Student Accommodation Survey 2015-16 Introduction:

Residential and Business Services
Wednesday, 06 January 2016
Student Accommodation Survey 2015-16
DAVID RUSSELL APARTMENTS
Introduction:
This report is based on the responses collected from the December 2015 Student Accommodation Survey.
In analysing the results, the ‘not applicable’ responses were removed to provide an accurate breakdown of
responses.
To ensure easy analysis of information in the bar and pie charts, the very satisfied and satisfied responses
have been combined to represent overall satisfaction. Likewise, the dissatisfied and strongly dissatisfied
responses have been combined to represent overall dissatisfaction. The individual breakdown of responses
has been preserved in the separate survey reports.
Average results have been calculated for each category and are presented alongside the individual responses
to the category questions for ease of reference. All averages are worked out by averaging all survey
responses and not by averaging the hall or survey section percentages.
The survey results showed a notable difference in International student satisfaction compared to Home/EU
student satisfaction, therefore the overall satisfaction and catering satisfaction categories are broken down
further and also presented by Home/EU and International satisfaction.
Demographic Breakdown:
Total Respondents:
1317
Male:
518 (44%)
Average Age:
20.25
Undergraduate:
Female:
799 (56%)
1064 (81%)
Postgraduate:
253 (19%)
Home/EU:
838 (64%)
International:
479 (36%)
Self-Catered:
535 (41%)
Catered:
782 (59%)
Year of Study:
1st :
3rd:
Postgraduate:
698 (53%)
182 (14%)
130 (10%)
2nd:
4th:
226 (17%)
81 (6%)
1
Residential and Business Services
Wednesday, 06 January 2016
The no. of students per residence who completed the survey
RESIDENCE
Agnes Blackadder Hall
Albany Park
Andrew Melville
Angus House
David Russell Apartments
Deans Court
Fife Park
Gannochy
John Burnet Hall
McIntosh Hall
St Regulus Hall
St Salvator's Hall
Stanley Smith House
University Hall
TOTALS
No. Completed Survey
Percentage Per Residence
186
120
102
9
349
35
99
21
40
80
66
66
14
130
14%
9%
8%
1%
26%
3%
8%
2%
3%
6%
5%
5%
1%
10%
1317
100%
DRA - year on year overall survey service satisfaction
2
Residential and Business Services
Wednesday, 06 January 2016
How satisfied are you with our service overall?
EU/Home Student overall satisfaction:
International Student overall satisfaction:
3
Residential and Business Services
Wednesday, 06 January 2016
Overall Home/EU student catering services satisfaction:
Overall International student catering services satisfaction:
4
Residential and Business Services
Wednesday, 06 January 2016
Housekeeping overall averages (self catered):
Housekeeping overall averages (catered):
5
Residential and Business Services
Wednesday, 06 January 2016
Survey results
Overall Satisfaction Question
How satisfied are you with our services overall?
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
RESPONSES
%
78
239
20
23%
70%
6%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
29%
65%
5%
6
2%
1%
343
Disability
If you declared a disability on your accommodation
application form, how satisfied were you that your
needs were met?
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
RESPONSES
%
6
6
1
46%
46%
8%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
54%
39%
5%
0
0%
2%
13
Cleaning and Housekeeping
The quality of our cleaning/housekeeping service:
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
RESPONSES
%
62
140
21
27%
60%
9%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
43%
46%
8%
9
4%
3%
The friendliness and approachability of the staff:
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
232
%
140
146
17
46%
48%
6%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
56%
38%
5%
4
1%
2%
307
The quantity of cleaning you receive:
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
RESPONSES
RESPONSES
%
48
107
39
22%
50%
18%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
41%
42%
11%
21
10%
5%
215
6
Residential and Business Services
Wednesday, 06 January 2016
Portering Service
The quality of our portering service:
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
The friendliness and approachability of the staff:
RESPONSES
%
115
173
19
37%
55%
6%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
49%
46%
3%
8
3%
1%
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
315
RESPONSES
%
149
150
14
47%
47%
4%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
56%
39%
4%
7
2%
1%
320
Reception
The overall responses to questions and queries you
ask them:
SURVEY
RESPONSES
%
AVERAGE
Very Satisfied
94
28%
32%
Satisfied
196
58%
54%
Dissatisfied
34
10%
10%
Strongly
12
4%
4%
Dissatisfied
The quality of our Reception services:
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
RESPONSES
%
99
209
23
29%
61%
7%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
34%
57%
6%
11
3%
3%
342
336
The availability of these staff:
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
The friendliness and approachability of the staff:
RESPONSES
%
56
179
89
16%
52%
