Capital Projects
A constant focus for fundraising — as well as supporting excellence in teaching and research, and ensuring the wellbeing of staff and students — is nurturing Keble’s spectacular heritage. Although the current financial position has restricted expenditure on capital projects, alumni and friends have given £42k towards preserving the fabric of the College.
Keble’s William Butterfield-designed buildings make it one of the most memorable and striking of all Oxford colleges. We are the guardians of these unique buildings, and they are expensive to maintain. In difficult times of financial uncertainty, we remain responsible for preserving this architectural heritage entrusted to us.
Sustainability at Keble
Following a gift in 2022-2023 for sustainability-related capital expenditure, in 2023-2024 the College saw the completion of the 2-year project to upgrade the College’s outdated Building Management System (BMS). This much needed upgrade gives the College substantial flexibility and control over the system, allowing the heating to be controlled centrally and timed, as well as separating the hot water and central heating loops.
Thanks to the generous gift from Zain Talyarkhan (2007 PPE), the bar roof essential repairs were completed with the installation of a new green roof. As part of the re-wilding project, which also saw wildflowers on Hayward Quad, the Sedum roof has shown its adaptability through the summer heatwaves and wet spring, offering a thriving habitat for insects, birds and pollinators.
The College’s work was recognised at the University of Oxford's Green Impact awards on 9 July 2024, where Keble earned Silver accreditation, in recognition of the outstanding efforts towards achieving the University’s strategic environmental goals.
You can read more about Keble’s sustainability plans here.
Benches for the Quads
As ever, new benches for the quads are an extremely valuable part of creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for students and visitors. Sponsoring a bench and adding a commemorative plaque is a lovely way to remember someone special, a treasured friendship, or indeed a special moment. This year we have had a number of benches installed, including: a group of 1960s alumni who walked the Pyrenees and Dolomites from the 1990s through the 2020s, commemorating “Friendship and fun”; and Keble alumni, brother and sister Gerard Ivey and Benedicte Cockell, sponsored a bench in memory of their parents Carole and Michael who were very supportive of their coming to Keble.
Kit Brownlees
1967 Jurisprudence
"As time goes on, the walks become harder, but the camaraderie remains the same, reinforced by the special bond of our time at Keble together" .