Queen's faces accommodation crisis
THE NUMBER of undergraduate places at Queen's have been reduced in an effort to tackle accommodation shortages that have already forced up to 40 second years to share rooms next year. Tutor for Admissions Dr John Davis revealed that only 90 undergraduates will be admitted next Michaelmas term, down from the usual 96.
The decision came after the college's authorities realised they were unable to make provision for all its students, who are guaranteed accommodation for the duration of their courses. The number of students completing four year courses, a drop in those taking a year abroad and a need to find rooms for tutors returning from sabbatical, have all been cited as factors behind the current predicament. The requirements of a growing graduate population are only exacerbating the situation further.
Students were only made aware of the problem last week, following an announcement at a JCR meeting. JCR President Rebecca Patton criticised the college for being: “very slow at responding to this problem.” Davis admitted that the college “didn't see it coming” and failed to anticipate the shortage of space.
When questioned about the delay in notifying students of the situation the Home Bursar Dr Linda Irving- Bell emphasised the process was purely consultative and no firm decisions had been taken. She added: “We take the views of the JCR very seriously.” However Patton voiced concerns that some members of the college and SCR are not taking the matter seriously enough.
Speaking to The Oxford Student, she said: “It is of major concern to students how they will live next year because it has such an effect on how your life is organised.” Patton added that she was: “very proud of the response of the first years so far”, emphasising the constructive nature of their comments. In addition to sharing rooms, there is the possibility that some second years may live out, or be offered accommodation in other colleges.
It is a situation however, that OUSU VP Welfare Nicky Ellis has described as “obviously not ideal”, an opinion echoed by students themselves. First year Classicist Terri Loska said the situation was ‘ridiculous', adding: “A lot of people would like to hear what the SCR have to say. College have handled it quite badly, they must have seen this coming.
History and Spanish student Khim Kharaud also condemned the absence of communication from the SCR, commenting: “We haven't had an apology from any member of the college.” A spokeswoman for the Oxford Colleges Admissions Office said it was up to individual colleges to balance their numbers year by year.
17th Feb 2005