Cambridge University college sorry for 'embarrassing' messy students

A Cambridge University college has apologised after its housekeeping staff allegedly embarrassed a student by posting images of messy rooms.

University publication Varsity said students complained about a "massive invasion of privacy" after pictures of communal areas and a bedroom were emailed around Fitzwilliam College.

The college said the "inclusion of the image of a [bed]room was unacceptable".

It said it had apologised to the student concerned.

The student newspaper reported the college sent an email last week with images of students' messy bedrooms and kitchens, which were "taken without their consent".

"The email described these photos as 'an illustration of what housekeeping do not want to see on their weekly visits'," it wrote.

The article also reported students' concerns that they were sometimes woken at 07:00 by cleaners asking them to tidy some areas before cleaning could take place.

In a statement released to the BBC, a Fitzwilliam College spokesperson said: "An email was sent by a member of staff to all students setting out cleaning expectations for those living in college accommodation.

"As part of this email, photos of communal areas were attached, alongside a photo of an unidentified student bedroom.

"The inclusion of the image of a student room was unacceptable and the college has issued an apology to the student and recalled the email."

It said steps had been taken "with immediate effect to ensure that this does not happen again".

Responding to complaints about students being woken and asked to tidy communal areas, the spokesperson said: "Historically, when spaces were so untidy that cleaning could not be carried out, housekeepers used to knock on students' doors, to offer them the opportunity to move items, so that they did not miss out on the weekly clean.

"This was always after 8am, usually later, and was meant to be of benefit to the students. In response to recent feedback... this practice has stopped, and instead students receive emails to say the kitchen needs tidying for the following week."