[RavinaKang]

I've put Keele as an insurance choice as well, is there really no chance of halls? I know that they've added Liberty Court as an accomodation option which I would have thought would have increased my chances? I'm pretty sure i'm not getting into my first choice uni so I need to sort this out.

[Harpoon]

(Original post by RavinaKang)
I've put Keele as an insurance choice as well, is there really no chance of halls? I know that they've added Liberty Court as an accomodation option which I would have thought would have increased my chances? I'm pretty sure i'm not getting into my first choice uni so I need to sort this out.

No there isn't. Sorry to be blunt but if Keele is your insurance choice then you need to look for private housing. I don't know about Liberty Court being on the accommodation option but that's a good 40 minute bus ride away from Keele. Newcastle would be the best place to look, that and Miliners Green. If you want any more information, don't hesitate to get in touch, I'm the Off-Campus Rep for the next academic year so I'll try my best to help you.

[Catchetat]

(Original post by RavinaKang)
I've put Keele as an insurance choice as well, is there really no chance of halls? I know that they've added Liberty Court as an accomodation option which I would have thought would have increased my chances? I'm pretty sure i'm not getting into my first choice uni so I need to sort this out.

there's an open day tomorrow so come along and see what keele and accommodation is like if you haven't yet and meet the students/teachers

as for your qn about halls,

http://www.keele.ac.uk/studyatkeele/...accommodation/

should answer your question.

they place priority over students who...

Current, returning undergraduate students who apply for accommodation by the due date and
who require campus accommodation for supported medical / disability reasons and are supported by Keele Disability Services
are a care leaver
are a student whose family home is outside the UK
are a Foundation Year student going into their first year of the course
are a part year visiting exchange and Erasmus student who will be studying abroad in the second semester
are entering their final year of study at Keele
are entering their second year studying Medicine
New undergraduate students who apply for accommodation by the due date and
who require campus accommodation for supported medical / disability reasons, are supported by Keele Disability Services and hold Keele as their Firm Choice
are a care leaver
put Keele as their Firm Choice (those who make Keele their first choice of university)
are a Foundation Year student
are a student whose family home is outside the UK (including visiting students)
who hold Keele as both their Firm and Insurance choice

[Teaddict]

Hopefully this will clarify the situation surrounding the student bars.

At current, the student operated bars around Keele are operating on a deficit so the University has decided that it is to take on the responsibility of running those bars and thus taking on the debt as well.

So to make this quite clear. The bars will reopen in September as normal but will not be ran by students, rather, they will be managed by the University itself.

This is the clarification sent out by Keele University on the issue:


Dear Student

Recently there have been discussions about the future position of the student run bars and I write to update you about the latest developments.

The student bars are an important part of University life and are valued by the University. However, we now find ourselves in a very unfortunate situation where the operation of the student run bars has resulted in an accumulated deficit over the years. The bars do not have the finances to pay suppliers and there are real concerns in regard to the running of these premises. This position has created significant financial and reputational risks for all concerned which can no longer be ignored. The University has agreed to step in and take responsibility for the bars on campus to ensure that they are effectively managed and that all regulatory requirements are met.

The University has also reluctantly concluded that the Student Bars will not be able to repay their debts and has therefore agreed to cover these debts, including outstanding payments to suppliers.

Therefore, with the University in an overall management role, students will play a full and vital role in the range of activities of each bar and we will look to students to have an on-going and significant involvement in shaping the future of these bars. Also, students will continue to be employed by the University and the student bars will mainly be staffed by students.

Finally, we wish to reassure you that the student bars are to continue as an important feature of student life on campus and that the University will invest further in the bar facilities which will re-open in September 2012.

We will keep you informed of developments.

Best wishes

[Keele-Nomad]

Yeah, you have pretty much no chance of on-campus accommodation if you put Keele as your insurance. Loads of people who put Keele as firm ended up sharing for the 1st semester this year so that suggests the odds for insurance lol.

