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The university's 150th anniversary was celebrated in 2003.<ref>[http://www.unimelb.edu.au/150 150th anniversary] University of Melbourne website</ref>
The university's 150th anniversary was celebrated in 2003.<ref>[http://www.unimelb.edu.au/150 150th anniversary] University of Melbourne website</ref>
[[File:Autumn at The University of Melbourne.jpg|thumb|Autumn foliage at the university.]]
[[File:Autumn at The University of Melbourne.jpg|thumb|Autumn foliage at the entry of the Old Geology Building.]]


==Governance==
==Governance==

Revision as of 12:15, 5 June 2013

The University of Melbourne
File:University of Melbourne coat of arms.png
Coat of Arms of the University of Melbourne
Latin: Universitas Melburnensis
MottoPostera Crescam Laude
"We grow in the esteem of future generations"
TypePublic
Established1853
EndowmentAU$1.173 billion[1]
ChancellorElizabeth Alexander
Vice-ChancellorGlyn Davis
Location, ,
CampusUrban
AffiliationsGroup of EightUniversitas 21
Websiteunimelb.edu.au
The University of Melbourne logo

The University of Melbourne (commonly referred to as Melbourne or UniMelb) is an Australian public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is Australia's second oldest university[2] and the oldest in Victoria.[2] Commonly considered to be Australia's most prestigious university,[3][4] Melbourne is currently ranked as Australia's best university by Times Higher Education, Academic Ranking of World Universities and National Taiwan University Rankings.[5][6][7] Times Higher Education currently ranks Melbourne as 28th in the world,[5] while the QS World University Rankings places Melbourne 31st in the world.[8]

Melbourne's main campus is located in Parkville, an inner suburb north of the Melbourne central business district, with several other campuses located across Victoria. Melbourne is a sandstone university, and a member of the Group of Eight, Universitas 21 and the Association of Pacific Rim Universities. It has the largest endowment, and the largest research expenditure, of any Australian university.[9] Since 1872 various residential colleges have become affiliated with the University. There are currently 12 colleges located on the main campus, and in nearby suburbs, offering academic, sporting and cultural programs, alongside accommodation, for Melbourne students and faculty.

Melbourne comprises eleven separate academic units, and is associated with numerous institutes and research centres, including the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research and the Grattan Institute. Amongst Melbourne's 15 graduate schools, Melbourne Business School, Melbourne Law School and Melbourne Medical School are particularly well regarded.[10][11][12]

Four Australian Prime Ministers, and five Governors-General, have graduated from Melbourne, and seven Nobel Laureates have been students or faculty, the most of any Australian university.[13]

Arms

Melbourne University-South Lawn
Ormond College

The university's coat of arms is a blue shield on which a depiction of Victory in white colour holds her laurel wreath over the stars of the Southern Cross. The motto, Postera crescam laude ("Later I shall grow by praise" or, more freely, "We shall grow in the esteem of future generations"), is written on a scroll beneath the shield. The Latin is from a line in a Horace ode: ego postera crescam laude recens.

History

Cussonia Court, home to the Schools of Classics and Philosophy.

Melbourne University was established by Hugh Childers Auditor-General and Finance Minister in his first Budget Speech, on 4 November 1852, who set aside a sum of £10,000 for the establishment of a University.[14] The University was established by Act of Incorporation on 22 January 1853, with power to confer degrees in arts, medicine, laws, and music. The act provided for an annual endowment of £9,000, while a special grant of £20.000 was made for buildings that year.[15] The foundation stone was laid on 3 July 1854, and on the same day the foundation stone for the State Library[16] Classes commenced in 1855 with three professors and sixteen students; of this body of students, only four graduated. The original buildings were officially opened by the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony of Victoria, Sir Charles Hotham, on 3 October 1855. The first chancellor, Redmond Barry (later Sir Redmond), held the position until his death in 1880.

The inauguration of the university was made possible by the wealth resulting from Victoria's gold rush. The institution was designed to be a "civilising influence" at a time of rapid settlement and commercial growth.[17]

In 1881, the admission of women was a seen as victory over the more conservative ruling council.[18]

The university's 150th anniversary was celebrated in 2003.[19]

Autumn foliage at the entry of the Old Geology Building.

