In 2018 Lincoln University had 2695 Equivalent Full Time Students (EFTS) and 633 full-time equivalent staff (188 Academic, 135 Administration and Support, 65 Research and Technical, 273 Farms and Operational).[5]
Lincoln University established itself in 1878 as the School of Agriculture of Canterbury University College, opening in July 1880.[6] By 1885 it had 56 students, 32 of them in residence, and all classes were held in the main building (later known as Ivey Hall). The teaching staff included the head of the schoolWilliam Ivey (who taught agriculture), George Gray (Chemistry and Physics), who remained on staff until 1915, Eric Manley Clarke (mathematics, surveying, and book-keeping; son of the English geodesistAlexander Ross Clarke),[7] and part-time lecturer Thomas Hill (Veterinary Science).[6][8]
The 660 acres (270 ha) college farm was worked by the students, who took part in ploughing, milking, and stock management, as well as taking lectures on agricultural science and chemistry.[6]
From 1896 to 1961, it served students under the nameCanterbury Agricultural College, and offered qualifications of theUniversity of New Zealand until that institution's demise.
From 1961 to 1990, it was known asLincoln College, aconstituent college of the University of Canterbury, until achieving autonomy in 1990 as Lincoln University.[9] It is the oldestagricultural teaching institution in theSouthern Hemisphere. It remains the smallest university in New Zealand.[10]
In March 2009, the Crown Research InstituteAgResearch announced that it planned to merge with Lincoln University.[11] However, Lincoln University rejected the plan later that year over financial concerns.[12]
On 18 November 2010, after a period of consultation,[13] it was confirmed that a merger between Lincoln University andTelford Rural Polytechnic would go ahead, with the merger taking effect on 1 January 2011.[14]
On 18 June 2013, a new blueprint for the Selwyn campus was announced[15] which included the "Lincoln Hub" concept previously announced by the Government on 29 April 2013.[16]
Ivey Hall, which is aheritage site1972 Lincoln College campus map
The oldest building on campus isIvey Hall, built in 1878 as the main teaching, administration, and residential building. It was designed in theJacobethan style by Christchurch architectFrederick Strouts. As well as lecture theatres, laboratories, and a museum, the College DirectorWilliam Ivey, his family, and the students resided here. A "West Wing" was added in 1881 for additional student accommodation and study rooms (West Ivey was damaged in the 2010 Canterbury earthquake and reopened in 2025). Extensively remodelled and expanded in 1989, Ivey Hall now houses the George Forbes Memorial Library.
Memorial Hall, designed byCecil Wood, was built in 1923–24 to commemorate the loss of former Lincoln students who died inWorld War I; two thirds of the costs were raised by the Old Boy's Students' Association. It later commemorated the dead ofWorld War II. Extensively damaged along with Ivey West in the2010 Canterbury earthquake, it was formally reopened in 2025.
The Laboratories were built in 1929, and became the McCaskill Building, before being replaced by the School of Landscape Architecture Building in 2009.
The Lodge, a residence for the College Principal, was built in 1945. Until this time the Principal and his family had lived in Ivey Hall.
Hudson Hall in the 1950s, shortly after it was constructed
The first major hall of residence on campus was Hudson Hall, named after College Principal Eric Hudson: its foundation stone was laid by Prime MinisterPeter Fraser in July 1949, and it opened in 1953. Hudson Hall had bed and study accommodation for 184 students. It is now largely an administration building.
Lincoln University has six halls of residence, of which Hudson Hall is the oldest. Colombo Hall, Lowrie Hall and Stevens Hall all opened in 1970, with Centennial Hall opening in 1978, Lincoln University's centenary year. The newest hall of residence is Southland Hall, built in 1993.
The George Forbes Building, named after former Prime MinisterGeorge Forbes, began construction in 1957 and opened in 1960. This was the college's first purpose-built library, housing 10,000 books. Over the years the library expanded, and the present high-rise building was constructed in 1975. The library eventually outgrew the Forbes Building, and the George Forbes Memorial Library has been housed in Ivey Hall since 1989.
