Passed

We propose that all affiliated SU societies (i.e music/drama/dance groups) should be able to book university AMATA rooms as rehearsal venues for free. Currently, societies are required to pay high rates for use of all AMATA spaces; groups pay up to thousands of pounds yearly for this hire, something not seen in practically any other university. As university societies, AMATA should be supporting its ‘home’ groups, not forcing them into relying on SU funding to simply break even.

- Costs of room hire necessitate high costs to enter music/drama/dance societies - this excludes membership to disadvantaged students and places the burden of costs on students, the very people AMATA is created to support. - Much like lecture rooms being open to all, so should spaces for arts societies that support learning, collaboration, and creativity. Charging for AMATA spaces counters the university’s ethos of inclusivity, and fails to serve all students equitably. Societies should not be disadvantaged for simply attempting to bring the arts to the local student and public community. - Quality of performances is affected as some societies are simply unable to hold extra rehearsals due to cost. - A student society on Streatham Campus pays no cost at all to use any of the campus music and performance venues, and these spaces are larger and better equipped - whilst paying the same fees, this shows the fundamental mismatch in facilities provided on this campus. - It is currently the same price to book a mid-sized church in Truro with free parking, kitchen facilities and instrument systems as to book a mid-sized studio in AMATA. It is unclear what we are paying for - most groups rehearse on empty weekday evenings, set up and tear down their own spaces and collect all the stores themselves.

- This could reduce society membership costs for students as the huge burden of AMATA hire would be reduced, increasing participation and removing barriers to entry. - More (and higher quality) concerts and performances can be held in the local community, bringing performing arts to families in Falmouth at low cost, promoting AMATA as a hub of education and the arts. - Societies can spend money on music purchase, gig booking, instruments, equipment and other things that would enhance member experience. - With reduced expenses, societies can hold more events, concerts, and performances. The society-organised music Christmas concert sells out every year, yet more regular concerts cannot be held due to cost.

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