Distractions, reflections

David Ing, at large … Sometimes, my mind wanders

2008/09/10 University of York, Yorkshire

I was at the University of York — at Yorkshire, not York University in Toronto! — for OR50: The 50th annual meeting of the Operational Research Society, centered in England.  As one of the top universities in England, I was impressed by the Heslington campus.  The plenary session were held in Central Hall.

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When in the conference was in session in the lecture theatre of Central Hall, the scenery of the lake right next to it isn’t apparent.

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On the lawns by the lake, the ducks have settled in at home.

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Near the northern perimeter of the campus, Alcuin College was the choice for conference accommodations.

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The buildings of Alcuin College are modern, and well kept.

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Since Alcuin College is at the north end of University of York, conference attendees would wend their ways over to the sessions in the central campus.

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Fortunately, directions around the campus are relatively well-marked.

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Walking south and west, the Seebohm Rowntree Building houses Health Sciences, Social Policy and Social Work, and offices of the Medical Centre.

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The storage tanks outside the Chemistry building confirm discipline of study within.

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Just to the west of the Chemistry building is the entrance to one of the bridges.

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From the bridge, the buildings of the central campus appear in a cluster.

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The bridge from the north campus to the central campus is enclosed.  Despite the sun in this photograph, the cover would be welcomed in the English rain!

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From the bridge, the view west shows University Road dividing the campus.

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Looking east from the bridge, the junction to external roads marks the edge of the campus.

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The covered bridge leads to a series of covered walkways.

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Through Langwith College, the corridor is more enclosed.

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As directed, the marked path leads to Derwent College.  The stream on Systems Thinking was scheduled in this building.

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Classrooms are upstairs.  From the landing, I could see that the Derwent Cafe was not open.

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Lunches for OR50 were split up across the campus to ease congestion.  We were assigned to the group taking meals in the Derwent dining hall.

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The dining hall is multifunction, as the pool table suggests.  Some of the conference evening fun events were scheduled in this higher section.

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Leaving Derwent College, directions to other campus buildings are clearly marked overhead.

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Outside of England, the most well known universities are the Oxbridge institutions.  After this visit to York, I can appreciate the vitality and energy of this university.

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