University College
(Te Kāreti o te Whare Wānanga)
2016 Welcome Newsletter
Greetings from the Master
Greetings UniCol 2016 students! The staff and I would like to congratulate you on your
acceptance into UniCol and your decision to study at the University of Otago. Coming to
university is an exciting experience and UniCol is fully dedicated to the support of first-year
Otago students. UniCol is first and foremost a community of academic scholars residing in a
collegiate environment. We blend academic support, accommodation, recreation, social
activities and dining into a vibrant and dynamic community. UniCol is a special place and our
residents thoroughly and heartily enjoy life here and at the University of Otago. I have faith
that you will have a fantastic year with us and I look forward to meeting all of you when you
arrive in February. Please contact us if you have any questions or need any clarification. I
wish you all a positive and productive summer and a great holiday season.
Chris Addington—Kaiwhakahaere Matua
Arrival Information
Most students will arrive on the 20th or 21st of February. UniCol officially
opens for the residential year on Thursday, 18 February 2016. It is not possible
to arrive earlier than this date unless you are taking part in the Orientation
Conference. Once your travel arrangements have been finalised you will need
to advise us when you intend to arrive, we will email you regarding this. Fees
are charged from the 20th of February. If you arrive earlier a daily charge of
$50.00 will be added to your account.
Dunedin’s airport is about 30 minutes away from the city centre. Shuttles are
available, and drivers are familiar with UniCol’s location. Bus services into Dunedin normally drop people off at the
railway station or in the centre of town. You can catch a taxi or shuttle to UniCol from these drop-off points.
Many residents are accompanied by their parents or other family members when they arrive. The Master offers
introductory talks for parents and caregivers at specified times on the 20th and 21st of February. Food will be
available for family members who are here during the day. Please be aware that UniCol has very limited space for
guests at this time of year. Information about accommodation in Dunedin can be accessed through the Internet or
the Dunedin I-Site.
Coming to university is a new experience for almost everyone who lives at UniCol. Feelings of anxiety or uncertainty
are very normal. Our programmes are designed to help you make friends and feel comfortable as quickly as possible.
We have every confidence that you will make new friends and fit into your new environment. Our staff are trained to
assist and support you in your transition to tertiary study and accommodation.
Orientation Conference
UniCol offers the opportunity for parents and residents to come to Dunedin on the 16th and 17th of February for an
introductory conference about life at the University of Otago and University College. Places for this conference are
limited and are on a first-come, first-served basis. Further information about the Orientation Conference was sent to
your guarantor and is also on our website. Feel free to ring us for further information.
College Information www.otago.ac.nz/unicol
Please check out UniCol’s website for additional information about living here and at
the University of Otago. The 2016 Resident Handbook is on this website and hard
copies will be available when you arrive in February.
If you are a 2016 UniCol resident you can join our Facebook Group
Unicol 2016 (official)
Study Bedrooms
We require that you live in the room you are assigned. We do not take requests
for rooms in any particular part of the College other than those who wish to live
on an alcohol-free floor. Rooms are randomly assigned with a desire to create a
balanced and effective community. About 15% of our rooms are in the Forth
Street Mews, 20% in the Annexe and the remaining 65% in the Towers.
Although rooms may have different shapes, sizes or locations, they are
comparably equipped. All residents have full access to all common facilities. You
will be allocated a room on your arrival. Swapping of rooms is not permitted
unless there are special circumstances. Your room is private to you. It is your
personal space and your responsibility. Your rubbish will be emptied Monday to
Friday and your room will be vacuumed once a week. Your floor will need to be
clear of clothing and other items to facilitate this process. A clean sheet and
pillowslip will be supplied each week.
Study Bedroom Contents
Your bedroom will contain a king single bed, valance, mattress protector, pillow
and pillow case, two sheets, study desk, chair, bookcase, wardrobe, rubbish bin,
mirror, notice board and a six-way power box. All bedrooms are centrally heated.
What you need to bring
You need to provide your own duvet inner and cover, towels, desk lamp, personal
hygiene items and coat hangers. Many residents buy these items in town after
arrival. We have duvets you can borrow for a short while if needed.
What you might bring
Useful items to have include a washing basket, clothes rack, stereo, computer,
wall decorations, bicycle, musical instruments and hair dryer. All electrical gear
should be tested and tagged. We have bicycle storage racks and cages available
at no charge.
What you shouldn’t bring
Please don’t bring a fridge, pets, room heater, electric jug, iron, additional or
alternative furniture. If you are a diabetic, or have other medicine storage
requirements, we will provide you with a small refrigerator as needed.
