Regrant access to Master's students into the UoL Library's Doctoral College Reading Room
The Issue
I am calling for Master's students to be regranted access into what is now the Doctoral College Reading Room in the David Wilson Library, and for the library, University management and the Doctoral College to concede that given the number of PGT students, the new Graduate Reading Room's facilities are unsuitable.
As Postgraduate Officer for the University of Leicester Students' Union, I was elected to promote inclusivity and involvement for ALL Postgraduate students. Whether this be through direct and explicit inclusion of Postgraduates in University marketing, or improving facilities for Postgraduate students.
Until 2017, all Postgraduates, whether taught or research, had access to what was the Graduate Reading Room on the first floor of the David Wilson Library. This has now become part of the Doctoral College, and as such, access for Master's students has been revoked. Instead, they have been designated a room in a small corner of the first floor, with space only suitable for 35 students, with little academic facilities and equipment. This is completely inadequate given that there are almost 800 more PGT students than PGR. Further to this, the door lacks ID card access, meaning the room is often full as anyone can enter, given that its location is in such a busy area.
I feel there was not enough student consultation with Master's students. As a taught Master's student myself, I still have over 40,000 words in the form of essays and my final dissertation. As such, the decision that was implemented is counterproductive given the ratio of Master's to research/Doctoral students, and thus excludes an integral part of the Postgraduate community and the facilities available to them.
I am calling on the University of Leicester and the Doctoral College in particular, to rethink these recent changes and to consider the positive impact this would have on the entire Postgraduate community. The new Graduate Reading Room is inadequate for the number of Master's students that reside on campus. I welcome discussion and co-operation with the library and University staff on how we can improve existing facilities for Postgraduate students as a whole, and would ask for a meeting with Doctoral College staff to discuss this further.
The Issue
I am calling for Master's students to be regranted access into what is now the Doctoral College Reading Room in the David Wilson Library, and for the library, University management and the Doctoral College to concede that given the number of PGT students, the new Graduate Reading Room's facilities are unsuitable.
As Postgraduate Officer for the University of Leicester Students' Union, I was elected to promote inclusivity and involvement for ALL Postgraduate students. Whether this be through direct and explicit inclusion of Postgraduates in University marketing, or improving facilities for Postgraduate students.
Until 2017, all Postgraduates, whether taught or research, had access to what was the Graduate Reading Room on the first floor of the David Wilson Library. This has now become part of the Doctoral College, and as such, access for Master's students has been revoked. Instead, they have been designated a room in a small corner of the first floor, with space only suitable for 35 students, with little academic facilities and equipment. This is completely inadequate given that there are almost 800 more PGT students than PGR. Further to this, the door lacks ID card access, meaning the room is often full as anyone can enter, given that its location is in such a busy area.
I feel there was not enough student consultation with Master's students. As a taught Master's student myself, I still have over 40,000 words in the form of essays and my final dissertation. As such, the decision that was implemented is counterproductive given the ratio of Master's to research/Doctoral students, and thus excludes an integral part of the Postgraduate community and the facilities available to them.
I am calling on the University of Leicester and the Doctoral College in particular, to rethink these recent changes and to consider the positive impact this would have on the entire Postgraduate community. The new Graduate Reading Room is inadequate for the number of Master's students that reside on campus. I welcome discussion and co-operation with the library and University staff on how we can improve existing facilities for Postgraduate students as a whole, and would ask for a meeting with Doctoral College staff to discuss this further.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on 20 November 2018