#The chunk of the southern coast that fell off and became the Isle of Wight #left a hole which was filled by a channel of water called #The Solent. #In the niche on the mainland to the north of the Solent is Southampton. #In a quiet area, two miles from the city centre, is the landscaped campus of the University. #Apart from older redbrick building, there's fairly indiscriminate use of concrete and, #to keep up with recent expansion, #some blocks are nothing more than prefabs. #However, the buildings are low enough for it to be possible to hide the worst excesses behind many trees and #the total effect is not unattractive, #at least until the leaves fall off. #The campus is dotted with bizarre sculptures in the style of Henry Moore. #Most people think a swimming pool, say, would have been a better buy, #not least since one sculpture was designed to moan in the wind, #but had to be silenced when the constant humming disturbed the Law Department. #About 850 medical students are based less than a mile away #at the Boldrewood Medical Centre. #This is a separate community and the students here make their own entertainment. #Back in the centre of the main campus in the Hartley Library, #one of four with a total collection of approaching a million books. #Southampton is hot on embracing new ideas from the Government, which many other universities wouldn't touch with someone else's barge-pole. #For instance, it is keen to run shorter degree courses - 2 years, perhaps - #and charge all students a supplementary fee to cover tuition. #Whether such things come to pass remains to be seen. #The Students' Union hasn't been motivating students to tear up paving stones in protest, #but then, the these students just aren't the type #who'd consider mass agitation their idea of a laugh. #The Union's main focus is on making lashings of cash by providing more services than Cynthia Payne, #mainly in the large Union Building, #which has an underground corridor linking different parts. #It also has two bars, #both reminiscent of airport lounges and there are 5 more in the halls of residence. #The students are a fun-loving mix and almost anyone can find somewhere to slot in. #There's a different clique for almost anyone and #often a different club for each clique. #The Athletic Union is the University's most active student organisation and #an astonishing 98% of students take part. #There are good sports facilities on and near the campus. #The Community Action Group also involves a lot of students. #The Union publishes 'Wessex News' - Southampton's answer to the Sunday Sport, #or there's the Glen Eyre Hall radio station. #Around the campus, there are always jazz evenings, #debates and speakers, comedy revues, #balls and parties to crash - any excuse will do. Or hell, who needs an excuse? #Students hot to trot can gallop to a stallion pace at the weekly 'Beehive' in the Union's ballroom, which also hosts live gigs. #The University's largest venue is the West Refectory. #There's also the Turner Sims Concert Hall. #As many as 60% of students are estimated to come from private schools and #there is an air of prosperity (if not actually wealth). #Many students have cars and parking problems may be one of the causes of somewhat chilly relations with the local community in recent years. #Southampton used to revolve around its port, #but less so now. #The centre is great for grant-gutting sprees and there's a small bohemian quarter with good pubs and shops. #It's easy to find accommodation - it will take 2 days max to find somewhere, probably within a short walk from the town centre or campus and, #importantly, within staggering distance of the best pubs. #Students should avoid letting anyone convince them to sort out their housing too long in advance. #It's a case of the early bird getting ripped off #and the later one getting the cheapest nest. #However, almost all first years live in - it's only later that almost everyone lives out. #There are 13 halls, all within a mile from the campus, #and five of which provide catered accommodation. #Highfield is the prettiest hall. #Glen Eyre the most popular despite the noise and the quality of the food. #Montefiore the most hated, #and Bencraft is next to the Crematorium.
