Increased capacity and higher chances for first-year students – that is the improved reality for students in this academic year. Even more beds will become available once the major renovations of the Kounicova dormitory are finished before the start of the next academic year, and new student housing projects are scheduled at the Vinařská complex or in the Bohunice campus.
MU currently has 3,440 beds (57 more than in 2023/2024). “These new beds are the result of renovations of the dormitories in Komárov thanks to a new layout of the rooms and the remodelling of what used to be larger low-demand single rooms,” says Head of Accommodation of Accommodation and Catering Services Renata Pavlicová.
The reservations for this year started in May for the students already staying in dormitories. All 1,529 applications were approved. The next round of reservations was opened for 709 foreign students in the Erasmus or Degree student exchange programmes.
Ultimately the reservations of beds opened in August for the future first-year students. “The number of beds assigned to first-year students depends on the number of reservations submitted by the students already staying in dormitories who want to stay there. They must be full-time students within the permissible one extra year; so that as many beds as possible can be assigned to first-year students. Following this procedure, a total of 1,202 beds remained available for freshmen, which is way more than last year,” Pavlicová says.
Currently no beds are left available. “The list of applicants were finalised by 31 August. Every year a few dozen beds become available due to some students cancelling their reservations at the last moment for a variety of reasons. When a bed becomes available the next person on the list is contacted. This year we had over 700 applications that have been denied,” Pavlicová explains.
Situation as at 3 September 2024:
(compared with the previous academic year the number of beds for first-year students from the Czech Republic and Slovakia increased by 57 %)
Increased capacity
MU has long focused on the improvement of comfort for students staying in dormitories, typically through regular renovations. During the last two years alone one-half of all dormitory buildings operated by ACS saw renovations in some shape or form. Last spring and summer the Mánesova dormitory was renovated (new furniture, flooring and wall painting). The Bří. Žůrků dormitory in Komárov has a new roof terrace, step-free access and renovated units that feature a double and a triple room, with total costs amounting to CZK 4 million. The nearby Sladkého dormitory had its double rooms modernised, while the Vinařská residential complex saw the renovation of thermal-insulation façade and window replacement. Currently under renovation, the largest to date, is the Kounicova dormitory, scheduled for opening at the beginning of the 2025/2026 academic year.
MU has long strived to group its dormitories into fewer residential areas and to increase the number of beds to 5,000 through the construction of new dormitories at Vinařská and in the Bohunice campus. “The operation under this scenario will be more effective, as will the administration and costs. The cost element also applies to students. On top of that we will have more resources to invest in quality or to pay off subsidies for the new construction projects,” says Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and External Relations Jana Fialová.
Restrictions on e-bikes and scooters
Still in force is the restriction on battery-operated bicycles (e-bikes) and scooters within all buildings of MU due to fire hazards and safety issues. The management of ACS is repeatedly warned about the violation of this rule during inspections carried out by state authorities.
“Defect log”
All defects and needs for repairs within the premises, be they in rooms or common areas, must be reported electronically. “We are unable to monitor social media for discussions on what needs to be repaired. Any defects shall be reported via the online form (ISKaM) and its “Defect log” (Kniha závad). Students will specify the location of the defect, along with any details or possibly a photo,” says Irena Štejnarová who is in charge of the Mánesova dormitory operations.
New facade, thermal insulation and windows at Vinařská; renovation of roof terraces at Bří. Žůrků or ongoing two-year modernisation at Kounicova – Masaryk University is paying a lot of attention to regular maintenance of all nine dormitories operated by the Accommodation and Catering Services (ACS). Tens to hundreds of millions are invested into renovations or small-scale repairs annually.
In spite of increasing costs, Masaryk University is not planning to increase the accommodation prices as such. The rent in 2025 will only reflect the inflation rate according to the data published by the Czech Statistical Office (CZSO).