University College, Otago

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University College (UniCol), founded in 1969, is the largest residential hall at the University of Otago. It houses approximately 550 residents during the academic year. Originally consisting of two towers, North Tower and South Tower, it has since been expanded with a set of flats and then in 2004 with the Northern and Southern Annexes. It is the most central hall on the campus, situated beside the university's original buildings. In early 2006 UniCol residents suffered from a in-hall epidemic of gastroentritis. While disgusting and probably painful for them, it prompted much hilarity for all other students at the university. Due to its large size, UniCol provides a somewhat substandard quality of food, however, that considered, the New Zealand Prime Minister - Helen Clark - recently partook of a meal in the UniCol dining hall alongside residents, and did not collapse on the spot. The UniCol 'conversation pit' had its 15 minutes of fame in a Nestle coffee advertisement in the mid 70s. Another important event in the UniCol history also occured in the 70s - an elaborate prank to spell out a certain 'F word' through the use of windows on both towers - a dark night with carefully placed lights left on or off accordingly. The current Master, Ashley Day is a constant source of amusement for the residents of UniCol - his unwavering sense of bow-tie fashion lives strong - not one day has passed for over 6 years without the necessary accessory. You have to be loose to go to this hall