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Issue 1207 Tuesday 2 March 2010 www.thecourieronline.co.uk
FREE
A.WILSON
Union to undergo ÂŁ8 million makeover Work scheduled to get underway in November Samantha Hockney Newcastle University’s Students’ Union building is set for a multimillion pound redevelopment as part of the University’s continued campus overhaul. Renovation work for the ÂŁ8 million project is scheduled to commence on 1 November 2010, with the Union’s services being relocated to Park Terrace and the Museum of Antiquities while the building is closed. The project is expected to take around ten months to complete with the building to reopen in time for Freshers’ Week 2011. It is hoped the redevelopment will help shift the perception of the Union from a purely social environment to a place where students can also seek advice, participate in activities outside of their degree and enhance their overall student experience. Richard Dale, the University’s Executive Director of Finance, has put his full backing behind the scheme. He said: “I think we’ll come out of this with a really good Students’ Union – ÂŁ8 million will get you quite a lot. “Different people have got different options, which is why it’s been a long time coming. We are making choices that we’re going to be stuck with for a long time and we need to get it right.â€? The new plans will see a major change to the interior layout, making it easily accessible and more open-plan.
2Q WKH WRS à RRU WKHUH ZLOO EH D QHZ cutting-edge social learning area, similar to YourSpace in the Robinson Library, with new computer cluster areas and a branded coffee bar. 7KH PLGGOH à RRU ZLOO JURXS WR JHWKHU WKH $FWLYLWLHV 2IÀ FH 6&$1 the Athletic Union as well as all of the Union’s student media outlets LQFOXGLQJ 7KH &RXULHU 1HZFDVWOH Student Radio and Newcastle Television. A new dedicated space for partWLPH RIÀ FHUV ZLOO DOVR EH GHYHORSHG to assist in activities such as campaigning, RAG and Freshers’ Week. The space currently occupied by Men’s Bar will become a representation and democracy area after the redevelopment, co-located with adYLFH VHUYLFHV DV ZHOO DV WKH RIÀ FHV for the Union President, Education DQG :HOIDUH 2IÀ FHUV 0HDQZKLOH &RFKUDQH /RXQJH DQG 5LMRV ZLOO EH converted into the new Union shop. Downstairs, the site of the current shop will be transformed into a modern bar and catering area, linked with the Basement which will become more of a multi-functioning social space used for both day and night activities. The new design will also be wheelchair-friendly, with a new disabled access planned straight from King’s Road. The initial plans for the new Union KDYH EHHQ KHDYLO\ LQà XHQFHG E\ UH VXOWV IURP VWXGHQW VXUYH\V RIÀ FHUV and focus groups. Continued on page 6
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Three in a row: Team Newcastle FHOHEUDWH UHFRUG 6WDQ &DOYHUW ZLQ Back page and eight-page souvenir pull-out
Inside today >>>
Smart to take drugs?
A tale of two cities?
World changing designs
Electronic art
A top Newcastle University philosopher has questioned the use of legal ‘smart drugs’ after a Cambridge professor warned of their use News, page 5
Laura Heads argues that Gateshead would be lost without its bigger neighbour Newcastle after the 1NG scheme receives criticism Comment, page 9
Rachel Walsham lists her ten most LQĂ€ XHQWLDO GHVLJQHUV LQ IDVKLRQ today including Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen Life & Style, page 14
The Culture Arts team previews the North East’s biggest electronic arts event, the AV Festival, which is set to take place this month Culture, page 22-23