Our vision for reconciliation
Our vision is for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to enjoy the same life opportunities as other Australians in a society which values equality, diversity and the contributions of all. The University is committed to the process of national reconciliation and will work alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to develop real opportunities to improve social and economic outcomes. We acknowledge the original custodians of the lands on which the University operates.
Our business
To be the major catalyst for the innovative and sustainable economic, cultural and educational advancement of the region, through the pursuit of international standards in teaching, research and engagement.
- In the pursuit of its mission, the University has a commitment to these values:
- the advancement, dissemination and preservation of knowledge through innovative and effective teaching and research of the highest quality
- fostering freedom of inquiry and expression
- the process of lifelong learning
- engaging in and responding to the community’s intellectual, cultural and economic needs
- adopting consultative processes and ethical behaviour in all activities
- engendering respect among students, staff and Council of the University for their diverse roles and contributions
- fairness, openness, honesty, trust and effective communication as fundamental expectations of students, staff and all associated with the University
- developing the University and its surrounds as an environmentally sensitive exemplar
- the advancement of human rights within a tolerant and inclusive society, in which respect for Indigenous and international peoples is fundamental.
Our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)
This is the first Reconciliation Action Plan for the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) and forecasts our actions for 2009–2011.
The RAP was developed after discussions with the University of the Sunshine Coast Vice Chancellor’s
Indigenous Advisory Committee.
Early 2008—the Vice Chancellor’s Indigenous Advisory Committee recommended a Statement of Commitment and Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) be developed for the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Mid 2008—the Indigenous Services Officer put out a call for expressions of interest resulting in the formation of the USC Reconciliation Working Group, made up of staff and students from both Indigenous and non-Indigenous backgrounds.
Mid-late 2008—the Indigenous Services Officer began drafting a USC RAP to disseminate to members of the USC Reconciliation Working Group and external Indigenous stakeholders for comment and feedback. November 2008—The USC Council agreed that one Council member and one senior staff member be
nominated to the USC Reconciliation Working Group.
March 2009—input was received from the Faculties.
Mid 2009—RAP draft consultation finalised and RAP approved by USC Council.
Our consultation
The USC Reconciliation Working Group consulted with individuals, community members and various organisations both internal and external to USC through meetings, email and focus groups. The consultations took place with:
- The Buranga Centre and Buranga Indigenous Students Committee (BISC)
- Students and Staff
- University of the 3rd Age (U3A)
- Sunshine Coast Reconciliation Group
- Noosa Reconciliation Mob
- Sunshine Coast Indigenous Network Group (SCING)
- Alumni
1. Relationships
The University of the Sunshine Coast understands that investing in strong and respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples both supports our commitment to adopting consultative processes and ethical behaviours in all activities and is the basis for effective inclusion, support and reconciliation.
Focus area 1.1 : Reconciliation Working Group
| Action | Responsibility | Timeline | Measurable target |
| 1. Support a Reconciliation Working Group made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander USC Council, staff, students and external Indigenous stakeholders. |
University Council, Indigenous Services Officer (regional engagement) | December 2010 | Reconciliation Working Group develops implements and promotes USC RAP. |
Focus area 1.2 : Build strong relationships with Indigenous peoples
| Action | Responsibility | Timeline | Measurable target |
| 1. Vice Chancellor’s Indigenous Advisory Committee guides the development of policies and research programs affecting the Indigenous community. | Office of the Vice Chancellor, Human Resources | December 2010 | At least 3 meetings per year. Review the effectiveness and role of the Vice Chancellor’s Indigenous Advisory Committee. |
| 2. Develop a database of Indigenous professionals for staff to consult with in relation to the development of programs relevant to Indigenous people. | Human Resources | June 2010 December 2010 |
Research project to identify contacts completed. Database developed and disseminated to all USC staff. |
| 3. Consulting with Indigenous people on relevant matters that impact on them is standard organisational practice. | Indigenous Services Officer (regional engagement), Human Resources |
December 2010 | Indigenous collaboration policy and procedure developed and explained to all staff. |
| 4. Establish an Indigenous staff network to provide a culturally safe environment for networking. | Indigenous Employment Officer | January 2010 December 2010 |
Indigenous staff network established. Quarterly meetings. Annual staff survey to measure success. |
2. Respect
The University of the Sunshine Coast knows that showing respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, land, culture and history is critical to working together for better outcomes for all Australians and achieving our commitment to advance human rights within a tolerant and inclusive society.
