Halifax college common room to get conservatory extension
Plans have been announced to build a conservatory in an extension to JJ’s, the Halifax College Common Room.
Karen Fritz, the Provost of Halifax, stated that it was a move to “improve the Halifax College social space as a common room for students,” and said that all suggestions from students regarding further improvement would be welcomed. She stated that the decision was reached after joint consultation between the Halifax administration, the Halifax College Student Association (HCSA), the Vice-Chancellor and Jane Grenville.
The decision was reached in order to combat the lack of natural light in JJ’s. It is thought that the dingy atmosphere makes it less homely for students and discourages use. It is not possible to build a stand-alone conservatory in JJ’s due to the common room’s proximity to residential accommodation in Younger Court.
The move follows concerns that since being de-licensed as a bar, students have not made particular use of the facilities available in JJ’s. College events, where students were encouraged to bring their own alcohol, have been poorly attended and it is thought that college spirit has suffered.
David Sharp, the former President of the HCSA, stated that the alumni fund had given Halifax £20,000 to improve JJ’s. He said that the work would hopefully be completed over the Easter holidays, although further consultations with building firms were needed before this could be confirmed. He also stated that Halifax would receive further funds from the university over the summer vacation to make further changes.
Roberto Powell, the new President of the HCSA, said, “it will be good to improve the ambience of JJ’s and make it more accessible to students. It is just part one of a wider plan that has been in motion for a time to redevelop the student services and areas that are provided by the college and are coming to fruition as we can find funding for them.” He, along with other members of the newly-elected HCSA, will have a pivotal role in any further decisions made regarding the development of the common room.
The bar in JJ’s was closed last summer after a university review concluded that it was no longer financially viable. There have since been threats to other college bars, with the future of Alcuin’s B Henry’s still uncertain.
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