Loughborough University

Loughborough University is a higher education institution based in Loughborough, in Leicestershire, England.

Profile

The University has 24 academic departments and over 30 research institutes, divided between three faculties: Science, Engineering and Social Science and Humanities. It has approximately 13,000 students, 88% of whom are undergraduates and 12% are pursuing postgraduate courses and/or research. Its current Chancellor is Sir John Jennings, CBE, FRSE (the previous chancellor, Sir Denis Rooke, OM, CBE, retired from the position in summer 2003, having served for fourteen years), and its Vice-Chancellor is Professor Sir David Wallace CBE FRS DL.

Related Topics:
Denis Rooke - Professor Sir David Wallace

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Campus

University's main campus is in the Leicestershire town of Loughborough and until 2003 it was developing a secondary campus at Peterborough. The Loughborough campus (once the estate of Burleigh manor) covers 200 acres (0.8 km²), and includes academic departments, halls of residence, gardens and playing fields. Of particular interest are the beautiful walled garden, the "garden of remembrance", the Hazlerigg-Rutland Hall ("Rigg-Rut") fountain-courtyard (pictured right) and the Bastard Gates. In the central quadrangle of the campus stands the famous cedar, which has often appeared as a symbol for the University. Unfortunately a heavy snowfall in December 1990 led to the collapse of the upper canopy which gave the tree its distinctive shape.

Related Topics:
Leicestershire - Loughborough - Peterborough - Cedar

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Traditions

The official colour of the University is African Violet. The coat of arms incorporates several symbols relevant to the history of the Loughborough area, including Offa's cross (a symbol of the ancient kingdom of Mercia, within whose borders the town now stands) and the peacock from the arms of the Dukes of Rutland. The motto of the University is Veritate Scientia Labore (with truth, wisdom and labour).

Related Topics:
Coat of arms - Offa - Mercia - Peacock - Dukes of Rutland

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The University has a strong sporting tradition, and is a centre of excellence in the field of sports science. It has graduated a number of world-class athletes including Paula Radcliffe and Sebastian Coe. In keeping with this tradition, Loughborough University students have won the British Universities Sports Association championship every year for over two decades. Sports students are entitled to wear a different style of scarf from other undergraduates. The university is the home of the England and Wales Cricket Board's National Academy, opened in November 2003.

Related Topics:
Sports science - Paula Radcliffe - Sebastian Coe - British Universities Sports Association - Scarf

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The phonetic spelling "Lufbra" is sometimes used amongst students, graduates, and in Students' Union publications, and the name is also often abbreviated to lboro.

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The Students' Union

The Union is unusual (if not unique) in English universities, in that its premises are owned by the students themselves. The union building sits in the North-Eastern corner of the campus. The ground floor of the Union is centred around an open piazza area which provides space for students to sit as well as providing access to numerous shops and bars, plus two nightclub/dance floors and several bars. The upper floor is divided between administrative areas, sections (Athletic Union, RAG, Media, Community Action) and bars. The building also house branches for several high-street banks.

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The union building is a popular destination for students seeking night time entertainment - providing numerous bars, dance floors, sitting areas and regular live entertainment. Each night of the week has its own title and style with Friday's FND (Friday Night Disco), Thursday's "High Voltage (Indie and Rock music night)", and Wednesday's Hey Ewe (the official athletics union night, "Hey Ewe" being a pun on A.U.) being particularly popular. The student's union is also a centre of activity during the daytime. Along with Loughborough University's numerous sports clubs the union hosts and organises many other activities and societies. The Rag office is responsible for organising, encouraging and supporting charity work amongst the union's members whilst the media department is subdivided into 'production outlets' - a weekly magazine called Label; a student radio station called LCR 1350am (Loughborough Campus Radio); LSUTV - a student TV station and Aura recording studios. There are also clubs for a wide range of other interests. At the beginning of each academic year the Fresher's Bazaar is held to allow students, especially new arrivals, to talk to existing members of these societies and to provide an early opportunity to sign up.

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One highlight of the academic calendar is Free Fest, an annual outdoor music concert organised by the Union's music society which takes place all day on the May Day bank holiday weekend.

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Students of the other Higher Education colleges in Loughborough are also members of this Union.

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