As a third-year computer science student, I am based almost exclusively in the Newcastle Helix Science Central campus. I could probably count on one hand the number of times I’ve had to go onto the main campus, with the exception of courier-related affairs. And it has been more recently that I’ve noticed how much this divide seems to be growing, beyond the 5-10 minute walk.
Yes, it makes sense for me to not have to go onto the main campus, the Urban Science Building has everything I’d ever need for my degree (spoilers, it's lots of computers). Yes, the mere thought of having to go to the main campus, be it for exams or student cards, sends shivers down my spine and has me begging for the sweet release of death. But it still feels like my university experience has been somewhat fragmented. It feels as if students who mostly attend the science central campus are out of the loop, not really aware of how Newcastle University is fairing as a wider establishment.
It still feels like my university experience has been somewhat fragmented.
The UCU strikes have been having a big impact on a lot of students and staff, but for most of those studying Computer Science, it feels like just another Tuesday. Lecturers rarely seem to be striking, raising the question: what is Science Central doing differently? Be it upper management, better funding or just that separation, this only reinforces how divided it all seems.
There are always so many interesting and engaging schemes and events happening on Main Campus that have little influence and presence in Science Central. During Newcastle University’s Black History Month, while it was great to see the inclusion and representation of people of colour, it felt almost limited to Main Campus with little to no involvement with the Science Central campus. Things like the on-campus mirrors - I would have loved to have gotten involved with and learned from those experiences but they were noticeably absent from a campus a lot of people exclusively attend.
I’d love for Main Campus and the Science Central campus to overlap more, creating a more cohesive university experience that doesn’t split people up further just because of their choice of degree. I don’t want to be shunned by all my non-computing friends when I ask what the Arches are (an arch is a shape and there are lots of them, how am I meant to know what that is referring to!).
There is a lot of potential between the two campuses with great experiences for all, so it seems a waste to stick exclusively to one. So why not check out the other from time to time?