VU quashes student accommodation rumours

http://www.vu.edu.au/About_VU/Media_Releases/VU_quashes_student_accommodation_rumours/indexdl_94435.aspx
Media Release
18 November 2008

Victoria University's Pro Vice Chancellor - Students, Mr Stephen Weller, said today that he was outraged about malicious rumours surrounding the future of student accommodation at Victoria University.

He said: "I can categorically state that students residing at Sunbury Hall and the Student Village in Maribyrnong have absolutely no need to worry about where they are going to live."
"Contrary to spiteful and inaccurate speculation, there has been no decision made in relation to the future of accommodation at Maribyrnong. In the case of the future of accommodation at Sunbury - that will be determined in parallel with decisions around the future of that campus - but at this stage we expect no changes to occur until at least the end of 2010."

"Recent assertions have caused distress to students living at these residences and this is unconscionable."

"VU is looking to increase the amount of accommodation available to students in the vicinity of its campuses, and to that end in July we sought expressions of interest for the provision and management of accommodation from potential, financiers developers and operators. We have had more than twenty expressions of interest and these are under consideration."

"The University provides accommodation for 500 students at Maribyrnong and 120 students at Sunbury."

"Far from cutting back on accommodation, the University has recently taken a head lease of a development of some 60 units on Ballarat Road."

"We want to set students minds at rest in relation to accommodation at Sunbury Hall and the Student Village at Maribyrnong."

"For the students who are living in the University's student accommodation, I want to make it absolutely clear that we have no plans to make any changes to accommodation arrangements and no one will end up without a roof over their head."

Media Contacts:
Ms Christine White, Media Manager,Marketing & Communications Department, Victoria UniversityPh: (03) 9919 4322; mobile: 0434 602 884
Andy Gash, Snr. Media OfficerMarketing and Communications Department, Victoria UniversityPh: (03) 9919 4950; mobile: 0411 255 900