A new self-contained apartment block under construction at the University of Queensland's Cromwell College is a sign of willingness to adapt to changing student demand, according to University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor John Hay.
The development of new accommodation facilities at the University of Queensland at St Lucia combined self-contained apartment living with campus convenience, Professor Hay said.
Cromwell College's Campus Lodge would also provide state-of-the-art access to the University's computer network with Internet and local network connections through fibre optic cabling to each room.
The College was awarded a $557,000 capital works grant through the University to build the $2.5 million four-level apartment complex which comprises 16 self-contained units providing 48 individual student rooms.
'Flexible delivery has been one of the new imperatives of University teaching but this also could apply to the accommodation now available to our students and staff, whether they are from Queensland, Australia or overseas,' Professor Hay said.
'Traditionally college accommodation has been based on shared facilities but it is obvious the demand for self-contained accommodation is rapidly increasing.
'Campus Lodge not only meets that demand, but being on-campus, it is also just a five minute walk from the University centre.
'And the direct link to the University's computer system and Internet is an innovative yet natural progression as we move towards the millennium.'
Along with kitchens, cleaning and laundry facilities, the units will also be fitted out with study equipment including desks, chairs, lighting and shelving.
Professor Hay said entrepreneurial activity both at the St Lucia campus and by the private market in surrounding areas was indicative of the popularity of self-contained living.
But there also was a high demand for self-contained accommodation which provided the traditional advantages of living on-campus.
Campus Lodge would cater for that demand by providing both students and staff with convenience and independence, he said.
Cromwell College, which is affiliated with the Uniting Church in Australia, was the first residential college constructed at the St Lucia campus and currently provides accommodation for 178 undergraduate students as well as postgraduates and visiting academics.
For information contact Professor John Hay on (07) 3365 1300 or Cromwell College operations manager George McPherson on (07) 3377 1234.
