Close your eyes. Imagine a single AirPod in your ear, a Cotton On tote bag chafing your shoulder, and the visceral need to get to the Quad as fast as possible. All you want is to drop your bulging bag, sprawl on the perpetually damp grass, and breathe before class near Manning Bar.
As you weave through Eastern Avenue, someone at the socialist stall hands you your third flyer of the week. To your left, two PULP editors film artsy vox pops for their latest edition. On a grassy triangle, a group lounges in a messy circle, half-finished coffees and tote bags strewn around them. A girl pulls out a pair of knitting needles, finishing off a pink scarf as they chat about next week’s craft club. The chaotic rituals of university life, stitched together in moments like these.
Finally, the lush green of the Quad stretches before you. You sit, press your hands into the cool grass, and gaze up at the adorned clock face enthroned in the transcendental Quadrangle building. Its gothic turrets and spires seem to hold the memory of every student who has walked these grounds, etched in the stone and captured in the dust on the stained glass windows. The building stands as the true centerpiece of Sydney University life, the heart of the Camperdown/Darlington Campus.
The Camperdown/Darlington Campus is the core of Sydney University: the epicentre of its renowned campus culture, it’s shaped by a diverse student body, over two hundred societies and clubs, and iconic spots like the Manning Bar, the SRC, and the historic Quad. While nearly 70,000 students call this campus home, USyd stretches across 10 other campuses throughout NSW and Australia, each with its own unique identity. But how do these campuses connect—or disconnect—from the main campus life? Are students isolated or are they thriving in solitude? Does a distinct campus life exist there, or a distinct campus death? Let’s find out.
I begin my exploration at the Conservatorium of Music in Circular Quay, where music students find their rhythm, far removed from the main campus hustle. The Con, founded in 1915, is a prestigious institution located in the heart of Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens. It is home to the Conservatorium High School and the Conservatorium Open Academy.
At the heart of the Conservatorium stands the heritage-listed Greenway Building: a heavenly castle-like structure complemented by palm trees that enhance its grandeur. The building’s crenellations wrap the structure in a nostalgic medieval essence, making it feel like a home for nobility. I’d like to think that those who enter this campus every day feel like royalty, but while some Con students feel like monarchs studying at such a prestigious institution, many find their freedom and enjoyment on campus more akin to that of a commoner.
According to students from the Con, there’s a noticeable disconnect to the main campus and its offerings, such as societies and SSAF benefits, contributing to a weaker campus culture unheard of at the main campus.
One student described the Con’s campus culture as paradoxical, noting that while creativity fosters collaboration, “it’s pretty hard to find someone at the Con who isn’t in a band or making music with others. Students feel limited to opportunities they naturally access through coursework.” While a shared passion bonds the community, there’s a lack of active efforts to cultivate it. They also emphasised the isolation from the main campus, stating that “there is a lack of outreach from the USU and its societies to Con students aside from the initial welcome day greeting.”
Many feel separated from USyd culture: “to put it bluntly,” one student said, “main campus is intimidating when you don’t have a hand to guide you through or a ‘reason’ to be there.”
Similarly, a student executive highlighted the financial disconnect between the Con and the main campus. They explained that while Con students contribute around $400,000 annually in SSAF fees, they receive little in return.
The Con Students’ Association (CSA), the only student organisation at the Con, operates on a tight budget—before voluntary student unionism (VSU), it had a $100,000 budget, but now it relies on a $10,000 faculty grant to fund most activities.
Major events like the Con Ball cost around $40,000, yet ticket sales only cover $5,000, with an additional $3,000 from SSAF Sport. Unlike other campuses, the Con receives no direct SSAF funding, leaving students feeling further isolated. While VSU funding supports wellbeing initiatives like exam wellness packs and equity tickets, there is little outreach from the USU or societies.
There’s also the challenge of sharing the Con with High School students. “There are a lot of limitations on what we can do,” one student said, citing difficulties in securing a liquor license for the Music Café and the challenge of keeping underage students out. As Dionne Davenport might say, “There goes your social life”.
Regarding their studies, one student summed up the experience: “I mostly attend classes and go home. There aren’t many spaces dedicated to ‘hanging out,’ which is likely a result of our limited space.” In response, another student said “it was only until I started studying on the main campus that I was able to find a community.”
The divide between majors also contributes to a fragmented campus culture. One student noted, “There’s always going to be an inherent divide between different majors because courses are quite focused within your cohort.” Despite the potential for cross-collaboration, another student remarked, “The Con had barely any campus culture… different areas of music would stick to themselves, like jazz studies only hanging out by themselves.”
Finally, students feel the campus lacks extracurricular opportunities. “There just isn’t much to do at the Con outside of classes…we have very few clubs of our own because most things are already covered by the main campus.”
Based on responses from 60 students, 56% of those whose main campus is not Camperdown/Darlington reported that they simply attend class and leave, with no significant engagement in campus life. 28% described their campus culture as primarily consisting of people within their degree, while only 15% felt there was a strong culture at their campus. A secondary poll revealed that 48% of students engage more with main campus culture than their own, 36% engage more with their own, and 16% do not engage with either. Clearly, those at satellite campuses experience a notable disconnect from campus culture.
Nevertheless, life at the Con is rewarding. Lunchtime concerts offer a lively break, showcasing the Con’s artistic talent and vibrant energy. Students study together for years, often transitioning from high school to university, fostering a unique, tight-knit camaraderie. The Con has a distinct campus culture—it just needs a little nurturing.
