UNSW Residential Communities

UNSW Residential Communities (UNSWRC) manages the student accommodation portfolio at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Kensington, Sydney, Australia, under the Division of Student Services.

UNSW Residential Communities
Former names
UNSW Office of Housing
TypeDivision of University Services, University of New South Wales.
Established2001
Location
Kensington
,
New South Wales
,
Australia

33°55′4″S 151°13′52″E 33.88394°S 151.22032°E / -33.88394; 151.22032 (Paddington)
WebsiteUNSW Residential Communities

History

The University of New South Wales student residential community was founded in 1959, with Basser College.[1] UNSW's student accommodation portfolio has since expanded to include college and apartment style residences, both on campus and in neighboring suburban areas.

Redevelopment

UNSW's $110 million redevelopment of its student accommodation facility was completed in January 2014. The first of the new facilities, the University Terraces[2] launched in 2013, added 371 new apartments, cafes, bars and a supermarket to the Gate 2 precinct of Kensington campus. The existing Kensington Colleges have been completely rebuilt, and three new colleges added to the portfolio: Fig Tree Hall, Colombo House and UNSW Hall.

UNSW Colleges

UNSW Colleges include the Kensington Colleges and three new facilities: Colombo House, Fig Tree Hall and UNSW Hall.

The founding UNSW Residential College named after Sir Adolph Basser,[3] a Polish optician, jeweler and philanthropist. A large donation from Basser saw construction begin 1957, less than a decade after the establishment of New South Wales University of Technology (renamed University of New South Wales in 1958). The college was inaugurated by the Governor-General, Sir William Joseph Slim, on 1 July 1959[4]

Named after philanthropist Philip Goldstein,[5] the second UNSW College was opened by then NSW Premier, J. B. Renshaw, on 30 June 1964.[6] The College and separate dining hall were designed by Government Architect, E. H. Farmer[7] and assisted by Peter Hall (successor of Jørn Utzon as supervising architect for the Sydney Opera House). The Dining Hall building won the Sulman Award for architecture in 1965. A bronze sculpture (Untitled) designed by Australian sculptor Bert Flugelman,[8] stands in the Goldstein courtyard.

The largest of the three, original Kensington Colleges, Baxter College was named after the University's first Vice-Chancellor, Sir Philip Baxter.[9] The college was opened by then Education and Research Minister (later Prime Minister) John Gorton, on 14 October 1966.

  • Colombo House

A brand new residential college that opened in Semester 1, 2014. Named in honor of UNSW's involvement in the Colombo Plan, Colombo House is the only UNSW College that is completely self-catered. All rooms are single occupancy with private en suites. There are shared kitchens on every floor and a large, catering-style kitchen on the ground floor.

  • Fig Tree Hall

A new residential college that opened in Semester 1, 2014. The college is fully catered and all rooms have private en suites. Fig Tree Hall is the only college that offers residents a choice of male and female floors and halal cuisine. The entire facility is also completely alcohol free. UNSW is a considered a respectfully secular organisation and follows government anti-discrimination guidelines.[10] UNSW's 'Don't Assume Campaign',[11] exemplifies the UNSW's ideology of a respectful, inclusive and diverse university environment.

Upon the completion of the redevelopment in January 2014, the existing Philip Baxter College will be re-purposed to become UNSW Hall. The college will be a part-catered facility, offering students two meals per day during session. The older style facility has shared bathrooms and limited twin rooms, making it the most basic and affordable accommodation among the UNSW Colleges.

UNSW Apartments

UNSW Apartments offer independent, self-catered and shared accommodation. Contracts are taken on a yearly basis and function similarly to a commercial tenancy agreement, except that maintenance and utilities are included. UNSW also manages the placement of students, ensuring a balance of male and female occupants is maintained in each premises.

  • Barker St Apartments
  • Mulwaree Apartments
  • University Terraces[12]
  • High Street Apartments

References
  1. http://www.kensingtoncolleges.unsw.edu.au/about/our_history.html
  2. http://www.facilities.unsw.edu.au/UNSWs-other-projects/university-terraces-modern-student-accommodation-and-retail-facilities
  3. http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/basser-sir-adolph-9447
  4. http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/slim-sir-william-joseph-11713
  5. http://www.recordkeeping.unsw.edu.au/historicalresources/onlineexhibitions/campusbuildingsexhibition.html
  6. http://www.parlpapers.sl.nsw.gov.au/display.cfm?parl_id=16200
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-03-18. Retrieved 2012-01-06.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) E. H. Farmer
  8. http://www.artcollection.unsw.edu.au/sculpturewalk.html
  9. http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/baxter-sir-john-philip-12185
  10. https://student.unsw.edu.au/anti-discrimination-and-harassment
  11. http://www.dontassume.unsw.edu.au/modules/what-is-it/
  12. http://www.facilities.unsw.edu.au/UNSWs-other-projects/university-terraces-modern-student-accommodation-and-retail-facilities
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