From the President:
National Census of University Accommodation Providers 2014
Jointly funded by UCA and the Commonwealth Department of Education, and supported by AACUHO, the Census has finally been released! Thank you to all who responded - a response rate nationally of 82%, with some 315 student accommodation sites and 166 campuses represented. It is a very thorough survey and clearly indicates the enormous and continuing growth in commercial provision of student accommodation over the past 15 years and the increasing demand for accommodation for international students. International students currently occupy some 40% of mainly off-campus accommodation, with only 9% in on-campus residences. Our concern relates very much, of course, to the kinds of communities established and that, while there are cost realities, there needs to be a focus on communities of collegiality, of engagement and care; academic residences that really do add value to the overall student experience. The Report refers to graduate needs and those of indigenous students, and also highlights the importance of conducting more research in our sector.
Roundtable on International Education
I am pleased to have been invited to take part in the first roundtable on international education to be hosted by the Hon. Christopher Pyne MP, Minister for Education and Training, at Parliament House, Canberra, on Thursday 18 June. I will also join a panel discussion, as President of UCA, at the IEAA International Student Accommodation Symposium to be held at Sydney University on Friday 26 June. I am delighted that UCA is being recognised in this way. I also hope to attend, on behalf of UCA, the NAAUC Conference at the University of Queensland early in July.
Executive State Visit: Victoria
The Executive recently visited Monash, Melbourne and La Trobe universities, and we plan to visit UNE in August.
AICD In the Boardroom Workshop: Brisbane
Another successful AICD In-Boardroom Workshop has just been held at The Women's College UQ, and we hope that this program and other focused activities will continue particularly to support the significant task of headship in our colleges, halls and other residences.
UCA Forum
Planning continues for our Forum to be held at University House, ANU on Thursday 1st and Friday 2nd October. In addition to sharing up-dates from our States, regions and Chapters, we will have sessions on the ARC Alcohol Harm Minimisation Report, the National Strategy for International Education, dealing with sexual assault/harassment issues, a panel discussion on the role of Deans/Deputies - future leaders, and a focus on graduate residence. The Hon. Phil Honeywood (a former Victorian Minister for Tertiary Education & Training and Deputy Opposition Leader), National Director of IEEA, will join us for discussion on the international education strategy, and ANU Chancellor, Professor Gareth Evans AC QC (former Minister for Foreign Affairs), plans to join us for lunch on Thursday. Floriade will be on in Canberra, and the Forum will be followed by a long weekend (ACT, NSW, Qld, SA)! As for our previous mini-conferences, there will be no registration cost for the Forum.
With warmest regards,
(Dr) Ian Walker
Around the Chapters:
Geoff Johnston, St Albert's College, UNE
Geoff Johnston, Master of St Albert's College for the past 12 years, has resigned his position as of 27 April. Geoff was a frequent attendee at our conferences and we wish him well for his future plans. The St Albert's Board has commenced the search process for a new Master and, during this interval, Dr David Daintree will serve as Interim Master. Many will know David from his time as Principal of Jane Franklin Hall, University of Tasmania (1984-2002), Rector of St John's College, University of Sydney (2002-2008), and President of Campion College Australia (2008-2012).
Nanette Kay, Duchesne College, UQ
Nanette Kay, who was appointed the first lay Principal of Duchesne in 2005, has decided to retire when she completes the second of her five year terms as Principal at the end of 2015. She writes to her Queensland colleagues, It is with great sadness that I will leave Duchesne. Not only has it been my place of work for the last ten years, it has been my home, my passion and my life. I know you all understand that sentiment. Whilst Nanette and her husband Steve are still working on plans for their retirement they will include opportunities to travel and to spend more time with their family. Anna-Louise Katter, Chair of Duchesne Council, writes that announcements will be made later in the year regarding recruitment for the vacancy and also of opportunities to celebrate Nanette's outstanding contributions to the College.
Position Advertised
Dean of College, The Women's College, Sydney
The Women's College is a leading academic residential college for women in Australia. Established in 1892, it is the first college of its kind in Australia and is situated within the University of Sydney. The College enjoys and outstanding reputation combined with a proud tradition of women's achievements. The College seeks a Dean of College to commence in January, 2016.
See further information. Applications close before 5pm on Friday 12 June 2015.
Events
IEAA International Student Accommodation Symposium, Friday 26 June 2015, University of Sydney
As a study destination, Australia consistently ranks among the world's most popular destination countries for international students. Although we rate highly for education delivery standards and quality of life, we continue to be let down by overall living expenses and a lack of student friendly accommodation. This one day symposium will bring together students, education institutions, accommodation providers and government representatives to explore long-term strategies to enhance the provision and availability of international student accommodation in Australia. See the full program.
AACUHO 2015 Benchmarking Tool
A reminder that the 2015 AACUHO Benchmarking project is open for participation and data entry must be submitted by Saturday, 20 June. See details at https://www.benchmarking.com.au/aacuho
Member Advice:
Access to IAS Grants for Indigenous students
Advice from Peter McDonald, Tertiary Balance: Under the previous Australian Government Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ITAS) program (an initiative of the former Federal Labor Government), affiliated residential colleges were not permitted to access funding to pay for tutors employed directly by the college to provide special tutorial (one to one) assistance to Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander students in residence. The ITAS program was replaced by the Abbott Government's Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) and all future funding of this sort will be via IAS. A Senior Adviser from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet has now confirmed that in any future IAS funding rounds the affiliated colleges will have the ability to put forward applications for grant funding for direct employment of tutors for this purpose.
Legal Employment Status of RA's
Peter McDonald's advice on the legal employment status of College RAs can be found here.
GST Tool and misreporting of student meals
UCA requested advice from Peter McDonald on the circumstances in which colleges and halls that have elected to use the ATO's Residential Colleges GST Tool to determine how much Goods and Services Tax (GST) to remit to the ATO, have a taxation liability if they fail to report bundled student meals to the Tool. Catered colleges potentially exposed to this issue are those that have elected to use the GST Tool and have answered 'No' to question 17 in the contracts' worksheets in cases where students are subject to mandatory charges for meals. Find Peter McDonald's advice here, or contact the Executive Officer to request a copy of this advice by return email.
In the news:
The Conversation, 25 May 2015 Who goes to University? The changing profile of our students by Nick Parr, Associate Professor in Demography at Macquarie University.
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