Day of Rage Against Hallam University

This is a really important issue but you have to be careful about targeting the wrong people.

The event on the 14th is the students Unions opening night, it is separate from the University. Most of
the students who have organised and will attend this event were not even in Sheffield when the decision to purchase the NCPM took place. They were not responsible for the purchase but now they have on choice but to use the facilities provided for them by the University, I think it is unfair therefore to make their Valentines day celebration the focus of a Rage full protest.

The Hallam Union president in an interview in the Star talked about a desire to make the new building available to all the community. Wouldn't it be more constructive to take him up on this offer and work with the students who are going to bring an estimated 500,000 people into the Cultural Industry Quarter.

What makes me so angry is that their is a building in this are being misused and that is Spearmint Rhino. I fail to see why this feudalist abomination is not the focus of your protest instead of Hallam students.

I am currently a Hallam student and was concerned when hearing of this 'Rage against Hallam' campaign - not least because the word rage brings about images of violence, something i'm sure nobody intends to portray, but nevertheless is worrying. I just felt i should write a brief plea for reasonable debate and a chance for all opinions to be aired (including some of my own!).
It is important to remember that the former NCPM met a similar fate as the other much publicised millennium project - the Millennium Dome in London. It became unviable to continue its operation due to the very fact that not enough people were visiting and supporting the exhibition centre. I absolutely and completely support the idea that this prominent building should be a part of public life in Sheffield, but believe that the move of the student union there will help to make this a reality, far more than the ill fated NCPM - not least because it is an organisation capable of sustaining what is surely a very expensive building to maintain.
Integration into the community is something fully supported by the union and it's students - just look at the program of events and projects carried out by the 'Hallam Volunteering' section of operations ( http://www.hallamunion.com/getinvolved/hallamvol/volunteeringprojects.asp). And i know that many of the events being planned are in place to encourage culture, not smother it - coming weeks include things like dance workshops and a multi-cultural week to support and showcase arts from numerous cultures - involving music, film and other events. It seems an effort is being made to perform a service beyond being a club venue for students.
I understand the fact that people may be concerned about the new ownership, but as previously posted there have been promises of a desire to engage with the CIQ - at least can there be time given to see if these are delivered upon? I just think that they should be given a fair chance to prove themselves - the building has't even officially opened yet. I would be behind any movement which, should Hallam students union fail to act upon these expressed desires, campaigned for change - but lets watch and see first.

I simply ask for people to consider these ideas and attempt to build bridges, rather than break them. Conflict solves nothing - lets give things a chance and try to provide oppurtunities to make this a success as a venture which can bring students and the wider community together. Contact the union, make suggestions, communicate - these are the things which i believe will make a difference.

Thats it, rant over!.
If you read this, thanks for your time - i hope it made some sort of sense.