Where are students to go?
HOBART ACCOMMODATION
I AM most concerned by the University of Tasmania’s decision to prioritise new students coming in to start their studies in student accommodation over students already living in this accommodation. Surely UTAS has a moral duty of care for students part-way through their degrees who are about to find themselves homeless? The current shortage of cheap housing in Hobart is well documented. Where exactly are these young people supposed to go? All the counselling in the world isn’t going to produce a place to live. The reports of a website offering new international students priority housing whilst removing current students from said accommodation is outrageous if accurate.
One hopes the new students know that after a year they will be put out regardless of what other options may or may not be available then? Given these reports of first-year students being able to go to the front of the housing queue it would be interesting to see a detailed breakdown of the demographics of who has been given accommodation next year by UTAS. If we are going to be a proud university city we have to care about our students and recognise that they are a vulnerable group. UTAS, please reconsider. Why lure new students in when you aren’t going to help the ones you already have?
Families first
THE age of entitlement is still alive and well apparently. I was interested to see and hear a student from the University of Tasmania saying that students were entitled to have accommodation so that they could continue their studies. Nick McKim appeared in the same TV news clip to support that view.
Whom do they expect to provide this accommodation? The taxpayer? In my view, families doing it tough come first. The students should be finding their own accommodation wherever they can, not expecting an easy road. UTAS international students weighing up a return home amid housing squeeze UTAS seems to act like the rental crisis has just happened to it when in fact it is one of the major players causing it around greater Hobart.
People’s space
USING Macquarie Point to “expediting some planned residential to alleviate Hobart’s housing shortage” ( Mercury, December 13). What planet does this idea come from?
Mac Point should fundamentally be the people’s space. It should not be for privileged or underprivileged elite housing. Is this idea “unfounded?” Ask the broad community.
Big spenders
THE question seems to be “How much will you spend this Christmas?” It seems as if the message of economy and profit, has overtaken the true message of Christmas, the Prophet.