Entity titleHousing CommitteeEntity identifier21Entity typeAgencyDate range1977 - 1990DescriptionThe Residence Committee held its first meeting in December 1961. Established to advise on the general development of the first hall of residence, the committee was composed of two representatives of Council, one member elected by staff, one elected by students, two external members and the warden of the hall. The committee met annually for the first two years but four of five times thereafter.
By 1964 its terms of reference were defined as: to be responsible, subject to Council, for all matters concerning staff and student residence except in the latter case, matters which are the concern of the Halls Committees as set out in their terms of reference.
The committee was concerned with such things as student accommodation, transit accommodation for staff and public transport facilities.
In 1967 the Residence Committee’s name was changed to the Housing and Transport Committee to avoid confusion with a new Halls of Residence Committee created to oversee administration of the Halls. The committee’s role remained the same until 1971 when changes were made in the functions and constitution of the Housing and Transport and related committees.
The committee became a standing committee of Council, with increased membership and new terms of reference i.e.. to: advise Council on policy with regard to the housing of staff and students and to keep existing policies under review; maintain a general oversight of the housing of staff and students and of public transport to and from the University; and provide guidelines to Buildings Committee for the advice of project committees responsible for the planning of buildings for the housing of students and staff.
Re-examination of the committee’s function in 1977 led to the deletion of ‘Transport’ from its title since by that time transport matters were felt more appropriate to the Parking, Safety of Traffic Committees. In 1990 the Housing Committee’s terms of reference were: to advise Council in policy with regard to the housing of staff and students; to maintain a general oversight of the housing of staff and students; to provide guidelines to Buildings Committee for the advice of project committees responsible for the planning of buildings for the housing of staff and students.
In 1990 the Vice-Chancellor conducted a review of all standing committees of Council. The following year the Housing Committee became an advisory committee to the Vice-Chancellor. Shortly afterwards, finding that its role had become primarily a managerial one of approving budgets and expenditure, matters which could be handled administratively, the Vice-Chancellor recommended that the Housing Committee be abolished. The Housing Committee has not met since September 1990.
