A Bright Future Ahead

Vice Chancellor Mary Stuart Interview

The view from the office of new University of Lincoln Vice Chancellor Professor Mary Stuart is certainly an impressive one. Looking down over her new University, the panoramic windows take in the impressive sight of the Brayford, sweeping along the bars and restaurants to finish with the Cathedral in the distance. An amazing view from a privileged position. Needless to say I was nervous walking into the office of the Vice Chancellor for the first time. It felt like being summoned to the Headmasters office for doing something you shouldn’t have. I expected to be greeted with a cold handshake and to get straight down to business. But the woman who shook my hand warmly as I entered was totally different. Calmly sipping lemon tea, we’re chatting away for a good ten minutes before I start the interview.

Mary Stuart is no stranger to Lincoln, having spent a long weekend in the city in 2003. Whilst there was a University here then, it was by no means the institution that stands here today. I asked her what she thought of the city. “I think it’s fabulous,” she replies “It’s a real national treasure. I don’t understand why the Cathedral especially, is not a world heritage site because it really should be.” She goes on to express her deep admiration for Lincoln, remarking that it has a truly unique blend of historical and modern architecture. “I think the University has played a big part in letting that happen,” she explains, saying that the student population of the city and the residents of Lincoln seem to have blended together well.

I then ask her what the job of a University Vice Chancellor entails. To which Mary simply replies “In terms of responsibilities you are the chief operating officer for the institution. This means you are in a sense the guardian of the University. You have to make it a safe environment for students and you have to maintain the institution for the future.” Mary quickly goes on to explain that she is not solely responsible for running the University, and expresses her thanks for the team of people behind her who ensure that the University of Lincoln runs smoothly on a day-to-day basis.

We then move onto the areas that Lincoln is working to improve. Mary quickly identifies three key areas that the University is working on. “I think we need to take forward our research programmes,” she says, explaining that whilst Lincoln has done well in research exercises held last year, there is still a long way to go to reach its full potential. Other areas she is actively targeting to improve are the library service (which thanks to a combined effort from the University and the Students’ Union will be open 24 hours, 4 days a week for 2 weeks in December and then again for 4 weeks in the Spring), and trying to make the University less dependent on government funding.

With all this talk of positive change in Lincoln, I decide to ask the new Vice Chancellor whether the change over period before her taking office was a positive experience. “Professor Chiddick and I met pretty much straight away,” she says “We have worked together all the way through this period. Sometimes these transitions don’t work very well, but on this occasion I’m pleased to say it’s all gone very smoothly.”

From here the interview quickly moves on to tackle the biggest issue facing students, that of University course fees. “Fees will not rise next year,” She says “Even if the Government decides that student fees can go up, I don’t see them doing it for a while. I am incredibly worried about the amount of debt that students have, I personally would rather that we did not increase fees at all.” Mary goes on to explain that in other parts of the world, where students don’t pay course fees up front and leave University with debt, they are more inclined to go straight into work, rather than research the option of a postgraduate qualification. She implies that whilst the system in the UK at the moment helps to limit this, she hopes that the current course fees don’t rise to such an extent that the same effect is created in the UK.

Throughout our talk the subject of the University’s relationship with the Students’ Union has been at the centre of everything. I ask Professor Stuart what she thinks of some of the new initiatives brought in by the Union this year. “I think that the Student Job Shop particularly is fantastic, and I think that there’s a lot more we can do together to improve it. I’m very keen to develop an appropriate policy around the employment of students on campus. One of the ways that we can help to limit student debt in the future is to make sure that students are getting good jobs that don’t negatively impact on their courses.”

My final question to the Vice Chancellor asks her what changes we could expect to happen to the University of Lincoln over the next few years. “For all of our projects the horizon that we’re looking to is about 2016,” she answers “the new Business and Law faculty will open from September next year, and we’re just starting to build the Engineering faculty building. There are lots of future building plans but I don’t want us to lose our green campus. We’re also doing significant work to improve our Riseholme campus.”

The Vice Chancellor’s final words are enough to instil a sense of pride in any Lincoln student, as she says “I think that this is a partnership going into the future. Students and staff working together is how we’re going to turn Lincoln into the place we all want it to be. I’m incredibly positive about the future of Lincoln because I think it has so much potential. “

I walk out of the VC’s office proud to be a student at Lincoln, and proud in the knowledge that we have someone so passionate about improving the student experience to take the reins of the University and lead it into the future. Mary expressed her intentions to take Lincoln up into its rightful place as a leading University. And after listening to her plans, I can’t help but believe her.

Words by Darren Moss