As the University of the South Pacific (USP) embarks on its second week of classes, students face a significant accommodation crisis. Many individuals, particularly those from remote islands, are left stranded on the Laucala Campus.
The Consumer Council of Fiji has intervened, labeling the situation a “student welfare crisis.” After a recent visit to the campus, the council reported that students have been gathering outside the Hall’s Office daily, seeking answers but leaving empty-handed.
A father from Rakiraki, whose daughter is a student, is making daily drives to the campus in the hopes of securing accommodation but has consistently been turned away without any confirmation. Similarly, a mother from Tonga is stranded in Fiji because her son has yet to find a bed for the school year, leading to rising living expenses.
One student’s experience exemplifies the confusion surrounding the accommodation situation. Having received an email confirming a room, she found it cancelled when she arrived for her key, without any prior notice.
On Thursday night, the university communicated with students on the waiting list, expressing gratitude for their timely responses but delivering disappointing news: “We regret to inform you that we are currently unable to confirm accommodation placements.” The university revealed that it received over 2000 applications for only 1073 beds and advised students to seek off-campus accommodation actively.
Seema Shandil, CEO of the Consumer Council, criticized the university for its lack of transparency. She stated, “The university has a clear duty of care to ensure students are not left stranded without safe and secure housing.” The Council has formally demanded that USP address the backlog and improve communication while also explaining its shortcomings to the Fiji Higher Education Commission.
Currently, students find themselves with limited options: they can either navigate the challenges of Suva’s expensive rental market or continue waiting for an email that may never arrive. As the university grapples with these issues, there is hope that swift action will be taken to resolve the accommodation crisis and restore confidence among the student body.
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