April 2011 Residential Services E Newsletter.pdf - DocuShare

Welcome to the third
Residential Services
Newsletter April 2011
Reminders and Tips Before You Go
• Your contract ends on Saturday 25th June 2011
at 12 noon. If you need to stay any later than
this date you need to contact the Accommodation
Office in the Gateway ext. 2943 to arrange a
booking. Please don’t assume that you can just
stay as we use the halls during the summer and it
is unlikely that you can stay in the same room you
are in now. (not applicable to 50 wk residents)
• Summer accommodation is available at Clanny
House. Book through the Accommodation Office
in the Gateway.
• There will be staff available on Saturday 25th
June to assist you if required. You are reminded
when returning your keys and Access Swipe Cards
not to leave them with friends as non return of
keys will result in a charge of £50 and you may
also be charged rent for any extra nights until the
keys are returned (you will be asked to sign for
them).
• Ensure that you have taken all of your personal
belongings with you, we are not able to store
items that are left behind, they will be disposed
of.
• Remember to support the Halls Charity: Re-use
scheme.
What Happens Next:
Once you have returned your keys to us, we check
your room against your inventory for any variation.
(You will be notified if there are discrepancies).
The halls are then cleaned and used for conference
delegates. During the summer, we carry out
• Remove all refuse from your room and kitchen
and place into outside bins.
• Empty the fridge freezer of all food especially if
you are the last person to leave the flat.
• Close your windows.
• Ensure that taps are turned off and plugs are
removed from sinks.
• Lock your bedroom door on departure as any
damage that is found in the room will be charged
to you.
• Please leave electric meter keys in the meters.
(At Scotia Quay only).
• Mail and Parcels - don’t forget when you leave
halls to change your address.
You can do this in one of two ways, you can either
contact the post office who will forward your mail
to you (there is a charge for this) or you can contact
everyone who writes to you. Unfortunately due to
the amount of letters and parcels received we are
unable to keep letters for residents (where possible
we return to sender).
maintenance work such as electrical testing, boiler
checks, painting and laying new floors/replacing
flooring, etc…
We then start pre arrival checks just in time for
everyone to come back in September.

Looking for
Accommodation:
Is it time to go or stay? Make your choice: If you have
not already booked with us, you can do so here
http://services.sunderland.ac.uk/facilities/
residentialservices/applyonline/
If you prefer to move into the Private Sector then take a
look at the Living Out Pages on the Residential Services
web site
http://services.sunderland.ac.uk/facilities/
residentialservices/livingout/
where you will find some tips which you may find
helpful, in particular:
• the Safe and Secure Advisory booklet and checklist
on renting in the private sector.
• choosing an Accredited Landlord.
• City of Sunderland advice on renting.
• Check out Student Pad for property prices,
specifications, flat hunting Message Board and
vacant properties to rent.
http://studentpad.co.uk/sunderland/
Radar on the RSA’s
Tobias Barker has been appointed as the new Student Union
President for the coming year, Tobias is one of our RSA’s at
Scotia Quay.
I’m sure you will join with me in offering him our most hearty
congratulations.
If you have not considered the role of an RSA and would like to
know more then contact Gavin Kirk at the Precinct, email him
at gavin.kirk@sunderland.ac.uk
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Property
at home
The campus Police are here to help
I am based at Unit 4, Technology Park, City Campus.
I can be contacted via e-mail at campus.police@sunderland.ac.uk
or by telephone on (0191) 515 3999.
I can also be contacted via the St. Peter’s Control Room on (0191) 515 2028.
Whether you’re still living at home or you’re at university,
the chances are that you’ve got a lot of expensive stuff in
your bedroom. If you do get burgled, computers, stereos
and TVs are not cheap to replace so it’s important to do
everything you can to protect them.
First off, get insured against theft. If you’re at home your
parents’ insurance policy will cover you, but if you live away
from home you’ll have to take out your own. Insurance
companies often have special deals for students, so shop
around for the best offer.
If you’re going out and there’s no-one else around, close and
lock all the windows and doors. It may sound obvious, but it
is tempting not to bother if you’re just popping out for a few
minutes. If at home lock & close communal doors.
If you are at university, take all your valuables home for the
holidays. Student houses and halls of residence are more
likely to be targeted out of term time as criminals know
they will probably be empty. It might be a pain moving
your belongings around all the time, but it’s the best way to
protect them.
https://niche.endsleigh.co.uk/Renewal.aspx
Marking and registering your property
Marking your property with your postcode increases the
chances of recovering it if you are the victim of a burglary.
