31,278 discussions, 145 guides
University of Essex
31,278 discussions, 145 guides
University of Essex
University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park
Colchester
CO4 3SQ
Tel: (0)1206 873 666
1964
RED
RED, formerly University Radio Essex, is one of the oldest student radio stations in the country if not the oldest (the subject of inter-uni debate) gracing the airwaves for some 30 years! For those in range it broadcasts on 1404 and 999 AM 24 hours a day (during term time), and online too - reinforcing their status as innovators, looks like internet killed the video show. UTV is the university's very own TV station. Set up in 2004, it gives students the chance to gain experience as budding presenters, producers or techies. You'll be trained by the University's multimedia centre. Last year, programmes included everything from live election broadcasts to cookery shows.
The Rabbit
Although we haven't managed to work out why its called the Rabbit, this is the students' fortnightly magazine, containing sports, music reviews, features and news - which is rather university orientated. Rather than being insular, it is probably a rarity amongst the student press that the SU publications are actually prepared to report what goes on on campus instead of turning a blind eye to the success and misdemeanours of their respective student populations.
The University also publishes a monthly magazine called Wyvern, but few people read it. Our student contact at Essex blocked the draft under his door with it instead.
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.
Oscar Arias - Former President of Costa Rica & Nobel Prize winner
Tony Banks - Musician (Genesis)
John Bercow MP - Conservative MP
Virginia Bottomley - Conservative MP
Brian Hanrahan - BBC Reporter
Jane Heptonstall - Actor
Ben Okri - writer & Booker Prize winner
Chandra Sonic - Asian Dub Foundation
Daniel Libeskind - WTC "replacement" architect
All in all the social life at Essex is OK, but don't expect a huge amount of choice. Nights tend to repeat themselves and the punters often have a real sense of 'deja vu'. The bars are as follows:
Level 2 - Yes you've guessed, on the second floor (you don't have to be an Essex student to work that one out). Opens in the evenings from Monday to Sunday, clubby atmosphere. Comedy and live bands can also be found here.
The Union Bar - Open all day, just your regular bar really (as the default name indicates) with juke box, big screen. Serves great greasy breakfasts! We think that the layout is a bit impersonal, and found that it wasn't good for mixing. It has just been refurbished, but unfortunately drinks prices have been raised to pay for it!
Mondo - Mondo is the newest bar on campus open until 2am Monday - Saturday, and midnight on Sundays. It has a chilled out atmosphere, good food, and is a more peaceful alternative to the usual hustle and bustle of the other bars on campus.
The Underground - Has a capacity of 1000 and is the main venue for the Unions Entertainments division. All the above are in the same building - not far to go for something different.
Games Zone - Situated next to the Union Bar, it has pool tables, the latest games machines and tempting vending machines (crisps, chocolate, videos) that will certainly break your diet.
Top Bar - Not run by the Students Union, it doesn't have the usual SU promos, but does have a few of its own. Not much more to say that its place to drink.
The events timetable changes from time to time, but this will give you an idea of a typical week:
Monday Nights - Level 2 Venues are hired out to Societies to put on their own ents such as Hellenic and Mexican nights. Tuesday Nights - Level 2 Comedy Night or DJ competition. Wednesday Nights - Level 2 Sports Night - drunken celebrations/commiserations. Underground Society hires out venue for event. Thursday Nights - Level 2 Karaoke Night. Underground Society hires out venue for event usually of an international or cultural flavour. Friday Nights - Level 2 Warm up for Jump Club usually cheesy disco. Underground Jump Club - club night. Saturday Nights - Level 2 Live bands or whatever. Underground Rapture - House night, live acts and big DJs. Sundays - Level 2 Quiz night.
All in all the ents aren't bad, but can be a bit repetitive.
The largest event on the social calendar is the Summer Ball. 2005 witnessed some fine dinning, the Essex University Jazz band and...wait for it..Angie Diggens (Stars in their Eyes Finalist 2005)-oh well, there was lots to drink, good food and fun fair rides. This is a popular event and ticket sales are always large. There is also a Sports Federation Ball where Colours and other such prizes are awarded to individuals and teams. The Union does pretty well in getting London DJs to visit as well because of its proximity to the city, Judge Jools and Trevor Nelson have been recent visitors but there's a list as long as your arm.
