Caught With Their Pantsoc Down

PantSoc and YUSU have blasted the University for their handling of the double booking of Central Hall.

The mistake was uncovered on Monday morning of Week 3 when members of PantSoc found chairs and tables still out in Central Hall when they should have been cleared out for the dress rehearsal of their latest offering, Dick Whittigton.

The double booking led to serious disruptions for the society, as their first performance on Thursday was effectively a technical and dress rehearsal combined.

“Despite having to stay late every night, we hadn’t had time to fully iron out all the technical details, so it wasn’t the smoothest performance, to say the least. The cast were absolutely amazing and did everything perfectly, but it wasn’t exactly the first night we’d hoped for” producers Anna Shaw and Alice Woodhall told Vision.

YUSU’s Student Activities Officer Rhianna Kinchin was equally disappointed in the University’s handling of the matter. “PantSoc did everything right in booking their rehearsal time and event in Central Hall months in advance,” She told Vision. “The University unfairly plonked an exam in there only a day or so beforehand.”

Initially thinking there had been some sort of misunderstanding, PantSoc contacted both portering and Room Booking. They were eventually told that there was a chemistry exam booked for the following afternoon.

“The worst thing is that, besides the woman who initially answered the phone at Room Bookings, we’ve had no apology from anyone whatsoever. I think it’s disgraceful that the performing societies get treated with so little consideration,” said the panto’s producers.

YUSU attempted to help PantSoc to work around the exam, but the rights of the Chemistry students also had to be taken in to consideration. A change in the schedule so close to their exam, would likely lead to serious disruption for the students.

In a statement, the University told Vision that the double booking was due to a mistake in the annual block booking of rooms for examinations. “University staff did their utmost to minimise disruption to PantoSoc. The University regrets any inconvenience that may have been caused.”

Kinchin, however, has expressed her displeasure at the university’s apparent lack of respect for their agreed, strict room booking procedures. “YUSU and PantSoc were given no choice but to accept the University’s last minute decision, but we have made it clear that they should not disregard students’ booking forms in this way again.”