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Hallam University's Student Union

Sheffield Hallam's union

by Neil Welch

Neil checked out Hallam University's new union in the Drum and asks: "What is the role of a modern students' union?".

:: February 2002

Sheffield Hallam University's students' union moved into a new building, making use of the £17m lottery-funded structure that originally housed The National Centre for Popular Music.

The building, nicknamed 'The Drum', opens officially on 14 February and contains the union offices, as well as cafes, a shop and a computer centre. Upstairs, there are facilities for holding meetings, theatre productions and live music. It replaces the Nelson Mandela Building as the union's home.

The university paid £1.85m to Yorkshire Forward, an organisation that oversees development and regeneration projects in Yorkshire, for the building. Another £3.15m was spent on refurbishment.

Hallam student Alex Lewis, 20, said: "It's very nice. The old building was dark and dingy so I didn't go in much. It needed revamping."

"We are the watchdog in the marketplace of higher education"
Jamie Bristow, SU President, University of Sheffield

The University of Sheffield Union of Students building also boasts excellent facilities, including bars, nightclubs and advice centres. It won the Club Mirror 2004 Students' Union of the Year award.

So what is it that draws students to their unions and sets these establishments apart from commercial organisations? The University of Sheffield's SU president, Jamie Bristow, believes the unions are successful because they are directly accountable to the students.

"Advice is a lot better coming from our centres. We are a lot more impartial than the university. We are the only body who can make sure the students are treated fairly.

"We are the watchdog in the marketplace of higher education."

This idea of welfare, he says, permeates all the union's enterprises: "Our bars are different because student welfare comes above profits."

Chris Franc, President of Hallam Union, says profits are used to the students' benefit: "We are one of the few self-sufficient students' unions in the country. The income we gain from our commercial areas goes directly into providing opportunities for students."

The inside of the Union

Striking a balance

He says the union is now trying to serve both students and the wider community: "A students union is a member's club, and our main point is to ensure that our members are satisfied. But at the same time, we need to look towards the outside and the rest of the community.

"We haven't asked for an NUS card in the daytime from anyone, and we want people to come in and use our new facility."

The official opening week of the Hallam University Building boasts public events ranging from an art exhibition to a Bollywood dance workshop.

The cliche of cheap alcohol and NUS-only nightclubs is only the tip of the student union iceberg. Profits from these enterprises sustain other areas of the union that would otherwise struggle to stay solvent.

Kat Fletcher, President of the National Union of Students, said: "Students' unions form the collective voice of the student body. They will represent you by taking your problems to the university or college administration and representing your views at college meetings. They make sure that the student voice is heard at every level.

"A union will also have trained staff and student officers to help their students in many different ways, from finding accommodation or part-time work to giving advice on contraception. It is also the place to be for partying till dawn, eating, drinking and generally having fun."

Jon Chowdhury, 24, a student at The University of Sheffield, said: "I see the Union as a trouble-shooter, a place for students to take their grievances. On top of this, it provides affordable entertainment for its members."

Balancing these roles is a crucial task for any modern student union and its officers.

last updated: 11/06/2008 at 10:32
created: 09/02/2005

Have Your Say

What do you think of the new use for the Drum?

s
NMB was over priced and the drum has continue the trend the idea of a student union is to have some where were student can afford to go it may be cleaner and SHU may of need the space of the NMB but this is horrible all the music are DJ why not introduce local uni bands allthough i have not been comment form my friends that go to SHU say sheffield union is nicer and more student go there. the drum was mainly lottery fund and now it is segreated for only one section of society

JEFF
i had many a good night in the NMB, cheap and cheerful while the bar at the NCPM was always empty - do not diss the NMB - it was skummy but there was a lot off fun had there

JW
I went into this place when there were nights on for everyone in Sheffield and I had a great time - I'm just sorry that I wont be able to get in as I'm not a student of SHU.

Adam Saunderson
I graduated 6 years ago from SHU, and in all my time there I rarely went into the student union. Had the new venue been the student union at the time, I would probably have been in there more frequently. I think it's a great idea - it was a shame to let such a great looking structure go to waste.

