Mannix College is a Catholic residential College affiliated with Monash University

Monash University

Monash University is a public university based in Melbourne, Victoria. It was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest university in the state. Monash is a member of Australia's Group of Eight and the ASAIHL....

 and located at Monash University's Clayton

Clayton, Victoria

Clayton is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 19 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Monash. At the 2006 Census, Clayton had a population of 14,332.-Overview:...

 campus. The College is fully catered and provides residence for around 250 undergraduate and postgraduate students of Monash University, Clayton and Caulfield campuses. The College was named after Daniel Mannix

Daniel Mannix

Daniel Mannix was an Irish-born Australian Catholic bishop. Mannix was the Archbishop of Melbourne for 46 years and one of the most influential public figures in 20th century Australia....

, Irish-born Archbishop of Melbourne for 46 years. The current principal of Mannix College is Damien McCartin, and the Dean is Barbara Shea, both previous student residents at the college.

The College motto "Omnia Omnibus" means "All things to all People". The shield of Mannix College combines elements of Archbishop Daniel Mannix

Daniel Mannix

Daniel Mannix was an Irish-born Australian Catholic bishop. Mannix was the Archbishop of Melbourne for 46 years and one of the most influential public figures in 20th century Australia....

, Sir John Monash

John Monash

General Sir John Monash GCMG, KCB, VD was a civil engineer who became the Australian military commander in the First World War. He commanded the 13th Infantry Brigade before the War and then became commander of the 4th Brigade in Egypt shortly after the outbreak of the War with whom he took part...

 and the Dominican Order

Dominican Order

The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...

. From the shield of Dr. Mannix the Gryphon and Crescents are taken together with the motto. The shield of Sir John Monash, used by the University named after him, shows the inverted chevron, the Southern Cross, the open book and sword in pale blue surrounded by a crown of laurel. The black and white border is drawn from the shield of the Dominican Order.

The majority of social activities at Mannix College are organised and coordinated by the Mannix College Students Society, including Thursday social functions and the Mannix Ball.

Student life

Regular College traditions, such as Wednesday evening formal dinners play a large role in the community spirit of the college. Tutors are available for students on a weekly basis, amongst many disciplines relating to university studies. Most Thursdays, the MCSS holds social functions in the Junior Common Room (JCR), which are an excellent opportunity for collegiates to socialise and dance to the music of the DJ. Mannix is situated adjacent to Monash University Clayton campus and students regularly participate in Monash Student Association events, as well as faculty activities.

Each faculty has a formal dinner once a year, with students from that faculty invited to ask faculty from the University to attend and socialise in a relaxed setting. This presents a great opportunity for the students to converse with their teaching staff on a more personal level.

Mannix also runs a strong tutorial program for residents, in areas of study of the residents. Some of the regular weekly tutorials include Medicine, Mathematics, Arts, Law and Science tutorials. These are run by faculty approved graduates from Monash, many of them with years of experience working at Mannix.

History

Mannix College opened in 1969, when the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne entrusted the operation of the College to the Dominican Order, which ran the College until 2003. Initially its residents were only male students, however in 1974, Mannix began accepting female students. Since then Mannix College has accepted students from a diverse range of backgrounds.

Current activities

The college had an upgrade of facilities in 2008–2009, including a new kitchen, upgraded dining room, a new astroturf basketball court and an upgraded Junior Common Room. Future major works planned include an expansion of the library and continuing development of the grounds.

Mannix College Students' Society (MCSS) Incorporated

All undergraduate students residing at Mannix College are compulsory members of the Mannix College Students' Society (MCSS) through a levy from the College. The MCSS organises various sporting, social and cultural events throughout the University year. A student committee is elected annually to delegate portfolios and create subcommittees to fulfill these roles. The MCSS is affiliated with Monash Clubs and Societies. Unlike some other residential college societies, the MCSS does not have operative control of any day-to-day functions of the college.

The constitutional aims of the society are thus:

1. To work in the interests of all residents of the College, but more particularly, those of the members of the society.
2. To promote academic, cultural, sporting and social activities within the college.
3. To promote, foster and develop co-operative relationships within Mannix College, and between Mannix College and the Halls of Residence societies; the greater population of Monash University; other Australian collegiate residences; and NAAUC.
4. To provide a means of liaison between the Principal and Dean and the residents of the college and to present the views of the residents to the Principal and Dean and the University authorities.

Staff

Alongside the Principal, Dean and Assistant Dean, the College employs a group of students annually as Resident Advisors (RAs). At least two RAs are located on each of the six floors of Mannix and each have their own portfolio. Their role is seen as the 'Principal's eyes' throughout the College. They have a pastoral care as well as disciplinary role amongst the other students of the College. The team of twelve is led by a Senior Resident Advisor.

Students also have an opportunity in the second and third years to work within the College Library.

Alumni

Mannix College has a tradition of engaging alumni, and achieves this principally through the Monash Old Collegiates Association (MOCA). Entry to MOCA is automatic for residents of the college once they become alumni, and is funded by a levy paid by residents. MOCA runs regular functions for Old Colls in Melbourne, as well as online social activities such as Australian Rules football tipping, and online messageboards, giving alumni the opportunity to remain in contact even years after being in residence. The current MOCA president is James Garrick.