The Women's College, University of Sydney

The Women's College
University	University of Sydney
Location	15 Carillon Ave, Newtown NSW, 2042
Full name	The Women's College
Motto in English	Together
Established	1894
Sister college	The Women's College, University of Queensland
Master	Amanda Bell
Residents	280
Website	Website

The Women's College is a residential college within the University of Sydney, in the suburb of Camperdown, New South Wales. It was opened in 1892.

The Women's College is one of two all-female residential colleges at the University of Sydney. It accommodates approximately 280 students accepting both under- and post-graduate students. The Principal, Vice-Principal and Dean of Students live on the premises.

In 1889 a college for women within the University of Sydney was established and endowed by an Act of the NSW Parliament. This was the culmination of a process that began in 1887 when, six years after the formal admission of women to the University of Sydney "in complete equality with men", a public meeting was held to discuss the desirability of establishing a residential college for women. Over the course of the next five years, funds were raised enabling the college to open in March 1892 in temporary accommodation in "Strathmore", a rented house in Glebe. It had four resident and four non-resident (or affiliate) students.

Granted land by the University on the southern edge of campus, the college moved to its own building in May 1894. Designed by the architectural firm of Sulman & Power, the College's first permanent home still forms the heart of the present building complex and is heritage listed.

The 1887 meeting resolved that the college not be attached to a religious denomination, and that the Colleges' Endowment Act of 1854, which provided for the establishment of the denominational men's colleges, should be subject to the provision that "no religious catechism or formulary distinctive of any particular denomination" should be taught, nor would any attempt be made to attach students to any particular denomination. The College was to be "undenominational". The other elements of the college's role, envisaged in 1887, were to provide "domestic supervision" and "efficient assistance in preparing for university lectures and examinations".

These ideals continue to guide the College in the 21st century.The Women's College now accommodates 250 women undergraduates and 30 postgraduates. It maintains its tradition of being at the forefront of women's education and social theory and championing women's rights, academic thought and leadership.

In the 120 years since its foundation in 1892 more than 7,000 students have been members of the College.

In 1894 the Main Building opened with accommodation for 26 students. Designed by Sulman & Power it cost £10,056, a substantial amount of money for the time. In 1916 the College expanded, building "The Cottage" for an extra 6 students. To meet the demand for places after the First World War, "The Maples", a house at the rear of the property was rented and then, in 1919 purchased. Additional student rooms were added in 1924, the back balconies of Main Building closed in, and the Louisa Macdonald Commemoration Dining Hall built.

...
Wikipedia