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First year student Eva Shanahan is among those students raising concern over the new developments.<\/p>\n
According to Ms. Shanahan, who currently lives on-campus at UL, the announcement came last Friday with no prior warning. She said: \u201cI feel abandoned by the student\u2019s accommodation services as it feels that this is an underhand move without any prior consultation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was hoping to re-apply to student accommodation with my current housemates but with the introduction of this new overly restrictive policy I feel like I’ll have no choice but to transfer back home to Cork and commute as a result.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms. Shanahan has raised issues with university management about the difficulties that people who suffer from social anxiety will have with sharing a room. She said: \u201cI have no house or room for next year unless I share a room, which I don\u2019t feel comfortable doing. This will result in me either dropping out or transferring.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, UL student Cian McKeon said: \u201cPersonally for me, this is a matter of safety.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. McKeon, who is an openly gay man, explained: \u201cI wouldn\u2019t feel safe living with a complete stranger. For all I know he could be intolerant or homophobic.\u201d<\/p>\n
In Mr. McKeon\u2019s eyes, the new accommodation policies are a means to increase revenue for the university which he feels is being prioritised over student welfare. \u201cIt makes me angry to think our university cares more about capital gain than it does the comfort, safety and welfare of students,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Concerns over study space have also been raised as incoming second and third year students face the prospect of sharing a bedroom.<\/p>\n
Law student \u00c9id\u00edn Dowling said: \u201cIt\u2019s kind of a betrayal really. As a law student, I\u2019m expected to spend the majority of my time reading and with the current twin bedroom situation, it would be impossible to study at home.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking about the rise in rent prices, Ms. Dowling commented: \u201cIt\u2019s also a kick in the teeth to every student who is struggling financially. The university seems to only be supporting those in the upper class which is completely unfair.\u201d<\/p>\n
UL Student Life has been actively working to reverse the new policies, having met with the university\u2019s president, Professor Des Fitzgerald, earlier this week.<\/p>\n
The student representatives recommended that the university halts all plans to increase the student population until adequate infrastructure is provided to cater for the existing population of 16,300 students.<\/p>\n
Student President, Jack Scanlan explained: \u201cI had an amazing four years at UL and I am keen to ensure that the integrity of that student experience is kept. I think that if we continue to grow our student numbers in the way that we are, we seriously run the risk of losing that experience that\u2019s so unique to UL.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a statement responding to rising concerns, the University of Limerick said: \u201cA shared twin room option in University of Limerick\u2019s on-campus accommodation is being introduced in an attempt to meet unprecedented demand in the shortest possible time frame amid a national housing crisis.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn a Student Accommodation survey completed in 2019, 76% of students who responded – 1,323 in total – said that they were willing to share a room on campus at a cost of between \u20ac3,500 and \u20ac3,750.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe option for a twin [room] will be significantly cheaper \u2013 in some cases up to 45% cheaper – and offer a reduced price point for on-campus accommodation that has not previously existed.\u201d<\/p>\n
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