My Exeter Community Guide 2013/2014

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Warden Areas:

Princesshay Shopping Centre

Harlequins Shopping Centre

Guidhall Shopping Centre

Exeter Phoenix

Railway line & Station

Bus Stops

Residences

Academic Buildings

bottle bank

parking

Drinking Ban Area

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ial checklist Here’s the essent you’ve of stuff to do now home: arrived in your new

Any proble ms or que stions? – people in the lovely the Advice Unit can h (and chec elp you k your ten ancy agre next year) ement for . Visit the Advice Un Forum (Str it in The eatham ca mpus), op time Mon-F en term ri 9am to 5 pm throug the year. E hout mail stude ntadvice@ ac.uk or lo exeter. ok at their web info a www.exe t terguild.o rg/advice

1. Check your inventory – your landlord should provide you with an inventory (if they don’t, make sure you write your own) so that you can both agree on the initial contents and state of the house!

2. Read your meters – if your gas and electricity bills are quarterly you’ll need to do this asap so you don’t risk getting charged for the previous tenants fuel use.

Contact your gas and electricity providers (see contacts on back page) to give them the reading and ask them to put the names of all the tenants on the bill.

3. Take photos of every room – especially anything that’s not in good, clean condition. This means you’ll have evidence of what the house was like when you got the keys, which could save you trouble later.

scheme: ccreditation is dents/Uni creditation. Th ation for Stu rticipate in ac pa Accommod to in s s rd rd lo da g private land prove the stan is encouragin 11, aims to im 20 in ed ch The University un as la me, which w National sche ation. od rtise their m m acco able to adve be ill w e student rented m that the is sche dent knowing credited via th nfi ac co e m be co ill w be ho ents Landlords w logo and stud practice. the scheme’s ith w me’s code of s he tie sc er e th prop g tin ee m gistered mmitted to Landlord is re ur Landlord is co yo er th he w ode/ scheme – or /AFSUnipolC ore about the tudents.com rs o nf io To find out m at d o m /www.accom – go to http:/ sp .a ts en ar andP ForStudents Landlord A pol National

4. Do you have the correct bins? – sometimes students move into a new property with either the wrong refuse bins or no bins at all! Check what you’re entitled to by checking the refuse section of this guide. New bins can be ordered by contacting the City Council on: 01392 665010.

In 2010 refuse collection rules changed in Exeter and there is still a LOT of outdated information out there.

5. Something wrong? – if it’s a dodgy doorknob or a window that won’t shut properly – inform your landlord IN WRITING and keep a copy. List exactly what’s wrong and agree a reasonable deadline for when it should be sorted.

6. Gas Safety Certificate - your landlord is legally obliged to make sure all the appliances in the house are safe. Check you’ve got a copy of this!

7. Meet your neighbours - pop over and say hello or invite them round for a cup of tea. Get to know them BEFORE you throw a house warming party.

Friendly neighbours can watch your house while you’re away and lend you potato peelers!

Getting Involved to meet Like living in Exeter? Want ? nts ide res some of your fellow you l fee to y There’s no better wa ed in the belong than getting involv ld up bui sly community. It’ll seriou nce erie exp e your CV with invaluabl s, Plu e. lov which employers will count most of the things below can . too ard Aw towards your Exeter rd wa era xet www.exeter.ac.uk/e easy Here’s a glimpse of some .. es. niti opportu

The Guild offers support, advice, academic representation, entertainment and a whole host of other activities to each and every student attending the University.

Chris Rootkin is this year’s elected Vice President Welfare & Community guildwelfare@exeter.ac.uk

Do you have an idea for a community project? From gardening to carol singing, the StreetWise Fund offers up to £500 for projects which help address local issues or simply bring neighbours together. www.exeter.ac.uk/streetwisefund

Want to volunteer? CA matches students with a project or club that suits their interests and provides them with support throughout their placement. With a wide range of projects running on and off campus you can email: community-action@exeter.ac.uk

Local Democracy Within the Guild there are over 150 diverse and exciting societies that you can join: ranging from shared hobbies through to sports. www.exeterguild.org /activities/societies

rsity During your time at Unive ty to uni you will have the opport il unc Co y Cit r vote in the Exete il unc Co y unt Co von and/or the De in e vot can you s Plu ns. electio ropean the UK Parliament and Eu e that the sur En ns.

