Insight: What is life like in the Factory Residence?
In the video, first year students voice their opinions about their experience living in the Factory Residence Hall. Member of its staff, Virginia Sanz, responds to their comments.
The Factory Residence Hall was inaugurated in 2013, and it's the second residence in IE's Segovia Campus, after the Reyes Catolicos residence. Currently, the residence has an agreement with the university, declaring that it gives priority to IE students, but explains that it's not mutually exclusive.
Three months ago, a first year student created a petition in Change.org with the purpose to increase the quality of the food in The Factory Residence Hall. Today, it has 101 signatures out of the 150 residents.
Students without hesitation stated that the worst thing about Factory is the food, then the Wi-Fi and ultimately, the lack of activities for bonding with the residents.
“This year has been the year with best food, I can assure you. It is the most variety we have ever had,” Virginia Sanz, the Factory's receptionist responds.
“Anything the students want, they can ask for it. We are always open to suggestions. What people need to do is to talk to us instead of complaining without telling us.”
Virginia said that the cooks prepare food for 150 people from which 100 go to dinner on a daily basis. Also 6 people are vegetarian, and only 2 of them eat dinner in the residence. She says having more choices and more amount of food will only increase the garbage that is generated every year.
The staff have said they have tried improving the food and have met with a vegetarian student to discuss menu options.
Other than food, Factory staff have said to try and work on activities for students but have found to have difficulties with participation and engagement.
“Every time the Factory tried to do an activity, it has never worked. For example, this year we had Zumba and last week only one girl attended. This week - six. Therefore if people don’t have initiatives to participate, we have to cancel the activities,” explained Virginia.
“They have told me that in other years, people were more together, and it's true that we all know each other but we go different ways,” mentioned a Spanish student.
“The first year, they were 54 and they all went together; same as two years ago. This year, students go together according to their nationalities,” added Victoria. “And I noticed that they don’t open themselves to others.”
The staff have also said that this year, students have behaved very well. "The best of all years we’ve had! In other years, they partied more," exclaimed Sanz.
Students have said the best thing about living in Factory are the people, including the staff. They give a special mention to Virginia, but also add that they appreciate the cleaners, other receptionists and everyone in general.
"If I was a fresher again, I would definitely live in the Factory again. I will say that they have to change the food, but other than that, it has nothing bad, it is a perfect second-home,” an Italian student-resident acknowledged.
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