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Union Building Relocation Proposal
November, 2009

Background
HKU has commenced the Centennial Campus Project (the “Project”) in order to cater for the increase in students under the new 3-3-4 curriculum. The Project includes the construction of the University Street at the current site of the Composite Building (i.e. the Union Building), linking the existing campus to the Centennial Campus, and the construction would affect the existing Composite Building. Since 2006, there have been negotiations between the University and the HKUSU regarding a plan for the relocation of the Composite Building.  Proposals such as the one for relocating the HKUSU to the Hui Oi Chow Science Building have been discussed but abandoned due to the lack of consensus.  In January of 2009, the University proposed to retain the HKUSU office in its present location (the “No Relocation Proposal”).  The University had given a presentation to the Union Council at its council meeting in June 2009, proposing an amended Relocation Proposal to the HKUSU.  Further consultation sessions, including those with Simon K.Y.Lee Hall on their podium, and Hornell Hall on its temporary and permanent locations in future, have been held since then.

To date, some consensuses have been reached on certain issues, which are listed below in this proposal, pending further approval from the Union Council and the relevant University departments.  Meanwhile, recommendations are made with regard to the remaining, unresolved issues. 

Summary

1. Issues as upon which consensus has been reached

1.1. In August 2009, the University proposed a cost-saving proposal ‘Detour Design’ for the University Street, under which approximately 1,000 square metre in the Composite Building and the front staircase outside the Union Building (獨立自主梯) would have to be demolished. The rest of the Composite building would be renovated.  During the renovation period, Hsu Long Sing Amenities Centre, Hornell Hall and the Union Restaurant would be relocated. The new Union Building (the name of the new building is yet to be decided, see para. 2.1 below), with a total area of no less than 2,390 square metre, would be managed by  HKUSU.  The 1st and 2nd floors of the new Union Building would be connected to the University Street.  All decisions as to the interior designs and layouts would be proposed by the HKUSU, whereas all the relevant expenses incurred and technical assistance would be covered by the University.

1.2. The Union Restaurant would be relocated to the present covered area of Haking Wong Building.  The new, 470 sq.m. restaurant would provide around 320 seats.  The University Grants Committee has already approved fundings to cover the relevant expenses for this construction work.

1.3. A glass ceiling would be built above the outdoor area of Haking Wong Podium for student activities.  The future activity space would be no less than 560 square metre.  All the construction expenses would be covered by the University.

1.4. The Pillar of Shame would be relocated to another location on the Haking Wong Podium.
The HKUSU would temporarily resettle in TIIB during June 2010 to June 2011 (the ‘Temporary Settlement Period’), until the completion of the construction works. The total area (1,069 square metre) of TIIB would be managed and used by the HKUSU. The University has undertaken to carry out necessary renovation works at the TIIB and to provide assistance to the HKUSU with the temporarily arrangement.

1.5. Under the ‘Detour Design’ proposal, the Simon K. Y. Lee podium would not need to be demolished or affected. The lifts in the new Union Building would be located outside the Building.

2. Unresolved issues

2.1. The naming of the New Building.

2.2. Concrete interior designs and layout plans for the New Union Building.

2.3. Hornell Hall and some student society offices, including French society, Biochemistry Society, Food and Nutritional Science Society and Environmental Life Science Society, have yet to be covered under the current relocation plan. No decision has been made concerning their future relocations.

2.4. Many student societies under the HKUSU consider the proposed glass ceiling to be built above the Haking Wong podium as impractical, thinking that it would possibly affect student activity space in future.

2.5. TIIB is only 1,069 square metre in area, which is much smaller than the present Composite Building (1,763 square metre).  During the Temporary Settlement Period, the student activity space would be greatly reduced.  Besides, it is also doubtful whether, or in what way, the Students’ Union Co-Op shop and other facilities would be able to continue to operate.

