National Association of Australian University Colleges

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The National Association of Australian University Colleges Inc (NAAUC) is the peak representative body for students living on Australian tertiary campuses. As a non-profit association, NAAUC aims to coordinate a network of communication between residences on a national scale, foster goodwill amongst association members, and liaise with college heads and administration in order to provide the best possible advice and referral to Australian colleges and halls of residences.

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[edit] History

NAAUC was founded during a small gathering of College Club Presidents and Senior Students at an Intercollegiate Conference held in Canberra in 1967.

[edit] Aims

The aims of the Association were established in 1968:

  • To co-ordinate, on a national scale, a network of communications between members of the Association
  • To implement a system of liaison with heads of college in order to further the interests of member colleges and halls
  • To foster goodwill and understanding between members of the Association
  • To promote the efficient administration of college, hall and residential associations throughout the country
  • To provide colleges with information regarding pertinent issues
  • To develop and enable professionalism within college student bodies
  • To lead the development of colleges

The Association has steadily grown from these humble beginnings, with the 2005 Annual NAAUC conference held in Melbourne. Approximately 250 delegates representing every State and Territory in Australia attended as well as delegates from New Zealand colleges.

[edit] The Executive

An executive of five members (with two additional ordinary member positions) is elected by member colleges each year to co-ordinate the activities and provide direction to the association for the following year. The positions are President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Conference Director(s). In addition to these, there are two ordinary member positions: IT Officer and Immediate Past President. A team of State Representatives also supports the Executive Committee.

The Current Executive is:

  • President: Michael Douglas
  • Vice-President: Nathan Eva
  • Treasurer: Kirsty White
  • Secretary: Renee Carr
  • IT Officer: Mathew Bock
  • Conference Directors: Jess Dunstan and Nigel Clifford

[edit] Annual Conference

The association holds an annual conference for its members and involves a program of various activities all with relevance to on-campus residential living. At each year's conference several colleges present bids in competition to host the conference in their city the following year. Two conference directors from the host city are appointed and are responsible for the planning and running of the program under the supervision of the executive. The program typically includes;

[edit] Workshops

  • Sexual harassment and counselling
  • Operational professionalism and running meetings
  • Organisational strategy
  • Public speaking
  • Publications
  • Student relations with Heads of Colleges
  • Knowledge management
  • Event Management

[edit] Professional Development Seminars

The NAAUC Conference has a vast alumnus of veteran college leaders to encourage and aid future leaders. The Professional Development Seminars are a key tool in passing information to prospective office seekers and in sharing lessons learned - the hard way - from other colleges. These sessions outline what prospective student leaders should do in preparation for appointment, what sort of commitment various positions involve and issues they should consider upon successful appointment. Seminars are presented in the areas of student club President and Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Social Officer and Residential Advisor.

[edit] Community Service

One of the more recent additions to the conference program has been a community service outing. These outings have included day long trips to areas outside host cities to survey and work on damaged land and vegetation. In 2005 the conference delegation planted more than 2000 tube stock native plants at a 93 hectare site in the Galada Tamboore Reserve in outer Melbourne.

[edit] Discussion Groups

Discussion groups are where most information is shared between colleges. This integral part of the conference allows delegates to share their college’s ideas and systems with other delegates from across Australia. These groups are designed to help students discover solutions to particular problems that you may be experiencing within their own college environment. Delegates leave these sessions with new ideas and alternatives to take back home. Some of the topics at past conferences have included

  • Apathy
  • O-Week
  • Non-alcoholic Functions
  • Community Service Initiatives
  • Integrating International Residents
  • Fundraising
  • Sexuality
  • College Publications
  • Sponsorship
  • Drugs in College
  • College Cultural Programs
  • Discipline
  • Environmental Issues

[edit] Parliamentary Debating

The model debate gives delegates the opportunity to match their wits in an educational and slightly comical look at contentious college issues. Always one of the highlights of the week, the conference parliamentary debate is usually held at the host city's Parliament House.

[edit] Social Events

A full social program is the tradition of the annual conference. Night outings to renowned landmarks and activities unique to the host city are always popular, and in the past have included trips to the Fremantle Prison, AFL games at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as well as others. In-house functions and the black-tie ball held at the end of the conference week are a highlight for many.

[edit] Past Conferences

The 2008 Conference will be hosted by Trinity, The University of Western Australia (Perth).

[edit] External links