Undeb Myfyrwyr Cymraeg Aberystwyth
PRESS RELEASE
21ain o Fai, 2015 – to be released at once
Sharing this statement on behalf of UMCA:
New Concerns Regarding The Future Of Pantycelyn Hall
UMCA, Aberystwyth’s Welsh Language Student Union, has voiced its concerns following a meeting with Aberystwyth University’s senior management team.
The University established the ‘Future of Pantycelyn Working Group’ in September 2014 to discuss the future of the Welsh Halls. The working group’s report will be submitted to the University’s Finance and Strategy Committee tomorrow, which recommends that Pantycelyn remains open. However, over the last few days, the University’s senior officers have decided to submit their own recommendations to the committee based on the report, which includes the closure of Pantycelyn as a student accomodation in September 2015, against the committee’s recommendations, and using the building as offices for a period while repairs are being made. The recommendations do not offer any certainty or a dedicated timetable in relation to when the work of renovating the hall will begin.
According to UMCA President, Miriam Williams: “We fully oppose any attempts to close Pantycelyn during the academic year. The work of repairing the hall should happen during the holiday, without a break in terms of the building’s use as a student hall.”
“Following a long campaign by the Welsh students of Aberystwyth, the University committed to keeping Pantycelyn open last year. We call on the University to keep their word regarding this important national establishment, considering the amount needed for the repairs is very small in the context of the University’s yearly expenditure.”
“The Welsh community is vulnerable and it needs to be protected, not damaged. We call on the Finance and Strategy Committee to accept the recommendation of the Future of Pantycelyn working group, and to reject the senior officers’ plan to close the hall for any period of time.”
END
1. UMCA is Aberystwyth’s Welsh Language Student Union, which represents the Welsh students of Aberystwyth University.
2. Pantycelyn hall is the Welsh student hall since 1974. There was a strong campaign for it to be established and there has been many campaigns to save Pantycelyn over the years.
3. For more information contact the UMCA President, Miriam Williams on 01970 621 739.