Photo: 123RF/ Matej Kastelic
They told the Education and Workforce Select Committee inquiry into student accommodation today that staff at some halls were poorly prepared to help students with sometimes harrowing situations.
The committee is considering pastoral care and residents rights in student accommodation following complaints about how some halls of residence handled last year s national pandemic lockdown.
The government introduced an interim code of practice for pastoral care of domestic students following the death of student Mason Pendrous in a hall of residence in 2019. He would have turned 21 today.
Canterbury University student Miriam Lindsay said there was not enough support when students in her hall of residence in Christchurch needed it last year.
Report from RNZ
Students and parents have urged MPs to regulate universities’ halls of residence and introduce minimum standards for pastoral care.
They told the Education and Workforce Select Committee inquiry into student accommodation yesterday that staff at some halls were poorly prepared to help students with sometimes harrowing situations.
The committee is considering pastoral care and residents’ rights in student accommodation following complaints about how some halls of residence handled last year’s national pandemic lockdown.
Victoria University of Wellington student Azaria Howell said the hall she lived in last year encouraged binge drinking, did not take medical events seriously, and ignored complaints about sexism and racism.
Student hostels: MPs urged to regulate universities halls of residence nzherald.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nzherald.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.