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THE AUSTRALASIAN PP324494/0062
SRMJ
AACUHO
AACUHO Networking Event held at University Hall, University of Western Australia
AACUHO Supporting professional development See inside for details on upcoming UCA Conference – 30 September to 3 October 2014
The Australasian Student Residences Management Journal OCTOBER 2014
Volume 9 No. 2
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THE AUSTRALASIAN
SRMJ
AACUHO FEATURED
The Australasian Student Residences Management Journal is published by Adbourne Publishing in conjunction with AACUHO, the Australasian Association of College and University Housing Officers Inc.
AACUHO
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AACUHO President’s Message
7 Curtin University Vegie Garden Project
8 2015 AACUHO
StarNet/StarRez Conference Update
11 Guided steps: The journey
towards a career in college and university housing
14 Ex-changing it Up: Why are we only letting students reap the rewards? 18 An Australian perspective on student residential operations in Ireland
22 Shifting gears: Transitioning
Residential Assistants from on-call aficionados to health and wellbeing ambassadors
24 The University of Western
29 The experience of a life time
32 Hot Topic Exchange: Drugs & Alcohol
35 Under One Roof: Bringing student services into the residence halls
39 UCA President’s welcome 41 M essage from UCA
Conference Convenor
42 2014 StarRez UCA
Conference Program
45 Student housing –
A friend for everyone
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48 DRUGS:
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DISCLAIMER Adbourne Publishing cannot ensure that the advertisers appearing in The Australasian Student Residences Management Journal comply absolutely with the Trades Practices Act and other consumer legislation. The responsibility is therefore on the person, company or advertising agency submitting the advertisement(s) for publication. Adbourne Publishing and The Australasian Student Residences Management Journal reserve the right to refuse any advertisement without stating the reason. No responsibility is accepted for incorrect information contained in advertisements or editorial. The editor reserves the right to edit, abridge or otherwise alter articles for publication. All original material produced in this magazine remains the property of the publisher and cannot be reproduced without authority. The views of the contributors and all submitted editorial are the author’s views and are not necessarily those of the Australasian Association of College and University Housing Officers, or the publisher.
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AACUHO FEATURED
President’s Message W
elcome to the Spring 2014 edition of the Student Residences Management Journal (SRMJ). AACUHO’s strength lies firmly in the enthusiasm and input from its members, many of whom have contributed to this edition of SRMJ. Thank you to Peter Cope from Curtin University in WA, Melanie Coffey from Federation University in Victoria, Joanne McRae from Charles Sturt University in NSW, Laura Burge, Ali Norton, Kristin Bamford and Jo Tomlinson all from La Trobe University and Melissa Suckley from Flinders University in South Australia. A big thank you also to Andrew Swan, Residential Support Assistant from Monash who is brimming with enthusiasm for this industry and has contributed his insights into forging a career in student housing.
AACUHO’s collaborations with other institutions are also a source of immense value. Our joint activities with University Colleges Australia (UCA) benefit all members and in particular I draw attention to the upcoming National Census of Colleges, halls and 100+ Bed Commercial Student Accommodation Providers. Members of both institutions will be contacted soon and we encourage everyone to participate in this important Census. Part of our MOU with UCA is to meet twice yearly to review joint projects and Melissa Suckley Vice President of AACUHO and myself will meet with the UCA executive prior to their upcoming conference. I would like to congratulate UCA on an excellent conference program and wish them all the best in Adelaide. And finally, it’s been a year of amazing networking opportunities for AACUHO.
Mel and I have just been to Perth where AACUHO committee member Scott Thomas and his team at University Hall, UWA, generously hosted the most recent AACUHO networking event. With over 50 members in attendance, we were treated to some fabulous catering from The University Club, WA, an excellent presentation by Chris Massey, Director, UWA Student Residences and a tour of their site. Thank you to our WA members for being such excellent hosts. Our last networking event for the year will be held at UTS, Sydney on Friday 7 November. For more details contact the Executive Officer on execofficer@aacuho.edu.au. Happy reading…. Edwina Ellicott AACUHO President
AACUHO The Australasian Student Residences Management Journal
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Curtin University Vegie Garden Project Peter Cope | Administration Officer, Housing Advisory Service Coordinator, Curtin Community Garden Project, Curtin University
Over the past 7 years a special space has been evolving at Curtin University. A humble vegetable garden which has engaged hundreds of students, staff and community members on many levels.
T
he Project is the concept and passion of Curtin’s Housing Advisory Service Administration Officer and permaculture garden designer Peter Cope who has worked with students for over a decade and seen student life up close as an Advisor among many other roles at the Curtin Bentley campus. The garden is a large space of approximately 600 sqm and has been developed from a sandy weed filled block in 2006 on the perimeter of one of Curtin’s four residence villages. With the support of Curtin Housing management and more recently Curtin Volunteers!, the Curtin Vegie Garden Volunteers (CVGV’s) have developed a number of teams which allow students to either “Free-range” individually through the garden or participate in more information based sessions every week learning about soil building, recycling, plant propagation and conservation techniques. Produce from the garden is free to those who maintain and develop the garden. It is a locked space with a coded lock known to all volunteers.
