Cardiff University Students Union Development Proposal
Foreword
The redevelopment of the Union building has been a point of discussion for over 5 years. Previous schemes have been developed in the building's 30 year history, but a concerted effort has been placed on a proposal since 2002.
The attached ‘Vision' for our Students' Union building has been developed, following what we believe, is a logical process. Firstly, to undertake a review of needs and possibilities, to look at best practice within the sector and to try and predict what may happen in the next 10 years.
To reach this point of consultation, has taken several steps. Firstly, to have the building included within the University's estates strategy; secondly, to undertake a formal review and make recommendations; then finally, develop recommendations into a visual concept so that all stakeholders can give us their views.
The next stages are to seek the views of students, the wider University and staff and also to identify funding for the project. This would be a multi-million pound project and would take several years to complete
It is important to note how dynamic this project is. Five teams of sabbaticals have been involved and in that time such things as the development of facebook have happened. It is therefore vital that we seek all our stakeholders input, in order to gauge opinion on our ‘best guess' at the needs of students today and for the years to come.
We would welcome your comments on these proposals and look forward to developing your Union building with you.
The Logic
We hope that this proposal has been developed by the use of logic and we just wanted to share this with you.
Bars or Social Learning Environment
We know that the business model of students' unions is changing. Across the country the purchase of alcohol is moving from pubs and clubs to supermarkets and off-licenses. We also know that the make up for our student population is changing, with students from all over the world with different needs for their social environment. It is likely that this trend will continue and this is recognised within this plan. Cardiff University Students' Union will continue to provide quality bars and a night club facility, as well as leading entertainment. For far too long we have catered very well for a minority of our students, we just need to match our space allocation to the needs of our students.
A social learning environment is a flexible space that can be used by any of our students throughout the day for any purpose, whether it be working, socialising or just relaxing!
Gym
The gym provision is recognised as needing improvement. This concept is to place a quality provision in the heart of the campus. Who operates the gym, is still to be explored, but work will progress in this area.
Meeting Rooms
We know that more quality meeting space is required and we have to meet that need in this proposal.
Cardiff Information Direct.
This is a logical concept to a problem. Where do you go in the University, which has 28 departments, 25,000 students and 5,000 staff, to find accurate information and be pointed in the direction of someone who can answer your question?
This one stop shop concept, which would be both physical and virtual, we believe, is the answer. This would be run and controlled by the Union.
Student Media Centre
All our media in one place, in a purpose designed facility. In the new world of multi-media this needs to be how our provision is designed.
Graduate Centre - Graduate Learning and Networking Centre.
We have responded to requests from Post Graduates to continue their exclusive area but recognise the need for social and networking space and specific learning and teaching space.
New Staff Offices
Let's put all staff in one place. This aids communication, efficiency and services. Currently our staff are scattered all over the building, making communication very difficult.
Quiet Rooms
You will see no provision in this plan, at this stage, for a quite room. As policy is developed, space will be allocated. This has not been forgotten, it is important and function follows policy.
We would encourage you to read the whole report and then please send us your comments. All comments will be fed back into the process and a report will be written about the changes made due to student comment. This is a long process and will go on over the whole summer. It is vital that we get as many students as possible feeding in to the process. After all, this is YOUR union.
Please e-mail any comments to SUBuildingDevelopment@cardiff.ac.uk
Recent News:-
13/05/08 - The plans are launched on the website.
Many Thanks
Jonny Cox
On behalf of the Union Executive 2007/2008
PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE YET TO HAVE THE FINAL COSTING THROUGH FROM THE QUANTITIVE SURVEYORS, ONCE WE HAVE THAT WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE. WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO EMPHASISE THAT THIS IS ONLY A CONCEPTUAL DESIGN AND IN NO WAY SET IN STONE!!!!
Union Building Proposal
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The conceptual design for the redevelopment of the Students' Union building