2.6. It is hoped that the right to manage certain facilities at the New Campus and the facilities along the University Street will be granted to Students’ Union

Principles
1. The whole new Union Building should be designed and managed by the Students’ Union, in order to uphold the autonomy of Students’ Union.

2. The new building should be named as ‘Union Building’ to affirm the representativeness of the HKUSU. 

3. There should be appropriate relocation or settlement plans for each of the HKUSU affiliated societies.

4. The student activity areas should be expanded in order to relieve the long-term area shortage problem and to ensure future sustainability.

5. During the Temporary Settlement Period, disruption caused to student societies’ service or activity should be kept to minimal.

6. The Pillar of Shame should continue to stand in the University of Hong Kong.

7. University should cater for the students’ catering needs.

1.2. During the consultation sessions, it was considered that a similar re-provision for the Union Restaurant should be made. Under the scenario of the closure of present Union Restaurant, only 2 restaurants would be left on the campus, namely the Fong Shu Chuen Amenities Centre Restaurant and the CYMAC restaurant. However, these 2 restaurants are inconvenient for students who usually stay around west gate, like students of the Engineering Faculty and residents of Simon. K. Y. Lee Hall. Besides, these 2 catering outlets might not able to cope with the increasing demand from more students in under the 3-3-4 academic structure.
In order to solve the problem, HKUSU has suggested that the University considers relocating the Union Restaurant near the west gate. The University has accepted the suggestion and so a new restaurant would be set up in the covered area of Haking Wong Podium, which would provide around 320 seats and it is estimated that it can cope with the demand and maintain its service quality.

1.3. Haking Wong Podium has been an important place for student activities, like registration day, DT Festival, band shows and dance performance, etc.. If the new restaurant would be situated in the covered area of the Haking Wong Podium, students would be left with much less space for organizing activities.
HKU has proposed to construct a glass ceiling over the outdoor area of Haking Wong Podium, in order to compensate for the loss of student activity space. The glass ceiling could also increase the penetrability (or transparency) (透光度) of the future Haking Wong podium. The University also supports this idea.
1.4. The Pillar of Shame has been erected in Haking Wong Podium for 12 years. In 1998, HKUSU has passed a motion that the Pillar of Shame shall permanently stand at the University of Hong Kong. However, during the construction of the University Street, the Pillar of Shame should be moved to the unaffected area of the Haking Wong Podium.
Given that the Pillar of Shame is the property of all Hong Kong people, HKUSU only provide the venue for exhibiting it. The Hong Kong Alliance in support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China has been notified of this arrangement and their technical expert has conducted an evaluation about the moving arrangement. It is estimated that no danger would be caused by the moving arrangement.  However, it is noted that the moving arrangement should be cautiously planned beforehand.

1.5 During the construction period (June, 2010 to June 2011) of the Composite Building, HKUSU would have to be temporarily relocated and its operation would seriously be affected. It is our prime concern to maintain our services to the students.
Under the University proposal for relocation to TIIB, all TIIB area (1,069 square metre) would be wholly used and managed by HKUSU.  The HKUSU office, HKUSU Executive Committee office, Independent Clubs Association office and Cultural Association office should have the priority to first move into TIIB. After the construction period, the same would be moved to the new Union Building. The University has undertaken to provide assistance to HKUSU with the relocation and with renovations of the TIIB prior to the temporary relocation.
1.6 Under the present cost-saving proposal, the construction of University Street and the lift situated by the side of New Union Building would not affect the podium of Simon. K. Y. Lee Hall. 

2. Unresolved Issues

2.1 HKUSU insists that the new Union Building should be named the ‘Union Building’ in order to affirm the identity of the new building. However, the University has expressed that the HKU has the ownership of the Union Building and thus retains the right to name the new building. Meanwhile, as the naming decision also attaches some donation implications, further negotiations and deliberations are required before any decision can be made.

2.2. Internal design of the new building would have profound impacts on the future development of the Students’ Union and its affiliated societies. Therefore, more consultations and census would be conducted and the results would be presented in a further proposal in future.

