Information

`The Hub' is the name we have chosen for our new Student Centre, situated on the main mall of the University, between the Sports Complex and the Inter-faith Centre. This exciting new development is a joint venture between the University and the student body (Students' Union, Clubs and Societies), and will greatly enhance student life on campus. The plans of the Hub are reproduced on page 20, from which you will see that the elements include:

• a large entertainments hall for live performances and discos;
• club and society meeting rooms and seminar rooms;
• offices and open plan work areas for the Students' Union, Clubs and Societies;
• two large lounges, providing tea, coffee and meals as well as drinks, including a new modern wine bar, a conservatory and two outdoor terraces;
• a large supermarket providing groceries, stationery and University clothing;
• a large bookshop, selling both academic and general books;
• a range of other retail outlets, including a travel shop and facilities for printing, photocopying and word-processing.

The Hub is managed by a full-time professional manager, Damien West, working under an eight member Management Committee. The University representatives are the Director of Student Support & Development, Director of Finance, the University's Secretary and a nominee of the President, while the student side is represented by the Students' Union President, the SFC Administrative Officer, a representative of the Sports Clubs and a Societies' representative.

The cost of the new building is £4m, half of which has been raised by the University and half by means of the £30 student levy. The original cost of the Campus Social Centre (which is incorporated in the Hub) was £1.2m, which would be at least £3m at current values. Therefore, the total cost of the entire complex, at current values, is £7m, and this cost has been met without any recourse to Government, HEA or other public money.

It must be emphasised that all profit from the Hub and its many activities (including the SPAR shop) will be used to further enhance our student social and recreational facilities and to support the activities of our sports clubs, societies and Students' Union.

Finally, all users of the Hub are urged to maintain the building at its present high level. All the facilities and amenities of the hub have been planned to provide a very comfortable and pleasant environment, with high quality furnishings, comparable to the best available anywhere, and it is in everybody's interest to ensure that this excellent facility continues to be an attractive and vibrant focus for student life on campus.

Not Yet 18?

A Message from the Hub Management Committee

If you have not reached your 18th birthday we regret we cannot enrol you as a member of the club which operates the two bars in the Hub. This means that, until you become 18, you will not be able to enter either of the two bars on campus. Once you reach your 18th birthday you will be able to join the club by going to the Finance Office and paying the €7 membership fee.

This is a direct result of the current legislation and the articles of association of the club. If anyone who is underage or who is not a member of the club is found in either of the bars this could result in our club license being revoked. We therefore ask for your understanding and co-operation, to help us manage the club legally and responsibly and to maintain our good relationship with the Gardaí.