'Fools Rush In' - Students queue in the cold, desperate for accommodation (photo credit: Aberystwyth University Lib Dems)

Despite pleas from the Guild for students to remain calm and make informed decisions on accommodation, in a campaign they term ‘Fools Rush In’; students were today seen queuing outside Alexanders Estate Agents in the cold – some from as early as 6am – desperate to get a room for next year from the newly released student property list.

Today’s scenes comes just months after the university was forced to put bunk-beds into single rooms, and ask non-UK European students to defer entry, in a bid to make enough room available for incoming undergraduates who arrived this September.

It’s nothing new that there’s a crisis in the accommodation sector in Aberystwyth. Every year since 2007, students have been left out in the cold, and every year the University says it’s resolved the issue, only for the problem to inevitably arise again due to lack of real action coupled with rising admissions. In 2008, 56 students were left in hotels; whilst in 2010 83 had no accommodation and several dropped out as a result. This academic year, 600 students ended up in bunk-beds, whilst international students were told to stay away.

The crisis has meant many students have felt the pressure to sign onto private property for second year just a few months into their first semester, leaving them paying extortionate rents for housing that often fails to meet quality and lacking proper licensing.

With a seeming lack of real action from the University, the Union, or private landlords, is it time for students to step up to the plate and get involved in the Council, to ensure better regulation, and student housing provision? Or maybe the Union should revisit the idea of a student letting agency or housing co-operative. One thing’s for certain, for yet another year, the welfare of students has been sidelined in favour of private sector profit.

Despite pleas from the Guild for students to remain calm and make informed decisions on accommodation, in a campaign they term ‘Fools Rush In’; students were today seen queuing outside...

(This blogpost is a repost of the announcement made on AberGuild.co.uk by the Aberystwyth Guild of Students)

On 22nd February, a meeting will decide the future of key University services. Whilst that meeting is happening, we have organised a demonstration through Aberystwyth against the proposed cuts. We want to send a clear message to the University’s Senior Management Team and Governors that we want Aberystwyth University to improve and not be ruined by short sighted decisions. We need to protect the experience that we currently receive in Aberystwyth.
Aberystwyth is a unique place. One thing that we can all unite over is the “student experience“that we receive at Aberystwyth University. We have a thriving social scene and organise fantastic sports and activities for all of you, both of which make up our long term friendships and memories of University life and create the “Aber Experience”.
The Aberystwyth Guild of Students’ elected Sabbatical officers spend a large amount of time lobbying the University just to maintain day-to-day activities and facilities that we all take for granted.
Funding is being significantly withdrawn over short periods of time and this WILL impact students directly. Things have reached a critical breaking point!
This is a polar contrast with some other Universities that are currently investing heavily in their students and the experience that they receive through their education.
This is what is happening in YOUR University:
1. Teaching and Academic Departments: Reductions across every departmental budget over 3 years is compromising the quality of your learning experience- this is a national issue, but is immediately taking hold of Aberystwyth academic departments.

2. Sports/Societies: Planned cuts in the Guild’s funding from the University will decimate the financial and administration support to Sports Clubs and Societies. This will mean a lack of vital support to manage and arrange sports and societies’ events and clubs, and put a halt to any improvements being made to the current recreational facilities.

3. Volunteering: This department organise the beach cleans, fundraising and support to the local community and this costs money to arrange. Under planned funding reductions will mean we will no longer be in a position to continue this vital service that organises placements and contributes massively to your personal experience and opportunities available as a student.

4. Housing: Your University has not effectively planned ahead for the increase in student numbers and has created a massive housing issue in Aberystwyth. Recently 770 students were rejected from University halls! There is a need to find affordable quality housing and Aberystwyth just doesn’t have enough.
Date and time of Demo:
IMAGINE THE FUTURE….
Tuesday 22nd February 2011
Assemble on the University Concourse at 12pm
This event is not targeted at political parties or the Government; their decisions will affect higher education for generations to come.
Don’t be apathetic, make a stand and show that you do care about what happens to Aberystwyth University and Aberystwyth as a town.
• Without the great facilities, no-one will want to come to Aberystwyth University,
• Without the University, Aberystwyth will not be the same.

(This blogpost is a repost of the announcement made on AberGuild.co.uk by the Aberystwyth Guild of Students) On 22nd February, a meeting will decide the future of key University services....