UEA freshers (2019 starters) part 2

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Previous thread and hope you don't mind that I set up the next thread @juicy0. Just did it to ensure that we carry on chatting seamlessly

[Itscoldouthere]

I’m hoping that there will be enough of us who are in the same situation that they will reconsider the date.
Did they every say that UEA wasn’t reopening after Easter? I can’t remember, I’m sure if they had said that we would have returned to get all his stuff.

[icanbewhatiwant]

@Itscoldouthere the original email said that lectures would now be online. But the university would remain open for students to use the library or their rooms if they wished.

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

I think the sweeping and fast-moving announcements by the government are contrasted with the rather slow responses from universities. Really they should have had the foresight to advise all students to empty their rooms when they suspended live teaching. They are clearly 'on the hoof'...

[NotSorry]

The library is now closed - it’s on their Twitter feed

[mumsiedarlingrevolta]

Well what an ending to the first year at UEA.

DD is in Barton and some ppl were planning on going this weekend to empty rooms but she has now been told the lifts have been shut off. Have you emptied rooms etc?

Hope everyone's DC ok. It's surreal really

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Did any parents contact the accommodation office or leave it to their DC since the most recent edict from UEA earlier this week? Did anyone hear back from them since putting in a protest about the Ts and Cs of getting a refund on next term's rent?

Just wondering whether to send one.

What's the cut-off date for completing forms and sending back the key? Wondering whether they're delaying making a decision until it's too late to fulfil what's required to waive payment of rent?

[GoldenRuby]

DS just asked me to help him send an email to the accommodation office saying he wasn't to terminate his licence but can't clear his room until the lockdown lifts, and asking them to reconsider the rent arrangements. Will let you know if we get a response.

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Thanks @GoldenRuby. DS has sent one off (I think on Monday?) but I'm not convinced it will have been that well worded. Is there a deadline for sending the keys back (end of March rings a vague bell)? If so, they're running out of time as it's already the 25th.

[mumsiedarlingrevolta]

How can anyone clear out their rooms now?

Surely an exceptional situation-don't want students coming back in droves-some common sense needed here. As they have closed the Uni surely they waive the rent?

[juicy0]

@mumsiedarlingrevolta They haven't closed the university, they stated that accommodation is still being cleaned and maintained for students wishing to remain on campus. Therefore I think unless students either vacate their room, fill in the required form and return the key or email them stating that they wish to terminate the contract but cannot vacate the room given the lockdown then they will likely be charged for next term.

[icanbewhatiwant]

I did get a reply back quickly when I emailed accommodation to ask if we can post keys. That was before the email came saying we can. But just thought I'd let you know they reply promptly from this email [email protected]

[mumsiedarlingrevolta]

@juicy0 Those slippery devils

There are no lectures so I guess it's a technicality that is "open"

Anything to not to pay up

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Was that last week you contacted them @icanbewhatiwant? I am worried they won't reply until it's too late to get the keys back to them...

[juicy0]

I agree @icanbewhatiwant they have been very prompt at replying to my emails too even though they must be incredibly busy.

They have agreed to waiver next emma geese if you vacate the room @mumsiedarlingrevolta did your DC get the email? If not I posted a copy in an earlier post

[mumsiedarlingrevolta]

@juicy0 yes but surely as we are on lockdown and 2 ppl can't be in a car it would be irresponsible to travel to Norwich to pack her up?
That's the bit I find difficult

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Well, I think because of public transport use being limited to essential workers, it's quite clear that we couldn't travel on a coach or train, so we are scuppered. If DS doesn't hear anything back by tomorrow I'm going to wade into the debate. Basically it's a discriminatory policy against those without a car in current conditions.

[Itscoldouthere]

I’m pretty sure the last return date for keys was the Sunday before the new term is due to start (April 19th) but it’s only 3/4 days after this lockdown is due to end, if it ends in 3 weeks.

DS sent an email yesterday but so far no reply.

[juicy0]

Just spoken to DD and she says most of her flatmates were at uea at some point today emptying their rooms.

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

DS said he sent his yesterday. I am already becoming disoriented in time (thought it was Thursday today!).

That's hopeful if it is the 19th April, as long as the current lockdown travel restrictions ease in time...

[GoldenRuby]

DS has just had this holding response from the uni, to his email saying he wants to quit the licence but is unable to clear his stuff due to the lock down.

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Hi @GoldenRuby

Thanks for posting that. We posted a response to a quite vague from UEA t'other day (well only vague for those who still have stuff in their rooms - it was talking about 'disposing of' possessions!). The one your DS received is quite non-specific too.

At the end of the day it's the University that needs to make a decision - rather than hanging on hearing from the Government!

I guess one issue is that if they send their keys back, how could they get into their rooms to pick up possessions if there is a relaxation on the lockdown? Mind you, we would be doing it on public transport and it still might not be that easy to get back by the 19th.

[icanbewhatiwant]

I'm glad we emptied ds's room when we did. But for those that haven't...it's not like anyone can use the rooms if we are all meant to be staying home. So it seems a bit unfair. Hopefully they will re think.

I don't think we will be allowed movement again after the 3 weeks. It'll be at least another 3 weeks again.

I had a medical appointment in Norwich yesterday yI had to attend. It is a 45 min drive from home. I'd say a fairly normal amount of cars on the roads. Though I had to go right into the centre of Norwich. Once in the centre it was very quiet. The car park had 3 cars in and was free parking. No police about stopping people. I had thought about taking the keys back to UEA. I thought I probably wouldn't see anyone. But decided not to risk it. Plus...no idea where to take them without ds with me.

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

@icanbewhatiwant precisely re the rooms not being used. I actually said that and reminded them that some students (DS included) didn't get the email until after BoJo's lockdown message.

I wasn't very impressed by the 'disposed of' suggestion either, I can tell you. I think at this time, more than ever, people will need to be watching their pennies, not agreeing to have ££££ worth of stuff chucked out due to bloody-minded accommodation officers! DS has a bulky and heavy-duty, expensive winter coat sitting in his room. New for university. I will be beyond unimpressed if that's not rescued.

Glad that you were still able to attend your hospital appointment.

I am amazed at how compliant people are generally being. It's such a massive adjustment in the way we live our lives...

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Apparently the students are going to receive another email from UEA today re accommodation fees.

[Itscoldouthere]

We got the holding type email, so still unsure as to our position as DS still has things in his room.

Much to my surprise we got an email from AUB accommodation this morning saying all accommodation fees scraped, I’m surprised because DS1 is in a fancy new building that’s privately run, although booked from AUB accommodation. No mention of having to clear rooms by any particular date.