The Otago University Postgraduate Students Association (OPA) have responded to the proposal to turn Abbey College from a postgraduate to an undergraduate hall with an open letter to staff and University officials. Students have been asked to leave by 15 November.
The open letter, which was written on behalf of concerned postgraduate students, hopes to spark an open dialogue to find a solution between the University and postgrads.
Pascale Lubbe, who is the Health Sciences Division Representative on OPA, said that students found the proposal “a weird thing to happen at the end of 2020 and it wasn’t a great thing for all of us”.
While the Uni told Critic in a previous statement that this is still just a proposal, students
“who want to stay but have no agreement, Campus and Collegiate Life Services staff will be working closely with them to help meet their summer accommodation needs in Dunedin,” said James Lindsay, the Director of Campus and Collegiate Life at the Uni.
From the perspective of Pascale and other postgrads, the proposal announcement from the University was more informative than open, and seemed to prevent open dialogue and discussion between students and staff about the matter. “It wasn’t the way to handle an event due to how it impacted people, we need to have an open dialogue at least,” she said.
Postgrads are also concerned about what will happen to those who cannot go home due to Covid-19 and border restrictions, said Pascale. Despite the Uni’s offer of support to find accommodation, Pascale is not convinced that there will be enough suitable accommodation over the summer, particularly as many postgrad students who join Abbey College do so because they “don’t wanna worry about cooking or cleaning” while doing their research.
OPA hopes that this letter will start a discussion between postgrads and the Uni over their concerns “where we can try to meet these needs”.
Abbey College residents have been offered alternative accommodation at Cumberland Court.