This task also dovetails into http://sf0.org/Benjaminbrum/Work-is-So-Strange/

A long standing tradition in my office where I work is the "basement" or "student development" picnic.

The reason we're called the basement is because that's an actual description of my working location rather than just a catchy title. We're in the basement of the Guild of students at Birmingham University.

The Institution had its first foundations in the Old Mason College in the City of Birmingham around 1876. The University itself formally received its Royal Charter in 1900. As a consequence both the Guild and the University officially celebrated their centenaries in the year 2000. The Guild possesses archives which go back to the First World War, clearly establishing a very long tradition of what we would refer to as "modern Students' Unionism".

The University has remained relatively untouched from the incorporation of Colleges in the 1980's and the more recent changes of Polytechnics into Universities (however over the last few years our student numbers have more than doubled to the present level).

The building which the Guild of Students occupies, currently referred to as the Guild, is situated at the edge of the Campus near the East Gate. The building itself dates back to the 1920's and has been added to and amended, most significantly in the 1960's with the addition of the new west wing and more recently the upgrade and change in the Berlins area of the building. It is 10,000 square metres and as such, is one of the largest Student Union buildings in the UK. It is also a characteristic and pleasant environment to work in and is a building that all those who are involved with the Guild are justifiably proud of.

We're not sure if working in the basement has driven us insane or whether the location attracts a certain type of person.