University Halls

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30879, 12 October 1965, Page 20

University Halls

Sir, —An appeal has recently been launched seeking funds for the three proposed student hostels at Ham. Various church bodies are to give the main financial support to the scheme, but because of the considerable funds needed the public are also being solicited. I have no specialist knowledge of building costs; but, even so, it occurs to me that the project may be less financially frightening if it were approached in a different way. Is it necessary to build three hostels? Why not one larger building with separate wings, each of which could be named after the particular church organisation sponsoring it? Would not this result in a saving of among other things, central heating, plumbing, and land costs? Over the years a significant reduction in administrative outlay might also accrue. I will support the scheme only if assured that money is not being needlessly spent.— Yours, etc., GOLDFINGER.

October 1, 1965. [The Rev. M. W. Wilson, chairman of the consultative committee for the university halls of residence, replies: “These proposed buildings are in most of the cases the first buildings of a large, but not too large, complex. A larger building incorporating three hostels might be a little cheaper to construct, but there would be no saving in land costs and little, if any. in servicing. The only part of the building that could be saved would be some reduction in the size of the kitchen. Moreover, such a large building would make difficult the fostering of the corporate life of each hall. The larger the total university roll the greater the need for smaller community units within the whole. As far as land is concerned, there is to be a density of 150 persons per acre. Suggestions similar to that made by ‘Goldfingei'’ hav v e been considered, and it has been decided, in the light of experience elsewhere, that separate halls which are not too large best serve the welfare of the university and of individual students.” ]