Mixed halls approved

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33061, 31 October 1972, Page 1

Mixed halls approved

A new era in the provision of residential accommodation by the University of Canterbury began yesterday with acceptance of the principles of male and female students sharing the one institution.

The University of Canterbury Council, which earlier this’ year allowed female students to occupy the top floor of one of its three new halls

of residence in Maidstone Road, yesterday decided to extend this temporary step, making it official policy for all three halls. This would mean that if the university decided to sell Helen Connon Hall in Chester Street when the move to Ham was completed in 1974, no University of Canterbury hall of residence would be devoted entirely to female students, apart from those run by the churches, the Vice-Chancellor (Professor N. C. Phillips) said.

Professor Phillips told the council that there was likely to be almost two applications for each of the 313 residential places available for 1973, at the university. More than 656 applications had been made, and to this might be added about 30 to cater for overseas students. Professor Phillips said that it might be necessary to ask the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to retain the use of Warwick House in Armagh Street for a year more than was envisaged at present