UEA (2019) dealing with the unexpected and on to 2nd Year

[juicy0]

New thread for the parents of 2019 freshers. Thank you all for sticking around!
At the start of the year we never would have guessed the topics that are currently being discussed in this page but I'm grateful we still have each other to help navigate our way through this with our DC.
With the emptying of 1st year rooms seemingly on hold for many until the end of lockdown our thoughts will soon turn to 2nd year accommodation and whether term is likely to start as normal in September.

@NotSorry ds's gf was in Pablo. She was accepted through clearing and no accommodation left on UEA site. She didn't pay the full price that they usually pay. It was lovely accommodation but she was the only first year student so didn't enjoy being there so much, plus had to bus in alone. DS said it was much nicer than his place at UEA and when he stayed there he liked being in the city centre. But obviously all the freshers stuff she had to travel to alone. But if there's a group of first year students together then it would be an excellent place to be.

she was the only first year student so didn't enjoy being there so much, plus had to bus in alone I think this is what my friend is worried about - he’s quite a quiet boy and it’s all new for him. I’ll text her in a bit and see how they’re getting on.

@NotSorry if there are several in the same situation and they all stay there it would be much better. Especially this year when there won't be so much going on actually at the UEA. I expect freshers won't be much this year ☹️

I think one of DS's school friends was in Pablo last year (think he's staying in the same place this year too). He seems to like it although I believe it's expensive?

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 yes it's expensive but as I said above ds's gf paid much less because UEA couldn't fit her in their accommodation. I'm assuming UEA paid some of it...not sure.

Is there any way they can link up with other students who don't have accommodation, on the student room or the UEA students page, there is a FB group 'concrete confessions between UEA seshions' where UEA students chat about stuff.....
My DS son some first years have been allocated twin rooms in the Ziggs but told they have to pay double!! Can't believe that's right!

@icanbewhatiwant hope that's true.

The twin room Ziggs were very cheap though (considerably less than any of the other options on campus from what I recall), presumably based on the sharing factor? So I guess if the freshers have the extra space to themselves the rent should be more akin to the normal Zigg (single) rooms? Not entirely fair but on the other hand I guess the university has got to try to claw back some of the revenue lost through all the summer term refunds

@Itscoldouthere

Is there any way they can link up with other students who don't have accommodation, on the student room or the UEA students page, there is a FB group 'concrete confessions between UEA seshions' where UEA students chat about stuff..... My DS son some first years have been allocated twin rooms in the Ziggs but told they have to pay double!! Can't believe that's right!

This is true. My son has been offered a twin Zig and it's £159 a week. No concession on the price- not even a reduction for him not using extra utilities etc. It's now one of the most expensive accommodation on offer and it's very basic. I'm quite angry, we have been fobbed off by the accommodation office who have made various excuses from ' we decided to change the price as it's a big room' to 'we forgot to update the prices as there's a pandemic going on'. The price is way higher than the standard Zig rooms (£118 a week) and he gets the basic loan. 😡 They apparently weren't even going to let the double rooms out this year so have already budgeted to not have the income. Now they are just taking advantage!

Oh that's grim @UEAparent2020. I really would have expected them to standardise room prices across the Ziggs, regardless of whether they're a single or a double TBQH. It sounds as if they've doubled the price and I can well see why you're annoyed. That makes them a very expensive option. Can you see if you can be put on a waiting list in case any other rooms become available?

He is on a list for a room change...along with many other students and others who have no accommodation at all. It's such a rip off. His friend has a campus ensuite for the same money. I would accept it being slightly more expensive than a standard Zig but the price is way off. They can charge what they want as they have so many desperate students who will apparently happily pay that price.

@UEAparent2020 gosh yes that's a lot isn't it? I'm not surprised you're annoyed. We only paid a bit more than that last year for en-suite in Paston House.

@Itscoldouthere

Is there any way they can link up with other students who don't have accommodation, on the student room or the UEA students page, there is a FB group 'concrete confessions between UEA seshions' where UEA students chat about stuff..... My DS son some first years have been allocated twin rooms in the Ziggs but told they have to pay double!! Can't believe that's right!

DS2 told me the same last night, same source. For all that I'd say that UEA has been wonderful for DS2 I am genuinely disappointed if kids, sorry young adults, who had planned and budgeted on the the anticipated lower cost of sharing in the Zigs have had that bombshell dropped on them.

DS2 indicated that some were saying that it effectively made Uni unaffordable now. Now whether that is people just venting (understandably) as opposed to a genuine likely scenario is a whole other question. But there will be some for whom it could be an obstacle too far - and these may well be the ones who have had to overcome a lot of obstacles already.

I don't think UEA are doing themselves any reputational favours on this one.

I agree @boy3. It seems contra to the very positive vibes that many of us and our young adults had about the university in the first place!

I guess if you're on a full loan it would be just about affordable but it could certainly be a make or break deal for some students.

I suspect the Accommodation Office revenue has plummeted and they are trying to claw back some of it but charging double is not on. I wonder though whether there would have been an outcry from other students (in the single Zigg rooms) had they standardised the rental cost across single and formerly shared options?

It's a bit lame (when they'd had since March to think about it) to up the rental cost so late in the day. I would bet money on the fact that most students chose the 'shared' Ziggs primarily because of their cheapness.

I wonder if people have openly voiced their feelings to the Accommodation Office Managers?

