Time capsule sealed at BU’s Student Centre official opening

A time capsule containing items that represent life as a BU student has been sealed in the new Student Centre as part of its official opening.

The time capsule contains items showcasing the student experience at BU in 2015 – including a prospectus, information about the region, and memorabilia related to AFC Bournemouth’s historic promotion to the Premier League.

It has been sealed in a glass compartment within the staircase of the Student Centre, a new six-storey building on BU’s Talbot Campus, and will be opened in 2042 to mark 50 years of university status.

BU Vice Chancellor Professor John Vinney said: “It is a fantastic record of student life today and a snapshot of the experience that our students have at this moment in time.”

BU students also suggested items through a social media competition, with three winning entries chosen to include within the capsule: a mini NeSSa the camel mascot; a flyer advertising events taking place at The Old Fire Station; and a list of projects currently taking place in the Faculty of Science and Technology.

At the official opening of the £10.5 million Student Centre, visitors were able to explore the new facility – which includes a range of social and collaborative learning space – including beach hut techno-booths – and bookable meeting rooms, as well as catering facilities and access points for student services. 

The Student Centre is also the new home of the Students’ Union at Bournemouth University (SUBU) – containing the SUBU offices, student advice centre and activities hub, and new radio studios and space for Nerve* student media. 

Professor John Vinney said: “This building is a landmark building for the university, which embraces the partnership that Bournemouth University has with the Students’ Union.

“It’s a fantastic facility for staff and students and sets the standard we want to achieve going forwards.”

SUBU President Chloe Schendel-Wilson said the building had already been a big hit with students.

“I don’t need to tell you how much this building has been used and loved by students. It has given students somewhere that they can treat as their own and feel comfortable,” she said.

“It allows students to get to know more about what the SUBU officers do and it’s a real platform to highlight all the student activities that go on here.”

Work is currently underway to create a new academic building on Talbot Campus, due to open in September 2016, and the Bournemouth University International College in Lansdowne – a partnership with Kaplan International to provide an integrated experience for international students undertaking preparatory programmes. 

Find out more about the life of the Student Centre through this Storify.