All relationships require a little give and take. The relationship between students and local residents is no different.

Ghettos in Leeds…
There are over 100,000 students in the city of Leeds - 14% of the total population. This number is continuously expanding and is a cause of concern to the residents of Leeds. Many areas of the city are notably known as ‘the student areas’. Families living in these areas worry about being ‘ghettoised’, about property prices being adversely affected and the transient nature of student life.

and fragmented communities in Loughborough
Philip, a 32 year old IT worker, is a Loughborough resident. ‘I am concerned about the rapid expansion of the University and the increase of buy to let properties which are degrading many established communities in Loughborough. Remember Loughborough has the highest ratio of students to real residents in the country [one in four of the population is a student during term time].’

Of course, there are also the usual complaints about stolen traffic cones and rants about late night music.

Positive elements
It is recognised that a city without a university can lack social, economic and cultural resources. All universities play a big part in putting their host cities ‘on the map’, and they in turn can contribute to the appeal of their universities. Hosting a student community can make a city an exciting and vibrant place.

Multiculturalism in Lancaster
Rebecca, an information worker, lives in the small northern city of Lancaster. ‘Students contribute far more to this city than they take away. They keep the cinemas going, they help fund the local theatre. They are largely the reason why any alternative “arthouse” films are screened here. Without them I would imagine Lancaster would be just another backwater with few amenities. I would hate to live in a place where everybody looked the same. I like the multicultural aspect that students bring to a place.’

Economic gains
The Queen Margaret University College campus, whilst deliberating on a campus based in Musselburgh outside Edinburgh, produced a report estimating that there would be a £32 million benefit to the immediate neighbourhood. It was recognised that the increased trade in retail outlets, restaurants, leisure facilities and local services would benefit everyone. Likewise the University of Leeds contributes over £500 million to the local economy every year.

The aggrieved city residents should look beyond these isolated incidents and consider instead what they are gaining.

Nelly
September 2005

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