On July 16th, we received an email stating that the Social Work Lounge will now be used as a space for accommodated exams and will no longer be a space for social work students to gather, study, and build community.
The Social Work Student Lounge is more than just a room—it is a dedicated space where BSW students study, collaborate, hold SWSA meetings, connect with peers, and find support throughout a demanding program. It plays an important role in fostering community, belonging, and student well-being.
While the administration has indicated that the lounge has experienced low usage based on access data, we believe this does not accurately reflect the importance or use of the space. Many students have experienced difficulties accessing the lounge due to ongoing key card malfunctions, which have prevented consistent entry throughout the year. Additionally, access data does not capture the full picture of how students use the space, as Social Work students often gather in groups, meaning multiple students may enter together under one key card access record. This data does not accurately represent the number of students who rely on the lounge as a space for connection, collaboration, and support.
We recognize the importance of providing appropriate spaces for accommodated exams and support accessible education for all students. However, we believe there are solutions that do not require eliminating one of the few dedicated spaces available to Social Work students. A bookable classroom cannot replace a permanent drop-in space where students can gather, build relationships, and support one another.
We are calling on King's University College to reconsider this decision, explore alternative options, and meaningfully consult with Social Work students before permanently repurposing the lounge.
By signing this petition, you are supporting the preservation of a space that strengthens our School of Social Work community and enriches the student experience.
10 Comments
Great place to collaborate with fellow students. Study and to find my peers during break and after after class to share notes. This space is highly sought out during exam periods and during heavy work load times when the library is booked and students need a place to practice group assignments. No fixed schedule to book times and easy space to accommodate everyone
It is the one space that social work students have to be able to hang out together, come together for events, hold cultural gatherings, and more. We do not ask for much.
The lounge is vital for social work students regarding collaboration, assignments, networking, and meetings. The conclusion that the lounge is not used due to swipe access is inaccurate as individuals may enter the room together and not every swipes individually.
The social work lounge is more than just a room. It has been a place where I can do homework, connect with my classmates, hold meetings, and build relationships with people in the program. If the concern is that the lounge hasn’t been used enough, I think that may have a lot to do with the fact that many students don’t have card access to the space, which makes it difficult to use consistently.
As a social work student I really appreciate having this place for students in our program to have. I would like to support the social work students who have benefited from having this spot last year, for returning students this year, and for the new social work students coming in this year. We would really appreciate continuing to have this lounge available!!
I used the lounge extensively last year. It is the room where I can most efficiently and comfortably write. The library, campus residences, and our dwellings can be loud, busy, and distracting. As someone living with sensory sensitivities, I have utilized the lounge to help me feel less overwhelmed when working on our course assignments. In addition, this space has been a great spot to hold SWSA meetings and events. It would be a great loss for me and other students to lose access to the lounge.
As Social Work students, we deal with heavy, emotional content. It is essential that there be a private space wherein difficult matters can be discussed freely.
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On July 16th, we received an email stating that the Social Work Lounge will now be used as a space for accommodated exams and will no longer be a space for social work students to gather, study, and build community.
The Social Work Student Lounge is more than just a room—it is a dedicated space where BSW students study, collaborate, hold SWSA meetings, connect with peers, and find support throughout a demanding program. It plays an important role in fostering community, belonging, and student well-being.
While the administration has indicated that the lounge has experienced low usage based on access data, we believe this does not accurately reflect the importance or use of the space. Many students have experienced difficulties accessing the lounge due to ongoing key card malfunctions, which have prevented consistent entry throughout the year. Additionally, access data does not capture the full picture of how students use the space, as Social Work students often gather in groups, meaning multiple students may enter together under one key card access record. This data does not accurately represent the number of students who rely on the lounge as a space for connection, collaboration, and support.
We recognize the importance of providing appropriate spaces for accommodated exams and support accessible education for all students. However, we believe there are solutions that do not require eliminating one of the few dedicated spaces available to Social Work students. A bookable classroom cannot replace a permanent drop-in space where students can gather, build relationships, and support one another.
We are calling on King's University College to reconsider this decision, explore alternative options, and meaningfully consult with Social Work students before permanently repurposing the lounge.
By signing this petition, you are supporting the preservation of a space that strengthens our School of Social Work community and enriches the student experience.
10 Comments
It represents a valuable space to gather, to relax, and to discuss. In a space which is not just safe, but one which is populated with and controlled by the social work student body.
Great place to collaborate with fellow students. Study and to find my peers during break and after after class to share notes. This space is highly sought out during exam periods and during heavy work load times when the library is booked and students need a place to practice group assignments. No fixed schedule to book times and easy space to accommodate everyone
It is the one space that social work students have to be able to hang out together, come together for events, hold cultural gatherings, and more. We do not ask for much.
The lounge is vital for social work students regarding collaboration, assignments, networking, and meetings. The conclusion that the lounge is not used due to swipe access is inaccurate as individuals may enter the room together and not every swipes individually.
The social work lounge is more than just a room. It has been a place where I can do homework, connect with my classmates, hold meetings, and build relationships with people in the program. If the concern is that the lounge hasn’t been used enough, I think that may have a lot to do with the fact that many students don’t have card access to the space, which makes it difficult to use consistently.
As a social work student I really appreciate having this place for students in our program to have. I would like to support the social work students who have benefited from having this spot last year, for returning students this year, and for the new social work students coming in this year. We would really appreciate continuing to have this lounge available!!
I used the lounge extensively last year. It is the room where I can most efficiently and comfortably write. The library, campus residences, and our dwellings can be loud, busy, and distracting. As someone living with sensory sensitivities, I have utilized the lounge to help me feel less overwhelmed when working on our course assignments. In addition, this space has been a great spot to hold SWSA meetings and events. It would be a great loss for me and other students to lose access to the lounge.
As Social Work students, we deal with heavy, emotional content. It is essential that there be a private space wherein difficult matters can be discussed freely.
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It represents a valuable space to gather, to relax, and to discuss. In a space which is not just safe, but one which is populated with and controlled by the social work student body.