The University of Roehampton has told the Tablet that it has recruited seven philosophy and theology academics from the Jesuit-run Heythrop College in London, which is closing at the end of this academic year. The group comprises four professors: Fiona Ellis, John Cottingham, Keith Ward and Michael Barnes, and three other academics: Dr Eddie Howells, Dr Martin Poulsom and Dr Sean Ryan.
Professor Paul O’Prey, Roehampton’s vice-chancellor described their appointment as “a significant investment in expanding our already world-class reputation for excellent teaching and research in the arts and humanities.”
The academics are being absorbed into the south-west London university’s Department of Humanities; the university said they “each bring with them a wealth of expertise and knowledge and join Roehampton as part of a wider investment in teaching and research in the humanities at the University.”
The sale of Heythrop was first announced in 2015 due to "rapidly mounting costs". Partnership negotiations with St Mary’s University, Twickenham and then with the University of Roehampton both failed. None of Heythrop College’s academic departments will be transferred to other universities. A question mark has also been hanging over its prized library but the Jesuits this week told The Tablet that they are now confident “of arriving at a satisfactory arrangement in the near future”.
Assistant to the UK Jesuit Provincial, Fr Paul Nicholson SJ, said in a statement: “The British Province is very aware of the important resource that the Heythrop library represents, not just for the Society of Jesus but also for the Church in this country (and beyond). Ensuring a suitable future home for it after Heythrop closes has been a high priority in our planning over the past two years.” The Jesuit’s Provincial Treasurer, Stephen Power SJ, added that they were hopeful that “something positive” will be agreed with the University of London. "Clearly something has to be done pretty soon,” he said.
A source at Heythrop branded the lack of certainty over the future of the library as an “utter disgrace”. Describing the library as “one of the most precious resources in the whole of Britain for the people of God” the source questioned who exactly was overseeing the decision over its future: "It’s the second biggest theological library in the country after Cambridge; at one point they were talking about putting it into storage. I’d prefer to give the books away to passers by because at least then they might be read.”
The source lamented what they described as “shilly-shallying” by Heythrop over a delay in taking up an offer by Roehampton to make a building available for the library, before the university eventually found another use for the building. One academic at Roehampton, who didn’t want to be named, said it was a “lost opportunity – given that Roehampton puts enormous emphasis on its status as a research led university.”
As its closure looms, Heythrop has announced a “Goodbye Heythrop, Farewell Kensington Square” event in May which it describes as “A day of celebration for alumni and friends,” to be followed by a conference in July “celebrating achievements and looking forward”.
A statement on Heythrop’s website says: “The College is now, with sadness, working towards closure shortly after the 2017/18 academic year. We will be remaining on our current site until October 2018 but there is no plan for the move of any departments or a continuation of Heythrop College anywhere else. The future development of the Jesuit intellectual apostolate will be something different and will emerge out of discussions the British Province is having, to which we will contribute.”
Loading ...
