Talk:Lancaster University

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GF6 Removal

Strange, someone removed all reference to the "george fox six" from this page, although there's still a redirect to this page from that name.

Is removing such text without comment vandalism?

I inserted the redirect. As for removing it without comment: it's at least grounds to put it back, IMO. Anyone think it shouldn't be there? I personally think it should, since it's part of the uni's history.

Dan Poltawski:I removed the reference to george fox six as I felt it was inappropiate for an information page for the university, it doesn't aid the gf6 or the supposed unbiased opinion of the wikkipedia entries to have such issues in the information page. Additional page with reference to the event maybe. But not in that page. Apologies if I didn't put the comment in the appropiate place, I am not greatly familiar with editing wikipedia pages. However I don't think that the wikkipedia way is to put current events such as the gf6 on the front page of a lancaster university article is the correct way of going about things. The slogan to the top right of this page is 'The free Encylopedia', would such an event really be in the free encyclopedia? (and the fact that someone put this at the top of the article originally goes along with this)

I have changed the heading to Controversy and put the GF6 stuff under a sub heading. This will allow for future changes to be put in there and removes the prominence of the gf6 stuff.-localzuk 23:54, 29 December 2005 (UTC) The GF6 saga should be included, not prominantly, but it still should be there. Events like this shape the history of such establishments, and to have one going at at the time of writing makes it even more important to give it a mention. What students get up to in universities is as important as any other aspect of the institution. -Bauulben 13:40, 2 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

LUSU entertainment complex

There is a sentence on the page which reads 'However, there no Students' Union entertainment complex on campus as other similar-sized campus Universities tend to have.' This does not really provide much information. Should either the last part be removed (as other similar...) or can some sort of reference be provided to back up that other uni's with campuses like Lancaster's have onsite entertainment complexes?--localzuk 12:47, 20 December 2005 (UTC)[reply]

'The Wharf'

There is another sentence regarding Chancellors Wharf - stating that it is known by students as 'The Wharf'. Is there any way of backing this up? If not I think it should be removed.--localzuk 12:54, 20 December 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Indeed, I've never heard of it called that before. I've removed it unless anyone thinks it should go back. 9cds 12:21, 21 December 2005 (UTC)[reply]

History of University

I have corrected some points about the history of the university. One problem is that the university's own web pages are not correct. At one point they say that the first building at Bailrigg was started in November 1965 and occupied a year later. This was the main part of Bowland College. I think these dates are correct. At another point it says Bowland was built in 1964. This is not correct. It also states that the Waring and Gillows buiding was occupied from 1964 to 1966. I joined the university as a lecturer in September 1966 and was in Waring and Gillows for at least a year, until the science buildings were completed at Bailrigg. I think that Arts staff were in W & Gs in 1963 as they were recruited prior to the first students in 1964. The scientists had research labs and research students in the 64 - 65 year and added 1st year undergraduates in 65 - 66. If any Wikapedian is at the university, please check the library and talk to staff who were there in the mid 1960s. Bduke 06:30, 2 January 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I'm quite sure Bowland was built in 1964 - they were celebrating their 40th birthday last year. -- 9cds^(talk) 13:32, 2 January 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Colleges started before their buildings. The first students arrived in 1964 and were divided between Bowland and Lonsdale Colleges. As I state above (and this does come from the university web site), Bowland buildings started in 1965 and the first bit was occupied in 1966. Note that the material about County College is also wrong. It states, correctly, that Princess Alexandra opened the Collge in 1969. I was Principal of the College then, but I was the second Principal. The first, Professor Roland Dobbs, was Principal in the building planing and construction stage. There were still students belonging to the College and I was Senior Tutor, before 1969, in fact if I recall from 1966, or maybe early 1967. Bduke 20:51, 2 January 2006 (UTC)[reply]

