St Hugh's College, Oxford - Hall Report, 1891

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OF

ST HUGH'S HALL, OXFORD,

18f7.1.

OXFORD : BRIDGE & CO. PRINTERS, 66 & 67, GEORGE STREET. 1891.

FIRST REPORT OF

ST. HUGH'S HALL, 1891.

St. Hugh's Hall having been now in existence for five years, it has been thought desirable to publish a brief Report of its foundation and history.

The name of St. Hugh was given to the Hall in memory of the great Bishop of Lincoln of whose diocese

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Oxford formed a part, and whose reverence for women (see page 248 of his Life,) was all the more remarkable from the fact that he belonged to the ascetic Carthusian order.

A window in St. Giles' Church still bears his name, and his figure, with that of his.favourite swan, is still to be seen on the north east pinnacle of the spire of St. Mary's.

The idea of such a Hall originally suggested itself to Miss Wordsworth in consequence of her receiving applications from many students, notably the daughters of the clergy who could not afibrd the fees paid at Lady Margaret Hall, but who would, she thought, be content with a less luxurious rate of living in order to share the same educational privileges. At all events it was determined to try the experiments, and St. Hugh's Hall was therefore started in 1886, about the same time as Holloway College, but offering the greatest conceivable contrast to that Institution in point of wealth and external advantages.

No. 25, Norham Road, a small semi-detached eight-

4 roomed house was taken at a rent of about £50 a year, and Miss C. A. E. Moberly began work there with four students, October 1886. In the following year, the adjoining house, No. 24, was also taken, thus securing a complete block for the use of the students. In 1888, a more desirable and commodious house (17, Norham Gardens, next door but one to Lady Margaret Hall) fell vacant, and was purchased by Miss Wordsworth at a cost of £3000, of which £2000 remained on mortgage to the original owner C. E. Thornhill, Esq., and was let to St. Hugh's. Miss Moberly and the students took up their quarters there in October 1888, and since January 1889, Miss E. A. Pearson and Miss E E. Wardale have successively acted as Vice-Principals.

Since its foundation 29 students (14 among them being clergymen's daughters) have resided at St. Hugh's ; eight have become assistant mistresses in schools, and three are teaching in private families ; thirteen have not yet left Oxford. One first class in Modern Languages* has been gained, four second classes in Natural Science, Modern Languages and Modern History, one third in Natural Science, and five pass certificates, two with distinction in Modern History. It may be added that, at its first starting St. Hugh's, which is specially intended for Members of the Church of England, was recognized by the Association for the higher Education of Women in Oxford, and that the Principal sits on the Committee of that Association, and that the students are, as regards lectures and tuition, on exactly the same footing as those of Somerville and Lady Margaret Hall, to whose joint Debating Society they have

• The standard in all these subjects is either identical with, or equivalent to, that of the Oxford University Examination.

also been admitted; St. Hugh's has also a boat on the Cherwell, for-those students who can swim 50 feet.

The present house has a garden, with lawn tennis ground, and overlooks the Parks. £45 a year is charged for residence including board, etc., exclusive of lecture fees which vary from £15 to £25 a year, and are payable to the Association for Women's Education in Oxford.

There is at present room for twelve or thirteen students. Two students are expected to share a bedroom divided by screens and to 'study in a room with separate tables. Bedroom fires are considered as extras, and 6d. a day is charged for them. Plate and table linen are provided but students are requested to bring sheets, towels, pillowcases, toilet soap, etc. On the payment of £10 a year extra, a student can have a room to herself.

Students are expected to pass an Entrance Examination, unless they have passed the Oxford First Women's Examination, or an equivalent, before coming up. A term's notice is expected before they leave. Good references will be required.

In 1891, it was thought desirable to place St. Hugh's Hall under the management of a Committee :Rev. Sir JOHN C. HAWKINS, Bart., Chairman.

A. 0. PRICKARD, Esq., New College.

Rev. H. P. CURRIE, St. Stephen's House.

Mrs. MACKARNESS. Mrs. THOMPSON (of Radley).

Mrs. ROMANES.

Miss C. A. E. MOBERLY (Principal).

Miss WORDSWORTH (Treasurer).

Miss E. A. PEARSON (Secretary).

6 St. Hugh's Hall as it now stands, pays its current expenses, with a small balance over by means of its students' fees. The furniture and other non-recurrent expenses have been almost entirely paid for by the kind help of various friends, including a generous donation of ÂŁ100 from the Bishop of Salisbury.

Various presents have also been made from time to time. The fittings for the Chapel were kindly presented by the Principal of St. Mary Hall, a harmonium, brass cross, vases, and hangings, were given by different private friends. Books for the Library have been presented by Canon Awdry, Mrs. Aubrey Moore, Messrs. Macmillan, Clarendon Press, Mrs. Romanes, Mrs. A. Evans, Sir John Hawkins, C. W. Holgate, Esq., and old students.

It may be added that St. Hugh's being now quite full, the question of enlargement will shortly arise, it being probable that with double the number of students the Institution could be worked at a far greater profit than at present.