It recently came to the attention of the Society that a substantial number of PGs were on accommodation contracts that finished before the end of term. Although these terms were written into the contracts from the beginning of the year, we took the stance that (given the general shortage of University accommodation) there was not provision made to allow students to find accommodation which had sufficient time built into the contract to allow them to complete their studies. There was also the impending issue of nearly 100 postgraduates being without accommodation within the month.
Our accommodation and taught postgraduate reps sent an email to the accommodation service, requesting clarity on why the contracts needed to finish before the term ends. We received an email letting us know that the time between the contracts ending and the new term starting was needed for refurbishment/redecorating works.
Last night we had an Events Sub-Committee meeting and informed the President of the Students Association (you can read his blog here) of the situation. He immediately grasped the immediacy of the problem and sent a further email to accommodation, stressing the need to find both short term and long term solutions to the accommodation issues that postgraduate students are facing.
Today we received an email from accommodation assuring us that those students who were left without accommodation (as a result of this issue) for a period of their studies in 2011 would be able to be rehoused in Albany Park for the remainder of the term. Further, they have indicated real willingness to work through the issues we have raised with them.
Thanks so much to Philip, Milindu and Patrick for getting a solution for all the postgraduates facing impending homelessness!
If you are affected by a contract finishing during August 2011 and would like to be rehoused in Albany Park until the 5th of September then click here to email accommodation services.
Anyway, I'm supposed to be working on PhD stuff, so I'm going to shoot off-- don't forget to follow the PG Society and Patrick O'Hare on twitter!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:PhD Office, School of Management
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