A WHOLE DIFFERENT LEVEL OF COMFORT
Come home to a warm, welcoming place with well-furnished modern rooms and lots of personal space. As the university’s newest residential college and its smallest by far, we offer a whole different level of comfort.
For example, our bathroom-to-resident ratio is pretty much 1:2.
We have 30 student single rooms, five two-bedroom apartments, and two studio rooms.
student bedrooms
Everyone has their own private, spacious bedroom which is fully furnished with a long single ensemble bed, sink, large study desk with lamp, bedside table with lamp, office-style chair, bookshelf, pin board, dustbin, heater and fan, and built-in mirrored wardrobe with shelves and drawers. WiFi and linen is included.
RESIDENTS' SOCIETY (RESSOC)
When you come to live at Mandelbaum House you automatically join the Mandelbaum House Residents' Society (RESSOC).
Who runs it?
RESSOC is run by our residents for our residents. Each year the members elect a group of residents to represent everyone's interests and coordinate activities and events. The executive is comprised of a president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary and inter-college rep. A food sub-committee is also elected and they liaise regularly with the CEO and head chef.
What does it cost?
The membership fee is $100 per semester and is paid along with fees for accommodation at the beginning of the semester.
RESSOC is both fun and useful, providing:
- lots of USU Access Card discounts and deals on campus and throughout Sydney
- in-house movie nights and games nights including table tennis and pool comps
- excursions like laser tag, barefoot bowls, wine and cheese evenings and beach trips
- free printing paper and use of the printer in the library
- equipment for the games room and table tennis table
- inter-college competitions including Intramural Sport and the new Intramural Arts Competition.
JEWISH LIFE
Mandelbaum House was founded as an independent and inclusive college welcoming all students irrespective of race, religion, class, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability. We welcome students from all over the world and are proud of our diversity. We respect and value the religion of each of our residents.
As intended by our founder, Rachel Lipton (née Mandelbaum), our college has special links to Jewish cultural life.
For an insight into Jewish life at Mandelbaum here is a piece by a Sydney Jewish student. For an international perspective from an orthodox observant Jewish exchange student from New York, read this letter. To learn about the impact living at Mandelbaum has had for some of our Jewish alumni read this article. We also have a letter from a former Israeli student who lived here: My experience- Mandelbaum House.
Kashrut
Mandelbaum House adheres to Jewish dietary laws (kashrut). During the academic semester we provide 18 meals per week for residents.
Synagogue
Mandelbaum House is within short walking distance of Newtown Synagogue.
Festivals
The college celebrates many of the festivals on the Jewish calendar — as well as festivals from other faiths and cultures through our theme dinners.
Scholar in Residence
Each year, the Mandelbaum Trust invites world-renowned scholars to stay for a period of time and to present lectures and courses at the college. These courses are open to the general public and residents are welcome to attend, regardless of their religion. For more information, please see Mandelbaum Learning.
Inter-university contacts
Mandelbaum House has a strong relationship with the Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS) and many of our residents are members of this union. Like Hillel in the USA, AUJS provides opportunities for residents to meet Jewish students through social, cultural and educational events.
