Victoria University of Wellington Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant Guilford says the University will be up and running again on Tuesday.

Victoria’s campuses have been closed today while engineers checked buildings for earthquake damage. The Kelburn and Te Aro campuses will reopen tomorrow, Tuesday, and Professor Guilford expects the University’s other campuses—Pipitea and Karori—to reopen soon once assessments are completed.

He says there will be limited disruption to students. All Victoria’s student hostels are open. Classes and events scheduled to be held on the campuses that have yet to re-open will be relocated to another campus.

“While the earthquakes have been frightening for both staff and students, I am very pleased to confirm that no injuries have been reported.

“Victoria has made and continues to make a significant investment in infrastructure, ensuring that both our old and new buildings are appropriately earthquake strengthened. Events like those that began in the early hours of this morning show the importance of these investments in ensuring the safety of our students and staff.

“We also have very effective incident response processes in place that were activated within minutes of the earthquake. I would like to thank the staff, students and consultant engineers who worked tirelessly throughout last night and today to ensure our teaching and research services could safely re-commence tomorrow.”

Professor Guilford says Victoria is offering accommodation to any tertiary student in the Wellington region who urgently needs a place to stay.

“We accommodated over 100 displaced students and neighbours at one of our halls of residence, Te Puni Village, in the hours after the earthquake. Many were international students who had been evacuated from their apartments.

“We are able to provide beds, food, warmth and company and are happy to do the same for any other tertiary students in Wellington who need temporary lodgings.”