Student Union Government (SUG)

If you were to ask different members of a polytechnic community what the beating heart of the campus is, you’d likely get different responses. On residential campuses, students might point to the dorm rooms or houses. More academically minded students might say the classroom or the library. Others might point to a large communal green space, like a lawn, or the communal dining hall. High-minded administrators might even call the student body the heart of an institution.

While all of these answers are perfectly valid, there’s one central building that's often at the heart of campus life: the student union. This building typically houses anything, from administrative offices to student services, and may even include the likes of dining facilities. Most importantly, the student union is a key social space on campus, with plenty of room for studying, events, and just hanging out.

Here are five reasons why student unions help students cope with the challenges of polytechnic life:

What Is A Student Union?

The term 'student union' typically refers to an organized body of students committed to defending student rights and improving student experience.

Below, take a look at how exactly a good student union can shape a student's life at polytechnic.

1. Work Hard, Play Hard

   Many spaces on the typical college campus are purely academic, such as classrooms, libraries and academic services. Others, like the dining hall and dormitories, are more purely social or residential. Student unions, by contrast, are hybrid buildings that mix a bit of academics with a primarily recreational purpose. From hidden nooks and crannies for naps in between classes to dedicated quiet study spaces, student unions seamlessly blend the academic demands of college life with the social opportunities. The student union is a place to hang out, to meet up, to get work done, and to have a good time—all rolled in to one.

2. A Unique Touch

   Being such a multipurpose space, student unions at different insitutions will have different amenities to offer. Typically, these include, but are not limited to, lounges, recreational, wellness, and dining facilities or vendors. Oftentimes, the unique element of a student center is part of what makes life at a certain college distinct. Some student unions may offer health services, while others may have recreational facilities, ranging from gyms to bowling alleys.

3. Convenient And Centralized

   One key feature of a student union is that it brings a number of vital resources into one space. This turns student unions into a hub of activities, a representation of the dynamic nature of polytechnic life. Students can visit the typical student union to dine, study, socialize, attend events, or get important information. Many campus organizations and clubs will hold events and gatherings there, and students know that if they’re looking for something to do or someone to talk to, that can be found any hour of the day at the student union.

4. Home Away From Home

   For some residential insitutions, common spaces in houses or hostels can play a key role in the social lives of students and community building on campus. However, some residential colleges don’t have sufficient common spaces in housing, while others lack them all together. Insitutions in Nigeria mostly have a large portion of the student body living off campus and commuting to class each day. In such cases, students need a meeting space to connect with their peers and their school, a spot to pass the time between classes. For many commuter schools, a lively student union helps make commuting students feel welcome on campus, as well as build social connections with their fellow peers. Student unions as meeting spaces help students identify more with their peers and their school, building a strong foundation for networking in the future.

5. A Million WaysTo Get Involved

   Not only do student unions help commuting students feel more at home, they also help them feel more involved. This sense of belongingness and involvement may even help improve their academic performance overall. Beyond that, student unions typically offer a myriad of ways for students to become better involved with their own college experience. Boards announcing events, regular club meetings, and spaces for visiting vendors and organizations can all draw students into new opportunities. Students may connect with new campus clubs, discover a common interest, or even find their future careers at job fairs hosted by a student union. By blending the social and academic aspects of college life, student union buildings help students to better see their priorities and discover how they can effectively get involved with their school and their community.

OKE OLUDELE ADESOLA -  SUG President (2023/2024 Acdemic Session)

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