YSJ Student Life Today – How have things changed since your time with us? – Alumni Newsletter, Winter 2018
We might still occupy the corner of Lord Mayor’s Walk, but most of the buildings have gone through a radical redesign since the twentieth century, let alone since the mid-nineteenth. The new Students’ Union building, for example, places us firmly in the 21st century with its glass and wood design and state of the art facilities, hosting events including open mic nights, karaoke and pub quizzes, and its comfy Starbucks coffee lounge.
Meanwhile learning has moved from chalkboards to interactive whiteboards and TV broadcast studios. Walking around it’s clear to see that our award-winning campus has undergone a £100 million transformation over the last decade. Progress is inevitable, but the original campus remains at the heart of the modern university, even if old dorm rooms are now offices!
All York St John students, past and present, know that the last day of term is Archie’s day, a tradition connecting St John’s College to York St John University. On the final night of the very first Christmas term in 1841, the Archbishop of York donated a barrel of ale to the students. Since then, whenever an Archbishop of York appears in front of the York St John students, he donates beer. York St John students carry on the tradition by celebrating the end of each term with ‘Archie’s Day’ honouring the Archbishops of York. Archie’s Day is definitely something that hasn’t changed that much through the years!
1893 White Rose Magazine
When students published The White Rose in 1893, the range of campus-related activities was just developing. They wouldn’t recognise the diverse range of societies new students can choose, from the Veggie Society to LGBTQ+, a huge array of sports to historical re-enactment, there is something for everyone.
“I have bonds with people that I would never have had if I didn’t push myself to try something I had never done before. I’d never danced before uni but I would say it’s the best thing I’ve done.”
-Social secretary of the dance society, Asanti Das
A third year member of the YSJ KATS cheerleading team, Hannah Woods, told us how joining cheerleading has enhanced her university life:
Hannah Woods
“Heading along to the taster session in fresher’s week was one of the best decisions I’ve made during my time at uni. It’s made the social element of my time at YSJ so simple and I’ve made friends for life. Getting to represent the uni in competitions and volunteering opportunities really makes me feel proud to be part of such a fabulous university. Cheer has taught me how socialising with peers can really be influential in someone’s development. I’ve become more confident and pushed myself to do things like public speaking or volunteering with the community that I never would have done.
As York St John changes, so does York with quirky new bars and restaurants settling into the historic setting – all within walking distance from campus. From the new Spark:York, where independent businesses sell food, clothes and drinks in shipping containers to elegant new eateries and hotels there are plenty of new places to visit.
Alumni are always welcome back on campus – get in touch at alumni@yorksj.ac.uk if you’d like a tour! If you know someone considering university then why not bring them along to an open day and see all that the York and York St John have to offer in 2018?
Article written by Larissa Nath, 2nd year student
