What are the high-vis guests in your lectures up to?

A section of the Undercroft has been closed off for the audit. Source: Charlotte Thornton. 

The University is conducting a space audit with the goal of gathering “benchmark information” on how facilities are being used, according to UC Kaihautū Matua Pūmanawa Tangata | Executive Director of People, Culture, and Campus Life Paul O’Flaherty. 

The audit is taking place Monday through Friday from March 11 to March 22, with surveyors present in working, learning, and common spaces, performing head counts. 

While O’Flaherty did not respond to questions from Canta about what previous space audits have unearthed in the past, or any examples of the changes that could be made from the audit, he did say the information collected would help inform future space needs. 

“This new data will help us respond to future space needs and optimise the use of our higher education spaces to be able to contribute to provide a learning environment that supports the evolving needs of our students and staff,” O’Flaherty said.  

In a Tūpono post, the University also stated that auditors would not be taking photos or requiring any information from students – only counting them.   

The University did not respond to questions about whether a report would be produced from the findings of the audit, how many audits of this nature have been carried out at the university in the past, and what decisions any previous audits may have informed.