Timeline of controversy

December 2017: The university sold the former College of Education site in Karori for $28 million to Ryman Healthcare. It had been operated by the university since 2004, and a decade later it paid the Ministry of Education $10 for it. At the time of sale, the site was worth $20 million.

2018: Vice Chancellor Grant Guilford attempted to change the name to the University of Wellington to stop international confusion. It led to an uproar, with the Minister for Education eventually ruling against the name change.

2019: The university rebranded, in what became known as the name change by stealth. In particular, the name Victoria shrank on the logo, and the word Wellington became larger.

March 2020: Students living in halls of residence, many in their first year, were kicked out due to the Covid-19 lockdown. Those who had nowhere else to go were moved to Weir House.

April 2020: When the country moved to level 3, Victoria attempted to impose a $150 holding fee for students who wanted to keep their rooms in their halls, despite being unable to return. The university backed down after pressure from students.

July 2020: The university revealed plans to turn the 1950s, heritage listed GordonWilson flats site into a ‘‘front door’’ for the Kelburn campus. Councillor Fleur Fitzsimons said it would not be legally easy for the university to demolish the buildings, and she expected there to be backlash from the community.

■ August 2020: Stuff revealed the university was planning a controversial restructure called the Whiria Project. It received widespread backlash from staff and students, and was eventually taken off the table, although the content of the proposal was still consulted on.