Our Position

As agreed upon in the Union Senate (between the Students' Union, college committees, GSA and OSA) our position is such:

  • The current short term situation cannot be improved by campaigning as the problem lies in regards to recruitment – this process cannot be accelerated.
  • The best action in regards to the short term is to communicate foreseen problems and other problems as they arise, to ensure that arrangements can be made to minimise the disruption to all users of the porters lodge.
  • The University must communicate the changes effectively with all students, using as many means as possible to reach out to all students. This is particularly applicable in regards to current residents who will be the highest users of the services. The Students' Union will pressurise the University to communicate to students.
  • There are a number of concerns regarding the long term future of portering at the University. Union Senate made it abundantly clear that they are in favour of maintaining the porters lodges in each college on a 24hour basis. It was felt there should be a campaign to this effect.

Short term problems arising from the closure of lodges

Key access/Activities – A number of student groups use the porters’ lodges for regular key access. Nightline, for example, requires the flat key every term day between 7:30 number of minor events. This threatens a number of minor events both in the campus bars and in other areas of the college etc. and 8, before returning it the next day. All the college JCRCs have equipment in storage which requires the porters keys for access – the loss of ease of access puts threat to a number of minor events. This threatens a number of minor events both in the campus bars and in other areas of the college etc.


Open lodges – With the increased pressure placed on the open lodges the porters will be out of the lodges on a more regular basis. This effect will be exacerbated by the increased distances porters will have to travel to respond to individuals (e.g. walking time from Langwith Porters to Derwent C Block or Vanbrugh). Thus more often staff/students will have to wait lengths of time to be seen to.

Security of residents – As word spreads that there is a lack of porters in lodges the natural deterrent that will deter many thieves/attackers will be removed. This will also be a problem in regards to the regular porter walk around colleges that occur that deter potential thieves. This could result in an increase to damage/theft of student property. Risk of attackers entering premises would also be heightened.

Response times - With the increased scope of coverage for the individual lodges there will no doubt be a higher response time. For example a porter based in the Langwith reception answering a call in Vanbrugh may have to respond quickly to a call in the Derwith Extension block. In cases of fire, security or other safety this could prove crucial.

Inconvenience – As the lodges are located in a close vicinity to the accommodation blocks. If students lose room keys they will be forced to walk longer distances across open spaces to retrieve their keys. For any instances that occur at night, or at an inconvenient time, students will be forced to walk in pajamas/towels etc. Ironing boards, cleaning equipment etc will have to be moved across longer distances meaning in some cases they will become inaccessible – the provision of these was agreed under the new service level agreement in ’06.

Contractual obligations – The Residents Handbook, the contract for students in regards to their accommodation, clearly states the opening times of the different lodges across campus – including Derwent, Vanbrugh and Wentworth at 24hours. It also states “Most colleges have common rooms, bar, television room, laundry and telephone facilities, and a 24-hour reception".

Loss of familiarity – Porters not only grow to understand the area in which they work, but also the individuals with which they deal. This allows them to be alert to specific problems or changes in that area.

Welfare issue - The above problems are ones that we have identified in the short space of time since the announcements. There are significant problems that we believe are unquantifiable in regards to the portering – the pastoral care they provide is not measurable by statistics or scale. They do this through the familiarity with the students garnered through multiple contacts and conversations. They are an integral part of the college set up along with the provost, administrator etc. This is also true in regards to a channel of communication to residents.

Mail – Whilst mail appears to be able to be continued from the traditional areas the transfer of all mail recorded by the lodges to a different lodge will cause problems for a number of students.

Page Created: 13th Jun, 2007
Last Updated: 1:00am on 1st Jan, 1970 by Matthew Knight