New Off-Campus Student Affairs Manager

16 Sep 2010

Beverley Craig will act as vital link with the community

The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University have jointly appointed a new Off-Campus Student Affairs Manager who will work closely with Manchester City Council to build on a more strategic and sustainable approach to managing student issues in the city.

This is the latest step in the evolving partnership between the Universities and the Council, seeking to play an increasingly proactive role as highlighted by the Manchester Student Strategy in 2009.

Over the last decade there has been a substantial increase in the number of students in Manchester.  While students bring considerable economic and cultural benefits to Manchester, both universities recognise that this diversity brings with it potential issues for local communities such as noise, refuse and parking, particularly in areas with high densities of students.

Beverley Craig, the new Off-Campus Student Affairs Manager, will be based in Fallowfield in the Manchester Student Homes Office and will act as the direct link between residents, students and the universities to coordinate issues concerning students off-campus.  Acting as the key point of contact she will advise students, deal with residents’ issues and concerns, and mediate where appropriate to resolve community tensions, with the overall aim of building more positive community relations.

Beverley said: “I am looking forward to working closely with partners, residents and students over the coming months to build on the developments and successes of previous years, and I want to hear your ideas.

“In my experience many students have skills and expertise that can benefit local communities and want to be part of their local community.  Often they too are affected by the same issues caused by a minority of students.”

Mary Heaney, Director of Services at MMU added: "We are delighted to add Beverley's energy and insights to the efforts of our two Universities to enable our relationship with the communities that surround us to deliver real mutual benefit and resolution of difficulties.”

One of the first actions will be the launch of the Neighbourhood Helpline for the beginning of this academic year.  The 24 hour voicemail service offers residents the chance to air their concerns and issues around students in the community, and the Universities will work with the City Council and GMP in resolving these issues. The neighbourhood helpline number is 0161 275 1863 and the email address is neighbourhood.helpline@manchester.ac.uk.