University unveils new plans to enhance landmark building

The University has announced a major new building project to further enhance a campus landmark to benefit staff and students.

The project will see the refurbishment of University House, which will then be integrated with our award winning Students’ Union. It follows on from the hugely successful redevelopment of the Students’ Union last year and will give us a new and exciting space with top class services and facilities for staff, students and visitors in a single visionary building.

The new and integrated building will be designed to meet the needs of everyone on campus. Renamed the Students’ Union building, it will help create a strong sense of community and belonging at the heart of the campus for both staff and students.

The University is committed to ensuring that any disruption is kept to a minimum during refurbishment work, which is expected to start during summer 2012.

A number of University Professional Services departments will be affected by the building work, including the services currently on level six of University House and Accommodation and Commercial Services’ catering facilities. The majority of Students’ Union services will be open for business as usual.

It is expected that for the duration of the building work, services currently on level six will operate from Edgar Allen House, next to New Spring House, on Glossop Road. This will include the Taught Programmes Office, Registry Services, and Student Support and Guidance as well as the Department of Finance’s Income and Cash Office. The Student Services Information Desk (SSID) will remain in its existing location in the Students’ Union. Meanwhile, Accommodation and Commercial Services will ensure there is continuity of service by improving facilities in Firth Court and at The Edge.

Dr Philip Harvey, Registrar and Secretary, said: “The Students’ Union lies at the heart of campus life for staff and students alike and it is a pleasure to work in partnership with the Students’ Union and its officers on this next stage in its evolution. I am excited that the project will see a new and improved University House come together with the Students’ Union in a way that will not only enhance the student experience but also the working lives of the wider University community for many years to come.”

The new building will be home to a number of complementary services and facilities, provided by the Students’ Union, the University and private operators. It will include student services and space for student activities as well as shops, cafes, bars and restaurants, spaces for the whole University community to share and improved accessibility for disabled students and visitors.

The new facility confirms the extent of the University´s commitment to the quality of both the staff and student experience and will represent a major enhancement to the centre of the University’s campus.