You can do this by using an ultra-violet (UV) marker pen. If a
uv pen is needed pop and see me at the university and I will
be able to provide one.
You can also register some of your more expensive items with
www.immobilise.com
Once you’ve created an account, you can register as many
items on the database as
you want.
Campus Developments
Precinct: The design process has commenced for the 2nd
phase of the refurbishment of the Precinct accommodation
which will be undertaken in two phases.
Phase A: starting in July and will be ready for occupation in
September 2011 covers blocks 14 – 18 and 31 – 34. This
phase will also include Fire Alarm system enhancement to
the campus flats in block 36.
Phase B: Covering blocks 23-28 starting in September and
will be completed during December 2011.
The main scope of the project is the refurbishment of
communal spaces and student bedrooms, extended kitchens,
bathrooms, toilets, heating systems, electrical systems,
communication technologies and external window upgrades.
To book the refurbished bedrooms they are classed as
Premium rooms at £80 per week.
Environmental
Logistics Centre:
As part of the
University’s ongoing
commitment
to a sustainable
environment, work has commenced the
new Environmental Logistics Centre, which is to be located
at the rear of Sciences Complex, to the north end of Darwin
Building.
The key aim behind the new initiative is to expand the
number of recycling streams managed on site by the
University and by doing so, reduce the volume of waste
currently sent to landfill sites.
The ongoing works will be complete by the end of March with
the centre being fully operational by the start of May 2011.
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Tell Us What
you Think?
We will be inviting you to participate online in a brief
Living In Halls Survey about your experience in Halls.
Your honest feedback is welcomed by us and will be
used to inform our future planning.
EXAM TIME!
Are you busy with
revision, exams and final
assessments?
NO? – Lucky you.
People around you will
be studying (even if
you have finished your
exams) Please be
considerate to others
and keep the noise down. If you
are asked to turn music down or be quiet please do
so. When returning to the halls especially late at night think
about the other residents and do not disturb them. They
may have an exam in the morning.
Please do not forget if you are planning
a party before you leave, we need a
completed Party Authorisation Form
(available from reception)
What’s on in the
North East in April:
Throughout April
Hamsterley Forest Mountain
Bike Trails – This 2000 acre
forest on the edge of Teesdale
and Weardale, could have
been made for mountain
bikers. Challenges range from
the world class skills Loop, to a highly
acclaimed downhill track for expert riders. There are
4 colour coded, well-marked routes to offer satisfying cycling
for every level of ability. Set in mature woodland, the terrain
is rocky, root-carpeted and seriously good fun, while for the
more experienced rider there are tough ascents, thrilling
descents, twists, turns, fords and bridges that deliver truly
world-class biking in an amazing, primal environment.
For more information on the available trails please contact
Hamsterley Forest Visitor Centre on 01388 488312.
The Forge U Student Village
www.u-student.com
www.u-student.com/tmp/
Term 2 saw the celebration of St Patricks Day and the
introduction of our new
DJ nights at The Meeting Place. New voucher flyers were
also launched- providing students with money off and
discounts on various drinks.
Calvin Apen a Forge U Student resident has made various
returned appearances throughout the second term, one of
which he incorporated dance crews for extra entertainment.
Look out for future promotions on The Meeting Place
facebook for Calvin’s return to The Meeting Place!
The Meeting Place is looking forward to introducing two new
brands as part of their draught- Becks Vier, £2.60 and Stella
4, £2.30 and are pleased to promote new and additional
price crashes and drink discounts for Term 3.
The second phase of the accommodation (Jobling) is
approaching completion in preparation for the full site
opening in September 2011. The new academic year will
see The Forge U Student Village fully opened and ready to
welcome 548 + students.
Get ready for U Student Freshers- ‘Big Super Part Time!’
we plan to welcome both freshers and returning students to
University by celebrating Freshers @ The Forge! Look out for
forthcoming information regards events and goodie bags.
If your looking to book accommodation at the Forge from
June 2011.

Talk to Jan & Tracy
at the Students’ Union
CONNECT –
Students’ Union Social Group
Although you will have a
fantastic experience at
university it is probably
fair to say, as with
everything in life, that
you may experience
one or two problems
along the way.
Question: So what do
you do when you have
a problem, issue or a
difficulty?
Answer: Easy - ask
for help - there’s so
much support on
offer. The not so
easy part can be knowing WHO
to ask.