Governance

Governance of the university is grounded in an act of parliament, the Melbourne University Act 2009. The peak governing body is the "Council" the key responsibilities of which include appointing the Vice Chancellor and Principal, approving the strategic direction and annual budget, establishing operational policies and procedures and overseeing academic and commercial activities as well as risk management. The chair of the council is the "Chancellor". The "Academic Board" oversees learning, teaching and research activities and provides advice to the council on these matters. The "Committee of Convocation" represents graduates and its members are elected in proportion to the number of graduates in each faculty.[20]

Endowment

In 2008, the university had an endowment of approximately $1.105 billion,[1] the largest of any Australian institution.[21] Whilst the fund had grown rapidly for several years, providing up to $100 million of income per year,[21] it shrank by 22% in 2008 as a result of the ongoing global financial crisis of 2007–2010.[1] However Australian endownments are relatively small compared with those of the wealthiest US universities.

Academia

College Crescent in the campus of Melbourne University

The university has 12 academic units,[22] some of which incorporate a graduate school. The overall attrition and retention rates at the university are the lowest and highest respectively in Australia.[23] The university has one of the highest admission requirements in the country, with the median ENTER of its undergraduates being 94.05 (2009).[24] Furthermore, The university continued to attract outstanding students, for example, 50% of the Premier's VCE Top All-Round High Achievers enrolled at the University of Melbourne.[24]

According to the Times Higher Education–QS World University Rankings (2009), the university is the only Australian university to rank in the top 30 in all five core subject areas with three subject areas ranked in the top 20.[24]

Research

Melbourne University claims that its research expenditure is second only to that of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO).[25] In 2010 the university spent $767.5m on research.[26] In the same year the university had the highest numbers of federal government Australian Postgraduate Awards (APA) and International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS)[8], as well as the largest totals of Research Higher Degree (RHD) student load (3,222 students) and RHD completions (715).[26]

Campus

Residential colleges

Melbourne University has 12 residential colleges in total, seven of the which are located in an arc around the cricket oval at the northern edge of the campus, known as College Crescent. The other five are located outside of university grounds.

The residential colleges aim to provide accommodation and holistic education experience to university students.[27]

Colleges
Trinity College
1872–present
Ormond College
1881–present
Janet Clarke Hall
1886–present
St Mary's College
1966–present
Queen's College
1887–present
Newman College
1918–present
Medley Hall
1954–present
Whitley College, 1965–present
Ridley College, 1910–2005; 2006-7
University College, 1937–present
International House, 1957–present
Graduate House, 1962–present
St Hilda's College, 1964–present

Architecture

Several of the earliest campus buildings, such as the Old Quadrangle and Baldwin Spencer buildings, feature period architecture.[28]

The new Wilson Hall[29] replaced the original building[30] which was destroyed by fire.[31]

Libraries

Ormond College of the Melbourne University

The Melbourne University Library has three million visitors performing 42 million loan transactions every year.[32] The general collection comprises over 3.5 million items including books, DVDs, photographic slides, music scores, periodicals, as well as rare maps, prints and other published materials.[32] The library also holds over 32,000 e-books, hundreds of databases and 63,000 general and specialist journals in digital form.[32]

The libraries include:[33]

  • Baillieu Library (arts and humanities)
  • Brownless Biomedical Library
  • Eastern Resource Centre (ERC)
  • Giblin Eunson Library (business, economics and education)
  • Law Library
  • Lenton Parr Music, Visual and Performing Arts Library (formerly VCA Library)
  • Louise Hanson-Dyer Music Library
  • Melbourne School of Land and Environment Library (Burnley, Creswick, Dookie)
  • Veterinary Science Library

Other campuses

File:MBS Building.jpg
Melbourne Business School in Parkville

The university has four other campuses in metropolitan Melbourne at Burnley, Southbank, Hawthorn and Werribee.

The Burnley campus is where horticultural courses are taught.[34] Performing arts courses are taught at the Southbank campus. Commerce courses are taught at the Hawthorn campus.[35] Veterinary science is taught at the Werribee campus.

In regional Victoria, the Creswick and Dookie campuses are used for forestry and agriculture courses respectively.[36][37] They previously housed several hundred residential students, but are now largely used for short courses and research. The Shepparton campus is home to the Rural Health Academic Centre for the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences.

The university is a part-owner of the Melbourne Business School, based at Parkville campus, which ranked 46th in the 2012 Financial Times global rankings.[38]

Arts and culture

The university is associated with several arts institutions in the wider community. These include:

  • The Ian Potter Museum of Art,[39] which houses the university's visual arts collection.
  • Thirty-three cultural collections, embodying the history of many of the academic disciplines taught at the university. These include the Grainger Museum Collection of musical cultural artefacts;[40] the Medical History Museum,[41] covering the history of the medical profession in Victoria; and the Harry Brookes Allen Museum of Anatomy and Pathology,[42] which contains more than 8,000 specimens relevant to the teaching of medicine and other health sciences.

