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University of Sydney responds to criticism

In the letter below in the May 2012 edition of The South Sydney Herald the Sydney University Vice Chancellor responded to two articles in the April Issue of South Sydney Herald. We have also included the text of the Vice Chanellors add in the same SSH issue below.

University of Sydney responds to criticism

Two articles in last month’s SSH gave a very misleading picture of the current staffing negotiations and the building and infrastructure program at the University of Sydney writes Sydney University Vice Chancellor in this letter in the May 2012 edition of The South Sydney Herald.

It is correct that we have a budget shortfall and as a result we have had to make some tough decisions to meet our strategic priorities. Some have made the absurd proposition that the University has opted for buildings over staff. This is a false dichotomy.

As well as adding to the numbers of staff who will have dedicated teaching roles, we are investing in new classrooms, laboratories and IT systems to support our staff and students.

The University has a backlog of repairs and maintenance identified by the NSW Auditor General to cost $385 million. We are making a start on the critical areas to ensure we meet OH&S standards in many older facilities. This will cost $37 million and the University needs to fund that immediately.

The proposed new Business School in the Abercrombie Precinct will provide a central facility for students currently located in many different dilapidated buildings. It will provide a mix of large and small teaching spaces and an informal e-learning

hub for group work. There will not be an additional 7,500 students.

Business School students are already moving within this precinct in lecture theatres, tutorial rooms and food outlets between City Road and Codrington Streets.

The building will not be all glass and concrete. The University deliberately chose an innovative and more environmentally friendly façade of terracotta ceramic which is more in keeping with the architecture of the area.

We have consulted widely with the community and stakeholders such as the Darlington Public School, the Department of Education, the City of Sydney and the Department of Planning on this project. The latest redesign reflects the numerous constructive comments we received.

We have been particularly concerned to make this a safe area for school children and other pedestrians.

The plans include a new safe school drop-off zone, a direct path across the site to a new school entrance which does not cross any driveways. As well there will be fewer car spaces within the site than originally proposed to further reduce the number of car movements in and out of the precinct.

By investing in our infrastructure we are investing in our people, many of whom have had to put up with inadequate facilities for years. Unless we invest now, in a few years time the facilities we do have will become more and more obsolete.

Dr Michael Spence  

Vice-Chancellor, University of Sydney

Source: The South Sydney Herald May 2012 – www.southsydneyherald.com.au

University submits new Business School Plans

Revised plans for the University of Sydney’s new Business School at the Abercrombie Precinct in Darlington have been submitted to the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure reports the Sydney University Vice Chancellor in his column in the May 2012 edition of The South Sydney Herald. The plans will be on display on the Department’s website for public comment.

Over the last few months, the University has consulted widely with the local community and groups such as REDwatch and RAIDD, as well as the Darlington Public School, the Department of Education, the City of Sydney and the Department of Planning. We have made a number of significant changes to the plans as a result of those discussions and feedback.

Features of the revised plans include a reduction of the overall bulk and scale of the proposal and a significant setback from Codrington Street and the Darlington Public School, a major reduction in overshadowing, an increase in green space and an emphasis on pedestrian safety and access through the site.

We are particularly concerned to make this a safe area for school children and other pedestrians. The plans include a new safe drop off zone outside the school and a safe path across the site to a new school entrance avoiding the entry to the car park. There will be fewer car spaces within the site than originally proposed to further reduce the number of car movements in and out of the precinct.

The new plan provides for an underground car park for 82 vehicles, which will replace the existing car spaces in the area. The entrance on Abercrombie St has been moved away from the school, and will allow for service deliveries to be made to and from the building.

Michael Spence
Vice-Chancellor

COMMUNITY CONTACT DETAILS

Security and after hours: 1800 063 487 (free call) 24hrs a day, 7 days a week Enquiries: 9114 0523 Email: local.comunity@sydney.edu.au

Source: The South Sydney Herald May 2012 – www.southsydneyherald.com.au