Possible ResolutionA possible basis for ending the rent strike has been negotiated over the weekend by members of the Access Alliance Executive, Rob Wallach, Roger Salmon and Keith Carne. This is being circulated for consideration by the membership. The following time-scale is proposed for both consultation and implementation. AN IMMEDIATE CONSEQUENCE IS THAT THE CHOOSING OF ROOMS WILL BE DEFERRED BY THE COLLEGE FOR ONE WEEK AS AN ACT OF GOOD FAITH, ALLOWING MEMBERS OF THE ALLIANCE TIME TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSALS (AND ALSO GIVING COUNCIL TIME TO MEET AND AGREE). Monday 21st Feb. Tuesday 22nd Feb. Wednesday 23rd Feb. Thursday 24th Feb. Friday 25th Feb. If anyone has any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch, or else come along to one of the surgeries in the bar. More details on the open meeting will follow. Best wishes, Mat Coakley Undergraduate Rents And AccessOur values1. We believe that Cambridge University's long term future must be as an institution of academic excellence capable of attracting the best from all backgrounds. 2. We further believe that Cambridge University will damage access if its rents and charges are significantly greater than those in comparable universities. The current situationThere are a large number of issues where further work is needed, especially the costs of providing accommodation and the potential effects on access of future rent rises with particular respect to comparability with other institutions. Proposals1. There will be no presumption of rent increases above inflation until both costs and the implications for access have been investigated. This will be done so that Council can decide a coherent and long-term rent policy no later than the middle of the Michaelmas term. 2. An Access and Costs committee will be set up by Council to investigate aspects of concern and uncertainty regarding rent policy and its effects on access. The committee will, over an eight-month period commencing immediately, work on the various issues in order to assist the Bursar in the production of a long-term rent policy. At least half the voting members of the committee should be Junior Members (details of membership to be proposed by the Senior Tutor and KCSU and agreed by Council). It is envisaged that the Committee will continue its work for the foreseeable future. 3. Three working groups of the Access and Costs committee will be set up:
4. The Access and Costs committee will present its conclusions to Council no later than the middle of the Michaelmas term 2000, so that the Bursar can present a long-term rent and accommodation policy to Council at that time. This policy will recognise the need for both financial integrity and for access. Until the report is presented, any increases in rent will be by inflation alone. 5. In order to reassure undergraduates choosing rooms about future costs, any potential increase in annual average rents for the academic year 2000/1 (assuming term lengths of 10, 10 and 9 weeks) will not exceed 3.5% of the current annual average rent. Note that these figures are in real terms (i.e. so exclude inflation which is unlikely to exceed 2%). Heating costs will be consolidated into rents and averaged over all rents as was previously agreed. 6. For the next academic year 2000/01, any existing undergraduate can choose in advance (by a date to be agreed) to stay for the extra week in each term. The extra average charge to cover all three weeks will be £45 (i.e. £15 per week). 7. The rents for graduates also need to be set. These will be discussed with graduates and a basis established before the graduate room ballot which takes place in the Easter term. Copyright © 2000 Access Alliance |