Exeter shows signs of cracking under catering charge pressure

Exeter offers up 4 hall-ternatives to be put to a student vote


Exeter college has today emailed students suggesting alternative possibilities to their ongoing catering charge saga.

Last term saw massive tensions in the college as students fought against catering costs. Currently, the students pay £840 per year- which makes them the most expensive college in Oxford by a gap of £116 per term.

In Hilary, students took part in a popular hall strike to protest against the fees.

Striking students voiced a need for hall-ternatives back in Hilary

However, an email sent to students suggests that the college might be bowing to student pressure as it announced that Governing Body is now considering a number of alternative measures.

The four options now on the negotiating table include

  • reduced catering charge
  • a pre-payment plan for meals
  • charge scrapped for students living out of college
  • a pre-paid redeemable charge, with an adjustment of rent and food costs

The email, sent to all JCR and MCR students, said, “All of the new schemes involve an increase to the amount by which the College subsidises eating in Hall, and all represent a substantially increased financial risk to Exeter College.

“However, recognising the dissatisfaction in College on this matter, the Fellows are prepared to take on this increased risk, because of our commitment to the College community, and because it is our belief that eating in Hall plays a critically important part in the intellectual, social, cultural, and sporting life of the College”.

The college’s Governing Body has suggested that students vote to select one of the four options. They have also invited students to attend an open meeting in the college’s hall tomorrow afternoon to discuss the options amongst themselves and with members of the Governing Body in person.

Exonians have faced an ongoing battle with their college over food costs

One Exonian told the Tab, “this is a great sign that the college is willing to discuss things openly and fairly. It’s a pity that it took a hall strike to force the college’s hand, but at least things are heading in the right direction now”.

Other students, however, were less optimistic, with one telling the Tab, “each of the options is just a rewording of the same thing- more money out of students’ pockets”.