From the Palatinate Archives

From Palatinate, 22nd February 1952: the editorial written in the wake of King George VI’s death and a name change of the university was proposed, to ‘the University of Durham and Newcastle’. What is now Newcastle University was then King’s College, Durham.

Demise of the Crown

After all that has been said and written of the death of King George VI, Palatinate’s remarks may seem superfluous.

But we have thought it fitting to give some account of the reactions of this, England’s third oldest University. Scholarship may rightly question existing institutions, and scholars fret at national boundaries: but the true scholar is not foolish enough to be the cynic, nor too proud to pay homage.

The late King brought to his office a dignity and character which won the respect of all. Suavis iustorum fragrant odor tumulo.

The English monarchy is honoured and treasured all over the world, and most of all among the people of the homeland itself. It is with pride that the Colleges in the ancient city of Durham recall Elizabeth II’s last visit here, as Heir-Apparent: and it is with rejoicing and confidence that we hail her as now she accedes to the throne.

An unwelcome proposal

When we came up we were matriculated into the University of Durham. There seems no small chance that we may go down as graduates of the University of Durham and Newcastle.

Palatinate has published the facts of what it can only describe as this regrettable state of affairs in its news columns, so far as possible, together with far more information about university matters than it normally heaps upon its readers. It is no delusion on our part that the Newcastle Division does not play just as full and honourable a part in the life of the University as do the Durham Colleges.

We recognize the fact that it is far bigger in numbers. But we cannot in fairness suppose that the proposed alteration to this university’s title would commend itself in any particular way to the world at large, which has respected the honourable name of Durham so long. As for the thousands of graduates who would be affected by such a change, their feelings may be better imagined than described should the change come about.

They, like many graduates in Durham itself who are on Teaching Practice this term, have a right to make their voice heard in Convocation, advising the Court of the University of their views; but they are scattered up and down the country; many in fact are clergy, with little time or resources available for a trip to Newcastle and their representation in person at the Convocation is likely to be thin. >>>To add to the existing body of Statutes a new section which directly contradicts the other Statutes defining the University’s name would appear an unusual way of effecting an amendment.

It is with no whit less respect for those in favour of the change that Palatinate expresses its own views, one-sided as they are in this instance. We will therefore add no more, but encourage our readers to voice their comments through our correspondence columns. The facts are in the newspaper of the Durham Colleges, and must be allowed to speak for themselves.