In addition Occupational Health students also utilise the garden every year in a weeklong series of sessions engaging up to 250 students in 2014. To feed the large gardens many vegies, herbs and fruit trees, volumes of quality soils are required, and the Curtin Parks and Grounds team provides a regular supply of lawn clippings for composting. In addition, the Universities Office of Sustainability and Environment has funded an electric bike and trailer called the Compost Xpress which is a student volunteer program that transports green kitchen waste from food providers on campus to the garden. Students who live in on campus accommodation, can also claim internet data rewards through Big Air, the internet provider, by participating in the garden watering roster in summer. The garden is not reticulated and is maintained through a daily watering roster in the summer months. This decision gives the students greater ownership of the space. The garden space is regularly used to hold student parties and is open to the public on special days of the year. For more information, visit the Curtin Vegie Garden Volunteers Facebook pages which contain many photo albums of activities held over the past few years.
The Australasian Student Residences Management Journal
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AACUHO FEATURED
2015 AACUHO StarNet/StarRez Conference UPDATE 14 – 17 April 2015 Melissa Suckley | AACUHO Vice President, Associate Dean (Village), Flinders Living, Flinders University
Planning is well underway for the 2015 AACUHO Conference, to be held at the Brisbane Sofitel in April next year. With the theme “Supporting Business Supporting Students” the Organising Committee are bringing together a wide-ranging and interactive programme that focuses on the wellbeing of not only our staff and students, but also the wellbeing of our institutions and our operations.
M
ember and Concurrent Paper submissions open this month and once again we call on you, our members and friends, to take part in this part of the programme. Member Papers will go in the running to win the ACUHO-I Best Of Award, which provides US$500 towards attendance at the following year’s ACUHO-I
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Conference. If you have a fantastic new programme or initiative, or an interesting story or learning, we want to hear from you! Our programme of Concurrent Sessions will provide four streams for delegates to engage with: Supporting Business; Supporting Students; Supporting Operations; and Supporting the Individual. These sessions are intended to generate discussion and we invite you to grab a few colleagues and plan a short 20-30 min presentation with lots of time after for questions and sharing of knowledge. Returning once again in 2015 will be our 3rd Annual AACUHO Awards for Excellence. Visit our website for information on the awards available (www.aacuho.edu.au) – perhaps you have a colleague doing amazing things whom you can nominate?
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Prof. David Battersby VC of Federation University, Edwina Ellicott, The Hon. Sussan Ley MP, Colin Marshall
Also returning will be the International Study Tour : commencing 9 April in Sydney, par ticipants will travel to Brisbane via Newcastle, Tamworth, New England and Gatton. Ably led by Simon Scott (UQ Gatton) and Michelle Hilton (CSU Wagga), the tour will visit a variety of student accommodation as well as some of the local sights, including the Golden Guitar and the well-known Hunter Valley wine region. Charles Sturt Residential Life Team, Winners of the AACUHO College/ University Operation of the Year, 2014
AACUHO Committee
The Australasian Student Residences Management Journal
We also have a half-day study tour of Brisbane on 14 April and some optional social activities during the conference – visit http://www.aacuho.epicconferences.com.au/ for updates. Registrations open in October. We can’t wait to see you in Brisbane!
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The journey towards a career in college and university housing Andrew Swan | Residential Support Assistant, Monash Residential Services, Monash University
College and university housing officers, for all the difficulties we encounter, are fortunate to work in stimulating and surprising student communities, doing work that makes a positive difference.
O
ur roles are diverse, challenging and most importantly, very rewarding as we contribute to student experiences
that will be loved by many, cherished by most and remembered by all who receive our care. Confucius taught us, “choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life,” and though perhaps reflecting the naivety of a ‘newbie’ I can think of no other industry in which I’d rather be. Encouragingly, this feeling is also shared by many of my peers who form
a generation of young professionals taking their first steps in the industry. However, knowing what those steps are, or when and how to take them isn’t easy, making a supportive network of ideas and advice absolutely essential to help us ‘newbies’ successfully traverse the journey from student to staff. Thrilled to accept my first professional role in a hall of residence at the end of 2013, I suddenly
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The Australasian Student Residences Management Journal
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realised that, despite having held many other residential roles, including that of student and alumni president, I knew little of the steps to take towards a career in college and university housing. I figured I should find out what steps to take, how and when to take them, and work out what essential knowledge must be acquired during the journey.
