Disappointed students lose battle to stay in Chelwood
30th Oct 2009

Students protesting against their removal from Chelwood Wing Photo: Laura Rainsford
THE fate of the 22 students currently living in Chelwood University Accommodation was decided in a small meeting this week, where it was confirmed that after the Christmas holiday, they would be moved on to other accommodation.
Leslie Stewart, (the Vale Manager), Ed Sparkes, (Vice President for Housing and Community) Mark Harrop, (President of Aitken wing) and a small number of residents met to discuss the situation. They vowed their support for the students during the time of transition and aim to try and keep as many students together as possible.
The hard decision was made as the University has entered into a contractual agreement to use the building for conferences for 2 out of the 12 weeks of next semester and unless they cancel and no more conference requests are made, the students are set to move out permanently over Christmas.
200 students signed a petition from a variety of halls of residents in protest over the students being removed from what will have been their home for 12 weeks. Mark Harrop, President of Aiken Wing, said the situation was ‘frustrating’ and added ‘I would be personally very disappointed if they [the students] had to move out and I think that in these exceptional circumstances, they [the University] should have made an exception.’
Some students have felt that the University have put business before the students in this situation with two conference bookings over ruling the wishes of 22 students, however it was stressed how the University is contractually bound and so there is nothing that can be done to rectify the issue now.
The University is also going to sit down with small groups of students at a time and try to move as many as possible into their chosen accommodation with someone else from Chelwood, therefore hopefully minimizing the stresses of moving again and easing the transition









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