69-458: The Tasmanian University Student Association (TUSA), formerly known as Tasmania University Union (TUU), is the peak body of student representation for tertiary students attending the University of Tasmania and was established in 1899. The Student Association is a student-led collective that is dedicated to two core principles: student leadership, and the student community. The TUSA is governed by
138-522: A 1.27 metre optical telescope was opened in 2013 to replace the previous observatory at Canopus Hill , near Hobart. The observatory joined the universities two other observatories including the Mount Pleasant Radio Observatory and Ceduna Radio Observatory in Ceduna , South Australia . In 2019, the University of Tasmania announced its intention to move from its Sandy Bay campus and into
207-689: A Businesswoman of the Year Award. The Union's second ever female President was elected at the end of the decade. As the university grew and diversified, the TUU introduced SRC positions like the satellite campus representatives, sexuality and environment officers; as well as the Postgraduate Council. Togatus became more of a general magazine than a student newspaper around this time. The TUU continued to campaign against cuts to tertiary education funding and VSU, and changes to university courses and facilities - but
276-417: A Norwegian-born economist, saw contention peak while the move to Sandy Bay was delayed. In a passionate open letter to the premier, Philosophy Professor Sydney Orr goaded the government into establishing the 1955 Royal Commission into the university. The commission's report demanded extensive reform of both university and governing council. Staff were delighted, while lay administrators fumed. On 10 May 1949,
345-520: A Royal Commission into the University. The Commission upheld the claims against the University about unfit working conditions and poor facilities. The university then hastened its move to the new Sandy Bay Campus with increased Commonwealth funding. At the same time, the Union secured dollar-for-dollar state government support to build the Union Building at Sandy Bay, completed in 1959. Services introduced with
414-647: A Torch enflamed Proper on a Chief Gules a Pale Azure fimbriated Or charged with a representation of the Southern Cross Argent between two closed Books clasped Or. In 1936 the University Council ran a competition to produce a draft set of Arms to replace the common seal it had used since 1901, based on the badge of the Tasmanian Council of Education with the motto Floreat Tasmania (May Tasmania Prosper). The winning design included four key elements of
483-517: A high global ranking in the Times Higher Education Impact Ratings in 2022 and 2023. UTAS's initiatives include climate-focused research, offering over 100 courses with climate-focused units, low-carbon energy use in new campus developments, divesting from fossil fuels, and a commitment to carbon neutrality, which has been certified by Climate Active since 2016. The University of Tasmania was established on 1 January 1890, after
552-443: A local lawyer and briefly vice-chancellor, mounted a courageous defence. According to Chancellor Sir John Morris, from 1918 until 1939 the institution still 'limped along'. Distinguished staff had already been appointed, such as historian William Jethro Brown , physicists and mathematicians Alexander McAulay and his son Alexander Leicester McAulay, classicist RL Dunbabin, and philosopher and polymath Edmund Morris Miller . Housed in
621-471: A new student council developed, formed of representatives from each of the University of Tasmania’s (UTas) course areas. The Tasmania University Student Council (TUSC) was founded to balance out the reduction of positions and better convey academic concerns from students. 42°54′11.6″S 147°19′27.1″E / 42.903222°S 147.324194°E / -42.903222; 147.324194 University of Tasmania The University of Tasmania ( UTAS )
690-598: A purpose-built new campus at Sandy Bay, though many departments were initially housed in ex-World War II wooden huts. It profited from increasing federal finance following the 1957 Murray Report. Medical and Agricultural Schools were established and the sciences obtained adequate laboratories. Physics achieved world recognition in astronomy (optical, radio and cosmic rays), while other departments attracted good scholars and graduates were celebrated in many fields. Student facilities improved remarkably. The 1965 Martin Report established
759-410: A single library system: The university's research strengths aim to take advantage of Tasmania's unique characteristics, including its natural environment and geographical location. The research strengths lie in the thematic areas of Environment, Resources and Sustainability; Creativity, Culture and Society; Health; Marine, Antarctic and Maritime; and Data, Knowledge and Decision-making. Globally, UTAS
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#1732856143179828-434: A social club for the 35 students that made up the University of Tasmania. Today it represents all of the approximately 35,000 students enrolled at the university. The original TUU logo was probably adopted in the 1920s, with the motto 'In Unitatem UniTas' which can be interpreted as 'The University of Tasmania working towards unity'. In the 1940s, the Union began using the new University of Tasmania logo with rampant lion. In