AACUHO FEATURED
Though happily supported by a wealth of wisdom at my own institution, I wanted ideas and answers that crossed state borders and would help me develop an understanding of the industry from a national perspective. I wished to meet others who had made, or were making, successful journeys down the pathway to senior leadership in tertiary residencies and discuss not just how they did it but why they did it. What was their driving motivation? How, in the face of increasingly complex challenges, did they keep the faith and stay committed to the cause? With this in mind I volunteered to be part of the team hosting the 2014 StarNet StarRez AACUHO Conference at the Crown Conference Centre, Melbourne. Warmly welcomed by AACUHO President, Edwina Ellicott and her fantastic committee, I was lucky to join over one hundred and fifty delegates in invigorating discussions, keynotes, member presentations and hard-hitting concurrent sessions that gave actionable advice to tackling the problems inherent in student communities. Many industry veterans kindly offered their insights as to what it takes to make a meaningful staff contribution to student communities, and I left the conference with a clearer view of what a career in university owned, operated or affiliated student accommodation is all about, why the industry needs committed and passionate people, and how I might make the journey over the coming years. Moving forward, myself and the generation of ‘newbies’ feel supported and encouraged by initiatives like the AACUHO Mentoring Program
and the recent Hot-Topic Exchange hosted at La Trobe University, with pathways into the industry becoming clearer as the steps are laid out before us by those who have already taken them. These quality networking, mentoring and professional development programs will play an increasingly important and positive role in the attraction and retention of young, motivated staff, as well as contributing positively to the overall culture of the industry. However, they can only take us so far. I encourage all halls and colleges to consider how they attract and employ young, passionate, and intelligent staff. Think what pathways exist for ‘newbies’ in your environment and determine if there are any unnecessary barriers that may inhibit or discourage such people from taking those important first steps into our industry. Investing in youth won’t cost you big dollars but does make a lot of sense.
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Ex-changing it Up: Why are we only letting students reap the rewards? Laura Burge | Residential Education Manager, La Trobe University Kirsten Bamford | Assistant Warden – Arana College, University of Otago Jo Tomlinson | Student Services Manager, University of Brighton
In the interconnected and globalised environment in which we operate, there is increasing awareness and appreciation of the value of an international experience for students.The same value is also applicable in the working world, and whilst many staff have the opportunity to participate in international conferences as part of their role, all too often, visits are brief, interaction is limited and opportunities for development and learning are restricted.The costs associated with sending staff on such visits are also prohibitive, particularly considering timeframes in-country.
W
ith this in mind, in April this year, the team within Accommodation Services at La Trobe University saw an opportunity to combine the promotion of attendance at the Australasian Association of College and University Housing Officers Conference (AACUHO), held in Melbourne, with the offer of a 7 – 10 day ‘internship’ at La Trobe, with a reciprocal
opportunity to be provided by the visiting institution at a later stage. Building upon the value of attending the conference, the exchange opportunity was aimed at providing multiple benefits to both the host institutions and the individual participants involved. Participants selected would have the opportunity to gain or develop skills, motivation, alternate perspectives and an expanded network, whilst host institutions in effect ‘gained’ a temporary staff member who was able to provide a fresh outlook and insight into the programs and services in their home institution. Promoted far and wide through informal networks from February onwards, two staff, Jo Tomlinson from the University of Brighton and Kirsten Bamford, from the University of Otago, were selected to participate in the exchange program. Both staff members joined the AACUHO Conference, participating in a week long ‘internship’ at La Trobe, meeting staff, gaining an understanding of local operations whist sharing ideas and resources.
Kirsten, Assistant Warden at Arana College at Otago, spent the first week at La Trobe, working closely with the Residential Education, concluding her visit with the AACUHO Conference. She describes her experience during her time at La Trobe: It was timely that the theme of the AACUHO conference was Cash, Culture, Collaboration: Tackling Today’s Challenges in University Housing as I visited La Trobe University for a week prior to attending the AACUHO conference. Undertaking an exchange and attending a conference during the same trip reinforced many of the new learnings from each event. This opportunity also allowed for the relationships that were built whilst at La Trobe University to grow as more time was able to be spent discussing relevant topics. Topics explored in particular during my time in Australia included student social activity, wellbeing, communication and community/volunteering outreach programs.
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strategies that could be employed when working towards the same goal of positive health and wellbeing in students.
The leading outcome of this visit was the motivation and inspiration to try something new, to expand some of the activities that are coordinated for our students in Otago, and to offer new ideas to our events programme. With a firm belief in not reinventing the wheel, discussing and participating in the exchange at La Trobe invigorated me and inspired me to consider some fresh ideas on what we can offer students in both the social and wellbeing space. The consideration of collaborating on a global program where students from each university would meet and undertake volunteer work is also something which I am hopeful I can take back to Otago. At La Trobe University I was introduced to the Residential Services Guidebook App which is used to provide information to students in this smartphone world. In discussing communication strategies I was able to reflect on the types and the successes of the communication tools we use to get important information to students. Further to this, at the conference a number of speakers discussed the use of social media. As we are all no doubt aware, communication mediums continue to change very quickly and if we wish to convey information effectively, it is our responsibility to keep up with this change. As a result, now that I am back at Arana College I have been able to share the Residential Services app which has generated some interest. In the vast pastoral care space it was reassuring to hear that other colleges experience many of the same challenges, particularly related health and wellbeing. Discussions focused on what we as housing professionals can do to promote wellbeing and respond to unwell or study stressed students. A number of excellent initiatives were presented at the AACUHO Conference which highlighted the diverse The Australasian Student Residences Management Journal
This exchange and conference opportunity was significant in my growth as a housing professional. Having been educated at the University of Otago I was not yet privy to how other colleges are operated and visiting La Trobe University allowed me to explore something new. I have been motivated to continue to challenge myself when coordinating student’s activities and my passion for working with young students has been further strengthened. Networking and learning opportunities presented themselves whilst in Melbourne during the two weeks I visited and I will spend time working through these ideas and implementing valuable initiatives along with my colleagues at Arana College and at the University of Otago. Discussing Arana College and University of Otago whilst at La Trobe also offered staff at La Trobe University a different perspective on residential life and hence the reciprocal arrangement is a benefit to both institutions. It was a privilege to have been able to visit La Trobe University and I express my sincere gratitude to La Trobe University and the University of Otago, Accommodation Divisions for this opportunity. Universities and colleges around the world should consider offering a staff exchange programme as this was valuable opportunity to explore another operation.
