How can I get involved?
There's a variety of ways you can join in. If you are interested in finding out more about staff events within the College or are interested in volunteering, do get in touch with the College Manager Jo.
Come to a Syndicate meeting
All senior members automatically become members of the College Syndicate, which usually meets once per term at lunchtime. This happens before the meeting of the University Senate and will discuss the Senate agenda and any matters relating to the College. Syndicate provides a useful forum in which senior members can discuss University matters and raise particular items of interest, and a light lunch is provided to attendees. It is normally attended by the College Officers, the JCR Executive and a few members of staff that don't hold a formal role. We're always welcoming to new faces!
You can read the minutes of the last Syndicate meeting here.
Come to a social event
We arrange a number of social events for senior members each term, as well joining in with collaborative '9 College' events. You can come on your own or with somebody else - they don't have to work here or even be a member of Furness! We generally host two wine tastings per year and a four-day Gin Festival each February, and occasionally events such as a fish & chip narrowboat cruise along the Lancaster Canal of a summer's evening, Shakespeare at the Castle or lunchtime talks from people with something of interest to talk about. These events enable staff from a variety of departments to meet each other informally, and we hope to welcome you on as many of them as takes your fancy!
Join in on Graduation Day
Graduation Day is one of the key events of the year as we see our students off in style. The University encourages staff members to sit on the stage for their college's ceremony and will send out details about hiring robes (at no cost to yourself of course) in advance. Furness College extends an invitation to all those sitting on the stage to join us in the college for the graduation lunch as our guest.
Give us a talk or start a group
If you have something interesting to talk about and want to give a presentation we can facilitate a lunchtime talk in our TV room. In the past we've had talks on managing the Lake District, exploring the Chernobyl exclusion zone, the history of the University and the Lancaster County Mental Hospital. All very varied! If you'd like to set up a group such as a book club or lunchtime walking group we can help facilitate that.
Take up a college role
Aside from the informal opportunities we occasionally recruit for more formal roles within the college team, for those that want to take on something else besides their main employment within the University. The Principal, Dean and Senior Advisor are all honorary roles, as are the College Advisor Team. Keep a look out for those opportunities if you're interested.
