by Connie Short, 2018 NAAUC delegate and Emmanuel College Communications Intern
Great leaders don’t set out to be a leader. They set out to make a difference.
The 50th National Conference of the National Association of Australian University Colleges (NAAUC ) was held at Cromwell College, The University of Queensland, from July 1 to 7 2018. Over 150 residential college student delegates from across Australia attended, six of whom were chosen as NAAUC delegates by the Emmanuel College Students’ Club. Sam Skinner, Jim Anderson, Jennifer Stevens, Charlie Slaney, Connie Short and Edward Carroll were given the opportunity to gain in-depth understanding of the challenges and opportunities of student leadership, equipping them with skills and ideas to become competent operators of change into 2019 and beyond.
#SustainedPositiveChange was the conference theme, inspiring delegates to be the change their residential college needs across four key topic areas: diversity in residences, representation of residences, mental wellbeing and building leadership. Throughout the week, delegates were inspired by a range of guest speakers, interactive workshops and seminars, and panel discussions involving professionals with expertise in relevant fields. Edward said, “The overall conference theme can be implemented in leadership and in college, and also in everyday life.”
The conference’s theme was confronted on day one at the week’s opening dinner with journalist and activist Nina Funnell, author of The Red Zone Report, as keynote speaker. Ms Funnell’s work has sparked intense conversations about issues such as hazing and sexual violence on university campuses. Her presentation was considered the conference’s best by Sam, Jennifer and Connie, and was a highlight for many other students nationwide. “Nina’s presentation not only came from an honest and passionate voice, but one that spoke great truth and inspired us to think beyond the current negative media portrayal of residential colleges, to be advocates of change and remind ourselves of the overwhelming positivity college life provides to so many,” Connie said.
The importance of mental wellbeing within residential colleges was also a key issue discussed throughout the conference. Tom Harkin from Melbourne coaching agency Tomorrow Architects gave special insights into the power that young people hold in cultivating safe spaces to speak about mental health between one another, particularly in college environments. All delegates were trained in mental health first aid and learnt techniques in how to best foster safe spaces within colleges and between peers to discuss mental health with one another. Charlie said, “It really highlighted the importance of slowing down the pace of our daily conversations to listen to our peers more, and listen to understand, rather than listening to respond.”
Relationship building and networking with the other University of Queensland colleges was a highlight for all Emmanuel delegates, with Jennifer saying, “Students at all UQ colleges will benefit greatly from their peers’ experiences at NAAUC. The delegates share the same compassion and concern for their respective colleges.” Sam went on to say, “We don’t interact with each other very much outside of the inter-college cultural and sporting competitions. One thing that many of the delegates want to do is to have more interaction between the colleges, helping build stronger and healthier relationships while getting rid of negative stereotypes.”
In this, its golden jubilee year, the NAAUC conference really highlighted the importance of our privilege as Emmanuel College student leaders, and the opportunities we have in creating a home and a culture for 350 young adults in one place at such a formative time in our lives.
