Selwyn College, Otago

Selwyn College is part of the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. The college was founded by Bishop Samuel Tarratt Nevill in 1893 as a theological college training clergy for the Church of England. It is named after George Augustus Selwyn, the first Bishop of New Zealand. It is still affiliated to the Anglican church. It is one of the most popular and reputable halls of residence in New Zealand, its 170 available places oversubscribed every year. Bishop Nevill sought to create a theological college to train clergy. Selwyn College opened on 15 January 1893 as a theological college and a hall of residence. [cite web|last=Booth|first=Ken|title=Nevill, Samuel Tarratt 1837 - 1921|url=http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/dnzb/default.asp?Find_Quick.asp?PersonEssay=2N8|date=22 June 2007|work=Dictionary of New Zealand Biography|accessdate=2008-07-07] It was the first hall of residence of Otago University, and, seeking to imitate an English residential university, included students for all subjects. [cite web|title=2008 Members Handbook|url=http://www.selwyn.ac.nz/docs/Selwyn%20College%202008%20Handbook.pdf|publisher=Selwyn College|accessdate=2008-07-07] The admission of women began in 1983. The main building is listed as a Category II Historic Place. [cite web|title=Register of Historic Places|url=http://www.historic.org.nz/Register/ListingDetail.asp?RID=2217&sm=|publisher=New Zealand Historic Places Trust|accessdate=2008-07-07] In 1930 Selwyn College and College House (a Canterbury University Hall of Residence) began an annual sporting and cultural exchange. This exchange still occurs today with the Principal's and Warden's Cup being added into the prize mix after the 1980s. In 1932, initiations at Selwyn College were started including the Turner Tossing Trophy (now replaced with the Homage Run) and Leith Run. The Lindski Battle and the 21sters Ball are still annual events at the College and are immensely popular with the residents.

Selwyn College and Knox College also complete in the Nevill Cup, a cultural competition, and the Cameron Shield, a sporting competition. These competitions are intense and are fiercely fought out each year. Selwyn currently holds both.

The Selwyn College Students Association (SCSA) is a group of leading second years who run the College's student life. They have various responsibilities that concern the different roles they are given. The SCSA committee are as follows:

* President: Tom Kuperus
* Vice President: Emma Foley
* Treasurer: Tim Coker
* Internal Affairs Representative: Devon Latoa
* Sports Representative: Olivia Faull
* Cultural Representative: Maria Hamber
* Social Representative: Felicity Souter

Notable Selwynites

* Lord Porritt, Former Governor-General of New Zealand and physician to the Queen.
* David Kirk, Former All Black
* Bill English, Politician
* Campbell Savage, Barrister Solicitor
* Josh Blackie, Professional Rugby Player
* Simon Moore, Crown Prosecutor
* Sir Geoffrey Cox, Journalist

Other information

Actor-turned-travel documentary presenter Michael Palin visited the college in his 1996 documentary Full Circle with Michael Palin on his journey through New Zealand.

External links

* [http://www.selwyn.ac.nz/ Official Selwyn College website (I)]

References