The closure of Arana College has been confirmed for 2024, putting the University’s plan to increase its number of full-time students in a bit of a sticky situation.
One of the priorities of the University’s Strategic Plan, Pae Tata, was to increase its number of full time students by 11% for 2030 - despite losing hundreds of staff who would be expected to shoulder that considerable increase in attendance. And even if classroom resources are available, Otago may literally not have enough beds to house this many students.
To put it briefly: although the opening of Te Rangihīroa in 2024 will add another 450 beds, the closure of Arana will mean 404 people need new accommodation. 14 of these were transferred to Studholme, leaving 390 to take beds in Te Rangihīroa. With an extra 66 rooms at Aquinas expected to be ready in 2024, this leaves the total extra beds at 126.
The University’s Director of Campus Development, Tanya Syddall, informed Critic Te Ārohi that Arana College will be closed to prospective students in 2024. The renos will focus on “upgrading fire compliance works, disability and accessibility improvements and seismic strengthening, with an expected cost of $14,850,000”. With such a budget one could buy 625,263,157 paper clips or 3,413,793 cups of coffee or, perhaps most spectacularly, 4.5 average-sized whales (or sort out our Geology Department for 15 years). Evidently, a lot of money.
Critic Te Ārohi caught up with fifth-year James* who gave his thoughts on the plans to increase University capacity. “I think most people will be pretty pro, more students is the only way to make money.” Although James did go on to question how the Uni plans to cater for these new students: “There’s not enough room in halls, and the flats aren’t up to standard, where do they all go?”
Tanya also confirmed to Critic Te Ārohi that, without any unforeseen delays, Arana College will be back open again for the start of the academic year in 2025.
*Name changed.