The other thing to remember is that we have to have references for any changes - the info that was there had references (the uni pages). These are the best we have for the time being so we have to stick with them. -localzuk 14:37, 2 January 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I agree, which his why I suggested further study in the Lancaster Library. A history of the early days was written at one point. Talk to someone like Professor Mullett in History. The university web pages seem to have little real sense of their history. Bduke 20:51, 2 January 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I'll take a look tomorrow when I'm in there.-localzuk 00:57, 3 January 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I had a look for books on the uni's history in the library and could not find anything useful - the only possible books that would be useful 'Quest for innovation...' are missing from the shelves. Any suggestions where to look for this info (other than a person - I don't really have time to talk to people, just find a book).-localzuk 12:20, 5 January 2006 (UTC)[reply]

That is the right book. I remember it now. See if you can order it or see if the City Library has it. Sorry I did not reply earlier. I have been taking a break off the internet on holiday. Bduke 05:50, 10 January 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Since the entry makes reference to its Quaker connections and origins, eg in the reason why Quaker Grey is in its badge, it is accurate and fair to add that its recent history (involvement with B Ae Systems) is inconsistent with Quaker principles. That is not an opinion, but a statement of fact. It is not necessary to source Quakers' pacifism and oppositions to arms traders since that is easily established by reference to even the most rudimentary history or summary of the group. (this was added by User:81.155.141.64)

The problem with your addition, in my opinion, is that the university never had a Quaker connection, except that the founding VC was a Quaker. The grey was added because of the strong early connection of the Quakers with the city and region. George Fox stayed in Lancaster often. Your removal of the earlier added section about the logo seems to be spite because your addition is being reverted. I have put it back in but edited it to correct the history. Let me repeat, the involvement of B Ae Systems as inconsistent with Quaker principles is not relevant because the university has never officially operated on Quaker principles, although the VC certainly used Quaker principles in conflict resolution during student sit-ins in the 1960s and early 1970s. BTW I was there as an early staff member from 1966 (not quite the beginning). --Bduke 23:42, 14 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

And as I have stated, drawing such conclusions without a reliable source, it is original research.-Localzuk^(talk) 00:39, 15 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

it is a popular campus urban legend that the university was built on land owned by Quakers and that is why all the bars shut at 10.30 on Sunday evenings. I have no idea if that's true. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 194.80.32.8 (talk) 17:31, 22 February 2007 (UTC).[reply]

I have not heard of either of these. The second is not true. I was first licensee of County Bar and was never told that is why we closed then. --Bduke 21:31, 22 February 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Alumni

Worldwide known finance professor John Hull (Univ. of Toronto) belongs to the University of Lancaster alumni. I suggest that you add him in the alumni list.

Why not Be Bold and add it yourself? :) I'm not totally sure if he is alumni, so I'll leave it to someone else who can clarify the fact to add it. -- 9cds^(talk) 14:39, 23 January 2006 (UTC)[reply]

My first time on a talk page, so I apologise for any errors of usage. John Hull's CV lists an MA from Lancaster (although he got his initial degree from Cambridge, and his doctorate from Cranfield), so if anybody wants to add him on this basis, perhaps they should? -- ThomasL 03:44, 13 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Reference to drinking

I removed the sentence talking about 'heavy drinking' under student activities as I don't see that it is necessary and could be seen as negative (therefore going against Wikipedia's impartiality). Also it did not really fit in with the tone of the article.

Sorry if it is a problem

There is a heavy drinking culture on the campus though. To remove it is to deny the truth. It can be evidenced by looking at any copy of Scan. Maybe we can use it in a less than negative way. Also, note that including a negative fact is still NPOV. -Localzuk ^(talk) 12:08, 6 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Don't forget that what's in Scan is what the editors/writers decided to put there - Scan reflecting a heavy drinking culture doesn't necessarily mean the majority of the uni is that way. Even though that is actually the case! Also, a fact is a fact whether a negative or positive fact; that UK universities have a heavy drinking culture in general might not be a good thing (although to some it is) doesn't mean it's not something worth writinig about. J-Deeks 17:18, 21 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Heavy drinking culture? True there are many bars, but there is hardly a heavy drinking culture when compared to big inner city universities. Truth is you can't measure something like this, and unless it's blatently obvious (which it's not), it shouldn't be included. Mention the 9 bars and the fact there are more places to drink per person in Lancaster than anywhere else in the UK by all means, because they are facts, not opinions. -Bauulben 13:40, 2 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

