Students Left Homeless
Homeless students have expressed indignation at the lack of housing provided by the University’s Accommodation Service. They also see the process of how those rooms have been allocated to non-first years on Campus for next year as being badly managed. This has all led to large numbers of students with accommodation headaches for next year.
Massive demand for accommodation for the forthcoming academic year has resulted in a record amount of students having their applications for campus accommodation rejected. Last year all final year students who wanted a place received one.
Figures show that the amount of accommodation available to students wishing to return to halls is at its lowest level since the University was formed. In Langwith just 40 out of 120 applicants were accepted. A pattern repeated in Goodricke where just 40 places were allocated.
Accommodation Officer, David Maughan in defence of Accommodation Services stated, "Demand has and can fluctuate from year to year." Despite the extensive problems this year Maughan simply felt the need to reiterate that, "The University has not and does not guarantee accommodation for third year undergraduates"
The claims of the Accommodation Service that it has housed 700 out of nearly 1,000 applicants, have puzzled SU staff and College Chairpersons; Halifax chair Verity Radley described the figures as "extremely ambiguous", given the other elements that were subsumed by the figures. Radley notes that official University statistics do not indicate the fact that many students have been forced into taking expensive Private or University Private Partnership accommodation, leaving them classed as ‘successful applicants’. Second year Mathematics student Richard Ludlow stormed "I just didn’t have any choice in the matter, it’s a bloody disgrace. I will have to get a job now to pay the extra cost, time that I cannot afford to lose with the degree I do".
There has been an angry backlash at the way the rooms have been distributed. The University gives priority to students from overseas. However, Taka Tamura, a second year PPE student from Langwith College was refused campus accommodation, despite being Japanese. Whilst living in the UK before coming to University, his family have since returned to Japan. Tamura stresses that he is in "exactly the same position" as other overseas students in having to finance expensive trips home. However, being still classed as a British citizen means that Tamura is not eligible for a campus room, which effectively discriminates against him for being British.
In another worrying development the University’s accommodation service has rejected many applications from students with work placements that end before September 15th of this year. Many departments, including Electronics, had guaranteed that students would receive a room on campus after their placement, though dozens have now been turned away. Student Welfare officer, Gary Loke denounced the inconsistency, and was "concerned" that Accommodation Service was turning away students on placement years. Electronics student, James Smith stated "That they promised accommodation and then people found they couldn’t get it highlights the incompetence of the University in communicating with its departments".
No obvious warnings of high risks of not getting a place were given to students prior to applying. Hundreds of students gave up current housing arrangements with the full belief they would be allowed back next year.
The University have tried to remedy the situation in some cases. However the solutions that the University have presented in these cases, have themselves been found lacking by students. Second year biochemistry student, Lis Lowe stormed "They said they could sort me out with a single person flat, but who wants to live on their own?".
There have been dozens of complaints to both the University and the Student Union. Loke, slammed the University’s accommodation provision. He blasted "They need to think very seriously about accommodating more students".
Many students have accused the timing of the rejection as "severely affecting" their examination performance. Politics student, Iain Lindley received his rejection on the morning of an exam, "I couldn’t concentrate, I was just so angry" he fumed. David Maughan conceded that changing the time offers and rejections are made "is something we can look at". However, no changes have been promised for the future.
Accommodation service has also been criticised for not clamping down on students who are holding campus rooms but do not wish to take them. A fine of £40 is seen by many students as a small price to pay for a contingency plan should plans to live with friends fall through.
Despite the financial implications of this fiasco, the University claims that it does not anticipate an increase in applications to the hardship fund, despite uproar from "several students" and stresses that other university accommodation is available. This however is limited to Ambrose Street in Fulford and Fairfax House, both off campus and areas "notorious for boredom and crime". "One wonders whether the student services are actually here for the benefit of ordinary students" said one student, Alex Durling.
Campus Accommodation: The Truth
– This year’s application saw a record number of rejected applicants
– Last year all final year students who wanted a place received one
– The University promises to house all non-EU students on campus – it does not
– Departments promise housing to all returning work placement students – The Accommodation Office does not support this
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