Students are told to vacate halls by July 10 University says it can’t store belongings indefinitely
Stirling University students who hastily left campus to spend lockdown at home have been given until July 10 to vacate their rooms.
The university says it is unable to “store students’ belongings indefinitely” and will work with them to arrange the safe pick-up, storage or disposal of their items.
But the move has been branded “callous” and “disgusting” by Stirling Students Tenants Union which has been contacted by several international students unable to travel back to Stirling by then.
One international student, who does not want to be named, fled to her home on March 17 expecting to return before her rental agreement was due to terminate on August 22.
The student said: “On March 17 they asked me if I wanted to end my rent (if yes, I had to sign a paper) and I refused and didn’t sign. Furthermore, I kept the key of my room.”
She was later refunded the rent paid for the remainder of March and has been told her rental agreement terminated when she accepted the refund.
The student went on: “When I left I said that I would come back in August but because I left and accepted the refund of rent (without understanding that it stopped my rental agreement) I cannot go any more. And now I have to pay a company in order to pack and ship my belongings in two weeks.”
She thinks this might cost over £600.
Stirling Students Tenants Union said students have been quoted from around an average of £350 to as much as £750.
A union spokesperson said: “We think this a callous decision taken by the university.”
The spokesperson added: “They do not have one clear concise message. In response to a query about the situation they said they are liaising with students about storage options. However, in responses to students who have been directly affected, some were offered moving companies whilst another was told they don’t have the space to store her belongings which are five 40x40 cm boxes.
“We hope the university reconsiders its decision and gives these students extensions on deadlines to retrieve their belongings. Leaving them with the option of paying extortionate amounts for a moving company or risk having their belongings disposed of is a disgusting way to treat their students. It seems that because they no longer have an income from these students, they are prioritising those who will be giving them an income when the new term begins.
“If any students have been affected by this, we implore them to get in touch with us.”
A Stirling University spokesperson said they were working with students but the move was necessary to prepare accommodation for the new semester.
The spokesperson added: “In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the university extended the departure period for all students in our accommodation.
“In order to protect the health and wellbeing of students moving into our accommodation for the new semester, we are conducting a deep clean of all of our rooms. To facilitate this work, former tenants who have left belongings in their rooms have been asked to inform us by July 10 whether they intend to uplift their items.
“In line with Scottish Government guidance, those students who get in touch will be supported in making appropriate arrangements for the safe pick-up, storage or disposal of their belongings. In cases where international travel restrictions prevent the collection of belongings, we will work with students to facilitate safe storage.
“The majority of students who left belongings behind have already booked a collection slot and those who have not, have until July 10 to get in touch. If the university has not heard from students by this deadline, their former rooms will be cleared to enable cleaning work to begin, as we are unable to store students’ belongings indefinitely.”
We think this a callous decision .... We hope the university reconsiders its decision