Melbourne Model

In 2008, the "Melbourne Model" was introduced.

In 2007, Melbourne University aimed to offer 75% of graduate places as HECS (with the remaining 25% being full fee paying).[43]


Professional-entry masters degrees

A number of professional degrees are available only for graduate entry. These degrees are at a Masters level according to the Australian Qualification Framework,[44] but are named "masters" or "doctorate" following the practice in North America. The professional degrees are:

  • Juris Doctor
  • Doctor of Medicine
  • Doctor of Dental Surgery
  • Doctor of Optometry
  • Doctor of Physiotherapy
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
  • Master of Animal Science
  • Master of Architecture
  • Master of Landscape Architecture
  • Master of Engineering
  • Master of Education
  • Master of Forest Science
  • Master of Nursing Science
  • Master of Property and Construction
  • Master of Public Policy and Management
  • Master of Social Work
  • Master of Teaching
  • Master of Urban Horticulture
  • Master of Urban Planning
  • Master of Urban Design
  • Master of Food Science

Reaction to the "Melbourne Model"

Various groups, including trade[45] and student unions,[46] [47] [48] academics,[49] [50] and some students[51][52] have expressed criticism of the Melbourne Model, citing job and subject cuts, and a risk of "dumbing down" content. A group of students also produced a satirical musical regarding the matter.

VCA merger and controversy

As of May 2009 the university "suspended" the Bachelor of Music Theatre and Puppetry courses at the college and there were fears they may not return under the new curriculum.[53]

A 2005 heads of agreement over the merger of the VCA and the university stated that the management of academic programs at the VCA would ensure that "the VCA continues to exercise high levels of autonomy over the conduct and future development of its academic programs so as to ensure their integrity and quality" and also that the college's identity will be preserved.[54] New dean Sharman Pretty outlined drastic changes under the university's plan for the college in early April 2009.[55] As a result it is now being called into question whether the university have upheld that agreement.

Staff at the college responded to the changes, claiming the university did not value vocational arts training, and voicing fears over the future of quality training at the VCA.[56] Former Victorian arts minister Race Mathews has also weighed in on the debate expressing his hope that, "Melbourne University will not proceed with its proposed changes to the Victorian College of the Arts," and for 'good sense' to prevail.[57]

In 2011, the Victorian State Government allocated $24 million to support arts education at the VCA and the faculty was renamed the Faculty of the Victorian College of the Arts and the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.[citation needed][58]

Rankings

The following is a summary of Melbourne University rankings, numbers in parentheses indicate ranking within Australia:

Publications 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
QS World University Rankings [59] 22 (2nd) 19 (1st) 22 (2nd) 22 (2nd) 27 (3rd) 38 (2nd) 36 (2nd) 38 (2nd) 31 (2nd) 36 (2nd)
Times Higher Education World University Rankings [60] 22 (2nd) 19 (1st) 22 (2nd) 27 (2nd) 38 (3rd) 36[9] (2nd) 36 (1st) 37 (1st) 28 (1st)
Shanghai Jiao Tong University Academic Ranking of World Universities[61] 92 (2nd) 82 (2nd) 82 (2nd) 78 (2nd) 79 (2nd) 73 (2nd) 75 (2nd) 62 (2nd) 60 (1st) 57 (1st)
Higher Education Evaluation and Accreditation Council of Taiwan (HEEACT)[62][63] 64 (1st) 58 (1st) 51 (1st) 43 (1st) 35(1st)
Financial Times MBA rank[64] 64 (1st) 72 (2nd) 63 (1st) 69 (1st) 79 (2nd) 75 (2nd) 52 63 53 (2nd) 46 (2nd)
Economist Intelligence Unit's MBA rank[65] 84 (2nd) 26 (1st) 17 (1st) 44 32 (1st)

The university was ranked 31st in the 2011 QS World University Rankings.[66] and in 2008 was ranked 58th globally for scientific papers by the Higher Edutcation Evaluations and Accreditation Council of Taiwan[63]

Research produced by the Melbourne Institute in 2006 ranked Australian universities across seven main discipline areas: Arts & Humanities, Business & Economics, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, and Science, with Melbourne University as the highest in business, law and medicine by both academic surveys and overall performance.

