Murdoch University
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2007) |
| Murdoch University Logo | |
| Motto | Seek Wisdom[1] |
|---|---|
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1975 |
| Chancellor | Terry Budge |
| Vice-Chancellor | Professor John Yovich AM |
Academic staff | 1,300 |
| Undergraduates | 10,200 |
| Postgraduates | 2,200 |
| Location | , , |
| Campus | Urban |
| Organisations | Member of Innovative Research Universities Australia |
| Website | www.murdoch.edu.au |
Murdoch University is a university with its main campus at Murdoch, 14km south of Perth, Western Australia, along South Street near the Kwinana Freeway (32°4′3″S 115°50′10″E / 32.06750°S 115.83611°E Coordinates: Extra unexpected parameters
). It commenced operations as WA's second university in 1973, and accepted its first students in 1975. Its name is taken from Sir Walter Murdoch (1874-1970), a prominent Australian academic and essayist famous for his intelligence, wit and humanity, who has a walk dedicated to him on South Wing Level 2 of the main library.
Murdoch University is home to 14,271 students (as of August 31, 2006),[2] of which over 2,000 are international students. There are three main divisions at Murdoch: Arts (which includes Humanities, Social Sciences, IT, Law and Business); Health Sciences and Science and Engineering.
Murdoch has Australia's geographically largest campus at 2.27 square kilometres, necessary in order to accommodate Western Australia's only veterinary school. Most of the southern part of the university consists of paddocks of livestock, farm and renewable energy facilities.
The original group of University buildings surround an open court, known as "Bush Court", in the northern part of the campus. Bush Court contains the highest point on campus. The buildings are linked on the court's sides by broad colonnaded verandahs in a compact design which aims at encouraging a sense of community. Features around campus include the Chinese garden and the Joglo Rahayu (Peace Pavilion).
The University has three major campuses. Aside from Murdoch, there is the Rockingham Regional Campus, opened in 1996 alongside Rockingham's TAFE campus, which features dedicated facilities for engineering, an arts and commerce building and a community library; and the Peel Campus in Mandurah, which opened in 2004 for nursing and life science students.
Murdoch University was initially intended to cater predominantly to mature-aged students. As a result, many courses are available externally and an increasing number are available online. It is home to several disciplinary schools: law, arts, information technology, science, biotechnology, psychology, engineering, veterinary studies, chiropractic, postgraduate pharmacy,[3] counter-terrorism,[4] education, mass communications and commerce. According to The Australian newspaper, the Graduate Careers Council of Australia found its Journalism School is one of Australia's top five.
Murdoch University is the founder of the ACICIS (Australian Consortium for 'In-Country' Indonesian Studies) Study Indonesia program, a non-profit consortium of Australian universities that was established in 1994 to coordinate semester-long study programs at partner universities in Yogyakarta and Malang in Indonesia, for Australian university students.[5]
Murdoch University a highly research intensive institution and a member of Innovative Research Universities Australia (IRU Australia).
Merger plans
Curtin University of Technology and Murdoch University agreed in June 2005 to undertake a feasibility study on merging. On November 7, 2005, both institutions issued a press release stating that such a merger will not be undertaken.
Murdoch College
On the north east corner of the South Street campus, Murdoch College was established by the university and the Alexander Education Group in 2000 to cater for secondary students in a university environment and to enrich their academic, social and personal potential. It is one of few secondary schools on a university campus in Australia and students have the opportunity to experience university facilities often. It offers a full complement of Year 7-12 subjects across the 8 learning areas. Many students from China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and Korea enrol at Murdoch College and enhance its strong multicultural ethos.
Murdoch Institute of Technology
The Murdoch Institute of Technology (MIT) was established by the university and the Alexander Education Group. It is a feeder college catering for students wishing to complete diploma level courses. Future plans involve building dedicated facilities on the tennis courts north of the SSHE building, which currently houses the School of Education's teaching caravans and some satellite dishes.
Student Village
Murdoch University Student Village is an on-campus residential community consisting of 98 self-contained flats. Rooms are divided between single bedrooms and twin-share rooms. It hosts over 500 resident students and student organisations which run events with free attendance for residents. The student village is located south-east of the main campus, and placement is only available to full-time Murdoch University students upon application.
