Opinion split over new SU building

The new Student Union has received a mixed reception among the Warwick Student body this week.

The Union building, which opened significantly later than promised, includes a number of new outlets, including an extension to the already-established Dirty Duck pub, which has been christened “The Snug”.

One of the most noteworthy additions to the Union is the Terrace Bar. It has been described by Student Union organisers as a “stylish, cool, contemporary new socialising space… providing the ideal place to relax and meet friends old and new”.

However, one second-year French student told the Boar that he feels this description is “absolute nonsense.

“It might be contemporary, but giving a place a copper-coloured ceiling does not instantly make it stylish and cool and certainly does not justify the heinous prices. £4 for a cocktail might be acceptable in the City, but for a so-called student bar, it’s just ridiculous”.

A second-year English student added, “It’s always, always full – I refuse to pay those prices to be deprived of my own personal beanbag and be forced to sit outside on those picnic-esque benches.”

Opinions of the Terrace Bar have not been entirely negative, however, with one first-year History and Politics student saying, “I think it’s splendid. It’s exactly the environment I’d wish to spend my spare time in – the prices seem reasonable and atmosphere is fantastic.”

Curiositea has been hailed as the venue for non-drinking students who wish to live their lives at a slower pace than the standard student.

Reaction has been mostly positive to the new campus tea shop, with one third-year engineering student saying, “It’s fantastic and exactly the kind of place I was hoping for from the new Union. The idea of having a tea shop as opposed to another bar, or worse, nothing at all, is great. I’m so pleased about it.”

Comments have been made however, about slow service and lack of space. According to one second-year history student, “It took me about half an hour to get served the other day, it’s ridiculous, I only wanted a cup of tea!

“And when I eventually got my long-awaited tea, there was absolutely nowhere to sit. It’s so disappointing – Curiositea had so much promise and yet the idea that it would be a rather quaint place to be is ridiculous – it’s all very well having a couple of traditional cups and saucers hanging up, but that hardly makes it a vintage teashop.’

King Edward’s Potato Emporium, the smallest fixture of the new Union, promises that what it lacks in size, “…it will certainly make up for in quality!

“With an incredible range of fillings to suit every potato worshipper, the Team will be on hand every weekday lunchtime to fill that gap in your life and tummy, without making a deep hole in your pocket”.

However, it has been greeted with a lukewarm reception. A fourth-year maths student said, “When I first saw the new potato place, I thought it was a joke.

“It’s all very well calling a place ‘small, but perfectly formed’ but it is simply beyond small – how on earth can a literal desk with a few potatoes on it justify the title of Emporium?”

However, there are a number of students pleased with the potato bar. One third-year classics student said, “It’s great. Yes, it may be tiny but it’s sensibly priced – even cheap – and the potatoes themselves are delicious. It’s really nice to have somewhere a bit different to get lunch from. It really makes a positive change.”

The Union, which cost around £18 million to build, has been met with a variety of reactions by students of different years. The Boar spoke to two third-year physics students about their opinions and whilst both felt that it was good that the Union was up and running at long last, they said, “It’s not very student-y, is it? It’s more like an extension of the Arts Centre or something.”

They added, “Overall, the prices are too steep for a place that is supposed to be for students and the atmosphere is hardly lively.” Another student commented, “The old Union was far better – far more traditional and I felt much more at home there. I don’t hate this Union at all, but I just feel it could have been more aimed at students.”

A first year Drama student, however, told the Boar that she liked the building very much, “I came to Warwick not knowing what to expect when I got here.

“Obviously it was a disappointment that we were without any Union for the first term but it’s fantastic to have it here now.

“It’s a really lovely space, with some great outlets – I love spending time here and feel really at home. I suppose it does look a bit like a village hall, but I’m sure it will grow on me as time progresses – and the rest of the student body, too.”

### Union says

“I’m really pleased about the reception it’s had, on the whole.” “I went in at 10am on the first day of opening and people were already playing pool.” “There was definitely an immediate positive reaction. And, of course, we will work hard to alleviate any problems that may occur. I think it is a great success, however.”

*Isaac Newton Acquah* – SU Communications Officer