AGY-1864 | New England University College

Full description

The University and University College (Amendment) Act, 1937 (Act No. 30, 1937) authorised the establishment of University Colleges outside the Sydney Metropolitan Area. (1) The Act enabled the University of Sydney to accept the gift, devise or bequest of property upon trust the proceeds of which could be used to finance any college established under the Act. (2).

Each University college was to be governed by an Advisory Council of between 10 and 20 members. The members of the Advisory Council were appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Senate of the University of Sydney. The role of the Council was to be prescribed in by-laws made by the Senate (3) The Senate had the responsibility for the appointment of the academic and administrative staff of the university colleges (4) In the words of the Act 'The Senate shall have the entire management of and superintendence over the affairs and concerns of each College ... and of any property of the University held in trust for the purposes of a college established under this Act'. (5)

The costs of establishment of university colleges were defrayed by the Colonial Treasurer. (6) and a permanent endowment of £100.000 was voted for each University College. (7) The Senate accepted the offer of Mr T. R. Foster to transfer his property 'Booloominbah' to become premises for the New England University College. Arrangements were made for the appointment of staff so that teaching at the College could commence in March, 1938 (8)

On the advice of the Senate of the University of Sydney the Governor announced approval of the establishment of the College in May, 1938. (9)

Teaching in the faculty of science commenced in March, 1938 and this was followed by the faculties of Arts and Veterinary Science the following year. In 1939 there were 63 students (10) By 1945 204 students were enrolled almost all of whom were proceeding towards degrees.

The majority of students lived in the three residential colleges on the campus and nine residences in Armidale. (11)

During 1944 the Advisory Council commenced planning for the elevation of the College to university status including drafting an Act. (12 ) The following year the University’s first registrar was appointed marking the commencement of the transfer of the administration to Armidale. (13)

Further steps towards autonomy were taken in 1950 when by-laws passed by the Senate of the University of Sydney increased the authority of the Advisory Council. The Council subsequently appointed committees to deal with finance, the farm, building and grounds, and adult education. (14)

The New England University College was dissolved by the University of New England Act, 1953 (Act No. 34, 1953 (15) All real and personal property of the University College (including that vested in the University of Sydney for the benefit of the College) was transferred to the University of New England and the staff became officers of the new institution. (16)

Endnote
1. The University and University College (Amendment) Act, 1937, s.42.
2. Ibid. s. 4(2).
3. Ibid. , s.43.
4. Ibid. s.44(1).
5. Ibid. s.44(2).
6. Ibid. s.45. 7. Amendment to s. 24.
8. Annual report of the University of Sydney for the year ended 31 December, 1937 p. 25 in NSW Parliamentary Papers 1938-39-49, vol. 1 p. 1435.
9. NSW Government Gazette 6 May, 1938 p. 1780.
10. Annual report of the University of Sydney for the year ended 31 December, 1939 p. 7 in NSW Parliamentary Papers, 1940-41 Vol. 1 p. 233.
11. Annual report of the University of Sydney for the year ended 31 December, 1949 p. 10-11 in NSW Parliamentary Papers 1947-48, Vol 1, p. 211.
12. Annual report of the University of Sydney for the year ended 31 December, 1941 p. 10 in NSW Parliamentary Papers 1946-47 Vol 1, p. 110.
13. Annual report of the University of Sydney for the year ended 31 December, 1945 p. 10. In NSW Parliamentary Papers 1947-48 Vol 1, p. 210.
14. Annual report of the University of Sydney for the year ended 31 December, 1950 , p. 14 in NSW Parliamentary Papers 1952-1953 p. 276. (15) University of New England Act, 1953. S. 38 (16) Ibid. S. 39