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Salient. Official Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 41 No. 18. July 24 1978

Analysis

Analysis

It is difficult to say what the general reaction to the study will be. The architects have taken a bold step in producing such a grand scheme, and it will not pass unnoticed at Council that the reversal of focus of the Hunter building, which is central to the whole proposal, involves the necessary construction of the two new buildings. Quite apart from any consideration of the merits of the scheme, the university must look very carefully at whether it needs the extra space. Roll estimates for the next ten years do not show a marked increase, partly due to the fact that the population of tertiary aged people is entering the post-war baby boom decline (sorry about that).

The study itself is founded on one major faulty assumption. In shifting the law library back to the Old Hunter building it goes against the comprehensive attempt of the main library (supported by the university) to gather as much as possible of the library facilities in the university under one roof. Considering that law students would also have all their lectures in the complex the division between law and the rest of the campus would become even more acute, and that is something not to be encouraged.

While there is good reason for each department to contain itself within a specific area, it is unfortunate that the proposed new complex, which in many respects has distinct advantages over every other building on campus, should not be for more general use.

Although hew parking areas have been created, they will only increase the total parks available by three. This is not a problem easily solved, but students will recognise that the proposal does not take into account the growing demand for student parking on or near the campus.

Diagram of Kelburn Parade entrance and parking

And the statue? Perhaps the university's history is linked with that of Queen Victoria and various of her monuments. Is that relevant today? Some people might think the statue charming, or fun, but many others will consider it ugly, and an unwelcome symbol of an empire now almost gone and certainly not to be admired. But then again, those who wander into a toilet cubicle with five minutes to fill and find the walls already covered will have something else to break their pen nibs on now. Or is that the plan?

Simon Wilson

Drawing of Hunter building from the South