The Installation of His Royal Highness The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, as the University’s fifth Chancellor will take place on Thursday 7 November 2013.
The formal ceremony in Bath Abbey will be followed by a programme of activities on campus, an opportunity for the University community to celebrate the occasion. Our new Chancellor and his wife, the Countess of Wessex, will be present throughout the afternoon. The day will conclude with the formal opening of The Chancellors’ Building.
Entry to the Abbey will be by ticket only due to restrictions on space. Separate ballots will be held for staff, students and alumni. The staff ticket ballot will be organised to ensure all the job families are well represented. The ceremony in the Abbey will be preceded by a procession from the Guildhall. It is hoped that all members of the education and research job family who take part will robe in the procession. All other staff who attend are also welcome to robe and process. The ceremony will be streamed live to large screens on campus and to individual PCs.
The afternoon celebrations on campus will be centred around the Sports Training Village and will reflect the full range of the University’s activities. A detailed programme will be announced nearer the time.
The Earl of Wessex will open the Chancellors’ Building at approximately 3:30pm. All 3:15 pm and 4.15pm lectures scheduled for this building on 7 November will be cancelled. Relevant academic staff are asked to make any necessary rescheduling arrangements. It is not proposed to cancel all other lectures taking place on this afternoon. Staff are asked to consider if teaching commitments and other meetings could be held at times which will enable all our students and staff to participate in at least some of the activities planned for the day.
The Steering Group which I chair is working hard to ensure that the 7 November is a wonderful day of celebration for the University community. More details will be provided in September.
Mark Humphriss
University Secretary