University of New England chief services officer Peter Creamer made the surprise announcement yesterday in an email to students and staff. From next year, Drummond and Smith College students will be accommodated in a block within Earle Page College, to be named Drummond and Smith Block.

“Drummond and Smith College has the lowest occupancy rates of all the colleges,” Professor Creamer said.

“Only 7 per cent (or less) of college applicants select Drummond and Smith as their first preference.”

So Drummond and Smith will be renamed Robb College, which has experienced its highest occupancy rate in the past 10 years.

Drummond and Smith students scrambled yesterday, holding a meeting to discuss the change that was scheduled to be addressed by Professor Creamer.

“This has come at an extremely bad time, with final exams being held next week,” Drummond and Smith senior academic mentor James Botfield said.

“It’s a blatant goodbye to Drummond and Smith, with no consultation with students.

“But we will fight every step of the way, because we’re an historic and proud college.”

Drummond and Smith College is one of seven colleges at the University of New England. It houses about 110 students.

Drummond and Smith principal Edwina Ridgway could not be contacted for comment at the time of publication yesterday.

Drummond College was established in 1969 and amalgamated with SH Smith House in 1996.