The President of the University of Lincoln Students’ Union (SU) has said the decision to move one of its club nights from a weekly to monthly basis is down to a change in ‘drinking cultures’.
The SU came under fire yesterday after announcing the changes to its Saturday club night ‘Anthem’, hosted at the Engine Shed.
The move particularly angered those who had paid £140 for a ‘platinum card’, which allows entry to events throughout the year, and was sold on the premise that ‘Anthem’ would be weekly.
One ‘platinum card’ buyer, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Linc that the move was ‘unacceptable’ and said that the SU should accept they had ‘messed up’.
But in a statement today, the SU President, Kudzai Muzangaza, defended the decision.
He said: “Feedback for Anthem has been very positive, but changes in drinking cultures have meant less people are generally going out, and when you have a venue the size of Engine Shed, it’s noticeable.
“For me, having been to every Anthem except for one, the experience and production is beyond anything else being offered in the city centre, therefore it’s regrettable that students are not taking advantage of it.”
In regards to a possible refund on the ‘platinum cards’, the SU confirmed in a statement that they would not be offering refunds.
A statement said: “In efforts to adapt to changing student cultures, Lincoln Students’ Union has recognised the need to review the offering it provides.
“It’s been noticed on a national scale how the night-time economy has been reduced in recent years (in a recent independent survey, only 22% of students put “going clubbing” in their top three activities enjoyed with friends), with people going out on nights out much less on average.
“Following student feedback stating people go out once every few weeks, it was felt a monthly event would sit better in the current environment.”
“Lincoln Students’ Union will be looking to add additional and more diverse events into the Entertainments programme.
“Whilst refunds won’t be issued for Platinum Cards, this will result in new events being added into the card’s offering, to allow for even more savings throughout the year for those students who purchased one.
“Lincoln Students’ Union is committed to delivering a quality and varied entertainments programme, as part of the Union’s commercial services, of which all profits are reinvested back into Student Union services.”
But the anonymous ‘platinum card’ buyer told The Linc: “I think they should accept they’ve messed up and talk to us, the students, about what we want as a night out. Especially if we have already paid for it in advance.”