26%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
18%
53%
24%
20
6%
5%
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
344
RESPONSES
%
132
165
37
38%
48%
11%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
43%
45%
9%
10
3%
3%
344
7
Residential and Business Services
Wednesday, 06 January 2016
Residential Services Management Team
The quality of the service provided by Residential
Services Management Team:
SURVEY
RESPONSES
%
AVERAGE
Very Satisfied
86
27%
37%
Satisfied
219
69%
58%
Dissatisfied
10
3%
4%
Strongly
4
1%
2%
Dissatisfied
The overall responses to questions and queries you
ask them:
SURVEY
RESPONSES
%
AVERAGE
Very Satisfied
90
29%
40%
Satisfied
196
63%
52%
Dissatisfied
18
6%
6%
Strongly
6
2%
2%
Dissatisfied
319
310
The availability of these staff:
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
The friendliness and approachability of the staff:
RESPONSES
%
68
205
35
21%
65%
11%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
31%
58%
9%
9
3%
2%
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
317
RESPONSES
%
124
175
16
39%
55%
5%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
46%
47%
5%
4
1%
2%
319
Catering Staff
the quality of the service provided by the catering
staff
SURVEY
RESPONSES
%
AVERAGE
Very Satisfied
86
46%
41%
Satisfied
89
48%
51%
Dissatisfied
9
5%
7%
Strongly
1
1%
1%
Dissatisfied
the friendliness and approachability of the staff
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
185
RESPONSES
%
115
66
1
63%
36%
1%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
51%
39%
7%
2
1%
3%
184
the overall responses to questions & queries you ask
them
SURVEY
RESPONSES
%
AVERAGE
Very Satisfied
79
46%
46%
Satisfied
86
50%
47%
Dissatisfied
4
2%
6%
Strongly
2
1%
1%
Dissatisfied
171
8
Residential and Business Services
Wednesday, 06 January 2016
Catering Services
the information provided on our Knowledge
Information Boards:
SURVEY
RESPONSES
%
AVERAGE
Very Satisfied
39
25%
27%
Satisfied
111
71%
65%
Dissatisfied
4
3%
7%
Strongly
2
1%
2%
Dissatisfied
The quality of the food provided in your residence:
RESPONSES
%
56
104
21
30%
56%
11%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
20%
60%
16%
4
2%
5%
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
185
156
The taste of the food:
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
the overall catering experience of breakfast:
RESPONSES
%
49
103
25
27%
56%
14%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
18%
60%
17%
7
4%
5%
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
184
42
94
30
23%
52%
17%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
31%
48%
15%
15
8%
5%
RESPONSES
%
61
83
30
33%
45%
16%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
25%
49%
20%
11
6%
6%
the overall catering experience of lunch:
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
185
RESPONSES
%
48
93
32
26%
51%
17%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
29%
54%
13%
10
5%
4%
183
The serving times for meals in residences:
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
%
181
The range and choice you have at different meals:
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
RESPONSES
the overall catering experience of dinner:
RESPONSES
%
27
82
58
15%
44%
31%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
16%
47%
27%
18
10%
9%
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
185
RESPONSES
%
69
90
20
37%
49%
11%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
30%
55%
11%
6
3%
4%
185
9
Residential and Business Services
Wednesday, 06 January 2016
How satisfied are you that our catering service
offers good value for money?
SURVEY
RESPONSES
%
AVERAGE
Very Satisfied
35
19%
25%
Satisfied
101
56%
53%
Dissatisfied
40
22%
18%
Strongly
5
3%
4%
Dissatisfied
The information provided about our menus:
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
RESPONSES
%
49
106
20
27%
58%
11%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
27%
55%
15%
7
4%
3%
182
181
The actions we take arising from the 'You said, we
did' feedback:
SURVEY
RESPONSES
%
AVERAGE
Very Satisfied
36
26%
35%
Satisfied
91
65%
55%
Dissatisfied
11
8%
9%
Strongly
2
1%
1%
Dissatisfied
140
Student Accommodation Services
The quality of the services provided by Student
Accommodation Services:
SURVEY
RESPONSES
%
AVERAGE
Very Satisfied
86
26%
29%
Satisfied
218
67%
65%
Dissatisfied
14
4%
4%
Strongly
9
3%
2%
Dissatisfied
The overall responses to questions and queries you
ask them:
SURVEY
RESPONSES
%
AVERAGE
Very Satisfied
81
26%
33%
Satisfied
196
64%
60%
Dissatisfied
23
8%
4%
Strongly
6
2%
2%
Dissatisfied
327
306
The application process:
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
The friendliness and approachability of the staff:
RESPONSES
%
79
204
41
24%
61%
12%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
28%
59%
10%
12
4%
2%
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
336
RESPONSES
%
119
191
7
37%
60%
2%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
42%
55%
2%
4
1%
1%
321
10
Residential and Business Services
Wednesday, 06 January 2016
How satisfied are you that our catering service
offers good value for money?
