Dear {firstname},

As you may know, Birmingham Newman University has recently put out communication sharing that from the 24/25 academic year they will be prioritising accommodation for new entrants on foundation and first year.

Due to this, it means that accommodation for students going into their second year or further is not guaranteed. They do have guaranteed and priority groups which have been communicated to those in halls however.

Following feedback and confusion from students, we facilitated a Q+A chaired by me, with University staff on Wednesday 6th March.

After this, students still felt they needed clarity and questions answered. I wrote to the Pro Vice Chancellor for Students - Richard Medcalf explaining this and just bringing some of the main points of concern and questions from students to his attention. I gained permission from him to publish this letter, and in turn his response which you can see both by clicking here.

We are working with the University and with students to try and ensure that all of your questions are being answered and that both of us as institutions can support you going forward.

I would also like to take this opportunity to address rumours that direct action in the form of a protest may take place on Campus. The Union firmly believes in working with the University to solve problems like this. We do not support direct action in this situation and would advise anybody planning to do so, to consider the impact it may have on their standing with the University before doing so. 

If you have any more questions, concerns or queries, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Full of more love and peace than ever before,
Zoe Harrison