Residential arrangements, NEUC, 1947

The following is an extract from The New England University College Calendar 1947-8, issued November 1947.

7. – THE RESIDENTIAL SYSTEM

“Residence at university age is absolutely essential to an all-round education.” – (Truscott).

Students at The New England University College are required to be in residence at the College unless they are married or unless they live in Armidale with their parents or legal guardians. The New England University College is unique among universities in Australia in being almost completely residential, and its students gain more from this corporate life than is possible at other universities in this country. It is interesting to note that Melbourne University in 1947 embarked on a similar scheme, establishing a residential branch at Mildura for first year students only in the Faculties of Architecture, Dental Science, Engineering and Medicine.

There are at present twelve university residences. Within the university grounds students live in the old mansion, “Boolominbah”, and in two small cottages, the Lodge and the sub-Lodge. The remainder of the students live in Armidale in nine large houses, eight of which are leased by the University and the ninth, “Comeytrowe,” was bequeathed to the University by the late Mrs. J.J. Bliss. All meals, other than supper, which is provided in each residence, are served in the dining hall at “Booloominbah”, and students living in the town houses are transported to and from the university each day in university subsidised ’buses. A regular service is also maintained by the Armidale ’bus proprietor between the city and the University.

 Special classes are conducted during term for first year students in residence. Non-resident students may attend these classes on payment of £1 per term for one subject, £1/10/- per term for two subjects, and £2 per term for three or more subjects.

The residence fee for the academic year (normally 28 weeks) is £60, payable for convenience in instalments of £20 within the first week of lectures of each of three terms. An additional Residential Entrance fee of £2 is charged when the student first comes into residence, and at present each student is required to contribute 11/- yearly to a medical fund, which entitles him, under certain conditions, to free medical treatment.  Except for the Christmas period, students may be permitted to remain in residence during vacations at a charge of 35/- per week.  All students should allow for a probable extra four weeks at this reduced charge to cover the period of the annual examinations. These residence fees cover all furniture, linen and equipment, but do not include personal laundry. Laundries and laundry equipment are available to students in all residences.

University residences are normally supervised by a member of the teaching staff or a senior student acting as “sub-warden”, and by a housekeeper. Students are required to enter into residence at the beginning of the academic year and to remain in residence during the remainder of the year in which they enrol, vacation periods excepted. No student may go out of residence before the last day of lectures each term, or be out of College overnight, without the permission of the Registrar.