If your club or society is experiencing problems booking or accessing rooms on campus, we want to hear from you.
If your club or society is experiencing problems booking or accessing rooms on campus, we want to hear from you.
The SRC is aware of several issues affecting University room bookings this semester, including changes to building opening hours and existing bookings being moved to different rooms or buildings.
We're particularly keen to hear about issues affecting Zone 4 buildings, including the James McCune Smith Learning Hub (JMS), Boyd Orr Building and St Andrews Building.
Changes to building opening hours
The University has introduced changes to opening hours across several campus buildings, which may affect when clubs and societies can meet, rehearse or hold events.
The SRC opposed the changes to Zone 4 opening hours when they were announced and has continued to raise concerns with the University.
The following opening hours have been provided by the University:
Building | Core weeks | Holiday weeks |
JMS | Mon–Fri: 8am–9pm; Sat: 9am–5pm; Sun: 10am–5pm | Mon–Fri: 8am–8pm; Sat–Sun: 10am–5pm |
Boyd Orr | Mon–Fri: 8am–9pm | Mon–Fri: 8am–6pm |
St Andrews | Mon–Fri: 8am–9pm | Mon–Fri: 8am–6pm |
42 Bute Gardens | Mon–Fri: 8am–9pm | Mon–Fri: 8am–6pm |
Core weeks generally cover teaching, revision and exam periods. Holiday weeks have reduced opening hours. Weekend opening hours have not been provided for Boyd Orr, St Andrews or 42 Bute Gardens.
We have also been made aware of issues including:
- Existing society bookings being moved to different rooms or buildings.
- Difficulties accessing buildings for confirmed bookings.
- Student card/Salto access restrictions at the JMS affecting members attending society activities.
- Changes to opening hours limiting when societies can meet or hold events.
The SRC opposed the changes to Zone 4 opening hours when they were announced and has continued to raise concerns with the University.
The University has indicated that the Zone 4 opening-hours changes will be reviewed at the beginning of Semester 2. We want to ensure that clubs and societies' experiences are considered as part of this process.
A wider issue around access to space
These issues are part of a wider problem that the SRC has been working to address.
Earlier this year, we published our Access to Space Report, examining the challenges clubs and societies face when booking suitable spaces across campus.
The research identified barriers including limited room availability, inconsistent booking procedures, building restrictions and a lack of suitable spaces for different activities.
Following the report, the SRC has been working with the University through an Access to Space Working Group to push for improvements.
Read the SRC Access to Space Report.
Have your say: Tell us about your experience
We need your feedback to help us demonstrate how room-booking issues are affecting clubs and societies.
Whether you've struggled to find a suitable room, had a booking moved, experienced building access difficulties or been affected by reduced opening hours, we'd like to hear from you.
We've put together a short feedback form to gather experiences from clubs and societies, including how changes were communicated and what impact they've had on your activities.
Even if you've managed to resolve an issue, your feedback is valuable. It will help us identify wider problems, raise concerns with the University and push for improvements to room bookings and access to space.
Thank you for helping us improve access to space for clubs and societies across campus.