Your ideas

What's the Issue? Roehampton Vale is a specialist engineering campus where students rely heavily on university computers and specialist software, including CAD applications, ANSYS and other engineering programmes, to complete coursework, projects and assessments. Currently, the library closes at 5:00 PM, despite some lectures finishing as late as 6:00 PM. This means students attending later lectures have little or no opportunity to access library facilities afterwards. Furthermore, many students, including myself, do not have access to computers at home capable of running demanding engineering software. This makes access to university computers essential rather than simply convenient. Although students can travel to Penrhyn Road Library, this can involve an additional journey of approximately 45 minutes, creating unnecessary inconvenience for those already studying at Roehampton Vale. My Proposal I propose extending Roehampton Vale Library's weekday opening hours from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, providing students with an additional three hours of access to essential study facilities. Why This Matters - Academic accessibility: Students without suitable computers at home would have greater access to the software and equipment required for their degrees. - Support during deadlines and exams: Extended opening hours would provide valuable additional study time during academically demanding periods. - Better alignment with timetables: Students whose lectures finish at 6:00 PM would have an opportunity to continue studying on campus. - Reducing unnecessary travel: Students would no longer need to travel to another campus simply to access study facilities in the evening. - Equal opportunities: All engineering students should have reasonable access to the resources necessary to complete their work, regardless of their personal financial circumstances. In conclusion as an engineering-focused campus, Roehampton Vale should provide access to study facilities that reflects the academic demands placed on its students. This proposal is not simply about keeping the library open for longer; it is about ensuring equal access to essential academic resources. Students should not be academically disadvantaged because they cannot afford or do not have access to computers capable of running specialist engineering software at home. Extending library opening hours from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM would help address this inequality, support students during demanding assessment periods and allow them to complete their academic work without the inconvenience of travelling approximately 45 minutes to another campus. Access to essential academic resources should not depend on a student's financial circumstances.