YUSU and the Langwith JCRC have secured more than £30,000 in compensation for students affected by the ongoing accommodation issues. The two bodies worked together to devise a campaign based around “the mass submission of official complaints forms.” 
Sam Maguire, Langwith JCRC Chair, said in a blog post: “We collected well over 300 [complaint forms], which clearly shows the large scale of the problems. The university has offered £50 to all 623 on-campus students, which amounts to over £30,000, an unprecedented level of compensation.
“Throughout the first two terms of this year both the current and previous Langwith JCRCs have been inundated with complaints from our on-campus residents.
He continued: “These were based on accommodation problems ranging from unacceptable levels of heating to flooded halls. These problems were beyond minor irritations, they were affecting our students wellbeing and ability to perform their everyday routines. One of the most telling examples was one kitchen who had to have all their ovens on full and work in their kitchens because their rooms were freezing. The university were far too slow to provide information and support for our students.”
Students have reacted positively to the news, with a number suggesting it is “about time” and that the University “have had long enough” to sort the problems out.
Second year Physics student Isabel Groves told Vision: “Well, what an absolute relief for Langwith students. My experience of living there on campus last year was, in general, pretty negative and it’s just pleasing that the problems can now be properly addressed. The students deserve this compensation after what they have been forced to put up with.”
And Maguire said the University should use the situation as an example for the future: “Whilst the money is great, the message it sends is just as important. The university has now got to look at Langwith as an example of what not to do. With the imminent construction of college 9 they must ensure that future students do not face the same problems.
“This is a great result for students, and a great example of what can be achieved when JCRCs and YUSU work together. As JCRC Chair, I’m really proud of the commitment shown by my entire committee, and in particular the efforts of our campaigns officers Symone Thompson and Tim Monk.”
after months and months of absolutely nothing, the uni have decided to do something about it. £50, though, doesn’t seem that much? isn’t that like half of what the cost of a week’s rent is?
Good work Sam.
So 3 days rent? This might be an “unprecedented level”, but that’s all this is.
And if it sends a message, it’s an empty one. Same cheap plaster job applied to Fairfax residents.
Do you HONESTLY think that this means they’ll reduce the ridiculous rent?
Tip of the iceburg. York University is a shit establishment.
Living in New Langwith I’m rather disappointed to the way its been managed by Derwent FM; the outsourced management team. We alongside the mainline complaints of heating and water are losing basic controls within our living space. Our extractor fans in the kitchen now can’t be switched off and stay on for at least 8 minutes after cooking. Basically making it impossible to sit and chat to people without straining your ears and vocals. Another issue is not being able to control your own heating. You have to send an email out for a guy with a special tool to adjust radiators, its ridiculous! And the sensor in the bathroom used to only give you 2 minutes of light, so in the shower it would switch off leaving you in the dark. I know some students would give Eeyore a run for his money for dopiness but it feels more and more like a prison cell; especially with sirens going off if you leave doors open.
Another point is that the initial complaint form petitioned for two weeks rent; 252 quid. I wouldn’t describe a 5th of the money asked for a ‘result’.