| $51 million student residence set to open |
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16/02/2012 08:20 (95 Day 04:10 minutes ago) | |||||
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The FINANCIAL -- An ultra-modern hall of residence in Whitaker Place for 442 University of Auckland students opens this week.
The residents, all first-year students, come from as far away from Kaitaia down to Canterbury. Some have their home in such distant parts of Greater Auckland as Pukekohe and Titirangi an hour or more’s travel from the University. Fifteen percent are international students from Britain, Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia.
There is a balance of male and female students with half of one floor reserved as female only. More or less gender-separate space will be put aside in future years depending on demand.
The hall, which cost $51 million, boasts a host of attractive and up-to-date features for residents to encourage informal networking and collaborative study. These include a wireless e-library, a study pod on each of 13 residential floors complete with a white board and internet connection, a lounge with a large television screen, and a spacious, well-equipped games room.
The large dining room at level one is shielded from the nearby motorway through Grafton Gully by extensive tree foliage. The special glass in wall-length windows blots out almost all the traffic noise.
Residents’ rooms, many commanding spectacular harbour, Gulf, city and suburban views, use the same glass and are equally quiet. On each floor a common space with kitchen facilities links the north and south wings.
The hall will have two alcohol-free floors where alcohol can neither be drunk nor stored. Sunday to Wednesday will be non-drinking days throughout the hall.
Residents will be encouraged to take the stairs rather than the two lifts to save energy and keep fit, and stair-climbing races will be organised.
Orange, yellow, red, green and other vibrant colours brighten the public areas. There are two wide decks outside where residents can eat and relax during downtime.
Tahlia will have the help of a small and enthusiastic team who are experienced in student accommodation including a live-in Residential Assistant on each floor. A duty person will available 24 hours a day.
The University Chancellor, Roger France, will officially open the complex on Thursday 16 February at 5pm. Residents begin moving in three days later with a comprehensive programme to help residents meet people, and settle into both the hall and university. There is also a session on “Parenting from a distance” for their parents.
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