International House, University of Wollongong
Encyclopedia
International House is the oldest residential college of the University of Wollongong
and is an affiliate of the 16 International Houses Worldwide. It provides accommodation to approximately 218 students who are attending the University of Wollongong. It is situated at the corner of Porter and Hindmarsh Avenue in North Wollongong
, near the North Wollongong railway station.
Hostel
, established in 1966. It was enlarged between 1970 and 1975 and became a residential college
of the then Wollongong University College. It was formally opened on Friday, 8 August 1975 by the then Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Right Honourable Sir John Kerr, AC, KCMG, KStJ, QC.
In 1980 the YMCA sold it to the University of Wollongong and it became the university’s first hall of residence. Liz Hilton was appointed as Deputy Warden Secretary Manager and lived on site in a small flat located at the residence. In 1983 she became the manager and lived and worked there until 1987. During her tenure there were two tragic accidents which had a profound impact on the community: an American
student became a paraplegic in a car accident; and three students from New Jersey
, USA, were killed in a minibus accident in Gympie
, NSW.
After the departure of Liz Hilton, from 1987 to 1990 all three of the university's residences (International House, Weerona College and Kooloobong) were centrally managed from International House after Cynthia Halloran was appointed Head of Halls of Residence in 1986.
However, in 1990 Weerona College became an independently administered residence. Following a review of the halls of residence in 2002, further changes to the operations of the colleges occurred, with greater centralisation of administrative functions.
Cynthia Halloran left International House at the end of 2002, after 16 years living and working there with her family. Her husband, Tom Halloran, held the title of 'Academic Dean' whilst she was the head.
The current Student Residence Managers are Alison Hemsley and Dr Lindsay Oades, who began their appointment in 2003. They were awarded a Vice-Chancellors General Staff Award for Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Learning in 2008 for the iLIVE Program at International House. In
In 2010, The Manor was opened by the University of Wollongong as a residence for single higher degree research and post graduate students. It is managed by International House and its residents have access to all of the programs and facilities of International House, including iLive program and meals.
International House traditional rivals are Weerona College, who compete regularly against International House in sporting and other competitions such as debating.
The International House 30th reunion was held on Saturday, 27 November 2010. The Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Ms Quentin Bryce
AC, the Governor
of NSW, Professor
Marie Bashir
AC
, CVO
, and the Hon David Campbell, MP in his capacity as the NSW Member for Keira, have issued congratulatory messages for the occasion.
The principal elements incorporated in the Arms of International House are the blue of the sea, the gold of the sand and the red of the Illawarra flame tree. The open book often used for educations institutions has also been included, as has a picture of the globe symbolising the international character of the residents.
The current, stated mission of International House is to promote global wellbeing by enabling its residents to be intercultural leaders. Intercultural leaders are defined as people understand cultural differences, and help others to understand their differences and build international friendships.
International House has many common areas including:
It also has kitchenettes on most decks.
In 2010 programs and events at the International House included:
The roles of Student Leader Team are as follows:
by one mission:
International House movement began in the early part of the last century with International House New York opening in 1924 and International House Berkeley in 1930. Currently there are 16 International Houses Worldwide members. University of Wollongong International House became a member in January 2006.
In describing their members, International Houses Worldwide, states:
University of Wollongong
The University of Wollongong is a public university located in the coastal city of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia, approximately 80 kilometres south of Sydney...
and is an affiliate of the 16 International Houses Worldwide. It provides accommodation to approximately 218 students who are attending the University of Wollongong. It is situated at the corner of Porter and Hindmarsh Avenue in North Wollongong
North Wollongong, New South Wales
North Wollongong is the immediate northern coastal suburb of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. North Wollongong is used to refer to the northern area of Wollongong as well as North Wollongong by locals, despite the official suburb not including the northern apartment areas of Wollongong and...
, near the North Wollongong railway station.
History
International House was formerly a YMCAYMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
Hostel
Hostel
Hostels provide budget oriented, sociable accommodation where guests can rent a bed, usually a bunk bed, in a dormitory and share a bathroom, lounge and sometimes a kitchen. Rooms can be mixed or single-sex, although private rooms may also be available...
, established in 1966. It was enlarged between 1970 and 1975 and became a residential college
Residential college
A residential college is an organisational pattern for a division of a university that places academic activity in a community setting of students and faculty, usually at a residence and with shared meals, the college having a degree of autonomy and a federated relationship with the overall...
of the then Wollongong University College. It was formally opened on Friday, 8 August 1975 by the then Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Right Honourable Sir John Kerr, AC, KCMG, KStJ, QC.
In 1980 the YMCA sold it to the University of Wollongong and it became the university’s first hall of residence. Liz Hilton was appointed as Deputy Warden Secretary Manager and lived on site in a small flat located at the residence. In 1983 she became the manager and lived and worked there until 1987. During her tenure there were two tragic accidents which had a profound impact on the community: an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
student became a paraplegic in a car accident; and three students from New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, USA, were killed in a minibus accident in Gympie
Gympie
Gympie may refer to:* Gympie, a city in Queensland, Australia** Gympie Airport** Electoral district of Gympie** Gympie Region, its local government authority* Gympie Gympie , a stinging plant...
, NSW.
