Page 18 | to think University students without particular needs do not need an en-suite shower room?

LindorDoubleChoc · 2023-09-27T18:57:11+00:00

I'm so surprised that University Halls of Residence now offer this as an option to more or less all their students. What the hell? How many of you are indulging your offspring with this poncery and why? (exceptional needs aside of course). When I went to Uni in the dark ages of the 1980s no one had an ensuite. Almost no one had a wash basin either. Is it a money making exercise? New build houses are the same. Not every bedroom needs separate washing/bathing facilities. The first world's gone mad!

Quisquam · 30/09/2023 08:59

Almost no one had a wash basin either. Is it a money making exercise?

NRTFT - I was at uni in the 70s, in a hall on site with about 6 others. We all had a wash basin in our room.

DS was at uni 18 years ago. His room in hall had a Jack and Jill toilet and shower room, with his neighbour.

Considering it’s the norm nowadays to have an en-suite in a hotel bedroom in all the chain hotels I’ve stayed in, universities probably think this is what people expect? After all, when we were at uni, we didn’t have a computer, printer, or mobile phone either; and we certainly didn’t have as many clothes as modern teenagers have. DH had two outfits, I probably had four or five.

Times change OP.

Batalax · 30/09/2023 09:21

I think as with all things, it’s fine if non en-suites are the norm. Everyone would just get on with it. Given that they are an option now, most students would prefer one, finances permitting. It’s also fine to want to make the saving and prioritise spending else where. Individual preference.

sjj28358 · 30/09/2023 09:25

OP, curious to know if you would you book a hotel room with a shared bathroom?

Iateitallofit · 30/09/2023 09:27

it was different back in the day… students had their fees paid and a maintenance grant. Students now are basically paying customers, so they expect to be treated like paying customers- ie, spend their money on their priorities, and receive good service for the money they pay. Comparing student life in the 70’s with now is comparing apples and oranges and acting shocked when they don’t taste the same.

00100001 · 30/09/2023 10:34

sjj28358 · 30/09/2023 09:25

OP, curious to know if you would you book a hotel room with a shared bathroom?

She already said she wouldn't. Because she's paid to be on holiday.

She seems to think an adult paying to be on holiday needs their own bathroom, but an adult paying to study doesn't.

RampantIvy · 30/09/2023 11:29

She seems to think an adult paying to be on holiday needs their own bathroom, but an adult paying to study doesn't.

Or maybe it's sour grapes because she didn't have that option when she was a student?
When DD was a student her accommodation got progressively worse through her university years
She went from en suite in halls, to shared bathrooms in student lets, then a really shitty dive in her year after graduating but sharing with friends in a private rental with a rubbish letting agent. They had a rat problem the last month they were in that horrible flat.

LastHives · 30/09/2023 11:31

00100001 · 30/09/2023 08:57

Commuting in is fine, plenty of students do that. Uni near me had buses going 20 miles away to get students, and they're always jam packed.

It's not compulsory to live in/near the university.

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The only thing with that is you miss the "St Andrews experience". It would be like being at Oxford and living in Swindon.

00100001 · 30/09/2023 11:38

LastHives · 30/09/2023 11:31

The only thing with that is you miss the "St Andrews experience". It would be like being at Oxford and living in Swindon.

Edited

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Not the be all and end all though.

RampantIvy · 30/09/2023 11:45

Commuting in is fine, plenty of students do that. Uni near me had buses going 20 miles away to get students, and they're always jam packed.

It might not be the be all and end all, but it isn't great, especially if you have face to face teaching at either end of the day. These students would probably spend the middle part of the day in the library, but it isn't the same as being able to go back to your room.

LastHives · 30/09/2023 11:47

00100001 · 30/09/2023 11:38

Not the be all and end all though.

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If you know you know.

MenorcaMarguerite · 30/09/2023 11:54

Surely it's partly just choosing what is available?

My daughter had en suite in her first year as that was what most of the rooms were and that was what she was allocated. Shared with one other the next year in a shared flat. Now goes to a shared toilet down the corridor due to being in halls on her year abroad and it was the best option there.

Don't think I have noticed her getting radically less poncy as she has shared with more and more people... just pragmatic choices that suited each situation.

OspreyLambo · 30/09/2023 11:59

RampantIvy · 30/09/2023 11:45

Commuting in is fine, plenty of students do that. Uni near me had buses going 20 miles away to get students, and they're always jam packed.

It might not be the be all and end all, but it isn't great, especially if you have face to face teaching at either end of the day. These students would probably spend the middle part of the day in the library, but it isn't the same as being able to go back to your room.

In first year a senior told me to treat being on campus like a working day... don't put work off, finish it the week you learnt it. It's stood me in good stead even post university. And I have ADHD so not a great organiser.
Also, did so much socialising on campus - not just in the library but the many beautiful spaces around campus. Granted, we were in Central London so could pop along to various attractions .But even a 'campus uni' like Warwick has loads of different areas to hang out in.

I'd certainly encourage people to not head back to their rooms ASAP. Of course, it's their choice to do so, some may have SEN, some might prefer to nap so they can get up to party and catch up on work at the weekends, some might prefer to work in their rooms but provided the campus has sufficient facilities I don't see why staying is a bad thing.

WomblingTree86 · 30/09/2023 12:07

Iateitallofit · 30/09/2023 09:27

it was different back in the day… students had their fees paid and a maintenance grant. Students now are basically paying customers, so they expect to be treated like paying customers- ie, spend their money on their priorities, and receive good service for the money they pay. Comparing student life in the 70’s with now is comparing apples and oranges and acting shocked when they don’t taste the same.

