Issue 152

More accommodation for campus

12th February 2007

A new accommodation block is to be built on campus behind Union House, where the dentist and counselling services are currently located.

The university's stock of housing is aging and it is thought that this new accommodation building will be the first in the gradual refurbishment and replacement of existing accommodation buildings, both on campus and in Hendrefoilan student village.

Vice Chancellor Richard B. Davies, said that, "We do not have enough student accommodation. Most of the accommodation in the student village is not of standard and is coming to the end of its life.

"We have far too many students living in private rented accommodation in Brynmill and Uplands.

"There is also not enough student accommodation because of the huge demand. There were many disappointed students who could not get accommodation last September as they had gone through clearing. It is unusual for universities now to only cater for one third of undergraduates as well."

Concerns have also been raised over the new accommodation building. Students were unhappy when the building of Caswell, Langland and Oxwich halls took place. Students complained about noise in the early hours of the morning and there were also concerns about privacy on the lower floors of existing halls.

The Vice-Chancellor has taken student concerns on board and has even looked into starting building work later in the morning. He commented that: "It is inevitable that there will be limited periods of extended noise and we can't always maintain a tranquil environment, but I have requested of management that more care is taken."

The new accommodation will contain en-suites, costing a similar amount to existing rooms on campus and will be built to the highest modern standards. Completion is currently estimated to be in time for the September 2008 intake.

Caroline Sutch