SURVEY
RESPONSES
%
AVERAGE
Very Satisfied
35
19%
25%
Satisfied
101
56%
53%
Dissatisfied
40
22%
18%
Strongly
5
3%
4%
Dissatisfied
The information provided about our menus:
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
RESPONSES
%
49
106
20
27%
58%
11%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
27%
55%
15%
7
4%
3%
182
181
The actions we take arising from the 'You said, we
did' feedback:
SURVEY
RESPONSES
%
AVERAGE
Very Satisfied
36
26%
35%
Satisfied
91
65%
55%
Dissatisfied
11
8%
9%
Strongly
2
1%
1%
Dissatisfied
140
Student Accommodation Services
The quality of the services provided by Student
Accommodation Services:
SURVEY
RESPONSES
%
AVERAGE
Very Satisfied
86
26%
29%
Satisfied
218
67%
65%
Dissatisfied
14
4%
4%
Strongly
9
3%
2%
Dissatisfied
The overall responses to questions and queries you
ask them:
SURVEY
RESPONSES
%
AVERAGE
Very Satisfied
81
26%
33%
Satisfied
196
64%
60%
Dissatisfied
23
8%
4%
Strongly
6
2%
2%
Dissatisfied
327
306
The application process:
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
The friendliness and approachability of the staff:
RESPONSES
%
79
204
41
24%
61%
12%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
28%
59%
10%
12
4%
2%
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
336
RESPONSES
%
119
191
7
37%
60%
2%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
42%
55%
2%
4
1%
1%
321
11
Residential and Business Services
Wednesday, 06 January 2016
The response time for questions and queries:
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
RESPONSES
%
79
193
27
26%
63%
9%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
34%
58%
6%
5
2%
2%
304
Wardens
The quality of our Wardennial Services:
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
Hall/residence discipline:
RESPONSES
%
118
185
24
36%
56%
7%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
51%
43%
5%
5
2%
1%
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
332
%
81
189
43
25%
58%
13%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
33%
51%
13%
13
4%
4%
326
The availability of the Wardennial staff:
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
RESPONSES
Pastoral/welfare support and advice:
RESPONSES
%
100
181
35
31%
56%
11%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
42%
48%
8%
6
2%
2%
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
322
RESPONSES
%
73
172
15
27%
64%
6%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
39%
54%
4%
7
3%
2%
267
The friendliness and approachability of Wardennial
staff:
SURVEY
RESPONSES
%
AVERAGE
Very Satisfied
153
47%
59%
Satisfied
152
46%
36%
Dissatisfied
17
5%
4%
Strongly
6
2%
1%
Dissatisfied
The overall response to questions and queries you
ask Wardennial staff:
SURVEY
RESPONSES
%
AVERAGE
Very Satisfied
99
33%
47%
Satisfied
178
60%
48%
Dissatisfied
15
5%
4%
Strongly
4
1%
2%
Dissatisfied
328
296
12
Residential and Business Services
Wednesday, 06 January 2016
The hall/residential community:
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
RESPONSES
%
104
191
30
31%
57%
9%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
45%
44%
8%
13
4%
3%
338
Student Committee
The accessibility of the Committee:
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
The events they organise:
RESPONSES
%
55
177
35
20%
65%
13%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
37%
53%
9%
7
3%
1%
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
274
%
82
174
33
28%
58%
11%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
39%
49%
9%
9
3%
3%
298
The interaction with the Committee:
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
RESPONSES
How your subscription is spent by the Committee:
RESPONSES
%
48
173
40
18%
64%
15%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
34%
53%
11%
11
4%
2%
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
272
RESPONSES
%
43
156
46
17%
60%
18%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
32%
51%
12%
13
5%
5%
258
13
Residential and Business Services
Wednesday, 06 January 2016
Facilities
Common rooms (e.g. libraries in residences, study
areas or computer rooms):
SURVEY
RESPONSES
%
AVERAGE
Very Satisfied
86
27%
32%
Satisfied
180
56%
56%
Dissatisfied
45
14%
9%
Strongly
13
4%
3%
Dissatisfied
Study bedrooms:
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
RESPONSES
%
145
172
15
43%
51%
4%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
43%
50%
6%
7
2%
2%
339
324
Bathrooms/shower rooms:
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
Kitchens or pantries:
RESPONSES
%
69
157
93
20%
45%
27%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
25%
52%
19%
27
8%
4%
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
346
93
205
33
27%
60%
10%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
22%
54%
18%
12
3%
6%
RESPONSES
%
98
171
26
32%
56%
9%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
