GCU Student’s Association introduces new Winter Warmer campaign
The GCU Student’s Association Winter Warmer campaign has completed it’s first week of operation, reviving fan favorite free breakfast to the Glasgow campus.
Open from 8:30am until 9:30am every weekday, the campaign aims to alleviate the impact cost of living has on students.
Food is the second biggest expense for students after rent, with the average learner spending over £100 monthly.
Glasgow Caledonian in the previous academic year introduced free breakfast to assist students as inflation soared.
But after the university axed its free breakfast scheme over summer, students have been left hungry.
Student media stepped in, with The Edit campaigning for the return of their coveted beans on toast and porridge.
The magazine’s editor in chief Daniel Byron said: “I think it’s a disgrace.
“What they’re doing is not good enough in regards to the new soup and a roll for a pound scheme.
“They’ve left it in the hands of the students association when they should be doing it themselves.”
With a smaller budget, the scope of Winter Warmer is much more limited than it’s predecessor.
Consequently, the Student’s Association has not been able to produce breakfasts on the same scale, with porridge and hot drinks the only options.
The Re:Union Bar and Grill is hosting, with a self serving approach to limit the amount of required staff.
As a requirement, students must provide their ID to claim their porridge and drink, to help staff maintain control.
Footfall has not been as high as the university run predecessor for a variety of reasons; such as the shorter opening hours in comparison to the previous year, and the smaller reach of the association’s advertising.
However, this is slowly improving.
Full time officer Solomon Ajala told the Glasgow Standard “We’re happy getting positive responses.
“Day in day out we have actually noticed that the inflow of students has actually increased.
“More students are getting to know about us and this scheme.”
Winter Warmer will run for all of trimester A, until December 15.