Gillespie Hall, also known as the Student Union or Lincoln Union, consists of three buildings (Union, Annex, and Link) designed and built between 1962 and 1988. It was named after former ChairmanWilliam Gillespie, who had died in 1960. After the 2010 earthquake it was considered earthquake prone, and has been closed since 2010.
Hilgendorf Building, pictured in 1967 shortly before it was opened
The Hilgendorf Building, constructed in 1968, was designed by Trengrove, Trengrove and Marshall Architects (now Totem Studio Architects) to cater to 550 full-time students. Named after early Lincoln lecturerFrederick William Hilgendorf, it was a concretebrutalist building, and was badly damaged in the 2010 earthquake and closed for repair. After engineering testing it was deemed unsalvageable and was demolished in 2015.
The Hilgendorf's companion, the Burns Building, was constructed in a similar style, and the complex of two buildings with their lecture theatres and computer centre were often referred to as the Hilgendorf Wing and Burns Wing. Named after past PrincipalMalcolm Burns, Burns opened in 1976.
The Stewart Building, which opened in 1990, is named after another past Principal, James D. Stewart. With two large lecture theatres each seating several hundred, its computerised teaching aids and audiovisual capacity were considered cutting-edge for New Zealand in 1990.
Built in 1990 to provide lecture and seminar space for a rapidly-increasing intake of Commerce students, the Commerce Building sits on what was the Ivey Hall gardens.
The cafe and dining hall Mrs O's was built in 2011 to incorporate the original dining hall building, then redesigned for earthquake safety and reopened in 2014. It is named after Mrs Joan O'Loughlin, one of Lincoln College's longest-serving staff (1966–1998), a cleaner and tea attendant much-loved by students.
The Lodge
Hudson Hall
Burns Building
Forbes Building
Commerce Building
School of Landscape Architecture
Mrs O's
The Lincoln Union, incorporating Gillespie Hall, in the 1970s
The School of Agriculture, followed by the Canterbury Agricultural College, was under the leadership of a director. From 1962, Lincoln College was headed by a principal, and after becoming Lincoln University in 1990, the role became that ofvice-chancellor.[17][18]
There was a board of governors from 1896 and a college council from 1962. Since full autonomy in 1990, the head of the university council has been the chancellor. The following chairmen and chancellors have served:[19]
Faculty of Agribusiness and Commerce: accounting, business management, economics, farm management, finance, marketing and property studies.[20]
Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences: agronomy, plant science, crop physiology, pasture production, animal science, systems biology, computational modelling, food and wine science, entomology; plant pathology and crop protection; ecology, conservation and wildlife management; evolution, molecular genetics and biodiversity.[21]
Faculty of Environment, Society and Design: natural resources and complex systems engineering, environmental design, resource planning, transport studies, landscape architecture, Māori andindigenous planning and development, recreation management, social sciences, tourism, communication and exercise science.[22]
Lincoln University Students' Association (LUSA) has been active on campus since 1919.[23] LUSA acts as a representative for students on university policy, as well as providing advocacy services to students and running campus events such as the annual Garden Party and O-Week.
LUSA is central in organising, supporting and funding the clubs on campus. These clubs include but are not limited to; Lincoln Soils Society, Tramping and Climbing Club, Wine Appreciation Club, LSD (Lincoln Snowboarding Department), Alpine Club, LEO (Lincoln Environmental Organisation), Food Appreciation Club, The Lincoln University Campus Choir, Bunch Rides (cycling), Lincoln University Rugby Club, Lincoln Malaysian Students Society (LMSS), International Rugby Club, SPACE (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students on campus), Boxing Club, Young Farmers Club, and Lincoln Christian Fellowship.[24]
Lincoln University has had anEntomology Research Collection since the late 1960s, which is now the third-largest entomology collection in New Zealand, containing approximately 500,000 specimens and about 60types.
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