Changing times · Issue 869

Cardiff Students’ Union (CUSU) and Cardiff University have a busy year of renovation to look forward to.

With detailed plans being presented at Tuesday’s Student Council (13 May) for the Junction bar revamp, it is clear that CUSU is not afraid to change in order to make the best possible use of the space in the Students’ Union.

It’s good to see that this culture of improvement has been taken on by the University in its plans to refurbish the Graduate Centre in Summer 2008. Student consultation is clearly key for the developments in the Grad Centre, and provision has been made for wider student consultation.

Student consultation is also something that is being improved by the SU in its development of the final plans for the future of MedClub.

The MedClub redevelopment, a collaborative project between the Union and the University, has been ongoing since the merger of Cardiff University and the University of Wales College of Medicine in 2004. Since then gair rhydd has been reporting on the deadlock that has characterised discussions between students, the Union and the University over the future of MedClub.

Little has changed in the MedClub saga over the last two years, and insufficient student consultation has been cited as a major factor. An online survey is therefore hoped to reach more students on Healthcare courses and see some action up at MedClub.

Whatever the results, the redevelopment of MedClub will certainly take place this summer. It is therefore vital that students take this opportunity to influence the future plans of the building. An apathetic response may easily render the Union and the University unsympathetic to the pleas of students for a say in the matter.

The MedClub redevelopments are much more tangible for the student body because their results will be witnessed within a year. The plans are relevant to all students, but particularly students not in their last year.

It is important to emphasise, however, that even if plans will not directly affect you in the future, having your say in your University experience is a founding democratic principle of the Students’ Union. Your right to have a say in any changes is indisputable. It is absolutely key for the future of the SU that any changes that are made are made in the best interest of students – and who better to suggest the changes than the current students at Cardiff University.

As for the powers that be, consultation is all very well. But without direct action based on the results of that consultation, the Union is flouting the most basic rule of its constitution and the University is doing a disservice to its students. Consultation is vital and listening is imperative.

The next 12 months will be integral to the future of student services in Cardiff, from the future of Solus to the progress of the Graduate Centre. It is your responsibility, as students, to make your voice heard. Whinging when things don’t turn out right is far, far too late.

And let’s send out a clear message to next year’s Students’ Union executive: listening to the students will be the key to success in any planned redevelopments. Your responsibility is to listen to the 25,000 students of Cardiff University and hold the management of the University to account. Accomplish that and you’ll have proved yourself to every student that voted for you.