New rules allow residents to mix freely in kitchens
WELSH Government has changed its guidance on student flats to allow residents to use shared facilities at the same time.
While flats in Cardiff University’s halls of residences can house up to eight people, government guidance had stated that residents “may only meet with a maximum of three others in shared facilities”.
However, following pressure from the National Union of Students and Cardiff University’s Students’ Union, the guidance was amended on Thursday, January 18 to allow students to mix freely in their flats.
The old guidance said that it recommended “the use of rotas in order to minimise the number of people needing to use a shared facility at any one time”.
Students in the flats, who are predominantly in their first year of study, had been sent an email by the university which said that they could face eviction unless they followed the rules.
It also encouraged students to report others who were breaking the rules, and said that “if you fail to report a breach of the rules you will be deemed collectively responsible with those who host parties”.
Georgie East, 22, is vice-president of welfare and campaigns at the Students’ Union, and had emailed NUS Wales to ask them to press the Welsh Government for change.
“I don’t think it was malicious, I just think it was a massive oversight.
“I detailed that in my email and said that this is a demographic of students that will struggle to have created strong friendships and are already isolated, who have just been told that their teaching is remote for the rest of the year, who haven’t had a standard university experience.
“To be told they can’t have dinner all together in a flat is just ridiculous,” said Ms East.
Students have also reported new security cameras being installed and random ID checks by security.
A spokesperson for Cardiff University said: “Yesterday, new guidance was issued clarifying students living in flat-style accommodation can mix freely with those in their shared flat.
“Our focus and concern is on stopping kitchen parties and gatherings in communal areas.
“The Housekeeping Teams who attend flats during the day are not checking or reporting on the number of students in a kitchen or communal area.
“As long as you are not hosting or attending a kitchen party or gathering in a communal area you have nothing to be concerned about.
“There are no cameras in individual flats (and there have never been). We are however upgrading the coverage of CCTV to improve the visibility of external areas in Talybont South.
“The power and data connections for this may involve work within residential buildings which may explain where confusion has arisen.
“ID checks were introduced in November after concerns that non-residents were coming onto site in clear breach of COVID-19 rules and current legislation. These checks remain for students’ safety.”
There have also been reports of students receiving emails from security asking why they were leaving their flats at certain times.
Cardiff University did not comment on this.
James Wallice, 21, studies politics and international relations at Cardiff University, and has set up a petition asking for these policies to be revoked, which has been signed over 600 times.
Mr Wallice said that the security checks which remain in place still need addressing.
“I think it’s absolutely appalling. As far as I’m concerned there is no legitimate justification for the security measures. There is no legitimate justification for the increase in CCTV.
“There’s been no consideration to mental health, there’s been no consideration to wellbeing. It really is appalling. The university vice-chancellor and his team should know much better.
“For most freshers coming to Cardiff, it’s incredibly difficult. This will be the first time they’ve lived away from home,” said Mr Wallice.
