Otago vice-chancellor Prof Harlene Hayne swapped stories of her experiences flatting in the villa with its new residents, Aidan Cameron, of Auckland, who is a flat host to exchange students Jenny Moulon, of Norway, and Wesley Janchim, of France.
The students' university-managed flat was home to Prof Hayne, her husband Prof Michael Colombo and their infant daughter Marea, when the family arrived in Dunedin for the couple to start work at the department of psychology.
The vice-chancellor joked with the new residents about the many improvements that had been made to the property since her stay in the temporary residence for new academic staff.
Prof Hayne and other senior university staff are hosting a series of welcoming events for new students and their parents from today. They have been organised in conjunction with the Otago University Students Association's Orientation.
The vice-chancellor posted invitations to the parents of every student enrolled at Otago last year, which also outlined the university's pastoral care responsibilities.
Arana Hall residents and their parents would be met today as part of the informal introduction to university life, she said.
Parents of other students were being invited to attend meetings between 2pm to 3pm at the College of Education auditorium, from tomorrow onwards.
