Cartmel College - Lancaster University - Official Website

After being here 27 years and having a total of 5 different jobs within the university, varying from Finance to ISS Jayne Corless was appointed college Principal after long-term illness meant that John Hughes, the previous Principal, was unable to return.

From speaking with Jayne I was able to understand what the Principal of a college actually does, as I was a tad hazy before. I was also able to get background on Jayne’s history with the college and why she will never leave! The role of the Principal is to en-sure that students have a safe working environment and that the welfare of the students is held in the highest regard. In addition to this a Principal invokes a sense of community within the college, bringing together the junior and senior members. Socialising is another part of the job; shame that. The aim of socialising though is to become a well known character not only within the college but within the university too. In part, acting as a figure-head.

Ultimately, the job involves working as a team, with the SCR and the JCR to help fulfil these functions. Jayne was previously our colleges Vice-Principal but since the Principal at the time, Professor John Hughes, was off ill for a long period Jayne had already been partially integrated into the role. The only real difference she had noticed when I spoke to her was the number of meetings she had to attend. It was never Jayne’s intention to become the college Principal, even though her love for the college has been deep rooted.

However, when Jayne was asked how she felt about someone else coming in to fill the place, and a reduction in her responsibility, she changed her mind. Since her decision, Jayne says she has received continual support from everyone and would not have been able to do this without them. In particular other college Principals, the SCR and the JCR have all been a great asset. As the new Principal Jayne hopes to maintain the progress that Cartmel have already made, as this will help uphold the college spirit and persona. To aid this more interaction with the students was another area that was highlighted. Along with getting more senior members of the college to events organised by the JCR.

Although Jayne is overjoyed with her new position in the college and would like to do this as long as it is possible, she would relinquish the role to another senior member when she feels this is appropriate. However, she will “Never!” lose ties with Cartmel as the association to the college is “a way of life”.