Being that it's one of the biggest changes to the uni and student opportunities for input within the uni in a long while, there's some work going on here to write a relatively comprehensive piece on the work being done on Hughes Plaza over the next year. As part of this, I'll be interviewing Paul Duldig of Property Services in a couple of weeks. If anyone has any questions that they'd like me to ask, leave them in the comments or email them to me privately and I'll see what I can do.
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I'd be keen to get a handle on where they're looking for 'inspiration'. It's all a bit airy fairy at the moment -could Duldig provide us with some examples of similar recent developments on campuses interstate or overseas?
There's also that thorny issue of whether universities should allow franchises onto campus (Subway, Boost Juice, Hudsons etc). I'd suggest that the majority of students actually *want* these stores on campus instead of poorly-managed generic cafes and refectories, because franchises can offer higher quality product at lower prices. But you have that vocal minority who will protest what they see as the 'overcommercialisation of campus'. I'm wondering whether the plan is for more generic outlets in Hughes, or whether the uni is planning to bring in 'branded' food and bev?
Awesome. Thanks for that, Connor.
At the moment it feels like we're going to be the only under-30s with input on this. Maybe the AUU crowd are just figuring that they don't need to bother, seeing as they'll probably have people on the committees. *sigh*
Hey Conner and Maelenna,
Just so you know Maelenna, the AUU Board (both the 2009 and 2010 boards) had an extensive meeting with Property Services regarding this development a couple of weeks ago, where we got to hear their proposal and ask questions etc. I’m pretty confidant that this will not be the last bit of consultation the AUU has with Property Services regarding this development, but I daresay that the current efforts to consult with the student body were poorly timed, and – speaking only for myself here – I know that I couldn’t have gone to the sessions due to exams and assignments. So here’s to hoping that Property Services actually try to engage with the student body at a more appropriate time. I think the AUU crowd will continue to take a keen interest in this development.
Connor, I can only speak from a personal perspective, but I’m definitely not opposed to food and beverage franchises on campus – anything to provide more options, at cheaper prices than the currently appalling food coming out of the Mayo. My only concern with the incorporation of commercial/retail outlets is a space issue – a large part of the funding from this project came from the federal government, and is designed to be used to fund the development of ‘student’ space – I don’t consider student space to include commercial outlets who will be paying rent to someone (the University perhaps?) Furthermore, at the moment, Property Services are telling us that they expect approx. ten percent of this newly developed space to be commercial outlets, but they cannot provide an approximate figure for exactly how much space in squared metres. I can’t imagine many people would be opposed to commercial outlets on campus – everyone loves choice. However, when Property Services can’t tell us how much of this new ‘student’ space will be reserved for commercial purposes, or where the revenue from such businesses will go, that’s when I take issue.
As I didn’t get all of them answered during the AUU meeting with Property Services, there are several questions I’d love answered:
1. How much actual space will be reserved for commercial outlets?
2. Where does the revenue go from commercial rent?
3. Will there be more consultation with students in the New Year, given that the majority of the current student body will not be around to see this redevelopment?
4. Where will the various businesses/departments located within the Hughes Plaza area be relocated?
5. Is the current timeline feasible?
6. How do Property Services envisage this working as a 24-hour accessible space?
That should do for now :)
Kim Dowling
AUU Board Director, 2010
Thanks, Kim. I was aware of the session, in fact, I was at it, and asked a number of questions there. This interview's happening because I was frustrated by the number of unanswered questions I had at the end of that session.
I'm adding your questions into my list now. You should hear back on them in a week or so.