Deans Court Renovations 2019-2020

Alumni currently visiting Deans Court may be surprised to see the scaffolding currently surrounding Main Building.

In late 2018, the committee and residents were made aware of the fact that in the academic year of 2019-2020, the main building would be closing, and undergoing some extensive renovations - such as rewiring, and adding sinks to the bedrooms that were yet to have them installed.

In February of 2019, the committee were informed by Residential Business Services (RBS) that once Deans Court re-opened in 2020, it would no longer have a catering provision, and that the renovations would be including transforming the commercial kitchen into a self-catering one. This meant that the dining room - undoubtedly a crown jewel in the firmament of Deans Court - wouldn't be accessible for any other residents other than those living in main building.

After 8 months of negotiations with RBS, during which alumni and current residents took the time to write accounts of the importance of catering to isolated postgraduates and the sense of community that was created from communal dining, an agreement was finally reached between the committee and residents with the heads of RBS, and a plan decided upon which would see the catering provision retained.

For those curious about the works, the plans and blueprints may be seen at the included links, on Fife Council's Planning page.

https://planning.fife.gov.uk/online/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=PSOZZNHFMC000
https://planning.fife.gov.uk/online/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=PSMZCDHFMVR00&activeTab=summary

It is hoped that these renovations will be concluded in time for the start of the 2020-2021 academic year, when the new residents of Deans Court will once again be able to enjoy the communal spaces of the hall, and the very special catering provision.

Written February 2020.