Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second

Update: Monday 12 September 2022

We are greatly saddened by news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second. Members of the University of Exeter community should be aware of the following arrangements during the period of national mourning:

• The State Funeral is at 11am on Monday 19 September, which will be an official Bank Holiday. The University will be closed for normal teaching, research and other activities.
• The State Funeral will be available to watch on our campuses, in the Forum Auditorium (Streatham), Baring Court 114 (St Luke’s) and the Exchange Lecture Theatre (Penryn). Most activities will be paused for the duration of the State Funeral.
• Two minutes’ silence will be observed on our campuses at 11am on Monday 19 September, for our community to observe this mark of respect if they so wish.
• Flags on our campuses are lowered to half-mast
• A floral tribute has been laid at the foundation stone to the Queen’s Building on our Streatham Campus
• Books of Condolence have been opened for staff and students who wish to sign, in the following locations:
  • Northcote House Reception, Streatham Campus
  • St Luke’s Info Point, Ground Floor, South Cloisters Building, St Luke’s Campus
  • Heart Reception, Penryn Campus
    They will remain open for all members of our community to sign up to and including Monday 19 September.

• Exeter City Council has also opened an online Condolence Book which can be found here along with details of the physical books of condolence available across the City. Information on Cornwall Council’s books of condolence or email contact can be found on their webpage. 
• Our chapels will be open for those who wish to gather and light a candle and we will hold a remembrance service during the period of mourning, with details to follow

Student services and activities on Monday 19 September

• Find out more about opening times for services and activities on 19 September.

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Message from the Vice-Chancellor

Sent on Friday 9 September 2022

Dear colleagues and students,

We are greatly saddened by news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second.

The Queen has played a central role in our national life for more than 70 years. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this time, and we think of those members of Queen Elizabeth’s family who are graduates of the University of Exeter.

The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, came to the University to present our Royal Charter in 1956 and subsequently visited us a number of times, most recently as part of the Jubilee celebrations in 2012. These were important moments in the history of our University, and they hold many fond memories for us.

The Queen held the ex officio role of Visitor to the University of Exeter, and both the Queen’s Drive and the Queen’s Building on our Streatham Campus were named to commemorate her visit in 1956.

Members of the University of Exeter community should be aware of the following arrangements over the coming days:

• Flags on our campuses will be lowered to half-mast
• A floral tribute will be laid at the foundation stone to the Queen’s Building on our Streatham Campus
• Next week, Books of Condolence will be opened for staff and students who wish to sign, in the following locations:
  • Northcote House Reception, Streatham Campus
  • Heart Reception, Penryn Campus
• Exeter City Council have also opened an online Condolence Book which can be found here along with details of the physical books of condolence available across the City. We will share details of Cornwall Council’s book of condolence when we have them
• Our chapels will be open for those who wish to gather and light a candle and we will hold a remembrance service during the period of mourning, with details to follow
• The next few days will see the Proclamation of the new Sovereign. This will be marked by a service at Exeter Cathedral at which the Lord Mayor of Exeter will read the Local Proclamation. In Cornwall the service will take place at Truro Cathedral. All citizens are invited to attend these services and we will share details on our website and social media when we have them
• The State Funeral will take place in 10 days’ time and will be preceded by two minutes’ silence. Members of the University community will be able to gather to watch the broadcast of the State Funeral on our campuses. We will confirm locations next week
• The day of the State Funeral is expected to be Monday 19 September, which would be an official Bank Holiday. If so the University will be closed for normal teaching, research and other activities. Guidance for colleagues who would normally work on Bank Holidays and public holidays will follow

On behalf of the University, I have written formally to King Charles the Third to share our condolences, and the Royal Family will be in our thoughts through this sad time.

With best wishes,

Lisa

Professor Lisa Roberts
Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, University of Exeter