NEW undergraduates at the city’s universities are settling into the autumn term’s lectures and tutorials following a frantic week of freshers’ activities to welcome students.

Professor David Fleming, vice- chancellor of York St John University, said the campus, off Lord Mayor’s Walk, was “alive and buzzing” as the academic year started, adding the university was welcoming a record number of international students.

He said: “Our staff and the Students’ Union do such an incredible job in preparation for the new academic year and I’ve really enjoyed meeting and talking to so many enthusiastic new students.”

Leigh Hankinson, York St John University’s Students’ Union president said his team had been gearing up for the arrival of students all summer.

He said: “We’ve got so much to offer here in terms of clubs, societies, advice, representation and support to our members. The start of term is just the beginning of a really busy year ahead and we’re all looking forward to getting involved with our students.’ At a Welcome Fair, new and returning students have learned about opportunities to participate in activities ranging from rock ‘n’ roll bingo to live-mic nights and to get a flavour of the city’s heritage, visit York Dungeon and tour the city walls.

York City Knights Community Development team visited the event to recruit students, particularly those with media and computer skills, to its volunteering programme for 80 primary and 16 secondary schools.

The latest Knights recruit is volunteers co-ordinator Emma Sellers, who aims to provide students with the correct link no matter what their chosen sport may be.

Adam Prentis, Knights development manager, said: “'Every year the Knights take on a number of students from schools, colleges and universities.

“These students come from different backgrounds and qualifications and differing ambitions, but all with something to offer and willing to put back into the community and gain some experience.

“Many of the students are sport students some with the aim of becoming teachers or becoming community sport coaches.

“Rather than us sit back and wait for these students to contact us we want to screen volunteers and help them develop skills with their careers early on in the academic year. We hope that this will stand them in good stead for future opportunities in the workplace.”

Further links that the Knights is looking to strengthen are with, that of the university’s rugby league team, the York Tigers. Established Knights first team player Chris Williams is a student at the university and has represented the Tigers in the past.

For details abour volunteering with York City Knights, phone 01904 767404 or email adam@ycknights.co.uk