The New Library and IT Centre Summer At
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Optima Fitzwilliam College Newsletter | Issue 14 | Autumn 2008 The New Library and IT Centre w Summer at Fitzwilliam w Members’ News Master’s message Welcome to this new-look Optima! Its equally new editor, Alison Carter, would 150th Anniversary Campaign Launch be delighted to have your reactions as well as creative suggestions for future issues. It is designed, in every sense, to give you a sense of a dynamic Cambridge college which goes from strength to strength. Students both present and past are represented in its pages. Their activities range from the memory-evoking familiar to the ways in which a Fitzwilliam education is only the platform for enriching contributions to the wider world beyond it. We also Dr John Cleaver hope that readers will be interested to learn something about the current wo hundred members of generation of Fellows and their academic Fitzwilliam and their guests work. Their research and intellectual heard Professor Alison Richard, endeavours inform their teaching, and Vice-Chancellor of the University, we are determined that individually- TLord Lamont (Economics 1961) and David focused teaching should remain central Starkey (History 1964) speak warmly about to what we do here. A snap-shot of a Fitzwilliam at a Reception on Saturday 27 multi-dimensional collegiate experience September to mark the launch. These are would not be complete, however, without challenging times, but the College takes the news of sporting success, both within long view. Cambridge and in the public arena (or, The ten-year campaign, Sustaining in this issue, around a circuit!). We work Excellence, aims to raise £20 million – both and play, whether musically or otherwise, to complete the new Library & IT Centre in a very competitive context (it was ever and to increase our endowment so that the thus, alumni never fail to recall). The income remains sufficient to maintain and pictures alone speak of the intensity and develop our vision for the future. blur of a Cambridge term. We hope that Both Norman Lamont and David Starkey Representatives of the College, the Fitzwilliam succeeding issues of Optima will keep you are members of our Campaign Council – Society and the Campaign Council; very much in touch with Fitzwilliam and a small group of alumni who have been Dr David Starkey; Lord Lamont. its future, and that you will keep in touch working behind the scenes to help get us with us. off to a good start. I’m delighted to say that Professor Robert Lethbridge we launch with gifts and legacies totalling Master £2.25 million. At the reunion dinner, members were Listening to you given 1GB memory sticks (generously presented by the outgoing President of Contact the Editor one-minute communications the Fitzwilliam Society, Dinesh Dhamija questionnaire was included in Alison Carter (Law 1971) through www.deltaresort.com) the last Journal, designed to help [email protected] containing a visual tour of the College and us get a better understanding +44 (0) 1223 330784 a brochure about the campaign. Aof what members want from College Development Office, Fitzwilliam College, If you would like to know more please publications. A big thank-you to those of Cambridge, CB3 0DG have a look at the website you who spotted it, and then took the time www.fitz.cam.ac.uk/alumni and go to complete it. Please feel free to contact me with to the ‘150th Anniversary’ page or the What did you tell us? Generally, those news, contributions and ideas for the ‘New Library’ page. Please contact the that responded (and it was not a huge next issue. Development Office for more information. number – about 160 in all) seemed happy Copy deadline: 30 November Dr Iain Reid (History 1978) with the College’s publications: “always Publication: 5 March Development Director delighted to hear news from Fitzwilliam, [email protected] thank you very much”. 52% said they read 2 Optima, Fitzwilliam College Newsletter The New Library and IT Centre he Library & IT Centre will provide an integrated centre for learning for all members of Fitzwilliam, with 100% moreT reader spaces, 50% more computer Raising spaces and 60,000 volumes on open £5 million for access. Wired and wireless IT network the library connections provide flexibility now and for the future. “is the first Designed by Edward Cullinan, RIBA and most Gold Medal winner in 2008, the building urgent goal will exceed the latest building-regulation requirements for energy consumption and of our 150th insulation levels, and will be an exciting anniversary and environmentally-sensitive addition to campaign the award-winning buildings on our site. The main reading rooms are on three floors, with reader spaces around the perimeters to maximise the use of daylight and the views over the College gardens. The stair-tower takes readers between the floors, provides