Concrete Issue 344

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15 8 >> Christmas adverts: How pricey was Paddington?

>> Tensions run high as Trump tours Asia

21st November 2017 Issue 344

The official student newspaper of the University of East Anglia | concrete-online.co.uk

Library isn't accessible, say disabled students SU to lobby university on accessibility Sophie Bunce Deputy Editor Disabled students say they are unable or struggle to access parts of the UEA Library and Arts Hub. At the most recent Union Council meeting, a motion was passed for the students’ union to lobby UEA “ to ensure there is equality of access for all students including wheelchairs users and other students with disabilities to all facilities but particularly the Library and the Arts Hub.” Emily Cutler, SU Disabled Students’ Officer, argued access to the library and Arts Hub requires immediate attention as it restricts students learning. Ms Cutler said: “Accessibility on our campus is a joke- the fact that some students can’t access their own hub has a major impact on their access to education especially when it comes to extensions, module changes and handing in coursework.” “As Disability History Month begins, we’re calling on Uni management to invest in access and set out a detailed plan for fixing these problems in coming months and years.” Hannah Murgatroyd, Peer Support Societies representative, said campus is ill designed to accommodate disabled students needs. She said “students who are

Students say they struggle to access the Arts Hub too

not able to use an evacuation chair” are completely unable to use floors of the library which require a lift to access. “There is one wheelchair accessible study room on floor 01 of the library. However, it's not that accessible. While the length of the room has been increased the room isn't wide enough. To get my wheelchair in I have to go around the corner to wait for the door to close and then park my wheelchair in front of the door which is a fire risk.” She said the library toilet facilities are insufficient as there are also no disabled toilets on floor 0 of the library and “the disabled toilet on floor 01 of the library isn't a sufficient size.” Students who are not physically able to get out of their chairs are unable to access the Arts Hub via the lifts, according to Ms Murgatroyd. The Arts Hub is essential for AMA, DEV, ECO, HIS, HUM, LAW, LDC, and PPL students. A UEA spokesperson said the Estates department have developed a holistic Estate Strategy to overhaul huge areas of campus as well as oversee the completion of over 17,000sqm of new buildings for learning and teaching. In the summer, UEA invested approximately £300,000 in improving disability access in the

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Prayer space refurbishment "far overdue"

Emily Hawkins Editor-in-Chief A plan to refurbish the Islamic Prayer Facility in the Lecture Theatre block has been welcomed, but Muslim students have said they await further progress on prayer provision. The prayer facility was the only part of the lecture building to not receive a refurbishment over the summer to the disatisfaction of students. The Students’ Union compared the facilities to that of other universities and said it was time for a refurbishment. Dr Jon Sharp, Director of Student

Services, said: “The university is committed to providing appropriate spaces for spiritual and religious activity and has been working very closely with the Students’ Union on the specific issue of space for Islamic prayer." The university said they have drawn up a refurbishment plan for the daily prayer facility to take place in late December. A spokesperson for UEA said this plan was devised in “full consultation” with the SU and UEA Islamic Society (ISOC) with alternative prayer arrangements for the period when work is taking place having been agreed. They added: “The timing for that work has been agreed so

as to minimise any disruption to students using that space for prayer. Alternative prayer arrangements for this period have been agreed with ISOC and the Students’ Union.” SU Welfare Community and Diversity Officer India Edwards said: “Muslim students will be pleased that, following sustained public pressure from the ISOC and SU, the university has finally agreed to refurbish their daily prayer space - some six months after the rest of the lecture theatre block.” However, students have said the plans are overdue and other aspects of prayer provision remain unclear. Haroon Razmandeh, President of UEA Islamic Society (ISOC) said:

“With regards to the refurbishment of the daily prayer facilities in the Lecture Theatre building, the university has said they will do so and provide us with the details. “However, as of yet, they have only paid lip service to the matter and nothing is in writing, nor have any plans been confirmed. “We have been waiting months for the plans and they are far overdue.” Ms Edwards said there was continued concern over the issue of Friday prayer, presently in the Blackdale Main Hall, in exam time. Ms Edwards described Friday prayer facilities as “in flux”, owing to the university’s current system

of requiring the space for exams during the end of year assessment period. “The issue is far from overwhich is why the uni now needs to find a permanent home for Islamic prayer, and deliver on its promise of facilities that ‘UEA can be proud of’,” she said. The university said they have already met with ISOC and the SU to agree an alternative space for Friday prayer during exam time, with arrangements to facilitate overnight access to the Blackdale space during Ramadan. Last year, Muslim students were

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Concrete Issue 344 by Concrete - the official student newspaper of UEA. - Issuu