SRUC Aberdeen – Campus update, 26th April 2016

Since November 2014 there has been a proposal to move the SRUC Northeast base from Craibstone to Thainstone. Students (through SRUCSA) and Staff (through EIS) have made their opinions clear that overwhelmingly there is not support for this move. There is a huge variety of factors for this opposition including (but not limited to):

• Craibstone is effectively fit for purpose and the location is in a rural setting but within easy access to Aberdeen
• Thainstone is a far more isolated location with fewer student services
• Affordability of the move? Many people are unconvinced by the financial figures given the halls provide significant income outwith term time
• Impacts on recruitment and courses
• Provision of halls and loss of student community

The acting chief executive & principal released a statement on the 25th April which confirmed the following:

• There are no longer any plans to move to Thainstone on grounds of affordability.  We are continuing to review our options for the Northeast and the ‘Case for Craibstone’ report that has been produced by Aberdeen staff and students will be taken into account as part of this process.
• To reconfirm SRUC is in a long-standing contractual arrangement with CALA to develop part of the estate as part of a residential development.  This has been communicated over the years and there has been no change to these arrangements.If you’re a class rep make sure you attend the next Student Liaison Committee (SLC) on the 11^th May and raise any feedback about your course or the decision to retain Craibstone as the SRUC Northeast base.

SRUCSA President and SRUC Aberdeen graduate Alex Robb commented; “This has been a very low-key announcement from management but I’m happy that SRUC will not be moving its Northeast base to Thainstone. This is something that we the staff & students having been constructively arguing against for over a year and finally our informed points have been taken on board. Clarification is required on how the CALA homes plan will fit on the site, especially with the recent downturn in housebuilding and new Aberdeen development plan. There is still work to be done on ensuring Craibstone is a campus absolutely for purpose with easy access, practical facilities, adequate number of halls rooms and learning facilities (e.g. reliable WiFi). But overall this has been a huge step forward for the security of Craibstone and all the students & staff can be proud of the collective effort we’ve made to save our campus.”

If you’re a class rep make sure you attend the next Student Liaison Committee (SLC) on the 11^th May and raise any feedback about your course or the decision to retain Craibstone as the SRUC Northeast base.