Arts ===
The University of York Music Society and the University of York Drama Society are two of the largest student societies on campus; with each having performances and/or concerts every week during term. Central Hall Musical Society performs a number of shows and showcases every year.
Other performing societies include the Gilbert and Sullivan Society, PantSoc who stage a student-written pantomime three times a year, and York ComedySoc, one of the most active comedy societies in the UK, putting on a show every week along with workshops in stand-up, improv and sketch writing/acting. ComedySoc sends two shows to the Edinburgh Fringe each year: The Shambles, ComedySoc's in-house improv comedy troupe and The Dead Ducks, ComedySoc's in-house sketch comedy troupe. Both troupes perform throughout the year on campus and in/around York and have received critical acclaim for their shows at the Edinburgh Fringe.
=== Long Boi ===
Long Boi was a 70-cm tall Indian Runner-Mallard Duck cross that lived by Derwent College, and became an unofficial mascot to the university. In 2022 students campaigned to erect a life-sized statue of Long Boi due to his 'cultural significance' and 'contribution to student life'. In response, the union president said that he would explore possible options to construct a statue. In spring 2023, after several months without a confirmed sighting, the university announced that Long Boi was presumed to be dead.
A fundraising campaign raised enough money to commission a life-size bronze statue of Long Boi by sculptor Neil Mason. The statue was formally unveiled by BBC Radio Presenter Greg James in The University of York's Central Hall on 26 September 2024. However, on the night of 14 November 2024, the statue was vandalised and sustained damage to its left leg. It was later removed indefinitely, and a subsequent investigation failed identify the responsible party.
== Notable alumni and academics ==
York has a large number of alumni who have been active in politics, including at least twenty Members …
