In its proposed game-changing move into the city, the University of Tasmania is facing some opposition.

On the list of concerns is a free gift of land, the future of certain curriculums and the "dumbing down" of courses.

While it's a small group, it appears to have made the university's administration spooked and flustered.

A frustrated vice-chancellor is probably wondering how his message about the future of the Launceston campus got lost in translation.

Aside from numerous other benefits of a city campus, big business has always belonged in the centre of town.

UTAS is a giant business, and contributed $448 million to the Northern economy in 2014.

It is responsible for almost 2000 direct and indirect jobs in the North.

While vice-chancellor Professor Peter Rathjen argues that making Launceston the HQ for new short courses is a gift to the city, big business doesn't do anything simply out of the goodness of its heart.

There must be a business case that stacks up.

So this is where the notion of dumbing down or phasing out existing courses doesn't make sense.

The associate degrees are designed to get more Tasmanians into some form of tertiary education.

The practical courses will involve industry, and be focused on areas like tourism, agribusiness and aquaculture.

The idea is to attract a catchment of people into these short courses who wouldn't have enrolled in a bachelor degree and make them see the light of a tertiary education.

That will then be used to expand existing bachelor courses, with an ultimate goal of 10,000 more students in Launceston.

More students equals more money for UTAS.

Maybe I've drunk the Kool-aid, but I'm not convinced by any argument that the university is trying to scale down its presence in Launceston.

As for the land grab - how can you put a price tag on the land at Inveresk if no one is putting their hand up to buy it?

If anything, it will be worth something once the university is there.

The build is expected to cost more than $200 million, which will provide immense community benefits at a time when Launceston has been hit hard by manufacturing job losses.

UTAS knows it can't attract funding to improve the aged Newnham campus, nor attract interstate students weighing up their options and judging facilities.

But it knows it can attract funding and students for a new fit-for-purpose modern campus that is space efficient and in a public transport hub.

The Menzies' buildings and Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies building in Hobart are modern and impressive.

There is a welcome presence of students in the Hobart city, walking to and from classes and in coffee shops.

All around the world, universities live in the city.

Students spend money and give life to a city.

Northerners deserve the best possible university experience, and at the moment I don't think they are getting it.

On top of that, Launceston needs cranes in the sky and people in its centre.

UTAS will continue to pursue its social license for the campus move, and we as a community will hold it to its promises.

A city-based university is exciting, and will change Launceston for the better.

Conspiracies and opposition for the sake of opposition is unhelpful.