On Friday 30th August, it all came to an end. The University of Lincoln Hull Campus closed. Its final year in rented space on the University of Hull campus finished. Nothing seems to have marked the occasion.
So… lest we forget
The University of Lincoln has history north of the Humber. It’s heritage is a direct line to the Hull School of Art which opened in 1861. In 1976, the School of Art merged with other colleges to become Hull College of Higher Education. This became Humberside Polytechnic, gaining university status, between 1990 and 1992 when it was known as the University of Humberside. Renamed the University of Lincolnshire and Humberside in 1996, it became the University of Lincoln in 2001.
- The Virtual Campus – precursor to Blackboard, Web CT et al – was built there, pioneering the concept of virtual learning environments long before they became famous.
- Work Based Learning was developed there.
- Achievers in Excellence and Aim Higher set the standard for widening participation with local schools and colleges.
- Getting Started began on the George Street city centre campus.
Colleagues with memories longer than mine will no doubt remember more than I do. Please feel free to comment.
So many people like myself were supported to return to education at Inglemire Lane and Cottingham Road as well as Queen’s Gardens and the Old Town. Our lives would be very different without the opportunities to study and develop in these places.
I feel sad to know it’s all come to an end, not with a bang, not even a whimper.
I would like to add to this posting by saying it is a testament to the staff who worked at the Hull campus, that the satellite campus was successful for ten years and continued to be so, even though the decision to close was announced.
The Hull Campus was exceptional not only in its history but also in the staff who manned it. Every single staff member was known to the student , who knew long before the 24/7 of NORMAN, they could call and get assistance. Staff took pride in their job and cared about the student experience and each other.
IT WAS A CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE and Friday 30th August was a very sad day not only for staff, but for potential students whose lives will not have the chance it once had to be different.