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A group complaint submitted by students living in Hawkridge House alleging unacceptable living conditions during the 2014-2015 academic year has been upheld by the Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ Complaints Panel.

The complaint stemmed from building works being undertaken at Hawkridge house.

The panel, chaired by Rex Knight, Vice-Provost (Operations), has recommended that all residents of Hawkridge House should be awarded a full rent rebate for the summer term of 2014-2015.

In total 48 complaint forms were submitted through Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾'s Student Complaints Procedure by David Dahlborn, Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾U Halls Accommodation Representative for 2014-15, on behalf of students residing at Hawkridge House.

Due to the significant overlap in content of the individual complaints, it was decided the matter should be taken forward as a group complaint.

Apology

Mr Rex Knight said, "On behalf of Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ I would like to apologise for the experience that the residents of Hawkridge House faced during 2014-15 and I would like to reassure that Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ takes its responsibility towards its students' extremely seriously and values highly its relationship with the student body. As such I am sorry that on this occasion the students' experience did not match their or our expectations."

He added, "The panel have recommended a number of measures to improve the experience of students living in Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ halls of residence subject to building works. They include the establishment of a protocol for undertaking a full impact assessment of any building works on student accommodation, as well as improved communications procedures to mitigate against the impact of building works. In addition, the panel recommended Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ Residences conduct a review of their complaints process, focusing on the need for early dispute resolution."

Mr Rex Knight, Vice-Provost (Operations)