897-678: A traditional role for universities, and a more practical role for colleges of advanced education. The Tasmanian Government duly created the Tasmanian College of Advanced Education (TCAE) in 1966 sited on Mount Nelson above the university. It initially incorporated The School of Art, the Conservatorium of Music and the Hobart Teachers College. In 1971, a Launceston campus of the TCAE was announced. These were fateful decisions, as events over
966-669: A voice for students to internal and external stakeholders, and represent student issues to the wider community. The State Council consists of: The BoM is responsible for setting the strategy and direction of the TUSA. The State Council may make recommendations to the BoM, but the BoM is not bound to these recommendations. It consists of: The TUSA also employs staff to provide administrative services and professional assistance for University of Tasmania students, such as student advocates, contact staff, marketing, operations and accounts. The staff are headed by
1035-742: Is #293 in the QS World University Rankings 2025, #301–350 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024, #273 in the USNWR 2022–2023 Best Global Universities Rankings, and #201–300 in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2023. The Tasmania Scholarships program supports the university's commitment to offer students equal learning opportunity. It assists talented students, both locally, nationally and internationally. Industry contributions now make up
1104-596: Is a public research university , primarily located in Tasmania , Australia. Founded in 1890, it is Australia's fourth oldest university. Christ College , one of the university's residential colleges, first proposed in 1840 in Lieutenant-Governor Sir John Franklin 's Legislative Council, was modelled on the Oxford and Cambridge colleges, and was founded in 1846, making it the oldest tertiary institution in
1173-676: The Old Nick Company ; and various sporting clubs, including cricket , football , rugby union and soccer . The TUU also publishes the independent student media at the University of Tasmania, Togatus . Postgraduate students are represented by the TUU through the Tasmania University Union Postgraduate Council. The TUU Postgraduate Council was previously organised as the Tasmania University Postgraduate Association (TUPA). TUPA
1242-574: The Second World War , while the Optical Munitions Annexe assisted the war effort, local graduates, replacing soldier academics, taught a handful of students. New post-war staff, many with overseas experience, pressed for removal to adequate facilities at Sandy Bay on an old rifle range. Chancellor Sir John Morris , also Chief Justice, though a dynamic reformer, antagonised academics by his authoritarianism. Vice-chancellor Torleiv Hytten ,
1311-507: The Supreme Court of Tasmania and the High Court of Australia . The Tasmanian Chair of Philosophy was boycotted. In 1966 Orr received some financial compensation from the university, which also established a cast-iron tenure system. The latter disappeared with the federal reorganisation of higher education in the late 1980s. In the early 1960s The University of Tasmania at last transferred to
1380-663: The 'unified national system' provided later support for this initiative. The Tasmanian State Institute of Technology became the Newnham Campus of the university on 1 January 1991, exactly 101 years after the university's founding. A new campus at Burnie on the North-West Coast of Tasmania was opened in 1995, and later became known as the Cradle Coast Campus. In 2001, the Tasmania Law Reform Institute (TLRI)
1449-653: The 1936 design were kept with slight adjustments made to comply with heraldic rules. The university maintains five multi-disciplinary research themes that provide ability for interdisciplinary collaboration. The University of Tasmania maintains close linkages with the Tasmanian Government and its departments, with the teaching hospitals, with the Tasmania Police, and with relevant industry bodies such as fishing and farming. The University of Tasmania library system comprises seven physical libraries integrated into
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#17328561431791518-535: The Australian Greens) all have student clubs on campus. The Student Legal Service, a student-run legal advice programme, also operates under the TUSA. Togatus is the independent student magazine at UTAS, and has been published relatively consistently since 1931 when it replaced Platypus , the first student newspaper. The magazine contains in-depth articles, student opinion pieces, and interviews. The Tasmanian University Student Association essentially began as
1587-473: The CBD. The new city university precincts consist of West End, Midtown, Domain , Medical Precinct, and Wapping, with the old Sandy Bay campus to be transformed into a "world-leading example of a sustainable urban community". The transition is expected to take place over the next 10 years, with a priority placed on student and community satisfaction. The move to the city has attracted significant community opposition (in
