Residents' Survey - Bursar's Office

Responses to Residents' Survey 10: Bursar's Office

Continuing my series of blog posts to repond to residents' comments in the February 2010 intercollegiate halls residents' survey. A summary of responses to the multiple choice questions on the survey can be seen here: Residents' Survey results. And you can filter this blog so just the survey-related posts show by clicking on "survey" in the list of labels on the right hand side.


A couple of survey respondents said they thought the Bursar's Office staff were difficult to approach. Harriet, Hafsi, and David are a great team and very friendly so we could only assume this difficulty arises from residents not knowing how, when, or where to appoach them.

I met with the Deputy Bursar and we agreed it would be helpful to post office hours outside the door to the Bursar's Office and an invitation to go right in and discuss any problems. Office hours are liited at the moment due to staff sickness but as soon as the rota is sorted out again, ths measure will be implemented.

Please do feel free to approach anyone in the Bursar's Office during working hours about anything that's bothering you in Hall. They will deal with most facilities / services / accommodation matters there and then, or they might refer you to speak to me if your concerns are related to a socal, wefare, or health matter. Out of hours, there is a Duty Senior Member whom you can contact via reception.

Residents' Survey - Senior Members

Responses to Residents' Survey 9: Senior Members

Continuing my series of blog posts to repond to residents' comments in the February 2010 intercollegiate halls residents' survey. A summary of responses to the multiple choice questions on the survey can be seen here: Residents' Survey results. And you can filter this blog so just the survey-related posts show by clicking on "survey" in the list of labels on the right hand side.


Two or three survey respondents expressed a desire for the Senior Members to be more visible in the Hall, saying they thought this might make them more approachable.

Relevant guidance in the post description for Senior Members includes:

Senior Members are required to interest themselves in the welfare of students and to assist the Warden with the pastoral, disciplinary and social duties within the Hall to promote a supportive and harmonious living environment for students. Senior Members should participate in – and help to organise – the social life of the Hall. One of their most important roles is mixing with students and keeping in touch with what is happening in the resident community; they are expected to eat in the Hall restaurant regularly as this is one of the best ways to meet other residents. Senior Members must always present a professional but approachable manner and it is essential they set a good example to other students at all times.

Specific duties include:

[...]
- participation in welcome receptions to ensure all new students are greeted;
- attendance at social events throughout the year;
[...]

I think the Senior Members by and large achieve most of these goals but at a recent staff meeting we agreed to provide a more visible presence in the dining hall at meal times and to visit the Hall bar every couple of weeks.

In previous years, the Senior Members and I have hosted afternoon tea every Sunday in the reception lobby - but this did not fulfil our objective of encouraging residents to approach us to discuss difficulties and was often quite poorly attended; so I replaced this event with my regular open office sessions (openoffice.connaught-hall.org.uk).

At our meeting we decided to bring back afternoon tea on select weekends throughout the year. Look out for posters advertising the first event later this term.

Residents' Survey - the dining hall

Responses to Residents' Survey 8: heating in the dining hall

Continuing my series of blog posts to repond to residents' comments in the February 2010 intercollegiate halls residents' survey. A summary of responses to the multiple choice questions on the survey can be seen here: Residents' Survey results. And you can filter this blog so just the survey-related posts show by clicking on "survey" in the list of labels on the right hand side.


Several survey responses mentioned that the dining hall can be cold, especially in the mornings.

The radiators in the dining hall have all been checked and are working properly. A major contributing factor to the cold is the very poorly insulated roof with north-facing skylights, some of which are very difficult to close. The Bursars have secured fundig for the roof of the dining hall to be completely replaced during the summer this year, which should make it much easier to control the temperature in that part of the building.

Residents' Survey - the lift

Responses to Residents' Survey 7: the lift

Continuing my series of blog posts to repond to residents' comments in the February 2010 intercollegiate halls residents' survey. A summary of responses to the multiple choice questions on the survey can be seen here: Residents' Survey results. And you can filter this blog so just the survey-related posts show by clicking on "survey" in the list of labels on the right hand side.

Lift needs to be sorted properly at some point

You REALLY need to sort the lift out!

Everything was working fine and the maintenance team were great but I think the lift has broken down a few too many times in the past few months.

Obviously the lift is a problem we are all aware of. I live on the third floor so I know exactly how often it breaks down! An engineer is always called to attend to the lift promptly but each time it seems that it needs more and more new parts to put it right until the next things breaks down...

Fitting a new lift is an extraordinarily expensive operation. It's also something that needs to be done outside of term time as it is likely to involve a lot of noise and mess. Connaught has needed a new lift for several years but the money simply hasn't been available. Finally, however, we think we do have funding for a new lift to be intalled later in 2010. It's not going to benefit most current residents (unfortunately) but we have heard what you said and it is going to be fixed!

