The University of the South Pacific (USP) has responded to student concerns regarding accommodation at its Laucala Campus, acknowledging the heightened stress many students face as the academic year begins. The University reported that the demand for on-campus housing continues to outstrip available capacity, with Semester 1, 2026 seeing over 2,000 applications for only 1,073 beds.
To address this issue, USP employs a structured priority system for room allocations aimed at ensuring equity among students. First-year students from across the region receive the highest priority, followed by first-year students from outside Viti Levu and then those from outside the greater Suva area. If spaces are still available after this allocation, returning students are considered using the same criteria.
The University emphasized that timely application submissions are crucial, as those received after the deadline are not prioritized and can add pressure to already limited resources. Additionally, USP noted that students arriving on campus without prior accommodation approval have contributed to the challenges faced in managing available spaces.
In light of these challenges, USP is actively engaging with affected students to explore options for guidance and support. The University has expressed its commitment to handling the situation with care, empathy, and a focus on fairness. As USP continues to work through this accommodation dilemma, students can remain hopeful that supportive measures will be taken to alleviate their concerns.