- Libraries:
- The Albert Sloman 60's glass and concrete library, holds the entire university collection. Its open from early morning until 10pm during term time and on the whole it isn't bad, although some student complain of not having enough core texts. The University also has access to range of online resources. There are copy shops in the library too.
|
- Computing:
- There are more than 400 PCs in open access computer rooms on campus which are available 7 days a week. Over 100 of them are also 24 hour access. Free internet and email accounts are provided, notebook computers can be hired from the helpdesk. All Halls of Residence have internet access - although there is a one off connection charge for this.
|
- Sports:
- The Sports Hall houses a climbing wall, activity room, four glass backed squash courts, sauna, and sports hall for badminton, basketball, archery, cricket nets and volleyball. A large air-conditioned fitness room opened in October 2001, and students seem to be rather impressed
Outdoor Facilities include: a floodlit all-weather hockey/football pitch (used as tennis courts in the summer), an artificial cricket pitch and two grass ones, an 18-hole disc golf course, an orienteering course, 3 tennis courts next to the Sports Centre, grass sports pitches and athletics track (Wivenhoe Park).
The University also owns a watersports centre on the coast at Brightlingsea 8 miles away, with Clubhouse and boat park used by the sailing, windsurfing and canoeing clubs.
|
- Future Plans:
- A start has been made on the multi-million pound new lecture hall, which will provide valuable new teaching space at the University's Wivenhoe Park campus.
The two-storey stainless steel and glass building will be one of the largest lecture theatres in any UK higher education institution. The multi-function, £4.35 million building will consist of one lecture hall, able to seat up to 1,000, which can be divided into two smaller halls. Flexible seating that can be folded away means the hall will also be suitable for exhibitions and conferences.
It is due to be completed in September 2006.
|
- Disabled Students:
- Generally very good. Some rooms in the Houses are adapted for wheelchair users and deaf students, and almost every part of campus can be accessed on the flat, by ramp or lift. Some lifts are voice activated, or have braille encoded buttons. Course texts can be transcribed into braille or taped. All improvements on older buildings are done so in line with all disablity requirements as part of a rolling programme.
|
- Student Welfare:
- There is a full time Education and Welfare sabbatical who runs an advice centre for students with pretty much any kind of problem. A Health Centre and Counselling House with a group of local doctors and 5 counsellors, are located on campus and there is a Nightline to give confidential advice and support between the hours of 8pm and 10am.
Each university department has a system for dealing with academic matters, like tutor systems etc., and the Student Support Office also helps with a range of non-academic welfare issues.
Other provisions include a multi-faith Chaplaincy Centre and a Day Nursery.
|
- Parking:
- If you live on campus you aren't really allowed cars, but you can use the pay and display car parks which can get quite expensive. However, there is plenty of parking and permits are given to all those who live off campus and have cars.
|
- University Shops:
- There is a Campus Shop which sells foodstuffs, newspapers and alcohol (a good range) and a smaller Union Shop. There is a Post Office in Square 4 which also operates a dry cleaning service and will develop all you latest pics, as well as helping to sort out rail/coach tickets and local bus passes . Other campus services include an Insurance shop in Square 3, and a campus travel agency. There are so many services, in fact, that we began to wonder why anyone left campus!
Other facilities include Cafe Vert, which provides a range of pastries, snacks and beverages; Food on 3 serves food from around the world and Sizzlers, provides a range of hot food. Take 3, is a take-away outlet serving sandwiches, snacks and pastries. If that doesn't satisfy you then go to the Salad Bowl, the Blues Cafe and a Pizza Burger Bar.
|
- University Bookshops:
- There is a branch of Waterstones on campus and the Union runs a Second Hand bookshop which also sells cards and papers.
|
- Banking:
- There is a branch of LloydsTSB with one cashpoint and a branch of Barclays with two cashpoints, there is also a Natwest cashpoint. You'll have to go into town if you want the others.
|
- Transport Policy:
- A Security Bus Service is provided by the Union. For a small charge of 70p you can travel to your doorstep at night after events. The service runs every hour from 5:00pm and gives priority to women.
During the day public buses to Colchester cost £1.20 and run from campus.
|
- Green Areas:
- Plenty of greenery. The University is set in Wivenhoe Park and owns a large tract of it which it has made good use of. The campus is fairly uncluttered, but at the same time the buildings aren't spread around too much and there are plenty of green open spaces left for daytime strolls or late night parties.
|
