Building Matters!

“Before the summer of 2009, due to a number of changes within the university the students’ association became aware of a potential move of premises to the building which currently houses the library. This was strongly opposed by the executive committee of the day along with a vast number of students, and as such an Extraordinary General Meeting was called to discuss and condemn the plans.

One outcome of this was the setting up of monthly workshops between university Estates Management and the Executive Committee – workshops which transcended executives. At the second of these workshops, we were tasked with the creation of a detailed business plan on the creation of a new dedicated students’ association, which in keeping with the policy passed at EGM was to be based at the heart of campus and did not see the loss of any current services.

What followed was an intensive three month process for the executive and staff in the creation of the business plan, including detailed financial forecasts, a detailed analysis of current service provision and a vision for the future, potential designs, and a detailed SWOT analysis. Originally the university had suggested the plan may run to twenty pages; the end result ran to 80 complete with numerous appendices.

This plan was eventually presented to the university’s Estates Committee then Court, and at both times was granted, meaning for the first time in years the students’ association were given definite and long tern guarantee on the development of new premises.”

Philip Whyte, USSA President 2009-2010