Please ensure you understand the College’s rules and regulations especially those
concerning the use of alcohol. The College will be an alcohol-free
environment from Thursday, 18 February through Monday, 22 February.
A visitor ban (other than parents) will also be in place from Thursday 18
February until Sunday 28 February.
Common Facilities
Laundry facilities (washer, dryer and iron) are available on almost every floor.
These are free to use but you must supply your own washing powder. Small
common rooms are available on almost every floor. These rooms have a TV and
DVD player, small fridge, microwave, sandwich press, toaster, continuous boil
water heater and basic cutlery. Milk is delivered regularly to these rooms.
The Main Common Room, Library, Reading Room, study rooms and
gymnasium are available at designated times for residents. UniCol’s famous
Detour Cafe is open every night from 7:00 — 11:00 pm.
University of Otago Orientation Week (O-Week)
Orientation Week happens from 22 February — 28 February. The Otago University Students’ Association (OUSA) runs
a large number of O-Week events during this time. UniCol has an extensive range of social, academic and orientation
activities planned during Orientation Week to help you make a great start to your life at Otago.
Computers at UniCol
The College has a limited number of desktop computers. You are strongly advised to come equipped with a laptop computer. A basic
laptop will be more than sufficient for your needs. Internet access at University College is provided at no additional charge. Such
Internet coverage is an extension of the University’s Internet services on a best endeavours basis. Wireless Internet access may be
accessible from bedrooms and some bedrooms have a hard-wired LAN port which connects to the network. The University of Otago is
currently undertaking an extensive upgrade of the entire system. Until such time as this upgrade is complete, Internet access may be
limited in certain areas of the College. It is also important to remember that Internet access may slow or become unavailable at times
due to heavy demand on the system or the maintenance needs. The University makes every attempt to minimise such disruptions to
the service. If you have localised problems with Internet access the College has wireless access available in areas such as the study
rooms and the Refectory. Additionally the University of Otago provides wireless and wired Internet access around the campus in
areas such as libraries, study areas and common spaces.
University Entrance and Information
If you have questions about university study or enrolment please contact the University of Otago Helpdesk on 0800 80 80 98.
Residents who do not gain university entrance at the time results are released in mid-January will have their accommodation offer
withdrawn. This is a policy of the University of Otago. Please emember that you must be a full-time student of the University of
Otago to reside at UniCol. If you are studying through the Otago Polytechnic or Foundation Studies you cannot live at UniCol.
Administration Matters
The UniCol office will close on 18 December and re-open on 11 January 2016. During the break you can still post, email or fax any
response forms, and we will action these as soon as possible upon our return.
During the holidays e-mail and phone messages will be cleared on a regular basis. If you have an urgent need to contact us please
phone or e-mail the Master, Deputy Master or Associate Master directly.
Accommodation Fees and Up-Front Payments
All up-front payments must be paid by Monday, 1 February 2016. If your up-front payment is not received by
this due date we may terminate your contract and offer your place to someone else on the waiting list. Please refer to
your Accommodation Contract and the section “Contract Payment Schedule” for more detailed information on Accommodation fee payments and what is expected of you.
Please note: Study Link will not pay any up-front or lump sum fee payments.
Change of Address or Change of Intentions
Please let us know immediately if you change your address or if you decide that you will not be coming next year.
General Enquiries and Contacts
UniCol, 315 Leith Street, Dunedin 9016. T: (03) 479 5580 F: (03) 479 5581 W: www.otago.ac.nz/unicol
Chris Addington (Master)
Bob Cochrane (Deputy Master)
Christine Eason (Associate Master)
Pip Falloon (Finance and Administration Manager)
Lori Moodie (Finance and Administration Assistant)
chris.addington@otago.ac.nz
bob.cochrane@otago.ac.nz
christine.eason@otago.ac.nz
pip.falloon@otago.ac.nz
lori.moodie@otago.ac.nz
(021) 279 5586
(021) 279 5590
(021) 279 5582
(03) 479 5583
(03) 479 5588
University of Otago Helpdesk 0800 80 80 98
Study Link : www.studylink.govt.nz 0800 88 99 00
University of Otago website : www.otago.ac.nz
Dunedin Information : www.isitedunedin.co.nz
University
College
315 Leith Street
Dunedin 9016
NEW ZEALAND
PERMIT No. 1007
Permit Post 
New Zealand
University College – The best year of your life . . .
Check out more UniCol photos at www.flickr.com/photos/universitycollege