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