Discipline R1[Note 1] No.[Note 2] R2[Note 3] No.
Arts & Humanities 2 38 2 35
Business & Economics 1 39 1 34
Education 1 35 2 32
Engineering 1 28 3 28
Law 1 29 1 28
Medicine 1 14 1 13
Science 2 38 3 31
  1. ^ R1 refers to Australian and overseas Academics' rankings in tables 3.1 -3.7 of the report.
  2. ^ No. refers to the number of the Australian institutions in the table against which Melbourne is compared.
  3. ^ R2 refers to the Articles and Research rankings in tables 5.1 - 5.7 of the report.

In 2010 the University Ranking by Academic Performance (URAP),[67] ranked Melbourne Uni 40th globally and highest in Australia.

Notable graduates

The University of Melbourne has produced many notable alumni, with graduates having held the offices of Prime Ministers of Australia, Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Governor-General, Attorney-General, Governor of Victoria, High Court Justices, State Premiers, Nobel Laureates, a First Lady of East Timor, ministers of foreign countries, Lord Mayors, academics, architects, historians, poets, philosophers, politicians, scientists, physicists, authors, industry leaders, Defence Force generals, corporate leaders and artists.

The University of Melbourne is well known for its strong physics department, boasting the most number of noble prize winners (2) in any department within Australia

Student activities

Total enrolment at the university by sex, 1915-2005.

Prosh Week

A celebrated tradition at Melbourne, usually held in mid-August, whereby teams of students engage in various activities - the winner claiming the 'Prosh Week Trophy'.[68]

The week was nicknamed 'Posh week' due to the number of times students would have to dress up in formal attire. The effects of alcohol caused words to be slurred, and thus 'posh' became 'prosh'.[68]

Sport

The ground of Melbourne University Cricket Club in Parkville
Melbourne University women's football player jostles for best position in a marking contest.

The university has participated in various sports in its history, and currently has 39 affiliated clubs. Sport is overseen by Melbourne University Sport.

Lacrosse

The Melbourne University Lacrosse Club (MULC) was established in 1883 and is the oldest continually operational lacrosse club in the world.[69]

Cycling

The Melbourne University Cycling Club (MUCyc) is associated with Cycling Australia and competes regularly at local and national races. In 2008 MUCyc won its seventh consecutive AUG championship (2002–2008).[70][71]

See also

References

Books

  • Macintyre, S. & Selleck, R.J.W. (2003). A short history of the University of Melbourne. Melbourne: Melbourne University Press. ISBN 0-522-85058-8.
  • Selleck, R.J.W. (2003). The Shop: The University of Melbourne, 1850–1939. Melbourne: University of Melbourne Press. 930pp
  • Poynter, John & Rasmussen, Carolyn (1996). A Place Apart - The University of Melbourne: Decades of Challenge. Melbourne: Melbourne University Press. ISBN 0-522-84584-3.
  • Cain J II and J Hewitt. (2004). Off Course: From Public Place to Marketplace at Melbourne University. Melbourne: Scribe. review

