Freshers angry at facility cuts
University officials had to deal with angry parents and compensate freshers with free meal vouchers as students arrived on campus over the weekend.
Students in Goodricke, Langwith and Vanbrugh Colleges arrived to find refurbishment work incomplete and substantially reduced cooking facilities.
A Vanbrugh College official had incorrectly informed students they would be in catered accommodation complete with ovens. However new fire and safety regulations mean all appliances considered fire risks have been removed.
Mrs James, whose son is due to commence his studies at the University this week, said “I’m outraged and annoyed. We’re going to put in a request to move to alternative accommodation. My daughter is at Nottingham and this would never have happened.”
At Goodricke College around 100 students were told that refurbishment work in A block carried out over the summer had not been completed and no kitchen facilities were available. Students in Langwith A block also arrived to find they had no refrigerators.
Dr Jane Clarbour, Goodricke’s Provost, said “the University’s response to this has been quite late.” Students have been offered three meal vouchers a day and bottled water until the kitchens are ready. However one contractor said the work would take longer than two weeks as “there is too much to do”.
Sue Johnston, Head of Campus Services, said of the difficulties “there have only been one or two problems and the [JCRs] and colleges have worked really hard successfully to resolve them.”
