Everyone Lobbing Ice-cream (into) Trolleys (with) Excitement

midwinter

wackynut wrote: »

That's terrible. Can they make you do that. What if you can't afford it. That's really unfair.

I really don't know if they can make you go into catered.

Was working yesterday. will try ringing them today, but doubt anyone will be in on a Sunday. I'm working again tomorrow, so could be Tuesday before I can contact them.

Stomachs churning at the cost, and the waste of money. We all know what we can get by on budget wise, and been spending so much time teaching him how to reduce costs, and meal plans to keep costs down.

So he's really angry and upset with the enforced expenditure, and I don't want this to colour his settling in there.

kerri_gt

midwinter wrote: »

Morning all.

Bit floored today, DS2 has been allocated catered accommodation at uni, despite putting all 3 choices as self catered, and letter says, if we decline that, no further accommodation offer will be made.

The cost is phenomonal, and I can't find any indication of menu plans, and have searched and searched. Plus, already been accumulating self catering items, and of course, food stash for him.

Trying to remain very positive for him, pointing out all the pro's, but really worried about the cost

Anyone who's been through/has someone at Keele, that could offer any advice please?

I would try phoning the accommodation office and see what they say. I would imagine they could suggest there might be students in the accommodation you wanted who would drop out before the start of term. Perhaps there is a waiting list he could go on? I guess the other option is to decline and then look for private rented digs, this might be a bit more daunting and also mean that DS isn't guaranteed to be with other freshers. My friend was in this boat at Bristol as went through clearing and all accommodation was already allocated. On both fronts though you can't be sure you will get on with those people you're living with whether in allocated, or private student accommodation - which isn't supposed to be a downer more a suggestion to say the private option might not be so bad.

wackynut

Hampydoodums

pattylabelle

midwinter wrote: »

Catered is an extra £59 per week :eek::eek::eek:

Should add I just feel like crying

That is £8.50 a day - if you are forced in to taking it you should be allowed to see the menu at least and whether it is a buffet affair!!! Look on the bright side - you would at least know in his first year that he was eating properly and if he is anything like the lads I know he will eat his moneys worth:D:D

wackynut

midwinter wrote: »

I really don't know if they can make you go into catered.

Was working yesterday. will try ringing them today, but doubt anyone will be in on a Sunday. I'm working again tomorrow, so could be Tuesday before I can contact them.

Stomachs churning at the cost, and the waste of money. We all know what we can get by on budget wise, and been spending so much time teaching him how to reduce costs, and meal plans to keep costs down.

So he's really angry and upset with the enforced expenditure, and I don't want this to colour his settling in there.

I hope you get it sorted Midwinter.

TrulyMadly

midwinter wrote: »

Catered is an extra £59 per week :eek::eek::eek:

Should add I just feel like crying

Oh midwinter:sad:

I don't know keele but I do know youngsters who have gone into a shared house in their first year and it has worked out brilliantly.

Have you explained that you/ he simply cannot afford it? Can they give you details of any accredited private landlords who cater only for the student market. My friends son went to Portsmouth 3 years ago into a house with 4 others he had never met and they are now friends for life. With FB you can make introductions before you meet:)

Has he a student bank account with an overdraft facility he can use if he needs to go down the catering route which will " buy" a little time until you get your head around things.

Will he qualify for a hardship grant from the uni?

Any chance of part time work for him?

I know your/ his plans have been turned upside own but this time next year you will probably look back at this as a mere blip.

Stay positive midwinter:)

midwinter

Thanks Kerri gt.

It was his first choice uni, so can't see all accommodation would already have been allocated, as they don't process insurance/clearing until 11th September.

It may be we have to think of private accommodation, but as Keele is a campus uni, it would mean he'd also have to bus in from a nearby town. An hour of travelling per day, and the bus fares. So would ideally not like to do make him do this, this year.

Roll on 10am, and I can try ringing them

RootedNomad

midwinter wrote: »

Morning all.

Bit floored today, DS2 has been allocated catered accommodation at uni, despite putting all 3 choices as self catered, and letter says, if we decline that, no further accommodation offer will be made.

The cost is phenomonal, and I can't find any indication of menu plans, and have searched and searched. Plus, already been accumulating self catering items, and of course, food stash for him.

Trying to remain very positive for him, pointing out all the pro's, but really worried about the cost

Anyone who's been through/has someone at Keele, that could offer any advice please?

Congrats to your DS midwinter :beer:

Difficult and upsetting - feel for you both. If it is a no options done deal, then there are some huge advantages. Socially, stress-wise, quantity of available cooked food. If there is any room for negotiation/drop out lists, keep in regular touch with the uni.

What is your DS daily/weekly food budget? £5 to £6 per day, or less? Work out the net cost differential, and view this lower figure vs the advantages and it may not seem quite so bad.

Sorry, have v limited internet access. Hugs to you and very best wishes to your ds for his time at uni xx

midwinter

pattylabelle wrote: »

That is £8.50 a day - if you are forced in to taking it you should be allowed to see the menu at least and whether it is a buffet affair!!! Look on the bright side - you would at least know in his first year that he was eating properly and if he is anything like the lads I know he will eat his moneys worth:D:D

wackynut wrote: »

I hope you get it sorted Midwinter.

TrulyMadly wrote: »

Oh midwinter:sad:

I don't know keele but I do know youngsters who have gone into a shared house in their first year and it has worked out brilliantly.

Have you explained that you/ he simply cannot afford it? Can they give you details of any accredited private landlords who cater only for the student market. My friends son went to Portsmouth 3 years ago into a house with 4 others he had never met and they are now friends for life. With FB you can make introductions before you meet:)

Has he a student bank account with an overdraft facility he can use if he needs to go down the catering route which will " buy" a little time until you get your head around things.

Will he qualify for a hardship grant from the uni?

Any chance of part time work for him?

I know your/ his plans have been turned upside own but this time next year you will probably look back at this as a mere blip.

Stay positive midwinter:)

Thank you all, for the support & advice. Will stay positive

TrulyMadly

midwinter wrote: »

Thanks Kerri gt.

It was his first choice uni, so can't see all accommodation would already have been allocated, as they don't process insurance/clearing until 11th September.

It may be we have to think of private accommodation, but as Keele is a campus uni, it would mean he'd also have to bus in from a nearby town. An hour of travelling per day, and the bus fares. So would ideally not like to do make him do this, this year.

Roll on 10am, and I can try ringing them

Whatever happens midwinter, it is going to be a massive adventure for him and he will make it work whichever route he takes. I would almost guarantee at the end of his first year he will say that he has had a brilliant year and wouldn't have changed it for the world. You need to sTay strong and positive:)