Union General Meeting (31st Jan 2006)
Societies Storage and Space
Proposed by: Carl Nuttal (Societies Officer)
Seconded by: Adam Stevenson (Societies Officer)
This union notes:
(i) The increasing number of societies at the University.
(ii) The lack of storage space for societies.
(iii) The problems experienced by societies in booking large spaces on campus suitable for meeting, rehearsal, teaching and performance.
This union further notes:
(i) That the University’s 2005/2006 prospectus implies that the Dixon Drama Theatre in Wentworth is available for student societies to use as practice, teaching and rehearsal space.
(ii) That the Dixon Theatre Studio is not in fact available for general society use.
(iii) That Vanbrugh Dining Hall is still not available for practical use by societies, despite the ‘Free V’ campaign, and representations made by the Students’ Union.
(iv) The Sports Centre.
This union believes:
(i) That York’s societies are an integral part of student life.
(ii) That the lack of space is detrimental to societies’ ability to provide a service to students.
(iii) That lack of space, both for storage and practice, impedes the continuing growth and development of societies.
(iv) That these problems are becoming increasingly acute.
(v) That the lack of space on campus is beginning to raise serious questions as to the viability of certain student societies.
(vi) That the University should not mislead potential students in its prospectus.
(vii) That the University should not promise facilities that are not in fact available for general use.
This union further believes:
(i) That after the Higher Education Bill 2003 and the advent of top-up fees, Higher Education is increasingly regarded as a market, with institutions competing for applications.
(ii) The wider student experience is a primary consideration for students when choosing a Higher Education institution.
(iii) The wide variety of student societies in York have the potential to be an indispensable and ‘unique selling point’ for the University in the Higher Education market.
(iv) Both now, and increasingly in the future, it is in the interest of the University in both its admissions marketing and its wider prestige to facilitate the development and growth of its societies.
(v) That the only way to facilitate the society’s growth and development is to provide more space in both the short and long term for both storage as well as meetings and rehearsals.
This union resolves:
(i) To mandate the Services Officer to make representations to the Sports Centre with a view to securing minimal charges for society usage.
(ii) To mandate the President, Services Officer, Societies Offices and Campaigns Officer to seek a resolution to the problems in booking and using Vanbrugh Dining Hall.
(iii) To mandate the Societies Officers and Services Officer to approach the University with a view to negotiating the use of the Dixon Theatre Studio by societies.
(iv) To mandate the Societies Officers to conduct regular reviews of society storage and space needs in both the short and long term and mandate appropriate Officers to present these needs to the University.
(v) To mandate the President to relay the concerns of the student body, contained within this motion, to the University, and report back to the student body.
