Student Union critcise Hub move

by Persia Shahkarami and Lucy Doyle

Plans to move the Student Hub to new location in Holborn have been criticised by the Student Union, who are calling for more student led galleries and spaces for the UAL student community.

Due to Crossrail plans, the Hub will be moving from Davies Street to a new building in Holborn by March next year.

According to the Students’ Union, a joint vision was agreed with the university that the new Hub would be: “A physical place where students can come together as part of a university community to receive help and advice; to work, learn, exchange ideas, be inspired, socialise and have fun.”

Societies May Fold

However, the Students’ Union believe that this commitment is not being met by the university, as the proposed new building in Holborn has space for only 23 members of staff, and will not be able to accommodate space for facilities such as studio space and learning zones.

James Burden, the union's activities and volunteering officer said: “We have no facilities [at the current location], granted, but what we do have, we can't lose. So many of our societies will have to fold if we do not get at least an activities studio in the new Hub.”

Helen Gimber, Student Union president said: "For years we've been fighting for this. We've told them again and again that they need to get what the students want. We're repeatedly being ignored."

Headquarters

Will Bridge, the deputy rector, told Arts London News: “There are no concrete plans for office space or accommodation arrangements within the High Holborn building yet, but our planning assumption is that we will be providing the same number of Students Union workstations there, as they use here - if not more - depending on discussions which start once the project board managing the new site has had its meeting."

He added: “At present, our plans for the space in the building is that it should contain a combination of university administrative headquarters, LCF, language centre, Students Union, student support, and learning zone facilities, but precise arrangements have yet to be devised and consulted upon.

“One element of our proposals will certainly be a café/bar like the current one, and also an activities studio. So we do not envisage cut backs in student facilities – on the contrary."