study alcoves at half-landing levels, and culminates in the ‘nest’ level where readers can enjoy ” even wider views across Cambridge. Two flexible study spaces, with projection facilities, can accommodate groups of up to 25, and the south tower also has semi- circular spaces for small-group study. If you would like more information Building work has started! please contact Follow progress as it happens by going to [email protected] Andrew Houston www.fitz.cam.ac.uk and clicking on ‘News’ Christine RobertsLewis (Librarian), the Bursar and or ‘New Library’. Dr John Cleaver discussing the details. the Journal from cover to cover, while most electronically, although only 9% wanted after my two young children full time. of the rest “flick though both publications – every communication from the College This lifestyle does not seem to feature in the but read parts that are of interest to me”. by email. magazines”. The challenge lies in reaching Given the age profile (60% were over Of particular interest were the dissenters. “the parts that are of interest to me”. fifty-five) it was inevitable that nearly One respondent wrote “for me an On the assumption that some of these 90% were male and 41% were retired. important part of the Journal is to read sentiments are more widely shared, it will Thereafter, most were in full-time work what my contemporaries are doing – it is be interesting to see the reaction this new – although 6% had ‘other work status’ my impression that this is a low priority for Optima provokes – so please, if you are including “religious life”, “carer for parent” the editor”. Another wrote “I find these reading this, do feel welcome to let us have and “Himalayan climber for blood cell publications so far removed from my your feedback either by completing the research”. There was an option to complete current life and lifestyle that I no longer online survey, by writing or via the survey online and despite the occasional read them. They seem to be very ‘success- [email protected] protest (“I have never received or sent oriented’, with the definition of success an email”), 41% actually sent replies being very narrow. These days I am looking The Editor Optima, Fitzwilliam College Newsletter 3 Chaplaincy Appeal The Gospel of Judas As a result of the appeal in the Autumn The name ‘Judas’ has long been 2007 issue of Optima, the College has now thought of as synonymous with ‘traitor’. been able to proceed with the appointment But a newly-discovered ancient text of of a Chaplain. Grateful thanks are due to the Gospel of Judas offers a picture of all members of Fitzwilliam who made this Judas Iscariot radically different from such a high priority, and also to Dr Elizabeth the Church’s traditional understanding Harris, a well-wisher, who made a most of him and maintains that, far from generous gift to the College. being the infamous betrayer, Judas was Fitzwilliam welcomes The Reverend actually Jesus’ trusted friend and the Dr Tiffany Conlin, who served the parish recipient of secret revelation. Simon of Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, as Assistant Gathercole’s new book includes a Curate, prior to her appointment at translation of the ancient Coptic text Fitzwilliam. She undertook ministerial training of the Gospel of Judas and a running at Westcott House in Cambridge, and has a commentary. The book covers the doctorate in Theological Hermeneutics from The Gospel of Judas: Rewriting action-packed story of the discovery King’s College, University of London. Early Christianity of the codex, cuts through the hype Dr Simon Gathercole, Fellow, The Reverend Jutta Brueck is now Priest that accompanied its publication, and Lecturer in New Testament. in Charge at St James’s Church, Wulfstan offers new translations of the ancient Oxford University Press Way, Cambridge, and we all wish her well November 2007 evidence about Judas Iscariot and the in her new role. 978-0-19-922584-2 | £16.99 Gospel attributed to him. Green space here is a considerable and conservation, sustainable building, Also in May, the Master signed the momentum on green issues sourcing of food and other supplies, and Cambridge Climate Change Charter on within the College generally, waste management (including recycling). behalf of the College, which commits including the student body, The College has created an Fitzwilliam to developing action plans Tstaff and Fellows. There is real potential environmental committee, with to address the issues of climate change. to make substantial improvements in representatives from Fellows, College Again, the next steps are to detail an areas such as energy efficiency, water use staff, undergraduates and postgraduates. action plan, and to start monitoring This reports to the Governing achievements. Body, and has a mandate to A Fairtrade working group has also advance environmental issues been set up, to help the College move in College.