University College, Oxford

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University College (in full, the College of the Great Hall of the University, commonly known as University College in the University of Oxford, usually known by its derivative, Univ), is a contender for the claim to be the oldest of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, and is amongst the largest in population terms. It is one of the more wealthy colleges with an estimated financial endowment of £68m (2003).

Related Topics:
University of Oxford - United Kingdom - Financial endowment - 2003

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Univ was founded by William of Durham in 1249 (not King Alfred as has been claimed in the past), and until the sixteenth century was only open to Fellows studying theology. As Univ grew in size and wealth, its medieval buildings were replaced with a new Front Quad in 1640, followed by the additional Radcliffe Quad by 1719, and the Library was built in 1861. Univ only began to accepted female undergraduate students in 1979.

Related Topics:
William of Durham - 1249 - King Alfred - Sixteenth century - Theology - Medieval - 1640 - Radcliffe Quad - 1719 - 1861 - Female - 1979

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The current President of its undergraduate student body is Josh Sasto (elected June 2005). Its Master, Lord Butler of Brockwell, was appointed head of an inquiry into the 2003 Iraq War in February 2004. Her Majesty The Queen is Visitor. Previous Masters include John Albery, Kingman Brewster, Lord Goodman, Lord Redcliffe-Maud, Arthur Lehman Goodhart and William Beveridge.

Related Topics:
June 2005 - Lord Butler of Brockwell - Inquiry - 2003 Iraq War - February 2004 - Her Majesty The Queen - Visitor - John Albery - Kingman Brewster - Lord Goodman - Lord Redcliffe-Maud - Arthur Lehman Goodhart - William Beveridge

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A specially constructed building in the College houses a statue by Edward Onslow Ford of the poet Shelley – a former member of the college, who was expelled for writing The Necessity of Atheism – depicted lying dead on the Italian sea-shore. Rumour has it that the sunken area around the statue was once filled with water and live goldfish as a student prank. Another apparently common student prank involving the statue has been to paint his genitalia bright colours; to this end, the statue's appendage is somewhat smaller than it used to be.

Related Topics:
Edward Onslow Ford - Shelley - The Necessity of Atheism

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