1656-626: The Central Business District of Hobart . As part of the plan, on 8 April 2019, UTAS acquired the K&;D Warehouse along Melville Street, adding to the number of university buildings within the city centre. The warehouse was initially intended for accommodation, but following the release of the Draft Masterplan in May 2021, would be proposed as the new site for Engineering and Technology. In 2018
1725-525: The Chief Executive Officer of the TUSA. The TUSA provides a wide range of services to students. These services currently include: The vast majority of student sports, social, and faculty-based clubs and societies at the University of Tasmania are affiliated to the TUSA. These clubs and societies provide an important aspect of campus culture, running a variety of activities including sports, social, careers, cultural, and charitable events throughout
1794-718: The Government and the Law Society of Alberta . The TLRI has been used as a template for the establishment of similar institutes at the University of Adelaide with the South Australian Law Reform Institute and in the Australian Capital Territory. Damian Bugg became the university's chancellor in 2006, having previously served as a member of the University Council since 2001. Bugg was an alumnus of
1863-531: The Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Student Services and Amenities) Act in 2012. In 2011, the bulk of the commercial operations (including catering, retail, and housing services) offered on campus by the TUU were sold to the University. At the time, this decision by the BoM to sell the commercial assets was viewed as controversial, and reinvigorated student interest in the TUU and its operations. In light of these significant changes to
1932-465: The Hobart Domain to Sandy Bay. Over the next decade, the TUU began Orientation Week ( 'O-Week' ), started a book stall, organised more student spaces and a canteen, and began to gain permanent sporting facilities; as well as establishing the theatre company Old Nick , which continues independently today. In the early 1950s, the TUU joined with academic staff against the University Council, resulting in
2001-625: The Queens Domain in Hobart , previously the High School of Hobart, though it was leased by others until mid-1892. This eventually became known as University House. Three lecturers began teaching 11 students from 22 March 1893, once University House had been renovated. Parliamentarians branding it an unnecessary luxury made the university's early existence precarious. The institution's encouragement of female students fuelled criticism. James Backhouse Walker ,
2070-542: The State Council which is made up of student leaders elected by University of Tasmania students and the Board of Management (BoM). The State Council is the peak statewide body constituted to deal with student representation and activities. This includes representing students in university decision-making processes and forums, developing and supporting student networks, assisting the university to consult with students, providing
2139-725: The State could not last, however, and following two more reports, the university incorporated the remaining courses of the Hobart campus of the College of Advanced Education in 1981, which raised its numbers to 5000. The Launceston campus of the TCAE renamed itself the Tasmanian State Institute of Technology (TSIT). In 1987, the University Council resolved to approach the TSIT to negotiate a merger to minimise ongoing conflict. The 'Dawkins Revolution' and
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2208-526: The TUU Annual General Meetings (AGMs) failed due to lack of quorum from the student body. Inexperience and intense party political competition around the SRC was especially damaging around 1976, with the Union technically bankrupt by the end of 1977; although it returned to profit in 1978 under a new President. the period of 1976,to 1977 during the presidency of Michael (Mick) Munday, who was twice elected
2277-473: The TUU were identified, with the review concluding that the organisation is not transparent, and fails to represent students. Following a strategic review, significant reforms for the organisation were announced. Togatus reported the number of student representative positions within the existing structure of the TUU would be almost halved from 49 to 27, with the Education and Postgraduate councils dissolved and
2346-804: The Tasmanian Government. Until 2008, there were two separate student unions: the Tasmania University Union (TUU) in Hobart and the Student Association (SA) in Launceston . Following the abolition of compulsory student unionism in 2007, the SA and the TUU amalgamated into one statewide organisation representing all UTAS students. The TUU is responsible for the overseeing of all the university's many sports clubs and societies. Some of these include faculty-based societies providing academic and careers guidance; societies relating to various interests, such as
2415-542: The Union was to facilitate social interaction between students and, organise sporting activities and debating. Membership was optional. The development of clubs and societies such as the Law Students Association was integral to the TUU from its early days, with seventeen clubs and societies already active within the small student population in the 1920s. The Union produced its first magazine, "Platypus" in 1914. The TUU also began to organise dances and balls, plays and