Residents' Survey - social events

Responses to Residents' Survey 6: social events

Continuing my series of blog posts to repond to residents' comments in the February 2010 intercollegiate halls residents' survey. A summary of responses to the multiple choice questions on the survey can be seen here: Residents' Survey results. And you can filter this blog so just the survey-related posts show by clicking on "survey" in the list of labels on the right hand side.

There was only very weak agreement with the statement "Social events are varied enough to appeal to everyone", in contrast to all the other questions about social and community life, which all scored very highly at Connaught Hall. Relevant comments included:

More non-alcohol based things, please.

Social side of Connaught is good although a regular weekly event, e.g. quiz night would be good.

A bigger variety of events i.e. museums, events in London, exhibitions, mini festivals, not even paid for but just organised by entertainment would be a good idea.

Too many 'party' events, maybe some variety, like movie nights?

Too many parties. All of them noisy, appealing to a certain segment of people.

The Residents' Club Committee considered these comments at their most recent meeting and plan to organise some more regular, non-alcohol based events in the next few weeks. Subscribe to this blog and look out for posters and minutes of committee meetings on the noticeboards in Hall for details.

Residents' Survey - heating

Responses to Residents' Survey 5: heating

Continuing my series of blog posts to repond to residents' comments in the February 2010 intercollegiate halls residents' survey. A summary of responses to the multiple choice questions on the survey can be seen here: Residents' Survey results. And you can filter this blog so just the survey-related posts show by clicking on "survey" in the list of labels on the right hand side.

It is very cold in the afternoons because the heater is not on till the evening, which makes it very hard to study. It'd be good if the heater could be on for 1 or 2 hours in mid-afternoon just to heat up the room so that it'll be more conducive for studying (for those who are in, at least).

Poorly insulated, the curtains need to be kept closed throughout the winter to stop the room from being too cold when the heating isn't on.

When the heating is turned off in winter, during the day and at night, it gets too cold. Sitting at the desk next to the window is not possible during the day when it is colder than 5°C. At night, the duvet provided is by far not enough. Double glazing should be a standard that I would expect. Not only for matter of temperature but for environmental reasons as well.

On cold winter days, my room is freezing because of the single glazed window. Only if the radiator runs the entire night, the temperature is alright. But if, as so often, this is not the case I wake up in a freezer. Or at least a fridge.

My room is very cold during the day

It is often very cold.

The radiator does not come on sometimes and this is not good during the winter months. I think it happens in all the 4th floor rooms.

The heating turns off during the day making the room very cold

.

Could you usually open the heated system?

Continuous draft from an unpragmatic window.

The room is usually very cold during the period that the heater is switched off

It's so cold most of the time. I have to get up early in the morning and the heating is never on early enough. It's horrible taking a shower when it is so cold!

The University of London applies the same heating times across all eight intercollegiate halls of residence. This survey is the first time the same questions have been asked of students in all eight halls, so it is a good opportunity to compare how standardised/centralised policies work in different halls. I hope it will demonstrate that there are often good reasons for local variation in policies - which helps keep services responsive to the particular needs of students in that hall.

As you can see, quite a few residents commented on the cold in their free text responses (more than in other halls) and the multiple choice answers also suggested that Connaught Hall is colder than the seven other halls. I hope this will be sufficient evidence that in this case Connaught Hall is different (maybe because it is an old building with poor insulation) and that we need slightly longer heating times during the winter. I will keep you updated on progress with this.

Residents' Survey - emergencies & fire safety

Responses to Residents' Survey 4: emergencies & fire safety

Continuing my series of blog posts to repond to residents' comments in the February 2010 intercollegiate halls residents' survey. A summary of responses to the multiple choice questions on the survey can be seen here: Residents' Survey results. And you can filter this blog so just the survey-related posts show by clicking on "survey" in the list of labels on the right hand side.

I only know the main entrance to escape from in a fire.

I'm sure this is the case for quite a few residents. We do ask you in your welcome pack to ensure you identify at least one alternative escape route in case the main exit route is ever blocked or unavailable for some reason. Just follow the green "running man" signs to any of the other 8 exits that can take you to a place of safety.

Too many false fire alarms!

With the number of false alarms we get, I certainly know more than one escape route. Oh yes, and my readiness to respond to fire alarm was tested and proven even at 3am in the morning (including braving the cold on the streets). All is good.

I'd propose rather less than more health and safety. I reckon it's regulations that we need a fire drill every term.

We do have to have one planned fire drill each term, although we can dispense with this if there is an evacuation in that term due to a real or false alarm. Some false alarms are unavoidable in a building with so many inhabitants but we actually have fewer false alarms than most halls of residence.

We have banned most of the items that tend to cause false alarms (and real fires) such as toasters, cooking equipment, candles, incense, etc.; and preventing fire alarms is one reason why we don't have more than a microwave in the pantry on each floor.

Anyone who accidentally causes a false alarm has to attend an interview with me and anyone who is caught deliberately causing a false alarm would normally be required to leave - so we do already take what steps we can to reduce the number of false alarms. If you have any suggestions for how we could reduce these even further, please get in touch.

