Students are settling into New College Village this week, as doors have opened after the first sod of earth was turned on the $36 million project in September 2007.
Fourteen student residents have already moved into the 319-bed postgraduate residential village, which opened Monday this week.
Many more will join them as the beginning of the university semester approaches.
During January and February, a total of 316 residents will move into the village, which is located diagonally opposite New College on the UNSW western campus.
While applications are still being processed, the College has seen more than 230 applications and around 150 residents have already been offered and accepted a place.
But NCV will be more than just a place to live; it is set to be a vibrant postgraduate community with strong programs and a well designed building that facilitates social interaction.
A New vision becomes reality
The village is a confirmation of the vision of the original members of the New Universities Colleges Council (NUCC), formed by the Diocese in 1957 with the aim of providing accommodation and care for university students and to offer a stronger Christian presence on campus.
New College at UNSW and Robert Menzies College at Macquarie University were the result of this original pioneering work.
The current Master and Board of New College, inspired by the original vision and committed to the gospel work on university campuses, have set out to create the first significant new development in college ministry for over 30 years.
"I wanted to see the New College ministry grow. A ministry so effective over so many years needed to be expanded. The New College Village is an attempt to create a new type of postgraduate community, centred and shaped by the gospel of Christ," Professor Trevor Cairney said when explaining the rationale for embarking on this major project.
The new building brings the number of residents who will come under the influence of New College's ministry this year to 564.
The support programs will include regular social activities; an academic support program consistent with New College traditions; and strong pastoral care support from well trained Senior Residents led by the Master living in the building with his wife Carmen.
Residents will also be able to engage with and explore the Christian faith through regular Bible studies, involvement in Christian groups on campus and a connection with the existing Christian fellowship at New College.
New College is an Anglican residential college that has been providing a Christian witness at the University of New South Wales for 40 years.
The College conservatively estimates that around 500 people have come to faith through its ministry over this time. Many residents have gone on to Bible College (mostly Moore) and vocational ministry, and that many others have joined para-church organisations as missionaries or ministry workers.
The College has provided the core membership of campus-based ministry under the leadership of UniChurch, with an alumni boasting one bishop (Al Stewart) and two current Moore College staff (including the Principal), not to mention a large number of clergy.
The expansion of New College could therefore be very significant for the future of ministry within the Diocese of Sydney.
For more information or to apply for a place at NCV visit www.ncv.unsw.edu.au
