Students criticise proposal to make hall wardens redundant

Proposals to get rid of all wardens and vice-wardens at University of London halls have drawn sharp criticism from students.

Wardens oversee student welfare, disciplinary matters and entertainment at the halls and are paid for ten and half hours a week and provided with free on-site accommodation. Management say they must now get rid of the wardens in order to free up their rooms for students.

Students have set up an online petition in response, which has so far garnered over 260 signatures, and are planning other forms of action.

Students argue that getting rid of the only position which represents their interests at halls, at a time when accommodation prices are due to rise by 12%-15%, is grossly unfair.

A student at Connaught Hall, where accommodation prices will rise to £195 per week next academic year, said: “By making that one position redundant, they are making the whole pastoral care system redundant.”

The proposals mark a continuation of a process began in 2009 when over half of all wardens at intercollegiate halls were made redundant.

The proposals, which are currently in the consultation stage, would transfer the responsibilities of the wardens onto the hall managers.

The consultation process ends on Thursday May 26 and the wardens will be informed of the management’s decision in late June. There are 8 wardens and 2 vice-wardens who would be sacked if the proposals go through.

In a meeting held at ULU, students drew up plans to campaign against the proposals. UCL Students’ Union (SU) Education Officer, Michael Chessum, intends to present a motion at ULU Senate meeting asking SU officers to get onboard with the campaign.