Student Support Hubbub

The newly erected Student Support Hub on Level Two of the Kelburn Library has drawn criticism from students in the wake of loud construction noise during Trimester One’s assessment period.

The role of the improved Student Support Hub is to provide students and staff with an accessible, visible, and welcoming integrated service desk that can assist them with general enquiries, enrolments, course changes, transcripts, and letters. New upgrades to the space include cordoned desks for private conversations, versatile workstations for student-facing teams, better signage, and more space for workshop hosting and engagement activities.

However, the construction, which began on 25 May, and was completed by 30 June, coincided with Trimester One’s study and assessment period which ran from 1 June through to 20 June, 2026. As a result, students attempting to study or complete assessments at Kelburn Library encountered, and were at times disrupted, by loud construction noise. 

In response to a callout on Salient’s Instagram asking for thoughts on the library construction, one student wrote “who the hell scheduled it during exams? dick move.” Another added that “it was a stupid idea to do it during the period the library gets the most use.” 

Others agreed, asking “why would they schedule it during the most stressful part of the trimester?” and “Could they not pick a better time than literally finals?”

Some students expressed confusion and frustration about the communication from the University, one writing “I think it would be nice if they’d actually show or tell us what was being built,” another adding “too fucking loud, and for what?”

One student said that “it was very disruptive and made it difficult to study at [Kelburn Campus],” another pointing out that the noise could be heard in the Accessibility Suite of the Library. 

Some students agreed that the timing of the construction “could be better” but described it as “needed but annoying,” while others expressed gratitude: “Glad they’re fixing shit though.” 

In response to a poll conducted on the Salient Instagram, 72 percent of responders noticed the construction, and 45 percent of those claimed it disturbed their study.

University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Logan Bannister informed Salient that the University “recognised that some construction noise would be unavoidable and took steps to minimise disruption wherever possible,” adding that “Construction noise was monitored throughout the works, with adjustments made where feasible.”

“Higher-noise activities were carefully planned to be managed in the early morning or between exams. The project team monitored noise levels to the adjoining Maclaurin Lecture theatres, but no concerns of disruption were raised.”

She wrote that “The project was intentionally timed to ensure the new Student Support Hub was operational for the start of Trimester 2.” She noted how “the timing also coincided with a period of lower foot traffic in the area and reduced demand on Student Service Centre services.”

“Students and staff were proactively informed about the project and potential impacts through a range of communication channels, including Whītiki, University and Library social media, and digital screens within the Library.”

The library posted to their Facebook page on 25 May that students could “expect moderate noise and vibration on Levels 1-2 from grinding and drilling” and recommended “heading upstairs to a quieter floor.” This post was updated on 28 May and advised students that intermittent noise was to be expected on the 28 and 29 of May for aluminium cutting. The post received one like. 

The student communication Whītiki is unavailable on the Te Herenga Waka website and did not extend to staff.

While the new Student Support Hub is a much-needed upgrade and a valuable asset to the University, the student reaction toward the timing of its construction indicates gaps in communication channels that could be bridged to avoid future learning disruptions.