2.3. New Union Building should accommodate all Independent Clubs Association and Cultural Association affiliated societies. Other students’ organisations such as Hornell Hall should be moved to other appropriate locations. HKUSU urges the University to negotiate with the affected student societies about their future locations, in order to resolve on the most suitable resource allocations or each organisation.  
Hornell Hall is located on the 2/F of the Composite Building.  However, it has to be moved out of the new Union Building. Discussions have been held between representatives from the University, the HKUSU and the warden of Hornell Hall.  The University has proposed to relocate Hornell Hall to Fong Shu Chuen Amenities Centre as a temporary location during the renovation of the Composite Building and the permanent location is yet to be decided. However, the members of Hornell Hall have expressed reservations for this proposal.  Hence, the relocation issue for Hornell Hall would have to be resolved by the Hornell Hall residents, Hornell Hall Warden and representatives of the University. The Executive Committee of Students’ Union will assist Hornell Hall Student Association, HKUSU to negotiate with the University Representative
Besides, other HKUSU affiliated societies currently located at the 2/F of the Union Building, including French society, Biochemistry Society, Food and Nutritional Science Society and Environmental Life Science Society, their future office locations are yet to be determined. We believe that the future offices of those affiliated academic societies should be (re)located close to the future lecture venues for the respective faculties and departments.  We also encourage the affected societies to raise their concerns and demands to their own faculties about their future office relocations in the best interest of the students and the societies’ future development.

2.4 Many students’ societies have pointed out many times that the glass ceiling to be built over the Haking Wong Podium would be impractical, primarily due to its irregular shape.  We suggest that the glass ceiling should be designed in rectangular form in order to be more practical and functional.

2.5. During the Temporary Settlement Period, the usable area by the HKUSU would be reduced from 1,780 square metre to 1,069 square metre (i.e. usable area in the TIIB). It is estimated that TIIB could barely house the HKUSU office, the HKUSU Executive Committee office and its affiliated societies’ offices, and little spare room would be available. However, some student activity areas, including the Union Council Chamber, meeting rooms, multi-purpose rooms could not be retained. It is even more doubtful whether the welfare facilities like the HKUSU CO-OP shop, the self-service photocopying centre and shops could also be relocated to the TIIB or be retained in limited form in their current locations.
It is further suggested that the University grant the HKUSU more extensive rights to manage the Fong Shu Chuen Amenities Centre and Chong Yuet Ming Amenities Centre during the Temporary Settlement Period. This is to minimize the adverse impacts on student activities and to ensure that the HKUSU affiliated societies and students could have priority of the usage of the facilities.
The HKUSU CO-OP shop, self-service photocopying centre and other shops in the Composite Building are not only the important welfare provided by the HKUSU. They are also the major source of income for the HKUSU. The following 3 possible proposals are suggested for considerations:
A. Operate the above-mentioned facilities in TIIB. However, the TIIB might not be large enough to accommodate all of the facilities. The feasibility is questionable.
B. Retain the above-mentioned facilities in their original site but with limited services. However, the services provided would be seriously affected due to the large scale of the construction works.
C. Suspend the above-mentioned facilities for 1 year (i.e. during the Temporary Settlement Period). The University would compensate for the loss of income to the HKUSU. However, the loss of students’ welfare opportunities cannot be compensated in pecuniary terms.
The HKUSU would continue to explore other alternative solutions with the University with regard to this problem. 

2.6. Under the new 3-3-4 curriculum, there would be a significant increase in the number of HKU students as well as HKUSU members.  The University will arrange for the creation of Learning Commons, an outdoor auditorium and lawns for student activities. The University has agreed that the floor area for HKUSU should also be expanded. However, the growth factor is yet to be determined.
It is hoped that the University could grant more extensive rights to the HKUSU to manage certain facilities on the new campus and the facilities along the University Street, in the best interest of future students. Relevant details are subject to further negotiations.

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