At the AGM

By Veritas

Law text-books are not included in the 10 per cent discount available on text-books to students who purchase from members of Associated Booksellers, the Annual Report of the Students' Association notes.

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The position of the student union building at the moment is "that the architect has been given permission to make test bores on the tennis courts to enable him to determine the site requiring the least expenditure on foundations," records the VUCSA Annual Report.

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Some progress has been made on the student union building this year. A meeting was held between the executive and current and past members of the Student Union Building Planning Committee. The main discussion centred around the facilities that were to be provided in the building.

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A report embodying the points approved by this committee was prepared and forwarded to the Student Union Building Planning Committee. The Committee decided that the architect (Mr. Muston of Struction Group) should be instructed to prepare sketch drawings based on the facilities outlined in the report.

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The drawings were prepared and were immediately placed before a meeting of the Planning Committee in May. Four schemes were given, varying in size, location, cost of erection and type of facilities included.

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The scheme that received the most approval and was within our monetary resources provided for club rooms, executive, editorial, common common rooms and quiet reading room as well as for a cafeteria seating approximately 240. It appears that it will be impossible to build a gymnasium and a theatre at the present time because of lack of finance. Provision is to be made when constructing the building for the addition of a theatre on an adjoining site. All the money that is available (approx. £110,000) will be needed for the erection of a building which excludes those lost-mentioned facilities.

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The Gymnasium, states the annual report, is in its usual state but is showing badly the signs of wear and tear. The old stage in the lower gym, has been enclosed to provide a committee room in which the meetings of the Executive are now held. This was a very necessary step as the old combined office and meeting room had become unbearably cramped. The competing activities of the building and storage of extrav. properties and use by the sporting clubs creates many problems but it is hard to see what can be done to solve these permanently at present.

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The financial situation of the Association this year was dominated, said the secretary, by two factors: the levy of 4/- per student for the Student Union building fund, and the need for heavy capital expenditure. A compulsory levy was imposed by the Constitution but has been waived for the past three years. Last year is the first time that this levy has been met. In addition to the levy there was a backlog of capital expenditure on facilities such as the common rooms and cafeteria, which had to be faced. Approximately £400 has been set aside for this purpose from last year's extravaganza and capping income.

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The position was alleviated to a certain degree by the utilisation of idle funds in the hands of the clubs. The practice was followed of deducting cash balances from the club grants. Club grants were approximately the same as in previous years. It is hoped that the growing sense of responsibility of the clubs in regard to finance will be continued in the future. Perhaps the greatest weakness at present is the failure of the secretaries and treasurers of the clubs to report receipts and expenditures to the committees.

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An issue of "Spike" was published in 1954 under the editorship of Mr. T. H. Hill. This was the first issue published since the Jubilee Issue in 1949 and gave a very good coverage of the intervening period. However, the secretary points out that, "although only a limited number were printed, it is clear that a loss will be shown although the accounts are not yet finalised."

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An unpaid gas bill of £150 in the Association's name was paid by the Association after the catering firm of last year, Messrs, Hudson Caterers, went into liquidation. Some or the cost will be recovered from the assets of the company.

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An approach was made to Tea Services Ltd. to take over the cafeteria and they accepted. Tremendous difficulties have been experienced with the equipment in the kitchen of the cafeteria and a considerable amount of expensive equipment will have to be replaced in the near future.

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The men's common room controller, Mr. G. I. Rich, reported: "The men's common common room is in its usual sad state. The executive has thought seriously about its improvement. Approximately £200 from the profits of last year's extravaganza have been put aside for this purpose. A quote has been obtained from Scouliars for a new leather suite and the executive has considered a new type of steel chair. The executive has been cautious in the choice of furniture because common rooms need something that is both durable and comfortable."

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There has been little or no change in the women's common room this year, the WCR controller Miss R. Burton reported to the AGM. However, when suitable furniture has been decided upon it is to be refurnished, and we hope, redecorated with extra locker space available. A metal chair was bought and placed in the common room on trial. This was found to be unsuitable.

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One poorly-attended meeting was held during the year with club representatives to discuss mainly the allocation of the gym and the care clubs should take of funds entrusted to their care.