Wycliffe changes are necessary – Student Presidents at Wycliffe write
Church of England Newspaper May 31
Sir, Although Wycliffe Hall has been going through a period of change since Richard Turnbull’s appointment as Principal this is a situation that is reflected across the University of Oxford. Traditional forms of collegiate government are giving way to more contemporary forms of management and this transition has not been easy. As the elected present, past and future Student Presidents of Wycliffe we want to publicly affirm that change has been necessary
to ensure that Wycliffe retains the high standards it sets itself as a theological college.
Together with the Hall Council, most of the students at Wycliffe Hall – undergraduates, ordinands, short course students and postgraduates, men and women – recognise this is so.
It is certainly regrettable that some staff felt they have had to move on and, although their reasons for leaving vary, we recognise that the implementation of change has not been handled as successfully as it might have been. Nonetheless many members of staff remain, others have been appointed and the Principal has guaranteed that Wycliffe will have a full complement of staff at the beginning of the next academic year.
The student body will be as full and as mixed as ever. Richard Turnbull made his vision for the
college clear from the beginning of his appointment. He has sharpened the focus of the training without narrowing it, demonstrating this by consciously appointing staff from across the evangelical spectrum. In line with long-standing practice we have been putting concerns about change and suggestions to the senior management. The Principal has assured us that this balance will continue to be reflected in future appointments, together with the balance between men and women, and academic and practical training.
We students are confident that Wycliffe Hall will continue to provide cutting-edge training for Christian leaders in a rapidly changing world. We profoundly regret the false impression that your article (CEN May 18) leaves of our loving, diverse and dynamic community.
Adam Atkinson, President of Wycliffe Hall Student Common Room
Patrick Conley, President-elect
Rod Green, past President
Wycliffe Hall, Oxford
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
