Support Stirling Tenants in Crisis
Support Stirling Tenants in Crisis
The Issue
Stirling Tenants in Crisis
Stirling University Accommodation Services have sent an email to those Tenants, who fled Stirling and have been unable to return due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, to inform them that their possessions will be disposed of unless they can independently organise to collect them before the 13th of July.
However, many Students are unable to afford courier services, with quotes as high as £750, or are unable to book them as the 13th has been described by the courier services as too short notice.
Many students also lack any friends or family members in close enough proximity to Stirling to have their belongings collected as recommended within the email, many courier services refuse to transport their items as the 13th is too short notice and Hotels are not due to open until the 15th of July students are unable to organise accommodation for family members or friends who can help them pack and move.
This isn't only a breach of the mutual trust placed in Students who have helped the Stirling community avoid a worse impact from COVID-19, it is a cruel and dangerous violation of the spirit of the relationship between a Tenant and a Landlord who professes to operate for the well-being of Stirling Students.
The Scottish Government have outlined in their Student Information Scotland page that “If a student is unable to move out of their accommodation or collect their possessions, either because they are self-isolating or are otherwise unable to travel, accommodation providers should store their items for collection at a future date.” We would like the University of Stirling Accommodation Services to clarify whether they believe they are adhering to this guidance.
There were further assurances made within correspondence between concerned students and Accommodation Services that any students who had left their belongings would be permitted to retrieve them, this is a promise that students would have relied upon and it’s revocation is likely to affect many, some of whom have been in direct contact with the Stirling Students Tenants Union.
While we understand that the University has to prepare to accommodate the new students arriving for the upcoming term, this should not be done at the expense of current Student Tenants who lack the access to their flat due to unforeseen circumstances.
During the current Phase 2, the Scottish government is still advising against any non-essential travel. While this phase also includes home moves, citizens are still advised to stay within 5 miles of their home. This, however, are only the restrictions for Scotland and most students affected by this will be international students who face varying and often much stricter restrictions and will be unable to travel to Stirling to collect their belongings.
The Stirling Students Tenants Union is organising fast, ever since being informed on Saturday the 27th of June by a student stuck in this circumstance, to help those stuck in this situation but we need the support of the community to defend the right of these students to fair treatment of their property.
We make 3 demands of the University Management and the University Accommodation Services and call upon all of those with an interest in the Stirling University Community to support them in any way they can:
1. The University Accommodation Services must extend the deadline to a date when Students will be able to safely and affordably organise for their possessions to be collected.
2. The University Accommodation Services should take an active role in helping Students in removing their possessions from on campus accommodation and provide temporary storage if possible.
3. The University should endorse the action taken by the Stirling Student Tenants Union and support them in contacting and helping students in this crisis and to help them recruit volunteers in the local community.
We further call on the Stirling Community to get in touch with our representatives Euan Stainbank, Merryn Green and Cian Ireland in order help the Stirling Students Tenants Union, if possible and safe to do so, to support the affected students directly if the University Accommodation Services fail to meet our demands.
By Stirling University Tenants Union on behalf of Stirling Tenants in Crisis
Contact us about the Petition
If you are an affected Student or For General, Support and Volunteering Enquiries: sstenantunion@gmail.com
For Emergency/Short-Term Requirements: Contact Euan Stainbank at estainbank00@gmail.com
Sources
Information also available on the Stirling Students Tenants Union Social Media Pages
Facebook and Twitter: @StirlingTenant
The Issue
Stirling Tenants in Crisis
Stirling University Accommodation Services have sent an email to those Tenants, who fled Stirling and have been unable to return due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, to inform them that their possessions will be disposed of unless they can independently organise to collect them before the 13th of July.
However, many Students are unable to afford courier services, with quotes as high as £750, or are unable to book them as the 13th has been described by the courier services as too short notice.
Many students also lack any friends or family members in close enough proximity to Stirling to have their belongings collected as recommended within the email, many courier services refuse to transport their items as the 13th is too short notice and Hotels are not due to open until the 15th of July students are unable to organise accommodation for family members or friends who can help them pack and move.
This isn't only a breach of the mutual trust placed in Students who have helped the Stirling community avoid a worse impact from COVID-19, it is a cruel and dangerous violation of the spirit of the relationship between a Tenant and a Landlord who professes to operate for the well-being of Stirling Students.
The Scottish Government have outlined in their Student Information Scotland page that “If a student is unable to move out of their accommodation or collect their possessions, either because they are self-isolating or are otherwise unable to travel, accommodation providers should store their items for collection at a future date.” We would like the University of Stirling Accommodation Services to clarify whether they believe they are adhering to this guidance.
There were further assurances made within correspondence between concerned students and Accommodation Services that any students who had left their belongings would be permitted to retrieve them, this is a promise that students would have relied upon and it’s revocation is likely to affect many, some of whom have been in direct contact with the Stirling Students Tenants Union.
While we understand that the University has to prepare to accommodate the new students arriving for the upcoming term, this should not be done at the expense of current Student Tenants who lack the access to their flat due to unforeseen circumstances.
During the current Phase 2, the Scottish government is still advising against any non-essential travel. While this phase also includes home moves, citizens are still advised to stay within 5 miles of their home. This, however, are only the restrictions for Scotland and most students affected by this will be international students who face varying and often much stricter restrictions and will be unable to travel to Stirling to collect their belongings.
The Stirling Students Tenants Union is organising fast, ever since being informed on Saturday the 27th of June by a student stuck in this circumstance, to help those stuck in this situation but we need the support of the community to defend the right of these students to fair treatment of their property.
We make 3 demands of the University Management and the University Accommodation Services and call upon all of those with an interest in the Stirling University Community to support them in any way they can:
1. The University Accommodation Services must extend the deadline to a date when Students will be able to safely and affordably organise for their possessions to be collected.
2. The University Accommodation Services should take an active role in helping Students in removing their possessions from on campus accommodation and provide temporary storage if possible.
3. The University should endorse the action taken by the Stirling Student Tenants Union and support them in contacting and helping students in this crisis and to help them recruit volunteers in the local community.
We further call on the Stirling Community to get in touch with our representatives Euan Stainbank, Merryn Green and Cian Ireland in order help the Stirling Students Tenants Union, if possible and safe to do so, to support the affected students directly if the University Accommodation Services fail to meet our demands.
By Stirling University Tenants Union on behalf of Stirling Tenants in Crisis
Contact us about the Petition
If you are an affected Student or For General, Support and Volunteering Enquiries: sstenantunion@gmail.com
For Emergency/Short-Term Requirements: Contact Euan Stainbank at estainbank00@gmail.com
Sources
Information also available on the Stirling Students Tenants Union Social Media Pages
Facebook and Twitter: @StirlingTenant
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Petition created on 30 June 2020