ARRIVALS GUIDE WANTAGE HALL 2015–16 WELCOME Contents Congratulations and welcome! 3 Welcome from the We are looking forward to welcoming you to Wantsge Hall JCR Wantage Hall at the start of what we hope 4 Before you arrive in hall 5 What to bring will be an exciting and fulfilling year. 7 Arrival day This Guide aims to give you all the 9 International students essentials to make your arrival at 10 Welcome Week Wantage Hall as smooth as possible. 11 Group facilities 13 People to help you in Hall 14 The local area 15 Arrival and group map 16 Wider area map Please note All photos are examples of facilities on offer and individual rooms may vary. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the details outlined in this guide are correct at the time of publication, some arrangements may be subject to change. 2 email [email protected] tel +44 (0)118 378 4203 WELCOME FROM THE WANTAGE HALL JCR Hello new Wantagian, and congratulations on getting a place at one of the oldest and most sought after halls in Reading! As your JCR committee, we would like to introduce ourselves and explain the part we will play during your time in Wantage. The JCR committee are elected representatives who act as a first port of call if you have any issues while you live in the hall. We also act as a voice for Wantage residents at the Student’s Union, and arrange events throughout the year so that you can meet your fellow resi- dents and get fully involved in the community spirit that Wantage prides itself on. Our main aim is to make sure that you enjoy your time in Wantage, and as a result we have designed a Freshers’ Fortnight that will hope- fully cater to everyone, and should help ease you into hall life. As members of Wantage ourselves, we understand what is important when living in halls and have an insight that will help us to make the best of your residency in Wantage. One of the JCR’s main aims is to pass on this knowledge, as well as the extensive list of traditions that Wantage is known for. From our traditional formal dinners to our concert on the quad, Wantage offers the best environment for both your studies and your free time. We can honestly say that your choice of Wantage to be your home for the next year is a good one, and will be a great start to your time in Reading. Once again, congratulations and welcome to Wantage! www.facebook.com/groups/1591304161109635/ JCR fees If you’d like to join the JCR you only need to pay your JCR fees once and it will allow us to put on events throughout the whole year. These can be paid online before you arrive. We’re here to help you out with anything you need! Wantage Hall JCR Committee 2015/2016 Councillor Craig Bowles Councillor Tom Page Secretary Anastasia Perrett Treasurer Bradley Westgate Welfare Rep Moon Wynn Social Secretary for Charities Leen Al-Najjab Librarian Emma Waterfield www.reading.ac.uk/accommodation 3 BEFORE YOU ARRIVE IN HALL … Find out more about joining your hall … COMPLETE THE social committee (JCR) E-INDUCTION See pages 3 and 13 for more details. If you would like to join your JCR Go to www.reading.ac.uk/applicantportal, click go to www.store.rusu.co.uk on ‘My Accommodation’ and follow the links to ‘Manage my arrival/departure’ To make your arrival as smooth as possible, don’t forget to … As part of e-induction you will be able to … Arrange funding Book your arrival slot Make sure that you have sorted out your student loan or other Arrival times are staggered to help ease congestion. We rec- funding: www.reading.ac.uk/Beforeyouarrive/ww-finance. ommend you book early as the most popular arrival slots will fill aspx up quickly. Get enrolled on your course Print your arrival confirmation Complete online enrolment in the personal applicant portal. and parking permit You become a fully enrolled member of the University when Please bring them along on arrival day and display your parking you collect your Campus Card. For more info on enrolment see permit on your car dashboard if you’re arriving by car. www.reading.ac.uk/applicantportal Check your contents insurance and Tip Don’t forget your photo ID (e.g. passport, driving licence). purchase extra cover if needed You’ll need this to collect your Campus Card and move into hall. A basic level of insurance cover, provided by Endsleigh, is included for everyone living in hall. Full details can be viewed through e-induction. You’ll need to check this cover is adequate for all of your personal belongings – you can arrange extra cover if you need to either via Endsleigh or another provider. www.endsleigh.co.uk/reviewcover 4 email [email protected] tel +44 (0)118 378 4203 WHAT TO BRING All of the rooms in Wantage Hall are single occupancy, Other essentials you will fully furnished and centrally heated. Each room contains need for your room a single bed, desk and desk chair, bookshelves, desk lighting, • Coat hangers as these are not provided in the wardrobes wardrobe and drawers as a minimum. Bins and toilet brushes • Cleaning products are also provided. • Warm coat, hat, gloves, scarf and raincoat for the winter months! Bedding and towels • Don’t forget toilet paper for your en-suite! We supply a mattress protector which must always be used. You’ll Tip Antibacterial cleaning wipes are really easy to use and need to provide your own bed linen such as: can be handy for cleaning bathrooms and bedroom, surfaces • Duvet and duvet cover etc. and they are widely available from convenience stores and supermarkets. • Fitted bottom sheet • Pillow(s) and pillow cases Tip Don’t over pack. Remember you have limited space. • Bath and hand towels Tip Bring along some drawing pins so you can put up pictures, notes, photos etc on the noticeboard in your room (there are Tip Remember that you’ll need to wash your own bedding so poster sales on campus during Welcome Week). You may also want you may want to bring a spare set. to bring some personal items to make your room nice and homely Bedding packs e.g. cushions, photo frames. Small boxes/containers are really useful for keeping your belongings tidy in your room. If you want to save on packing you can purchase a bedding Tip We encourage students to register their property at pack online before you arrive. This can be done as part of www.immobilise.com. This is a free service which helps police e-induction. The single bedding packs include a duvet, duvet identify stolen property and makes insurance claims for lost cover, pillow, pillow case and fitted sheet at a cost of £25. property easier. www.reading.ac.uk/accommodation 5 • Cooking utensils (including tin opener, bottle opener etc) • Foil/cling film Tip Don’t bring too much kitchen equipment as you may be able to share with your flatmates. Tip International students – please don’t bring kitchen equipment such as rice cookers with you. You can buy all the items you need easily and cheapily in the UK. Electrical equipment You shouldn’t need to bring any additional electrical equipment for the kitchen with you as the accommodation is well supplied with all the basics. Electrical items that are for use in the kitchen e.g. kettles, fridges and toasters, must not be used in bedrooms. Internet access • Electrical equipment must be safe – preferably it should be new. If there are any doubts about the safety of the equipment, it must readingConnect is a University service that provides a managed be given a formal inspection and/or test (Portable Appliance Test). network connection to hall rooms delivering access to the Internet Hall staff can conduct a check for you – please ask at your and the University’s data network. This service is included in your hall group reception. fees. Further information can be found at www.readingconnect.net • The UK electrical supply is 240V and all appliances must be rated Wi-Fi is available in all halls giving access to the University services for this voltage. Do not use electrical items made for other and the Internet. The recommended way to connect is via the countries’ electrical supply. Eduroam secure access service. Further information on how to • Only use CE marked plugs and appliances with the correct configure computers and devices to connect to Eduroam is available rated fuse. from wifi.reading.ac.uk • Never overload electrical sockets or use adaptors unless these Communal cleaning have been provided in your room Communal kitchens will be cleaned weekly (but you are responsible • Electric heaters, electric blankets, air conditioning units and mains for your washing up!). Rubbish and recycling will be removed from powered Christmas/fairy lights must not be used or brought the kitchens at least twice a week by our dedicated housekeeping into hall. team. The specific details of the cleaning provided and your respon- Adaptor plugs sibilities will be on a poster in your kitchen. Students from outside the UK should only use adaptor plugs Catering which are CE marked and fused as shown below: Wantage Hall is a catered hall and residents receive the catered meal Permitted Not permitted package. Your nearest catering outlet is Eat at Wantage (see page 11). You can of course use your weekly credit on your Campus Card at some of the other catering outlets on campus.