Dudley
I think the place is best used for something like this, least if all goes to plan the place won't close because of lack in attractions, it was opened originally as an interactive music experience, it then turned into a music museum which is what it didn't want to be, now it's time to see the building being used to it's full potential, and it's an eye catcher from the ground and above!

A. Student
Does anybody else think that the above article is a touch confusing and almost seems to merge the 2 universities (and their unions) in to one?

Dai
I have noticed that the "recent graduate" that has commented further down the page can't spell.

dewi
I'm at the proper uni and I visited the other union, but it was a bit junk so I left. Their jumpers were cheaper though.

Jimbo
I think it's good that none of the students like the new venue - maybe they'll stay at home and learn to spell Queue properly.

William
I was a postgraduate student at Sheffield Hallam, and come from Taiwan. I am glad to hear this news. It mean that new generation have new place to use.

Amanda McColl
Looks very good.

Dan
I used to be a student at Sheffield Hallam, the old union was a dingy ses pit and the floors were always stick. I feel deprived that i never had the chance to have iot as my union :(

Martin
As a recent Graduate i am disgusted (and was at the time) that this all went ahead. Over two years late, over budget and leaving in a worse and more impersonal venue than the old nmb was with the HUB and WORKS, Yes it was dingy but having spent all that money only a few years ago tarting up the downstairs then to move and knock it down only a year or too after revamp is blooming rediculus... is this where our "tution fees" go? If it had been a highstreet business then they would now be in dire straights (no, not the song). And as an ex-stardust man i am seriously not amused by the queues (used to be bad at times, this is worse all the time), the prices (as always) and the toilet availability is worse than before. Spacewise i believe that SHU-U Exec. need to sit down with students and decide exactly what it is they need to do to get people through the door HAPPY! After all, this is the UNION and not a highstreet bar, they say they are there to accomodate students and deal with their needs.... let see them do it then!!

Robbie M
As a former student SHU, I think it's a total waste of money to be spent on a set of "rodents", and the structure would have been better off being given to the people of Sheffield.

Kelly C
far too expensive for me i have no money and couldnt possibly afford these prices !!!

Oliver
I'm a first year student at Sheffield Hallam and I hope the new union will launch a gay night and cater for other audiences!

Kal
It is such a shame, here we have millions of pounds going to projects, yet nothing for those in the deprived areas of Sheffield. Yes the University has a new union, but it does nothing for the citizens who suffer when these students have gone to London to look for work.

What a Joke!
There is no point going there for a night out. All your night will involve is queuing and queuing. Its far too small and the toilet situation is beyond a joke. What were they thinking when they planned this place?

Shari Weller
looks and soudns nice: I'd love to somehow or sometime walk into a neat place like that:

bradders
I haven't even bothered going yet because everyone ive spoken to said how crap it is! I used to go every week to NMB now i've got nowhere to strutt my stuff. sort it out, lower the prices and give us blondies somewhere to pull!!

Simon
Firstly, im impressed with the amount of effort gone into our new union, it looks very good...but....Sheff1...the opening night...what a disaster. The doors were due to open at 9.30 or so we were told...why were we still there queuing at 10.15...money...get everyone in after 11 and charge them £4.50...its all about profit now even though unions are supposed to be no none profit making organisations. What is going on? The upstairs is a joke, the cheese room containing 260ish people, indie room 250ish and the remaining 300 or so expected to stand outside or in the barely used chill out room....get a grip. Designate two rooms for teeny boppers and the other as an indie room with the chill out area in the middle. And this in one door out the other... I know fire regulations play a part but this is surely going to instigate problems. I think a bit of a rethink is in order

Rachel
I think the new union is ok but it could do with tv's and pool tables. Moist was a good night but we want live bands and a bigger bar...do something about the queues too, and intorduce a smoking area for the daytime...that really is a joke

mike
queing?? dude, bars are for drinking, clubs are for dancing. Shud of given money to a more worthy cause....