41%
49%
8%
10
3%
2%
Cycle Storage:
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
305
RESPONSES
%
72
161
37
26%
58%
13%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
28%
56%
10%
9
3%
5%
279
Laundry room and equipment:
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
%
343
Atmosphere and surroundings in the dining room:
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
RESPONSES
Recycling facilities in residential areas:
RESPONSES
%
44
149
99
13%
43%
29%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
13%
43%
29%
53
15%
15%
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
345
RESPONSES
%
96
200
32
28%
59%
9%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
29%
56%
11%
13
4%
3%
341
14
Residential and Business Services
Wednesday, 06 January 2016
Heating
The current heating levels in your residence:
SURVEY
RESPONSES
%
AVERAGE
Very Satisfied
147
43%
32%
Satisfied
150
43%
46%
Dissatisfied
36
10%
14%
Strongly
Dissatisfied
12
3%
8%
345
The heating times in your residence:
Very Satisfied
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
Strongly
Dissatisfied
Communication
Preferred method of communication:
Email
Text
Wed Memos
Social Media
Other
RESPONSES
%
308
21
30
103
6
66%
4%
6%
22%
1%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
65%
6%
8%
20%
1%
468
15
RESPONSES
%
126
161
40
37%
47%
12%
SURVEY
AVERAGE
26%
45%
21%
12
339
4%
8%
Residential and Business Services
Wednesday, 06 January 2016
What do Residential and Business Services do best?
"1. Response to noise complaints is amazing
and fast, love the porters + wardens 2. Free
DRA mugs was cute 3. Holding our parcels for
us is very nice as well."
"Events "
"Allocate preferred accommodation"
"Fairly consistent service. Can get problems
looked at quick e.g. shower flooding, changing
light bulbs "
"Everyone is kind and helpful "
"everything except breakfast"
"Allowing Independence?"
"answer questions within a good timeframe"
"food"
"Application process "
"Food"
"Approachability of staff"
"Foster a welcoming environment."
"Availability"
"free food and drink events"
"Be friendly!"
"Free stuff is always nice. "
"Being available in case we need help with
any issue."
"Friendliness and making residents feel
welcomed"
"Being friendly and ready to help"
"Friendly and approachable"
"Catering"
"friendly and approachable"
"Catering"
"Friendly and efficient management of
numerous students and residences, providing
one of the most important factors for a
student; where they live."
"Catering "
"Catering is fantastic, water is always hot,
basic needs are taken care of"
"Friendly and helpful"
"Charging extortion prices for housing. It
criminal how much you charge and how little
students get back in the form of ANY respect,
dignity, or service."
"Friendly environment "
"Friendly service"
"Gather people for events."
"Cleaning inspections are thorough and
professional."
"Generally friendly "
"Cleaning, friendly catering staff."
"Heating, approachable staff"
"Communication through emails. I appreciate
the emails from DRA to keep me updated on
what is going on in my hall."
"Helpful"
"Communication!"
"Housekeeping"
"Create a safe and secure Residence."
"I can't comment as I have had next to no
interaction with the staff."
"helpful, kind, interested in all problems,
always open for criticism"
"Create a welcoming environment"
"I don't really interact or use any of the
services"
"Don't have to wait long for a response and
the staff are always friendly and happy to
help."
"I feel it is general running of the hall, from
making the hall a nice place to be in, general
tidiness, and keeping residents informed."
"Efficient and professional residence cleaning
checks"
"Events"
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Residential and Business Services
Wednesday, 06 January 2016
"I like the range and frequency of events that
DRA host, from Wine & Cheese to yoga
sessions. Keep it up, and keep them fun."
"Provide good accommodation services. "
"Provide helpful answers to questions"
"Provide information in a timely manner."
"Keep in touch and keep everyone up to date
via email."
"Provide me with good accommodation
experience."
"Keeping the students up to date on
Facebook."
"Provide places to put my trash. "
"Maintenance "
"Provide quality accommodation"
"Make DRA feel warm and welcoming "
"Provided mid-priced accommodation for
students"
"Make students' life’s comfortable"
"Providing equally fair and clean services"
"Make you feel welcome and looked after.
Don't intrude too much."
"Quality of dinner service"
"Modern facilities, well-staffed"
"quick response"
"My flat gets mail for someone named Lauren
Golledge, and Reception does a great job of
taking the mail and putting it where no one
has to look at it. Who is Lauren Golledge? We
are beginning to think that we do not want to
know."
