You are here

Sale of three UOW properties

The University of Wollongong (UOW) is consolidating student accommodation from 2022 to strengthen capacity to continue to respond to the financial challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

UOW’s International House, Weerona College and Marketview residences will be offered for sale commencing mid-August with the transaction expected to be completed by early 2022.

The decision to sell the properties was made by the UOW Council after assessing the University's strategic priorities.

Proceeds from the sales will be used to support UOW’s financial sustainability, enabling the university to maintain the capacity of its core teaching and research programs and to help strengthen support for students through enhanced services and technologies.

Please be assured that students currently residing in Marketview will not be disrupted and will have certainty of accommodation for the period of their current contract. UOW will support current Marketview residents to find accommodation in 2022 or transfer to alternate UOW accommodation this year (should any residents want to).

We know students, staff and the community may have questions about this decision, and so we have developed a range of FAQs, which you can find below. 

You can also read the media release here.

General Questions:

UOW currently has 2,638 beds at 59% capacity, with International House and Weerona College not housing students in 2021. The sale of these facilities and Marketview will see the number of beds reduced to 2,057 (a reduction of 574 beds). This level of student accommodation capacity is sufficient to service current and foreseeable demand.

We encourage students, staff and the community to provide feedback on this process via our Feedback portal. When submitting feedback, you can choose “Accommodation” as the reason you are providing your feedback. This will ensure your feedback is sent to the Student and Accommodation Services Division for consideration.

There will be no job losses in UOW Accommodation because of the sale of these properties. Staff currently working within these facilities will be transferred to roles within our other residences.

At this point, you do not need to do anything. We will be contacting anyone who has applied to live in Marketview in 2022 and provide alternative options based on the preferences you indicated in your application.  In the meantime, you might also like to have a look at our other residences via our virtual tours.

If you have a strong preference for a particular residence, please let us know by emailing our team at accom-app@uow.edu.au and we will note your preference in your application. We’ll start issuing 2022 accommodation offers from mid-October.

Marketview Resident Specific FAQs:

If you choose to move from Marketview to another UOW residence* before the end of your current agreement, we will honour your current rate until the end of your current contract, in a similar room/unit type.

*Please note that Campus East only offers contracts to 12 December 2021. Kooloobong and Bangalay offer contracts until 30 January 2022 should you require accommodation over summer.

Yes, you can move to another UOW residence prior to your current contract end date. Bangalay, Kooloobong and Campus East all currently have availability for several room types. If you would like to find out more about current availabilities, please contact us via: accom-app@uow.edu.au 

Should you choose to move to another UOW residence prior to your current contract end date, you will not incur any transfer fees. It is important to note that students currently living in Marketview will not be required to move out before their current contract end date.

Yes, Marketview residents can break their 2021 contract, with 2 weeks (14 days) notice period. For Marketview residents moving to another UOW residence prior to their current contract end date, they will not incur a transfer free.

UOW can help Marketview residents find alternative UOW Accommodation and we may also be able to provide some assistance with how they can find off-campus accommodation. For more information about this, please visit our website.

Also, all current UOW Accommodation residents who apply by 31 October 2021 to live in UOW Accommodation next year (in 2022) will be offered 1 week’s free rent in 2022. Communication will be sent to all current residents about this in the next few weeks.

No, transfer fees will be waived for Marketview residents who choose to move to another UOW residence for the remainder of their 2021 contract.

If you choose to move before 30 January 2022, we will provide you with a pro-rata refund for your Marketview parking fee.

UOW can provide transportation support for Marketview residents wishing to move to another UOW residence prior to their current contract end date. Marketview residents can contact their residence office for advice and support.

The team at the UOW Accommodation site that Marketview students move to will be there to support them as they move in. We encourage Marketview students to reach out to their Resident Managers should they require any additional support as they transition into their new home. 

For students considering moving out of Marketview this year (2021), Bangalay, Kooloobong and Campus East all currently have availability for several room types. If you would like to find out more about current availabilities, please speak to your residence administration staff, and they will be able to provide you with information and advice.

If you are considering your accommodation options for 2022, you can apply to live in any of our residences, via our online portal. In your application, you will be asked to nominate your preference(s).  You can find out more about each of our residences on the Accommodation website.  

All current UOW Accommodation residents who apply by 31 October 2021 to live in UOW Accommodation again next year (in 2022) will be offered 1 week’s free rent in 2022.

We understand some students may be disappointed by the announcement. Should you require support or advise, please do not hesitate to contact your residence office staff. They can also provide advice on transferring to another residence.

UOW also has a range of personal or academic support services available for students – we encourage students to reach out and seek support for an appropriate service, should they need it.  

We will do our best to place you in units with your friends wherever possible, however, this will be subject to room/unit availability.

For applications to live in UOW Accommodation in 2022, we will prioritise placing students together from the residences that they are coming from. Please note your preferences in your online application. 

Yes, Marketview residents will be provided with updates as the sale process progresses.

UOW has a range of shops and amenities on campus, however, the current availability of these amenities is being impacted by NSW Health COVID-19 restrictions.

For a list of shops and amenities normally available on campus, please visit the UOW Pulse website. You can also find the latest lockdown business hours on the UOW Pulse website.

As well as the convenience of having shops on campus, there is a range of grocery and other shops available nearby in Gwynneville and Keiraville.

Access will not be given to rooms that are allocated to Marketview residents. Rooms inspected by interested parties may include common areas and non-occupied rooms. Any in-person inspections will follow strict COVID Safe practices and NSW Health guidelines and will be as unobtrusive as possible.

Affected Community Leaders who move to a new UOW residence are strongly encouraged to apply for 2022 opportunities, with current Community Leader experience being highly advantageous. In fact, several students who were appointed to a Community Leader position in 2021 lived in International House and Weerona in 2020.

Community Leaders continue to play an important role in our residential communities – they act as a catalyst for positive social engagement by building relationships within their residence to create engaged, connected and resilient communities.

UOW currently has 2,638 beds at 59% capacity, with International House and Weerona College not housing students in 2021. The sale of these facilities and Marketview will see the number of beds reduced to 2,057 (a reduction of 574 beds). This level of student accommodation capacity is sufficient to service current and foreseeable demand.

However, should the need arise, UOW will work with private rental agencies to promote private rental opportunities.

The welfare of our students is our highest priority, and we want you to know that we are here to support you, with a wide range of support services available.

  • If you need urgent support, you can call or text the UOW Student Wellbeing Support Line which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.   
     
  • If you are a member of BUPA, you have access to a specific 24-hour telephone student support line. Advice can be provided in 180 languages, for a range of emergency situations, medical or otherwise. Find out more here.  
     
  • UOW also offers free and confidential counselling that can provide support with a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological issues. Complete Registration and Consent Form and a staff member will contact you within two business days. 
     
  • We also have a number of academic support services available for students, including access to Studiosity, a free online service that provides guidance and feedback on your academic skills, 24/7.  
     
  • Our Student Support Advisors can also help you find the best support for your individual circumstances. 

We strongly encourage you to seek support should you need it.