| The University of Melbourne Objectives for Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders The University’s Strategic Plan, Earning Esteem, provides the framework and values for its programs of support services for Indigenous Australians. One of the Guiding Values is to create a diverse, harmonious scholarly community committed to equity and merit as the fundamental principles through which staff and students are encouraged and assisted to realise their full potential. In a diverse Australian higher education system, different types of institutions will serve increasingly differentiated educational functions and student constituencies. In such circumstances, the role of the University of Melbourne is commitment to excellence measured against the highest international standards of teaching, research, and scholarship. Nonetheless the University is committed to equity and access. No-one with the capacity to take advantage of world-class higher education should be denied access to the University of Melbourne by virtue of educational disadvantage arising from cultural difference. For those who gain access, first-rate support services and administrative processes sensitive to individual needs will be available so that all may achieve their full potential. Maintaining authentic equity agendas will be especially important in a competitive, deregulated environment. Commitment to the educational needs of Indigenous Australian peoples constitutes an integral component of the University’s equity agenda. Strategies and Performance Goal 1 To promote and maintain a strong focus on equality of opportunity for Indigenous people Strategy 1.1 Review Indigenous support services across the University. Activity: An independent Review of Aboriginal support services was completed in March 1998. The Review recommended that an expanded Centre for Indigenous Education be established. The Centre will provide targeted support services, currently provided by the Koori Student and Liaison Unit, and facilitate and support developments in Indigenous curriculum and teaching programs across the University. The Review recommended that the Centre for Indigenous Education be centrally located in upgraded facilities on the main Parkville campus to encourage greater interaction between Indigenous Australian communities and the University. The Review also recommended that a new Director be appointed at an upgraded level to facilitate future developments in Indigenous education. Method of Evaluation: Establishment of a new Centre, relocation of existing support services and appointment of a new Director to be finalised by March 1999. Proposal for appointment of an Indigenous Australian to a senior academic position to be determined by December 1999. Strategy 1.2 Utilise Melbourne Access and Equity Scholarships to support Indigenous equity targets, targeting under-represented faculties. Activity: Melbourne Scholarships information has been incorporated into targeted promotional materials including the 1998 Koori Student and Liaison Unit (KSLU) Information Booklet for Students. The KSLU has successfully negotiated the establishment of a postgraduate award with the School of Graduate Studies and is negotiating to establish an undergraduate award with the Faculty of Science. Method of Evaluation: Continued promotion of Melbourne Scholarships to Indigenous Australians. Increase the number of targeted scholarships available to Indigenous Australian undergraduate students to four by December 1998. Goal 2: To increase access to the University for Indigenous Australians Strategy 2.1 Ensure that no meritorious Indigenous person is denied access to the University because of disadvantage. Activity: A detailed statistical analysis of Indigenous Australian student outcomes has been developed under the aegis of the Koori Education Committee (KEC). This analysis will help to ensure the University’s equity principles established in Earning Esteem are applied to the goals and strategies of the Indigenous Education Strategy. Method of Evaluation: Update statistical analysis of Indigenous Australian student outcomes on an annual basis to improve monitoring of Indigenous Education Strategy outcomes. Strategy 2.2 Under the aegis of the Academic Board, develop University-wide guidelines for the admission of Indigenous Australians. Activity: The Centre for Indigenous Education (CIE), in consultation with faculties and departments, will develop University-wide guidelines for the admission of Indigenous Australian people to the University who enter via the Indigenous Admissions Scheme. Guidelines will ensure that the Indigenous Admissions Scheme achieves a degree of consistency across faculties and departments. The CIE will investigate the development of TAFE pathways. Method of Evaluation: The CIE to develop a discussion paper for circulation to faculties and departments regarding the introduction of University-wide guidelines for the Indigenous Admissions Scheme by April 1999. Strategy 2.3 Develop alternative methods of delivering outreach services to Indigenous communities. Activity: Web Pages containing student information, the Indigenous Education Strategy document and contact details have been developed. The possibility of using Internet technologies as an alternative method of program delivery focusing on the needs of rural and remote communities is to be investigated. Method of Evaluation: CIE web site to be active by December 1998. Goal 3 To provide the highest quality services for meeting the educational, cultural, and social needs of prospective and enrolled Indigenous students and staff. Strategy 3.1 To ensure Indigenous Education activities become subject to periodic best practice activities involving leaders in Indigenous education. Activity: The CIE, under the guidance of the KEC, will participate in benchmarking exercises with national leaders and practitioners in Indigenous education. Method of Evaluation: Benchmarking