I really appreciate the help -- unfortunately, I have tried to go to a Student Welfare Officer, and actually had an interaction where he was so rude to me (he assumed I was asking about something else, and instead of asking me for clarification got annoyed because he didn't like what he thought I was asking about) that he apologized later. The initial response to needing help was so harsh, it's really put me off the system.

The student government system is really disorganized, and is only for the undergrads (all officers are elected the previous spring, so the postgrads who are only there for one year have no representation). There is also almost no communication from them all year, and the events they host are for the undergrads. Also, there was apparently an international student rep who was suposed to organize events and help us get settled in, but she literally did not a thing (us foreigners had no meetings, no social events, no intro to the city... I am really glad I at least speak English well, because I felt terrible for some students who didn't).

I know, it all sounds improbable, like I must just not care to involve myself. But it REALLY is this hands-off -- Roehampton expects you to just take care of yourself. Some foreign students and postgrads and I have been actively looking for a forum to talk about these things, and have found nowhere to go. Anyway, at this point I am really not looking for suggestions on how to complain, though I appreciate the effort!

I just want to clarify -- I am not just out to gripe or hurt Roehampton's reputation, but have had real problems with this university. I cannot figure out the university's organization (example: I am an international student, but am pretty sure there is not international student office. I have no idea who I talk to, and after meeting a helpful admin person in person in February with some of my complaints, she actually disappeared from campus and has not bee contactable since. The disorganization is actually now a running joke among my classmates).

I truly don't know how to go about voicing dissatisfaction within the school's own processes, which is why I'm openly inviting Roehampton administrators to contact me if they happen to see this. I'm grateful for the warnings to watch what I say, I totally understand -- no one wants their reputation sullied. I am just at a loss because after an entire year at this school, I don't even know who to talk to.

I am looking to connect with prospective Roehampton University students. I am currently finishing my M.A. there, and have had SO MANY problems that I've decided to reach out myself and warn others. This school REALLY does not have its act together, particularly for postgrads and for international students (though the undergrads don't have it very good, either). It's a young university, so I tried to excuse its faults, but frankly my year has been terrible, and the uni has cared NOT AT ALL and there is no real forum for students to complain.

We're talking things from substandard housing and underhanded housing agreements to professors taking vacations while students are finishing dissertations to a serious substance problem on campus which makes it a pretty terrible place to live. Roehampton is more interested in moneymaking schemes (international students, renting out housing while students are still living in it, asking crazy fees to attend one's own graduation), and faculty research over student learning (certainly in the dance department), that I am just furious and frustrated and looking for some change.

If you are thinking about attending Roehampton, or you work for Roehampton, I am pretty desperately seeking out anyone I can talk to to either resolve some problems for future students or help them avoid the place altogether.