University of Otago director of campus development Tanya Syddall confirmed the 400-bed hall of residence would be closed next year for strengthening work costing $14,850,000.
"No students will be displaced," Ms Syddall said.
"We have planned that Arana College will not be operating next year. The planned opening of Te Rangihiroa College means we will have a slight increase in the number of places in residential colleges available for students in 2024."
She reiterated that Arana College was not being mothballed.
"This is a planned one-year closure for general building works that has been budgeted for in university planning. We expect Arana College to be functioning and open to accommodate students in 2025," Ms Syddall said.
The college was founded in 1943 by the Rev Harold Walter Turner and the Stuart Residence Halls Council. It consists of 24 different buildings and wings, all varying in age and capacity. The name Arana is a Maori transliteration of Allen, chosen to honour Sir James Allen, a former Otago University vice-chancellor (1903-09) and chancellor (1909-12).
