Monash University in Berwick has buckled under student pressure and offered alternative accommodation to students inconvenienced by delays in the completion of their on-campus accommodation. Student welfare officer Keegan Street was behind the push for compensation.By Rebecca Fraser
MONASH University in Berwick has been forced to find accommodation for more than 20 students temporarily left without homes after they were told their on-campus accommodation was not ready.
The backflip followed a strong student outcry last week when the university did not offer compensation to inconvenienced students.
Last week, student welfare officer and residential advisor Keegan Street slammed the Clyde Road University’s mismanagement of the issue and called on them to provide alternative accommodation to those affected.
Mr Street said up to 21 students, 19 of whom were international, had been advised on Thursday, 2 February that they could not move into the new student residences until 4 March.
The students had been preparing to move in last Sunday, 12 February, and were given just 10 days to find a suitable alternative.
At the time, Mr Street said anxiety and stress levels when starting university were already elevated, and to be faced with finding accommodation for two to three weeks at such late notice had put students under immense pressure.
Mr Street said the university had clearly broken a promise to students and should go to every length to find replacement accommodation.
“The students had already organised their accommodation, and it is irresponsible of the university to delay it at such late notice,” Mr Street said.
“The very least that Monash University should do is provide the students with alternative accommodation in a local hotel.
“It is an unusual practice for a university to knowingly place students in such a stressful situation before the semester has even commenced, especially after considering the notoriously high drop-out rate of first year students,” he said.
Mr Street said he had spoken to one first year student who lived two hours away who would have been forced to stay at a local hotel at a cost of $75 a night.
However, this week Mr Street said he was glad that the issue had been resolved.
“It is good that they have done this and I am glad that it is all sorted out so that we can get on with the year,” he said.
Mr Street said many international students would not have had anywhere else to go if the university had not changed their minds.
On Monday, a spokesperson from Monash University said they had arranged a financial package for students inconvenienced by the late completion of student accommodation at the Berwick campus.
“The accommodation has been under construction since September 2005 and was due to be completed by 12 February 2006. On 3 February, the university was advised by the property developers that the building would not be ready for occupation on 12 February.
“An alternative completion date of 4 March was agreed between the developer and the university. Monash immediately notified all affected students that the accommodation would not be ready for occupation until 4 March and several alternative accommodation options were suggested.
“The university regrets that students have been inconvenienced but has developed a package that will ensure the affected students are not financially disadvantaged.
“Monash has arranged temporary accommodation with two local accommodation providers for students who want to use it.
“In cases where the location of the accommodation provider would make it difficult for students to get to the Berwick campus by public transport, the university will arrange a temporary bus service.
“No student will be out of pocket,” she said.
