Aberystwyth students 2011 in favour of 'bunk bed' accommodation

800 students entering Aberystwyth University are being placed in bunk room accommodation. This is not a lot compared to the total number of students. The rooms are large enough in terms of legality and they provide shelter for the students. The university stated it would provide first year accommodation and has stuck to that statement. It didn't state anywhere that the accommodation would be single room or a bunk bed room.

There are many advantages to a bunk bed room such as security and safety, encouraging social interaction with other students which could lead to a better student experience and financial saving. Each student will pay just 50% of what other students will pay whilst still having shelter provided for them throughout the academic year. This money can be spent on other education materials such as books and/or computers, or simply be put to use as extra living money.

This is far better than what other universities have done in similar situations. Other universities have provided portable accommodation meaning students will have to up and move again later in the year as students drop out disrupting them and potentially their education. The university has also made it possible for students to choose a room mate.

Bunked/shared rooms are common in European countries as well as in America and are perfectly suitable unless a student has a private medical need.

We also believe that parents of students have massively overreacted to this situation.

This statement was made and we fully agree with it.

'Although we recognise that bunk rooms are not ideal for many of you, we do think that this is a better option than seeing students being forced to live in hotels”

Ben Meakin
President, Aberystwyth Guild of Students

The staff at the university have been working around the clock to make sure students are given satisfactory accommodation to live in. All in all, the university has made the best out of a poor situation. The university has not profited anyway from this as the university has oversubscribed and therefore will be fined due to it. In theory they have taken a fine that allows students to get in before the high fees next year. Without oversubscription these students would be forced to either defer until 2012 and pay the higher fees or not attend.