Differences between Imperial College term dates and those suggested by University of London have had a detrimental impact on IC students in intercollegiate halls, ICU sports clubs and IC students’ participation in ULU elections.

This year, Imperial College term started a full 2 weeks after University of London's recommended term dates. This created disappointments for IC students in intercollegiate halls of residence, who arrived having missed their halls' induction events. Furthermore, at 2 or 3 weeks into term for many of their fellow hallmates, friendship groups had already been formed with the exclusion of the IC students. The isolation resulting from such exclusion added to the often difficult experience of leaving home for the first time has obvious student welfare implications, particularly when the situation is aggravated by their exclusion from Imperial College Union Freshers' events.

There have also been problems with the University of London Union sports leagues, in which many ICU sports clubs participate, having their first fixtures on the Wednesday of Freshers' week. Whilst teams from other colleges are likely to have had a couple of weeks' training as well as held trials to pick their teams, those from Imperial College are unlikely to have formed teams at such an early stage of the term. Some of these fixtures have been rearranged with knock on effects several weeks into term however it was not possible to rearrange some fixtures.

An additional disadvantage was doled out to IC students have been hindered in standing for part time officer positions within ULU this year as a result of the closing date for nominations for the elections for these positions falling before the start of IC term. ICU has raised a complaint with ULU that this arrangement was undemocratic and unfair on their members. ULU President, Chris Piper admitted that "it is unfortunate that the elections closed prior to the start of session at Imperial" but stated that a wish to have 3 council meetings within this academic term, with a sufficient period between each one to enable the to be meetings productive and the desire that, for democratic reasons, the long period between councils over the summer vacation be minimised motivated a decision to hold council as early as 13th October. He also pointed out that there is a historical precedent for having the first council of term in that week. ICU President, Mustafa Arif however commented that the meeting could have been delayed by a week, thus bringing the close of nominations into IC Freshers' week.

One the broader issue of IC term dates and the various problems they've created, Mr Arif has spoken to college officials who he says are sympathetic to the problems identified. They advised that the case for term dates that are closer in line with that set out by the University of London be included in ICU's application for a full Freshers' week (free of lectures), which will be considered by the College Senate in November.