2484-500: The Union, the TUU has commenced a process of constitutional review in 2012. In 2017, the Union began a strategic review process that would lead to the most significant overhaul of the TUU in nearly a decade. In March 2018, Togatus published a special edition, reporting on the findings and recommendations of the review. The review called for sweeping reform of the Union’s structure and services. A series of systemic structural issues within
2553-1100: The University Apartments in Sandy Bay and Hobart Apartments in the Hobart CBD, Endeavour Hall in Beauty Point for students of the Australian Maritime College , Newnham Apartments and Inveresk Apartments in Launceston, and West Park Apartments in Burnie. One other residential college once existed in Hobart – Ena Waite Women's College (1968–1980), operated by the Catholic Church and located in central Hobart, which amalgamated with St. John Fisher College . An off-campus student residence in Launceston, Clarence House, operated from 2004 to 2008. The University of Tasmania has produced many notable alumni, with graduates having held
2622-652: The University bought the Forestry building a heritage-listed complex situated at 79–93 Melville Street, Hobart. The University reported in January 2023 that the Forestry building "will be restored and given new life as an inner-city hub for the learning, research and collaboration over the next two years". The project will also restore the living forest to the dome. The masterplan includes targets for increased sustainability , community involvement, and better methods of transport into
2691-728: The University of Tasmania Sandy Bay campus, which is partly repurpose for the University of Tasmania old campus. The university has three main campuses based in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie. It also has a number of small, specialist facilities within the College of Health and Medicine at the Rozelle campus in Sydney. It also has a joint research facility at the city's Australian National Maritime Museum in Pyrmont. The University of Tasmania has five colleges, previously known as faculties, some divided into schools and institutes: The university currently holds
2760-476: The abolition of overseas scholarships freed up funds. It immediately took over the role of the Tasmanian Council for Education. Richard Deodatus Poulett Harris , who had long advocated for the establishment of the university, became its first warden of the senate. The first degrees to graduates admitted ad eundem gradum and diplomas were awarded in June 1890. The university was offered an ornate sandstone building on
2829-538: The administration of the growing Union and its increasing activities. As Platypus had become defunct, the Union started Togatus in 1931, which was then a fortnightly student news and opinion paper. As World War II broke out, the Tasmania University Union fell into decline again, cancelling many of its activities and donating the membership fees of remaining students to the Australian Government for
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2898-539: The backbone of the Tasmania Scholarships program. The development and growth of this initiative into one of the most successful sponsored programs in the country is exceptional by any standard. Around 10 per cent of all domestic students at UTAS receive some sort of scholarship or financial assistance. Scholarships are also offered under the banner of the Jim Bacon Memorial Scholarship , funded by
2967-503: The building included the Refectory ('the Ref'), a 'mixed' shop, gown hire, a bank and hairdresser. The Union continued to construct extensions to the building, and add more services over the following years, becoming "a large business venture". As the Union settled into its expanded commercial role, it also introduced new annual events such as the first Scav Hunt in 1962 (which became notorious over
3036-521: The country. The university is a sandstone university , a member of the international Association of Commonwealth Universities , and the Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning . The university offers various undergraduate and graduate programs in a range of disciplines, and has links with 20 specialist research institutes and co-operative research centres. Its Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies has strongly contributed to
3105-410: The current Arms of the university including a lion (representing Tasmania), a book (representing the academic side of the university), a Southern Cross (representing Australia) and a torch (representing the athletic side of the university), over a crown (Or) (signifying the royal charter held by the university). The official coat of arms was granted by the College of Heralds in 1978. The core elements of
3174-510: The early 1990s, the TUU ran a competition for a new logo for the Tasmania University Logo. The winning student design remains in use today. The classical pillar represents knowledge on a solid footing "to show the Union's links with academic tradition, but drawn in a modern way to emphasis its contemporary outlook". The TUU was formed by students in 1899, 6 years after lectures began at the University of Tasmania. The initial purpose of
