The construction of the $9.4 million residential buildings for 99 students at the Orange campus was only just completed in time for students to move in tomorrow.

For their money they will have access to wi-fi in the common rooms and bedrooms, a shared kitchen between about eight students, cleaners, access to games rooms, movie rooms, television rooms and barbecues but, importantly, they are surrounded by students in exactly the same position.

“First-year students don’t know anyone, so they can’t really move into a house with their friends because they don’t know anyone,” residential co-ordinator Terri-Lee Duffy said.

“We see it like a bit of a stepping stone to living by themselves.

“They’ll have access to our residential advisers who deliver pastoral care like teaching them how to cook.”

Ms Duffy said the advisers organised residents-only social events and the residential experience was like no other. 

She said the rooms were relatively environmentally friendly compared to older buildings and had heat and movement-activated lighting, airconditioning and the toilets were run on tank water.

Ms Duffy said the rooms were secured tightly and that was a big plus for parents who had let their children move out of home for the first time. 

“In the last five years we’ve put an extra 200 beds on campus, that represents a significant growth,” she said.

The newest rooms cost students about $9000 for the academic year, the ensuite rooms built about five years ago cost students about $8000 and the original campus rooms built 40 years ago cost students $6000 per academic year with food supplied.

nicole.kuter@fairfaxmedia.com.au