LAncaster DOES have a heavy drinking culture. SO do most other UK universities. So, in fact, does most of the 18-25 UK population. So the point really doesn't merit mentioning. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 194.80.32.8 (talk) 17:28, 22 February 2007 (UTC).[reply]

Lancaster has a heavier drinking culture than many UK university. As an ex student who was a non-drinker, fresher's week was a nightmare to try and find like-minded people.SaraiNG 11:39, 4 March 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Low Temperature Physics

Browsing around the internet I came across this link http://www.physlink.com/News/093003MITLowestTemp.cfm, saying that M.I.T have achieved the lowest temperature ever, is this breaking lancasters record? or is the temperature that MIT reached not maintainable or something, i'm not a physicist so i dont feel confident in editing it out of the page but if someone who knows the score could contribute that would be cool, thanks -— Preceding unsigned comment added by Tomber (talk • contribs)

Actually many places have achieved absolute zero (0 degrees Kelvin), but only the machine they have in the psychis department at Lancaster can sustain it for any real length of time, hence the record. -Bauulben 13:40, 2 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Just for the record, absolute zero is probably unattainable (thanks to quantum mechanics). You can get very close to it nowadays, though. Have a read of Absolute zero. Mike Peel 21:27, 16 September 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Absolute zero IS unobtainable. This is a consequence of the third law of thermodynamics. This law has held up since 1906 and is widely accepted as truth. So nobody has reached it for any amount of time. However, temperatures of the order of one tenth of a micro-kelvin have been achieved. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Neilrobinson2000 (talk • contribs) 17:15, 24 January 2007 (UTC).[reply]

One of the immutable laws of physics is the unatainability of absolute zero. Read any thermodynamics text book, it would take infinite time to bring a system to absolute zero and would also take infinite energy to get it there. Hence; impossible. No university anywhere has everattained it. Period. 194.80.32.8 17:19, 22 February 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Notable Professors

This really needs more people from different departments adding... -— Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.152.179.138 (talk • contribs)

Well, I tried to add a physics lecturer who invented from scratch a technology used to cool samples of helium to microkelvin temperatures, but it was removed. 87.113.29.92 22:20, 22 February 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Try writing an article on George Pickett. People often delete redlinks in lists of notable people, but an article shows they are notable. Indeed several of the Physics Profs deserve an article in my opinion. --Bduke 00:19, 23 February 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Hmm... Fair enough, I appologise! I'll see if I can find any other relevant information about him (and others) and set up an article! 194.80.32.8 14:45, 23 February 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I would say it would be better to restrict the list to emeritus or former professors rather than current ones - after all, the reason academics get promoted to professor (usually, anyway) is that they are notable in their field. There are no objective cross-disciplinary criteria for what makes someone 'notable', so eventually we might just have a list of all professors from all departments. Not that this wouldn't be a useful list, but it would make the main entry on Lancaster University rather long and unwieldy, I think. --Junglehungry 13:46, 25 February 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Merge with Nuffield Theatre

Seems someone put it up for merge.. may as well vote.. -- 9cds^(talk) 11:28, 21 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Support - There's about two lines in that article, it can be better served in here. -- 9cds^(talk) 11:28, 21 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Support - The other article is barely even long enough to be called a stub. Unless someone can put enough worthwhile information into it, merge them. J-Deeks 15:33, 28 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Support - Definatly, it seems rather odd they are two sepearte adticles in the first place. -Bauulben 13:40, 2 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Merge completed. -- 9cds^(talk) 02:12, 4 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

External links - LCF

I don't know about anyone else, but I can't see why Lancaster Conservative Future should be in there.

