JCU City campus turns one and plans to expand

JCU Townsville City Campus shopfront

Tomorrow (March 16), JCU will celebrate the first birthday of the opening of its innovative, multi-use campus in the heart of the city.

The nearly 1000sqm Townsville City Campus is a four-storey, teaching, engagement and student services centre located in the City Arcade development.

John Chandler, JCU’s Manager of External Relations and the City Campus, said students’ reaction to the campus had been extremely positive.

“There has been a clear demand for a separate study area to accommodate the growing numbers of students using the facility,” Mr Chandler said.

“Given this feedback, we are outfitting another floor of the building to be a dedicated student study area. This area will include high-speed WiFi, computers and study spaces that enable peer-to-peer interactions as well as private study.”

Mr Chandler said this addition was projected to be ready for the second half of the year. “The fit-out of level two will be undertaken by local contractors as part of an ongoing effort by JCU to support the local economy.”

The open plan format will consist of comfortable lounge areas for quiet study, collaborative meeting spaces for small groups and a large number of individual study spaces complete with student computers. Level two will complement the existing student facilities and will have the same operating hours: currently 7.30am to midnight, seven days a week.

The space will be “tech-enabled”, with built-in USB chargers housed in all general power outlets for charging of tablets, mobile phones and other portable devices.

Mr Chandler said JCU was keen to contribute to the vibrancy of the CBD and had scheduled regular classes at the City Campus, both undergraduate and postgraduate, including several MBA classes.

“The central location has presented a number of benefits for JCU students involved in weekend classes as they enjoy the growing range of hospitality and accommodation options in the city,” he said.

“Certainly, the success of City Lane has helped the City Campus development and utilisation by intensive subject students.

“It is also interesting to note that a growing number of postgraduate research candidates and coursework students choose to live near The Strand or CBD so the City campus has become a favourite study option for those who are flexible with their study location. The bonus is that it also provides a service point for these current students.

“The JCU City Campus Welcome Lounge provides the community with a very central site for prospective students to interact with the University,” Mr Chandler said.

“During civic events there is a noticeable increase in interactions at the facility and over time we expect that school students and their parents will make more use of the space to explore the available brochures and ask questions about entry requirements for courses and QTAC applications.”

The JCU City campus has many other uses, including:

• The Conflict Management and Resolution program is now taught out of the City Campus, allowing easier accessibility for professionals working in the city and those travelling through.
• The Law program utilised the Moot Court in its undergraduate teaching, Mooting Competition and interactions with industry including the student placements program and training - all in close proximity to local courts.
• Local law professionals use the space for events linked with Law Week.
• The Queensland Police Service uses the Moot Court as a training facility for its recruits undertaking court room training.
• Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand have used the space for exam preparation workshops for graduate accounting students undertaking their professional qualifications.
• Townsville Chamber of Commerce and Young Chamber use the City Campus for ‘Mixer’ and ‘Mentor Blaze’ events to connect students with industry partners.
• CPA quarterly and Regional Development Australia meetings have been held at the City Campus.
• The Australian Business Deans Council, Professional Resource Managers Network inaugural meeting will be held at the City Campus next month.
• Was used as a TEDx satellite area via live-streaming last year

Link to image of new floor and photos of the City Campus: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/74q4b11vszivd5z/AAAcJG3-6VAHZFHsCbRH9k5ta?dl=0