A student says she has lost trust in her college and feels ‘gaslit’ after the accommodation she is living in became infested with cockroaches.

Around 60 Oxford University students living at Exeter College’s Cohen Quad, in Walton Street, were informed before the start of the new academic year that two of the building’s kitchens would be closed.

One student, who wished to stay anonymous, alleged the college said this closure was due to maintenance work but she heard rumours from other students there was an issue with cockroaches in Cohen Quad.

She initially found this “outlandish” and did not believe that there was any such problem.  

However, her friends and other then began to find the bugs in their rooms, bathrooms and on the fridges, which they photographed.

The student states this is when the college admitted the closure of the kitchen facilities were due to the bugs.

“It is super uncomfortable, it makes me feel itchy because I feel like I am living in a place that is unclean.

“I know a lot of people online have been saying ‘oh, it’s the students fault, they should have been cleaner’ but people do not realise this was a problem before we got here,” she said.

She added that several students have said they want the entire building to be fumigated to ensure the insects do not return.

The student alleges the communication received from the college during the on-going situation has been “disrespectful” and treated students like children, which she likened to “gaslighting”.

The college, however, vehemently denies these claims.

Overall, the Cohen Quad-resident feels the situation has impacted her trust of the college significantly as she does not feel communication has been transparent or has she been able to use the kitchen for weeks.  

The kitchens are expected to reopen for student use on October 29.

A spokesperson from Exeter College said: “Following sightings of cockroaches in Cohen Quad, pest controllers are taking appropriate measures to eradicate the insects as quickly as possible, including spraying the affected communal kitchens, which are closed, and the deployment of monitors.

“The College deeply regrets this unfortunate situation and we are grateful for students’ patience and support as we take the necessary action, and we will continue to keep them updated.

“We are liaising closely with student representatives to ensure the welfare of all students.

“The College has offered a 100 per cent discount on meals taken in College, and those students who prefer to cook for themselves can use unaffected kitchens both on site and at the College’s Turl Street site.”

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This story was written by Sophie Perry. She joined the team in 2021 as a digital reporter.

You can get in touch with her by emailing: sophie.perry@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @itssophieperry

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