Appreciation for Members of the Retiring Executive
Hobart Forum
Strategic Planning Meeting
Membership Matters
Colleges from a Vice-Chancellor's Perspective, Prof. Rufus Black
Cultural Renewal Update, Rose Alwyn
UCA Forum 2019 - Date Claim
Locum Head of College
2018 Savills Australian Student Accommodation Market Update
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
After retiring as Principal of St Hilda’s College at the end of 2018, I had no thought that some 10 months later I would be invited to return to the role of President of University Colleges Australia. As many of you know, my commitment to residential colleges and their role in supporting and educating students is strong, goes back many years and has manifested itself in many forms and roles.
I am pleased, indeed honoured, that the Association has seen fit to ask me to return to the role of President.
These are critical times for the Association and for its member Colleges and Halls of Residence. University Colleges Australia recognises this and to that end the Executive commits to work during the year ahead to advance collegiate education and collegiate communities. It will do this by focussing on a number of key themes, themes that were central to discussion in Hobart and which will drive forthcoming strategic planning discussion.
The challenges are great, but so are the opportunities for growth and development.
The Executive of your Association will work hard during the year ahead and will also report to you on a regular basis on the work being undertaken. We invite and will value your input.
APPRECIATION FOR MEMBERS OF RETIRING EXECUTIVE
It is important that I acknowledge the contribution made by all members of the previous Executive of University Colleges Australia. In particular, I wish to acknowledge and thank Ms Rose Alwyn for her two years as President. These have been challenging, indeed difficult years, but Rose has worked tirelessly for the Association and has built and strengthened a significant number of partnerships between UCA and relevant associations within the higher education and student accommodation sectors. Thanks also to retiring members of the Executive -- Carla Tromans, Michael Bongers, David Segal and Tom Mitchell. Their willingness to give generously of their time and expertise has benefitted the Association in no small measure.
HOBART FORUM
Many thanks to the all involved in the organisation of the Forum held in Hobart at the end of September. The Executive has received many positive comments from members who attended the Forum and who were privileged to listen to several superbly relevant presentations. Particular mention should be made of the keynote address (see further reference below) delivered by Professor Rufus Black, Vice Chancellor of the University of Tasmania, which opened the Forum and which also set the agenda for much of the rest of the conversation in Hobart. We were also privileged to hear from Ms Elizabeth Broderick AO and from Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Kate Warner, Governor of Tasmania.
The session organised specifically for new Heads and for Deans and Deputies was very well received and will become a regular feature of future Forums.
STRATEGIC PLANNING MEETING
Members of the Executive will meet at St Andrew’s College in Sydney on December 17 and 18. The agenda for the meeting will cover a number of critical issues, many of which were raised in Hobart. They include but are not limited to:
Development of a Value Proposition for residential colleges and movement towards a pro-active communications campaign
The professionalisation of the Association
Ongoing partnerships
Leadership and national standards
Continued work towards cultural renewal
Given the significance of these agenda items, the strategic planning will extend over two days with a view to setting the Executive’s agenda for the year ahead and to setting in place strategies to address the priorities critical to the future of our residential colleges and the relevance and value of the Association. Quite simply, we could not give enough attention to these matters in a shorter meeting.
Members of the Executive would value input from members prior to the Strategic Planning meeting. If you have any views on the agenda items listed above and would care to share these with members of the Executive, we would be grateful if you could send these through to our Executive Officer, Deborah Pugh at executiveofficer@universitycollegesaustralia.edu.au by 12 December 2018.
END OF YEAR
I will be in contact with you again before the end of the year and following the strategic planning meeting. In the meantime, I wish you well for the end of the college year in your community and look forward to working with you in 2019.
Barbara Green
President
Membership Matters
Colleges from a Vice-Chancellor's Perspective
A number of Hobart Forum participants have requested a transcript of Prof. Rufus Black's keynote address. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide a transcript, however, please find talking points and detailed notes here. A copy is also available at the Member section of our website.
Cultural Renewal Update - Rose Alwyn, Immediate Past-President
The key theme of our Hobart Forum was the work undertaken by UCA in response to the Universities Australia led Human Rights’ Commission Report and significant body of work undertaken by Elizabeth Broderick. Led by Gender and Diversity expert Julie McKay and Lauren Humphreys from PwC, UCA consulted widely with members, partners and experts in the prevention of sexual assault. The Respectful Relations Advisory Group has developed a framework and model across prevention and responses to sexual assault and sexual harassment, underpinned by case studies and experience for Colleges to adapt to suit their needs. 7 key pillars have been developed based on leading practice and, following the final consultation process, will be available for all members by the end of this year. This will continue to be a priority area for the executive to work on, alongside our Alcohol Harm Minimisation work and we look forward to working collaboratively with experts and members in the coming year.
UCA 2019 Forum - Date Claim
The UCA 2019 Forum will be held in Sydney, during the universities' common week, from Wednesday 2nd to Friday 4th October.
Locum Head of College
There are occasions when a locum Head temporarily fulfills the duties of a Head of College or Hall of Residence. As such, the UCA is compiling a list of previous Heads who may wish to take on such a role. Should a Head require a period of absence and require a locum Head, the UCA can provide a list of possible locum Heads. More recently, the Rev. Dr Ivan Head, former Head of St Paul's College (1994-2017) has approached UCA indicating his willingness to perform such a role should be need arise.
Should you know of a former Head who may be interested in performing such a role or wish to make contact with Ivan Head, please contact Deborah Pugh for further details at executiveofficer@universitycollegesaustralia.edu.au
Australian Student Accommodation Market Update
Find a copy of Savills 2018 Australian Student Accommodation Market Update here
