Building the future

Find out more about the Imperial College Union redevelopment from current Union President, Stephen Brown.

As one of the flagship projects within the £207 million Centenary Campaign, the Imperial College Union redevelopment is providing the Union Building in Beit Quad with a range of extensive redevelopments aimed at enriching contemporary student life and providing an eclectic educational experience for today’s diverse and energetic Imperial student body.

We met with current Union President, Stephen Brown, to find out more about the redevelopment and its importance to past, present and future students of the College.

The project began in Summer 2006, and with the installation of a new lift, central stairwell refurbishment and revitalised decor in DaVinci’s bar, phase one was completed at the end of 2006. “We have already had some great reactions from students,” said Stephen. “Everyone seems genuinely excited about the project and we’re all looking forward to what is to come.”

Work on phase two is scheduled to begin in 2008. “We’re aiming to create a much more multi-functional space,” Stephen commented. “We’ll be hanging a new mezzanine floor and relocating the Student Archives Centre to allow us to create a whole new space for meeting rooms. There are over 250 clubs and societies within the College and it’s important that they get an environment to suit their needs.”

Stephen continues: “For me, the Union was central to my experience at Imperial. I had lots of involvement with various clubs and societies, held the position of Rag Chairman and played lots of football, so I saw first-hand how important this redevelopment is.”

So far, Imperial alumni, staff and friends have donated generously to the redevelopment fund and Stephen is keen to ensure that donations continue to guarantee full completion of the project. He said: “Traditionally there has always a high participation rate in the services the Union has had to offer and many alumni will have benefitted from the Union during their time at Imperial. Without the support of our former students we simply can’t deliver this project. I really hope that they will appreciate the huge benefits that this development has to offer and consider supporting us.”

Keen to make their mark on the fundraising campaign, the student body have also played an active role in raising funds for the project. A £25,000 profit was made at the Centenary Ball in June 2007, all of which was donated to the fund. In addition, former Imperial College Union President, John Collins completed a bike ride from John O’Groats to Land’s End in September 2007, raising over £2,000 in sponsorship towards the redevelopment.

“John’s efforts were fantastic, and it’s really important for donors to the fund to know that we aren’t just relying on their donations and that the student body is doing its bit to help,” Stephen says. “I’d be up for a contest too. Perhaps alumni might be able to suggest a suitable challenge for me in 2008?”

To issue Stephen with a fundraising challenge, contact Rosalind Griffin in the Office of Alumni and Development at rosalind.griffin@imperial.ac.uk