False housing promises
Exchange students who had imagined residence issues to be
their least concern upon arrival in Bergen feel short-changed.
Rather than a private room, which was guaranteed by the University
of Bergen (UiB), several foreign students have found themselves
sleeping on mattresses in study halls and cafeterias. Within
a few weeks, as many as 50 students may be without accommodation.
There has been an underbooking with the housing department
of SiB. Ivar H. Henriksen, its housing manager, is frustrated.
He feels the university has done a poor job when booking rooms
on behalf of the exchange students. Brit Kalsnes, who is in
charge of the office for foreign students, points to the fact
that one is not sure how many of the students who are accepted,
actually will show up. Kjersti Moe of student union NSU is
disgusted by the conditions. She can only imagine the difficulties
a foreigner who doesn’t speak Norwegian will have finding
a place on his own in Bergen.
Shocked by broken promises
We are living in uncertainty. For how long, we don’t know.
Four foreign students who have been installed together in
a lunchroom at Fantoft feel they are being sent back to camp.
– We don’t even have basic kitchen facilities, and for showers
there is only the sports hall. Our privacy is non-existent,
says Frenchman Herry Hervè. German student Peter Bürmann is
still at ease with the situation, and doesn’t regret coming
to Bergen. – But three or four more days without my own room
and that will change, he says.
Flooding in new student apartments
Last week a broken pipe caused a lot of damage in SiB’s
new house in Sverres gate. Just prior to the arrival of the
new tenants, all third floor was damaged. As the building
and its piping has been renovated recently, there is no good
explanation for the leaks. Rescue work is in progress, and
the building will be back in its good shape this week. The
university has also experienced moisture and water damages.
The premises of the institute of cultural studies were also
renovated, but may not useable until after Christmas.
Alexander Kemp
21.08.02
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