Yes you heard it the University wants to create a new building for Humanities and yes you guessed it this would mean the loss of our department. The new building will house departments such as Archaeology, Philosophy, Classics, Theology and Art History. The original idea was that Art History would stay put alongside Music but the head of estates has noticed a few free rooms in the plan (of a rather basic building) and decided that Art History would fill it. Despite the department's concern it seems the University is prepared to go along with this. However it seems the people who will be most effected by the final decision have not been consulted in anyway. So why should you care... 1. The loss of community within Art History. No longer will you be able to walk though the department recognizing every face. 2. The Art Gallery. This for one is a HUGE reason not to move. The luxury of having a gallery seconds walk away from your lecture theatre is not something many Universities have. 3. The ability to take your exams in a comfortable environment...tiny tables, freezing rooms and 100 other people I don't even recognize around me...no thanks! 4. The Visual Resources Centre...need I say more. As if our department couldn't treat us any better they give us our own room, computers, and yes ALL the readings for that seminar printed out already. 5. The cafe, this place has provided us with somewhere to sit and relax after a seminar. It enables us to grab a coffee with a tutor whilst talking over that essay you just can't get your head around. And of course it provides the best food on campus, not sure about you but I don't want to queue for 20 minutes to only have pre-packaged food available. 6. If you're here next year then you WILL be directly effected by this and you will be among the unlucky few who DO remember what it was like to feel totally at home in a little corner of campus. 7. This new building will have limited teaching space meaning you will have to travel from building to building for your lectures. Inevitably cutting down on already precious lecture time and no before you ask the University will not take this into consideration when drawing up timetables. This isn't just for those taking Art History, it's for everyone and anyone who's taken a subsidiary and enjoyed it. It's for those who like visiting the gallery, it's for those who have and do work there. It's for those people who (and yes I am one of them) breathe a little sigh of relief when you get down to the quiet end of campus ready to sit back and take a lecture that you actually want to be in. It's for those of you who think the University shouldn't make decisions like this without consulting the people who matter the most. So if you see Art History as needing more than just 'a few spare rooms' then please show your support.