Universities responding to Christchurch students’ needs
MEDIA RELEASE
4 March 2011
Universities responding to Christchurch students’ needs
In the aftermath of the earthquake, the New Zealand universities have been working together to assist affected students from the Canterbury region.
Lincoln University’s physical facilities are all useable and compliant. The university is open for staff and will resume teaching on the 14th of March. The University of Canterbury is also expected to begin a progressive start to the semester on the 14th of March. Both universities have confirmed they expect to deliver a full-year academic programme in 2011. Massey University is working directly with its Christchurch-based extramural students to respond to their needs while the University of Otago is in daily communication with the students of its Christchurch campus.
Universities New Zealand would like to reiterate that students should contact their Christchurch-based universities in the first instance to discuss any concerns they may have and to find out more about the options that are being made available to them (see list below). For students that have internet access, there are frequent updates available on each university’s website.
“While we expect that most Christchurch students will choose to remain with their chosen institution, some have been completely displaced due to loss of accommodation, family moves and other impacts of the disaster,” said Universities NZ Chair Derek McCormack. “The universities are working together with the Christchurch institutions to help displaced students continue to undertake their studies in 2011 with minimal disadvantage.”
Below is a list of some of the initiatives being undertaken by the New Zealand universities to assist students with their programmes of study. The list is not exhaustive and does not include the many other ways that universities are providing assistance to the people of Christchurch and the recovery effort.
The University of Auckland
The University of Auckland has signed an
exchange agreement with the University of Canterbury
(UC).
At UC’s request, Auckland is accepting
international undergraduate students who wish to spend a
semester on exchange from UC.
Auckland is also
accepting applications from domestic students for a similar
exchange programme from UC.
Auckland will help students
find accommodation through its Accommodation office
(accom@auckland.ac.nz).
Auckland University of Technology
Auckland University of Technology (AUT)
has signed an exchange agreement with the University of
Canterbury.
AUT will grant some University of Canterbury,
Lincoln University or Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of
Technology (CPIT) students extraordinary circumstances
admissions.
More detailed information on how AUT is
helping Christchurch students can be found on the AUT
website (see media release: AUT University support for
displaced students).
The University of Waikato
The University of Waikato has agreed to an
exchange programme with Canterbury.
Waikato has extended
its enrolment deadline and will waive late enrolment fees
for students affected by the earthquake.
Additional
orientation programmes for transferring students are being
run and counselling is being offered.
Massey University
Massey University has signed an exchange
agreement with the University of Canterbury.
Massey has
extended its late enrolment deadline to accept students
affected by the Canterbury earthquake until 5pm on March
14.
More detailed information on how Massey is helping
students affected by the earthquake can be found on its
website (see media release: Massey offers options to
quake-affected students).
Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria has signed an exchange agreement
with the University of Canterbury.
Applications from
earthquake affected university students wishing to transfer
to Victoria for Trimester One have been extended until 5pm
March 11 and will be accepted where possible according to
space constraints. All those transferring are being
registered as UC students.
More detailed information on
how Victoria is helping students affected by the earthquake
can be found on its website (see media release: Victoria
University supports Canterbury students).
Lincoln University
Lincoln University is in the fortunate position of being able to offer support to other Christchurch-based institutions by providing access to space for teaching delivery.
University of Otago
The University of Otago has extended its enrolment
deadline for students affected by the earthquake until 11
March.
At UC’s request, Otago is accepting
international undergraduate students who wish to spend a
semester on exchange from UC.
More detailed information
on how Otago is helping students affected by the
Christchurch earthquake can be found on its website (see
media releases: Earthquake Affected Students Welcome at
Otago and Otago Provides Assistance for Canterbury
and Lincoln
Students
ends)