Anger was sparked among Derwent students when college administration attempted to make them pay for chairs and vacuum cleaners missing from easily accessible residence blocks.
A number of chairs have disappeared over the course of the year in the adjoining Derwent C and D blocks. The layout of these blocks make it very easy for outsiders to get into communal areas and both have suffered burglaries in the last term.
However, the residents were in for an unpleasant surprise when, despite this, they discovered that the college administration wanted them to foot the bill for the missing items.
An email sent out to the students read: “I have been told that a large number of chairs are missing from the various kitchens of both blocks. It would be appreciated if the chairs are returned to their rightful places immediately. The cost to replace them is £36.43 (inc VAT) per chair, costs that will be passed on to the residents.”
As there are only some 13 chairs left in D block, out of the initial set of around 30, the price tag for students would end up at over £600.
Chemistry student and D block resident Oliver Brown commented that “it’s really unfair that we have to pay for the missing chairs when we obviously didn’t take them. Why would we want to put ourselves at a disadvantage by not being able to socialise in the kitchens? ”
Similarly, when residents of second floor D block complained about their missing vacuum cleaner, they were told that if it was not back by the end of the term, they would be charged to have it replaced.
“Why would we steal our own hoover? I don’t understand what we would gain from not being able to hoover our floors for three weeks,” said History of Art student Francesca Salino.
The charges were finally dropped when Vision contacted YUSU Democracy and Services officer, Lewis Bretts, informing them about the matter.
“The security situation in Derwent is problematic in a number of ways, and it risks issues like this arising. We’re keen for a more appropriate solution to be adopted, but this has historically been met with resistance. There is clearly a balance to be struck between social interaction and security, but I’d always urge residents with any concerns to get in touch,” states Bretts.
The university responded that “no charges will be made for lost or damaged chairs on this occasion, but we would remind residents that they are responsible for the furniture provided for their use, in accordance with the rent contract and the University policy for recovery of costs.”