FAQ: 1-10
- 1. How is University Hall managed?
- 2. What furniture and furnishings are provided?
- 3. What is provided in the common areas?
- 4. Can I get Internet in my Room?
- 5. Do I need to pay a Deposit for my room?
- 6. How do I cancel my Application or Room Allocation?
- 7. When will I be allocated a room?
- 8. Is Parking Provided?
- 9. What is the process on the day I move in?
- 10. What is Orientation?
1. How is University Hall managed?
University Hall is managed by a full time Village Director who has responsibility for the welfare of the students in the Hall.
He is supported by a large team of full time and part time staff with responsibilities for the administration of the Hall, the feeding of residents, the cleaning of the buildings and the carrying out of maintenance requests.
The team of Residential Assistants are located throughout the buildings and live with the students they have responsibility for. They are full time students and part time employees.
The Hall is part of Campus Living Villages New Zealand which also runs other Halls at UC Accomodation, in Palmerston North and Wellington.
2. What furniture and furnishings are provided?
Each bedroom contains
- a bed, mattress, and mattress protector
- a desk and chair
- built in shelves, drawers and wardrobe
- a rubbish bin.
You need to bring your own pillow, linen, duvet/blankets and towels or you can purchase a linen pack on arrival. Electrical blankets are not permitted
3. What is provided in the common areas?
This varies from building to building but usually there is
- a television
- couches and chairs
- a fridge
- a microwave
- hot water system.
You need to bring your own cutlery and crockery.
4. Can I get Internet in my Room?
Yes all bedrooms are wired with computer ports. You need to "enliven" the connection through the University I.T. Department. Charges for usage come off your Canterbury Card.
The Hall also has its own Computer Lab, with 12 computers and a printer connected to the University system.
5. Do I need to pay a Deposit for my room?
Yes, when you return your signed contract you pay a $500 deposit. This is refundable at the end of your residency minus any charges for unpaid rent, damage you may have caused to your room and your pro rata share of damage caused that is unattributable to any individual or group of residents.
6. How do I cancel my Application or Room Allocation?
By emailing enquiries@clv.canterbury.ac.nz or by notifying us in writing.
University Hall
Private Bag 4760
Christchuch 8140
New Zealand
7. When will I be allocated a room?
You will be notified what room you have been allocated when you arrive at the Hall. 95% of residents get their first choice of room but we cannot inform you any earlier because there is constant movement right up to the last moment.
The allocation is the responsibility of the Village Director.
8. Is Parking Provided?
An annual charge of $90 is paid to the Hall administration after arrival and allows a resident to park in the Hall car parks only. If you wish to use the student car parks on the University campus you pay the University directly at the Security office on Level One of the main Library.
9. What is the process on the day I move in?
You come to the Registration area in the foyer of the Dining Hall and you will be allocated your room from there after completing the formalities.
We can cater for early arrivals before you contract starts but appreciate reasonable notice.
10. What is Orientation?
This is a programme to help familiarise residents with the Hall, the University and the city.
There are two parts to the Orientation programme for Hall residents.
The Hall has its own 1 week orientation programme that commences on February 16 and includes a range of educational, sporting and social events.
The University also runs Orientation events with a civic welcome, workshops and specific events for first year students, International students, Maori students, Pacific Island students and mature students.
Then there is the Student Association Orientation that concentrates on social events.
All these events have the common aim of helping student get to know each other and assist the transition to University life.
11. I am worried about whether I will be able to cope.
This is a common feeling among many students. Be reassured most cope just fine. There are a number of ways in which you can help yourself.
- Talk to your RA if you have any concerns about anything
- Get involved in Orientation activities and remember others will be feeling just as nervous even though some will hide it better.
- Keep your bedroom door open, visit the common rooms, have a friendly smile. The first month is critical and the efforts you make then will have a huge pay off throughout the year.
- Academically speaking think of Uni as your job. If you spend 30 – 35 hours a week on school work you will be just fine.
12. What are my Responsibilities as a Hall Member?
These are covered in the documentation you have been sent BUT to summarise in a sentence: “to be a good community member whose behaviour does not impact on the rights of other residents”.
To be even more succinct “use my common sense”.
It also is a good thing to pay your rent on time.
13. Can 2nd Year Students or older live in the Hall?
Yes, all full time students at University of Canterbury are eligible to apply. If we have rooms available after January 1 we will take students from the other tertiary education providers.
14. Is there a curfew?
No, we treat you as adults responsible for your own movements BUT you have to be very careful to be quiet when moving around after 10.00pm.
15. Can I have a friend come and stay?
Yes they may stay in your room for a couple of nights only.
Our hospitality does not extend to meals and if they want to eat in the Dining Hall they MUST buy a meal ticket.
16. What if I can't pay my account on time?
You should come to the office pronto to let us know. We can be flexible and sit down with you to work out a plan so that you can meet your financial commitments.
17. What if I can't make a Dinner or Lunch?
We have a late dinner and packed lunch system for this eventuality which needs to be ordered in advance.
18. How easy is it to get to the City?
Very easy. We have bus stops right outside the property and buses run every 30 minutes.
The Westfield Mall at Riccarton is about 15 minutes away.
19. Are special diets catered for?
Yes we can cater for a whole range of special requests.
You need to put the details on your application form and visit the Catering Manager when you first arrive at the Hall.
20. Can I receive parcels?
Parcels are kept behind the counter at reception and names are listed on a white board on the counter. It is worth checking daily.
21. Maintenance problems
If your bed is broken, you need a light bulb etc. you can post a "fix it" request on our maintenance database by email. The Maintenance Supervisor needs to prioritise jobs but he will get to it as speedily as possible.
22. What security has the Hall?
The main doors to all of the buildings are electronically locked and entry is by swipe card. All bedrooms have locks and we implore you to always lock your door when you leave your room.
The apartment blocks have three key entry block, apartment, bedroom.
The Residential Staff team is subdivided into four groups one of which is on duty each night until the Halls quiet. They are contactable on 6669.
The Hall also employs it own security guard from midnight to 6.00am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights to assist keeping the Hall a safe environment. We have CCTV cameras on site.
23. What activities/events are available for residents?
Throughout the year we hold a variety of social events all with the view of bringing residents together.
24. What academic assistance is available at the Hall?
The greatest resource is your fellow students and there is a lot of mutual informal assistance that takes place.
We also organise group tutorials in subjects where more than 8 students indicate an interest and connect individuals who have asked for help in a paper with volunteers.
In the last three years we have established Engineering floors where all the residents and the Residential staff are engineers.
We strive to develop the ethos that while we want you to enjoy yourself your main purpose is to do well in your study.
25. How much money per week do you need for living?
There is a huge variation depending on your social life and shopping tastes but most students seem to spend between $35 - $70 per week.
There is no harm in getting a job for a few hours a week to supply the necessities.