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Places of interest on campus
Interesting places on the Murdoch campus include:
Food
- Food Court and Club Murdoch
Located on the western side of Bush Court, the Food Court (also known as the Refectory) contains several cafés, a kebab shop and Asian food. It is also near the Murdoch Bookshop, which has an entrance from within the Refectory. There are also an outdoor seating area on the southern side and Club Murdoch on the northern side.
- Sir Walter's Cafe and Little Walter's
Sir Walter's Cafe is located on level 2 of the library and is a popular spot for coffee or relaxing in the courtyard. Little Walter's is off the eastern side of Bush Court, selling hot and cold beverages. It also sells some hot food such as muffins and cakes.
- The Tavern
Located past the ECL buildings at the southern end of campus, the Tavern is always popular with students and has a range of entertainment at different times during the year. A new one is currently being built in the front of the university on Bush Court. Until semester 1 2006, the Tavern hosted Triple Crown, the university's end of semester party.
- Others
Also, various cheap Asian food caravans exist around campus - well-established ones (since at least 1998) are The Lunchbox at ECL level 2, and "Campus Asian Food" near the Science & Computing building.
Library
Murdoch campus library
The main library on the Murdoch campus is located on the south end of Bush Court. It consists of a North Wing (levels 2-4), a Link (levels 2-3) and a South Wing (levels 1-4). The only entrance and exit are on North Wing Level 3, which is level with Bush Court. Membership is open to everyone, although access to some resources is restricted.[6]
Some of the time the library is open is known as "Study Hall". During this time, patrons may access the collections, computers, photocopiers and self-borrowing machines, but there is no desk, phone or e-mail service.[7]
In 2006 and 2007, the Library is undergoing major building works to remove asbestos from the roof (in an ongoing project involving other university buildings) and construct the new Learning Common. The Learning Common is in North Wing and Link Section levels 2 and 3 and when complete in May 2007, will provide 24 hour computer access and security services. Some areas have already opened with computer access. As part of these works, there has been some rearrangement of library items/services, including the re-shelving of many items to be in DDC sequence on the South Wing. This is the layout as at 20 April 2007:[8]
- North Wing
- Level 2: Science journals, Videos/DVDs
- Level 3: Main entrance, foyer, eLibrary 1, Murdoch Print, Reserve and Reference sections*, new books display
- Level 4: Teaching and Learning Centre, Art Gallery
* The Reference collection is mostly boxed and unavailable.
- Link Level
- Level 2: (currently closed for construction work)
- Level 3: (currently empty)
- South Wing
- Level 1: IT Service Desk, Newspapers, Microfiche, Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities and eLibrary 4
- Level 2: Sir Walter Murdoch Historical Walk, Education and Mass Communications
- Level 3: Murdoch Law Library and eLibrary 3
- Level 4: Economics and Business Library
Many items from the university's art collection are on show around the library, especially in the North Wing Level 4 Art Gallery.
Vet library
The veterinary and biomedical sciences library is a smaller facility located in the Veterinary Clinical Sciences building, southeast of the main library. There are 2 computers for student use, 3 catalogue computers and 1 printing station.
Computer labs
See the Computing Facilities section.
Guild Shop
The Guild Shop is located next to Little Walter's. The Guild Service Station was on the other side of Little Walter's, but is now closed, with all services relocated to the Guild Shop. The Guild Shop is an authorised SmartRider Retail Sales outlet (see the Public transport section).
Joglo Rahayu
The Joglo Rahayu (Peace Pavilion) is a semi-enclosed pavilion located near the Education and Humanities building. Built as a monument to ongoing association between Murdoch University and Indonesian academic institutions in Java, it acts as storage for the only Gamelan orchestra in Western Australia. Classes are also held in the pavillion to instruct students interested in playing the Javanese instruments.
Student demographics
The total student population of Murdoch University as of 2005 is 13,492.[9]
Murdoch University also partners with other educational institutions, such as KDU College in Malaysia, to provide university degrees to off-shore students.
