Editorial comment
Beit redevelopment is long overdue
Imperial College is ranked in the top four UK universities and the top 15 in the world. From next year, many of its students will be paying £3000 per year in tuition fees, while those from overseas will pay well over £10,000. A students’ union with good social and recreational facilities is essential to building a vibrant university community in which students can both learn and enjoy themselves. For all these reasons and more, the outdated facilities in Beit Quad must be redeveloped and brought into the 21st century.
The exact specifics of the redevelopment are to be considered over the coming months. All students should be encouraged to find out more and submit feedback via the Union website – not only because their views are important, but also so that they know they are part of the process.
It is crucial that Imperial College Union provides facilities that are useful and events that are appealing, all together in a building that its students can be proud of. If the Union is confident, dedicated to the task and willing to make big changes – and if the College can be persuaded to part with the cash – then there is no reason why our Union building cannot become the envy of the rest of the higher education world.
Transport trouble could cut student activity
It is totally understandable that each section of the Imperial College community must lose parking spaces during the Southside rebuilding project, when 98 spaces will be out of use. But how can it be fair that departments and faculties face cuts of around one third when Imperial College Union faces a 60% reduction?
Student activities at Imperial depend on transport to a large extent, especially considering the central London location of the main campus. The Union’s minibuses are frequently used, most often by sports teams, and their relocation will cause considerable delay and inconvenience to club members in their already busy schedules.
Extra-curricular activities produce well-rounded, employable students. Without sufficient transport, participation will become far more difficult. Unfortunately, it would seem that the College does not realise how important these activities are.
Saving Southside: location, location, location
Less space in the new Southside building means no room for a new Southside Bar. Campaigners have already made significant progress in persuading the authorities that there is enough demand for a new bar, but on a campus where there is already intense demand for space, the problem of finding a location has proved a major difficulty.
Now, however, it appears that a suitable spot in South Kensington may have been found. Whilst we would not wish to ‘jinx’ the process by revealing the location or saying that the deal is done, we are optimistic that students’ efforts in campaigning for a new bar will be rewarded soon.
Visit www.felixonline.co.uk in the coming weeks for further developments on this and other stories.
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The next issue of Felix will be published in late September. Any comments, questions or contributions should be directed to the usual address: felix@ic.ac.uk.
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