UCL UNION recently dropped the bombshell that it is planning to take over the ULU building. The news caused outrage among University of London students who are sceptical that the ULU building could house UCL Union while still providing decent services and facilties for other UoL students.
But if the bid is successful, what does the future hold for current Union buildings? Although few students have an attachment to the labyrinthine 25 Gordon Street with its narrow corridors and cramped bars, Huntley Street is an important venue for UCL medics.
However, it is rumoured that Huntley Street faces closure and plans to turn the building into student accommodation are recorded in a College planning statement. But medical students are determined not to let their Union go down without a fight. “It’s where we live”, said one third year. “College may have a problem on its hands if it closes”. And the problem won’t just be with enraged students. One medic pointed out that forcing RUMS and UCL Union sports teams to share a building would College are already unpopular with medical students after they renamed RFCUMS as the rather bland UCL Medical School. Although the decision was supposedly made by a joint staff-student committee most medics were unaware of the change until they returned in September. Medics have consquently been left feeling that their opinion counts for nothing in College or the Union. This impression isn’t helped by Medical and Postgraduates Officer Billy Street, who refused to comment on College’s plans beyond saying that “Huntley Street is about to enjoy one of its best years in its recent history!”. And presumably one of its last!
At the recent RUMS General Meeting a motion was carried to promote more events at Huntley Street to prove its central role in the medical community as a social venue for both students and doctors. “We have an intensive course” added one student. “We’re crap company for anyone who’s not a medic. They should be grateful we’ve got a separate building!”