Skip to main content Skip to navigation

Improving study space on campus

Over the summer vacation, we've been making improvements to study spaces throughout campus. Taking on board your feedback, the SU and the University have worked together to enhance technology, social study and performance spaces. Hear from SU president Hope Worsdale as she explains how the plans are progressing.

What’s been happening over the summer?

An exciting project that the SU and University have been collaborating on to improve teaching and learning spaces, social study spaces and performance space across campus!

hope_worsdale.jpg

How has the SU collaborated with the University to make the changes happen?

Earlier this year I met with the Director of Estates to discuss the possibility of enhancing and improving existing spaces on campus to facilitate further social learning areas, and we set up an operational team of representatives from across the University. The group looked at several key locations and devised modifications which will allow more opportunities for social learning for students.

How has student feedback been taken into consideration?

We know through various different feedback channels that this issue is very high up on the student agenda. The SU member survey undertaken last academic year found that study space was by far and away the biggest issue that students wanted action to be taken on. This is very much supported by the feedback the SU regularly gets from our course rep system as well as directly to officers. This project is just the beginning. The SU and the University are committed to continuing to work together to provide further study spaces, but we need the help of Warwick students to ensure that your voice is at the heart of future space developments. There is still plenty of work to be done!

Why is social study space so important?

Study space has always been extremely important to our student community. We all know how difficult it can be to get a seat during exam time! As the University gets bigger, so do the challenges of managing spaces and ensuring that our students have an adequate number of places in which to carry out their studies. As an SU, we’re acutely aware of the impact this issue has on our members, and the University is also taking action on this pressing issue. We both know how important teaching and learning space is to the student community.

Which spaces have been developed?

There’s been a lot of work over the summer, so here’s a brief list:

  • Tailored furniture has been added to the Physics concourse to facilitate group study which can be accessed by all students
  • The Social Sciences corridor is being expanded, and there will soon be an open area that will relieve congestion and provide additional study spaces
  • The first floor of the Rootes Building (opposite Bar Fusion) has been revamped to provide furniture and technical infrastructure which will optimise the space for study
  • Westwood campus has been transformed into a genuine learning hub, including enhancements to Westwood Café which will offer more social study spaces
  • The Drama Studio in the Avon Building is being reinstated as a rehearsal space, available for teaching and practice for student societies, including a sprung floor and portable lighting rigs, a 60 space teaching room with new audio-visual technology, a top quality editing and storage room for Film and TV students, and a baby changing facility. This part of the project will be finished by the end of Term 1.
  • The Student Hub area will soon have an extra 6-8 computers, and an all-gender toilet nearby
  • The language corridor of the Humanities Building has been fitted with touch-down work ledges which are great for quick work stops in between lectures, seminars or meetings
  • Teaching spaces in Ramphal are being improved and redecorated with new audio-visual technology, including a teaching wall, improved access to the stage for those with mobility difficulties, and more informal study spaces on the first floor balcony. This part of the project will be finished by the end of Term 1.
  • Millburn House now has new furniture and improved audio-visual technology in several of its rooms

We’re looking forward to hearing what you think of the developments, and working with you in future to make even more changes!

Perform to the best of your abilities

Digest knowledge or a sandwich