A new home for Cambridge University Students' Union

After 17 years in “temporary” accommodation in Trumpington Street, CUSU has found a permanent home in a suite of smartly-refurbished offices close to the Large Examination Hall on the New Museum Site.

Mark Fletcher, President of CUSU, (pictured above left at the opening party) said he was delighted with the new premises.

He said: “The University is constantly changing, and the need to have a strong and organised central student voice is obvious. The new offices give us a fantastic facility to improve and co-ordinate our internal work, while allowing students to use the resources we never had before.”

CUSU, which has a newly-designed logo as well as a new base, was established in 1971 as the University-wide representative body for students at Cambridge. It was formally recognised by the University in 1984 and was run from offices in Round Church Street in its early years.

Its second president was Charles Clarke, later a Labour MP, Secretary of State for Education and Home Secretary. Subsequent presidents have included Conservative politician David Lidington and Labour councillor Pav Akhtar.

Five of the six current CUSU sabbatical officers came to Cambridge from state schools, and its Access Officer Charlotte Richer plans an ambitious programme of access and outreach events, including the well-established shadowing scheme run in February.

Several of the assistant staff at CUSU have worked for the organisation for many years. Among them is Carol Matthews, who came to work for CUSU more than 27 years ago, moving from the porter's lodge team at Jesus College.

Student papers –The Cambridge Student and Varsity – have rooms adjoining CUSU's offices and share many of the new facilities.