Community, Culture and Support

At St Mary’s College, we are committed to a community where everyone is treated with dignity, respect and care. As a residential college of the University of Melbourne, we work to ensure students, staff and visitors feel safe, supported and included across all aspects of College life.

Our Commitment

St Mary’s is a values-based community guided by clear expectations, shared responsibility and supportive responses. These principles underpin our approach to wellbeing, safety, prevention and accountability.

Community Expectations

All members of the College community are expected to:
• Treat others with respect, consideration and fairness
• Recognise individual dignity and difference
• Contribute positively to College life
• Understand that harmful or inappropriate conduct is not tolerated

Support and Prevention

We support a safe and respectful culture through:
• Orientation and ongoing education on respectful conduct and bystander action
• Pastoral care and wellbeing support from College staff
• Peer leadership and mentoring
• Access to University and external support services where needed
Creating and sustaining a positive community culture is a shared responsibility.

Getting Support or Raising Concerns

If you experience or witness behaviour that feels unsafe or concerning:
• Seek immediate help if you are in danger — call 000
• Speak with a trusted College staff member, tutor or mentor
• Use the College’s reporting and response pathways
St Mary’s College is committed to responses that are timely, fair and centred on wellbeing.

View our Whole-of-Organisation Prevention and Response Plan
(aligned with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence)

National Code Policy