The coating is being used as an interim measure ahead of a wider $2 million upgrade to prevent ''slips and trips'' on its Dunedin campus set to start in January next year.
Property services division director Barry MacKay said the anti-slip surfacing, made up of small particles of aggregate bound together in resin, was laid after the university found ageing tiles on parts of its Dunedin campus presented a risk.
The temporary anti-slip surface would be used until the tiles were replaced with a new palette of paving materials as part of next year's work, Mr MacKay said.
''It has been deemed prudent to put the new surface on the existing tiles in the interim because they are about 20 years old and worn and winter is approaching.''
The surface covered a 1700sqm area, which included outside the information services building and Richardson building.
Next year's upgrade would involve reconfiguring raised lawns outside the Union Court building, replacing existing paving, lighting and street furniture and installing recycling bins, new signs and improved surface water drainage.
