Report on the Student Common Room

Graham Knight

Student Input

I received responses from four Student Representatives (attached). I hope the following is a fair summary of the views expressed.

Purpose

The majority view was that the room should be mainly for relaxation plus the more animated type of group discussion. It was felt that a combination of the library + vacant lecture rooms catered for the need for quiet study. Several responses mentioned the need for somewhere to eat snack lunches.

Size

As big as poossible, figures of "10% of the student body" and "about 30" were mentioned.

Location

There was a strong preference for somewhere central, preferably on the ground floor, and a strong antipathy to the remoteness of the current location. Windows would be welcomed. The gents toilet in the basement was felt to be a good position but suffered from undesirable historical associations.

Facilities

Coffee and tea making facilities are felt to be essential. A vending machine would be useful also.

Furnishings

The consensus seemed to be for a combination of easy chairs plus a few tables which would seat say six people. There was some support for a pool table.

Information from the Bursars Department

The bursars were asked about three possibilities. These, together with the responses are summarised below.

Improvement of existing facilities

This was included as it seemed likely to be the most cost-effective solution. The idea was to install coffe/tea-making facilities outside the existing common-room in the North Wing. The Bursars were not willing to do this - probably because such modifications might preclude the use of this area for other purposes in the future.

Conversion of the existing Research Library

The Bursars provided an estimate for the provision of a sink in the room - this was £1200. The full cost of conversion would be much greater than this as existing shelves etc would need to be removed etc. In addition there would be costs in converting another room into a research library.

Conversion of basement gents toilet

The Bursars would not countenance andd reduction of toilet facilities in the Pearson Building.

Summary

I think we are now much more clear about what is needed but less clear than ever about how it can be provided. The only option left seems to be the conversion of the research library but this seems to be very costly and provides a room which may prove to be too small. We would welcome feed-back from students as to whether the current research library is big enough to serve as a common room.