The University of Otago community is "in grief'' after the death of a second-year student at a crowded flat party at the weekend, the vice-chancellor says.
Residents of the two-storeyed Dundas St flat in North Dunedin where the party was held had decided to move, and the university was helping them find alternative accommodation, Prof Harlene Hayne said.
The woman who died was Sophia Crestani (19), of Wellington, who was studying mathematics and statistics.
Witnesses have said Ms Crestani, who has an identical twin sister, may have been trampled after she and others fell down stairs at the house.
A police investigation into what happened is ongoing.
Prof Hayne addressed media yesterday afternoon, along with Otago University Students' Association (Ousa) president James Heath, saying the university's focus was on looking after its students.
"I met with her parents earlier today.
"They are simply remarkable people.
"In the midst of their own grief, I admire their courage and their generosity in helping us to look after the students who are most severely affected by this tragedy.''
More floral tributes were placed yesterday in the hedge outside the flat.
"As a parent myself, I'm sure that there are a lot of parents who are concerned about what happened here. I understand that; this is a tragic accident,'' she said.
Mr Heath said university students were also "in grief and in shock'', and a drop-in centre for those wanting to talk would be opened by Ousa tomorrow.
"Now is not the time to be pointing fingers or blame ... we are holding off on any wider discussions.''
Hundreds of people are understood to have attended the party at the student flat known as "The Manor'' on Saturday.
Police were called to the party shortly before midnight by Campus Watch. On the way, they received another call from partygoers requesting help to break the party up, and after they arrived, they found Ms Crestani being carried out of the house by people at the address.
Attempts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful.
Coastal Otago area commander Inspector Marty Gray told media on Sunday there were a "couple of hundred'' people at the party, but later said between 500 and 600 people were on the scene when police arrived.
Students had been seeking help from the university's Student Health Service, chaplains, and college staff and each other.
The university had also started making preparations to streamline the compassionate consideration process for the beginning of exams on October 16, which would be as inclusive as possible, Prof Hayne said.
Police were still keen for anyone who had information to come forward.
Two other students were injured at the party, and Prof Hayne said the head of their residential hall had assured her they were fine.
The university has taken on a long-term lease of The Manor, beginning at the start of next year.
Prof Hayne was unable to say if the house would become part of UniFlats.