Jo Tomlinson, Student Services Manager (Counselling and Wellbeing), arrived on day one of the conference, spending time following the event to network and share ideas and resources. A carefully selected conference usually brings reward, add to this an international context and, from my recent experience, you will receive a rich return. Such was the case with the recent AACUHO four-day programme in Melbourne. From day one and only minutes into the introductory session held in the Crown Complex I’d connected with several participants and shared interests. Concern around issues relating to student mental health and alcohol misuse were common themes raised, and, whilst my own role as Student Services Manager differed to that of many of the other delegates, our shared goal centred around a desire to ensure a positive and rewarding student experience.
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The networking opportunities were well facilitated and, having a host university as a base enabled me to identify as part of a team which meant the experience of attending the conference for me, ensured a sense of belonging. I felt welcomed by colleagues at La Trobe and the broader community of AACUHO. This was also all complemented by living in halls of residence at La Trobe whilst attending the conference and, for the subsequent week long placement. Being in and around the student environment in this way quickly helped me to establish a thorough and full understanding of what La Trobe has achieved in the residential education and pastoral package on offer to their students. The combination of the two was extremely rewarding. I hadn’t appreciated at the beginning of this journey just how much knowledge I would gain and, what friendships, I would make. Had it not been for being physically around this environment, I couldn’t have hoped to have made such relevant and potent connections, which is already resulting in sustainable collaboration. Plans are currently afoot for Red Frogs, Australia www.redfrogs.com to visit my own university in Brighton in the south east region of the UK. This will happen in July and I am sure will lead to some creative and well-timed joint work as our own Student Union www.brightonsu.com is currently involved in a nationally led government project www.nusconnect.org.uk/charity/alcohol-impact/ which will develop harm reductive strategies around university student drinking habits.
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In conclusion I am reminded of the first day presentation provided by T.J.Logan, University of Florida, speaking convincingly and accurately about the power of social media (Meeting Them Where They Are: The Effective Use of Social Media 9/04/14). In his talk he outlined the way in which our virtual experiences are increasingly significant and sophisticated and central to the creation of positive and effective student experience. Therefore it is more difficult to consider how international staff exchanges can be promoted and supported by universities. However, I do believe that the remarkable outcomes from my own very short experience are evidence of how the physical continues to be a relevant and powerful way of connecting. I believe it is the marrying together of all our resources that ultimately produces significant and relevant experiences and, in this context, so essential if we are to provide our students with good residential experiences. I would like to thank specifically Laura Burge, her team, La Trobe University and the AACUHO community for such a valuable experience. I look forward to seeing the reciprocal exchange unfolding.
Future Plans Now several months on from the conference, Jo and Kirsten have since returned home, undoubtedly brimming with fresh ideas, enhanced international networks, and exciting proposals for future collaboration. Arrangements are already underway to arrange reciprocal visits to both New Zealand and the UK, with stiff competition from Residential Services team members as to who will be selected to participate. After all, who says students are the only ones who can benefit from an international experience?
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Streamline healthy breakfasts for students the cost effective way…. Parents paying for their student’s superior education rightly expect healthy options for their children’s breakfast. John Kiorgaard, managing director of Top Shelf Concepts, explains why. We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and that it assists concentration, and behaviour all round and therefore excellent academic results, that reflects the teaching professionals, and the school.That’s why it’s so important to promote and influence healthy food choices for children whilst providing an economical solution for the schools, colleges, and universities. Whether you run a private school, tertiary college, or university, making sure your students and guests are happy with every aspect of your service and surroundings is crucial. Cleanliness and better choices in nutrition have to be a top priority, to kick start student’s brains for a day’s learning. Portion Control cereal dispensers are the answer. Providing a choice of cereals makes for an attractive appetising breakfast, with just the right portion.