The societies here are, in general, very internationally orientated with the Hellenic and Mexican societies being amongst the largest. This is hardly surprising as a third of the student population are from overseas. Football is probably the strongest sports club at the moment, but there are excellent sports facilities here especially when it comes to watersports.
BUSA National Mens Indoors 5-aside Champions.
Guaranteed 100
The Towers - Your bog standard accommodation, six towers sub-divided into self catering flats of 14 to 16 people. Although these are 60's in origin, the tall black towers are quite striking and almost look smart. Reasonable at the price of £53.83 per week. However, the rooms are small and some describe them as crap but most say that The Towers is the easiest place to meet people.
South Courts - excellent accommodation with spacious bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms. There are also 4 rooms for wheelchair access. Quality reflected in the price, £78.68 per week and can be let for 39 or 50 weeks.
The Houses - Perfectly adequate, modern buildings all with ensuite rooms and some rooms adapted for wheelchair access. The small minority of Houses off campus do not have ensuite facilities. £65 per week.
University Quays - Brand new and winner of the 2004 Colchester 2020 and Royal Institute of Architects award for best new contemporary building. This residence is situated close to the Colne estuary, yet easy walking distance from campus and the shops. The Quays development continues to expand, but is definately the place to be. All flats are en-suite with most flats consisting of eight rooms and a modern shared kitchen. £78.68 per week.
Other accommodation includes Wolfson Court, which is on campus and Avon Way, which is off-campus.
All of the accommodation now has phone/internet access. About 60% of students are located on or very near campus - which is pretty good by national standards.
Here's a comment from someone living in Towers that should help: OK, I live in a south tower. There are 16 of us (on one floor). We have an enormous kitchen and living area. (No sofa though :P) Anyway, the flat is split into two sections either side of the kitchen. (8 one side and 8 the other) The rooms are quite big (subjective info there). You get a bed, desk and chair, big comfy chair, wardrobe (not bad size), small chest of draws and some shelves. Oh and a phone. There also a plug for the internet. Oh and a lamp. And a bin. There are two windows in each room that go from floor to ceiling. There is 2 toilets both side (equals 4 toilets) and 1 shower each time (I know you wont believe me but theres no queue for the shower) There is space for all your junk under the bed and on top of the wardrobe. And you can move the room around (so long as you dont move the bed in front of the door or whatever.
There is only on bad thing about the towers and thats that it can get a bit nosey sometimes but theres always something going on and a party and life somewhere. If your one who wants to just sit in your room quietly then try the south courts. :P And there is a lovely view from all directions There are also student tutors (4 for 16 floors) and two senior student tutors (that live at the top of the tower). So you might have a 3rd year living with you. Its so much fun! They know like everyone Hehehe. If you really hate your flatmates then you can move if you find someone to move into your flat. (Or be happy like me and laugh every night until 2am)
The University is set in a massive parkland campus on the outskirts of Colchester, and is a mile away from the village of Wivenhoe with its lively quayside and variety of pubs and restaurants.
Although Colchester doesn't have the best of reputations, due to recent 'fly on the wall' TV programs, the number of army squaddies and accompanying 'ladettes', it does some areas untouched by this element. The Colchester Arts Centre is one example, and is a venue for live bands, comedy clubs etc. The town also has a range of cimenas, cafes and good wine bars.
The student hang-out in Colchester itself is the Hippodrome(although this is becoming less popular as squadies and teenagers take it over), The Playhouse cocktail bar is apparently pretty hot right now and for some tasty food the North Hill Noodle Bar has been highly recomended -. Rumours in Clacton is also quite popular. Apart from that some students go to Ipswich and of course, into London. Beware, however of Colchester barracks, the infamous Glasshouse is the Army prison. The inmates (don't worry they stay in) are more misfits and wimps though than hardened pyschos (the Army hangs on to those), but the Warders play a mean game of football. The students just stay clear of the soldier's watering holes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
There is a branch of Waterstones on campus and the Union runs a Second Hand bookshop which also sells cards and papers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
