www.thecourieronline.co.uk Monday 13 October 2014 Issue 1295 Free
The Independent Voice of Newcastle Students
PLAY AGAIN?
PERFECT TEN
Read our brand new gaming section p.31
Jonty Mawer meets England hero Jonny Wilkinson on his return to the North East p.38
Est 1948
SNAP TIME
The best and worst photos of Freshers’ Week p.31
Halls well that spends well? Accomodation rents jump £300 on average since Sept 2012
Freshers charged £58,000 for damages in same period
Uni: “Rents represent exceptional value”
No more A to Zzz: Robbo sleeping pods rejected by SU council By Charlie Dearnley News Editor
The perpetually popular Richardson Road, where rising rents have done little to dent demand for rooms. Image: Mike Quinn
By Charlie Dearnley News Editor In the past two years the annual rent for Newcastle University’s on-campus halls of accommodation has risen on average by £304.30. The steepest rise in rent has been seen in en-suite rooms, as between the academic years 2012/13 and 2013/14 the annual rent increased by £399. The lowest rise in rent occurred in rooms with no washbasin, with an increase of
£234.08. All undergraduate contracts for Newcastle University’s halls of resi“It will be dence remain at a length of necessary to weeks, and invest heavily 38 include heatin improving ing, water, electhe quality of tricity, internet and the residential connection, personal posstock” session insur-
ance. Whether or not this rise in rent is mirrored in the quality of life that the halls of residence provide is a matter of concern for the undergraduate students taking up occupancy each year. Paul Bandeen, Newcastle University Flats Manager has commented that, “The University recognises that it will be necessary to invest heavily in improving the quality of the residential stock as part of the Accommodation Strategy.”
While improvements to accommodation are planned, and considered hugely important, Bandeen stated it is vital, “for the rental income to fund the repayments back to the University to ensure that our residential expenditure is not subsidised by teaching or research income.” Alongside the rising rent, the University has also charged undergraduate students £30,328.83 in 2012/13, and £27,678.26 in 2013/14 for damages and Continued on page 4
A motion to install sleeping pods in the Robinson library was defeated t student council on 10 October. The proposed idea was to install an area for individuals to sleep in the 24 hour facility; for students who found themselves studying into the early hours of the morning and in need of rest, but not wanting to walk back to their homes. The motion was defeated with 82% of voters against it and only 12% in favour. 6% abstained from voting. Olivia Jeffery, the University’s Welfare Officer, spoke out against the proposal in council, claiming that it would be promoting an unhealthy life style. She commented, “It is far healthier for students to go home and get two hours sleep in their own beds... get a change of scene.” This council coincided with World Mental Health day, for which Jeffery was campaigning outside Newcastle Student Union to raise awareness of mental health issues. Jeffery stated that, “mental health issues are a serious concern among students, and the sleeping pods would only have been sending the wrong message to the student body.”