Murdoch has many students from Singapore, Malaysia, China, United States, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, India, Kenya and Taiwan.[10]
Murdoch University also have foreign exchange students from Japan, Korea, United States, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Germany and United Kingdom.
Student organisations
Student Guild
The Murdoch University Guild of Students is the student representative association at Murdoch University. Under the previous universal student membership legislation, all students automatically became members of the guild, although they could subsequently opt-out or opt-in of membership. In 2005, voluntary student unionism legislation was introduced by the Federal government. Students can now choose not to be members of the guild, or choose to be basic or financial members (financial members pay fees and receive additional entitlements, including discounts).
As well as handling student representation and assistance with education and welfare issues, the Guild manages two food outlets on campus, runs the tavern, sports and recreation centre and the second hand bookshop. The guild partially finances many of the student associations on campus and run specific guild events of their own. Finally, the guild publishes Metior, the campus magazine.
The Guild is the recognised channel of communication between the Student body and the University Administration and has representatives on a vast array of the University's committess where the interests of students are involved.
The Guild is affiliated with the National Union of Students, and its postgraduate student assosciation (Murdoch University Postgraduate Student Association (MUPSA)) is a member of the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations.
In 2007, the Guild President is Reece Harley and the Education Vice President is Eden Ridgeway.
2007 Murdoch University Guild President Controversy
Reece Harley's reign as president is not without controversy. Critics of Reece believe that there has been little or no action from the guild this year.[11][12][13] One of the specific criticisms relates to the redesign of the website. As of 27 April 2007 the redesigned website still hasn't been launched despite having had months to launch and spending $8,000 on getting the website redesigned.[14]
Regional Students' Association (RSA)
Formed officially in 1998 as the Rockingham Student Council, the Regional Students' Association is the official Guild council representing students at the Rockingham and Peel Campuses. During 2000-2001, it officially changed its name to the Rockingham Students' Association. After the Peel Campus was opened, it changed to its current name.
Student Clubs
A list of Guild Affiliated Clubs is available at the Guild website.
Murdoch Student Law Society
MSLS (Murdoch Student Law Society) is a student organisation that represents students studying law and legal studies at Murdoch University (though membership is open to all). MSLS organises some of the biggest social events at Murdoch. MSLS was one of the founding co-hosts the semester ending event, Triple Crown, and also organises a Law Camp which is held in Dwellingup.
In addition to social events, MSLS also organises educational seminars and legal competitions such as Mooting, Negotiation, Trial Advocacy, Client Interview and Paper Presentation.
MSLS is affiliated with ALSA (Australian Law Students Association) and sends competitors to the National Championships held at the Annual Conference each year.
Murdoch Information Technology Society
MITS (Murdoch Information Technology Society) is a society that promotes education and socialising between IT students. They hold many events for students to network and gain essential job skills and knowledge.
Murdoch Alternative Reality Society
MARS (Murdoch Alternative Reality Society) is a genre fiction (fantasy, science fiction, horror etc) and gaming club that was founded in 1988. It has a large collection of role playing, card and board games. In the past it has received national press coverage, playtested supplements for Rolemaster and received funding from Cadbury chocolates on account of its name. MARS maintains close links with the University library which has an extensive genre fiction section.
Murdoch Anime Directive
MAD (Murdoch Anime Directive) is a campus anime club which hosts screenings of new anime and allows member access to an extensive anime and manga collection. In the past, they have engaged in fundraising by selling pocky and other snacks on campus.
Murdoch University Environmental Science Association
MUEnSA (Murdoch University Environmental Science Association) is a social club for all students studying Environmental Science, Marine Science, Conservation Biology and related courses. They hold various social activities and activities focussing on the environment throughout the year.
MUEnSA has a work experience program, which runs seminars for students to get insiders' views of the work force.
Transport
Car
There are several car parks around each campus, for staff, student and visitor use. At certain times, some or all parking is free.
Public transport
The Guild Shop sells SmartRiders (Transperth's smartcard) and students who purchase them from the Guild Shop do not have to fill out any Transperth forms to obtain concession fares (although they still have to fill out the university's online form).
