Halifax College is the largest college of the University of York. It was founded in 2001 and is named after Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, the 1st Earl of Halifax.

In 2006/07, Halifax College won the university's College Sport Championship; and successfully held onto the title in the 2007/08 and 2008/09 seasons. They regained the title in the 2010/11 season.

History

In the 1990s the university began to rapidly expand, almost doubling in size from 4,300 to 8,500 students; the expansion of student numbers resulted in the creation of more accommodation by the university which was named Halifax Court. The first blocks of Halifax College which formed Ingram, Irwin, Younger, Lindley and Wood Courts were built in the summer of 1996. The members of Halifax Court were members of other colleges however soon formed their own Junior Common Room; the lack of any tie between the campus, colleges, and the houses in Halifax Court led the members form their own Junior Common Room

Mascot

'FAXY the Lion', the official Halifax mascot introduced in summer 2012, by the HCSA, represents the college at most campus events supporting college sports teams across the university.

Associated Institutions

In keeping with the tradition of Oxbridge Colleges being twinned with each other, since 2012 Halifax College has been twinned with Van Mildert College, Durham, Durham University and since 2015 with The County College, Lancaster University.

It was also the first to have a 'President' leading the HCSA (unlike the other colleges at the time who had the position of 'Chair').

The Students' Association provides Halifaxers with a variety of services, including large events, student welfare, volunteering, charity work, recycling, college merchandise, college sports and representation to the college and University. It also organises the College Freshers' Fortnight.

Halifax was the first college at York to offer certified Fairtrade College merchandise and continues to stay on top of many issues.

Social events

Halifax College hosts and organises social events such as barcrawls through York, quizzes in JJ's, court BBQs, trips to various cities or the beach (“Fax off to Scarborough”, anyone?).

In early 2012 the HCSA led by George Offer re-launched XTRA branded events, presenting the college's famous bar crawls and themed club nights in college.

Halifax Summer Ball is held each year, which in the academic year 2010–2011 was held on a boat, Snow Ball, 'Faxival', Halifax Has Got Talent, and 'Freshers Week which changes in content and length from year to year.

Faxival, is a festival/carnival held throughout the college. Including live music, BBQs, hog roast, a bar, inflatables etc. It was started in 2011.

References

  • Halifax College Students' Association
  • Halifax College – University pages