Professor Maggie Cusack:

The important point is thinking about accommodation that is in the private sector or is within our control. When it is within our control we have that flexibility to think about what is the best opportunity for our students. As we have heard, there may be some who would want a year-round lease and I am sure it would not be beyond any of us to manage those different approaches. It is really important to think about that accommodation for the entire year, whether some of it is allocated to our students or some used for other purposes like conferences and travel. That is a source of income that ultimately goes to the university to be used, perhaps, to support students either with accommodation costs or simply via student supports through an access service, etc. It is a really important distinction and something we have to keep our eye on in terms of affordability as well, whether it is in our gift or in the private sector.