vanbrugh Stalls, a location in the middle of campus where event tickets are sold. The main building is 3 storeys high and built using the 1960s CLASP system.

An extension contains offices for the Students Union as well as Your:Books, the Union second hand book store. Now called Grimston House, it was originally known as X Block. The reason for this has become a campus legend, but is in fact true: university buildings are named by their college or building name initial and then a block letter. As the fourth block in Vanbrugh, this would have been known as VD block. The University decided to call it VX instead. This was in part as the building, when viewed from above, was X-shaped. The building underwent major alterations in 1999, changing the shape of the east frontage, and was then renamed.

Vanbrugh students also can apply for off-campus accommodation at Fairfax House which is situated on Heslington Road, approximately 10 minutes walk from the main college building, housing approximately 90 students, in addition to around 30 Vanbrugh residents on Fulford Road.

Between A and X Block the old Vanbrugh Cleaners Cupboard has been taken over by University Radio York which broadcast radio locally at the 1350AM Radio Frequency.

In 2005 it was decided that half of Block B and all of Block C would be converted into offices. In January 2006, 86 students moved into P and Q blocks of Alcuin College while retaining their membership of Vanbrugh college. Residents in these blocks have dubbed themselves Valcuin. These blocks will continue to house Vanbrugh college students until summer 2007, when the university plans to open new accommodation for around 250 Vanbrugh college students on the Bleachfield site (currently part of Wentworth College), to be ready for the 2007-2008 academic year.

[edit] The Junior Common Room (JCR)

All residents of Vanbrugh College are members of the JCR, and continue to remain members throughout their time at the university.

The JCR is run by the Junior Common Room Committee (JCRC) which consists of around 40 members. Recent chairpersons include:

2007- Ryan Bennett

2006- Mickey Macefield

2005- Sarah Jones

2004- Aidan Horner

More information on the committee and its activities can be found at: http://www.yusu.org/vanbrugh

Planet V is a disco-type event run by Vanbrugh JCRC. The event takes place in the college Bar, JCR and Dining Hall simultaneously, each of which plays a different style of music to suit individual tastes. All areas have a late licence, usually until 1.00 am however occasionally this is extended until 1.30 am. With a capacity of 600, it is the largest college venue on campus.

[edit] External links

• Vanbrugh College JCRC Official Web Site
• University Website for Vanbrugh College
• Vanbrugh Christian Union