What Facilities Does Whitley College Offer?
The campus of Whitley College offers a range of teaching and learning environments, within the Mervyn Himbury Theological Studies Centre. These facilities include the Grigg Lecture Theatre, several large seminar rooms, and a number of smaller class rooms, tutorial rooms and sitting rooms for small groups.
All facilities are equipped with excellent furnishings, audio-visual technology and lighting, to ensure the maximum opportunity for educational engagement.
The Geoffrey Blackburn Library, built in 2001 and featuring state-of-the-art systems and digital technology, has a strong and comprehensive collection of books and journals supporting all the foundational and specialist areas of theological studies offered through Whitley College.
The Library provides students with access to a huge range of other libraries and on-line resources, as well as the expert assistance of library staff, who are theologically trained.
Special strengths of the library include its collections in biblical studies, mission and the Australian context, as well as the Baptist Historical Collection.
Within the library, there are four major areas for quiet study, including a number of study carrels equipped with power supply and internet access points.
Opening hours for the library are advertised within the College. In general, the library is open 9.00 am to 6.00 pm with later closing times on some days, Monday to Friday, in teaching weeks, while closing time is 5.00 pm on the days of non-teaching weeks.
Students must apply to the Librarian for a borrowing card.
In addition to the Whitley College library, all theological students within the MCD have the right to use the libraries of other Recognised Teaching Institutions. These libraries are located at the campuses listed at the end of this book. Borrowing rights from these libraries, however, are restricted to the students of those institutions, unless a special fee is paid.
Adjacent to the library is the students’ computer lab, which is shared with the residential community of Whitley College - university students living in the college buildings and undertaking studies at the University of Melbourne. The computer lab has computers and printers for student use.
All Whitley College students may have free access, through the College, to the University of Melbourne’s internet service and email server. This is a service for which the College pays. Theological students may apply for an internet usage account and an email address. Students must agree to certain fundamental rules of usage and thereafter will be entitled to access the system. Application details may be obtained from the theological office or from the library.
The Theological Students Common Room is a facility provided and supported by the Theological Students Association. Students are welcome to use these facilities at all times when the college is open.
Facilities in the Common Room include a toaster, fridge and a microwave oven, used by many students to prepare a light meal before an afternoon or evening class. Tea, coffee, milk and biscuits are always there too.
In addition to the facilities and course offerings at Whitley College itself, all students of the college are eligible to undertake studies at other institutions within the MCD. There are four other campuses: one in Parkville, one in East Melbourne, one in Box Hill and one in Mulgrave. The course offerings of these institutions represent an enormous range of studies, in breadth, depth and diversity of Christian perspectives. Whitley College values these wider ecumenical relationships and regards this opportunity for our students to access such a breadth of offerings as one of our strengths. We encourage all students to consider taking at least one unit at another college, as part of their program of study with us.
A comprehensive list of all units offered by other institutions within the MCD is available from the office and in the Students’ Common Room. You can enrol for units at another institution through Whitley College.
Pastoral Care is a crucial ingredient in our life as a Christian community. Whitley College has many experienced pastors on its staff. Should you require assistance at any time, feel free to approach a member of the faculty, who will either be able to help you or to guide you to someone who can.
We recognize that studying theology can be confronting and can raise difficult questions about faith, the Bible and life.
Please don't suffer in silence if you find the questions are causing you confusion or anxiety. You are welcome to speak with any member of faculty about issues your studies are raising for you.
Alternatively, Ross Langmead and Rosemary Dillon have contact details of trusted pastoral advisers from neighbouring churches, if you prefer to speak with someone outside the College.
If your concerns are to do with personal issues which may require professional counselling, you are entitled to access the Melbourne University Student Counselling Service.
PLEASE NOTE: The Counselling Service strongly advises contact either by telephone or in person to ensure a prompt and appropriate response to your needs. Any correspondence received via an electronic medium, unless otherwise specified, cannot be assured of reaching the Service in a timely or confidential manner. For emergency contacts out of office hours, please refer to our emergency page for suggestions
On Campus Location Disabled Access:
278 Faraday Street 274 Faraday Street
CARLTON Please ring doorbell and wait
VCA Campus Location
Room 1.29
Student Services
Union Building
Opening Hours
9 am - 6 pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
9 am - 5 pm Monday & Friday
Telephone: all appointments +61 (3) 8344 6927/6928
Facsimile +61 (3) 9347 5403
Freecall for Rural Students (Within Australia) 1800 671 559
Address for Correspondence: 278 Faraday Street, CARLTON Vic 3053
