Your Ideas

Students across CCW have been raising concerns about their limited access to studios during the holidays and university closure periods. Students have created petitions to gain UAL’s attention, hoping that they will amend their “firm stance” on this policy.  

For example, the UAL website states that Camberwell will be open from the dates 21st of March - to 13th of April, creating a false sense of hope that this would also include our studios, as both have never been described as separate entities. 

Other Universities do manage to keep their campus open for the same fees. 

Arts SU has recently launched its report on Access and Studio Spaces, highlighting similar concerns and listing five recommendations. This idea submission aims to facilitate the formalisation of the union and UAL's efforts towards long-term policy solutions. 

As students, we pay a significant amount of money to attend university. We trust that the University will provide us with access to a creative education that we would not be able to achieve on our own. With this understanding, it is not a fair decision to expect students to complete work to the best of their ability if their space is taken away from them. Studio closure disproportionately affects students of low income who cannot afford external studios whilst also taking away the very minimal number of accessible studios for students who are disabled. 

Students have been referred to the hardship fund and other UAL bursaries for support. Though this is a valid form of support for some students, it marginalises those who are in difficult positions but do not fit the criteria for one reason or another. The standard should be full access for all students. If students use their hardship fund to gain access to spaces and equipment to complete their work,  it takes away from the fund that supports their other basic needs, such as food, travel, and accommodation, amidst a cost of living crisis. This is a cycle that perpetuates the widening attainment gap but can be easily mitigated with adequate UAL involvement and willingness to adapt existing policies.

1. Release a statement from the Sabbatical Officers acknowledging the issue and outlining their plans to support students, as well as providing updates and developments. 

1. Utilize the recommendations in the Access & Studios report to advocate for improved access. 

1. Lobby UAL to review access to studio spaces and related policies, ensuring access to studios during breaks between terms. 

1. Lobby UAL to reassess how they use spaces during term closures, e.g. the canteens can be used as an extension of the Learning Zones.  Request that UAL create a list of practices that are welcome in each of these extended learning spaces. 

1. Lobby UAL to review assessment deadlines to ensure that students have sufficient time and space to meet course requirements. 

1. Lobby UAL to review how a lack of studio access contributes to the attainment gap and ensure all reasonable changes are made to reduce this gap. 

1. Collaborate with UAL Communications to update the UAL Website with information pages for the reading weeks and the Spring and Summer, similar to what is done for Winter Breaks. This would benefit both undergraduate and graduate students to plan their academic year and coursework better.