Sign this open letter to show your support for microwaves on campus!
We, the Full Time Officers, have been discussing microwaves with the University Senior Leaders for a considerable period and feel we have given the university ample time to get microwaves installed in our campuses. We now feel it is time to increase our lobbying of the university by submitting an open letter to push the university to prioritise this matter.
The letter below states Your SU's position on this matter and gives students the chance to support the SU by signing the open letter. Anyone who chooses to sign will be anonymous to the university when the letter is submitted , and this information will be held by Your SU so we can track the number of students who support the letter.
Open Letter: Students Deserve Access to Microwaves on Campus
For years, students across our campuses have been advocating for microwaves.
Surveys and focus groups have shown overwhelming support for this initiative, along with constructive suggestions to address any potential challenges. Unfortunately, our previous efforts to meet these requests have not been successful. We were informed by University Senior Leaders that this proposal was supported and would be implemented; however, no microwaves have been installed to date. In fact, the ones located at CU Coventry and CU London Dagenham have been removed.
This request is not unrealistic. Many universities, including Warwick and Birmingham, already provide free-to-use microwaves for their students. Their success demonstrates that this initiative is both feasible and beneficial, and our students deserve the same level of service.
Why Microwaves Are Important for Our Students:
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Convenience – Microwaves enable students to quickly heat up food between classes, saving time and allowing them to eat without leaving campus. This convenience could also improve attendance, as students won’t need to go off-campus for meals. This is especially important for those who have classes during the hours when food outlets are closed.
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Affordability – Although the University may highlight "cheap" food outlets on campus as alternatives, many students still cannot afford these options on a daily basis. Students should not have to choose between going hungry and spending money they do not have. Providing microwaves would enable students to bring homemade meals, making it more budget-friendly to eat on campus. This is a crucial step in addressing the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
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Inclusivity – Supports students with dietary restrictions, allergies, or cultural preferences by allowing them to prepare food that meets their needs.
Our Request to the University
We call on the University to:
Call to Action
We, the Students' Union, urge the University to commit to providing microwaves for students by the start of the next academic year. Students should not have to choose between eating cold meals, spending money they may not have, or going hungry. Staff rooms are equipped with microwaves—why shouldn't students have the same access?
Sign This Open Letter HERE