The Consumer Council of Fiji has deemed the ongoing student accommodation issues at the University of the South Pacific’s Laucala Campus as “unacceptable,” calling for urgent intervention to address the delays and communication breakdowns affecting students.
During a recent visit, council representatives noted a significant level of uncertainty among students regarding their housing, even as classes commenced. Large crowds formed outside the Halls Office, leading to mounting frustrations, particularly for those whose accommodation confirmations were unexpectedly withdrawn, leaving them without a place to stay.
The council voiced serious concerns about the temporary housing scenarios and operational inefficiencies, characterizing the situation as a critical matter concerning student welfare. They have urged the university to promptly tackle the accommodation backlog, improve communication with students, and formalize an explanation of the shortcomings alongside proposed corrective measures.
In response, the University of the South Pacific acknowledged the gravity of the issues highlighted by the council. They explained that the demand for housing this semester significantly exceeded their capacity, with over 2,000 applications received for only 1,073 beds available. The university prioritizes accommodation for first-year students from across the region, followed by students from outside Viti Levu and returning students.
The university also pointed to factors such as late applications and arrivals, which did not have prior approval, contributing to the housing pressure. Still, USP remains committed to handling the situation with “care, empathy, and fairness.”
This situation underscores the crucial need for institutions to ensure that reliable and adequate accommodation is available for students, especially at the academic year’s start. As discussions progress, there is optimism that effective solutions will emerge to relieve current pressures and better support student welfare in the future.