University of Bristol Union

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University of Bristol Union

Established	1965
Institution	University of Bristol
President	Ben Ullmann
Other Sabbatical Officers	Nick Barnett (Vice-President (Welfare) ) Matt Seow (Treasurer) Jo Weston (Communications & Campaigns) Tom Noble (AU Chair) John Medcraft (RAG Chair) David Speirs (SCA Coordinator)
Location	Queen's Rd, Clifton, Bristol, England
Members	c. 15,000
Affiliated to	National Union of Students, Aldwych Group, National Postgraduate Committee, British Universities Sports Association
Homepage	www.ubu.org.uk

The University of Bristol Union (UBU) is the students' union of Bristol University, England. It is among the oldest of the UK students' unions and was a founding member of the NUS.

Former Union presidents have included the broadcaster, Sue Lawley, St Lucia's foreign minister and ambassador to the United Nations, George W. Odlum and Lembit Öpik - Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats. The current UBU President is Ben Ullmann.

The Union was originally housed in the grand Victoria Rooms on the corner of Queen's Road and Whiteladies Road. Today this building houses Bristol University's music department. The current Union is housed in a large 1960's edifice that has frequently been voted the ugliest building in Great Britain. There are plans to move the Union from its current site to a more central location on the university's main precinct. This would involve merging the computer centre and main library into the new building which may cost up to £150,000,000.

The current Union is one of the largest students' union buildings in Great Britain. It houses the Anson Rooms (a large concert hall); the Burst Studio; the Epicurean Bar; Mandela Bar; Café Zuma; Avon Gorge Bar; shop; laundrette; computer room and cyber café; Epigram (student newspaper) offices; various meeting rooms and society headquarters.

The Union has been criticised for its distance from the main university precinct and large halls of residence campus in Stoke Bishop. The Union's popularity, however, has grown in recent years with the introduction of new student nights in the bar and the ever increasing drink prices.

UBU has a strong reputation for community engagement and voluntary work. Bristol Student Community Action (SCA) is a self-governing activity of UBU with over 30 student run community projects and around 1000 volunteers helping all over the city. In addition to running community projects SCA also organises a number of events such as the Kid’s Christmas Party, an Elderly Dinner Dance, and an SCA Week. UBU also has a long established RAG (Raise and Give) that has raised over a million pounds for local and national charities since its foundation.

[edit] Bristol Student Community Action

Bristol Student Community Action (SCA)

Established	1970
Institution	University of Bristol Union
Location	3rd Floor, UBU, Queen's Rd, Clifton, Bristol, England
Members	1000
Affiliated to	University of Bristol Union, Student Volunteering England, Riding For The Disabled , Band, Gingerbread, NACOA, Nas, SPACE, Millennium Volunteers, CSV, STAR,
Homepage	www.cowmunity.org

Bristol Student Community Action (SCA) is a self-governing activity of the University of Bristol Union (UBU). It has over 1000 members volunteering with over 30 student run projects in the local community. Projects involve helping disadvantaged children, helping out in schools, helping elderly people, the homeless, people with disabilities, refugees, environmental projects and various other community support services. SCA also runs a number of events throughout the year including SCA Week, the Kids Christmas Party, the Elderly Dinner Dance and the SCA Sleepout.

SCA is entirely student led, with an executive committee of students who decide on key issues affecting SCA. Each project has its own coordinator, leading a team of student volunteers who carry out the community work.

The recently elected SCA Co-ordinator is Dave Speirs and the outgoing Co-ordinator is Kate Howell.

SCA is currently reconstructing its website at www.cowmunity.orgso students can sign up to volunteer online.

[edit] See also

• Bristol University Latin American & Ballroom Dancing Society
• Epigram (newspaper)

[edit] External links

• UBU website
• Anson room listings
• Stage Technicians Association
• BURST (student radio station)
• Epigram (student newspaper)
• Student Community Action
• Bristol RAG
• Student Development Unit

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