OVER twenty language organizations have written to the head of Aberystwyth University stressing the value and importance of Welsh language halls of residences as powerhouses to strengthen the Welsh language in communities across Wales, following the recent threats to Pantycelyn hall.

In light of the recent campaign to safeguard Pantycelyn Hall, the organizations which are members of the umbrella group Dathlu’r Gymraeg, have declared their support for the campaign and also call upon Welsh universities to ensure that the language needs and well-being of students are taken into account when making accommodation and residence arrangements for them. Sociolinguistic research by leading language experts’ shows that communities where over 70% of the population speak the language is vitally important in order to maintain it as a normal community language. Welsh medium halls of residence such as Pantycelyn, therefore, are crucial in developing and supporting students’ language patterns.

In a letter to the Chancellor of the University, Sir Emyr Jones Parry, Penri Williams, Chairman of Dathlu’r Gymraeg said,

“We call on organizations such as Aberystwyth University for a clear commitment to the basic principle of providing adequate Welsh language accommodation for students and recognize the need for such locations to include suitable common spaces that allows Welsh-medium social life to thrive. Therefore, we beg you not to close Pantycelyn Hall.

“Pantycelyn hall has come to claim an iconic status in Welsh public life and therefore its important should be respected and the potential of such sites harnessed to ensure that students from all parts of Wales are able to live their lives through the medium of Welsh in future. In fact, we need more locations of this kind, if the Welsh language is to flourish in the coming decades.

“We think that Aberystwyth University should unequivocally declare their commitment to maintain this vital Welsh hall of residence and ensure that all decisions on these issues will consider the language needs of their students fully.

“In agreeing to commit to these principles, we feel as organizations that the university can ensure