Petition: Democratic Planning for the Future Use of HKU Main Building
(English Version) （中文版）
The Centennial Campus of the University of Hong Kong is expected to be completed by the next academic year in order to cope with the 2 cohort of new students joining the University as a result of the “3-3-4” curriculum reform. The Main Building will be vacated as the current occupant, the Faculty of Arts, will move to the Centennial Campus. The further use of the Main Building has become a subject of great concern for many.
The University Administration had discussed with various Departments regarding the future use of the Main Building as early as a few years ago. The University had also organised 3 consultation forums on the same issue. At the two forums that have already been held, the University emphasised that no plan have been decided yet. However, the media had recently reported that the University has already submitted a proposal to the Government and recommended the majority of spaces be converted into administrative offices.
The Main Building is the icon of the University and is a cultural heritage of Hong Kong, filled with the memories of the staff and students of different generations. The Main Building is also a witness to the history of Hong Kong's last century. The Main Building belongs to each and every staff and students of the University. It also belongs to the Hong Kong Public. Its future use should be planned by the staff and students of the University together with the Hong Kong Public.
We request the University to:-
1. Explain immediately whether there are plans for the future use of the Main Building. If there are, the University should release the details of such plans forthwith;
2. Respect and seriously consider the opinion of Staff, Students and the Public, and extend the consultation period;
3. Include Staff, Students and the Public in the planning process on the future use of the Main Building, implementing a democratic planning of the campus.
Originator:
HKU Centenary Action
KWOK Wing-kin（BEcon&Fin 2010）
SHING Hiu-yi（BA 2011）
Desmond SHAM Hok-man（BA 2006, MPhil 2009）
Arthur CHENG Shing-hin（BA 2010）
Timothy LAM Sau-yin（BA 2010, MSc (Urban Planning) I）
Michael TSUI Kit-sang （BSocSci V）
LO Kwun-hin（BA 2010）
Judy CHAN Ka-man（BSocSci 2010）
Signatories:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ah4l8y9zV2gVdGs0UWtTMG5IVEJ...
【Background】
According to a report of South China Morning Post on 30 April, the University has already submitted a plan for the future use of the Main Building to the government. The plan will ultimately transform it to an administrative building. The University is hiding this plan from the public.
The News Clip of SCMP:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150712965045418&set=a.424913220...
The proposed floor plan submitted to the government：
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.346112082121426
【Other ways to voice out】
The Last Consultation Forum：
Date: May 5, 2012 (Saturday)
Time: 10:00am to 12:00nn
Venue: Convocation Room, Room 218, Main Building.
Write to the PVC & VC：
PVC Prof. John Malpas）：[email protected]
VC Prof. L.C. Tsui：[email protected]