Finding the right balance between function and cost. There is alot to consider, as you balance the need for durability and style, with portion control and bottom – line costs. Cereal dispensers ensure a smooth traffic flow, at the busy peak times for hungry students. It is of great importance to streamline the whole breakfast experience. Students love to use dispensers; they feel engaged, and assured of the highest quality cereal freshness. One thing we do know for sure is that with the patented silicone paddles you save money, with no wastage, portion control, and no mess.This in turn will massively reduce
your wastage and costs over a period of time, as bulk cereals are more cost effective than individual packages. Portion control benefits in many ways: • Reducing Wastage • Minimising Costs • Saving Time • Ensuring Consistency We know how busy breakfast can be before the learning pathway each day, but Rosseto technology makes cleanliness and maintenance a breeze for you and your staff. So, in an ideal world, what are you really looking for in your dispensers? 1. Quality materials for a long, efficient life 2. Sturdy design 3. Efficient dispensing nozzle, so cereal pours directly into containers. 4. Airtight paddle, to ensure cereals, nuts, snacks remain fresh. 5. Paddle options to suit different shapes and size of cereal, dried fruit, and snacks 6. A quality rotator shaft (one piece steel – no nylon thread), so that the handle always works. 7. An Affordable price per unit.
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An Australian perspective on student residential operations in Ireland Joanne McRae | Student Initiatives Coordinator, Residence Life, Charles Sturt University
Joanne McRae, Student Initiatives Coordinator in Residence Life at Charles Sturt University visited university residential operations in Dublin and Cardiff during June 2014.
A
recent visit to university residences while overseas provided me with valuable perspectives on student residential operations. Conversations with members of residence staff and tours of student residences and social spaces allowed me to compare and contrast the Australian approach to building design, pastoral care and student community development to those of the settings visited. While most students in Australia, Ireland and the United Kingdom are alike in that they prefer to have private, single room accommodation, want to be self-catered, and ideally have their own ensuite bathroom, there are vast differences in how student residences operate. Although I suggest that many of the issues discussed with staff in each setting visited might be generalised to the context of Australian residential student accommodation, this article will focus on two settings for comparison: my own institution, Charles Sturt University (CSU) and Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland). Differences will be explored in relation to mental health and staffing approaches in residences at each institution. Trinity College is a 500 year old university with very limited accommodation for its students. While 400 students live on the main academic campus site, these places are limited to students
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on Foundation Scholarships (2nd years and above).These students receive tuition waivers, free accommodation and dining room meals through scholarships awarded for academic achievement. Located approximately 5km south of the Trinity College academic campus,Trinity Hall accommodates 1200 students in high-density, apartment-style, self-catered accommodation. Initially established as a female only residence in the early 1900s,Trinity Hall comprises a small number of ageing mansions, and large number of modern high-rise apartment complexes. First year students make up 60% of the residents on the Trinity Hall site, and there is strong competition for places in residence.These are allocated only to students who are relocating to Dublin to study, and includes both international and domestic students. Dublin city has limited accommodation suitable for most students’ budgets. Students accepted to study at Trinity College are highly able and very academically oriented.Very few students accepted to live at Trinity Hall move out during the year and vacancy rates are less than 0.5%. While academic issues of retention and progression are minimal, mental health and risk behaviours related to alcohol present significant challenges. Mental health is a significant issue for the student body, and one that Trinity Hall is striving to improve. While incidents are handled on site by live-in residence staff, no specific training in mental health or pastoral care is provided to these staff.The Hall has close links with counselling and student services at Trinity College, but no formal awareness raising or support programs
for residents or residential staff are in place.The approach is reactive, focused on managing critical incidents as they arise, often in an ad-hoc manner. The development of suitable training programs for residence staff was a topic of in depth discussion during my visit, and there was strong interest in how Australia approaches the ongoing issue of youth mental health. Trinity Hall staff are not recognised or remunerated for involvement in residences, and they receive limited training to prepare for the role.The Warden is a full-time academic staff member of Trinity College, and his 12 Assistants are academic staff or PhD students who receive accommodation in return for rostered duties. There is also a sense amongst these staff that involvement in residences is a hindrance to promotion and career progression within Trinity College.Those who live and work at Trinity Hall are passionate about the students they work with, and keen to provide the best service they can to support them. At CSU, all Residence Life staff are paid employees. Student residents recruited as Residential Advisors (RAs) engage in a comprehensive induction program of at least 2 weeks duration prior to the commencement of the academic year, as well as 2 days of mid-year training. All Residence Life staff are trained in Mental Health First Aid, while RAs also complete safeTALK training as part of their induction. Residence Life works closely with the CSU Counselling Service to ensure residents and staff are aware of referral pathways for anyone in need of support or assistance, including access to 24hour emergency assistance, online resources
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AACUHO FEATURED and debriefing support. At each campus location, strong links are forged with local community services including Headspace, Wagga Wagga & Region Suicide Prevention Network and local area Mental Health Services. Regular campus events include activities for Mental Health Month, RUOK Day and Suicide Awareness Day aimed at reducing the stigma of mental illness and raising awareness of the importance of mental health. Although staff-student ratios often provide interesting points of comparison in our industry both within Australia and abroad, I suggest that appropriate support for students living in residence depends on the needs of students in the setting, as well as the available budget. At Trinity Hall, a ratio of 1:92 is in stark contrast to CSUs average ratio of 1:25. At CSU, our staffing ratios support students to develop a sense of belonging and establish a strong affiliation as a member of the student community with resultant benefits for student retention, academic progression and well-being. I believe effective student support requires the recruitment of
staff who want to live and learn within student communities, as well as an institutional investment in training and remuneration of residential staff. Rather than merely providing a room, accommodation for students has evolved from traditional halls of residence into environments for living and learning (Penven, Stephens, Shushok, & Keith, 2013). I posit that regardless of the setting, people working in student residences need to be valued and rewarded to ensure the right people are involved. At the least, this should be through the provision of relevant training and professional development opportunities, but ideally, also through appropriate recognition of the personal contribution residence staff make to supporting student wellbeing and the development of health, vibrant and engaging student communities. *I would like to acknowledge the staff of Trinity Hall at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland for their hospitality and generosity during my visit, particularly Brendan Tangney, Warden,Trinity Hall.