Transperth provides several bus services to and from Murdoch and Rockingham. There are services connecting the Murdoch campus to the nearby Murdoch Park 'n' Ride, Perth, Bibra Lake and Booragoon. These include the CircleRoute service, which runs to Fremantle and the Park 'n' Ride, connecting to regular services to Perth.
Murdoch Train Station is currently under construction approximately 1000 metres from Murdoch campus, at the same location as the Park 'n' Ride. When complete in 2007, it will be the major public transport focus of the area. The campus will ultimately be linked to the station by the proposed Murdoch Transit Link, a busway running roughly parallel to South Street.
Rockingham Train Station is currently under construction, approximately 1500 metres from the Rockingham campus. When the station is complete in 2007, a shuttle bus will operate between the campus and station.
Other
The Murdoch and Rockingham campuses are linked by a shuttle bus operated by the university, which patrons must pay to use.
Computing facilities
The wireless LAN can be accessed from many places on campus, including the Ref and the vet library, although no support is provided.
The university's servers provide 40 MB of storage for each student (when this quota is exceeded, students are prevented from creating or modifying folders and files, and are sent an e-mail), which is only accessible on campus.
The South Street and Rockingham campuses provide the general computing labs GCL1 and GCL2, respectively. These labs, as well some of the labs in the South Street library, provide printing stations. Printing in other labs is managed using the PaperCut quota system. Each student is credited some print quota at the start of each semester, based upon their enrolment, and may purchase more.
There are also various faculty and department-specific computing labs. A recent policy change means that all students can now access all undergraduate computing labs (regardless of what units or courses they are enrolled in), although some labs are subject to bookings, some labs still have restricted access (based on time of day and/or student card) and students must still use the relevant faculty's labs to use faculty-specific software.
All PCs run Windows XP, except for those in the media labs, which run Mac OS X 10.4.
The university's network provides free access to a few Internet sites (including all WA university sites and all WAIX). The Learning Common (an area in the South Street library) also provides free access to some other sites. Each week, each student's account is credited with some Internet quota, which may be used to access any Internet site, and may purchase more. There are some restrictions on which sites can be accessed from which computers, even when using this quota.
Unused print and Internet quota is cleared at the end of each year.
References
- ^ http://www.murdoch.edu.au/vco/secretariat/records/people/sirwaltermurdoch.html
- ^ http://wwwplan.murdoch.edu.au/stats/student/table1-1/default.asp?YEAR=2006&SEM=2&CAMPUS=0&FEE=0&SEX=0&NEW=0&ATTEND=0&EQUITY=0&DIVISION=0&AOU=0
- ^ http://handbook.murdoch.edu.au/courses/list06.lasso?title=Pharmacy
- ^ http://handbook.murdoch.edu.au/courses/list06.lasso?title=Terrorism
- ^ "ACICIS - Study Indonesia". Retrieved 2007-04-05.
- ^ "Community Members". Retrieved 2007-04-20.
- ^ "Murdoch University Library Opening Hours". Retrieved 2007-04-20.
- ^ "Murdoch Campus Library Refurbishment 2006-07 Progress". Retrieved 2007-04-20.
- ^ http://wwwplan.murdoch.edu.au/stats/student/table1-1/default.asp?YEAR=2005&SEM=1&CAMPUS=0&FEE=0&SEX=0&NEW=0&ATTEND=0&EQUITY=0&DIVISION=0&AOU=0
- ^ http://wwwplan.murdoch.edu.au/stats/student/table1-5/default.asp?YEAR=2005&SEM=1&CAMPUS=0&FEE=0&SEX=0&NEW=0&ATTEND=0&EQUITY=0&DIVISION=0&AOU=0
- ^ http://www.lloydy.id.au/blog/index.php/2007/03/reece-harley-whats-going-on/
- ^ http://iwanttolitigate.wordpress.com/2007/03/29/lloydy-asks-reece-harley-what%e2%80%99s-going-on/
- ^ http://blog.clickonline.org.au/2007/03/30/lloydy-suggests-that-reece-harley-do-what-is-expected/
- ^ http://blog.clickonline.org.au/2007/04/07/8000-on-a-non-existent-webpage-students-ask-whats-going-on-reece-harley/
External links
- University sites:
- Guild/Student club sites: