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The Sydney Access Program Working Group

Terms of Reference

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The Sydney Access Program Working Group, chaired by the Director Student Administration and Support, was formed to develop the Sydney Access Program endorsed by Senate on 6 September 2004, including the development of the Sydney Access website.

The Access Program aims are to:

  • assist the University to identify those students who may not otherwise attend Sydney because of financial or educational disadvantage
  • more effectively communicate to these students the extensive range of financial support which will be available to them as students of the University
  • provide a gateway specially tailored to meet the needs of students from low socio-economic backgrounds or who have experienced educational disadvantage so that they are able to easily negotiate the application process and so that the University can more accurately identify their needs
  • introduce a first-year "start-up" grant to assist new students from disadvantaged backgrounds to cover the costs of starting university
  • implement a system which ensures that current students do not "fall through the net" because of a lack of financial support
  • expand the existing Access Scholarships program and the bursary program for new and enrolled students, and
  • expand the support services available to enrolled students, including casual employment and accommodation support.

The Access Program will manage assessment, admission and financial support for students from low socio-economic backgrounds and students who believe they have suffered educational disadvantage. Application and admission will be facilitated by the Universities Admissions Centre, which already manages applications for the Broadway Scheme and is from 2006 managing applications for the Commonwealth Learning Scholarships. Students will be eligible for support under the University of Sydney Access Program if they are a full-time enrolled student on Youth Allowance, Austudy or other Social Security Benefit and can demonstrate financial need due to low SES, rural or isolated background, living away from home, or disability. As part of the Program, the University will improve communication of financial support options to prospective and current students.

Membership

Ex-officio members

Director, Student Administration and Support (Dr Margaret Edmond) (Chair)
Head, Careers Centre & Scholarships and Prizes Office (Ms Inta Heimanis)
Acting Senior Policy Officer, Scholarships Office (Felicity Kiernan)
Director, Community Engagement (Ms Marian Theobald)
Manager Web Services, Community Engagement (to be confirmed)
Director, Marketing and Student Recruitment (to be confirmed)
Marketing Communications Manager, Marketing and Student Recruitment (to be confirmed)
Head, Equity Support Services (Ms Annette Cairnduff)
Financial Assistance Officer, Equity Support Services (Mr Ben Alfred)
Head Counselling Service (Jordi Austin)
Director Koori Centre (Ms Michelle Blanchard)
Administrative Officer Admissions, Student Centre (Mr Dennis O'Hare)

In attendance:

Executive Assistant to the Director Student Administration and Support (Ms Jo Cahill)

Meeting Dates

2009 - First Semester:
to be advised

2009 - Second Semester:
to be advised