The ANU has announced its intention to demolish Bruce Hall, including its historic dining hall. The plan is based on the premise of offering the 'Bruce Experience' to more students, which is a commendable goal, but surely it should not come at the expense of the physical Hall itself.

We believe the current plan does not give proper regard to what actually comprises the Bruce Hall experience, and want to stop the destruction of an important part of the ANU's - and Canberra's - social fabric. 

The Vice Chancellor has said that “the unique culture and histories of Bruce Hall” will be “appropriately integrated into the new buildings”; but this is lip service and misses the point. The original buildings, and particularly the dining hall, are central to the Bruce Hall experience. They instil pride in the Hall’s history; they remind students of the efforts of former wardens and students who worked tirelessly for decades to foster a unique community spirit; and they remind us that the buildings are fixtures in a community that is constantly changing; without them the connection to the Hall’s history will quickly be lost.