College commits to Tutu’s development

Victory for Roar!‘s ULU cash campaign as King’s makes plans to spend ULU affiliation money on you.

In news that will be welcomed by many in the King’s community, Roar! has been informed that King’s is currently developing a brand new student activities space, although a date of completion is yet to be confirmed.

In a statement sent out on behalf of the College dated 25 October, it was revealed that “The area in the Macadam building where the nightclub, Tutu’s, used to be was completely refurbished this summer” and that “The College will now work with KCLSU to consult with student societies and activities groups about the best way to develop this space.”

The closure of King’s designated students’ union nightclub was announced by former KCLSU President Thomas Clayton on 11 March, after it had made a loss of over £100,000 in 2012 alone.

More opportunities for students

According to the recent statement provided by the College on the refurbishment of the space, “Our aim will be to create more opportunities for student activities to flourish”, welcome news at a time when students paying £9,000 fees will want to see a reflection of fair value for money in their educational experience.

Much of the funding for the move has come from the £137,000 fee King’s had previously paid for membership of the University of London Union (ULU), now available following the decision to disaffiliate from the Union in anticipation of its closure in 2014.

A flexible, inclusive and accessible space

Commenting on the nature of the funding for the product, King’s message to Roar! claims that “Following discussions between the College and KCLSU officers, it has been decided that King’s College London’s subscription to [ULU], along with the additional resources that will be needed, has been and will continue to be used directly for the purpose of making Tutu’s a flexible, inclusive and accessible space for students and student groups.”

The announcement comes in the wake of this month’s Roar! investigation into the fact that King’s subscription money remained unused. It will also be seen as a great result for KCLSU’s Student Officers, in a year when they have already managed to achieve the abolition of re-sit fees.

Commenting on the announcement, KCLSU President Sebastiaan Debrouwere stated that “Further conversations should and will be had about the future allocations of this sum – but for now, I’d like to thank student groups and student media for their support, and the College for the support it has committed.”

Read Roar!‘s coverage of the closure of Tutu’s and the investigation into the unspent £137k.