The new main entrance to the Union of Students was opened over the weekend ready for this week's degree ceremonies.  I found myself trying to direct certain parents and supporters around it today, despite the fact that I didn't fully recognise where I was myself.  Some of the Union Officers, past and present, were around and they are clearly wowed by the building.  It is an absolutely splendid entrance to what we know is the best Union of Students in a UK university.

I hope, however, that it won't be seen as 'sour grapes' to say that there are few acacdemic buildings that have such an impressive atrium and entrance.  Of course, I know that the footfall of students in the Union is many times greater than in any academic building - even in Jessop West or in the Mappin Complex -  but sometimes we perhaps put a little too much emphasis on the quality of the Union.  Our prospectuses sometimes appear to be selling the Union as much as the selling the acacdemic experience of the university.  That is something that has changed in the last couple of years, but there is a danger that we make the sort of claim that was once made for the Victoria and Albert Museum in London - "nice café with a reasonable museum attached." In our case it could be "fantastic Union with some quite good academic departments to go to as well".

The trick in getting this right lies in our marketing as an institution.  And part of that will depend on each academic department putting forward clear statements, addressed to candidates and students, about the excitement and value of studying their discipline.  What I would really like to see is acacdemic departments all providing the sort of 'wow' factor introduction to the studying side of university life that the new Union entrance gives to the social, cultural, entertainment, campaigning and support side of the student experience.  In my view not all do at present, although some do it very well.