UCA Mini-conference 2013

This year's conference will be held at the Broadbeach Surf Life Saving Club on the Gold Coast, Queensland on Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th October, 2013.  This is during the school holiday period and followed by the Labour Day long weekend in ACT, NSW and SA so accommodation is filling fast.  Please see below for accommodation options and proximity to the conference venue:

For a map of the Broadbeach area see: http://www.infomaps.com.au/maps/BROADBEACH.pdf 

For a map of hotels in the area and their ratings see: http://www.booking.com/district/au/gold-coast/broadbeach.en.html?

For accommodation in close proximity to the Conference venue see:

Self Contained Apartments:
*  Boulevard North Holiday Apartments (directly opposite venue), http://www.boulevardnorth.com.au for a 5 night minimum stay prices range from $710-$780 for a one bedroom apartment $1,025-$1,200 for a two bedroom apartment
*  Ocean Royale Apartments (directly opposite venue) http://www.oceanroyale.com.au for a 2 night minimum prices range from $360 for a one bedroom apartment to $470 for  a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment - quote the UCA Conference for these prices
*  La Grande Apartments, (3 minute walk) http://www.lagrande.com.au 
*  Beach Haven on Broadbeach Apartments, (1 minute walk) http://www.bhaven.com.au

Hotels & Serviced Apartments:
*  Sofitel Hotel, (5-10 minute walk) http://www.sofitel.com -search for Broadbeach. From approx. $215 per night
*  Meriton Serviced Apartments (10 minute walk) http://www.meritonapartments.com.au/gold-coast/broadbeach  

Membership Matters

Members' Remuneration Survey Results
In 2012, UCA undertook to gather data about remuneration packages for Heads of Colleges and Halls of Residence via a member survey.  The results of the survey can be accessed at https://www.surveymonkey.com/sr.aspx?sm=pArL65dS5RU0d4noot6CITMgk8kqMh5ns8cC6sCukgc_3d 
The results are password protected and can be accessed by typing: Heads Survey  The content may be useful for Heads newly appointed or those renewing their contracts.  Please contact Deborah Pugh at executiveofficer@universitycollegesaustralia.edu.au should you have difficulty accessing the survey results.

Professional Development for Resident Assitants (RAs), Resident Tutors or Senior Residents
University Colleges Australia wishes to survey our membes to ascertain the scope and level of professional development and training received by this group of residents engaged by their respective College or Hall of Residence.  For ease in the survey only, the term Resident Assistants or RAs will be used but it is meant to include all groups or individuals performing these roles.  If you do not directly manage the Resident Assistants please circulate this request to the 'main' person to whom the RAs report.  The survey is divided into three sections as listed below and will take approximately 15 minutes to complete.  All responses are anonymous.

Section 1: Demographics
Section 2: Employment Status
Section 3: Professional Development/Training

The information gained by our members will be collated and made available to all members and associate members.  Please contact Dr Carla Tromans, Director, International House, Brisbane ihdirector@inthouse.uq.edu.au  Mobile 0401 031 240 for any further information.  The survey can be accessed at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/M6TC3L3

Financial Assistance with Professional Development Activities: Conference Attendance
The Executive Committee will provide a current finanical member with $500 grant to support attendance at a conference or workshop.  Information and an application form can be found under the Programs page at http://www.universitycollegesaustralia.edu.au

Effective governance for non-profit organisations
Following a request for sample CEO/Principal duty statements and information on Board evaluation, the following text was recommended, The Book of the Board, specifically for not-for-profits http://www.federationpress.com.au/bookstore/book.asp?isbn=9781862876897

Conference Updates 

NAAUC Conference, Brisbane, 14 to 21 July 2013
The National Association of Australian University Colleges (NAAUC) Conference will be hosted by the colleges of the University of Queensland. As part of the national conference, NAAUC offers a Heads and Residential Coordinators (HRC) Program, providing a unique experience for heads of college, deans and student advisers alike, to learn from and alongside Australian college students. Run by current and past college students, the 2013 conference will add greater focus to the HRC program to broaden and diversify the depth of content offered to delegates.  For more information, or for a copy of the 2013 conference themes and goals, please contact the Conference Directors, Nia Olsen or Thomas Rainger at conference@naauc.edu.au

Higher Education Updates

ACER Higher Education Update
An interesting snapshot of Australian university students, 2011 can be found at page 11 of http://www.acer.edu.au/documents/Higher-Ed-Update-11.pdf

Schools do matter: impact on university entrance rankings and enrolment
Schools matter when it comes to students' tertiary entrance rankings and university enrolment according to a new report, The impact of schools on young people's transition to university.  See http://www.ncver.edu.au/newsevents/mediareleases/mr_159.html 

UCA Website - Membership Login
Owing to a security breach to the UCA website, all membership login details need to be updated.  At present, membership login details have been reverted to the member's email address for their username.  To update one's login details and regain access to the membership section of our website please login at http://universitycollegesaustralia.edu.au/index.php?option=com_comprofiler&task=lostpassword to request a reminder for your lost username and password to be sent to your email address.  Should you experience difficulties with this process please request assistance from Deborah Pugh at executiveofficer@universitycollegesaustralia.edu.au