The Australasian Student Residences Management Journal
References: Penven, J., Stephens, R., Shushok, F., & Keith, C. (2013). The past, present and future of residential colleges: looking back at S. Stewart Gordon’s “Living and learning in college�. The Journal of College and University Student Housing, 39, 114-126.
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Shifting gears: Transitioning Residential Assistants from on-call aficionados to health and wellbeing ambassadors
Ali Norton | Residential Education Coordinator: Health and Wellbeing, La Trobe University
Since I entered the residential life and education space in 2002, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and working with thousands of talented student leaders. But whilst each residentially-based leadership role has its own set of expectations and responsibilities, I have noticed a common theme: ask a Residential Assistant (RA) in Canada, the United States, or Australia to explain their role to you, and invariably they’ll begin by saying something along the lines of, “Well, I’m on call after hours…”
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ertainly this was the most popular response I received during my initial interactions with the RA cohort at La Trobe University; that is until, just prior to our leadership recruitment period in 2012, we decided it was time to remove this responsibility altogether (and introduce a dedicated Night Manager team).
Identity Crisis The question of how to reshape the RA identity in the absence of “duty” was a big one for us. Though we certainly recognised that being on call was a major component of the RA experience, it was surprising to discover that some students actually wondered how the role could continue without it. Why was that the case? I think the simple answer is that the ownership the RAs felt over the tangible task of being on call gave them language to ar ticulate their purpose. So, whereas our Social Clubs could talk about planning events, and our Academic Mentors could explain Glenn College residents on the trampolines at running Study Focus BounceInc (August 2014). Groups, our RAs didn’t quite know what to say about
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themselves when the most tangible task in their por tfolio didn’t exist anymore. As such, it became imperative to clarify the purpose of the RA role in a way which leaders could understand, ar ticulate, and own.
Codifying Purpose We began by identifying the elements of the RA role which we regarded as essential, including a high level of engagement with students, and an emphasis on pastoral care. Next we considered components of the student lifecycle which we felt were impor tant, but which perhaps had not been addressed directly under our previous scheme. When considering options through this lens, it became apparent that the most logical way forward was to redefine the RA role through adopting a health and wellbeing framework. Introduced in early 2013, our initial wellbeing model featured eight dimensions of wellness (financial, physical, social & cultural, academic & career, spiritual, environmental, intellectual, and emotional) and was adapted from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada.
Growing Pains When they rocked up to training in February 2013, our RAs had a brand new por tfolio waiting for them…with a brand new set of responsibilities! Instead of being on call after hours, they were now expected to facilitate monthly activities, designed to address each of the aforementioned dimensions of wellness. These activities were not meant to be huge and all-encompassing; rather, they were meant to engage the small group of residents to whom each RA was assigned, and be largely driven by resident input and interest. Another impor tant feature of the model was that all activities were to be 100% alcohol free. Orienting the RAs to their new expectations presented some interesting challenges. In par ticular, because our RAs had never before been required to run activities or events outside of regular floor meetings, the programming space was completely new. To complicate matters, when we said the word “activity”, their thoughts immediately went to the purview of our Social Clubs. This made it
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Chisholm College residents participating in getting-to-know-you games with new residents (August 2014).
all the more impor tant for us to differentiate between the focus of each cohor t, as we didn’t want to create a sense of competition between the two; from day one, our goal was to offer something residents weren’t already receiving in other ways.
Supporting Resources To assist the RAs in designing and facilitating small-scale programs, we developed a comprehensive health and wellbeing survey (with specific questions for commencing first years, and later year students) which was e-mailed to all residents prior to the start of semester one. In the survey, we asked residents to rate their proficiency in areas such as creating a budget, preparing healthy and nutritious meals, maintaining healthy boundaries, and accessing academic and emotional suppor t. We also provided examples of potential wellness activities, to gauge the general interest level. In addition to creating a resource we could share with the RAs to help guide their first attempts at programming, we introduced the survey to begin a conversation with residents about managing their health and wellbeing. Though the space was very much in development (and we didn’t launch our official health and wellbeing portfolio until this year), we wanted to gather as much information as possible to help char t our course.
