Original News Story

Bournemouth University biting off more than it can chew.

Bournemouth University has a huge lack of halls of residence, with over 600 first year students unable to get a place in them.
The universities answer to this shortage, is to place these students in houses surrounding the area, which can contain as little as three people.
With 4400 students starting their studies this year, the question must be posed, as to whether the university are simply taking on more students than they can handle.
When questioned, a spokesman from the University said: ‘As a university we are growing and we are doing everything in our power for our halls of residence to grow with us. There is currently a new block of halls being built alongside Purbeck.’
Many students when applying to university would expect that their first year would be spent in halls, as this allows making new friends to be easy.
However, a more prominent worry for the university is that some of these students do not feel safe where they live, particularly in Boscombe and Pokesdown.
The university have an accommodation office where support is offered to students who are unhappy and there have been very complimentary reports of their work.

Josh Matthews, of 102 Gladstone Road East in Boscombe, said, ‘We have had many issues with our house, including a gas leak.’ Mr Matthews, 18, who is studying Business at the University added, ‘I applied to live in halls, I enjoy living in a house, but feel I may have been able to meet more people if I lived in halls.’
Mr Matthew’s housemate, Emma Boyce, 18 said, ‘I don’t mind being in a house, I am just disappointed with the location, we are more than 3 miles from the university. I also do not feel safe walking in Boscombe alone.’