"quick response time"
"Nice surroundings"
"Receiving parcels for residents"
"Offer welcoming and well facilitated service "
"Reception service "
"Organise flats"
"Relatively good response time to inquiries, "
"Organising events for undergraduates."
"Respond to queries"
"Organising extracurricular group activities"
"respond quickly to complaints about e.g.
electrical equipment etc.!! "
"Quick to respond to problems"
"Quick with responding when things break"
"Really friendly people! Very approachable
and easy to talk to."
"Organize evening events in DRA (chocolate
fountain, cheese and wine, Halloween)"
"responds to and deals with queries quickly"
"Organizing events, especially to get to know
other students in first year."
"Running the DRA - I appreciate the standard
and quality."
"Over charge for their services. "
"Seconds at dinner. If there's a problem,
people come generally within the hour"
"Overall, the whole service is satisfactory.
Increasing the communication levels with the
students."
"Serve burgers at the DRA bar. "
"service"
"Porter services"
"Service"
"Pretty prompt in answering any queries that
arise. "
"service"
"serving a poor service"
"Provide a good space for students to live. A
place which can replicate home and support
students alongside their studies."
"Sort problems with my room "
"Staff are nice and i can get good help from
them."
"Provide affable service once approached in a
predetermined way"
"swift responses "
"Provide entertainment for students"
"Taking care of everyone fairly"
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Residential and Business Services
Wednesday, 06 January 2016
"The amount of information given is good."
"They respond to my questions quickly. They
are organized in how they allocate you and
are also responsive to any changes you want
to make. I think they have my best interest in
mind. "
"The planned activity and events"
"The staff are all very friendly and
approachable. "
"The warden team and the porters "
"They respond to your mail and organize
events"
"There should be a better design for shower
such shower cabin. Laundry room should have
an extra sink inside for cleaning shoes
(muddy shoes, dirty etc), clothes covered with
mud or clothes that need to be washed by
hand."
"They're always there to help"
"they're quite friendly"
"They're really approachable and friendly, so I
feel like I can trust them. "
"They are all friendly. "
"Very approachable and kind staff"
"They are always accessible when any
questions or issues arise."
"very friendly"
"Very friendly and welcoming. "
"They are extremely friendly and helpful."
"Very friendly staff"
"They are friendly and approachable, and help
us if we need to fix something. "
"Very good at ensuring everything is
accessible and easy to use in the disabled
room"
"They are very good at informing us and
keeping their emails short."
"Wardennial team is excellent. they are very
kind and helpful. I recently had an injury on
campus(hit by bicycle) and the members of
the team were very helpful and kind while I
was going through this very stressful event."
"They definitely seem to be very on top of
communicating important information, and
seem to strive to be open to advice, criticism,
and questions. They're quick, clean, efficient
and reasonably approachable, which, frankly,
is just what I've come to expect from the staff
of St Andrews. "
"wardennial team is very friendly and
approachable"
"Wear those great labelled shirts and jackets."
"They generally appear to be in a happy mood
and ready to help."
"Who???"
"You make it easy to find a very nice
accommodation, one worry less at the
beginning of the studies. Thank you!"
"They keep the residences in good order."
"They keep us well informed over email."
"they manage some beautiful halls "
What could Residential and Business Services do better?
" 1. PLEASE: protector at the bottom + glass
door for showers. 2. Fix heating - fluctuates
from freezing to boiling. 3. New staff
approach (domain wardens + remembering
names) feels a bit forced. Just be nice - that's
all we need!"
"About the only trouble that I've had during
my time here thus far was in collecting larger
packages from shipping companies. Not even
a complaint, but maybe some way for
packages to be delivered that wouldn't
require someone in the apartment to haunt
the phone? "
"A clearer system about who to contact for
each issue would be appreciated. "
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Residential and Business Services
Wednesday, 06 January 2016
"Adjust the shower cubicle in the bathroom,
so that no water spills over to the whole room
- after every shower."
"Being more ubiquitously available "
"better availability at weekends."
"Better heating times and porter availability in
weekends"
"after construction clean the road"
"After having approached my warden
COUNTLESS times I could not find a single
moment when he actually was on duty. Even
where I returned to my building to find vomit
in our staircase not only would he not help me
with the issue, nor show me someone who
could help"
"Better lock-out services"
"Better match making of residents in halls
maybe, or improving heating and hot water
facilities. "
"Better recycling bins for our rooms in
Donaldson "
"Again, I don't use the services so there isn't
anything that can be improved upon."
"Better shower curtains "
"Bring the cost down for the accommodation.
