Inside: Official Events Guide 2011
Your complete guide to what’s going on during Welcome Week; including amended Sport times
Exeposé
Events Guide Pull-Out pages 15-18
Welcome Week 2011 • Issue 582 • www.exepose.com • Twitter: @Exepose
Photo: Henry White
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Forum Project delayed
Hannah Brewer Senior Reporter
THE completion of the Forum Project has been delayed until the spring of 2012. The £48 million investment was initially expected to be completed by December this year, and the principal reason for this unexpected delay is the complexity of the unique roof structure.
“The main contractors are confident they will be able to complete the Forum Project to this revised schedule ” Duncan Sandes, Communications Officer
Closing time for Lukes The halls of residence on St Luke’s campus have been closed temporarily due to lack of demand for catered accommodation
Hannah Sweet News Editor
THE catered halls of residence on St Luke’s campus have been closed temporarily due to lack of demand. There were just 40 applications for the 190 catered rooms this year; with the majority of students studying at St Luke’s choosing to stay in ensuite self -catered accommodation. Those students affected by the closures will be offered a choice of alternative accommodation for the year based on their preferences and finances. Jilly Court, Deputy Director of
Campus Services, said the decision was made “with great regret”. She continued: “We are aware that the needs of our students changes on a yearly basis and this year we have seen a preference in self-catered accommodation. The decision to close the catered hall will be reviewed for next year.” The University is arranging for those staff employed within the residences, kitchen and catering teams at St Luke’s to take alternative positions within the University where possible. James Fox, VP Participation and Campuses, commented: “It is very
disappointing that the University has decided to close South Cloisters and College House as these halls provided a real sense of community on St Luke’s. With no students living directly on the campus then it is likely that part of what made St Luke’s so special will be lost.” Sam Grace, St Luke’s Forum Officer, told Exeposé: “Initially I was devastated by the news – as the Guild was not consulted prior to the decision; the thought that there would be no first year presence on campus this year was incomprehensible.” He continued: “However after the shock wore off, I was inspired by the
spirited defiance by Lukies past and present to not allow this decision by the University to undermine what it is to be a Lukie.” Grace went on to focus on the positive outcomes of the situation, saying: “Hopefully, this will allow self-catered halls such as Rowancroft and James Owen Court to be fully integrated with St Luke’s and no longer over looked.” Fox added: “The Guild is working hard to try and mitigate against the negative effects that these closures may have.” He encourages any students affected by the closure or with strong feelings about the issue to contact him.
The on-going construction work has already delivered a number of new facilities, with more scheduled to be open for campus users by January 2012. Those already completed include the new University reception and Great Hall Piazza, three refurbished floors of the main library, new student radio facilities, new main kitchen and support facilities in Devonshire House, the Research Commons in the Old Library, and new Biosciences greenhouses, among others. Yet student dissatisfaction has been evident throughout the building and refurbishment process. Jemma Holloway, a third year Physics student, said: “Most of the students that have had their study, travel and general convenience disrupted will have left before the refurbishment really takes effect.” Duncan Sandes spoke on behalf of the Forum Project Team when he said: Continued on page 2