AGY-3666 | University of Sydney

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The University of Sydney was established and assented to 1 October 1850 by the NSW Legislative Council by An Act to Incorporate and Endow the University of Sydney. (1)

This act of incorporation was amended by subsequent acts enlarging the scope of the University and the whole was consolidated in the University and University Colleges Act 1900. (2)

The University was 'for the better advancement of religion and useful knowledge'. Teaching commenced in 1852.

The St John's College Act 1857 allowed for the establishment of Saint John's College within the University of Sydney on 2 July 1858. (3)

In May 1886 the Senate governing the University established the Professorial Board 'to consider and report to the Senate upon all matters respecting the studies and examinations of the students, and the conferring of Degrees in the several Faculties - the studies, examinations, and degrees, in the Faculty of Medicine excepted - with power to establish Rules, subject to the approval of the Senate, for maintaining order and discipline among the students, and securing their due attendance at Lectures.'

The University Amendment (Vice-Chancellor) Act 1924 effectively separated the roles of Warden and Registrar, providing for the Senate to elect a Deputy Chancellor to fulfill the duties of then Vice-Chancellor and changed the role of Vice-Chancellor to that of a permanent executive officer to take over the duties of Warden. (4)

23 December 1929, in accordance with the Sancta Sophia College Incorporation Act 1929, Sancta Sophia College was established as a college of and within the University of Sydney. (5)

On 18th June 1975 the Professorial Board was replaced by the enlarged Academic Board, a change aimed at opening up the senior academic deliberative body both to the non-professorial level of academic staff and to students. The Academic Board was responsible for furthering and coordinating the work of the faculties, academic colleges, departments and schools, and for encouraging teaching, scholarship and research. The academic colleges, faculties and boards of studies were responsible for the supervision of teaching and the conduct of examinations.

The Higher Education (Amalgamation) Act 1989 resulted in an amalgamation with the University of the Cumberland College of Health Sciences, the Sydney College of the Arts, and the Sydney Conservatorium of Music as academic colleges of the University. (6)

Two sections of Sydney College of Advanced Education, the Institute of Nursing Studies and the Sydney Institute of Education, also became a part of the University on 1 January 1990.

On 1 January 1994 Orange Agricultural College also became an academic college of the University.

On 1 January 1990 the University of Sydney Act 1989 replaced the University and University Colleges Act 1900. (7) The Senate was the governing authority of the University, with functions conferred on it by the Act. Composed of 15 Fellows and chaired by the Chancellor, the Senate awards all degrees and diplomas and was responsible to the Parliament of New South Wales. (8)

The faculties in order of establishment in the University were: Arts, Law, Medicine, Science, Engineering, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Agriculture, Economics, Architecture, Education, Nursing, Health Sciences, Pharmacy and Rural Management.

There were boards of studies that supervised the award of degrees and diplomas - the Boards of Studies in Indigenous Studies, Social Work and Music. In addition, there were the Australian Graduate School of Management (with the University of NSW), Sydney College of the Arts and the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

In March 1997 these elements were organised into three colleges: College of Health Sciences, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Sciences and Technology.

On 15 April 2016, the Senate of the University of Sydney passed a governing body resolution to meet new standard governing body provisions as set out in the Universities Governing Bodies Act 2011. (9)

In 2020, there were five faculties and three schools at the university, including Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; University of Sydney Business School; Faculty of Engineering; Faculty of Medicine and Health; Faculty of Science; University of Sydney School of Architecture; Sydney Conservatorium of Music; and University of Sydney Law School. (10)

Endnote
1. An Act to Incorporate and Endow the University of Sydney (No.31, 1850), Assented to 1 October 1850.
2. An Act to consolidate the Acts relating to the University of Sydney and Colleges within the University of Sydney (No. 22, 1900), Assented to 22 September 1900.
3. Saint Johns College website, History, https://www.stjohnscollege.edu.au/about/governance/ (accessed 17 November 2022).
4. University Amendment (Vice-Chancellor) Act 1924 (No.35, 1924) Assented to 12 December 1924.
5. Sancta Sophia College Incorporation Act 1929 (No. 45, 1929), s.3.
6. Higher Education (Amalgamation) Act 1989 (No. 65, 1989).
7. NSW Government Gazette, University of Sydney Act 1989 (No. 124, 1989) Proclamation, 01 January 1990.
8. The University of Sydney, Annual Report 2020, pg. 4.
9. Universities Governing Bodies (University of Sydney) Order 2016 (No. 194, 2016), NSW legislation website, 15 April 2016.
10. The University of Sydney, Annual Report 2020, pg. 6.