11/10/2023 - Your SU are calling for UOS students to petition for change. Want free parking at University? Make your voice heard. Go sign the petition today!
The cost-of-living crisis is still ongoing and students continue to be some of the most severely affected people across the UK. According to Save The Student, the average monthly cost to be a student at the University of Suffolk (UOS) is £497 per month which does not include rent. Last year UoS subsidised car parking for all students saving them up to £40 a month.
However, for the new academic year UOS decided to bring back the parking charge of £2 a day for all students attending the Ipswich campus. The impact of which is now being felt by a variety of students; as a large proportion of students make use of the car park daily to attend campus and complete their studies. If the parking charge were to continue, students would experience financial struggle just from attending university adding more stress to the already expensive standard of living.
The free parking for students’ campaign lead by students for students, seeks to remove students' financial anxieties around attending university allowing them to focus on their studies, and complete their course to the highest standard possible. The motivations of such campaign are also supported by the feedback from students in the academic year 2022/23 sharing their thoughts that:
"The free parking was fantastic, especially for students living in accommodation."
"Free parking has made such a big difference to my budget. I'm so grateful for it."
"After a long commute and using a lot of fuel, it was reassuring to have free parking. It's the little bit of help that makes a big difference."
Often overlooked but things considered to be small changes makes a massive difference for students at UOS. To support this campaign and see positive changes made at the University of Suffolk, the Students’ Union calls upon UOS students to sign the petition and voice their desire for an easier and more favorable university experience.
Follow the link for the petition: Petition · Cut Car Parking Fees For University of Suffolk Students · Change.org