Sarah Kingfisher
Really not impressed with the new union there is a distinct lack of talent ! The rooms are too small the food is awful the queues are ridiculous and the capacity is a joke! bring back the NMB- im starting a petition !!

Michelley
I love our new students union! The NMB was out of date and either so bright you were blinded or pitch black, not much fun on a night out. Although I have to say, there's not as much room as I though there'd be. I think prices are ok, but not the best in town

Chickey Nee
Once again Hallam falls behind the rest of the University community, purchasing an already failed venue. Why did they think they could do what Poptastic/Insomniacz/Exhileration couldn't, and actually fill it. And people apparently urinating on the floor- believe me i'll be going no where near it and making sure my counterparts don't either - remember people we are students - not tramps!

René Seren
Congratulations to "Sheffield Hallam University" for offering the students a clean,safe & pleasant environment.Students contribute to the economy of the city & jobs are created for local folks.Many students are involved in community` action because they care about others in this city. It is comforting to know that EVERYONE is welcome at "THE HUBS" including local people.

Jellie
Not only did it open way after it was scheduled to but its small, costly and a waste of time queing all night so there is no time to appretiate the facilities. Come back NMB all is forgiven.

Frustrated
Problems, Licence caps to about 230 per room. Smaller clubs in Sheff have a larger capacity. Two rooms with dancefloors, different music in each (good for a change of style) 'Live' room with no licence to dance!! A stage that can't be used it looks to be 5ft tall!! People standing in line every where. Looks nice but not a good venue for its job. Wouldn't have been cheeper to knock it down and build from scratch something that could be used.

Big Barney
Wossup!!! I like the union its super cool!! How about a cocktail night?? I would love to get my cocktail dress on and party away with a cool long island ice tea!!

Rebecca Morgan
Not very impressed. Whilst it's all nice and new and shiny, it's small and lacks the atmosphere of the NMB. Also, the weekly rock night (Re-Volt) has been confined to one room, as the union seems to see it as a "waste of time" and refuse to promote it. I can see the union becoming very unpopular, when there are clubs like Kingdom, Corporation and the other union offering better nights, cheaper drinks and no queues!!!

Adam Ducker
Bring back NMB! I'm missing Stardust (what's Pop Factory when it's home?!) and Sheff1 NMB style. it's too small, too much queing and whilst i havn't seen it myself yet, im not surprised people are p*****g on the floor! that whole coming out and having to queue again is stupid!

Kathy Bean
I am very impressed with the re-use of the unique building, it is easy to get to by train, bus and foot and I can't wait to see more live bands there

Anthony Steel
No Smoking Building? A No Smoking Building.....Now fair play for all this lets ban smoking in a pubs and all that... but Im at University and surely a big part of being a student is being hippy with my feedom of choice.

rachel
wot a waste of time!complete rubbish.the bar is far too small and too expensive.you have to que for most of the nite.que when uve been to the toilet.y are there no toilets in the pods.que for expensive drinks upstairs.wot has happened here.if its a students union why are they letting anyone is? overall a waste of time.come back nmb we love u!

Barry Jones
The use of the new union is good, the only fault i can comment on is it needs pool tables!

ATL
I was bitterly disappointed with the new union!!! The layout upstairs is especially poor! Its an absolute joke actually!!! We qued for an hour and a half just to get into the building, then once through the main doors, qued again. Then qued upstairs at the bar, then qued to get into a pod (thats where the music and dancefloor is), then qued to get back into a pod once you have been to the toilet!!!! No wonder I saw people urinating at the side of the dance-floor!!!! I really cant believe how much they have ruined mine and so many other people's saturday nights! Its just a waste! Bring back Sheff1 at the NMB anyday!!! Last saturday was the first and last time that I will be going to the new union! Its probably the worst venue in Sheffield!!!!!!!!!!!

Rich K
I saw people urinating in the corner of the most popular pod last saturday. i think that says it all about not having toilets in the pods. Students want cheap and cheerful, thats what the NMB was.

David Teese
Its better than the last one, but its still a dump! And its still not as good as Sheffield union.

lollygirl
didn't like the look of the mile long queue so went to hotpants instead. says a lot when a third year can't get into their own union!!!

