Students across campus have reacted with dismay to the news that Wentworth E Block, in Vanbrugh, is scheduled to be demolished next year.
Wentworth E Block is one of the few blocks on campus still to provide standard self catered accommodation, charging around £120 a week. Concerns have been raised about the motivations behind the University’s decision to knock the building down.
Katharine Tabor, former block rep for Wentworth E told Vision: “I think this action shows a total disregard for students needs. The University would rather simply knock down lower rent band accommodation, rather than revamping it with minimal costs, in order to force future students to pay extortionate amounts for higher rent band blocks. For residents 2011/12, Wentworth E was a grubby haven, and I’m sure many will be saddened to hear this news.”
A compensation claim led by Katharine Tabor highlighted problems such as locks that were damaged, and rendered ineffective for an entire term, problems of damp in a third of rooms, and a light that hung only by an electrical cord for two days. The only claim that was recognised by the University was the corridor that was segregated by sex had to share wash facilities, which was a problem for those who had specifically chosen this corridor to avoid this issue.
Wentworth E block has only been part of Vanbrugh college for a year, and will be renamed Eric D Block for the last year it remains on campus. It was formerly part of Wentworth college, and before that it was joined with Langwith as G Block. It has been speculated that E block has been passed from college to college due to its unpopularity with students, a short-term solution that has created many complications for respective JCRCs.
It has emerged that after a year of being part of Vanbrugh, moves have only recently been made to acknowledge E Block’s existence in the constitution, with Vanbrugh Chair Joshua Treacy formally passing the motion in a Week 9 open meeting.
YUSU President Kallum Taylor has expressed his support for the move, and commented: “It’s about time the University started to redevelop Heslington West. The last thing we want to have here is a tale of two campuses.
“Annual facelifts and fixes here and there will no longer suffice, some blocks on the campus are a bit of an embarrassment. The fact that they have ‘character’ or that they enhance ‘community spirit’ through a less homely experience shouldn’t be a selling point, or even a point of comfort for the University – so its good that they’re finally recognising this.
“Wentworth E will be the first of many of the older locks to go, in place of modern and attractive student halls and academic buildings. I’m sure that the memories enjoyed by its residents past and present will be held in warm regard despite this.”
NIGHTLINE???
WHERE WILL NIGHTLINE GO?!
#SAVENIGHTLINE
Actually we pay around £120 per week and its catered not self-catered (have you seen the tiny kitchens!) I can why they want to knock it down, there have been multiple issues, for instance the toilets have a tendency of flooding every time there is rain.
The rent isn’t under £100 a week its around £120 and it’s catered not self catered. I doubt anyone has “reacted with dismay”, it’s a hole and although my time there will be remembered fondly that’s not because of the accommodation.
Can I help knock it down? & wentworth e is catered mate.
Both Wentworth Block E and James Block Mshould have been knocked down long ago. I’d be intrigued to see if they get rid of Milner-White as well.
Outdated, sub-standard accommodation like this should have been demolished long ago. The problem isn’t knocking it down. The problem is that the replacement will be even more incredibly over-priced than the rest of the accommodation on campus. They will also be buildings funded by debt, much like those on Hes East.
Instead, the Uni ought to build some decent quality, but also decent priced buildings. They won’t, of course.
Most student loans don’t even begin to cover the cost of rent prices anymore, and the executive body of the University is happy to sit by and rip-off their own students wherever possible.