Parliament electio rd! hea is ce student voi e international (Please be aware that som to vote in the UK) students will not be able

To find out more ab out registering to vote visit: www.ab outmyvote.co.uk

The University holds two free English language classes per week during term time for the families of international students. Teaching is informal and very flexible, depending on the needs and ability levels of the group. It’s a great way to improve your language skills and meet new people. For more information email sid@exeter.ac.uk

Recycling

Your green recycling bin s or boxes are usually collected once a fortnight. Make sure yo u put recycling loose in the bins and don’t contaminate it with any thing that isn’t on the list – or you could be left with the whole lot for another two weeks !

TALKING RUBBISH Glass

There are so me 250 bott le banks in Exeter. M ost students find it simpler to re cycle at the same time that th ey go shopp ing: all the big superm arkets have recycling points.

You can recycle: • Newspapers, office paper, magazines, junk mail and any old essays.

Find your n earest glass , shoes and textiles recycling si te s: www.recyc ledevon.org /map

• Flattened clean cardboard and egg boxes • Drinks cans and rinsed food tins • Rinsed and squashed plastic bottles (tops on), most plastic packaging (except polystyrene) and empty plastic bags • NO GLASS!!!

refuse is ve it when Seagulls lo ime! he wrong t t t a t ou t lef

ove Students on the Mrsity pays the Council to

rm 3 the Unive Every summer in Te be collected that the waste can so s on cti lle co tra arrange ex t for ‘Students on ction times. Look ou outside normal colle r to the time. the Move’ info close ys, how to get rid of on on collection da ati orm inf re mo r Fo a compost bin: an extra bin or even er ord to , ms ite ge lar k/students www.exeter.gov.u can get personal anything else, you If you need to know nding an email to 01392 665010 or se attention by calling e your address.

– remember to includ k v.u .go ter xe @e students

Holidays

(The stuff that can’t be recycled)

If you are leav ing Exeter ov er Christmas or Easter you sh ou ld either • safely store double bagged rubb ish within yo ur own property until the next colle ction day or • disp ose of it your se lf.

Bank holiday coming up?

K ee p an eye on po ssible collect io n changes: ww w.exeter.gov. uk/ students

When putting out the rubbish remember: • To check where an when your rubbish is collected either from neighbours or by typing your postcode into ‘Living in Exeter’ www.exeter.gov.uk • That bins or bags should only be put out after 6pm the evening before collections and before 6am on collection day. You could receive a fine if you put them out too early!

• That overfilled bins (i.e. bin lid sticking up) and extra bags won’t be collected.

• To take the bin in after collection. Don’t leave it on the street – this is against the law and can be a real pain for pedestrians.

• If you need to order additional free containers call 01392 665010 for advice.

ve y ha rglar ically u b f ls o mat Leve uite dra rs, but q ea n falle ast 15 y ne in l ost o e in th rage alm ll be a e wi ve crim on a tudents rt of o r s s o e e ge m thre of so g at colle efts m i t vic y th yin man stud while ity – and le... b ers oida univ y av l i s a are e

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lves ll burgla lets themse • 35% of a the burglar re e h w y it s. n ow opportu ors or wind nlocked do d if in through u to be burgle more likely s e m ti 0 1 • You are curity. ave basic se you don’t h

ou re y dents u s ci ke Ma any in e (see e). lic or t pag rep the po back rime to ts on he c r be tac ed t con u’ll ne ce numke an Yo feren u ma m. re re yo clai e o c f be suran in

• Always lock your windows and doors!

Sounds obvious but if you don’t then you’re more likely to be burgled and your insurance won’t cover you.

“Our h ouse go burgled t , the livin whilst we were g room in watchin They ca g TV. me into th e kitche the bac k n via £1000 p door and took over ounds w or th of in unde stuff – r 5 min utes!! L and win ock doo dows a rs nd ask security for markup p a c k your stu s from dent wa rdens.”

3

rd Yea r S tu d en t

• Keep valuables out of sight, away from windows or doors and never leave them on your car seat.

Don’t send an advert to the local burglar!

