The panel has finished meeting with people who have requested a face to face submission and are continuing to plan for the Diocesan Hui for all Synod members on Saturday 2 November. Separate information on the Hui has been sent to Synod representatives.

See a separate article on the Hui outcomes as well as the summons from Bishop Steven to attend a Special Session of Synod on 2 May to progress the future of Selwyn College. 

A. Some background

The Selwyn College Consultation Panel results from outcomes from the Diocese of Dunedin Synods of 2017 and 2018.

A potential sale of Selwyn College was raised in 2017 with the Bill proposing this being laid on the table during Synod proceedings. In 2018 this Bill was withdrawn and another Bill to clarify how any potential sale proceeds would be handled was also rejected. However, the following motion was carried as follows: 

Motion 6: Selwyn College - That this Synod authorises the Dunedin Diocesan Trust Board, at the direction of the Diocesan Council specific to the particular proposal being considered:
1. To sell the buildings and business of Selwyn College to the University of Otago, or another body in which the Diocesan Council has confidence that it is able to govern and manage the College according to best practice and for the benefit and well-being of its residents, subject to a formal undertaking by the purchaser to maintain the special character of the College.
2. To retain ownership of the land occupied at present by the College, and to enter into an agreement to lease that land to any purchaser of the College buildings and business, on a modern “Glasgow” type lease with 7 year ground-rent reviews.
3. To enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the purchaser regarding Clause 1 and 2 of this Resolution and the maintenance of the special character of the College, including a commitment to an ongoing relationship with the Bishop of Dunedin, who will report to Synod annually regarding the fulfillment of the Memorandum.

A media release dealing with this decision was made after Synod. The Selwyn Decision from the 2018 Synod resulted in a significant amount of correspondence that was taken to the October 2018 meeting of the Diocesan Council (the Synod Standing Committee). After discussing these in committee, a subsequent media release outlined a proposed Selwyn College Consultation Panel

B. Make-up of the Panel

Members of the Panel have been selected carefully to ensure that there is no conflict of interest or personal investment in the outcome of the discussions. Each member has experience in Anglican-affiliated educational or residential institutions. Click here to see a previous update introducing panel members. 

C. Process 

The following is the process the Panel plans to follow. We are presently moving into Stage 3:

• Stage 1 - Establishing foundations: Hear from major stakeholders and establish relevant theological and missiological principles to work by
• Stage 2 - Broadening the listening process: Meet with Selwyn staff and students and other identified key stakeholders. Gather written submissions from the wider church and offer opportunities for further face-to-face meetings. This phase of the listening process has mostly been completed, with requests for 1:1 time with the Consultation Panel being allocated during July and August scheduled meetings. Submissions were encouraged around two questions: (1) To what extent do you see the Anglican involvement in a residential college as important for the future mission and work of the Anglican Church? (2) If we were to move out of residential college provision, what would be the best use of our resources within the tertiary education sector mission field?

• Stage 3 - Drafting models: Draw together a range of possible models for moving forward, in the light of submissions and consultations. Identify the theological implications of each model. This is currently in progress
• Stage 4 - Diocesan Hui: Gather those interested from across the Diocese for a positive and open discussion of the models suggested by the Panel, together with any other models arising from discussions. Saturday 2 November, 10.30 am to 3 pm at St Luke's Taieri, more information to follow
  
• Stage 5 - Reporting: Present a final report to the Diocesan Council, identifying the consequences of each model and ranking preferred options.

D. Further Opportunities for Input 

The Diocesan Hui (see above, more details to follow)

Please hold Selwyn College and the Consultation Panel in your prayers as we continue to seek God’s will in this matter.

Panel Members:

• Most Rev’d Sir David Moxon (Chair)
• Mrs Laraine Sharr 
• The Very Dr. Rev’d Graham Redding 
• Dr. Lex McMillan 
• The Rev'd Dr Anne van Gend