Connaught Hall, London facts for kids
Connaught Hall is a special place where students live while they study at the University of London. It's like a big shared house called a hall of residence. You can find it in Bloomsbury, London, on Tavistock Square.
Students from many different colleges of the University of London live here. This includes places like King's College, University College London (UCL), and the London School of Economics (LSE).
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History of Connaught Hall
Connaught Hall was started in 1919 by Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn. He was the third son of Queen Victoria. At first, it was only for male students. Prince Arthur wanted it to be a way to remember the Duchess of Connaught, who had passed away.
In 1928, the Duke gave the Hall to the University of London. Connaught Hall moved to its current spot on Tavistock Square in 1961. The building used to be a group of old Georgian houses. For many years, only boys lived there. But in 2001, girls started living there too, making it a mixed-sex hall.
Who Lives at Connaught Hall?
For over 90 years, only male students lived at Connaught Hall. But in September 2001, female students were welcomed for the first time.
Today, Connaught Hall is one of eight similar halls run by the University of London. It can fit 214 full-time students. There's a good mix of boys and girls from many different backgrounds. Most students are in their first year of university. They usually stay for one year. About 10% of students can return for a second year if they have a special reason. Around 10% of the residents are also postgraduate students. About a third of the students come from other countries.
Rooms and Facilities
Most students have their own single room. There are also a few twin rooms for students who want to share. Every room has a washbasin. Toilets and showers are shared with other students on the floor.
The Hall has lots of shared spaces. There are two TV rooms, a music room with a piano, and a restaurant. You can also find a laundrette for washing clothes and a secure place to store bikes. There's a nice courtyard garden and a quiet study room. Each floor has a small kitchen area with a fridge and microwave. The reception desk is open all day and night.
Students get a bedding pack when they arrive. This includes pillows, a duvet, and sheets. Students are responsible for washing their own bed linen. Housekeepers clean the student rooms every two weeks. Shared areas are cleaned every day.
Connaught Hall provides all meals for its residents. Breakfast is served on weekdays. On Saturdays and Sundays, you can enjoy brunch. Dinner is served every evening at 6 PM.
Staff at the Hall
Each university hall has a Hall Manager. They also have a Warden and several student Resident Advisors. The Hall Managers and their team work full-time during the day. The Wardens and Resident Advisors work part-time. They are usually students or staff members from the University of London.
Hall Management Team
- Hall Manager
- Assistant Manager
The Hall Manager is in charge of the building, its furniture, and money. They make sure there is food, maintenance, internet, cleaning, and reception services. They also handle things like conferences and guest bookings.
Things like room assignments are handled by a central office. Paying for your room is also done through a central finance office.
Warden and Resident Advisors
- Warden
- Five student Resident Advisors
The Warden lives in the Hall and helps students with their well-being. They also handle rules and help solve problems. The Warden helps organize social events and leads the student community. They are usually a senior academic from the University of London. The current Warden, Dr Adrian Clark, is an emergency doctor. Five student Resident Advisors, often postgraduate students, help the Warden.
Many students are living away from home for the first time. The Warden is there to offer advice and support. The Warden also supervises the Residents' Club Committee. This committee runs the Hall bar and organizes fun events. The Warden and Resident Advisors are trained in fire safety and first aid. There is always a Duty Resident Advisor on call at night and on weekends for emergencies.
Residents' Club Committee
The Residents' Club Committee is made up of five students who live in the Hall. They are chosen by other students in an election. The Warden and the Bar Manager are also part of this committee.
Elections for the committee happen every October. Students who want to join need support from two other residents. After a short time campaigning, candidates give speeches. Then, everyone votes in secret. The Warden oversees the elections and helps the committee with its activities and money.
The Committee runs the Hall bar (which has been closed since the Covid-19 pandemic). They also organize many social and sports events throughout the year. These events are paid for by a small fee that all residents pay. This money also buys newspapers and magazines for students to use. The committee members can also share students' ideas and concerns with the staff.
The Residents' Club Committee usually organizes these fun events every year:
- A welcome party at the start of the first term.
- A Hallowe'en party or a Guy Fawkes' party.
- Decorating the Christmas tree with treats like mulled wine and mince pies.
- A Christmas party, often with a special Christmas Dinner, music, and carol singing.
- A Valentine's party.
- A "boat party" on the River Thames, which is a big event of the year.
- A summer "farewell" party.
- A group photo of all the residents.
Each committee also plans its own special activities. Recently, these have included football games, salsa classes, yoga, and trips to places like Paris and Amsterdam!
