The Financial Burden of University Laundry Services
Students at the University of York are facing a tough choice: spend their savings on laundry or make sacrifices in other areas, such as food. The exorbitant prices for using the university laundrette are raising serious concerns.
– Cost Per Load: The laundry services in university-owned accommodations charge £5.10 per load, significantly higher than nearby institutions. According to Sam Dickinson, the wellbeing officer at York Students’ Union, this rate is £2.10 more than the fees at York St John University. Everyone deserves to have clean clothes, and high laundry prices create a barrier to that, Dickinson emphasized.
– Student Experiences: Cathy Hamilton, a 20-year-old psychology student, revealed she spent up to £20 per week on laundry in her first year. I had to pull money out of savings just to afford my washing. It’s outrageous how much we have to pay, she expressed.
– Limitations on Frequency: First-year history student Ellie May Quigley noted that due to costs, she tries to reduce the number of laundry loads. We can’t avoid washing our clothes; no one wants to go around smelling, she said. To save money, she opts to dry her clothes at home instead of using the university’s drying service, which costs an additional £1.80 per cycle. It feels like I’m just a money maker for the university, she added, highlighting the frustrations many students face.
– Disproportionate Impact on Women: Quigley also pointed out that female students are especially impacted by the high laundry costs, as they often require more frequent washing during their period.
High Laundry Prices Relating to Living Costs
Sam Dickinson conducted a survey at Russell Group universities to investigate laundry service costs and highlighted how they add to the overall financial burden on students in York. Students are being forced to withhold clean clothes, and that is unfair. It’s a basic issue of dignity, he stated.
– Comparative Costs: The laundry rate set at the University of York comprises a base fee from the provider, Circuit Laundry, with an additional amount determined by the university itself. In contrast, laundry at York St John University costs only £3, partly due to its different provider.
– Impact on Nursing Students: Second-year child nursing student Erin Moore shared that nursing students face additional laundry demands due to uniform requirements. We’re told not to travel in our uniforms, requiring us to wash our tunics and trousers for every shift, she explained. The laundry costs really pile up over time, adding to our financial stress.
University Response and Comparison
A spokesperson for the University of York acknowledged the financial pressures students face, stating that current laundry rates are still lower than local commercial laundrettes. They also noted that the prices for a wash and dry had only increased by 10p since 2019.
Circuit Laundry, the provider servicing over 90% of UK universities, insists they aim to keep laundry charges well below those of high street laundrettes. However, pricing varies based on location, reflecting different operational costs.
Conclusion
The struggle to afford university laundry services highlights a growing financial concern among students, compelling them to choose between essential needs and basic hygiene. With the cost of living steadily increasing, these escalating prices further strain students’ budgets, underlining the need for institutions to reconsider their fee structures. Cleaner clothes should not come at such a high cost, and it’s essential for university administrations to address this issue.