From the President
  • 2021 Student Survey of Sexual Assault & Sexual Harassment
  • Student Mental Health Initiatives
  • Meeting with Australian Boarding Schools Association
  • Meeting with Collegiate Way International 
  • Conversations with Colleagues
  • Contact your Executive Committee Member
Membership Matters:
  • REGISTER for Online Forum, 10 November - Gender equality & the primary prevention of gendered violence in university residential settings
  • Dates for the Diary - November 
  • Women & Leadership Australia (WLA) - WLA Connect
Dear Member,

2021 Student Survey of Sexual Assault & Sexual Harassment
UCA remains committed to supporting our members in the provision of safe and respectful living and learning communities and provided some key points & questions to consider in a recent e-news   Additionally, I remind you of UCA's Respectful Relations, Response and Resources Advisory Group which was developed in response to Recommendation 9 to support our Members in the prevention and response to issues of sexual violence.

In recognising international best practice resources, I draw attention to the release of a toolkit for universities to address sexual harm by Tertiary Wellbeing Aotearoa New Zealand and Universities NZ.  It is the result of a collaboration between staff and students from Lincoln University, Thursdays in Black Society UC, the University of Canterbury, Ara Institute of Canterbury, the Canterbury District Health Board and Tertiary Wellbeing Aotearoa New Zealand.  You can find it here:  https://www.notonmycampus.nz/

UCA values its relationship with Universities Australia and in particular with Policy Lead, Dr Renee Hamilton.  During a recent meeting, Renee, Rose Alwyn and I discussed the Student Survey of Sexual Assault & Sexual Harassment to be released in 2021 and we will provide further information as it becomes available.  In the meantime, UCA will be touching base with College Heads to gain an understanding as to what further support is required in relation to Recommendation 9.

Student mental health initiatives
Our meeting with Renee Hamilton also provided an opportunity to discuss youth mental health strategies, particularly during COVID-19.  UA has partnered with headspace to release Responding to Suicide: A toolkit for Australian universities, and worked with headspace and Everymind to deliver interactive online training for senior university leaders.  UA is also currently working with Orygen to develop a national university mental health framework to allow universities to share best practice and learn from initiatives developed by a number of Australian and International universities.  UCA recently presented an online forum, Counselling Strategies for University Colleges, facilitated by Adjunct Professor Bill Peirson, See Bill’s article and presentation slides
Meeting with Australian Boarding Schools Association
Colleges and boarding schools face many of the same issues, whether it be in relation to governance and compliance, GST regulations; looking after young people's mental health or building our cultural competence in relation to international students.  We are both attuned to the effects of climate on enrolments and the degree of financial assistance required for our rural students.  It was with these issues in mind that I met with ABSA's Richard Stokes and Tom Dunsmore.  Our associations will work together on matters of mutual interest and I look forward to sharing more information with you in the coming months.
Meeting with Collegiate Way International
Ian Walker and I met with other members of the Advisory Board of Collegiate Way International on 21 October.  Participants in the meeting represent colleges in England, Singapore, Macao, Canada, USA and Australia.  A significant amount of time was spent discussing the impact of COVID 19, particularly in nations where infection rates are rising.  Many participants in the meeting were concerned about the long term impact of the pandemic on collegiate traditions given that many of these traditions and practices have been suspended during 2020.  Participants also recognised the value of regular meetings and conversations and committed to investigating the viability of a webinar series, particularly as the next CWI conference is still more that 12 months in the future.
Conversations with Colleagues
Our most recent Conversation, facilitated by Wayne Erickson, saw a small group of Heads discuss projections for 2021 and whether there was anything specific to their COVID experience that they would like to retain.  Whilst student applications for 2021 were down on previous years, the sense of community and student satisfaction for those who remained has increased.  The challenge for 2021 is a business one - how do we rebuild?  The move to online activities in 2020 has provided a number of positive experiences. One college found that the smaller, low-key activities had seen increased engagement amongst international students. 

Whilst the on-campus experience has been limited and may remain so to a degree in 2021, we know that colleges continue to work to ensure that students have a rich and positive experience.  A number of colleges, for example, have developed appropriate activities to celebrate the achievements of graduating students. Colleges have also noted increased interest in their non-resident or affiliate programs for students seeking social connection.  This was the last of our Conversations for 2020, however, we will once again hold these sessions commencing in March 2021.
Contact UCA Executive Committee Members
The Executive Committee continues to support colleagues and to provide information on matters of concern.  Please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Executive if you have a concern that you would like to be addressed - contact us

With best wishes,
Barbara Green AM
President
Membership Matters
Dates for November

Tuesday 10 November at 2:00pm AEDT (Sydney, ACT, Melbourne)
Gender equality and the primary prevention of gendered violence in university residential settings.  Facilitator: Ms Rose Alwyn 
In this Forum, Dr Tim Corney and Ms Brett Woods will discuss their current translational and applied research on gender equality and the primary prevention of gendered violence in university student residential environments.  This research, launched in 2018, is supported by the Victorian Government Office for Women and UCA.  Register your interest with Deborah Pugh here

Tuesday 24 November at 2:00pm AEDT – New Heads’ Session           
Facilitated by Mr Mark Sampson.
Register your interest here
Expressions of Interest for 2021
UCA will continue its series of Online Forums in 2021.  Commencing in March, Online Forums will be held on the second Tuesday of the month and 'Conversations with Colleagues' will be held on the fourth Tuesday of the month.  All sessions will run 2:00pm - 3:00pm AEDT.  We have a number of suggestions including Strategic Planning & Managing Risk, Working with the College Chair & College Governance. 

We welcome further suggestions or expressions of interest from Members who may wish to present on a particular topic of relevance.  Please contact Deborah Pugh to register any expression of interest here or phone 0434 400 653.
WLA Connect
Women & Leadership Australia (WLA) has launched a brand new networking and learning hub called WLA Connect.

The platform is designed for women to gather, network, share and learn about being a female leader in today’s working environment. Connect members are able to access events, learning materials and forums where they can collaborate with women from the education sector and beyond.
This is an important developmental initiative for women across the country. Features of WLA Connect include:
•              A curated learning laboratory filled with leadership development content
•              Expert masterclasses on leadership theory and practice
•              Face-to-face and online networking events
•              Member led contributions and recommendations
•              Peer coaching, executive coaching and mentoring opportunities.
Find out more: https://www.wlaconnect.com.au/
 
UCA Mission and Pillars of Purpose

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