• Security-mark your valuables. Write on your house number and postcode with a UV pen or ask your Community Warden for a mark-up pack. Make a note of the serial numbers of valuables - so they can be traced back to you if recovered.

• Don’t keep spare keys ‘hidden’ anywhere obvious! That includes the shed and garage as well as the disused flowerpot by the front door.

days Over the holi are s student house ieves Th sitting ducks. en be oft know they’ll luables va e k ta empty so t them u p , u yo with rage or in secure sto look ask a friend to after them.

t lly a safe city, bu Exeter is genera be aware of it’s always best to d take some an s er potential dang precautions…

Don’t let yourself get spiked* by taking a shot of each of these safety measures: • Don’t leave your drink unattended • Never accept a drink from anyone you do not completely trust if you haven’t seen it being opened/poured

’ iking p s ‘ t nk * dri es the ac • If you feel odd, nauseous, slightly drunk, or ed rib desc g increas wasted when you know that you shouldn’t feel din er of ad ol (or oth ls) like that, your drink could have been spiked. ca alcoh hemi c If so tell someone that you can trust and get d e nt unwa a drink. yourself immediately to a place of safety. to

The best way to stay safe at night is to stick with your friends. But if you are alone then here are a few tips: • During darkness you are safest in well-lit and busy areas. Avoid badly lit car parks, underground walkways and open areas.

• Cover up expensive-looking jewellery, mobile phones, keys, cash and cards.

• Get a taxi - save some cash for the end of the night so you can be brought straight home - it’s much safer.

• If you find yourself in trouble the best form of defence is to get away and head towards busier areas.

• If you are trapped bring attention to yourself - make as much noise as possible by shouting for help or for someone to contact the police.

and a huge city! We underst ed Exeter isn’t exactly tic no bly – ba n’t pro do e o u’v wh Yo , but for those ed access to a vehicle ne nts de so stu is r me ete so Ex t e. tha walk or bik ke are short enough to most journeys you’ll ma you save money if you d an rk pa r anywhere to eve y rdl ha re’s the all, sm are some other options… don’t have one. Here

On your bike The best, cheapest, fastest transport around Exeter! There’s plenty of cycle parking on both campuses and around town.

DO remember to ensure you are clearly visible! Don’t forget a lock either!

Dodgy brakes? Punctured tyre?

Your bike can get some FREE tender loving care from a professional mechanic at one of the regular “Dr Bike” sessions on campus. Look out for adverts in Student News in Brief or email Rebecca Webb r.webb@exeter.ac.uk

Further afield

There are lots of ways to ge t out and abou t without a ca r.

Cornwall, Dar tmoor and th e Jurassic Coa st are all easy to get to from Exeter’s railway statio ns. You can also get 1/3 off tickets with a Young Perso n’s Railcard www.16-25ra ilcard.co.uk!

So get away from essays for the day and expl ore what Dev on has to offer…

Useful websites

Bus

www.nationalra il.co.uk – book in advance for cheap train tic kets. Or go with fri ends and grab the grou p discount. www.transportd irect.info – gives you all the information yo u need to reach an ywhere in England on pu blic transport. www.nationalexp ress.com – coac hes are getting cheaper and cheaper – yo u ca n get to London for as little as £5 each way!

If you’re feeling lazy or you’ve got the week’s shopping to carry then catch one of the regular buses which run from the city centre to the Streatham and St Luke’s campuses. A new Unirider Bus Ticket is also available to University of Exeter students so buy your cheap green ticket online at www.buymyunirider.com or check out www.exeter. ac.uk/ campus/travel for more information.

s e i t r Pa e s i o N & ant on’t w nts d e W “ stude ! to stop ing par ties v e a from h want is som ct a t e n w a co et All d n a g g war niner if things b ” num o noisy… to nt e s id e Local R

Out and about

some We all like a good house party – a group cracking songs, a few drinks and not to like? of your favourite friends – what’s g fined, But annoying your neighbours, bein ncil will or receiving a warning from the Cou our NOT be so much fun. Please read Party Top Tips on the next page.

If you’re going out or coming back fro m a night out be co neighbours and fel nsiderate to your sle low students… eping • Keep your voice s down when chatt ing in the garden, wa out or smoking outsi lking home from a de. night • Singing? Did you know that loud singin g in the early hours voted one of the ma of the morning was jor noise issues in a recent Exeter Comm better to save it for unity survey? Perha in the shower… ps • Try not to slam ho use or taxi doors.