Don’t panic, there are 2 friendly faces at the
Students’ Union who will help…
Their names are Jan and Tracy. They will signpost
you to the most appropriate support in the University/
Union as well as offer confidential, professional and
friendly support if you:
• feel homesick and lonely
• want to meet new people and make friends
• are wondering whether you have chosen the right
course
• are unsure whether Sunderland or the university
is right for you
• have missed lectures / deadlines and don’t know
what to do about it
Act Now!
Contact Jan and Tracy:
0191 515 3582 | su.contact-officer@
sunderland.ac.uk
Students’ Union, Wearbank House, St Peter’s
(next to North Shore)
Students’ Union Edinburgh Building (ground floor)
www.sunderlandsu.co.uk/advice/talk_to_tracy_
and_jan
CONNECT is a social group that
meets on a regular basis, ran
by Jan Spalek, Student Contact
Officer at the Students’ Union.
It is open to all students and is
a great way to meet new people
and make friends.
Activities include going to the
Cinema, Ten Pin Bowling,
barbecues, trips, museum visits, volunteering projects etc. You can
even input your own ideas for events you would like to participate
in. There is no fee to join CONNECT, but students are expected to
pay for the activities they want to participate in (most of them are
free or at discounted student friendly rate).
If you want to get involved or just to find out more check our
website, where you can find information about the upcoming events
and also lots of pictures from previous activities. Just go to:
www.sunderlandsu.co.uk/clubs/connect
Trip to BEAMISH*
On the 16th of April we are planning a trip to visit BEAMISH.
Beamish is a world famous open air museum telling the story of the
people of North East England at two important points in their history
– 1825 and 1913. Beamish stands in 300 acres of beautiful County
Durham countryside and consist of many historical buildings, animal
farm, coilery, railway station, old trams, cars and of course people
dressed in historical costumes. Please have a look at this website
for more information: www.beamish.org.uk Moreover on the day
we will be there, there will be a Great North Steam Fair where you
will be able to see - vintage vehicles, steam rollers, traction engines,
stationary engines, the magnificent colliery winding engine and guest
appearances of fabulous machines.
WHEN: Saturday, 16th of April @ 9am until approx. 5:30pm. We will
be leaving from and returning to the Murray Library at City Campus.
PRICE: £10 (includes transport and the entrance fee). Tickets are on
sale and you will be able to buy them online from the Students’ Union
website:
www.sunderlandsu.co.uk/clubs/connect
For a list of up-to-date activities please go to the above website and
join Connect – this way you won’t miss a thing as all members are
getting regular e-mail updates on what’s on!
We are still planning to have many activities and events before the end
of this academic year including some great trips to Beamish outdoor
museum, Holy Island and Lake District.
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Recycling News
Between August 2010 – January 2011 43% of the total
waste produced in the University (halls and campus
combined) has been recycled instead of going to Landfill.
This is an increase of 11% for the same period last year.
Three from the Accommodation Team
The group of five trekkers (Unitrekkers) are from both student accommodation and
student records, David Machin, Lesley Watson, June Weston, Jonny Emmerson
and Julie Mitchell.
We had all joined the gym at Cityspace this year and challenge each other to get fit.
David came up with the idea of setting a real challenge to raise money for charity and
give us a focus. As Lesley’s son, Lee is currently in Afghanistan it seemed fitting to
choose “Help the Heroes”
We are all currently progressing with our fitness campaign in our own way, (some
better than others)
The Three Peaks will be attempted starting Friday 12th August and should be
completed on Sunday 14th August.
We aim to conquer Ben Nevis on Friday, Scarfell Pike Saturday and complete
Snowdonia Sunday morning before travelling home.
We have registered our intent with the “Help the Heroes” charity and have set up our
own website for donations.
www.bmycharity.com/unitrekkers
Ten for Fun
1) Harrods was the first to have what in 1898?
2) Who is known as the ‘Man with the Golden Flute’?
3) The ‘Spar’ group of shops originated in which country?
4) Which TV family had a pet Lion called KitKat?
5) Where in the human body is the Ilium?
6) What kind of creature is a Manakin?
7) What was Disney’s first feature length cartoon?
8) What is the brightest planet seen from Earth?
9) Marshal Bruce Mathers is better known as which Rap star?
10) Who said ‘Never eat more than you can lift’?
Answers; 1-Escalator.2-James Gallway.3-Holland.4-Addams Family.5-Pelvis/Hip.6-Bird.7-Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.8-Venus.9-Eminem.10-Miss Piggy
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