Fiji’s USP Housing Backlog Sparks Student Welfare Crisis

Students and parents at the University of the South Pacific’s Laucala Campus are expressing growing concerns regarding unresolved accommodation issues as the new academic year gets underway. The Consumer Council of Fiji has intervened, labeling the situation a “student welfare crisis” following a visit to the campus on February 23.

Many students, especially first-years unfamiliar with Fiji, are grappling with uncertainty about their housing status, which has resulted in them waiting outside the Halls Office each day instead of concentrating on their studies. Seema Shandil, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council, emphasized the university’s responsibility to ensure that students are provided with safe and suitable housing.

Reports indicated that some students received last-minute notifications about their housing status, leaving them searching for private rentals at steep prices. Others who initially received confirmation of housing were later informed that their allocations were canceled or that rooms remained unavailable.

One parent from Rakiraki recounted repeatedly traveling with his daughter in hopes of securing accommodation, only to be turned away without clear answers. He described the experience as financially burdening and emotionally draining.

The Consumer Council has demanded that USP prioritize clearing the accommodation backlog, provide a clear processing timeline to the public, and offer a formal explanation of the situation and the steps to rectify it. The Council considers the current state of accommodation management unacceptable for an institution with the reputation of USP.

Efforts are ongoing to obtain comments from the University of the South Pacific regarding these matters. This situation highlights the urgent need for universities to enhance communication and transparency in their operations, ensuring that student welfare is at the forefront of their agendas. Such challenges, while significant, offer an opportunity for USP to implement necessary changes that will improve student experiences moving forward.