James Morris for SRC Accommodation Officer

[I Luv Fidel]

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group ... 648&ref=mf
Wordpress: housingchange.wordpress.com

Hey, I'm James a first year Divinity Student, since the start of my time here in I have been campaigning on various issues surrounding Accommodation in the group Lower Rents Now. This has included my participation in important events such as Planning Application meeting for the decision on Fife Park's Redevelopment, protests, raising awareness (in regards to Accommodation in St Andrews) etc. I have even had letters published in top newspapers regarding the ridiculous price of accommodation here.

As well as these being an unparallel voice within the critique of our accommodation, I have experience in delegations and meetings through various organisations, and although I am a first year I have had an impact on University life for instance I was one of the founding members of Left Soc.

What would I do as your Accommodation Officer? – Represent your views to the fullest of my ability - work towards an increase in affordable accommodation – work towards creating new sustainable accommodation – work towards short and long term solutions to the current crisis of students being rejected from University Halls next year – continue the good work the Accommodation Representatives have already achieved e.g. the How to Rent Guide

And that is just a glimpse at what I would like to achieve...

Please feel free to tell me your concerns regarding accommodation in St Andrews, or to ask questions...

James Morris

More Info: -

Vote James Morris for SRC Accommodation Officer

Why?

1. I have campaigned extensively for affordable accommodation and to stop the closure of Fife Park.

2. Have experience in conducting and participating in meetings.

3. I will ensure that there is change.

4. I will represent the Student populace as best he can.

Why do we need change?

•Fife Park is being redeveloped so we are losing affordable bed-spaces.

•There is an increase in University Accommodation Fees next year (e.g. prices to live in DRA will increase by 7%)

•Estate agents released their lists for private accommodation earlier this year interrupting exams.

•The University design their accommodation with the interests of Tourists not Students in mind.

•Huge numbers of Student’s have not been accepted back into University Accommodation this year, and many had no permanent residence at the start of Semester 1.

•The Union has not done enough regarding these issues.




Sorry for the length of the post...

[munchingfoo]

First question -

What positive effects has the LRN campaign had, and do you think it'll be possible to ever get the University to charge reasonable rent prices?

If so, how do you see this occuring?

[I Luv Fidel]

'What positive effects has the LRN campaign had, and do you think it'll be possible to ever get the University to charge reasonable rent prices?' and how will this occur?

To the average person it shall seem that there have been few tangable gains from the LRN Campaign, however here is what we have achieved so far: -

1. Greater awarness of accommodation issues for both prospective and matriculated students.
2. Greater awarness of Student opinion within the leading positions of the University i.e. Prinicpal, Provost and Vice-Principals etc.
3. That some of the housing in the Fife Park rebuild will not be fitted with televisions in every room thus reducing rent slightly.
4. Gaining up to date figures from the University which when formatted can be distributed to the general student population.

I think that these achievements are suprisingly good for a group that is not affiliated to the Union or have any power in the University's decision making process.

I believe it is possible for the University to charge reasonable rent prices (otherwise I wouldn't have put so much time and effort into LRN Campaigns etc.) We one of the most expensive Universities in Scotland for Accommodation, if the other Universities can retain their lower prices I see no reason why we cannot. Obviously I could write a whole essay on this, but I feel I shouldn't rabble on too long.

I do not however feel that affordability can be addressed in the short-term, prices are going to rise due to inflation etc.

There are many ways the affordable accommodation could be achieved, I will however only use a few examples as if I were to become SRC Accommodation Officer I would like to have wider Student Opinion as well as my own on this. Firstly the University could easily abandon it's current stance, in several meetings with University officals we have been told that Students today and the Future want ensuites, underfloor heating, double beds etc. etc. however from speaking to Students personally I have found many do not want this, alternatively some students would be happy with a shared shower, single bed etc. Of course this does not mean that we should not build any ensuites, people who wish to pay more should have the right to. A simply plan would be to make half of one kind of room half of another, thus not excluding those who cannot afford to pay for the 'luxury' golfers hotels that the University builds.

Similarly it would be very easy for the university to subsidise any accommodation for people from Lower Income Backgrounds. (When talking with Louise Richardson, she stated that she would like to see a scholarship program for all coming to the University based on income).

In future builds we could also ask for greater energy-saving measures which would also reduce cost.

Finally it must be pointed out as our prices remain high, the prices of private-letting can remain high.

(Sorry for any misspelling)

[Daniel]

Thank you for your reply, muchingfoo. In fact, in addition to those mentioned by I Luv, LRN has made the following tangible gains:
[*] LRN started the 1,000 signatures for 1,000 beds petition which was taken up and endorsed by the Union this time last year
[*] LRN prompted Menzies Campbell, the then-leader of the Liberal Democrat Party and Chancellor of the University, to express concern at the state of accommodation in St Andrews and to personally inquire as to the university's policy
[*] LRN has raised interest in the issue of affordable accommodation in St Andrews on both the local and national level
Thanks again for your query,
Daniel