Just call reception in emergency? Not really sure

Yes, call reception on extension 8200 and they will put in contact with the Bursar's Office during the working day or with the Duty Senior Member at night and at the weekend.

I actually slept through the last fire alarm (the one which was activated by someone in hall) and only found out that it had taken place when I woke up in the morning and talked to my friends. I hope there is a proper procedure for doing a headcount in case of a real emergency so that heavy sleepers like me will be looked out for too.

Headcounts don't really help since we have no way of knowing which residents are in the Hall at the time the alarm sounds; and it isn't safe for staff to check every room since this takes at least 15 minutes. The fire alarm is very loud (or at least it should be); so I would advise asking maintenance to check your sounder if it doesn't wake you up, to make sure it is working OK. If you are worried that you still would not be woken up by the fire alarm, contact me and I will arrange for a member of staff to always check your room when there is a full evacuation. I will make sure this advice is included in next year's Residents' Handbook.

Residents' Survey - juice at dinner

Responses to Residents' Survey 3: juice at dinner time

Continuing my series of blog posts to repond to residents' comments in the February 2010 intercollegiate halls residents' survey. A summary of responses to the multiple choice questions on the survey can be seen here: Residents' Survey results. And you can filter this blog so just the survey-related posts show by clicking on "survey" in the list of labels on the right hand side.

Juice could be served at dinner as well as at breakfast.

Someone told me juice costs 23p per cup and that's why we can't have it at dinner time... this is rubbish (or else you need to get a new supplier)! Let's have juice at dinner time.

Why can't we have juice in the evenings?

Juice is now available at dinner time.

Residents' Survey - library lighting

Responses to Residents' Survey 2: lighting in the library

Continuing my series of blog posts to repond to residents' comments in the February 2010 intercollegiate halls residents' survey. A summary of responses to the multiple choice questions on the survey can be seen here: Residents' Survey results. And you can filter this blog so just the survey-related posts show by clicking on "survey" in the list of labels on the right hand side.

The lighting in the library comes from behind such that one's body throws a shadow over the desk. It would be nice if there were lights at the desks.

The library is too dark. But I believe this is presently being looked into.

The library is far too dark to work in.

Library is very dark and not very useful.

Library: needs individual lights as discussed since ages.

New desk lamps have been installed in the library. I hope this will make it a better environment in which to study.

Residents' Survey - breakfast variety

Responses to Residents' Survey 1: breakfast variety

This is the first in a series of blog posts to repond to residents' comments in the survey conducted across all eight intercollegiate halls in February 2010.

Residents thought there was not enough variety at breakfast time -

The quality and variety of brunch (and perhaps breakfast as well) could be improved, as it's always the same tasteless pasta every brunch and the same few items everyday for breakfast and brunch.

Breakfast during the week was generally completely unsatisfactory. Those who don't like the typical English breakfast have only cornflakes and sandwich toast. This is not healthy at all.

Breakfast: - a fruit salad would be really nice and healthy. - As for variety, there isn't much else apart from cooked breakfast, which obviously isn't the healthy option (if it weren't the only proper option).

From this week, a whole new set of breakfast items will be served on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, inluding oat & banana smoothies, kedgeree, bean burritos, fruit wraps, and lots more.

Keep watching this blog for more responses to your comments in the survey. When we put all the "free text" answers together, they came to 11,545 words just for those surveys completed by Connaught Hall residents; so it will take us a while to get through them all and make what changes we can!

A summary of responses to the multiple choice questions on the survey can be seen here: Residents' Survey results. And you can filter this blog so just the survey-related posts show by clicking on "survey" in the list of labels on the right hand side.

Intercollegiate halls residents' survey

Last week, you should have received an invitation to take a survey about your experience of life at Connaught Hall. The same invitation has been sent to residents in all eight intercollegiate halls – so for the first time we will be able to compare the experiences of students in different halls (we’ve conducted surveys just like this one for several years at Connaught Hall, but this is the first time it’s been sent to residents in other halls).

Your views are important to us and I will read each and every survey that is returned by Connaught Hall residents. You can see from the minutes of Facilities Committee meetings (available online – http://facilities.connaught-hall.org.uk) that we do try to change things in light of the responses to this survey.

So please take the online survey at http://survey.connaught-hall.org.uk.

It is important that you tell us what we are doing well as well as what you think we could do better, so please do write your comments in the free text sections. Knowing what students like about the Hall helps me to argue the case for continuing those things next year (like keeping the bar open, allowing late parties, Christmas dinner, welcome events, not charging for overnight guests, allowing guests to sign in at any time of day or night, our “mediation” rather than “disciplinary” approach to many neighbour disputes, the hall website...).

If you like these things, tell us! If you don’t, then tell us how we could improve!

As I said, I will read every single one, so I will really appreciate it if you can spare five minutes to give us your feedback.

http://survey.connaught-hall.org.uk.

The closing date is 28 February.