[JamesR1993]

(Original post by Keele-Nomad)
Yeah, you have pretty much no chance of on-campus accommodation if you put Keele as your insurance. Loads of people who put Keele as firm ended up sharing for the 1st semester this year so that suggests the odds for insurance lol.

It's interesting that you say lots of firmers had to share, surely they would have sorted out accommodation for, at least most, of their firm choice students?

[Keele-Nomad]

(Original post by JamesR1993)
It's interesting that you say lots of firmers had to share, surely they would have sorted out accommodation for, at least most, of their firm choice students?

You would think so wouldn't you? However, this is Keele accommodation and rooms are there not to provide for students but instead to make a profit because students want to live on campus and some are willing to pay well over the top for it. I know a dozen or more firm choice people that shared a room their entire 1st semester. I believe the waiting list for a room was about 100 people at one point. Not that many compared to the entire 1st year population but more than it should be. They even had to ask if anyone in a single room wanted to leave campus for the 2nd semester as to free up the room and make the waiting list smaller.

Just luck of the draw I guess. On the other hand, the person you share with could become your best mate, who knows?

[JamesR1993]

(Original post by Keele-Nomad)
You would think so wouldn't you? However, this is Keele accommodation and rooms are there not to provide for students but instead to make a profit because students want to live on campus and some are willing to pay well over the top for it. I know a dozen or more firm choice people that shared a room their entire 1st semester. I believe the waiting list for a room was about 100 people at one point. Not that many compared to the entire 1st year population but more than it should be. They even had to ask if anyone in a single room wanted to leave campus for the 2nd semester as to free up the room and make the waiting list smaller.

Just luck of the draw I guess. On the other hand, the person you share with could become your best mate, who knows?

Haha, i guess it could be a unique experience.

I wouldn't mind sharing a room i guess, but i can honestly say i'd rather avoid the hassle

It does seem a bit unfair though, the way they try and sort out room. As a university they should plan these things in advance, but hey, who am i to judge them, i haven't even gotten there yet

[bubble_spot]

It does depend on luck but I was fortunate enough to share with someone on my course who I got on well with and she ended up moving next door. You'll also know in advance if you're sharing so one tip is bring a clothes rail as you will only have one wardrobe which is a pain ... although that may just be a girl thing! The big advantage is that you only pay half the fees til they sort it!

[bubble_spot]

It's also really important to note that the term 'disability' refers not only to wheelchair users and those with visual or hearing impairments but also anyone with a long-term medical condition including epilepsy, diabetes, asthma, m.e. and even severe allergies.

Obviously an allergy will not mean that you qualify for on-campus accommodation simply on that basis but if you think it may have an impact on your life while you study at Keele then you should really let the university know before room allocations are finalised - e.g. a severe food allergy will be much easier to manage in a flat with a kitchen shared by 4 people than in a block where 30+ share. Or a student with diabetes may need to bring a personal fridge with them to store medication - this will be difficult in a shared room with limited space. In a shared room there are bunk-beds but only 1 desk, 1 wardrobe and not much breathing space.

You will, of course, need to provide medical evidence (GP's letter) of any condition but Accommodation will be far less likely to place a student with a medical condition in a shared room - just something to consider.

[~ Purple Rose ~]

(Original post by JamesR1993)
It's interesting that you say lots of firmers had to share, surely they would have sorted out accommodation for, at least most, of their firm choice students?

Part of the problem last year was that more students than expected made their offers, which meant there weren't as many available rooms as anticipated. People who share are immediately put at the top of a waiting list for when rooms become available, and some are moved very quickly because of how fast people decide to drop out. I am aware of at least one person who arrived this year expecting to share a room, but were told when they registered that it was now a single because their roommate had dropped out already.
Some people end up not wanting to move out of a shared room because they get on so well, but have been forced to because of health and safety etc.

I have heard that accommodation is pretty much full for September, but obviously that may change once results come out.

[Keele-Nomad]

(Original post by ~ Purple Rose ~)
Part of the problem last year was that more students than expected made their offers

That and not having enough rooms in the 1st place.