Castle from the Clouds?

"For I dip't into the future, far as human eye could see.
Saw the vision of the world, and all the wonder that would be."

—And there, towering above Salamanca Road, was a Student Union Building. Now what did it have in it? Well, that depends on the students. When I woke up, I rushed around and asked a few people.

On some things, there was complete unanimity:—a big caf, with room to swing a cat (which would not afterwards be put into the pies); three common rooms—well ventilated and sunlit—and, chiefly, a commodious common common room; a theatre for meetings, plays and film shows; and a well-equipped, high-roofed gym-cum-dance-hall.

Others had personal peculiarities. The 3rd-year Arts students wanted a Caf open in the mornings and the evenings so that he could natter over a cup of tea, if he felt like it. He wanted big windows in the common rooms to admire one of the world's finest views. He suggested that all clubs could have their own rooms,—as Salient has now.

The 5th-year Law Student wanted individual lockers, and furniture that was comfortable but capable of hard wear. Timidly we approached a sporting Exec member. He was enthusiastic and definite. "A 25-yard tepid pool, 3 feet deep. In the basement—get the freshers into the fresh water. And a Gym covering all one floor,—facilities for all gym work; and a good indoor basketball court."

The veteran Socialist Club member seemed cynical about the possibility of a building this side of the revolution, but he said he wanted a canteen—wet or dry, he wasn't fussy—to feed the hungry outside Caf hours.

The Charter Club man said he hadn't thought about it, but recommended a cupboard to keep our skeletons in, and a workshop "for making drama, extrav,—and Socialist Club demonstration—props."

A Science graduate was most emphatic about "No chapel or anything like that." More adequate changing rooms, and somewhere to meet people were his other pigeons.

Only protagonist for a lounge bar in the mixed common room was a female Arts graduate. She said it could sell "hard and soft drinks." She wanted the men's and women's common rooms much smaller than the mixed,—"Encourage them to get together." Her last brainwave was "A belfry to put our [unclear: bats] in."

A Science undergraduate suggested a sound-proof room for Extrav rehearsals. Another Arts grad wanted a co-op bookshop, and a Gym with padded walls.

"Co-op drugstores are popular In North America," said a nomadic Commerce graduate. He wanted lockers for all clubs, and rooms that were vandal-proof. "And what about a balcony-roof where we could sunbathe, and look lovingly at the mountains?"

One S.C.M. woman thought that asking for a chapel would be sectarian. Religious groups could use a theatre for their gatherings like anyone else. Above all, she didn't want any stained-glass windows. "I've been purblinded by that dim dam library. For G........'s sake 'Let there be light.'"

Another one wanted a capacious, well-equipped kitchen near the Gym and common rooms. She wanted hot and cold showers "for all sexes," lights over the mirrors in the washrooms (so that women could do facial surgery by night), and a bench to sit on in the changing rooms.

The last person we interviewed wanted a covered way from the building to the main block. "There must be a concrete link. . ." he said, and woffled off to a lecture.

Our reporters probably missed your comments on the Building; we would like a large number of opinions on what facilities are regarded as essential for the place. There will be a measure of agreement on basic things: but you should let the Planning Committee know what you think to be necessary. The best way to do it is through the columns of Salient.