Around the Chapters

ACT
- Steve Foley, Head of John XXIII will be returning to Queensland in May to take up the position as Head of St Leo's College. 
- Luce Andrews has left the position of Director, ANU Residential & Campus Communities and Ms Dale Brosnahan is currently acting in this role.
- Keith Conley, previously Head of Burton & Garran Halls, is now Principal of University Hall, UWA. Mr Dave Segal is now Head of Burton & Garron.

NSW
- Congratulations to Adrian Diethelm who was officially announced as Rector of St John's College in December 2013.

Queensland
- Vince Skelly has retired as Principal of St Leo's, UQ.  Steve Foley returns to St Leo's takes up this appointment in May. 
- Jill Hewitt retired as Head of Union College, UQ at the end of 2013.  Mr Peter O'Brien is now Head of the College.

South Australia
- Colin MacMullin has retired as Head of Aquinas College.  This position is advertised later in this newsletter.

Victoria
- Liz Hepburn retired as Principal of St Mary's College, University of Melbourne at the end of 2013 and Dr Paul Gallagher has been appointed Acting Principal for 2014.
 

Adelaide Conference Survey

From Rose Alwyn, Conference Convener: Thanks so much to those Heads who have sent excellent suggestions for the 2014 UCA Adelaide Conference sessions and presentations.  We realise that you are all busy preparing for the year ahead, however, for those who have not yet responded, we would appreciate if you would take a few minutes of your day to provide your ideas so that we can ensure that the program is relevant, useful and enjoyable. The survey will remain open for a further two weeks, until 2nd March.

We look forward to receiving your suggestions - however brief.  The web address is:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BCQ5Z63


The Collegiate Way Conference, Durham, 18-22 November 2014

Collegiate Way 2014 is the title of the conference which aims to bring together representatives from the widest possible range of Colleges worldwide.  The conference will be based in the colleges of Durham University and both Barbara Green, St Hilda's College, and Chris Massey, University Hall, are on the International Advisory Committee.  Details about the conference can be found on the conference website at https://www.dur.ac.uk/collegiateway2014/

Invitation to NSW Members

In conjunction with the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the UCA is pleased to invite the NSW membership and, particularly, members of their college boards to a professional development program entitled In the Boardroom: Responsibilities and Practice for College Directors and Council Members to be held at Sancta Sophia College on Saturday 29 March.  Designed with the Colleges' operating environment in mind, this course will be facilitated by Professor Geoffrey Kiel. Invitations are currently being sent to the NSW membership.  The program will be offered to our South Australian members in April and other states at dates to be determined.  For further information please contact executiveofficer@universitycollegesaustralia.edu.au

Position Vacant 

Aquinas College, Adelaide - Head of College
Due to the retirement of Dr Colin MacMullin, the Council of Aquinas College is seeking to appoint a new Head of College commencing mid-2014.  Applications to be submitted by 14 March 2014.  See position description
 

Higher Ed Research

Leaving home to study - An ACER analysis of Census data shows Australian university students have become increasingly more likely to relocate for university during this century with Melbourne and Brisbane being the big winners.

ACER'S Higher Education Update February 2014 examines the impact of financial support on student decisions to defer, as well as what ATARs and attrition rates tell us about the relationship between growth and quality in higher education.  It also explores whether Australia's medical school admissions tools can or should predict the course performance of students.

With O'Week activities currently taking place around the country, Sally Kift's article in The Conversation looks at why the first year at university is a make-or-break experience.