Vanbrugh students angry after secret laundry closure
The Vanbrugh laundry facility was demolished over Easter to make way for the conversion of C Block into offices, leaving students with no laundry facilities on their return to York.
The Chair of Vanbrugh JCRC, Mickey Masefield, has spoken out against this action by the University, claiming “they have not thought about students’ needs again”.
The intention to close the laundry was first announced in the summer term of 2005. The laundry, which was originally set to close in January 2006, was to be replaced by a service in Market Square which the University promised would be operational by December 2005.
At the beginning of last term, the University announced that, despite its failure to obtain planning permission for the new facility in Market Square, it still intended to close the laundry.
Residents of Vanbrugh reacted with a large protest outside the laundry and a petition of 1125 signatures. As a result of this, Campus Services Manager Sue Johnston met with students and agreed not to close the facility until further notice.
However, Masefield claims that he was “not consulted at all” about the sudden closure of the laundry over Easter, and only found out about it through a forwarded email.
Of the University’s promise last term to keep the laundry open until further notice, he said “they just say it to keep students quiet. They’re very clever in what they do. They’ll tell you one thing and do another.”
David Efird, Vanbrugh’s Resident Dean, said last week: “While the closing of the Vanbrugh laundry facility without the Market Square laundry ope-ning…was a bit inconvenient, it was absolutely necessary for the important renovation work happening in C Block.”
One source, who cannot be named, claims that the University has received a grant of £600,000 for the work. Jane Whyman, Zone 6 Facilities Manager, refused to comment on the matter.
A Vanbrugh student, who did not wish to be named, said last week “I don’t know why they do this to us. They treat students like we don’t matter. Why can’t they show us some respect? We need to keep clean like everyone else.”
Efird said “This situation has been handled with as much sensitivity as possible to the residents of Vanbrugh”.
However, Masefield was not satisfied, claiming the University “are letting down the students” and adding “I’m disappointed, but I half expected it.”
Nat Thwaites McGowan voiced his support for the University on Tuesday, sating “It’s a shame the Market Square facility didn’t open, but I don’t think we’ve been screwed at all. We all knew the laundry was going to close, including Masefield. I don’t know what he’s up to.”
Plans for a replacement facility in Market Square have been scrapped and a temporary replacement facility is to open in week 2.
Until then, residents are to to use the facilities of Langwith and Derwent.
