University to increase student accommodation

Monday, 18 November 2002

The University of Adelaide has begun a major campaign to significantly increase the amount of student accommodation close to its North Terrace Campus.

This follows hot on the heels of Vice-Chancellor Professor James McWha's call to improve student accommodation and target 1,000 more beds over the next five years.

The need for improved and additional accommodation is motivated by the increase of international, interstate and rural students attending the University.

"The University is continuing to attract more overseas students with around 1,800 at the University this year. This figure is expected to increase significantly in coming years," says Ms. Susan MacIntosh, Executive Director, Student and Staff Services.

"In understanding Adelaide's demographic profile, the University will increasingly rely on attracting international and interstate students. The University is also working hard to attract more rural, remote and indigenous students. Therefore, the provision of student accommodation will become an important issue," she says.

"Our students, meanwhile, have diverse accommodation needs. These range from self-contained units to shared apartments with a number of beds and shared facilities," Ms. MacIntosh says. "The issue of security is also important for students."

"Generally, the majority of the students prefer the idea of having a community environment where they can mix freely and easily with their peers. The University also remains committed to providing subsidised accommodation for students in need," she says.

The University is currently running newspaper advertisements targeting developers, landlords, third-party managers and providers who are either able to provide facilities for lease or have appropriate student facilities.

There are five residential colleges affiliated with the University, which are located at North Adelaide: St Mark's College, Lincoln College, Aquinas College and St Ann's College and provide accommodation mainly for undergraduates. Kathleen Lumley College caters for postgraduates.

Ms. MacIntosh says that initial registrations of interest (to provide accommodation) close on December 19. "A short list of preferred providers will be established towards the end of January 2003."

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