Victoria University of Wellington has opened a new state-of-the-art student accommodation complex on Boulcott Street.
Called Katharine Jermyn Hall, the 390-bed facility, a former office block, is a fully catered hall that will primarily accommodate domestic first-year students.
Named after a former staff member who made a major contribution to Victoria over 40 years, the Katharine Jermyn Hall was officially opened by Victoria’s Chancellor Sir Neville Jordan.
It becomes Victoria’s 11th Hall of Residence and, says Sir Neville, highlights Victoria’s position as one of the leading providers of high quality accommodation for university students in New Zealand. Victoria is second only to Otago in the number of beds it has on offer.
“Opening this new facility also emphasises the vital role Victoria plays in the capital city. The University and its staff and students collectively contribute about $500 million each year to Wellington’s regional economy.”
Victoria has opened a number of new halls in recent years—Te Puni Village in Kelburn in 2009, Joan Stevens Hall on The Terrace in 2011 and Boulcott Hall on Boulcott Street in 2013.
Victoria University Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant Guilford says the 390 students who will be settling in at Katharine Jermyn Hall next week will be joined by two-and-a-half thousand other first year students, both from within Wellington and from other parts of New Zealand, who will take up residence in Victoria University Halls of Residence in time for the start of the 2015 academic year.
“Our 20,000 students and 2,500 staff help make the city vibrant and diverse,” says Professor Guilford.
“We also contribute to the capital in a myriad of other ways ranging from the provision of future employees, employers and leaders and the advice and commentary we provide on important topics, to our creative and cultural contributions and the innovation and entrepreneurship partnerships we undertake to help drive a high value economy.”
Each of the 14 floors of Katharine Jermyn Hall has communal facilities and bedrooms that are fully furnished and heated and many also have stunning views of the city.
“With the Kelburn, Pipitea and Te Aro campuses only a short walk away and the city centre only a few steps away, residents of this Hall couldn’t be better situated,” says Professor Guilford.
