New Vice-Chancellor Koen Lamberts spent nothing getting to his first official college visit – and it was on Heslington East.
Expenses saint Lamberts, who took up his role at the start of the year, visited Langwith on Thursday for his first official college visit since taking office.
But rather than use any personal assistants or a chauffeur-driven car to get to the Heslington East campus college, the vice-chancellor decided to walk from Heslington Hall and back again.
In 2010, former Vice-Chancellor Brian Cantor sparked outrage after it emerged he had conducted most of his domestic travel by private chauffeur costing the university more than £37,000.
A Vision investigation, which covered August 2006 to July 2010, found that Cantor, now vice-chancellor at the University of Bradford, spent around £141 on a transfer to the Heslington East campus from Heslington West.
At that time, a spokesperson said the use of a hired car and driver for some business trips allowed the Vice-Chancellor to “make best use of his time and to continue working between meetings.”
But the use of expenses by Mr Cantor angered some students who offered to take him themselves to Heslington East for a “tenner”.
Last week, a spokesperson for the University denied that Brian Cantor had spent £141 on a Heslington East transfer.
They added: “On one occasion, the last VC hired a vehicle to take a group of businesspeople round Heslington East (when it was still under construction) to interest them in business development opportunities.”
The new Vice-Chancellor was taken on a guided tour of Langwith College, which was moved to Heslington East in 2012, where he expressed support for York’s collegiate system.
“I think colleges are essential, especially as the university grows,” he said.
Mr Lamberts was also keen to understand how colleges can better support their students and was impressed with Langwith’s plans for a summer community festival.
College President Symone Thompson said: “It was a pleasure to host the new VC.”