Focus area 2.1: Acknowledging Traditional Custodians
| Action | Responsibility | Timeline | Measurable target |
| 1. Acknowledge Traditional Custodians and/or arrange a Welcome to Country at all USC public events. | Human Resources, Marketing and Communications, Student Services, International Student Services | December 2010 | Traditional Custodians of the land are acknowledged or a Welcome to Country is conducted at the beginning of all USC public events. |
| 2. Invite and encourage course coordinators, lecturers and tutors to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we operate as per the USC “Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians” Protocols document. | All Deans and Program Leaders | Commencing each semester (inclusive of Summer School) | All Deans to provide a PowerPoint slide to Program Leaders to use for Acknowledgement of Country. Traditional Custodians of the land are acknowledged at the beginning of the first lecture of each semester. |
Focus area 2.2: Increase awareness of Indigenous culture and history
| Action | Responsibility | Timeline | Measurable target |
| 1. Invite Course Coordinators and Lecturers to explore opportunities to incorporate Indigenous content into their programs. | All Program Coordinators, Lecturers, Tutors and Teaching and Research Services | Commencing each semester (inclusive of Summer Semester) | Integration of relevant Indigenous Australian content as appropriate for each program. |
| 2. Develop a Cultural Awareness training program. | Indigenous Employment Officer, Human Resources and Teaching and Research Services | June 2010 | Cultural Awareness training program developed and ready |
| 3. All staff to complete Cultural Awareness training. | Human Resources Manager | December 2010 June 2011 |
All Deans and Course Coordinators have completed the Cultural Awareness training program. All staff have completed the Cultural Awareness training program. |
Focus area 2.3: Celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and events
| Action | Responsibility | Timeline | Measurable target |
| 1. Create an Indigenous Events Working Group to promote activities such as NAIDOC, National Reconciliation Week, The Dreaming Festival and the Indigenous Education Symposia and encourage participation and attendance. | Reconciliation Working Group | November 2009 March 2010 |
Indigenous Events Working Group established. Communication Plan Developed. |
| 2. Increase in USC community participation in Indigenous focused events. | Indigenous Events Working Group, Marketing and Communications | December 2010 | Buranga Centre Website finalised and live to promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander events relevant to staff and students. Other communications to all staff and students encouraging participation in relevant events. |
3. Opportunities
The University of Sunshine Coast’s mission is to be the major catalyst for the innovative and sustainable economic, cultural and educational advancement of the region. This is facilitated through creating mutually beneficial opportunities and supporting successful educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and optimising the recruitment and retention of Indigenous staff.
Focus area 3.1: Regional and Community Engagement for student recruitment, retention and success
| Action | Responsibility | Timeline | Measurable target |
| 1. Increase in recruitment, retention and success of Indigenous students at USC to reflect population demographics of the South East Queensland region – through Headstart, Tertiary Preparation Pathways (TPP), Undergraduate and Postgraduate programs. | Indigenous Services Officer (regional engagement), Faculties/Deans, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Marketing and Communications, Regional Engagement Coordinators | December 2010 | Attendance at relevant Careers Markets and events in the region to promote USC to Indigenous students. The percentage of Indigenous students at USC is at least proportionate to the percentage of Indigenous people of the region. |
Focus area 3.2: Increase the number of Indigenous people employed at USC
| Action | Responsibility | Timeline | Measurable target |
| 1. Ensure all USC vacancies are circulated to Indigenous community networks, employment officers and Indigenous employment agencies. | Indigenous Services Officer (regional engagement), Human Resources | December 2010 | All USC vacancies are circulated to Indigenous community networks, employment officers and Indigenous employment agencies. |
| 2. Develop career services that enhance the employment outcomes of Indigenous peoples, including work experience and internship opportunities for students at USC. |
Indigenous Services Officer, Senior Management | December 2010 | The number of Indigenous employees at USC increases to 2.5% of the university’s total employee numbers (full time equivalent). |
4. Tracking progress and reporting
Focus area 4.1: Review 2009 Reconciliation Action Plan
| Action | Responsibility | Timeline | Measurable target |
| 1. Annual RAP report | Reconciliation Working Group | December 2010 | Published report on USC and Reconciliation Australia websites. |
| 2. Refresh RAP |
Reconciliation Working Group | March/April 2011 | Refreshed RAP developed and on USC and Reconciliation Australia websites. |
More information
For further details about our Reconciliation Action Plan, please contact:
Professor Paul Thomas AM
Vice-Chancellor and President
University of the Sunshine Coast
Tel: + 61 7 5430 1101
Fax: + 61 7 5430 1105
Email: vcoffice@usc.edu.au
^ The University of the Sunshine Coast acknowledges the artwork supplied by Arthur Conlon. Arthur was born in the Cherbourg Aboriginal settlement of south east Queensland, and is a descendant of the Wakka Wakka tribe. One of 14 children, Arthur trained as a teacher and for several years taught Aboriginal art to children from pre-school age to high school level. As a child, Arthur acquired an interest in art and his many skills through stories and traditions passed to him from his uncles. All of his designs depict the motifs and symbols of hunting. His inspiration comes from the native fauna of the Kabi-Kabi region in Queensland. His designs are featured on fabric, T-shirts and canvasses. Using water based paint and ochre colours; Arthur creates scenes of ceremony, the hunt and celebration, all male activities.