Upgrade size of shower in Rooms. Fit better
ventilation in shower room and better shower
curtain that does not stick to you when you
try to shower."
"All windows of residences are usually open
and it's inefficient and not environmentally
friendly. Raise awareness among students
about simple actions impact!!! (such as lights
always on, heating system on more than 20
degrees, windows always opened)."
"care about the residents"
"Catering: please have just at least one simple
and safe option e.g. cheese pizza and chips
and beans everyday so that when the other
options aren't good, we can still eat
something! Also, desserts are way too fancy.
Just have a plain cake with custard as a safe
option"
"apartment was not very clean upon arrival,
shower floor tile still has not been cleaned,
parts of kitchen were never cleaned"
"Appreciate students’ effort in maintaining
reasonable cleanliness"
"be able to turn heating off completely in DRA
as it gets too hot in room. as I am on ground
floor and the window does not open very far
it means that I am often too warm and am
going to have to invest in a fan so that I can
get a full nights sleep at ease."
"Change the meal times and offer better
transportation for those living in DRA. "
"Change the time for catered meals,
specifically, no one goes to breakfast on the
weekends so perhaps make it later."
"be more friendly, have an understanding that
there is a difference between post - and
undergraduates. Most of us have lived away
from home before and do not have to be
babysat"
"Charge less and treat their residents like
adults not children. This feeling on campus
that DRA is on its own and has no student life
is a stereotype for a reason. "
"Cheapen the cost of accommodation. For
what you get you do pay a massive amount."
"Be more involved"
"Be more open to flat changes within DRA, in
case you've met a flat that you really get
along with and you want to live with them in
the next semester, for example. "
"Check some safety problem in our room "
"Clean common areas in DRA such as lobby
and stairs. So much dirt and mud
everywhere."
"Become more available. Having opening
times for reception at times that most
students are in halls would be very beneficial
for seeking help with answers to questions.
Perhaps keeping the reception desk open
later in the afternoon/early evening would be
more helpful."
"cleaning inspections among postgraduate
students are unnecessary and patronizing.
The continued check-ups infringe upon our
privacy as random people can just walk into
our rooms and apartments."
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Residential and Business Services
Wednesday, 06 January 2016
"cleaning service for the common
areas(kitchens at least); the design of the
shower is just idiotic, fix it"
with age, with ingrained old stains in them
that are impossible to remove."
"form individual relationships with students
(study abroad student, in the US we have RAs
for this)"
"Communicate through Facebook or another
social media site. It can be hard to access my
emails all the time."
"Get a day shuttle for FREE for morning
lectures/ tutorials"
"Communication with residents. "
"Connect and inform students. We have no
idea what all this construction is about at DRA
other than it's vital energy."
"Give space when needed to residents "
"have better hours when we could go talk to
them - right now, it's really difficult to unless I
decide to miss a lecture"
"could be more available and sign for
packages other than royal mail"
"Have more accessible lockout times"
"create a silent study room/area in DRA
facilities building (the computer suite is too
noisy to work in)"
"Have someone do the flat cleaning for us, or
help us. More laundry machines. Longer /
later breakfast. Not running out of food at
meals."
"Disparities in quality between DRA flats is
abysmal. Unacceptable. Also prices are
appalling for University Accommodation: just
because Residential Services can charge
astronomical prices does not mean they ought
to."
"Have the DRA reception desk open until 6.
Have a better system for the music room key
retrieval, many times when I've missed my
allotted time because the porter has not been
there to give me my key"
"Ensure that maintenance works are carried
out when students are not staying in halls."
"Heating in buildings because my flat doesn't
have heating. "
"Extend the hours of the reception at DRA.
Perhaps to 5:30 as I really struggle to find a
time when they are open due to full days of
lectures and labs."
"Heating times and pottery "
"I am really not a fan of the Laundry service, it
is expensive and the tumble dryers especially,
are very poor - I almost always have to use
the dryer twice, or bring damp clothes home
to hang up to dry. The machines have very
poor drying capabilities, this could be
improved."
"Fire everyone and start over. Everyone from
wardens to support staff should be ashamed.
You do nothing right. Cleaning checks? What
are we 10 years old? God forbid we don’t
vacuum our 1980s carpet. I could on but once
again you didn’t allow me to speak enough."
"I feel we were put into halls very randomly;
seems to bear no resemblance to what we put
on our initial application"
"First of all they really have to stop entering
our flat whenever they want! It is our home
and no one wants strangers just walking in!
Also without ringing!! in Fife Park is the bike
shelter far to small!! all bikes are always wet!"
