The Big Robinson Survey, conducted by the Robinson College Students’ Association (RCSA), reveals major dissatisfaction on rent, mental health, and college-student relations.

30% of respondents found that “significant stress or concerns” are caused by paying rent while 23% would like to have chosen a room from a cheaper band, but limited numbers are available.

196 students responded to the survey, including 44% of the undergraduate population.

After the RCSA’s efforts to lobby a deal on accommodation with the College in 2017, which saw the increase of the number of ‘value rooms’, which are the cheapest option for students, from five to 13, and limited residence charge increase to 2% for incoming freshers. Only 17% of respondents reported themselves satisfied with this deal in response to their concerns about the costs of living in Robinson, and 24% of respondents said they would like to rent a ‘value’ room.

On welfare, 60% of respondents believe that attending the University has a negative impact on their mental health, with the proportion of students expressing such concern similar among both STEM and humanities students.

48% of the respondents believe that they would benefit from having counselling services in College, however almost half do not feel comfortable going to their tutor for personal problems.

Robinson College currently does not have a college counsellor, with only a part-time college nurse and the RCSA Welfare Officer available for help in college. Of the 17% of respondents who have sought an appointment with the University Counselling Service, more than a third reported long waiting times of over a month.

On relations between staff and students, only 36% of respondents believe that College staff understand their concerns and experiences, while less than 30% of students feel that the Robinson’s senior staff are a part of the College community.

Martin Reavley, Fellow and former Financial Tutor of Robinson College, told Varsity that he agrees the results of the survey points to a need to reduce rents, and that he “have [has] seen detailed analyses of rent levels across Cambridge which indicate that Robinson is significantly out of step”.

Dr. Brian Sloan, current Financial Tutor of Robinson College, declined to comment on the situation but said that “more broadly, the College provides appropriate assistance to students who face unforeseen financial hardship.”

The Senior Tutor and Warden of Robinson College have been contacted for comment.