As I write this piece on a 24 degree end-of-March day, it feels more like summer than autumn. Giving the season away, however, are the darker mornings and dropping leaves, and of course the imminent Easter mid-semester break.
From my perspective, the College has got off to a really good start this year. And certainly, judging by the feedback we've received from Members during our recent one-on-one chats with all Members, they seem to agree!
The settling-in process (particularly for the first-year students) has gone well, friends are being made, healthy fun is being had, sport is being played, and the routine of lectures and labs is helping to structure time, focus minds, and keep homesickness at bay. I am impressed with the enthusiasm, energy and friendliness of Members, and look forward to enjoying their company further during the course of this year.
The College is full (224 Members) as indeed are all the other colleges at the University. As is customary for St Margaret's, a large proportion are returners (43%) in their second, third, fourth or fifth year at the College.
The female:male ratio is 60:40 and 23 different birth countries are represented. Health Sciences students continue to make up the largest proportion (68.5%) of Members. Sciences students comprise 17.2% of Members, Humanities 12.8% , and the remainder (1.5%) are Commerce and Foundation students.
In terms of home regions, 12.1% are international students, 58.5% are from the North Island and 29.4% are South Islanders. The largest single home region is Auckland (32%) followed by Canterbury at 20.1%.
This edition of my News from the Master includes various stories to update you on College developments since my last communication to you in Spring 2017. A few of the articles relate to the refurbishment of 44 rooms in the Ross Wing over the summer period, including a bit of history that was uncovered during the building process. The fourth and final stage of the refurbishment project (41 rooms) is scheduled to occur during the 2018/19 summer period.
In conclusion, I'd like to take this opportunity to let College Fellows know about the date of our next Fellows Dinner, namely the evening of Wednesday, 2 May in the Norris Dining Hall. A formal invitation will follow in due course but in the meantime please do save the date.
Best wishes
Dr Charles Tustin
PS I thought you may be interested in seeing the accompanying photo, courtesy of the Hocken Library and taken in 1949, of the College's luggage room in the basement of the Ross Wing. As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words.
