Two students from Christchurch, Kate Tarawhiti (19) and Kate Evans (19), friends who had both been in that city during the earlier 7.1 magnitude quake on September 4 last year, said they were upset about the latest devastation.
The pair, who were helping with student orientation activities yesterday, had been relieved to learn their families were safe.
"Christchurch people are so resilient. I think we'll be OK," Ms Evans said.
A university chaplain, the Rev Greg Hughson, took part in a brief remembrance service near the University Union at 2pm yesterday, and a two-minute silence was observed in memory of those who had died.
Mr Hughson and another chaplain, Fr Mark Chamberlain, said they had each spoken to about 40 students from Christchurch on Tuesday and yesterday morning.
St Margaret's College master, the Rev Dr Peter Norris spent much of Tuesday afternoon talking to affected students and support had also been offered by welfare staff.
A tent had been set up and volunteers from groups and churches had provided free food on Tuesday night.
It is believed about a quarter of the college's 225 students are from Christchurch.
Staff at the college said some young students who had only just arrived in Dunedin to begin their studies, and who might already have been feeling a little homesick, had experienced a "double whammy" as a result of the quake.
About 1400 students from Christchurch were enrolled at Otago University last year.
The quake also came at an awkward time for some students sitting Otago University summer school examinations, which end today.
Some students from Christchurch who had gone home briefly to prepare for their examinations had rung the university on Tuesday to say they could have trouble returning to Dunedin.
School director Dr Claire Matthewson said students who were concerned they could not sit examinations or that their performance would be impaired should contact the university examinations office.