University of Bristol Union
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| Established | 1909 |
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| Institution | University of Bristol |
| President | Tobin Webb[1] |
| Other Sabbatical Officers | Ruth Jackson (Vice-President (Welfare) )
Rebecca Gordge (Treasurer) Jo Gilder (Communications & Campaigns) Dan Hewer (AU Chair) Adam Lewis (RAG Chair) Owen Peachey (Society Development Officer) Jen Roberts (SCA Coordinator) |
| Location | Queen's Rd, Clifton, Bristol, England |
| Members | c. 15,000 |
| Affiliated to | National Union of Students, Aldwych Group, National Postgraduate Committee, British Universities Sports Association |
| Homepage | www.ubu.org.uk |
The University of Bristol Union (UBU) is the students' union of Bristol University, England. It is among the oldest of the UK students' unions and was a founding member of the NUS. The Union claims to have the largest student union building in the country.[2]
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[edit] History
Former Union presidents have included the broadcaster, Sue Lawley, St Lucia's foreign minister and ambassador to the United Nations, George W. Odlum and Lembit Öpik[3] - Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats. The current UBU President is Tobin Webb.[1]
[edit] Location
The Union was originally housed in the grand Victoria Rooms on the corner of Queen's Road and Whiteladies Road.[4] Today this building houses Bristol University's music department. The current building stands on Queen's Road, Clifton. There are plans to move the Union from its current site to a more central location on the university's main precinct. This would involve merging the computer centre and main library into the new building which may cost up to £150,000,000.
[edit] Facilities
The current Union is one of the largest students' union buildings in Great Britain. It houses the Anson Rooms (a large concert hall); the Epicurean (Epi) Bar; Mandela Bar; Avon Gorge Bar; The Wicked Coffee and Juice Bar; the 200-seat Winston Theatre; the Burst Studio; Laundrette; Print Shop; Computer Room; Epigram (student newspaper) offices; various meeting rooms and society headquarters.
[edit] Fundraising
The Students' Union at Bristol plays host to one of the largest and most active RAGs (Raise and Give) in the country. Last year it raised over £194,000 for local, national and international charities, not only does Bristol RAG hold weekly street collections, but also runs many fundraising events over the year, including its Jailbreak (where students have 36 hours to get as far away from Bristol without spending any money as possible), the annual RAG Ball, a sponsored expedition to Kilimanjaro, and its now infamous BARMY Bar Crawl, which sees 1,500 students raise £7,500 in a single night.
[edit] Volunteering
UBU has a strong reputation for community engagement and voluntary work. Bristol Student Community Action (SCA) is a self-governing activity of UBU with over 30 student run community projects and around 1000 volunteers helping all over the city. In addition to running community projects SCA also organises a number of events such as the Kid’s Christmas Party, an Elderly Dinner Dance, and an SCA Week.
[edit] Socieities
The University of Bristol Union offers over 180 societies. Sport societies are the domain of the Athletic Union and are considered separate from UBU societies.
[edit] Business
[edit] Political
[edit] Religious
[edit] Arts
[edit] Campaigning
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[edit] Music
[edit] Physical
[edit] Cultural
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[edit] Departmental
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[edit] Activity
[edit] Food
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[edit] Bristol University Radio
| BURST (Bristol University Radio Station) | |
| City of license | Bristol |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Online |
| First air date | 1998 |
| Format | Music & Speech |
| Owner | University of Bristol Union |
| Website | www.burstradio.org.uk |
BURST or Bristol University Radio Station[5] is a student-run radio station, based in the University of Bristol broadcast online from the university's student union building,[6] and occasionally via FM[6] with a Restricted Service Licence. The station also holds an AM licence,[7] and plans to begin broadcasting on the frequency in the near future. The station also broadcasts on DAB digital radio.[7]
BURST was born out of Fresh FM, a station run jointly by students from Bristol University and the University of the West of England (UWE) in 1995.[8]
After Fresh FM ceased to exist, BURST FM was conceived by Bristol University students in 1997. When sufficient funds had been raised, a one month licence to broadcast on 106.6 FM was awarded for March 1998.[9] Housed in St Paul's Church in Clifton.[10]
However, the unavailability of further FM licences due to the launch of a new full time station (The Eagle, now renamed Star)[10] prevented further broadcasts. In early 2000 speakers were installed within the Union building, and broadcasts mounted for during Fresh (Bristol University's freshers' week) 2000. At the same time, a grant from the Alumni foundation allowed BURST to stream programming onto the internet around campus.[10]
An application was made for a further FM licence for Autumn 2000, the subsequent award of this meant that BURST was back on 106.6 FM.[10] An application was made for another one-month licence in Summer 2001. This licence was also awarded, as well as a subsequent one in November 2001.
Notable former broadcasters include the comedian Marcus Brigstocke, Classic FM's Nicola Bonn and GWR Bristol breakfast host Paris Troy.
[edit] Bristol Student Community Action
| Abbreviation | SCA |
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| Motto | eSCApe the student bubble |
| Formation | 1970 |
| Location | Bristol |
| SCA Co-ordinator | Jen Roberts |
| Parent organization | University of Bristol Union |
| Website | www.bristolsca.org.uk |
Bristol Student Community Action (SCA) is a self-governing activity of the University of Bristol Union (UBU). It has over 1000 members volunteering with over 30 student run projects in the local community. Projects involve helping disadvantaged children, helping out in schools, helping elderly people, the homeless, people with disabilities, refugees, environmental projects and various other community support services. SCA also runs a number of events throughout the year including SCA Week, the Kids Christmas Party, the Elderly Dinner Dance and the SCA Sleepout.
SCA is entirely student led, with an executive committee of students who decide on key issues affecting SCA. Each project has its own coordinator, leading a team of student volunteers who carry out the community work.
The SCA Co-ordinator is responsible for the smooth running of SCA and is a full time sabbatical officer elected by students in a cross campus ballot. In 2008/09 the SCA Co-ordinator is Jen Roberts.
[edit] Criticism
The Union has been criticised for its distance from the main university precinct and large halls of residence campus in Stoke Bishop.[11] A report of the Student Union's accounts in October 2007 revealed that the organisation is facing a cost deficit of over £70,000. This has been largely attributed to the ailing Union shop which has now been shut down pending a review of the service.[12] In December 2007 the General Manager of the Union, Keith Brackstone, unexpectedly resigned citing 'personal reasons'.[13]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b Epigram Online - Webb finally nets the presidency
- ^ Bristol University - Arrival in Bristol
- ^ Bristol University | The University | History of the University
- ^ Bristol University - The Victoria Rooms
- ^ http://www.burstradio.org.uk/about/what
- ^ a b BBC - Clubs and gigs in Bristol - Burst goes online
- ^ a b Media
- ^ http://www.burstradio.org.uk/about/history/
- ^ unofficial-guides.com - Bristol University
- ^ a b c d http://www.burstradio.org.uk/about/history
- ^ Epigram Online - Tyndall Avenue confirmed as new site for Students' Union building
- ^ Epigram Online - Union in £70k hole
- ^ Epigram Online - Union manager hands in
[edit] External links
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