A representative from Leicester University will provide an update on the liaison work at Leicester University, and feedback after Freshers Week.
Minutes:
Shani Storrie, Interim Head of Student Welfare Service, was present at the meeting to provide an update on the liaison work at the University of Leicester, and feedback after Freshers Week.
Shani informed the meeting that the University took a keen interest in the community, and had twice-yearly meetings with key representatives of Leicester City Council and the community. A meeting was scheduled to take place on 21st January 2014, and Shani asked those present at the meeting to forward to her information on issues that could be taken to the meeting. She added that leaflets had been sent to houses in the community with contact details on how to report issues such as noise and anti-social behaviour, and an email had been sent to University of Leicester students on their responsibilities and how to conduct themselves in the community.
Shani informed the meeting that students had been informed of bulk collections from student accommodation, and the University had previously worked with City Wardens to arrange two dates for bulk collections. She asked that residents feedback to the University of ‘hotspots’ which required clearing.
The meeting was informed the University had worked with the Student Union and Rock Star organisers regarding Freshers Week events. Shani said there were measures in place, with police and doormen informed. The organised pub crawls had a 50/1 ratio or students and organisers, and there were no minimum pricing promotions or free drinks and shots at the venues. She added that coaches were used to bring students in. Shani said there was an agreement that the Police and Leicester City Council would be informed and permission obtained for future organised events.
Residents complained that the recent Freshers Week had been the worst ever. They said student groups had arranged their own events alongside the University and Rockstar events, and that students were not aware that people lived on and around New Walk and should be better informed of the fact. They added residents on New Walk had made arrangements to meet with Sir Clive Loader to deal with anti-social behaviour in the area. Residents said the arranged Rockstar events did have a positive impact and all student groups should use the promoter.
Residents said they had not received one of the leaflets, and would welcome information on contact details to report noise and anti-social behaviour issues. They asked that the leaflets be distributed along Victoria Park Road. They also suggested students should patrol the area and become ‘Champions’ for the area. Shani said the University worked in partnership with the Police. She said that initial complaints should be made to the Police (who had powers of arrest) and the Noise Team at Leicester City Council. She said it was difficult to identify if it was students who had caused issues, and it was important that residents provided as much information as possible when making a complaint to help identify the student(s) involved. She said if the student and/or accommodation could be identified, a mediation meeting would be arranged. She said mediation was voluntary, and if the student did not attend the first meeting, their department would be contacted and a home visit would be made. She said that sometimes the issue was not so serious that it would warrant a student being excluded from the University and some issues could be resolved through the mediation. A resident said that complaints made to the Beat Team would be passed on to the liaison officer at the University also, and was effective in dealing with issues.
The meeting was informed that the city wardens, officers from the Fire and Rescue Service and police officers in Clarendon Park, supported by the Universities had visited homes and undertaken house safety checks in 2012, during October, November and December. Information had been passed on to students in each household regarding smoke alarms, anti-social behaviour, noise, crime/fire safety and bins, and the same would occur during the final months of 2013. It was reported that 90% of students had been spoke to.
Shani said that issues raised at the meeting would be taken back to the Student Union for discussion.
The Chair thanked the University of Leicester for their attendance.