THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES Saturday, October 7, 1944. STUDENT ACCOMMODATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25660, 7 October 1944, Page 6

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES Saturday, October 7, 1944. STUDENT ACCOMMODATION

The fact that the session of the University is drawing to a close suggests the desirability of considering means whereby the city may be better able next year than it now is to provide housing for the students whom it is proud to receive from other centres of population. Since the founding of the three original residential colleges—Selwyn in 1893, Knox in 1909, and St. Margaret’s in 1911—no serious effort had been made to cope with the student accommodation problem until the establishment in 1941 of the Stuart House Council and the creation this year of a civic committee under the chairmanship of the Mayor. Of the 1200 students who live away from home for the purpose of attending Otago University or Dunedin Training College, less than 500 can be accommodated in the residential colleges and in the hostels associated with the School of Home Science. Each year some 200 students are doomed to disappointment in their applications for admission to the residential colleges. It is estimated that upwards of 700 students are obliged to rely on private lodgings which are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain and, in some cases at lfast, are quite inadequate. Many hundreds of students must come to Dunedin for the reason that the national schools of Medicine, Dentistry and Home Science are located here. On the other hand, students who might have pursued their studies in some other centre have been attracted to Dunedin by the material and cultural amenities afforded by its residential colleges no less than by its invigorating climate and its university atmosphere—important factors conducive to study. At a recent meeting convened by the Dunedin Development Council, Otago University was referred to as probably the biggest asset possessed by Dunedin, while it was suggested that the city’s educational facilities should be included among the features to be stressed in the plan of development. It is obvious that any plans for attracting rpore students must be associated with plans for their suitable accommodation. Good accommodation at reasonable rates should be foremost among the attractions which this city offers to students. The provision of additional residential accommodation will entail heavy capital expenditure. The three original colleges were established through the public-spirited interest of the Church of England and the Presbyterian Church, the funds required being provided almost entirely by individual citizens. These colleges have their own plans for extensions which will ultimately cater for 70 additional students. The Stuart House Council is still in the developmental stage and, subject to financial assistance being forthcoming, could increase by 80 or 90 the number whom it can accommodate. Stuart House in Cumberland street for women and Arana Hall in Clyde street for men are beginning to take their place in the pattern of the city’s residential colleges. It is not generally recognised that residential colleges labour under an economic disability inherent in the nature of the service they provide. Because board and lodgings are provided only during the session of eight or nine months of the year the capital and equipment involved are idle, and unproductive for a considerable part of the year. None of the colleges is able to do more than meet expenses; the cost of full-time supervision cannot be met from the ordinary revenue. These difficulties have been greatly accentuated by the present high cost of food and labour, and by the assessment of the colleges for full city rates. It will thus be apparent that the colleges can in no sense be regarded as profitmaking or commercial enterprises, although the municipal authorities place them in this category. Last year an approach was made by the City Council' to the University of Otago offering to consider ways in which the city might render more adequate service to the University. In response to this offer, the University Council and the Otago Education Board in turn brought under the City Council’s notice the claims qf the residential colleges for some relief in respect of city charges. The refusal given to requests for concessions wsis based on the minor issue that. other institutions would expect similar concessions. There is no evidence here of the. question having received consideration in its wider aspects, nor of appreciation on the part of the civic authorities of the distinctive place which the residential colleges occupy in this community. It should be unnecessary to emphasise the importance of the contribution which the residential colleges make to the life of the . University. nor the justice of their claim to share, equally with the Upiversity, concessions in respect of city rates. Dunedin, of all the centres, should set an example in the concessions it offers for the maintenance of the present services to students and for their urgent extension. The value of a University and its residential colleges to a community cannot be assessed in terms of revenue; it is inestimable and incalculable. A municipality which, by, its charges, retards the development and expansion of these institutions renders a disservice to the community.