Environmental studies at Griffith University: A brief history of the foundation years

Abstract

Griffith University was formally founded in 1971 without being under the patronage of another University, which had been the case for James Cook University, which commenced with strong links to the University of Queensland. A reason for this decision of government was recognition that the patronage style of development was likely to inhibit innovation in the new institution. The Interim Council, chaired by Sir Theodore Bray, played a vital role by accepting the primary importance of university education as assisting the development of a "liberal mind". Achievement of this broad goal was to be aided by exposing undergraduates to knowledge across the "Two Cultures" described by C.P. Snow (1959). This concept challenged the common philosophy and organisation of Australian and British universities at the time.