Bulletin Spring‧Summer, 2008

Chung Fu-yuen, chairperson of Shaw Band: The College has turned an activity room on the fifth floor of Wen Lan Tang into a band room, which is bigger and better equipped than the old one. Both current and previous society members and other CUHK users are happy with it. The new band room is air-conditioned and fitted out with better soundproofing foam. It is more comfortable and minimizes the noise impact on Wen Lan Tang. Shaw Band members have classes to attend in the daytime, and after class, we have society affairs to take care of, such as performing or promotion of our activities. So, as often as not, we have to practise at night, sometimes into the small hours. If we were still using the old room to practise, it would definitely invite complaints. The new band room has made our lives much easier. To hone the leadership and organizational skills of Shaw students, they are put at the helm of a number of large-scale activities on Shaw campus. These include Orientation Camp, 'Shaw Lane' evening bazaar, College Founder's Day celebrations, and the Singing Contest. At these activities organized and run by students, the College takes a back seat, playing only a supportive role. Hobbies! Hobbies! Hobbies! Zhang Chao of the Qing dynasty lamented, 'Flowers are not complete without butterflies, hills without springs, rocks without moss, water without watercress, arbours without creepers, and men without hobbies.' Indeed, how insipid life would be without hobbies! Shaw College has a multitude of student societies and clubs organizing different activities for students. The College also seeks to provide them with the necessary resources. The setting up of the first and only band room on campus is a case in point. Formed in 1998, the Shaw College Band Society, better known as 'Shaw Band', used to practise in a room without soundproofing. In order to minimize disturbance to students and staff, they limited their practice sessions to non-office hours. Realizing the needs of these students, in 2007 the College and the University allocated resources to build them a new band room with soundproofed walls. The room is not only used by Shaw Band, but also available for booking by all CUHK students. The Unique Collegiate Experience of CUHK   21