The University of York has been heavily criticised by distressed first year Langwith students who have been forced to live off campus.
First year student Alex Byron was left fuming by what he described as “a huge cock up” in the accommodation system, which has resulted in him living in a shared house on Fifth Avenue.
The outraged student told Vision: “What made me angry was not being off campus, but being told that I would be guaranteed on-campus, and then not getting it. Trying to ensure I get the best possible accommodation was put in my hands, as I had to barter with accommodation staff to get what I wanted.
“Now I’ve been shunned into a house away from campus. Whilst I look forward to living with my new housemates, it is still a great shame the University hasn’t lived up to its expectations. Either this was a huge admin mess, or they put money ahead of my safety.”
A number of other students endured similar experiences, as the University’s over-recruitment resulted in roughly 150 first-years being forced to live off campus at the Boulevard, at Walmgate or in University leased houses in York.
A student based on Melbourne Street, said: “I feel let down by the University due to the lack of helpful guidance received whenever I contacted them. The drawn out wait for any offer of accommodation made me feel like I didn’t want to go to university any more.
“I deliberately chose a campus university because I wanted to live on campus and I had been told that I would be able to do so. I believe that, as a fresher, being on campus is very important.”
The Criminology student, who gained a place through clearing, was initially promised that she would be provided accommodation by 6th September, but only received the offer of a house on the 17th September.
She added: “I feel like the students are having to pay for the University’s mistakes and that the University needs to take more responsibility for their actions and put a new system in place to prevent this from happening again.
“I would like to add, though, how appreciative I am of Kallum Taylor and the SU’s commendable efforts to reassure students and get systems put in place to try to make the transition into university life as smooth as possible.”
Fellow student Thom Wilkinson, who will also be living in a University-owned house on Melbourne Street, said: “I am disappointed that I was unable to stay in one of the colleges across campus but as I came through to the university through clearing I was less annoyed than if it had been my first choice.
“I think I have been notified well by the university but it seems all very last minute, I applied for accommodation immediately in August and it was only a few days ago I found out where I actually would be living.
“Also, I am unable to move into my actual house on Melbourne Street until the 1st October which is annoying as I will be transporting all of my possessions on the 28th and will have to move again after three days.”
Another student, who asked to remain anonymous, but revealed that they will be living in a shared house with another eight people, added: “I am devastated to be so far away from campus. I only applied to York because it was a campus university and I feel as if I have been severely screwed over. I don’t know how I am going to enjoy student life, I feel like I am going to be utterly ostracised.”
Computer Science student Vladimir Daglis was yet another student who was unable to gain accommodation on campus, and will now be living on Ambleside Avenue, 3km away from his department.
Nevertheless he remains positive about his situation, and told Vision: “As the main argument for me to live off campus was economical, I can’t really complain about the University Accommodation System as such. Of course, living on campus must be great, as this makes finding and communicating with friends much easier.”
The University has offered free bus passes to all first years who have not been granted campus accommodation, whilst YUSU and Langwith College have been working on measures to help these students.
In response to the criticism that has been levelled at the University, Secretary and Registrar David Duncan said: “Most College members do live off campus (about two thirds of the total student population). This year, a number of first-year undergraduate members of Langwith College will be living in University-managed accommodation in the private rental sector.
“The College staff, the JCRC and YUSU are working very hard to ensure that those students are fully integrated into College life. I am confident that they will receive a very warm welcome and will have an excellent start to their University careers.”
YUSU President Kallum Taylor reiterated such sentiments, adding: “We really feel for any students who feel like they’ve been messed about over the last month on this accommodation issue.
“We can now only do our best to make sure that these extra off-campus freshers firstly feel ‘part’ of everything that’s going down on campus, and also that any undue financial burdens are not placed onto them for being placed in off-campus accommodation when they didn’t want it.”
All off-campus first years have been assigned as members of Langwith College, and will partake in that freshers week.
Langwith JCRC Chair Sam Maguire told Vision: “We are so excited for these students to come and they are going to have major roles within the college over the next year.”