During the closure period, report any maintenance issues directly to the Residences Reception as the Helpdesk will close. Reception is open 24/7 on 020 7882 6470 or at residences-reception@qmul.ac.uk.

If you live in Aspire Point, Blithehale Court or Sherren House, please follow the guidance provided at your hall.

Maintenance issues raised through the Estates Helpdesk may not be allocated until the University reopens on the 2nd January 2025 if you email them directly.

The Residential Cleaning team will be in on specific days to clear rubbish from kitchens and carry out a limited amount of their usual duties. If you need more bin bags during the closure – please collect these from Residences Reception at Mile End, Security in the Garrod Building at Whitechapel, or Security in Dawson Hall. Cleaning Services will be operating on the following days during the closure:

Cleaning Services will be operating on the following days during the closure:

Mile End:

• 23 December 24
• 27 December 24
• 28 December 24
• 30 December 24

Dawson Hall and Floyer House:

• 23 December 24
• 24 December 24
• 27 December 24
• 29 December 24
• 31 December 24

Aspire Point, Blithehale Court and Sherren House residents should follow the guidance for your specific hall provided by your own Reception team.

The Residences Reception at Mile End will remain open 24/7 throughout the University closure period, as will Security. You can contact Reception either in person at the Residences Reception at France House, or via email using residences-reception@qmul.ac.uk or by phone on 020 7882 6470.

Parcel Locker queries during the closure:

All queries relating to parcels submitted after 3 pm on Monday 23 December will not be answered until after the University reopens on 2 January. Our usual 72-hour response period for queries, will not apply during this time.

If you are departing from Queen Mary and not returning, your room, kitchen (including your allocated kitchen cupboard/fridge space) and other common areas of your residence must be vacated and left completely clear of all items, food and rubbish. Extra rubbish bags are available for your use and can be collected from Residences Reception at France House, Security Reception at Dawson Hall or from the Security Office in the Garrod Building.

Additional cleaning or rubbish clearance will be charged.

Keys including access cards and post box keys must be returned in person by 10am on the last day of your licence agreement, to:

• Reception, France House, Westfield Way for Mile End residents
• Security Reception at Dawson Hall for Dawson Hall residents
• Security Office at the Garrod Building for Floyer House and Varden Street residents
• Reception, Aspire Point for Aspire Point residents
• Reception, Sherren House for Unite-Sherren House residents

Keys should be returned in person in an envelope, with your full name, student ID number, and accommodation details (name of building, flat number and room letter) written clearly on the envelope. Free envelopes will also be available at key drop-off points.

• Please do not hand in keys loosely.
• Keys that cannot be matched or identified will lead to deposit deductions. Do not leave the keys in your room, or give them to a friend to hand in on your behalf.
• You will be issued with a key receipt, which is your proof of return to avoid any charges. Any keys not returned by the end date of the licence agreement or returned late will result in additional charges (which may include a minimum charge of £120 for a lock-change, plus £25 per item; key, access card, post-box key).
• Do not return you window key.
  

Have you got some odds and ends that you don’t know what to do with? You can donate your unwanted items to the Re-Use Fair – a programme that promotes Re-Use, not only to help students, but to also help reduce waste, resource use and carbon emissions.

See below for what we WILL and WON’T accept, how to store items, and where your nearest drop-off point is.

WE WILL ACCEPT:

• Clean and washed bedding – duvets, sheets & pillows
• Clean and washed towels
• Clean crockery and kitchenware*
• Other useful items (i.e. clothing hangers)
• Toiletries (full and unopened bottles only)
• Cleaning products
• Books (not course books - fiction)
• Knives will only be accepted at the Students' Union Hub collection point for reuse. All knives must be removed and handed over in a towel in a separate bag (e.g. sandwich bag or tied plastic bag etc.) or a secured container (such as a Tupperware box) - to prevent injury and ensure secure storage.

WE WILL NOT ACCEPT:

• Items NOT stored in double bin bags, zipped bags, a bag for life, or a securable container.
• Any food of any kind - please donate non-perishable food to the Bow Food Bank or to the SU Student Food Pantry.
• Clothes and shoes – please donate to the British Heart Foundation bins on campus
• Open and part-filled toiletries
• Plastic wallets, ring binders
• Knives or other sharps (place these in the sharps bin, or follow the process below to donate at the SU Hub Reception)

Please donate any other items to residents staying longer, other charities where relevant, or dispose of these in the general waste bin.

Drop-Off Locations and Times

Student Village, Next to the Parcel Lockers, bank 1, at France House:

• Monday 2 to Sunday 22 December - 10am - 4pm Daily

Student’s Union Hub Reception (Mile End Campus):

• Weekdays Only: Monday 2 to Monday 16 December - 9am - 5pm - Monday to Friday

PLEASE NOTE:

If you are donating a sharp knife, the Students' Union Hub will be the ONLY location accepting knife donations for reuse:

**All knives must be removed and handed over in a towel in a separate bag (e.g. sandwich bag or tied plastic bag etc.) or a secured container (such as a Tupperware box) - to prevent injury and ensure secure storage.**

Knives WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED at the Student Village Donation Station, here they should be placed into the designated sharps disposal blue wheelie bin.

Items must be securely stored in double bins bags, zipped bags, or a securable container.

If the drop-off times are not convenient for you, please donate your unwanted items to the British Heart Foundation donation banks*, located between Beaumont Court and Creed Court, or between Maynard and Varey House, also at Sherren House and Blithehale Court Bow Food Bank Boxes in the Zero Waste Shop and Village Shop or to the nearest charity shop. You may also consider donating any unopened and unused food items to the Queen Mary Students' Union Food Pantry for fellow students to use.

Any broken items or garbage must be disposed of in the recycling or general waste bins. Thank you. 

Find out more about how Queen Mary Students' Union is being green here and follow Queen Mary Sustainability on Instagram to stay up to date with the latest green news and events.

If you have any questions please contact QMSU Hub reception at su-qmsu.reception@qmul.ac.uk or the Residences Reception using residences-reception@qmul.ac.uk.

*THE BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION WILL NOT ACCEPT:

• Blankets
• Carpets/Rugs
• Cushions/Pillows
• Glass
• Metal
• Paper
• Quilts
• Rags
• Rubbish
• Videos

Here’s how you can help save energy over the break:

Switch Off

• Unplug Electronics: Chargers, kettles, and laptops still consume power when plugged in. Unplug them!
• Turn Off Lights: Check all rooms and hallways before leaving.
• Switch Off Heating: Turn off radiators and heaters, if possible.

Secure & Save

• Close Windows and Curtains: Prevent heat loss to maintain building warmth.
• Empty Your Fridge: Dispose of perishable items to reduce the amount of energy needed.

Double-Check

• Water: Ensure taps are turned off so nothing is left running, and to prevent leaks.
• Doors: Lock up securely to keep your space safe.

Every little action makes a difference! Thank you for supporting Queen Mary’s commitment to sustainability this holiday season. To get involved in more actions or initiatives related to energy-saving opportunities please get in touch with the team at sustainability@qmul.ac.uk