How The Girls Feel

VIC. A girls still have strong feelings about their rise in board rates. There wasn't any difficulty in getting the "survivors" talking when their opinions were sought.

Eleven girls had left directly because of the raised fees, the girls said. It had been difficult to find replacements, and even now three places were not filled.

"Some of us would have left if we could—but we weren't allowed," pointed out one girl, a first-year student who, like many, had apparently found parental prejudice in favour of hostels too strong.

"I would like more money," said one girl quite frankly, pointing out that from a fortnightly wage of £14 she was spending £10 on board. To a suggestion that this wasn't too bad, it was pointed out that men students didn't have to pay for nylons—or lipstick.

They were quite sure that most of them would be in flats next year—and one pointed out that the high board rates could only drive away first-year girls to other hostels.

They didn't seem too worried that the university hadn't subsidised their board as proposed:

"I don't really see why varsity should subsidise them because half of us aren't varsity students," said one training college girl; but she gave way before the university girls.

"Dental nurses—and nurses, too—get subsidised hostels." they pointed out.

But there were the optimists, and there were the bright sides of the question.

"On hell, it's not all that bad now." claimed one girl who had wandered in late and said little. When asked whether things were in fact better now, one girl said: "Very much improved—because of the matrons." Another agreed: "We've got two very understanding and intelligent matrons. I wouldn't leave now . . . They get things done . . . take action . . . our meals have improved." comments which showed that they were resigned to the situation. But they still resented the board level.

Perhaps, taking all these improvements in mind, the board rise was reasonable? Perhaps they were paying more but getting still more? The girls disagreed. Five pounds a week is a lot of money—the girls had no doubt it was far too much, and even the girls with studentships were quite definite.

It seemed only fair to compare these comments with some from Vic. B. where sixteen girls had all stayed in the face of the board rise. Once again the same story repeated itself—conditions had greatly improved with a new matron, but once again the high board rates might scare off applicants next year or so thought one girl.

It was not too clear why none had left when the rise had come into effect. However, many of the girls are freshers and as the Vic. A girls had pointed out they have a hard time convincing parents against hostels.

The issue now appears clear. The Women's Hostel Association solved its problems by aiming at a higher level of accommodation and it was this which forced up the board rates. In doing this they forced out girls who could not, or would not pay the increased board, and they are finding it difficult to fill their empty places. With the university's refusal of a subsidy the girls remaining can do little more but wait out the year—and pay.