Although recently there has been some criticism of Teviot on its affordability and atmosphere, I have to disagree with last week’s short rant condemning the refurbished building. Although some argue it has not been designed with student lifestyles in mind on account of the expensive food and drink, I should point out that students don’t need to spend money to enjoy Teviot – it has plenty of space to study and relax (take the reading rooms or the student lounge, where one can actually ‘heat and eat’ for free) if one doesn’t want to go to the bars or cafe. Admittedly, items in the cafe and bars are a bit pricey, and so not the best for those on a budget, but unfortunately, Edinburgh is an expensive city, and so this isn’t really an issue unique to Teviot. For me, at least, I’ve spent more time in the student lounge (in which there are some fabulous comfy chairs, something else I think makes the place feel welcoming) than I have buying baked goods.
As far as the atmosphere being uninviting goes – the fact that there are no period products in the toilets is ridiculous, and I am shocked to learn that. I think, though, we can solve this without writing the entire building’s worth off, and so instead I want to defend the overall benefits of having Teviot. I would especially counter the idea that the building is centred only around aesthetic appeal, and doesn’t have the character to back it up – not only is it a Grade B listed building, which shouldn’t be taken lightly, but it hosts meaningful community events. Just the other week, I went to a ‘volunteering social’ in the writing room for people part of student volunteering groups, and I was given a free drink and dinner by the lovely people running it. Teviot has been a highlight of my time at university so far, especially since I managed to make some new friends at this social. I left the evening feeling grateful and full of really good pizza.
Apart from the character I feel it possesses, though, I think an aesthetically appealing student union actually can make a difference to student welfare. I feel Teviot really can connect students as a community (I know that’s cheesy). I personally don’t find its atmosphere at all ‘strange and jarring’; on the contrary, as well as meeting people at events there, I like feeling like a ‘proper’ Edinburgh student who can hang out at the official student union building, and be part of the student body, valued even as a lowly first-year. Yes, Teviot is fancy, but where that persuades some that appearances are for appearances’ sake, I feel like it boosts my sense of wellbeing when I can study in a pleasant space. As well as that, I feel that because of details like the list of sabbatical officers embossed on the walls, or the university crest outside, I feel included. In my experience, I’ve felt almost flattered that such a gorgeous place represents my university, and therefore me. Anyway, for what students pay each year, isn’t it fair that we can study somewhere with turrets and spiral staircases? I don’t think it’s shallow to enjoy a beautiful historical building as somewhere to relax, but it’s more than that. It is a functional, social space which people enjoy, and it feels welcoming. Let’s give it a chance.
Photo by Toby Paine for The Student.
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In Defence of Teviot
Although recently there has been some criticism of Teviot on its affordability and atmosphere, I have to disagree with last week’s short rant condemning the refurbished building. Although some argue it has not been designed with student lifestyles in mind on account of the expensive food and drink, I should point out that students don’t need to spend money to enjoy Teviot – it has plenty of space to study and relax (take the reading rooms or the student lounge, where one can actually ‘heat and eat’ for free) if one doesn’t want to go to the bars or cafe. Admittedly, items in the cafe and bars are a bit pricey, and so not the best for those on a budget, but unfortunately, Edinburgh is an expensive city, and so this isn’t really an issue unique to Teviot. For me, at least, I’ve spent more time in the student lounge (in which there are some fabulous comfy chairs, something else I think makes the place feel welcoming) than I have buying baked goods.
As far as the atmosphere being uninviting goes – the fact that there are no period products in the toilets is ridiculous, and I am shocked to learn that. I think, though, we can solve this without writing the entire building’s worth off, and so instead I want to defend the overall benefits of having Teviot. I would especially counter the idea that the building is centred only around aesthetic appeal, and doesn’t have the character to back it up – not only is it a Grade B listed building, which shouldn’t be taken lightly, but it hosts meaningful community events. Just the other week, I went to a ‘volunteering social’ in the writing room for people part of student volunteering groups, and I was given a free drink and dinner by the lovely people running it. Teviot has been a highlight of my time at university so far, especially since I managed to make some new friends at this social. I left the evening feeling grateful and full of really good pizza.
Apart from the character I feel it possesses, though, I think an aesthetically appealing student union actually can make a difference to student welfare. I feel Teviot really can connect students as a community (I know that’s cheesy). I personally don’t find its atmosphere at all ‘strange and jarring’; on the contrary, as well as meeting people at events there, I like feeling like a ‘proper’ Edinburgh student who can hang out at the official student union building, and be part of the student body, valued even as a lowly first-year. Yes, Teviot is fancy, but where that persuades some that appearances are for appearances’ sake, I feel like it boosts my sense of wellbeing when I can study in a pleasant space. As well as that, I feel that because of details like the list of sabbatical officers embossed on the walls, or the university crest outside, I feel included. In my experience, I’ve felt almost flattered that such a gorgeous place represents my university, and therefore me. Anyway, for what students pay each year, isn’t it fair that we can study somewhere with turrets and spiral staircases? I don’t think it’s shallow to enjoy a beautiful historical building as somewhere to relax, but it’s more than that. It is a functional, social space which people enjoy, and it feels welcoming. Let’s give it a chance.
Photo by Toby Paine for The Student.
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