Self-catering facilities cut
The university has substantially removed or reduced accommodation cooking facilities across campus in response to new government fire and safety regulations.
Around 400 students in Derwent, Goodricke, Langwith and Vanbrugh colleges have been affected by the new Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. The order came into force on October 1 2006 and has seen cookers and electrical appliance removed from college kitchens.
The new regulation stipulates that fire risks such as cookers, baby bellings and certain appliances cannot be situated on escape routes.
Kitchens in the affected blocks have had these appliances removed, leaving only microwaves, toasters, water boilers and fridge freezers. Plug sockets have also been hardwired to stop students using other appliances.
Derwent and Vanbrugh colleges have been worst affected, with 227 and 90 students respectively losing catering facilities, whilst around 80 students have been affected in Goodricke and Langwith.
The Derwent College Chair, Dave Jones, has criticised the University for its late action saying “it’s another incident when the university have left it till the last minute… it wouldn’t have been a problem if the University hadn’t cut corners in the past.”
The University has defended the changes as essential. Jon Greenwood, Director of Commercial Services, said the University has a program of upgrading older campus accommodation as it has done in Langwith, but said “we can’t refurbish all the blocks at the same time as the cost would be around £11 million.”
Rich Croker, the Students’ Union President, acknowledged that the safety changes were essential and welcomed the refurbishments, but said “it’s something that should be happening anyway.”
Commercial Services have introduced a new discounted pre-paid catering scheme called Meals in Advance Deal (MAD). Jon Greenwood, said “the scheme is being introduced to offer an alternative option to students with reduced cooking facilities as well as to offer unaffected students a discount if they pay upfront.”
The MAD scheme, which cost £20,000 to introduce, initially offers two catering packages including breakfast and dinner 5 days a week for £350 a term, and 7 days a week for £475 a term.
Croker condemned the University for not consulting the SU on the plan, whilst Jones, Derwent Chair, questioned its price saying “some students won’t be able to pay, they’re the ones getting really ripped off”.
A new price scheme has now been negotiated by the SU to come into effect in Week Three.
Alcuin kitchen
1 microwave
1 oven
8 gas hobs
12 chairs
A large table
14 cupboards
3 drawers
3 bins
2 fridge-freezers
2 sinks
A bay window
For use by twelve students
Derwent kitchen
6 chairs
4 fridge-freezers
20 small lockers
2 microwaves
1 sink
1 toaster
1 hot water boiler
For use by twenty students
By Jamie Merrill
NEWS CORRESPONDENT
