Survey results feed into consultation on redevelopment of East Slope
Student views about accommodation on campus have been fed into the design and planning process for the future redevelopment of the East Slope residences.
East Slope was one of the early campus residences, built in the 1970s. The accommodation has remained popular with students over the years but is now reaching the end of its useful life and is in need of replacement.
Under current plans, the new East Slope would be built in phases from 2015-16 onwards and the current East Slope residences would start to be removed in autumn 2016.
Charles Dudley, Director of Residential, Sport and Trading Services, says: “We take student views and feedback as a key part of the long-term development of housing.”
As part of the process to keep the student community involved and informed, in February this year all 13,500 Sussex students were invited to complete a questionnaire about what is important to them when choosing where to live and seeking their views on the plans for East Slope.
A total of 2,538 (approximately 18%) responded and the survey identified that the key issue for students when selecting accommodation is cost, followed by the provision of an en-suite bathroom.
The survey also identified the size of their flat and the location of the accommodation as key concerns for new students.
Now that the results of the questionnaire have been analysed, an executive summary is available for all students to access. The full survey results will be shared with the Students’ Union.
In addition to the survey, the University has also held two student workshops and has communicated the outcomes of these workshops to the Students’ Union.
Charles Dudley says: “The results of the survey and the workshops have been fed into the design and planning process.
“It is all part of a continuous programme of engagement with students - and further dialogue and consultation will be undertaken as the scheme develops.
“Current and former students often speak affectionately about their time living in East Slope, as well as its flaws.
“It is still relatively early days, but students have already influenced aspects of the initial thinking on design and what might be incorporated into the scheme.
“During the forthcoming consultation process, the project board is hoping to capture those elements of the current East Slope design that work from a resident’s perspective.”
The survey and the workshops about the redevelopment of East Slope form part of a wider consultation with students and staff on the campus masterplan.
In November 2013, students and staff were invited to complete comment cards after viewing a 3D model that showed how the campus might look in the future.
Information about the masterplan was also publicised at the Vice-Chancellor’s open meetings for staff and in the Bulletin internal newsletter, and was presented to the Students’ Union.