The Consumer Council of Fiji has described the ongoing student accommodation situation at the University of the South Pacific Laucala Campus as “unacceptable,” urging urgent action to address delays and communication breakdowns affecting students.
Following a visit to the campus on Monday this week, the council reported students facing uncertainty over housing while classes had already begun.
Large crowds were seen outside the Halls Office, and some students had confirmation emails withdrawn, leaving them without accommodation.
Concerns were also raised over temporary housing conditions and operational delays, describing the situation as a “student welfare crisis”.
The council called on USP to resolve the backlog, improve communication, and provide a formal explanation of failures and corrective measures.
USP acknowledged the concerns, noting that high demand exceeds capacity. For Semester 1, 2026, over 2000 applications were received for 1073 beds. Priority is given to first-year students from across the region, followed by students from outside Viti Levu and then returning students.
The university said late applications and unapproved arrivals have added pressure but remains committed to managing the situation “with care, empathy, and fairness”.