"I think DRA is a bit short on study space perhaps a bit too much devoted to
computers. Also, none of the problems found
and noted on the inventory form were
followed up or were fixed even after a porter
had checked and said something would be
done soon."
"Food"
"food recycling facilities"
"Food waste recycling"
"I think options for vegetarians/vegans could
be better. Often the vegetarian meal that is
supposed to be served is out towards the end
of the service. (And meat-free Mondays
should become a thing)"
"For DRA, the freezer is too small considering
there are five people in the flat. Also the floor
tiles in the en-suite shower room are worn
20
Residential and Business Services
Wednesday, 06 January 2016
"I think we should be allowed more than 3
items at breakfast, and if meal times could be
longer than 1 1/2 hours it would also be really
helpful."
"Laundry machines often do not work and are
not fixed quickly."
"Laundry system/set-up is pretty terrible.
Some may be Circuit's fault, but seems
ridiculous that students can't use laundry
room closest to them, and that there are two
different types of top-up cards. Laundry
Watch and top-up location features could be
clearer."
"I would like to be able to access more of the
thin bin liners which are given to us at the
beginning of the term as I think they're better
for the environment than the plastic bags
which I use at the moment. I would not mind
paying for them either, but I would like to
have access to them!"
"Lock out hours are quite restrictive and it is
easy to lock yourself out. "
"I would like to highlight the smoking issue.
People are still smoking in corridors or directly
outside the main door to the block. I think a
way to resolve this is by having a smoking
shelter of some sort because people are
reluctant to move away from the building away from shelter."
"Long hearing and hot water time. Basic
cleaning service can be provided to kitchen
and bedroom, such as once a month."
"Longer availability times for lockouts"
"Longer meal times"
"Longer shower curtain and bigger showering
area."
"Improve areas such as laundry facilities "
"Improve quality of food and change dining
times and upgrade kitchen and bathrooms "
"Lower level of surveillance, longer hours for
parcel collection, roofed smoking facilities,
more roofed cycle storages, "
"Improve the application process- especially
with regards to matching housemates."
"Make a better breakfast "
"Improve the hall spirit and community of
DRA. "
"Improve the quality of services in certain
aspects. "
"Make an attempt to be less invasive in room
inspections and maintenance tasks. Staff
frequently enter rooms and flats without
residents opening the door."
"Improve transport since DRA is further from
town. Maybe allow DRA residents free bus
services, or free laundry. "
"MAKE BREAKFAST LONGER- I have never
made it to breakfast because my classes start
later..."
"Increase the length of lock out times."
"Make sure flat parties do not get too loud."
"Install the bedrooms with coat hooks and
shelves -we are not allowed to stick anything
on the walls, but there is such a waste of wall
space and nowhere to hang coats, hats or
umbrellas etc."
"Make sure there is enough space for all bikes
(remove the bikes which have labels on them,
that they will be removed would probably
already do the job)"
"May be stay more close to the students so
that they don't get homesick?"
"It took a long time for our electronics to be
checked. Also the setup of the kitchen isn’t
really conducive to having dinner properly
with my flatmates. An actual table would be
nice."
"More & clearer information about the
facilities and payment methods before
arriving "
"More accessible lock out times"
"Keep noise levels down after midnight"
"More bins around and longer heating and
hot water hours"
"Keep residents informed when maintenance
issues are being dealt with."
21
Residential and Business Services
Wednesday, 06 January 2016
"More extensive recycling facilities, better
cleaning equipment in accommodation (old
and worn out)."
"Porters need to be available if the music
room has been booked so that one can
actually access the music room or at least
leave a sign saying where the music room
book is (Bar, Wardens etc.)"
"More laundry facilities, more veggie mains
(less cheese as the veg option), pave the
paths, day porter whole weekend, fix up the
Nisbet, less £ on pub quiz more on hall wide
events/formal dinners?, paid staff member to
be president of hall- too much responsibility
for an UG"
"possibly better outreach to individual blocks
at the start of the year"
"provide cleaning services for shared kitchens
in DRA/ Fife Park "
"Provide composting services."
"More postgraduate events, not yoga
something more mature"
"Provide mora approachable services for
problems with bathrooms"
"Not be so strict about putting posters on wall
for example"
"Provide round the clock and approachable
service "
"Not schedule major construction works to
take place during a semester. I do not expect
to pay £600+ a month to be living in a
construction site "
"Quality/friendliness of service"
"Reception could be open longer, perhaps a
box for mail delivered to wrong house (at
reception). Emails are always sent multiple
time. The last time I was sent seven identical
emails, this is very inconvenient and
annoying."
