Sandy Duncanson Social Justice Bursary (Rule 131)
Alexander (Sandy) Duncanson died in June 2010 at the age of 37, after living with cancer for sixteen years. Sandy was a graduate of the Faculty of Law at the University of Tasmania. Strongly influenced by his experience as a law student visiting asylum seekers at Woomera Detention Centre in 2002, Sandy’s professional life was dedicated to advancing social justice. Sandy was widely respected for his work in the community legal and housing sectors, where he acted as an advocate for the vulnerable.
The family and friends of Sandy Duncanson have worked with UTAS staff who taught or knew Sandy to establish a fund in his name. The Sandy Duncanson Social Justice Fund will provide at least one annual bursary to a UTAS student with a demonstrated commitment to social justice, to support a social justice project or activity by that student. This may involve working with an established organisation on a recognised issue, or involve an entirely new initiative.
Academic Senate has agreed to establish an endowed Sandy Duncanson Social Justice Bursary. These are the rules.
Rules
- A minimum amount of $30,000 donated by family, friends, colleagues and supporters of the work of the late Sandy Duncanson to the University of Tasmania Foundation, together with a matching contribution provided by the University of Tasmania Foundation, along with any additional funds subsequently donated, and with any interest from time to time, forms the endowment of at least one bursary each year to be called the "Sandy Duncanson Social Justice Bursary”.
- Each bursary may be awarded to:
(a) a student currently enrolled in a course at UTAS; or
(b) a graduate of the University of Tasmania who has graduated within one year prior to application. - Each bursary will be awarded by a selection committee comprising:
(a) Ms Meredith Wilson, or another member of Sandy Duncanson’s close family, while they wish to be involved;
(b) The Dean of the Faculty of Law, or her/his nominee;
(c) The Director of the Inglis Clark Centre for Civil Society, or her/his nominee;
(d) The President of the Tasmanian University Law Society;
(e) A member of the Tasmanian community with a recognised commitment to social justice, and who is not a member of staff at UTAS, nominated by the Vice-Chancellor;
(f) In the event that Ms Meredith Wilson or another member of Sandy Duncanson’s close family referred to in (a) no longer wishes to be part of the selection committee, a member of staff at UTAS with a recognised commitment to social justice may be nominated by the Vice-Chancellor, for as long as no member of Sandy Duncanson’s close family wishes to be part of the selection committee. - The selection committee will set the selection criteria for each bursary. However, in its selection it will give preference to candidates who in its view through their application for the bursary have outlined:
(a) a clearly articulated rationale for receiving the bursary, and a realistic project plan supporting the application;
(b) a demonstrated commitment to social justice, as broadly defined; and
(c) a commitment to advancing social justice beyond the envisaged timeframe for the bursary. - The selection committee may terminate any bursary or suspend it for up to one year if it considers the recipient’s progress in implementing the project plan is unsatisfactory.
- The selection committee will determine, in consultation with the University of Tasmania Foundation, all other matters concerning each bursary, including advertising, application procedures and the method and time of payment of the bursary.
- The University of Tasmania Foundation will set the annual value of each bursary from time to time having regard to the income from the endowment.
Made by Academic Senate on 27 May 2011