The University of the South Pacific (USP) is responding to growing student concerns about accommodation challenges at its Laucala Campus as the new academic year begins. The institution has recognized that many students are experiencing increased stress due to the overwhelming demand for on-campus housing. For Semester 1, 2026, the university received over 2,000 applications for just 1,073 available beds, highlighting a significant shortfall in accommodation.
To tackle this issue, USP has implemented a structured priority system for allocating rooms to promote fairness among students. First-year students from all regions receive top priority, followed by those attending from outside Viti Levu, and then students from the greater Suva area. If any spaces remain after this allocation, returning students are considered based on the same criteria.
The university has stressed the importance of timely submission of housing applications, noting that those received after the deadline are not given priority, which can exacerbate the existing strain on resources. Moreover, USP reported that students arriving on campus without prior accommodation approval have further complicated the management of available spaces.
In response to these difficulties, the University is engaging with impacted students to explore potential options for assistance and guidance. USP remains committed to addressing the situation empathetically, striving for fairness as it navigates through the accommodation predicament. Amidst these challenges, there is hope that supportive measures will be put in place to ease student concerns and improve their experience at the university.