From the President

Mid-year already!! Perhaps it hasn’t come soon enough, and I do hope everyone is able to have some kind of break at this time. I know a number are away at conferences and alumni events, and I am looking forward to representing UCA and speaking at the Council of International Students Australia (CISA) Conference in Darwin 6-8 July.

Collegiate Way Conference Update
Work continues on preparation for the Collegiate Way International Conference to be held at ANU 13-17 November which will incorporate our biennial UCA Conference. A good number of registrations has been received already (including 5 from the University of Otago) and there is a great range of session presentations from leaders in collegiate residences from the UK, Canada, USA, South Africa, Singapore and Macau, as well as from Australia. Special confirmed guest speakers include Australian of the Year, Lt Gen David Morrison; Indian High Commissioner, HE Mr Navdeep Suri; and ANU Chancellor, Professor the Honourable Gareth Evans, who will speak at our Conference Dinner in Old Parliament House! The program will be on the Conference website and up-dated as required. I encourage you to join colleagues from across the globe in November.

Casual Vacancy on the Executive Committee
As you know, Iyla Davies leaves her position at The Women’s College UQ this month and therefore will no longer be on the UCA Executive. We will certainly miss her! In accord with Section 6(c) of our Rules, a casual vacancy may be filled by a member appointed by the Executive following consultation nationally. Giving representation to a regional area, Michael Bongers, Principal of The John Flynn College JCU, has been nominated to fill the vacancy, but further nominations may be made to the Executive Officer until Friday 22 July next. Meetings of the Executive occur monthly (with a few exceptions) by teleconference, and at any Chapter/Regional visit.

Nominations for Life Membership
Nominations for election as Life Members will also be welcomed – addressed to the Nominations Committee c/- the Executive Officer. No more than three nominations can be put to the Annual General Meeting each year. The AGM this year will take place at the Collegiate Way Conference in November.

Member Updates:
Tim Corney awarded UCA Future Leaders’ Grant
In support of his research into student alcohol use and harm minimisation, Associate Member,  Dr Tim Corney, Dean of Student Well-being at Queen’s College has been awarded the first UCA Future Leaders’ Grant. The purpose of this grant is to provide support and encouragement for deputies and deans to undertake a project, program, course and/or visits that will contribute to better collegiate life particularly in areas of pastoral care, academic and other student support initiatives. Tim will use his grant to support his visit to the UK where he will meet with college and university contacts including the Head of Student Services at Oxford University and Deans of Welfare at St Anne’s and Wadham Colleges together with Heads of Goodenough College and International Student House in London. We look forward to Tim’s input to the UCA Steering Committee to develop responses to the ARC Linkage Project Report  Alcohol Use and Harm Minimisation among Australian University Students 
 
Find out more about our Future Leaders’ Grant
 
Ashleigh Benadretti to attend ACUHO-I Conference in Seattle
Following our affiliation with ACUHO-I, the UCA was given the opportunity to nominate one of our ‘new professionals’ to attend the ACUHO-I Annual Conference and Exposition to be held in Seattle from 9 – 12 July.  We are delighted to announce that UCA Associate Member,  Ms Ashleigh Benadretti, Dean of Residents at St Catherine’s College will attend this Conference with the generous support of $1,500USD which is provided by the ACUHO-I Foundation.  This award will provide Ashleigh with a wonderful opportunity of networking, mentoring and new knowledge and we look forward to providing members with a report of Ashleigh’s experience at our Conference in November.

Farewell to Professor Mark Harrison
We send our best wishes to Professor Mark Harrison, Principal at Jane Franklin Hall who retired at the end of June and we welcome Ms Joanna Rosewell, the College’s Business Development Manager, who will be acting in the role while the Council chooses a long term successor. 
 
Queen’s Birthday Honours
The UCA has once again reason to celebrate the contribution of its members. This year we warmly congratulate to Dr Deborah Seifert (AM) and Professor Stewart Gill (OAM) who have been recognised for their service to education and to the community in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List Read more  
 
With warmest wishes,

(Dr) Ian Walker