agreements with national leaders and practitioners in Indigenous education to be reached by December 1999. Strategy 3.2 To ensure that academic and administrative processes are sensitive to the individual and cultural needs of Indigenous students and staff. Activity: The CIE will continue to support the Faculty of Law scheme establishing targeted support services for Indigenous students through the appointment of an academic to the position of Koori Liaison Officer. The CIE will encourage other faculties to implement similar arrangements. The CIE will develop and update a student handbook specific to the needs of commencing Indigenous students, and will further investigate the establishment of culturally appropriate mechanisms for dispute resolution as recommended by the Review of Aboriginal Support Services. Method of Evaluation: The CIE to establish contact officers in all faculties, to update student information annually, and to adopt culturally appropriate mechanisms for dispute resolution by December 1999. Strategy 3.3 To develop first rate support services which maximise the retention, success, and transition to employment rate of Indigenous students. Activity: The KEC in consultation with the CIE will develop University-wide guidelines for the monitoring of retention and success of Indigenous students including procedures relating to student progress. Preliminary statistical reports have been produced and will form the basis of further work. The CIE aims to increase the number of Indigenous students accessing the Aboriginal Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ATAS) by 10%. Method of Evaluation: The KEC to ensure that monitoring of retention and success as indicated by the Equity Performance Indicators occurs on an ongoing basis. The KEC to ensure guidelines for the monitoring of retention and success are adopted by December 1999. Anticipated Movements in DEETYA Performance Indicators 1997–2001
Strategy 3.4 Continue to monitor the performance of targeted services and programs, ensuring equity considerations include access, progression, and completion. Activity: The KEC is to audit the performance of targeted services and programs and review access, progress, and completion data. The CIE will conduct an evaluation of ATAS performance. The CIE will evaluate Indigenous Australian participation and outcomes achieved in the Arts Bridging Scheme with the aim of refining scheme selection and operation in 1999. Method of Evaluation: The KEC to undertake annual performance audits of targeted support services for Indigenous Australian students. The CIE to evaluate ATAS on an annual basis and assist the Faculty of Arts to evaluate Indigenous participation in the Bridging Scheme by December 1998. Goal 4 To create a community environment of harmonious learning and sharing of cultures. Strategy 4.1 To support staff initiatives to promote access and equity for Indigenous students. Activity: The CIE will approach significant employers of Indigenous peoples in the metropolitan area for recruitment. Method of Evaluation: Assess impact of recruitment strategies with reference to annual access and participation data. The KEC to advise, monitor and review CIE and University promotional activities. Strategy 4.2 Ensure, encourage, and strengthen through formal and informal measures Indigenous involvement in decision-making which impacts on Indigenous education initiatives. Activity: Expanded Indigenous membership of the KEC is to include community organisations such as the Victorian Aboriginal Health and Legal Services. Increased participation in decision-making will improve responsiveness to the educational and employment needs of Indigenous Australians. Method of Evaluation: The CIE to assess the effectiveness of changes to consultative mechanisms by May 1999. Goal 5 To provide an ongoing commitment to the recruitment of Indigenous people to academic and administrative staff positions. Strategy 5.1 Promote and encourage the development of undergraduate and postgraduate courses and research projects which address Indigenous issues and involve Indigenous peoples. Activity: Faculties and departments are to promote and encourage the development of courses and research projects which address Indigenous issues and involve Indigenous peoples. These initiatives will also facilitate increased employment opportunities for Indigenous Australians. Method of Evaluation: Possible introduction of an interdisciplinary program in Aboriginal Studies within the Faculty of Arts for implementation by 2000. Goal 6 Explore the possibility of applying principles of self-determination in the development of Indigenous education strategies. Strategy 6.1 Investigate avenues for further developing the Indigenous curriculum opportunities offered by the University. Activity: Faculties and academic departments, under the aegis of the Koori Education Committee, are to participate in benchmarking exercises with national leaders in Indigenous teaching programs. Method of Evaluation: Faculties and academic departments to advise the Koori Education Committee of benchmarking activities in Indigenous education by December 1999. Strategy 6.2 Through the Koori Education Committee develop a University wide focus for Indigenous research, student support, and curriculum development. Activity: The Koori Education Committee to promote and encourage Indigenous research, student support, and curriculum development across faculties and academic and administrative departments of the University. Method of Evaluation: The Centre of Indigenous Education under the aegis of the Koori Education Committee to undertake annual audits of Indigenous research, support services, and curriculum development across faculties and academic and administrative departments to encourage development of Indigenous education programs. Contact Officers Ms Cheryl Vardon Ms Lillian Holt Ms Patricia McLean |
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