Societies and Alumni

The Circolo Universitario Italiano (Italian Students' Club) meets regularly and provides opportunities for students to gather informally and extend their contacts with fellow students.

To contact CUI committee, messages can be left in the CUI pigeon hole in the School of Languages and Cultures Office, room 506 Mungo MacCallum Building.

Membership
If you want to become a member of CUI, please .

The Foundation
University of Sydney Italian Studies Association
USISA activities
Scope of activities

The Foundation
The Frederick May Foundation (a name traditionally used for non-departmental academic bodies within the University of Sydney) was established in 1976 to honour the memory of Frederick May, the first Professor of Italian (appointed in 1963). Its aim was to promote, foster and assist the study of Italian language and culture within the University and in the wider community.

The Foundation provided a bridge between two cultures – Italian and Australian. It was a bridge constructed on a solid framework of contacts built over the years in Italy and elsewhere in Europe and North America. It is supported primarily by its membership and also by assistance from the Italian Government, business sponsors and, of course, the infrastructures of the Italian Department and the University of Sydney. From the early 1980s the Foundation was been recognised in the Italian-Australian cultural accord as an official agent for cultural exchange.

In 1999, changes to the way in which the University handles its accounts, and the way in which responsibility is delegated, together with a review of Foundations and Centres in the University, have made it clear that the Frederick May Foundation for Italian Studies could continue as a Foundation.

The Foundation was successful in the twenty-three years of its life in creating a forum for the exploration and development of Italian issues, encompassing both the Universities and the wider community. Despite the past generosity of the Italian Government, the current involvement of the Italian Institute of Culture, and the generosity of benefactors including the late Mr Vivian Chalwin, Mrs Adrienne Lussu, Mr Antonio Bamonte, and our late President, Dr Mario Benanzio; the Foundation did not succeed in transforming its reserves of goodwill and energy into financial capital.

The Foundation was no longer able to receive direct financial assistance from the Italian Government, and other organisations, which are able to receive funding, have taken over the Foundation's role in supporting Italian language and culture in the Australian community. It has therefore been appropriate to refocus the Foundation's energies on activities that are directly related to the University's principal activities of research and teaching.

University of Sydney Italian Studies Association (USISA)
On 2 December 1999, the Council recommended unanimously to the members of the Foundation that the Frederick May Foundation for Italian Studies be dissolved, and that its funds be transferred to a new association, to be known as the University of Sydney Italian Studies Association, to be located within the Department of Italian. This new association will operate with a smaller administrative superstructure, and will be able to respond more swiftly to changes in the University. Members of the Foundation will be invited to continue as members of the new association.

The activities of the new association will not differ greatly from those of the Frederick May Foundation, which has continued since the 1999 Annual General Meeting to work with other groups, including the Italian Institute of Culture and the Sydney Medieval and Renaissance Group, in the organisation of public lectures and activities.

The Association will be governed by a small executive committee consisting of the Head of Department or nominee who will chair the committee, another three members of staff (of whom at least one would be from another discipline within the Institute of Languages and Cultures), a current student, and two other members to be elected at the Annual General Meeting.

Membership
There is no membership fee. Members are invited to join by emailing the Chair of Department in order to be included on the mailing list for activities.

USISA activities
In April 2000, to mark the University's Sesquicentenary and the 700th anniversary of Dante's Journey, distinguished Readers, including Gough Whitlam, Robin Williams, Peter Robb, the Rev. Harry Herbert and many more, participated in a day-long reading of the text. Since then it has participated in the Department's regular research seminar, the annual Settimana della Lingua Italiana nel Mondo, and in-service courses funded by the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Scope of activities
The Association will continue to organise:

• lectures by distinguished scholars
• seminars and workshops in a variety of fields related to Italian studies
• local and international conferences
• exhibitions and book displays
• theatre performances, films, concerts
• activities to promote the teaching of Italian in schools
• alumni liaison.