BUSU opens new collabratorium

BUSU did some renovations over the summer; what was once the General Brock store is now no more.

The idea was initially proposed last year to transform General Brock, whether it be as a new type of retail store, or something different. At the same time, former Brock University Students’ Union (BUSU) President Daud Grewal and former BUSU Vice President, Finance and Administration Will Parent were seeking to turn their idea of a BUSU-run on campus food bank into a reality, the only problem was a lack of viable space.

With the transition of the new executive, came the completion of a project in the works for over a year, the BUSU Collabratorium. This multi-purpose student space is now home to the Brock University Students’ Union food bank, where students in need can come for assistance. Furthermore, due to the fact that space on campus is extremely hard to come by, the BUSU executive decided to host as many student services as possible in the new Collabratorium. Besides the new food bank, the BUSU Collabratorium include room for group meetings, and open study space, five cent photocopies, as well as free to use microwaves and teapots.

Current BUSU Vice President, Finance and Administration Luke Speers said
“The idea for the Collabratorium space, which is located in the former General Brock Store, was born out of a lot of student feedback that more on campus student space was needed particularly to study and for clubs and student groups to get together during the school day.”

The space will certainly aadd some more desperately needed study space at Brock, a growing concern of many students who find themselves with less and less available space each year with exploding enrollment. At peak times during exams, finding a free study space can be like finding a needle in a haystack.

The new established food bank also addresses a growing need among students, who find it increasingly difficult to afford groceries with ever increasing tuition and the struggles associated with an economy where youth unemployment is in the double digits. In many ways, the new food bank perfectly embodies the mission of BUSU. “I believe this is the best thing BUSU has spent money on in a long time” says Speers.

While many often question how the money BUSU spends actually helps them, the food bank and entire Collabratorium seem to be a project driven exclusively by direct student feedback, and addressing the specific needs voiced by students themselves.

The Collabratorium is now open Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for students to stop and use the food bank or utilize the study space. After hours, the room is available for any student club or group to use for events/meetings.

For more information on booking the Collabratorium for your club, or for more information regarding the food bank, contact Kelly Butson at foodbank@busu.net.