Society Spotlight: University of Canberra Architecture Society (UCAS)
By Ruby Thomas
The University of Canberra (UC) is unique for many reasons – one of these being the array of exciting practical and arts degrees offered to students.
The UC architecture society, or UCAS, is set up to support architecture students academically, but they’re also a social club.
I met up with UCAS Treasurer Mackenzie to hear more about how the society is fairing mid-year.
UCAS has held a few events in the first half of the year, with more to come later on.
In week seven, UCAS provided some snacks to students, and decided to keep the communal snacking events going for Easter.
Before Good Friday, the Easter bunny made a stop at the architecture studio.
In the Building 7 outdoor area, students were invited to ‘hop on over’ to enjoy some sweet treats, partake in a BBQ, as well as an egg painting competition.
Mackenzie said it was the most popular event of the year so far.
The architecture society hosted UC Bar’s trivia last week, which Mackenzie says was also successful with students. It might go without saying, however, that the architecture students took out the winning title!
UCAS has even more themed leisure planned for students next week.
To celebrate the end of semester, the society is holding a screening of the appropriately chosen film, The Brutalist, about a visionary architect.
Mackenzie says all students are welcome regardless of field of study, although prices for UCAS members are cheaper at $3.50, as opposed to $12.
UCAS members have more to look forward to at the end of the year, as Mackenzie said the society would be hosting a ball at the end of semester two, when all assignments are done and dusted.
While UCAS might organise non-architecture related events, the society also plays an important academic role for students.
Mackenzie says UCAS coordinate locker hire and desk hire for students. Across the impressive facilities in building 7, architecture students can have their own part of UC to store their materials and realise all their great ideas.
Although Mackenzie says the UC architecture school is small compared to some other Australian institutions, he says there are some advantages for students at UC.
There’s a healthy student to staff ratio, and it’s a great degree for those with creative minds.
And although there’s plenty of students who like to work within clear parameters, Mackenzie says he loves the freedom available to students studying architecture in what they choose to work on.
“Probably the studios are the fun ones, but they take a lot of work, research and modelling,” he said.
It’s undeniable Mackenzie and other UCAS committee members have been working tirelessly to invigorate the club.
Last year, UCAS had a huge 120 official members, with 60 of those estimated as active members.
The switchover to Rubric, however, has presented some challenges to club membership for many clubs and societies, including UCAS.
Mackenzie says the architecture society now has 48 members, with only two more members needed to make the milestone 50!
Students can sign up to UCAS on the Rubric website…two more students and the architecture society will be granted a little more funding to build an even better society. So why not be one of the lucky two? Sign up to UCAS now!