It is true that they feel that the are paying customers but the reality is that the taxpayer is paying for most of it usually (and they may or may not pay if back).

Original poster

LindorDoubleChoc · 30/09/2023 17:13

Good Lord! sour grapes, jealousy, Monty Python competitive Yorkshiremen, racing to the bottom, toxic nostalgia - I've been accused of everything on this thread .

I've found the replies about Universities maximising their income by renting out rooms in the holidays to be very interesting - I hadn't thought about that.

I'm not sure if everyone knows that the loans offered to students now cover their fees but everything else is means tested. And so you can be a moderate income family, not entitled to any extra loan, who has to pay the rent for your child yourself. And so, yes, an extra 30, 40, 50 pounds per week for 36 weeks does add up to quite a sum over the year. As I said, my son's room is £170 pw. He shares a loo and shower room with 3 others on his landing. I'm sure he'll survive (seems to be having a whale of a time so far!). It is a lockable door, not in a block so everyone will be safe.

OP posts:

Zebedee55 · 30/09/2023 17:16

My grandson pays £50 extra, per week, for an en-suite room at his Uni. It's up to individuals.

LadyGrinningSoul85 · 30/09/2023 17:20

I have pretty strong opinions on student accommodation in general, as I have the misfortune of being in a student town, but I can honestly say I couldn't give a crap if they have an en suite or not.

The only thing that bothers me is students should be allowed to live in purpose built student accommodation only, as the hassle I've had finding a family home to live in with my children that hasn't been converted into a student property has been utterly ridiculous.
But then that's greedy landlords for you, and don't get me started on those...

Meem321 · 30/09/2023 17:23

WillowCraft · 27/09/2023 20:00

They have cleaners in halls and toilet roll is provided.

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Well that's not universally correct. My DD lived in halls, flat of 6, with shared toilet. No cleaner or loo roll.

TheLongGloriesOfTheWinterMoon · 30/09/2023 17:23

LindorDoubleChoc · 30/09/2023 17:13

Good Lord! sour grapes, jealousy, Monty Python competitive Yorkshiremen, racing to the bottom, toxic nostalgia - I've been accused of everything on this thread .

I've found the replies about Universities maximising their income by renting out rooms in the holidays to be very interesting - I hadn't thought about that.

I'm not sure if everyone knows that the loans offered to students now cover their fees but everything else is means tested. And so you can be a moderate income family, not entitled to any extra loan, who has to pay the rent for your child yourself. And so, yes, an extra 30, 40, 50 pounds per week for 36 weeks does add up to quite a sum over the year. As I said, my son's room is £170 pw. He shares a loo and shower room with 3 others on his landing. I'm sure he'll survive (seems to be having a whale of a time so far!). It is a lockable door, not in a block so everyone will be safe.

Well obviously we know it's means tested.
What with answering your question because we have kids at university and all.

Quisquam · 30/09/2023 17:56

I'm not sure if everyone knows that the loans offered to students now cover their fees but everything else is means tested.

We certainly do know that after funding two DC through university! We had to pay for an en-suite room for DD with OCD; and she couldn’t work part time through university due to her SEN!

SaffronSpice · 30/09/2023 18:05

LadyGrinningSoul85 · 30/09/2023 17:20

I have pretty strong opinions on student accommodation in general, as I have the misfortune of being in a student town, but I can honestly say I couldn't give a crap if they have an en suite or not.

The only thing that bothers me is students should be allowed to live in purpose built student accommodation only, as the hassle I've had finding a family home to live in with my children that hasn't been converted into a student property has been utterly ridiculous.
But then that's greedy landlords for you, and don't get me started on those...

Edited

You do know that some students have families and children too?

CurlyhairedAssassin · 30/09/2023 18:10

Not even bothering reading the rest of the thread. The answer is "times move on, and why not?"

Why don't YOU have an outside toilet, and take a bath once a week in a tin bath in the kitchen? Why don't you have a coal fire and no central heating?

No difference. People CAN manage with the basics, of course they can. But if they don't have to then why should they?

CurlyhairedAssassin · 30/09/2023 18:13

Your argument is just silly. If universities built new accommodation in the 1980s to 1940s standard (which is basically what you're saying is what is happening now - that it should just be like it was 40 years ago), then I don't think you would have been too impressed.

OspreyLambo · 30/09/2023 18:42

SaffronSpice · 30/09/2023 18:05

You do know that some students have families and children too?

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And if so, they'd be living in family homes. Not HMO's, which is what PP was referring to.

WomblingTree86 · 30/09/2023 19:10

LadyGrinningSoul85 · 30/09/2023 17:20

I have pretty strong opinions on student accommodation in general, as I have the misfortune of being in a student town, but I can honestly say I couldn't give a crap if they have an en suite or not.

The only thing that bothers me is students should be allowed to live in purpose built student accommodation only, as the hassle I've had finding a family home to live in with my children that hasn't been converted into a student property has been utterly ridiculous.
But then that's greedy landlords for you, and don't get me started on those...

Edited

What do you mean "should be allowed to live in purpose built accommodation only". They can't be forced to live in a particular place anymore than you can be forced to. Students are adults and humans too and have as much right to live where they want as you do.

Nowtnorsummat · 30/09/2023 19:28

We had shared sex bathrooms in halls and I was once the victim of a mild incident which could have been very much worse (random male and I were the only ones in there).

Happy for other female students not to be subjected to the same tbh