"Not sure this is the area, but add covers to
more of the cycle storage areas, and add
more in general. A lot of people in DRA bike,
and it's pretty hard to get a covered spot to
protect your cycle. "
"Removal of abandoned bikes blocking bike
storage space"
"Not turn the place into a muddy construction
site and to force us into a maze of fences, it
makes the place look horrible and feels like
you don't really care about students, more
about the rich people who come in the
summer. And I feel I'm paying far to much to
live in a construction site"
"Revamp the application system."
"Serving times for meals is my main concern"
"Sometimes need to be friendlier and more
approachable"
"The cleaning checks in the accommodation
are far too regular and strict. Also it would be
a lot better if major works to the site were
conducted outside of term time, especially if it
involves shutting paths."
"Notify when cleaners, fire hazard staff checks
in, or the electrical equipment staff comes in.
"
"Offer transportation to the city"
"The curtains are hideous and they let in loads
of light which affects my sleep quality "
"Organise district heating works that require
heavy noisy machinery during summer breaks
rather than during term time near exams"
"The desk chairs in the residence rooms are
very uncomfortable and make studying more
difficult than it should be. Library isn't always
an option for me. "
"Organise more postgraduate events. Send an
email if someone needs to attend the flat so
we have some warning."
"The electric kettle in my flat broke recently,
which was, as you can imagine, a dire
emergency. Reception said that a porter
would replace it soon. It's been three weeks,
and the tea situation is grave."
"Organize evening activities and events for
each house more often"
"placing students in halls where they don't
want to live (i.e. DRA)"
"Please check why the bistro area always
smells bad after meals. "
22
Residential and Business Services
Wednesday, 06 January 2016
"The laundry and drying machines need to be
replaced because the machines are constantly
breaking. Moreover the dryers are not up to
standard because it does not dry the clothes
in one go but take at least twice."
"The standard of some of the fixtures is
disappointing compared with other flats in
DRA"
"There's no phone number for our warden,
I've never even met mine. "
"The laundry situation is horrible. Extremely
expensive and the dryers do not even work
well. "
"They could improve on checking their email
for inquiries in the weekends. Our dishwasher
was leaking on a Friday and nothing was done
about it until the following Monday."
"The meal times are incredibly limiting, and
the strange strictness of the amount of
breakfast items you can get is very off-putting.
The cost of doing laundry is absurd. The main
DRA area is always very loud with music and
makes it difficult to study or stay there at all."
"They could make sure the bus runs on
weekends and in the evening, when grad
students need it. They could not run a random
alarm every Tuesday morning."
"They could match people up better, I live
with 3 Chinese, Ok one or two but please
blend us a little bit better. Also make sure the
living room is properly cleaned when arriving
as well as the shower, the water did not go
down when I had my first shower. "
"The music room is open until 11pm each
night, however there is never anyone around
to let myself and others in. I have had to call
for help several times as no staff were in sight,
and when I call the porter either doesn't pick
up or says they have more important things to
do."
"They could respond sooner to loud flat
parties"
"The reception desk opening times are a bit
inconvenient "
"Timing could be less limiting so there's more
of a window to accomplish everything you
need to."
"the reception desk to be open at more
convenient times"
"Totally unaware of their existence."
"The rooms and kitchens should definitely be
clean, when students firstly arrive. Mine
wasn't. Additionally the online representation
of DRA is not realistic and needs to be
adapted in my opinion."
"We could have more food for breakfast in
DRA. 3 items is not enough sometimes. "
"When there are largely emergent issues such
as bodily fluids in common areas, the
response time was ridiculous. It took nearly
two days to be cleaned up, it was unsanitary
and largely downgraded the quality of living "
"The rooms weren't very clean when we
moved in"
"The rules regarding the decoration of flats
could be improved. It seems rather strict to
refuse people putting posters up on their wall
and in the kitchen, considering the amount of
money that we are paying for the
accommodation. "
"Where are residential and business services?
To form a community in the residence halls,
there must be organization within the
halls...not waiting for students to seek out
you. "
"The shower is so tiny, and every time I take a
shower I have to dry the floor. That's
annoying. "
"Wifi stability definitely needs improvement.
Also, wish to have that table tennis back in
the activity room."
"The staff at the front desk could be friendlier,
rents are fairly high, it was a shame that selfcatered students were not served at the high
table dinner. More action should be taken
against people screaming and being drunk in
the middle of the night."
"you are too expensive! Especially DRA is
compared to private housing or Deans Court
too expensive!"
"you are way too expensive!!! The service and
facility is good, but price-performance is
horrible."
23
Residential and Business Services
Wednesday, 06 January 2016
"You decided to excavate during the
semester! Unacceptable!!"
24