Issue 146

VC Interview

09th October 2006

First of all, with it being Fresher's Week, do you have any advice for the Fresher's of 2006-07?

"Being a Father I guess I would say enjoy yourselves and don't get too drunk. This is an exciting time where you'll make new friendships that will last a lifetime. You will never again have the array of societies, social opportunities and sporting clubs to join or get involved with. I wouldn't mind being young again with all these opportunites available."

At the start of a new academic year, do you have anything planned for the coming year?

"Last year, as you know, the university received the Student Experience award for best student experience. We have again been nominated for this award and the university has also been short listed by the Times Higher Education Supplement. This means that we will be in the running amongst universities such as Cambridge, Oxford, Stirling, Warwick, Sheffield and St Andrews. This is a great achievement for the university.

"By way of improving the campus, the majority of renovations and shifting was completed over the summer. You may have noticed that the careers centre has been moved to the library, same schools have been shifted to the same locations for example economics has moved to business. For the past year we have been planning to build another student residence building at the back of Fulton House in the vicinity of the old American studies building. They will house between 400-600 students and demolishing should be underway in the next few months.

Do you have anything to say in relation to the accommodation crisis that some students have faced upon arriving in Swansea?

"We are very disappointed that this has happened. I believe that everyone that we have an obligation to have been or will be housed as soon as we can. The accommodation office has been working with the local letting agencies to find housing.

"The Christian Union has been assisting with driving students to the houses for viewing. We don't fully know why this has happened this year but we know that we have received applications for 100-200 more students for this academic year. We have offered the option of compensation to those students who feel let down which they can apply for through writing their experience and difficulties in a letter.

"As I have mentioned before, a student experience is one which one takes with them throughout their life. We don't want unhappy students- this has to be a good experience. There will be a report looking into why this has happened so that we may prevent it in the future."

How has the application for independence from the body of University of Wales going?

"The application has been sent and approved by the privy council at the moment its just a case of awaiting the finalisation of the legal side of the transition. Charters and statuettes have to be drawn up. When the legal process has been completed we will receive our new title, hopefully, by August."

What is your position for the potential upcoming porter's strike?

"Well discussions over the porters pay dispute have been underway for the past two years. I had thought that the issue had been resolved as all parties involved had arrived at an agreement. Beyond that I know nothing further."

Emma Rogers