Thanks to our collective lobbying efforts we are delighted the University has made this decision.
On Wednesday 6 January, a full lockdown came into effect across England. This meant that many students were advised by the government to stay away from University and therefore were unable to occupy their University accommodation. Since the government's announcement, we have been consistently lobbying the University to provide a full rent rebate for students unable to occupy student halls due to lockdown. Your voice has been instrumental in shaping this change and we want to thank you so much for being a part of this campaign.
The University has now agreed to offer a full rent rebate covering the period of 4 January 2021 until 14 February 2021 to those students in University-managed accommodation who have not been able to use their accommodation because of government restrictions during this period of national lockdown. This is a massive win for our student community, and we are delighted that the University has listened to the Student Voice! Students living on campus should now have received an email from the University outlining how the refund credit will work.
The University has also added that whilst the Government is currently indicating that the lockdown will end in mid-February, the situation may change and that the situation will be monitored. We will continue to work to ensure you are not at a financial disadvantage as a result of Covid.
We are also looking into what this will mean for international students who were unable to leave their university-owned accommodation during the holiday period but would like to return home now.
We would like to thank Accommodation and Hospitality Services (ahs) for everything they have done this academic year. The team at ahs has done an amazing job, providing students with free meals when they have had to quarantine, as well as games and goody bags, and providing free meals and activities for students who stayed in Bath over the festive period.
If you are still in University accommodation, the hospitality services are offering low-cost food from their take away outlets, including a £1 lunch offer from 4 West and the Lime Tree and £2 dinner offers at the Lime Tree.
The University is unable directly to affect the rent in the private sector, but we are working to help raise this issue with landlords in Bath and the local area. If you would like any more advice please contact the SU Advice and Support.
For students suffering financially as a result of the pandemic, a special fund has been set up by the University of Bath, and this has already been generously supported. Find out more about the Hardship Fund. The Student Money Advice team are able to provide financial support and advice. If you are facing financial hardship, we would urge you to contact our Student Money Advice Service on studentmoneyadvice@bath.ac.uk?or 01225 383838.