What is the Universities Scheme?
Tradition and continuity are two of the values which characterise the relationship between Freemasonry and universities. It was nearly 200 years ago that the first university lodge was founded at Oxford, and since then, it has introduced many thousands of young men to Freemasonry. A lodge at Cambridge followed soon afterwards, and currently eighteen other lodges are pursuing a similar course, each in its own way. This includes Old Mancunians Lodge, No. 3140. Their membership consists of undergraduates, postgraduates, senior members of the university and alumni, ranging in age from 18 upwards.
The success of Apollo University Lodge at Oxford and Isaac Newton University Lodge at Cambridge has provided the inspiration for the Universities Scheme, which was set up at the beginning of 2005. Its objective is: ‘To establish and/or enhance arrangements and opportunities for undergraduates and other university members to enjoy Freemasonry’.
The scheme is being spearheaded by the Assistant Grand Master, David Williamson, who explains: “We know from these long-established university lodges that students, whether undergraduates or postgraduates, enjoy Freemasonry to the full.” “But young men are under-represented in the Craft in this country, so we want to make the Craft more accessible. The recent approval by Grand Lodge to halve the fees for under-25s will act as an encouragement.”
Oliver Lodge, the Grand DC, wrote an excellent article detailing the scheme's progress in an edition of Freemasonry Today Magazine - see http://www.freemasonrytoday.com/48/p13.php
The Scheme in East Lancashire
Of course many Lodges in the Province take on University graduates, undergraduates and indeed many young men as Candidates. However, Old Mancunians Lodge, No. 3140, has played a proactive role in recruiting Graduates and Undergraduates, mainly from the University of Manchester. The Lodge joined the scheme, satisfying the necessary criteria, and since have a membership including 20+ that have joined though this scheme.
The Lodge Mentor, WBro Henry Bentwood, has looked after and monitored the scheme within the Lodge for a number of years. Previously Henry served as Membership Officer for Manchester - pointing inquirers about Freemasonry to an appropriate Lodge to form a relationship with via the relevant District Chairman. More recently those skills have served him well as he introduces similar inquirers, and particularly Manchester Graduates and Undergraduates, to Old Mancunians Lodge and helps support them once admitted. Those that move on once graduated are assisted to find Lodges in their new locales - in recent times this has included brethren moving and joining Lodges as far away as Bournemouth and Germany. Whatever their destination, all at least have been introduced to Freemasonry and have been well looked after during their time with the Lodge, where the vast majority maintain their membership.
Some young men have approached the Lodge directly and then became Initiates. They in turn have then brought in their colleagues and Friends. Almost certainly all of then have enjoyed their Freemasonry. One even wrote to all the Lodge Officers after his Raising:
Subject: A Big Thank You
Brethren,
I just wish to say THANK YOU for your support last night. Certainly it was a very special evening for us and I will remember it forever.
I hope this just doesn't stop here and I look forward to my career as a Freemason.
Clearly - a well motivated young man who has been moved by his masonic experiences. There are undoubtedly hundreds of similar young men out there for whom Freemasonry will offer a new outlook on life and opportunities to develop, grow,meet new people from differing walks of life and be afforded knowledge and support to assist through the currently, often 'fractured' life outside.
For more information on the University's Scheme follow this link: Find out about University Freemasonry