The addition of the long awaited cash machine on the Heslington East campus has once again been delayed.
Installation was initially due for completion in early October, in time for the new academic year, and was due to be installed in the new YUSU bar/restaurant The Glasshouse. However, a series of setbacks and delays have left students without the prospect of a cash facility until January.
The cash machine was first announced by former YUSU president Tim Ellis in April after a long campaign by students and the union to have one installed.
University Registrar David Duncan told Vision: “We are very frustrated that our suppliers have let us down – we had intended to have the ATM installed before the start of term. It is now scheduled for installation in January but we will keep the pressure on with the aim of bringing this forward.”
Students have been complaining about the lack of cash facilities on the campus since the new Goodricke College accommodation opened up in 2009. Langwith’s move in 2011 further compounded the problem.
Kallum Taylor added his voice to those of the dissatisfied students: “All we’re being told is that it’s been delayed once again.
“Putting it politely, it’s a bit of a joke now. People might be less annoyed if the actual reasons were given to explain the delay; this was apparently all sorted last summer but is yet to happen.
“Until the reasons are given and someone takes responsibility, then it just looks like another case of the complete lack of urgency in servicing Heslington East’s students and staff.”
In the meantime students will still be able to get cashback without making purchases in both the Law and Management Building and in the Ron Cooke Hub. It is also thought that the University are hoping to extend this service to YUSU owned The Glasshouse.
However, these facilities only offer the limited opening hours of campus services, resulting in many Langwith and Goodricke residents being forced to walk to Heslington village to access cash.