After the departure of Liz Hilton, from 1987 to 1990 all three of the university's residences (International House, Weerona College and Kooloobong) were centrally managed from International House after Cynthia Halloran was appointed Head of Halls of Residence in 1986.
However, in 1990 Weerona College became an independently administered residence. Following a review of the halls of residence in 2002, further changes to the operations of the colleges occurred, with greater centralisation of administrative functions.
Cynthia Halloran left International House at the end of 2002, after 16 years living and working there with her family. Her husband, Tom Halloran, held the title of 'Academic Dean' whilst she was the head.
The current Student Residence Managers are Alison Hemsley and Dr Lindsay Oades, who began their appointment in 2003. They were awarded a Vice-Chancellors General Staff Award for Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Learning in 2008 for the iLIVE Program at International House. In
In 2010, The Manor was opened by the University of Wollongong as a residence for single higher degree research and post graduate students. It is managed by International House and its residents have access to all of the programs and facilities of International House, including iLive program and meals.
International House traditional rivals are Weerona College, who compete regularly against International House in sporting and other competitions such as debating.
The International House 30th reunion was held on Saturday, 27 November 2010. The Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Ms Quentin Bryce
Quentin Bryce
Quentin Bryce, AC, CVO is the 25th and current Governor-General of Australia and former Governor of Queensland....
AC, the Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
of NSW, Professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
Marie Bashir
Marie Bashir
Marie Roslyn Bashir AC, CVO is the present Governor of New South Wales since 2001 and also the Chancellor of the University of Sydney since 2007. Born in Narrandera, New South Wales, Bashir graduated from the University of Sydney in 1956 and held various medical positions, with a particular...
AC
AC
AC or Ac may refer to:* Air conditioning, the mechanical process of cooling air in enclosed spaces* Air conditioner, a machine that produces cool air* Anarcho-capitalism, a form of free-market anarchism...
, CVO
CVO
CVO may refer to:* Chief visionary officer,* Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, a British honour* Chief Veterinary Officer * Circumventricular organs, positioned around the ventricular system of the brain...
, and the Hon David Campbell, MP in his capacity as the NSW Member for Keira, have issued congratulatory messages for the occasion.
Motto and Arms
The Latin motto of International house is ‘Concordia Floreat’ which translates to ‘let harmony prevail’.The principal elements incorporated in the Arms of International House are the blue of the sea, the gold of the sand and the red of the Illawarra flame tree. The open book often used for educations institutions has also been included, as has a picture of the globe symbolising the international character of the residents.
Mission
- Promoting global wellbeing by enabling UOW students living @ International House to be intercultural leaders.
The current, stated mission of International House is to promote global wellbeing by enabling its residents to be intercultural leaders. Intercultural leaders are defined as people understand cultural differences, and help others to understand their differences and build international friendships.
Today
Residents are predominantly undergraduate students, with some postgraduate students also accommodated. International House provides catered, dormitory style accommodation. There are 218 beds, 14 shared rooms (28 beds) and 190 single rooms.International House has many common areas including:
- the dining room and the courtyard
- the red room (a television room)
- library
- computer labs
- games room, outdoor chess and BBQ area.
It also has kitchenettes on most decks.
In 2010 programs and events at the International House included:
- Welcome to Country
- Tuesday topicals
- iFeast
- global visions
- projects for peace.
Student Leader Team
The Student Leader Team is made up by two streams: the assistants who provide a range of support services to residents; and the mentors, who are on after hours duty, promote student wellbeing and assist the Student Residence Managers with discipline procedures and recognition of commendable behaviour within the community. Members of the Student Leader Team are remunerated for their contribution to International House through rental reductions.The roles of Student Leader Team are as follows:
- Resident Life Coordinator: To support the wellbeing of residents and promote good conduct, by coordinating and supporting mentors, assistants and liaise with staff, and daily contact with the Resident Program Coordinator and daily reporting to Student Residence Managers regarding wellbeing and resident conduct.
- Resident Program Coordinator: To coordinate programs run by, and for, International House in close liaison with the administration coordinator and with support from the Student Development Assistants; and promote community activities supported by the community activities fund and administered by the community activities committee.
- Student Development Assistants: To promote and support student development activities within the residence (e.g. assisting residents to become intercultural leaders and academic performance).
- Office Assistants: To provide assistance to office staff including front counter service.
- Mentors: To promote and support resident wellbeing, discipline and recognition of commendable actions within the resident community. In the event of a fire or similar emergency the mentors act as building or area wardens. All mentors hold current Level 2 First Aid Certificates.
The International House Movement
International Houses Worldwide is an affiliation of International Houses unitedby one mission:
- To provide students of different nationalities and diverse cultures with the opportunity to live and learn together in a community of mutual respect, understanding and international friendship.
International House movement began in the early part of the last century with International House New York opening in 1924 and International House Berkeley in 1930. Currently there are 16 International Houses Worldwide members. University of Wollongong International House became a member in January 2006.
In describing their members, International Houses Worldwide, states:
- “All Houses offer young people from every corner of the globe the opportunity to gather under one roof to live, eat and work together, to learn more about one another and the world in which they live , while pursuing their own personal goals. In a carefully nurtured environment, boundaries are crossed, cultural gaps are bridged, and people of vastly divergent beliefs learn to accept differences in thought and tradition. Future leaders of the global community begin the process of international understanding which they carry with them throughout their lives.”