Hallam are asking for donations from graduates to provide paying students with laptops

Sheffield Hallam are encouraging donations from graduates to fund essential materials for current students such as course equipment and laptops, The Sheffield Tab can reveal.

Students have fiercely criticised the move, as they feel paying over nine thousand pounds a year should be enough to cover the cost of a temporary laptop given the emergency situation.

The scheme, marketed as the Sheffield Hallam Coronavirus Appeal, says it is trying to ensure ‘students have access to the equipment and resources they need’.

It comes following the decision to charge full tuition fees for the year, based on the claim that the standard of teaching and support is still high quality.

It has led to questions about why a multi-million-pound institution, which brings in hundreds of thousands of pounds from students, needs to rely on donations to provide their service.

Most Read

Gone but not forgotten: Honouring the 13 Glee cast members who have passed away

40 years later, one of the Unsolved Mysteries cold cases has just been solved

Monster’s lead star explains why Aileen Wuornos was clumsily shoved into Lizzie Borden show

Hannah, a Sheffield Hallam student, said: “This is ridiculous and outrageous. Students pay thousands and thousands every year. Graduates are already deep in debt and guilt-tripping them to fund a service that the uni should be providing is out of order.

“Sheffield Hallam is not a f#cking charity and it is disgusting behaviour for them to act like it is.”

The anger is intensified following Hallam still facing calls to introduce a proper no detriment policy for students.

But the uni’s VC, Sir Chris Husbands, supports the scheme and said:  “The launch of Sheffield Hallam’s emergency fund demonstrates our commitment to ensuring all our students, whatever their background or financial position, can continue to progress their degrees during this difficult time.”

Sheffield Hallam have been contacted for comment.