Up-Rooted to Cryfield

Students from Rootes L Block will be moved out of their rooms at the end of this week and relocated to Cryfield whilst vital maintenance work is carried out. The University intend to conduct essential rewiring over the summer and must check for asbestos as a pre-requisite during the Easter break.

Usually, Rootes’ residents pay for a 39-week let which enables them to stay in their halls over Christmas and Easter. They are being offered alternative accommodation in Cryfield over the holiday period while the checks are carried out.

In addition, each resident will be given £36 in total in compensation regardless of whether they take up this offer or decide to go home for the entire holiday. However, residents currently pay £83 per week, making this less than 10 percent in compensation. For those residents who do not wish to move into Cryfield, there is the option of leaving their belongings in a storage container provided by the University.

Peter Dunn, University Press Officer, informed the Boar that the rewiring work has been scheduled for some years and will take place over the summer. However, he said: “We are now also required to conduct a building survey before that rewiring can be undertaken. There will not be time to complete both the rewiring and the survey in the summer.”

Some residents felt that they should have been informed of the decision before they made their accommodation choices in June. One resident said: “I chose Rootes specifically so that I wouldn’t have to move all my things out over the holidays.”

Students have voiced criticism over the inconvenience the move will cause them. Many have sent emails or contacted an advisory team to make complaints. First-year History student Josh Privett said: “I don’t mind not being here over Easter but moving my stuff is very inconvenient.” He was also frustrated about the fuel costs his parents would incur.

Another resident, first-year Management student Henrik Hansen, is particularly inconvenienced because he is an international student planning to return home to Sweden. He was hoping to leave many of his belongings in Rootes, and is uncomfortable with the option of leaving items in a storage room. He commented: “I am really angry. People don’t want to leave valuable possessions in a cold room for six weeks; my guitar may be damaged and I can’t take it with me”.

Students’ Union Welfare Officer Leo Bøe said: “It is understandable that students are frustrated; however, the important thing to remember is that it is not the accommodation department’s fault but a decision that the estates department made.”

Bøe reassured the Boar that the University and Union are continuing to look into ways to make the transition as smooth as possible for students. The residents are being kept up to date with developments.