Campus chaos as freshers told: You can’t have a place in halls
STUDENTS have been left scrambling to find accommodation due to a shortage of rooms at a Scots university.
The University of Glasgow said it had increased the number of rooms by a quarter but was unable to promise freshers accommodation because of a ‘significant contraction’ in the rental market.
Those within commuting distance of Glasgow have had their housing applications terminated after receiving their results on Tuesday.
Freshers from further afield have also been rejected from living in campus accommodation, with many scrambling to find a home before the start of semester on September 13.
The Students’ Representative Council has blamed the university for accepting too many students despite calling for a moratorium on applications.
Council president Rinna Vare said she is ‘very concerned’ about the shortage.
In an email, the university said: ‘If you have not made your accommodation arrangements, we strongly advise that you do not complete registration and enrolment or travel to Glasgow until you have secured your accommodation.’
One mother, whose son Archie accepted an offer to study economics in May, has accused the university of treating students with ‘contempt’.
She said: ‘Archie is just hoping he might get a hall space as there is no availability in private halls anyway.
‘Having overcome lockdown and got one of the few places available to Scottish students, Archie may have to drop out due to accommodation issues.’
Stuart Rooney, 18, from Paisley, who was given an unconditional offer to study politics in March, said most people applied for accommodation in April and May.
He said: ‘If they knew there’s a shortage they shouldn’t have waited until now to tell people.
‘Since there are genuinely no university-owned places left, I need to stay at home.’
The lack of accommodation means that some students are having to live in dormitories as far away as Stirling.
Kaukab Stewart, Nationalist MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, said: ‘I have every sympathy with students concerned about being able to find a place to live. I will be contacting the university to ensure they are doing all they can to support students to find the right accommodation option for them.’
A University of Glasgow spokesman said: ‘We understand the concern students have about accommodation. We will continue to check regularly on the availability of private provider accommodation and will share updates.’
According to NUS Scotland, 12 per cent of students have experienced homelessness since beginning their studies.
President Ellie Gomersall said: ‘We need action from the Scottish Government to create a student housing strategy that includes rent controls, tenancy rights and a student housing guarantee for all.’
Pam Gosal, higher education spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives, said: ‘Students have already endured great disruption during the pandemic.
‘No availability in private halls’ ‘Shouldn’t have waited until now’
It seems this year’s intake are also set to endure significant issues unless urgent solutions can be found.’
Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Willie Rennie added: ‘The Scottish Government knew this would happen, in part as a result of the higher qualifications pass rate, but did little to deal with the problem.’
A spokesman for the Scottish Government said it is ‘determined to improve accessibility, affordability and standards across the rented sector’.