Where are we now… After trialing the eight dimension model, we decided it would be better to focus on six dimensions this year : financial, physical, community, interpersonal, environmental, and emotional. Focusing on fewer dimensions means our RAs facilitate activities in March, April, May, August, September, and October only, providing more room to breathe during exams. The addition of the community dimension places an emphasis on volunteering and service, whereas the interpersonal dimension encourages a focus on developing healthy relationships with others.
Though we haven’t made any final decisions yet, one suggestion of par ticular interest which has been put forward by the RAs is to include an “open” dimension in next year’s model; this dimension would allow residents to self-select a health-related topic which is relevant to their individual community and experience. (Options in this space could include sexual health, the impacts of drugs/ alcohol, etc.). The RAs have played an instrumental role in developing what is now our official health and wellbeing por tfolio. The large-scale events we’re designing are intended to complement the creative and engaging experiences already on offer from this dedicated team of leaders, and have often come about through discussions with them. Now that they have a space to “own”, we’re seeing some really excellent initiatives: from cooking competitions which teach residents about budgeting and preparing healthy meals; to friendly games of laser tag, mini golf, and footy; to volunteer projects in neighbouring communities, our RAs are playing a critical role in getting residents directly involved in managing their personal health and wellbeing. As the por tfolio continues to grow and develop in the coming years, we’re excited to see what they’ll come up with next! Interested in chatting about how your campus is engaging students in the health and wellbeing space? Please contact Ali Nor ton: h.nor ton@latrobe.edu.au
Menzies College residents (with Night Manager Frank), participating in a fancy-dress rubbish clean-up around campus (May 2014).
…and where we’re going In late July, RAs at our Melbourne campus took part in a comprehensive focus group where they were invited to give feedback about the health and wellbeing program. In addition to the activities they facilitate, we are also now in the process of facilitating large-scale events which are open to all residents. Over the coming months we will host focus groups for residents as well, the results of which will help to inform where we take things in 2015. The Australasian Student Residences Management Journal
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The University of Western Australia AND The University of Aberdeen
In January this year I was very fortunate to be able to undertake a Professional Staff exchange with The University of Aberdeen, Scotland. The program involved an initial two and a half month ‘Job Shadow’ with the Director of Student Affairs at The University of Aberdeen, before undertaking a further three months as the Acting Head of their Residential Services.
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rriving with my wife and three children (aged 5, 7 and 9) in the middle of the Scottish winter on the 16th of December, I commenced work just after the New Year and was involved at The University of Aberdeen up until the middle of June. The professional development provided an opportunity for observations and learning to occur within an international context, particularly in the area of residential tertiary accommodation and on-campus student life. It provided an avenue for a working exchange of ideas and thought and offered professional improvement through self-examination and reflection. The following words are a very brief summary of what I observed and also how such a fantastic opportunity came about.
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Chris Massey | Director, UWA Student Residences, University of Western Australia
In 2012 I attended the ACUHO-I International Study Tour on the west coast of California. During one particular hectic day suffering a very long and relaxing lunch gazing over the city of San Diego, I mentioned to colleague on the tour, Mr Leith Forsyth, my interest in some international experience. Leith expressed interest in doing the same and the concept was planted! After quickly determining exactly where Aberdeen was (a lot further north than I thought!), we agreed to keep in touch and progress the idea. Over the course of the next 18 months we exchanged emails and developed a business case to present to our various universities, seeking approval for the exchange to go ahead. Unfortunately during this time Leith’s work circumstances changed (I like to tell him that he got too important) and he could no longer undertake the exchange. Luckily for me, the Head of
Accommodation at Aberdeen, Jacqui Tuckwell, agreed to come over instead, albeit for a reduced three month time period. My university honoured its commitment of a 6 month international experience and this allowed me an opportunity to ‘job shadow’ Leith and to briefly work in a diverse range of areas at The University of Aberdeen before replacing Jacqui in her role in Accommodation Services. The agreement was that The University of Western Australia would maintain my current salary arrangement and also cover the travel costs. The
Chapel and Elphinstone Hall
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University of Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen would then provide my housing and general set up costs. This was the same with Jacqui who was accommodated in our house when she arrived in Perth. This made it quite simple for the universities and worked out well, albeit the exchange rate was important being paid in AUD and working in the UK and vice versa!
Catering and Commercial Services within the Student Life Division. There are a number of outlets situated throughout the university. Catering Services also manages various contracts and global food brands on-campus, such as Subway and Baskin Robbins Ice-cream. Currently, negotiations are being finalised for Starbucks Coffee to open in a venue at the start of the next academic year. There are a number of different models in which these global brands are operated and contracted at the university. The University of Aberdeen owns and operates 2570 student beds.
