The university’s draft Campus 2020 master plan, which sets out
its vision for the next 12 years, recently went to staff for comment.
University pro-vice-chancellor for campus infrastructure
Prof Richmond Jeremy said the
university was considering its options.
Negotiations hadn’t started with Harold Park, and North Eveleigh was not up for sale yet.
He conceded there were objections to its plans for Callan Park,
which are currently with the NSW Planning Department, but said losing one site
wouldn’t ruin the arc.
“If we lost two it would be creating something fragmented,”
he said.
“It’s a matter of critical mass and linkage.”
Student numbers have doubled since 1990, with little new
floorspace, and Camperdown and Darlington
campuses were nearing their limits, he said: “The deans are tearing their
hair out saying we can’t accommodate staff and students,” he said.
“We have three academics in an office for one and lecture theatres so
overcrowded students sit on the floor.”
Student accommodation was scarce and many worked to afford
high rents or spent hours travelling.
Prof Jeremy denied the university intended to swallow up
suburbs or build huge apartment blocks but wanted to “grow our synergy
with the community”.
“It’s about human-scale development: a place where
people are in harmony with the environment and buildings,” he said.
“We don’t want to hide behind a picket fence any more. We want to open up
campuses and have a sense of almost community ownership of them.”
Doing nothing would mean academics and students would leave.
POTENTIAL UNIVERSITY SITES
Callan
Park, Rozelle: 5000
students, with accommodation for 700 students, 400 staff. Sports fields. Two or
three faculties, possibly dentistry, psychology, drug and alcohol
rehabilitation.
Harold Park, Glebe: Accommodation for 700 students with a
maximum of five floors, but mostly three or four floors; sports fields; open
space.
North Eveleigh, Redfern:
Homes for up to 1200 students, new academic precinct, sports facilities and
playing fields. Links to Camperdown and Darlington
campuses.
Source:
www.theglebe.com.au/article/2008/06/25/2657_news.html