Forced relocation of students threatens identity
87 STUDENTS HAVE been forced by the University to move from Vanbrugh to Alcuin to make room for new offices.
The move, which is taking place over a three day period in exam week in January, is affecting all of Vanbrugh C Block and half of B block. Officially the move was necessary because of leaking roofs, yet according to the Vanbrugh JCRC chair, Sarah Jones, the University is set to receive “nearly a million pounds in grant money” to refit and refurbish the buildings for staff offices.
Jones said that the displacement of so many Vanbrugh students was “unfortunate, but it’s not going to affect the college”. However, members of the JCR have expressed their concerns over the move to Nouse, claiming that they had received 210 signatures on a petition against the forced move.
Although the students that move will remain affiliated to Vanbrugh, next year the Alcuin accommodation will be allocated to Alcuin students. Since Vanbrugh’s planned new accommodation, Bleachfields, will not be ready for the start of next year the college will only receive 175 freshers in 2006, compared to 255 this year. Alongside this many will be living in off campus accommodation at Fairfax House and therefore only 80 students will actually live on campus.
George Hudson, a Bar Rep, said: “Vanbrugh is going to have to fight really hard to have a college spirit at all.
“We don’t want to stop people moving, but we want to give them the choice. If the students want to stay here, then we as a JCR have to fight for their right to stay.”
However Jones said that this was not the priority: “the plans are not going to change, the most important thing is to make the move go smoothly. Most students appear to want to go since they originally applied for en suite rooms anyway.”
Hudson also called for some of the grant to be given to Vanbrugh: “The whole motive behind the move has been money, students haven’t been considered for a second. The priority always seems to be for the people who are paid to be in the University rather than those who pay.”
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