UEA’s Student Newspaper
Issue 294 • Free • Tuesday 25 February
Look out for the Concrete Drugs and Alcohol Survey! @Concrete_UEA /ConcreteNewspaper ConcreteUEA
Inside... Hungry? Our list of the top independent eateries in Norwich.
Union restructure proceeds amidst uproar This article has been subject to the following Union Staff Protocol: “Except as otherwise indicated, the Union shall under no circumstances permit any public discussion of matters relating to the responsibilities, conditions of employment, performance or conduct of members of staff in… any Union media, including student media, correspondence or publications of any kind.”
Travel P. 16
Home brewed UEA We meet the students who have been brewing their own beer. Lifestyle P. 19 Andrew Ansell & Sonya Qureshi News Editor & News Reporter
UEA student’s art We take a look at the UEA student’s exciting new art exhibition. Arts V. 10
The Board of Trustees has agreed to proceed with controversial plans to restructure the Union of UEA Students (UUEAS). The decision from those responsible for the Union’s management and administration comes in the face of heavy criticism following the announcement of the plans earlier this month. The changes, which could see significant job losses, come in response to the need for cost-reductions at UUEAS, which has been operating a budget deficit of between £100,000 and £250,000 for the last three years. Just over £500,000 of Union reserves have been drained as a result of annual loses since 2010. Two external reports into the
Waterfront and campus services conducted in 2013 recommended reform. For the Waterfront to provide a more significant contribution to the Union, the report proposed creating a more flexible staffing structure. Making alcohol prices more competitive and trading more aggressively was an option rejected by the report. The second report warned of severe financial consequences if the current business model was allowed to continue. The focus on licensed trade and entertainment facilities in the Union building was identified as an area of concern. The Student Union at Aberystwyth University, which operates a similar business model, was cited as an example of how rapid decline and inaction can cause a “meltdown”. As a result, the operational elements
of the Bars and Entertainments teams will be merged to form a Venues Management department to improve cost control, delivery and safety. Changes will also be made in Finance and Human Resources. Voluntary redundancy is currently being offered to Union staff. The plans also entail reducing the number of management staff. In future students will be trained to take on supervisory roles over a six month period. However, a poll conducted by Concrete found that over 86% of respondents would prioritise studying over employed work. A member of Union staff has informed Concrete that many student staff have no desire to take on a role with more responsibility. Continued on page 3...