3243-629: The financial and trading interests of the Union, leaving the SRC to concentrate on education, welfare, activities and publications. By the mid-1980s, the Union had turned around to boast "the best facilities and the lowers fees in Australia. All trading ventures ran at a profit...and [the Activities Council] became the major music promoter in Tasmania". The Union campaigned on issues like Commonwealth tertiary education funding, student allowances, and against
3312-544: The former Hobart High School, facilities were totally outgrown, but the state government was slow to fund a new campus. In 1914 the university petitioned King George V for Letters Patent , which request he granted. The Letters Patent, sometimes called the Royal Charter , granted the university's degrees status as equivalent to the established universities of the United Kingdom, where such equivalents existed. During
3381-529: The introduction of Voluntary Student Unionism . The Union's services continued to expand, especially TUU student housing. The SRC also gained greatly increased representation on University committees and won a campaign for anonymity in exams. In the mid to late 1980s, some of the TUU's commercial ventures returned to loss and the union fee was increased against much opposition. However, the new Executive Officer from 1989 increased accountability and efficiency measures, returning financial stability and going on to win
3450-567: The local council area of Hobart City Council, in which the Sandy Bay campus is located) which has culminated in an elector poll being held on the issue in October 2022 at the same time as the Tasmanian local government elections. 74.38% of polled electors in the Hobart City Council area voted against the University's proposal to relocate. It is not known if the same concerns are held by the wider Tasmanian community. In August 2024, another education entity, National Institute of Education and Technology (NIET, Hobart Centre) moved in Old Hytten Building at
3519-430: The new National Union of Students, and successfully engaged in national campaigns, such as pushing for student representation on university decision-making bodies The TUU became increasingly well established at the University of Tasmania, organising student life and representing students to the University and the wider community. The TUU took on its first paid employee, a part-time professional secretary, in 1939 to help with
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#17328561431793588-429: The next years showed. It was argued that the TCAE attempted to compete with the university, not complement it. In 1978 the University of Tasmania took over two of the courses offered by the TCAE in Hobart, Pharmacy and Surveying, following a report by Professor Karmel, and another by H.E. Cosgrove. Some other TCAE courses in Hobart moved to Launceston. The curious situation of three separate courses in teacher education in
3657-498: The offices of Governor of Tasmania , Justices of the High, Supreme, Federal courts, Premiers of Tasmania and elected leaders of other states and territories, Rhodes Scholars , the first female professor in Australia, ministers of foreign countries, Lord Mayors , academics, architects, historians, poets, philosophers, politicians, scientists, physicists, authors, industry leaders, defence force personnel, corporate leaders, community leaders, and artists. There are over 100,000 graduates of
3726-547: The passing of traditions from one cohort to the next. The southern colleges annually compete in a series of sporting events including Rugby , Australian Football , Cricket , Softball , Basketball , Table Tennis , Tennis and Soccer . The college system comprises Christ College , Jane Franklin Hall and St. John Fisher College , and Hytten Hall (originally open from 1959–1980 and re-established in 2023) in Hobart, and Kerslake Hall , Leprena and Investigator Hall in Launceston. The university accommodation system also includes
3795-409: The recently instituted Australian inter-varsity sporting competitions. In 1930, full membership was made compulsory. The Union Committee became the formal Student Representative Council in 1925 under a Constitutional change. In the mid to late 1930s, the Union began to flourish again as the problems of the war and the Great Depression finally began to fade. In 1937 the Tasmania University Union joined
3864-482: The results to pressure for change in faculty and university processes and structures. The Union's situation disintegrated through the late 1970s. A poor national economy created opposition to raising the compulsory Union fee, alongside issues of mismanagement within the TUU led to a worsening financial position. Trading ventures began to run at a loss, there were allegations of corruption, the SRC suffered from in-fighting and frequent turnover, and for six consecutive years
3933-454: The rowdy Mock Commem Processions in its early years. The progressive growth in the TUU and its activities were put on hold by the outbreak of World War I, as students left to join the armed forces. Activities declined significantly in this period; and no committee was named in 1920. In the early 1920s, the University Council made partial membership fees compulsory for students. This enabled the TUU to regain strength, and begin to field teams in
