Online Poll for the Naming of the Students' Union Venues
On Thursday evening 25th April, it was agreed by Students' Union Council that an online poll will decide the names of the new venue spaces in the Students' Union.
Tom Dixon, Activities Officer, said "We are happy to confirm that council have approved our recommendation to set up an online poll to determine the new names of the venues. As a team we still believe that the new names are a great representation of the diverse range of activities that will take place in them. However we are happy that the students will decide the outcome."
All University of Sheffield students can vote.
The poll offers the the choice between two alternative names for the venues.
The poll will run until Friday 10th May. The proposal which receives the majority of the votes will be announced as the final venue names on Monday 13th May.
A
- Sheffield Students' Union:
- Soundroom
- Studio
- Den
Read the case for Option A
The case for the new venue names:
Before you make up your mind which to vote for, just quickly google search 'soundroom' & then 'foundry'. Have a look at the images that come up and then decide which names better fit the new venues...
We propose:
Sheffield Students' Union
Soundroom, Studio, Den
An identity that is focused on the future, and not the steel industry of the Cities distant past.
The new venues are an opportunity to set out a new diverse and relevant identity for the future of these spaces. The names and new identity fit comfortably under the main Students' Union brand – the Students' Union is a destination we are proud of and wish to further promote. The venues need to be readily identified and distinctive, but all customers should be primarily signposted to the Students' Union using its strong overall identity.
All three names are descriptive of the core student activities that will happen in the spaces. They subtly represent the physical size of the venues. The names are fairly self-explanatory; so it is obviously an 'entertainment' space. A space that celebrates the future, retaining the rich heritage and history of events that have and will be hosted within them.
Soundroom
Famous for the sound made within it - music is the core activity but it can contain diverse activities - club nights, talks, stage-shows, exhibitions and markets. It is not a stadium, a house, a theatre or an arena. A live gig in the Soundroom = loud.
Studio
A place to experiment, to be creative and practice activities. An open plan space that is flexible for many uses and can be used by everyone. A second hand clothes fair in the Studio = boutique.
Den
Quieter more informal with comfortable seating. A shelter and more playful space to relax in and hangout with friends. A performance in the Den = intimate.
The closing date has already passed.
B
- Sheffield Students' Union:
- Foundry
- Fusion
- Studio
Read the case for Option B
On the 19th April 2013 David Hodgson proposed the following online petition, "Reinstate the names Fusion & Foundry for the Sheffield Students Union".
David adds the following:
We propose:
- To maintain an identity that has grown and progressed over the last 15 years within the Union and to continue the legacy of The Foundry and Fusion.
- To put a stop to the dull rebranding of the union spaces.
Not only do these names (The Foundry & Fusion) have relevance in what should be a celebrated local history but they also have meaning for many past and present students. Whilst the refurbishment has obviously become a necessity, the rebranding of these university spaces is unnecessary and unimaginative.
The proposal for these new names, The Soundroom, Studio and Den, are indeed descriptive of their purpose and yet hold no relevance to the location they are in. These names could apply to pretty much any situation in the world where music is the primary activity and hold little weight or meaning.
Help us to maintain a bit of originality within the union and reinstate The Foundry and Fusion.
The closing date has already passed.