S. Johnson
I think it will be good but they should introduce a gay night. There wasn't a gay at the old hub.

Barney Lord
I really like the new layout! It is a bit small and i would like to see pink used a bit more in deceration but i think it will be really funky! Me and my dancing queens will definitely be dancing the night away there most weekends

Gav
Bring Back the old building! It was a nice idea to move to the new union but in practice it just isnt working. Downstairs Bar - How many students go to our uni and the size of the bar is not proportionate. Queuing - For everything. Prices - Have gone up. and not just by a few pence either. It was a good idea in theory but the people who planned the layout and logistics of the HUBS need to go back to the drawing board.

Neil
Load of rubbish. Que for this, que for that, oh and que for that aswell. u cant open a venue and expect people to re-que just because they went to toilet! the rooms are too small, need same music in two rooms to satisfy the larger user group. and change that chill out room to the alternative room as there is plenty of sitting space in the massive middle bit. its ridiculous that people are expected to que for an hour, it human nature to need the toilet! let people in gradually from earlier on. Intrestingly the drink prices have gone up too! Its a students union - supposed to be cheap. space is quite literally wasted. Sort ot out, its really is a good opportunity to make it great!

Stuart Johnson
It will be a great place where I can make friends and hopefully people of the opposite sex!!!

Adam P
Get some pool tables in there, and the organisers of sheff one need to have a huge rethink on the layout and the queueing situation.

me
only prob i can c is the upstairs n queueing 2 get in the pods. it nt particuarly expensive...teesides union is more so.

Kate E
Very Nice however far too small, expensive and forever in a queue at the new Sheff1. Such a let down.

Jimbob
Stay tuned if you're wanting TVs in the new union... they're on order and should be here soon! The union ain't finished yet

emma, nicky and gary
* ques are far too long to get in, and to get into each pod. * not good that there are no toilets in the pods as you have to que to get back in. * only one person on the till when going into the club, has big effect on the ques. * should be able to que inside when weather is too cold. * far too expensive to get in. * no offers on drinks. *bad layout upstairs * no pool tables or T.V * too small

Keith Roberts
The new union building is very nice but I have heard that it is open to the general public as well as Hallam students. If this is the case then it is nota students union bar!!!!

James Delaney (Del)
Nice looking bar, HOWEVER and this is a huge however! The bar is very cool but very small at the same time, it would be great if there was a cool bar and a pub in the same place... Simply put get rid of the computers and make another pub. More on social than academic, its the union after all not the adsetts centre!

Jenny Hewitt
its great what is being done now, the previous ncpm was a total failure and now its up to hallam to make it successful!

Ed
oh dear!

Andy
As nice as it looks inside, all that students are bothered about is somewhere cheap to eat and drink, and this is not it. Bar is too small, needs the big t.v's from the old place, but can't as the bar is a strange shape ith too many pillars in thw way. Overall i was dissapointed, i prefer cheap over nice.

Sarah Fullwood
Can't wait to go back after my placement year to see what looks like the trendiest Student's Union in the country!!!!!

Andrew O
I think this is a great use for an otherwise derelict building to add to the many in Sheffield, the old union was in need of a rework, and this sets a benchmark for others around the country, and I look forward to using this in the near future!

ANON
although it maybe a cliche its a shame that its an expensive place to drink, and as a student id expect my union to be a place where i could go as one of my 1st ports of call and sadly its jus too expensive for it to be so.

NMB!!!!
We had enough trouble fitting students in the last place, so why on earth would they move to somewhere smaller!!!

John Smith
Bar is too small!!!!!!!!!!

Mr T-Reks
Nice idea shame about the the upstairs layout and capacity.

kaykobad
i think to much money went into some thing that will not cater for many students,

Christopher Graham
I'm a from Sheffield and a mature full time student at SHU. Therefore, I am very pleased to see the building back in commission also it is another impressive facitily for Sheffield Hallam students.

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Sheffield Hallam's union

:: February 2002

Striking a balance

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