Study support for parents

Managing study and family commitments

Balancing study alongside family commitments can be a challenge at times. We encourage students with these responsibilities to discuss their circumstances with their course coordinators at the beginning of the semester to clarify expectations and agree on an approach. If you would like support on doing this, a student advisor in one of the support teams can be contacted for advice. 

If you need to miss a class or need accommodations due to your commitments as a parent or caregiver, please reach out to your Lecturer, course coordinator or tutor as soon as possible to let them know.

Infant feeding / expressing on campus

UC fully supports breastfeeding / chestfeeding in public areas on campus. UC currently has two rooms on Ilam campus available for students and staff to use for private infant feeding or expressing milk:

• Matariki Building: On the ground floor immediately across from where you enter through the main double doors is a room called the "Wellness Room'. It is equipped with a fridge, microwave and changing mat, and the door is lockable from the inside. There is an occupied/vacant slider to indicate when it is in use. 
• Forestry Room 236 is a small room with facilities for infant feeding such as a kettle and microwave for heating bottles, a fridge for keeping milk cool, and a chair with a power point beside it to allow for expressing.

UC is looking into additional spaces at the moment (July 2024), and this page will be updated when more become available.  

If you are ever in need of a space to feed, you can pop into the Student Care offices and speak with a Student Advisor, and they will do their very best to accommodate if they are able. 

The UCSA (University of Canterbury Students’ Association) also has space available for use by parents in Haere-roa (90 Ilam Road). There are two dressing rooms on the ground floor with comfortable chairs, a shower, and a toilet. One of the dressing rooms has a change table. Please visit the UCSA reception (level 2 upstairs – there is an elevator) in Haere-roa to be shown to the space and given access to a room. Please note that the same rooms are often utilised when there are performances or shows in Haere-roa. Towels for the shower are also available at the UCSA space, please just ask and they will assist. Blankets are also available on request.

Students can also speak to staff within their Faculty about whether there is a room that could be made available to use for feeding or expressing. If you would like support in doing this, you can reach out to Student Care team.  

Baby changing facilities

The following locations have baby changing facilities. See UC campus maps for more info on where these buildings are located.

Childcare on campus

There are three early learning centres  available, one run by UC and two run by UCSA and the children of UC students and staff are prioritised for spaces. Childcare is available from newborn through to 5/6 years. More information can be found here.

Parking

Free temporary parking cards are available from UC Security for staff and students who are pregnant, generally from 7 months onward.  

Support while studying

Students with families may experience unique challenges while studying. For support and advice, please reach out to Student Care or one of the other student support services.