4002-450: The secretariat role of the International Antarctic Institute established in 2006 in partnership with 19 institutions in 12 countries. A partnership between the university and the Cradle Coast Authority established the Institute for Regional Development at the Cradle Coast campus in 2005. The Grant of Arms was made by the College of Arms . The blazon reads: Argent a Lion passant Gules armed and langued Azure holding in its dexter paw
4071-400: The university awarded its first Doctor of Philosophy to Joan Munro Ford. Ford worked as a research biologist in the University of Tasmania's Department of Physics between 1940 and 1950. In early 1956 Orr was summarily dismissed, mainly for his alleged though denied seduction of a student. A ten-year battle involved academics in Australia and overseas. Orr lost an unfair dismissal action in
4140-470: The university in 2008. The merger helped streamline degree programs and improved provision of basic services at the combined Newnham campus. The university formed the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) in 2010 to help integrate the Institute of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studied and the Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute, as well as the universities existing marine and Antarctic facility. The Greenhill Observatory which houses
4209-426: The university who studied law and resided at John Fisher College where he was president. While chancellor, he also served as Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions . That year the university opened two satellite campuses in Sydney, offering nursing and paramedic education in partnership with local hospitals and health services such as St Vincent's Hospital . The Australian Maritime College (AMC) merged with
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#17328561431794278-425: The university's multiple 5 rating scores ( well above world standard ) for excellence in research awarded by the Australian Research Council . The university also delivers tertiary education at the Australian Maritime College , the national centre for maritime education, training and research. The University has also demonstrated strong outcomes on climate change , sustainability, and resource management, earning it
4347-418: The war effort. The TUU pressed on however, updating the Constitution again for a fully elected SRC, introducing a formal budget process, printing the first student handbook, and electing its first female president Cynthia Johnson in 1941. The first party political student clubs were also formed during the war. As the war ended, student numbers increased dramatically and the university began its gradual move from
4416-582: The year. Some societies have their membership based in specific faculties, such as the Tasmanian University Law Society and Tasmanian University Medical Students Society. Others are more special interest-based, such as the Bushwalking Society and PLOT Theatre Society. University-based sports clubs include University of Tasmania Cricket Club , University of Tasmania Rugby Union Club , University of Tasmania Soccer Club , which participate in various statewide sports rosters. Tasmania's three major political parties (Australian Labor Party, Liberal Party of Australia , and
4485-478: The years, with the 'kidnapping' of local personalities and buses); and the Student Representatives began to look into wider student issues such as indigenous disadvantage, student living conditions, and the environment. Protests originating from the Union Building and moving into the city of Hobart, regarding the Vietnam War, Apartheid in South Africa and many other issues became common in the 1960s and 1970s. The SRC also became more active in surveying students and using
4554-431: Was established in 1982 to represent postgraduate research students on campus independently of the TUU. The university maintains a strong residential college system, as well as providing more independent apartment-style living. A key aspect of campus life, the residential colleges are equipped with modern facilities and host several events during the semesters. The colleges also maintain their respective student clubs, key in
4623-447: Was established to create a link between institutional law reform in the State created by the demise of first the Tasmanian Law Reform Commission in 1989, and then its replacement, the Tasmanian Law Reform Commissioner in 1997. The new institutes model was based on the Alberta Law Reform Institute, an agency based on an agreement between the Canadian province of Alberta, the Law Society, and the University of Alberta and funded primarily by
4692-406: Was in fact one of the most progressive eras of the union. After this period student activism declined, and the student body also voted to secede from the National Union of Students in 1979. In the early 1980s, the TUU underwent significant structural change through a new Constitution, and began to look more like it does today. The Board of Management (with a student majority) was instituted to manage
4761-446: Was less successful over the long term, especially with a less activist student population than in the past . The Tasmania University Union became an incorporated entity in 1991 As it has throughout its history, the TUU has organised campaigns around many divisive issues, including university restructures, student welfare issues, the introduction of voluntary student unionism in 2006, and the use of compulsory student fees collected under
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