Hiatt Baker Hall

Hiatt Baker Hall, which is located on the Stoke Bishop campus, is one of the University’s catered Halls of Residence – indeed, its largest Hall. On our web pages, you can find much practical information about the Hall, and get some sense of its character. Our web pages are largely directed at our current student residents, but they will also be of interest to others, and in particular to prospective applicants.

Important information for 2012/13

Construction is underway for a transport hub and 339 additional bedrooms in new residential blocks within the boundaries of the existing Hiatt Baker site (including an additional town house). The proposed completion date of the transport hub is by the beginning of the academic year 2013, with completion of the new residences by the intake of 2014. News on the work is available on the project website.

All current study bedrooms at Hiatt Baker Hall will be available for let throughout the project, with access via University Hall driveway. The nature of any construction will at times cause varying levels of disturbance, especially to the rooms directly facing onto the site, see plans (3 - The Design Response). Hours of work are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Advance notice will be given if work should become necessary on Saturdays later in the project.

We will make every effort to update the construction timetable on a weekly basis and Hall staff are available to support residents.

Update (20 May):

• Construction newsletter (PDF, 810kb)
• Please be aware that the University Hall driveway is currently constricted due to ongoing drainage works and construction of the transport hub.
• The tower crane will remain until November 2013.
• Work on emergency vehicular access to DEF blocks is now completed.
• Halsall Construction have made good progress on the warden's house.

Introduction

Hiatt Baker Hall is a catered residence located in Stoke Bishop. It is a five minute walk from the main University sports ground at Coombe Dingle, and also shares sports facilities such as squash, tennis and basketball courts on the Stoke Bishop site. Hiatt Baker is the largest Hall of Residence and was built in the 1960s.

Living at Hiatt Baker Hall

The Warden is in overall charge of the Hall, and leads a pastoral team comprising the Deputy Warden and 12 senior residents and a Student Support Administrator. Senior residents are generally mature students chosen for their approachability. They are the first point of contact for any problems in Hall.

The main building is the focus of hall life. It contains the dining room, bar with large screen TV, games room with snooker and pool tables, and gym. On site there is also a computer room, a music rehearsal room (plus the Hall’s grand piano), launderette and recycling facilities. In the same building but with separate access is the Source Café and shop. All public areas and student rooms are strictly non-smoking.

Hiatt Baker Hall is all about the people, and with so many residents you will always make many friends. You will meet people with similar, and diverse, cultures and interests together with people from all over the world. Dining together in a catered hall is a great opportunity to meet people, one of the reasons why catered halls are so much more social than self-catered. Vegetarian options are always on the menu, and most dietary requirements can be catered for. Please enquire if you have special dietary needs.

Formal meals are held on a regular basis, offering the opportunity to dress up and dine in a more formal and traditional atmosphere.

The Junior Common Room (JCR) Committee is elected from the Hall’s student residents in the first term and is a great way to get involved, organising Hall balls, pub quizzes, evenings for overseas students, open mic nights, intramural sports, plays and whatever else you have the enthusiasm for. If do not have the time to organise events in hall, you can still benefit by joining in! The JCR are also the voice of the student residents on the Bar and Hall Advisory Committee where they can raise any issues of concern.

There is also the chance to earn some money and make friends working in the bar.

Accommodation

The Hall has 443 single study bedrooms with washbasin, three with no washbasin, all with shared bathroom facilities. The rooms are of a good size and are light and airy. Every room has a telephone and internet connection.

Accommodation is arranged on floors of three levels, with between 21 and 30 rooms. On each floor there are two pantries, fitted with small cookers, fridges and microwaves for the preparation of simple meals. All floors are mixed sex.

More about the Hall >>