Addition: the same user removed a George Fox Six link that to me does appear to be relevant. I reverted both changes. J-Deeks 12:48, 12 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I didn't get it either. Good job ;)-- 9 cds^(talk) 21:27, 12 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

East/West Mixup

"The campus is undergoing further expansion, now concentrating on rebuilding accommodation on the west side of campus, in Furness and Fylde colleges." -- seems to me that's the east? Nick Fel 13:29, 25 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

From Australia, it seems to me to be the South. --Bduke 13:38, 25 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Hm. Maybe change it to "concentrating on rebuilding accommodation on the south side of Australia" then? :) Nick Fel 15:22, 25 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Seriously, is'nt the spine pretty well N/S and Furness and Fylde are S of Alex Sq? --Bduke 00:02, 26 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, but when you consider how much further campus extends to the south (management/engineering, Grizedale, Pendle, the new Alexandra Park), Flyde and Furness are very much centrally located. You could call it South East I guess, but to me that still suggests a southern extremity (particularly since the term South West Campus has been coined for Alexandra Park).

OK, in my time (long ago 1966 - 76, 81 - 82) there was much less to the South and we refered only to North and South of Alexandra Sq. I quess it has altered now. I did visit last year but did not get to Alexandra Park. --Bduke 08:42, 26 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Map

Anyone else think it might be useful to put in a copy of this map: http://www.lancs.ac.uk/travel/campus.htm. There's a gap down the side of the campus section which would be very appropriate for it. Nick Fel 15:38, 30 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Bars - ten?

I really don't think the hotel's bar can remotely be described as a campus bar. To the best of my knowledge the hotel is not part of the university; it's just conveniently next door. J-Deeks 02:04, 11 September 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I'd agree. There is, however, a bar in the Great Hall complex with more case for being included... Nick Fel 12:44, 11 September 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I removed the reference to the Hotel Bar. The hotel is not owned by the University, nor is it part of the University Campus. I'm unsure about the Great Hall bar - it's not a regular bar like the other nine, but it's used on occasion for functions. I also added information that Pendle Bar may be closing. At this time, I'm unsure of the exact situation as it's still developing, my understanding is that the licensee is leaving and the university is not appointing anyone else to take over. --Darksun 19:10, 21 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Added a mention of the Great Hall bar, since it is technically a bar on campus--but left it so that it is clear there are nine "real" bars. I also moved the Pendle closure to the controversy section, since it is a current and contentious issue. Nick Fel 13:15, 22 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

University ratings

(I'm posting this to all articles on UK universities as so far discussion hasn't really taken off on Wikipedia:WikiProject Universities.)

There needs to be a broader convention about which university rankings to include in articles. Currently it seems most pages are listing primarily those that show the institution at its best (or worst in a few cases). See Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Universities#University ratings. Timrollpickering 22:54, 21 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

University Name

On the main page it says that the uni was originally created as the University of Lancaster, but I'm sure it's still called that. It's the name used on all degree certificates and official documents! Lancaster University just seems to be a 'short' name used in informal contexts to make the uni sound more modern! Could anyone shed any light on this? (Jonny1047 21:06, 1 January 2007 (UTC))[reply]

A lot of universities in the UK have both a "brand name" used in all literature, signs etc... and an "official name" that still appears in the charter, degree certificates and so forth. See Durham University, Keele University, Queen's University Belfast, Swansea University and Queen Mary, University of London for other examples. (It's not just a UK thing - see Leiden University as well.) The "brand name" isn't really an informal thing since it's what the university is using to project a single image. Whilst in the UK "Foo University" and "University of Foo" are used freely as alternatives to mean the same thing, this isn't always the case worldwide - see University of Miami and Miami University or University of New York for some of the more complicated cases. Projecting a single name identity to the world is increasingly important in the global market. Timrollpickering 15:54, 3 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]