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SMAD. An Organ of Student Opinion. 1935. Volume 6. Number 12.

Building Committee Speaks

Building Committee Speaks.

Dear "Smad,"

As honorary secretary of the Students' Association Permanent Building Committee, I wish to comment on the subject of the Students' Association's proposed New Building.

The Permanent Committee consists of the president, the treasurer, and repersentatives of the College Council, a representative of the teaching staff, three representatives of past students and two representatives of present students. Students may well ask what this committee has done or is doing.

Some time back meetings of the Permanent Committee were held, and after a number of schemes to raise the necessary funds were discussed, it was decided that, due to the general financial depression, a smaller amount would be collected by making an immediate appeal then, then by waiting until the depression was not uppermost in the minds of our supporters.

Briefly, the schcmes that will be put in hand as soon as the time is ripe are these: Firstly, students, past students, and well-wishers of the Association will be asked to take out endowment insurance policies and assign them to the Association. Secondly, requests will be made to past students and others to make donations and to provide for legacies in their wills. Thirdly, an appeal will be made to the Government to provide either a subsidy on money raised or to grant a straight out sum.

In addition, the preliminary steps were taken to run a big art union, but this idea was abandoned, as the authorities considered that such a scheme was not in the best interests of the College.

A recent edition of "Smad" quoted some criticism of the Executive in connection with the fund. In this criticism no mention was made of the £100 that is put away annually from the Association's funds towards this building, additional to the setting aside of funds raised from the Extravaganza and the Capping Book.

Now in my turn I ask, what are the students, either individually or collectively as clubs, doing towards this proposed new building?

At one time a Building Fund Committee, composed entirely of students, existed, but this was disbanded, or to be clearer, "fizzled out."

The Womens' Gymnasium Club, which has on three occasions made substantial donations to the Building Fund, has shown a very practical interest. The Dramatic Club, too, is applying the profits from its productions towards augmenting the fund, and I understand that shortly a revue is to be held for the same purpose.

With the exception of these clubs, we as students are doing nothing but grumble and criticise.

There are many ways that students can assist. For instance, one club could sponsor a monster entertainment in the Town Hall or other suitable public hall. The first half of the programme could be items provided by prominent present and past student entertainers. The second portion of the programme could be a short comedy produced by the Dramatic Club. The talent available is sufficient for a number of such concerts.

A Science Exhibition held at the College for three nights and arranged by the Mathematical and Physical Society and the Science Society would, if a small charge for admission were made, produce a substantial contribution to the Building Fund as well as providing a good advertisement for the College.

The clubs generally might reduce their requests for grants from the Students' Association funds and thus allow a greater amount to be set aside for the New Building. Clubs might also hold bridge parties or their annual dance, or, in conjunction with other clubs, balls in aid of the fund. These are just a few of the ways in which clubs could assist.

Such functions as I have mentioned would merit and, I am sure, obtain the support of a large majority of present and past students.

The Building Fund now stands at about £1300 Some £20,000 are required to erect a building suitable for our needs.

Unless we as individuals, clubs, and Association show our enthusiastic desire for a new building and not just a general discontent of our existing facilities, and, what is more, mitiate movements to raise funds by our own efforts within our own Association, then we cannot hope to obtain monetary assistance from the Government Neither can we expect more than a lukewarm support form the past students or other well-wishers of the students.

By all means let us advocate a five-year plan, but also let us put some individual effort and enthusiasm into our project, accompained by more than a little personal sacrifice.

C. S. Plank.