It’s not clear who controls the construction of the new SUB. It’s complex and still developing, but here’s the Cole’s Notes version:

Many, many months ago, the AMS, with much bravado, said that UBC would have no control over the architect and no control over the project manager. No sir. This was a student project, pure and simple, and if UBC didn’t like that fact—despite putting $25 million of their own money into the project—well that was just too bad, gosh darn it. Student solidarity!

Well, months passed. UBC didn’t budge on its demands. Deadlines of some importance for getting this giant building began to draw near. And the AMS caved.

Today, UBC Properties Trust (better known as the notoriously private construction and real estate arm of the university) is the project manager for our new student union building. They will oversee the financial solvency of the project, how it integrates with the rest of the campus, and anything else manager-y they deem fit. AMS President Blake Frederick has (and will) prattle on about how this really means nothing, how students still control the project, and how Properties Trust can be ignored at anytime, but make no mistake about it: there was a negotiation, and the AMS lost.

Is this bad for students? Not necessarily. We don’t know the full details of this arrangement yet, for starters. As well, buildings managed by Properties Trust generally come in on budget and on time. There’s less risk with them involved.

However, if one thing has been made clear on this, it’s that UBC runs this campus, and if they care about having something done their way, it will probably happen their way. Not that this should surprise anyone. But it’s a handy reminder that next time an earnest student politician talks about getting the university to bend to student demands, a healthy dose of skepticism is warranted. Or a better attack strategy.

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