Student Centre and University Square
January 2024 update: Whilst the Student Centre project is temporarily paused, we aim to develop the site area into a usable space for everyone. This will include wheelchair accessibility, some planting and seating. The currently hoarded off area will remain as it is for several months whilst this work is undertaken. On completion, we will reopen Central Car park with remarked bays.
Like many others in our sector, we continue to face increasing costs, including the impact of inflation and uncertainty in global markets. This is adding pressure on our financial planning. It is important we respond to this, by re-evaluating our immediate investment priorities while being mindful of our longer-term goals.
We have therefore decided in January 2024 to temporarily pause building the Student Centre for a period of at least three years. This difficult decision is not taken lightly, and we understand it will have implications for our University community, not least for those who were waiting to utilise the new space.
Despite this delay, we want to assure you that the Student Centre remains a 2030 transformational initiative of utmost importance to us and continues to be a pivotal initiative for our University. Our aspirations for student life at York remain ambitious and we continue to invest in key areas of teaching and learning, welfare and support.
Next steps
During this pause, we will be working with our students and student groups to support essential requirements, exploring alternative existing or new temporary arrangements, until we can resume the development of a brand new space.
In the short term, we aim to develop the site area into a temporary usable space for everyone. This will include wheelchair accessibility, some planting and seating. The currently hoarded off area will remain as it is for several months whilst this work is undertaken. On completion, we will reopen Central Car park with remarked bays.
Our commitment
It is important to emphasise that we are committed to resuming the Student Centre project in the future as part of our 2030 strategy.
During this period, our working group will ensure the core design principles of the Student Centre, focusing on wellness standards, sustainability, and accessibility, remain at the centre of all discussions.