gair rhydd
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ISSUE 871 MAY 26 2008 CARDIFF’S STUDENT WEEKLY free word - EST. 1972
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PHOTO: ED SALTER
VOTE FOR DEMOCRACY
Students to have final say in Union redevelopment plans Samantha Shillabeer News Editor All Cardiff University students will have the opportunity to vote on the Students’ Union (SU) redevelopment plans before any work is undertaken, last Tuesday’s Student Council decided. The issue of the redevelopment was added to the Council’s agenda at the last minute in an attempt to dispel rumours and dissatisfaction surrounding the plans. Following the publication of the proposed changes in last week’s gair
rhydd (issue 870), upset students immediately began voicing their concerns. A Facebook group entitled ‘Outrage at the new Cardiff SU plans’ was set up last Saturday and, at the time of gair rhydd going to print, had in excess of 2,300 members. The gair rhydd website also received over 160 comments on the plans. Among the most common complaints were the proposed removal of the Taf and the Games Room, and the downsizing of Solus. In an attempt to guarantee that the eventual changes will “benefit the majority of students”, a motion was
passed at Student Council resolving that “a vote which is accessible by all students should take place before the plans are signed off”. The Council, which saw a significant increase in attendance due to the focus on the Union redevelopment, also gave Students’ Union President Jonny Cox the chance to explain the logic behind the proposals. Speaking last Tuesday, he began his presentation by commenting on the outdated and dreary state of the SU, claiming that major changes are needed to ensure that it will still be standing in ten years time. He also stressed the importance of
constructing “multi-functional areas” in order to diversify the Union and increase its appeal to a wider range of students, declaring that “it is not just a bar”. In a further written explanation of the plans, he declared: “The Union needs to adapt to the changing student demographic and demands. For far too long we have had a total emphasis on our commercial services It’s time that our clubs, societies, volunteering and development opportunities were given more prominence.” However, Jonny also explicitly stated that bar provision in the Union will not be removed completely.
In the written explanation of the plans he stated: “Junction could become a great bar. The only reason that it is not being labelled as a bar is because it will be so much more, with a nice atmosphere and a good provision of food and non-alcoholic drinks.” He also defended the proposed downsizing of Solus, claiming: “The way the plans are, if students do still want to go out every night of the week we will have provision for that. “The capacity might be slightly less, but the provision is still there.” Continued on page 4
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