KU are planning to spend around £1 million on new signs, in the face of student criticism that the money could be better spent.

The signs are to replace the kicking K symbol and will appear across all KU sites in a project which will be completed over a number of years. This year’s budget for the signs is £143,000 to be reviewed annually by the Property Management and Development team but the total cost of the signage is predicted at £1 million by the University.

Deidre Ferrier, Communications Officer for Campus Development, said: “New signs are being rolled out now because we believe good signage is important to help students, staff and visitors find their way around and to know they're in the right place.”

However many students believe  the money could be put to better use. News of the University's signage spending came just as frustrated students took to the streets in a ‘Save Our Sports’ campaign - calling for better sports facilities.

Katie Forbes, 20, a Human Rights and History student said: “I think it is a complete waste of money. The university should use the money to secure a plot for sports facilities, definitely not on signs.”

"I think it is a complete waste of money"
Katie Forbes, student

Other students felt the money could be used to improve learning resources or to subsidise student cafe prices. Sam Harvey, 20, a Film and TV student said: “The university's priority should be on helping students, redeveloping some of the buildings, on sports facilities and subsidising food, not on signs outside.”

Ms Ferrier said that improving signage, improving sports provision and improving the LRCs are “all priorities for the University and all three contribute to the student experience. As part of the Campus Development plan we are investing and improving LRCs. We are also actively expanding and improving sport and recreation facilities.”

Ms Ferrier said the move to replace the signs was in part a response to feedback from first years. But Sophie Becic, a second year drama student, said: “There was nothing wrong with the old signs, there is just no need for the new ones. The money needs to be spent inside the University not outside it.”

Despite Knights Park offering a wide range of design courses, the University have chosen not to tap into the resources of the students in the design of the new signs. Of the total cost of the signs, 12 per cent is spent on installation while the rest of the cost relates to the manufacture of the signs to the University's corporate specification. 

Do you think the money could be better spent? Please submit your views below.