The University of Gloucestershire is a university primarily based in Gloucestershire, England, spread over four campuses, three in Cheltenham and one in Gloucester The university is the recent successor of a large number of merged and name-changed institutions of further and higher education.[9] Its history began with the Mechanics' Institute founded in 1834.[10] From 1992, Cheltenham & Gloucester College of Higher Education (CGCHE) was permitted to award first and postgraduate degrees and 1998 it achieved Research degree awarding powers. However, it was only in 2001 that the University of Gloucestershire was awarded university status. Its history spans nearly two centuries.[11]
Dame Janet Trotter was the founding Vice-chancellor and Principal, retiring in 2006.
The University of Gloucestershire has pursued an environmental sustainability strategy since 1993, and was the first UK university to meet the ISO 14001 environmental management standard.[12] In 2008 it was declared the greenest University in the UK.[13] The University of Gloucestershire is also an active participant of the ERASMUS programme and the only UK university to be part of the BCA Programme offering semester abroad, most notably with the USA.
In October 2008, the University was subject to a journalistic investigation on student initiation rites, after the BBC obtained a copy of a secretly-filmed video featuring students with bags over their heads drinking and vomiting,[14] overlooked by another student dressed in what the press described as a "Nazi officer uniform".[15] A further incident resulted in a Rugby club member vomiting on board a bus, following what a local newspaper called a "booze-fuelled initiation ceremony".[16]

Simon Pegg, the comic actor and director who plays Scotty in the 2009 revamp of Star Trek, received an Honorary Fellowship from the University of Gloucestershire on the 4th of December 2008, for his contribution to the arts.[17]
[edit]2009 - 2011 resignations
In November 2009, Paul Bowler, the deputy vice-chancellor of the University resigned shortly after being suspended from his post only seven months after joining the institution. Paul Bowler, a former investment banker who joined Gloucestershire in May 2009, was on a week's leave when he was told not return to work. On 7 December, a university spokesperson said, "The deputy vice-chancellor Paul Bowler, has resigned. Financial benefits have not been sought by Mr Bowler, who is leaving of his own accord to pursue other interests".[18]
In December 2009 Dr Sharp, Dean and Associate Pro Vice-chancellor, following his resignation, took up a post in the new UK Higher Education International Unit.[19]
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Broadfoot, resigned in March 2010,[20] during conflicting views on the financial health of the institution.[21] The precise circumstances of this resignation and the salary paid to her as recorded in the public accounts[22] have attracted various media attention being the reported highest of all UK Vice-chancellors for the year.[23]
In May 2010 the Chancellor, Lord Carey, resigned.[24]
In September 2010 Paul Bowler was a witness in an employment tribunal case brought by a member of staff of the University under the ‘whistleblowing’ legislation - the Public Interest Disclosure Act.[25] The tribunal found for the complainant[26] and outcome was reported in the higher education press.[27]