• Don’t drink in pu blic. A large chunk of Exeter is an enfor (see map at the sta ced NO ALCOHOL rt of this guide). Ma ZONE ke sure you don’t ge don’t cooperate thi t caught out – if yo s could lead to arres u t.

now but the ems far away We know it se be time to and it’ll soon year will fly by e are some use again. Her leave your ho before… e who’ve fled hints from thos

1. Change your address 2-3 weeks before the move so you don’t miss out on any essential post. You could have your mail re-directed, you could also leave the next residents your new address so they could forward anything you’ve forgotten to change.

2. Unsubscribe the gas, electricity, water, phone etc. otherwise they’ll keep charging you. Try to call them as soon as you know your moving out date and take meter readings on the day you leave.

3. Check the photos from when you moved in to ensure that everything is still in order. This includes going through the house inventory.

4. Too much stuff? Old pots and pans you don’t need?The ‘Student Reuse Project’ on campus donates spare stuff to local charities and next year’s students. Alternatively, take them to one of Exeter’s many charity shops.

5. Good clean fun! Book a day with all your housemates to clean up before you move. Leaving it all for the last person is not what you want to do! But remember - at the end of term use your ‘Students on the Move’ stickers to make sure that you don’t get fined for putting your rubbish out after collection.

Email streetwise@exeter.ac.uk to place an order.

6. Speak to the landlord to set up an inspection date when you are still around to inspect the house together.

7. If there are any problems involving the return of your deposit or addional charges from your landlord/agent, contact the Advice Unit for info.

Party Letter Template Students sometimes get into trouble for not consulting properly with neighbours before a party or gathering.

We have produced a party letter template below for you to copy and use.

Before you use the template we suggest that you: 1. Consult with your neighbours face to face before you deliver the letter (the letter is really only confirming what you have agreed in advance) 2. Read the ‘party top tips’ in the parties and noise section 3. Remember to stick to what you’ve set out in the letter. A letter is a good first step, but you could still get prosecuted if your party is too large, loud or out of control.

Dear Neigh

bours,

We live at: Having con sulted with you already, to confirm th we are writi at we will b ng e having a p arty on: and it will fi nish at:

If you have any problem s, feel free to directly on: contact

Best regard

s

us

to security on campus and to investigate noise/disturbances in private student accommodation: 01392 263999

Police Emergencies: 999 Police non-emergencies: 101 Fire Service Emergencies: 999 Fire Service non-emergencies: (community safety) enquiries: 01392 872288

Students’ Guild Vice President Welfare & Community:

Medical Emergencies: 999

Guild Advice Unit: free and

and Information: 111 Out of hour GP Service (evenings and weekends): 0845 6710270

Chris Rootkin: 01392 723562 or guildwelfare@exeter.ac.uk

impartial information and advice on a range of issues: 01392 723520 or email studentadvice@exeter.ac.uk

Voice: completely confidential and anonymous student-run listening and information service: 01392 724000(8pm-8am every night during term time) or email voicemail@exeter.ac.uk

Chaplaincy: for a directory of

NHS Direct: For health Advice

University of Exeter Student Health Centre: 01392 676606

Electricity: to find out your supplier: 0845 330 0889 Gas: to find out your supplier: 0870 608 1524 if you smell a gas leak: 0800 111 999

contact numbers for various faiths 01392 723649 www.exeter.ac.uk/as/support/ chaplaincy

Water: To set up an account:

StreetWise Helpine: for

Exeter City Council’s Community Patrol: if you are bothered by

highlighting non-emergency community issues direct to the University or to schedule a meeting with your Student Community Wardens: 01392 726252

0800 169 1144 For an existing account: 0800 169 1133

noise from premises that requires investigation: 01392 265147 or 0845 3511 060 (until midnight)

Exeter City Council’s Cleansing Services: for missed bin collections,

to request additional bins or to make recycling enquiries: 01392 665010

Design by: University of Exeter, Design Studio

Estate Patrol: for issues connected

VERY USEFUL OTHER CONTACTS

2013AS130

USEFUL UNIVERSITY CONTACTS