Newspaper

  • McPhee, P. 2005. "From the Acting Vice-Chancellor." Uni News. The University of Melbourne. 03/10/05, p. 3.
  1. ^ a b c University of Melbourne Investment Report 2010
  2. ^ a b http://futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/explore/about
  3. ^ http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/melbournes-hypocrisy-on-gender-naive/story-e6frgcjx-1226630187844
  4. ^ "Melbourne University regarded top in the country, but reputation isn't everything". 15 March, 2012. Retrieved 18 May, 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  5. ^ a b http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2012-13/world-ranking
  6. ^ http://www.shanghairanking.com/ARWU2012.html
  7. ^ http://nturanking.lis.ntu.edu.tw/DataPage/OverallRanking.aspx?pagesize=50
  8. ^ http://www.topuniversities.com/institution/university-melbourne/wur
  9. ^ http://www.unimelb.edu.au/research/docs/research-paper-2012.pdf
  10. ^ "Melbourne University regarded top in the country, but reputation isn't everything". 15 March, 2012. Retrieved 18 May, 2013. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  11. ^ "Australian Universities". Retrieved 18 May, 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  12. ^ "Melbourne tops discipline based ranking". Retrieved 19 May, 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  13. ^ "Prominent Alumni". Retrieved 18 May, 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  14. ^ "BOOKS of the WEEK". The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954). Brisbane, Qld.: National Library of Australia. 27 February 1937. p. 20. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  15. ^ "Melbourne University". The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 1 September 1934. p. 6. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  16. ^ "MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY". The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 1 September 1934. p. 6. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  17. ^ Selleck, 2003
  18. ^ Selleck 2003, p 164–165)
  19. ^ 150th anniversary University of Melbourne website
  20. ^ http://www.walkingmelbourne.com/search.php?arch_style=1
  21. ^ a b Battered Melbourne Uni slashes 220 jobs, The Age, 29 July 2009
  22. ^ Faculties and Graduate Schools
  23. ^ Does this model have legs?, The Age, 15 August 2009
  24. ^ a b c http://www.unimelb.edu.au/publications/docs/unim0020-at-a-glance-2010.pdf
  25. ^ http://bpointelligence.com/ebrochure/uom/2013-Graduate-Prospectus/#/10/
  26. ^ a b University of Melbourne Annual Report 2010
  27. ^ http://www.colleges.unimelb.edu.au/college-living/why.html
  28. ^ Nelbourne University website
  29. ^ Melbourne University website
  30. ^ Melbourne University website
  31. ^ Melbourne University website
  32. ^ a b c About Us - Library, University of Melbourne Website
  33. ^ University of Melbourne Libraries
  34. ^ http://www.land-environment.unimelb.edu.au/burnley/
  35. ^ http://www.commercial.unimelb.edu.au/history
  36. ^ http://www.land-environment.unimelb.edu.au/creswick/
  37. ^ http://www.dookie.unimelb.edu.au/
  38. ^ Global MBA rankings 2006
  39. ^ Ian Potter Museum of Art
  40. ^ Grainger Museum
  41. ^ Medical History Museum
  42. ^ Harry Brookes Allen Museum of Anatomy and Pathology
  43. ^ A matter of degrees, The Age, 14 April 2007
  44. ^ Australian Qualifications Framework. First Edition July 2012. [Cited 2 July 2012] URL: http://www.aqf.edu.au/Portals/0/Documents/Handbook/AustQuals%20FrmwrkFirstEditionJuly2011_FINAL.pdf.
  45. ^ "NTEU condemns University oF Melbourne's consultation sham over arts renewal strategy" National Tertiary Education Union, 10 July 2007. Accessed 3 May 2008
  46. ^ Cuts take toll on 'overworked' Melbourne Uni staff The Age, 11 April 2008. Accessed 3 May 2008
  47. ^ What do budgets, Burnley and the housing crisis have in common? President's Ponderings, 25 August 2008. Accessed 20 October 2008
  48. ^ Vice Chancellor Lies About Introduction of Melbourne Model at VCA VCA Student Union, 29 April 2008. Accessed 3 May 2008
  49. ^ 'Dreamlarge' a nightmare for the Arts Faculty Advocate, Volume 14, Number 2, July 2007. Accessed 26 October 2008
  50. ^ "The Melbourne Model: The jury is still out", Advocate, Volume 14, Number 2, July 2007. Accessed 26 October 2008
  51. ^ "Why the Melbourne Model is failing students", Eureka Street, 12 December 2008. Accessed 14 December 2008
  52. ^ "Express yourself, but steer clear of politics", The Age, 7 June 2008. Accessed 8 August 2008
  53. ^ [1] 21 May 2009, Accessed 19 July 2009
  54. ^ [2] 5.5.R1 – The Faculty of The Victorian College of The Arts. Accessed 19 July 2009
  55. ^ [3] Pretty well rehearsed in reshaping the arts. 12 April 2009. Accessed 19 July 2009
  56. ^ [4] Arts college teachers up in arms. 16 July 2009, Accessed 19 July 2009
  57. ^ [5] 28 May 2009. Accessed 19 July 2009
  58. ^ http://article.wn.com/view/2012/08/11/Loss_gains_a_new_word/
  59. ^ [6]
  60. ^ The Times Higher Education Supplement
  61. ^ Institute of Higher Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
  62. ^ http://nturanking.lis.ntu.edu.tw/DataPage/OverallRanking.aspx
  63. ^ a b [7]
  64. ^ Melboure Business School's MBA rank with the Financial Times.
  65. ^ Melbourne Business School's MBA rank with EIU.
  66. ^ http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2011
  67. ^ "URAP - University Ranking by Academic Performance".
  68. ^ a b "What is Prosh Week?", Farrago, Vol. 82, No. 5, August 2007.
  69. ^ Melbourne University Lacrosse Club
  70. ^ Warnecke R Team Melbourne wins record haul at Uni Games University sports news and events
  71. ^ Warnecke RGold Rush At Uni Games University of Melbourne Voice, 10 November 2008

External links

37°47′47″S 144°57′41″E / 37.7963°S 144.9614°E / -37.7963; 144.9614

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