My son and several others have contacted the accommodation office but they are not budging. It's impossible to speak to anyone in charge and they say they have no control over the price and there's nothing they can do.
We didn't even put this accommodation on his list of choices.
I feel sorry for students relying on that cheap accommodation.The information at the time of application said there would be no shared rooms offered this year due to Covid but they seemingly 'forgot' to state at the same time that it meant the rooms would be charged at double. It would have been very simple for them to add the information that the room price would change.
We can just about pay it but will have to really tighten our belts to do so. Its going to be a tough few months. It's made worse as it's not even value for money compared with other accommodation on offer. I wouldn't mind so much if he'd been allocated an expensive 'nice' room as at least it's comfortable and also potentially someone might have wanted to swap but I can't see anyone wanting this room instead!

The information at the time of application said there would be no shared rooms offered this year due to Covid but they seemingly 'forgot' to state at the same time that it meant the rooms would be charged at double. I suspect there was some non-joined up thinking going on. No-one probably thought about the cost needing to be tweaked until late on in the day.

I feel your pain at UEAparent2020 as I know we would have found it hard to top up that extra - it's almost £2K difference, isn't it? Just about okay if you're getting the maximum loan but not if the bank of mum and dad is being expected to make up the £5K difference twixt the minimum and maximum loand (or is it more?).

@UEAparent2020 that really is unfair, they really should only be charging the same as other Zigg prices, or at the most a small amount more.
The halls accomodation is such a pivotal part of starting at uni and this solution really doesn't make for a positive start. Money really is going to be a major factor for so many now as lots of people's circumstances have changed in the last six months, no one would happily pay double for a room, that's just madness.
I hope UEA reconcider, usually UEA seems to do the right thing, so hopefully they may change this if they see enough people getting pissed off.
The fact my son knew about it shows that it's more than first years talking about it, he thought it was wrong so I'm sure others will be saying the same.

Update on my friend: They put a deposit down somewhere - don't know where as I got a text late last night and I think she was too exhausted to talk - she said it was a very stressful day. I just hope he's with some other students that are also Freshers

Just spoke to her - they've found somewhere - ridiculously expensive as they've got to pay until August next year but about 20 mins walk from uni and 32 student rooms so at least he'll be with other newbies (hopefully)

@NotSorry at least they have found somewhere. Annoying to have to pay a lot more. It sounds like other first year students will be in the same boat...so hopefully living there too.

“Had an email about testing at Uni” relates DS2. Hopefully he’s read the content of the email as well So a presumably positive development.

Ds is going to pack his car today and move into his house in Norwich. I thought I was looking forward to him going...in a way because I know he wants to get back to friends and his gf but also because he makes mess and eats a lot. But I guess I'm not looking forward to it really. It'll be strange without him here after all this time.

He's got to come home next Friday as the car is booked in for a service. He doesn't want to come near us as he will have been in a house with 5 lads and his gf's house with 5 girls that he is worried may not be social distancing. But the car has to be dropped 8.30am and they keep it all day. So I can't expect him to sit outside here all day.

@icanbewhatiwant I get your inner conflict. It is hard work living with young adults once they start to want to live their lives their way - not always easy when they're at home (particularly for six months as ours have been since lockdown) and their values may start to clash with those of parents. However, it's strange not having them around. I know DD is missing having DS around. And I am too - he was really quite helpful with doing shopping and running errands during the worst of lockdown.

He has his weekend sorted with NFL and football viewing apparently. I have just discovered that one of the old boys from his school is a journo with primary focus on poker and NFL - two of DS's main interests. I am tempted to advise him to get in touch.

That's a PITA about the car needing to be serviced - it complicates matters. If the forecast heatwave does ever materialise perhaps he would go to your home and happily sit outside all day?

@icanbewhatiwant I know what you mean, I've really missed DS1 who went to his house in Bournemouth last week.
He came back last night to see DS2 as he's moving in to his house in Norwich next week.
DS2 gets his results 2 days after moving in so I really hope he passes.
I'm going to stay with a friend in Norfolk for a few days, just incase it all goes the wrong way!
Must say though DS1 is so happy being back living with friends, doing his own thing, that's all I hope for, I want them to be doing their own thing, growing, expanding, working out who they are outside the family context, taking responsibility for their own life, and hopefully enjoying the work at uni as well.
Obviously the stakes are high for me seeing as we've sold the family house so they have no home to come back too, they currently won't be able to come to Canada either as the borders are closed, I swing between panic/worry feeling like a terrible parent, and calmness thinking everything will be fine....
Can't blame Covid for this really but it's certainly made things more complex!

Yes @Itscoldouthere you have a lot going on. You'll be so far away once you move. I'm sure they'll be fine here.

It is good for them to start getting on with their lives. I think it's natural to always worry, I'm very good at worrying!

Ds is currently raiding the food cupboards here to take with him. I've bought odd bits over the last few weeks to start him off, like toilet rolls and toiletries. Stuff like pasta and tins. I've just added milk, bread, some fruit and salad. Though he's in no rush to pack up the car. Apparently he's going to watch the F1 before he leaves.

@icanbewhatiwant prioritising sports over anything else sounds so typical. DS's life revolves around fitting things in around watching sports on TV. F1 around the world often has DS watching TV at silly hours of the night/early morning.

Good luck to your DS2 for the 17th with finding out his resit results @Itscoldouthere. Hoping for the best for him. Is he excited about going back now? Hope so. Good that you are localish over the next week or so.