Save The Graduate School

The Graduate School provides a vital service in terms of a quiet study area. The library is a hard place to concentrate as so many undergrads talk at full volume as if they were in a pub. I don't want to get into heated arguments with other students so I usually go to the Graduate School instead where, in all honesty, things are much quieter. The PG students are a lot more serious about their study and the atmosphere in there is much more conducive to getting work done. There is the quiet study area in the reading room and the PG lounge on the second floor of the library but they are oversubscribed (at least the latter will be if the closure goes ahead). I was recently at a PG History conference in Newcastle but I found it hard to recommend Hull as a good place to study when we are in the process of eliminating the only viable area for PG quiet study. The university should make PG students a priority if it values its place in the league tables. After all, research is one of the key indicators of an institution's quality and without a specially designated area for doing that research we students will be at a major disadvantage. As I understand it, there are unused and underused buildings on the west campus. Maybe these should be used for the enterprise project but the Graduate School is already allocated a purpose that ought not to be disrupted.

It is a shame that once again the University of Hull thinks more of it's 18-21 year old Undergrads. I am glad I finish this year.

Part-time postgraduate students do not always have the ability to meet up with and get to know other students. Having a dedicated space for postgraduate students facilitates this need. In the long run this will not benefit the learning culture of students or the University.

It should not be closed down. This is very important research centre.

As a part time PhD student, I use the facilities in the Graduate School during evenings and weekends. These facilities are invaluable. I strongly believe that the computer/research room in the Graduate School should remain open for postgraduate researchers. Alternatively, new facilities should be made available elsewhere in the university. The current rooms are well used by students.

The graduate school indicates a lot to me. I usually spend more than half of our PhD years in studying here. This is an wonderful place where I share my insights, communicate with my colleagues. This facility leave me a lot of memories. one of reasons why I love studying in University of Hull is the Graduate school which provide me considerable conveniences and wonderful environment. I will be sad if it is closed, because I will be very difficult to adapt other alternative place to study.

Aside from the deliberate lack of consultation it is ridiculous to draw focus to the number of pc's available on campus as these are largely restricted by various opening hours and commonly heavily in demand. Many of these spaces are also inappropriate for PG students both taught and those actively contributing the REF, that which the university cites as the new focus for the building. A great loss to Hull University, it's PG community, and future collaborative potentials.

It is very inconsiderate decision. We contribute to this university on all levels, and we expect to be consulted on such issues.

We need the STUDY AREAS in GRADUATE SCHOOL. It's not just a study place, but a research circle formed here.

It is absolutely vital that the Graduate School remains open. This decision has been taken without informing or considering the PhD students of the University. How does the University expect to attract future researchers (PhD and MA students) without it? There are not enough silent study spaces to accommodate the MA and PhD students (especially during exams periods). This is grave mistake and one that will possibly put off many prospective students. The departments do not provide alternative study areas and even when they do the state of those rooms is poor and unacceptable (for example Loten Building - anyone who has been there will know what I am talking about). Dismissing the students in such a way will only undermine the University's reputation, rather than attracting more funding. And even if students are simply seen as clients that bring money to this institute, why doesn't the University deliver what has promised them in the first place? I wonder, why didn't the University announce this decision prior to the student satisfaction survey??

Its very inappropriate decision

Its not justifiable

I have ascended through the academic ranks at this University and have completed my bachelors, masters and PhD here. I cannot believe that decision is being sanctioned for the greater benefit of awarding research funding to academics because the University is losing money. I have been a proud ambassador of this institution over 10 years, in which I have worked hard to enhance policies and facilities around the campus. I am disappointed that the wider student body has not been considered and I am not convinced that this decision will add any value to the student experience. If anything, it will annihilate students and deter them from coming to this University. The graduate school facilities are an integral part of the post graduate experience and serves as a hub for students from all disciplines and from master’s level and above. I do not see the logic in planning a new research and enterprise team in the graduate school for the following reasons: 1) They already have a base in the west campus 2) How are research funding and enterprise activities supposed to attract attention from corporate businesses and funding councils without upholding a strong student reputation? 3) Students are the key stakeholders and customers of the University. If they are not satisfied, I can imagine that the vast population of post graduates will spread negative sentiment to other colleagues and prospective students. Therefore, in the long run, the University may miss out on prospective students. 4) Academic departments across campus do not have the facilities to cater for the wider postgraduate body should the graduate school close. Therefore, it can be expected that both academic designated workspaces for postgraduates and also the BJL Library will be under increasing pressure to cater to students. 5) The graduate is a unique selling point (USP) for postgraduates coming here and so is the PGTS (note the PGTS is a separate issue and will not be elaborated further here).

So sad, and disappointing

Keep the Graduate School Open.

This is an idea that appears to not have had much thought about the importance of these facilities for PGRs and should be reconsidered if they wish for further post grads to come to Hull to study.

I cannot stress enough how important this facility is. Postgraduates have often spent their own money or taken out bank loans to study showing dedication to their field. When the library is flooded with undergraduates or noisy people messing around this facility is a godsend. I hope that the University of Hull will listen to its students as it has an excellent student satisfaction rate - which this closure WILL affect. This decision really needs to be seriously reconsidered.

The Graduate School is one of the important facilities for PGRs, the University of Hull should rethink about this decision.

library facilities are not enough since they don't offer a quiet space for graduate students. it is important not to penalize very committed students even on the ground that they are not many

Distinct lack of consultation over this issue. If, as the university claim, they are closing the Grad School to support research I wonder whether they could find a better way to do this than by cutting the only space designated solely for research postgraduates