Enriching the Experience and Intellectual Life of the University: an overview of and reflection on the foundation and role of residential halls, colleges and lodges at The Australian National University

Abstract

The ANU has one of, if not the highest proportion in Australia of students living on and around the campus. In its mix of University managed, commercial and affiliated independent provision, the University seeks to foster living and learning environments that promote an enriched intellectual/academic experience as well as of safety, good facilities and care for overall personal wellbeing. The Acton Peninsula area had been the site of huts to accommodate those associated with the development of Canberra since 1911, with students of the new University occupying what was called ‘Lennox House’ in the 1960s, including the first residents of John XXIII College prior to the opening of its building on Daley Road in 1969. University House, opened by Prince Philip in 1954, was the first major building of the University after its establishment in 1946, built as a residence for staff and graduate research students, as well as for ceremonial and social purposes. With the entry of undergraduate students in 1960, the University took advantage of Commonwealth funding for university residences to open in 1961 the first Hall in Australia for both men and women, Bruce Hall. Burton Hall and Garran Hall followed in 1965 (later combined into Burton & Garran Hall). This period brought into play the issues of co-residence, as well as renewed concerns related to the role of religious foundations in opening residential colleges on Australia’s secular campuses after World War II. Many academics and students were wary of public funding being provided for independent religious bodies to establish affiliated residences. Nevertheless, despite these concerns, religious/faith-based colleges, Ursula (later owned and managed by the University from 2004), John XXIII and Burgmann, were opened on campus between 1968 and 1971. Graduate House (later to move adjacent to University House), Toad Hall and Fenner Hall (on Northbourne Avenue and from 2019 as part of the ‘Kambri’ precinct) followed. Particularly with the growth of international student numbers in the early 21st century, the University partnered with the commercial provider ‘UniLodge’ to open a number of residences in the north eastern area of the campus and later on Daley Road and as a ‘hybrid’ partner in the opening of the new Bruce, Wright and Fenner Halls in 2019.