The University of Aberdeen is Scotland’s third oldest university and the fifth oldest in the UK with a community of approximately 16,500 students. In 2013/14 there were approximately 1226 International students, approximately 7.5% of the total student population. Leith oversees one of the University’s largest administrative departments, including Campus Services, which incorporates all student accommodation, catering and commercial activities across the campus. In recent times the portfolio of Student Life has expanded to include the Student Advice and Support Office (including the Counselling Service), Career Services, Student Recruitment and Admissions, Chaplaincy, face to face student enquiries, and University Sport. Over recent times there has been a significant amount spent on improvements of university facilities. This includes a £30m refurbishment of all its student accommodation, a £60m construction of a significant new library, and approximately £50m for the construction of a state of the art fitness, recreation and aquatic centre. Construction of a new science building will commence soon, as well as a new £10m development for the Student Union. Funding has come from combination of sources, including capital budget, alumni contributions, and a partnership with the Aberdeen Council in regard to the recreation and aquatic centre. All on-campus catering by the University is managed by The Australasian Student Residences Management Journal
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These rooms are situated with approximately 600 on the main campus and another 2000 at a stand-alone complex of buildings known as Hillhead, situated 15 minutes away walking. All new students to the university are offered a residential place. The student can apply for the accommodation at the point the university offers a place. Accommodation is then distributed generally on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis until all rooms are filled. Students have a variety of rooms to choose, some with ensuite and some with a limited catering option. The traditional collegiate model is not evident. In recent years the university has moved away from the concept of catered halls and live in staff, producing significant financial gain. Residential Services (which operates all rooms) is situated within the Division of Campus Services, which also includes the Catering and Commercial Services and is situated under the overall Student Life Portfolio. The Campus Service Division has an expectation to make a significant surplus from its activities, which the university utilises within its overall budget reporting. Generally any surplus made stays within the overall Campus Life portfolio, to be used in the student experience realm. The Residential Services area comprises a team which oversees all operations of the buildings and the safety of students living in the accommodation. The team consist of Residential Hall Managers, Operational and Facility Managers, Cleaning Staff, and a Porter Staff system. The Porters assist in the day-to-day operations of the accommodation and also provide a level of security and safety after hours. They also undertake a variety of administration duties, such as mail distribution and reception. All areas report to the Head of Residential Services, who is expected to manage the accommodation in an effective and efficient manner which will present commercial gain to Student Life.
Reflection on the Exchange The staff development opportunity provided me a range of different experiences and benefits, on a number of different levels both professionally and personally. Exposing my young family to a different environment (especially the weather!) was an invaluable experience. Whilst it had its difficulties and took some planning, such as visa and school requirements, it was an opportunity which could not have been achieved any other way. From a professional viewpoint, the opportunity to firstly job shadow and then work in the role as Head of Residential Services provided me with a variety of learning and opportunities, which could not have occurred through other career development mechanisms. In addition, the staff development opportunity followed the recent expansion of UWA Student Residences and the construction of NRAS residential student housing. This construction has required a different model of service delivery, than has previously been the case with UWA Colleges, and is at scale more familiar within United Kingdom institutions. Whilst not initially intended, the job shadow experience allowed me an insight to the university at a level that may have not been realised,
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if the time had all been a pure exchange. The job shadow allowed me the opportunity to be involved in both formal and informal meetings with the Director of Student Life. Whilst the nature of these meetings presented familiar challenges associated with my role at UWA, it did help consolidate the notion that these challenges are not exclusive to my own environment and others are also grappling with similar concerns and issues. For example, the notion of improving the student experience and the resourcing implications for fee paying students in residence is difficult and a dilemma experienced across the student housing sector. In addition, the job shadow period allowed me an insight into the executive level of the university and provided me an observation of the current issues and challenges which the university is dealing with at the moment. During my time spent in the actual exchange period, when I was Acting Head of Residential Services, my experience was quite different in comparison to the job shadow period. As Head of Residential Services I encountered many similar operation work tasks, as those at UWA. However it was very insightful to experience the operational aspects of a large scale university owned student accommodation portfolio, particularly where there is an expectation of commercial gain and a distinct separation from the residential life portfolio. In addition, I gained a valuable experience working alongside the Head of Commercial and Catering Services, as part of the Campus Services Division, where the model of catering on-campus is quite different to that of UWA. A challenge of the exchange, which is only three months, was that it was difficult to engage fully with the university, as would be the case if it was your substantive position. By nature, universities operate on relationships across work areas and obviously, three month is simply not long enough to build these relationships. In addition, it is only natural that you are treated more as a ‘visitor’ than an actual member of staff throughout the period. However it is difficult to gauge what would be an appropriate amount of time of an exchange and when this would not be the case. Of course, the longer the duration, the more problematic the arrangement can be for the individual and organisations involved. I would suggest that the exchange period could have been improved if there was a distinct project associated with the swap. The project could be set up well in advance and before the exchange takes place. This way the exchange period could be utilised as an implementation stage or in finalising the project findings. Certainly there was scope within my exchange period where I could have undertaken a project of some nature, whilst also overseeing the management of residential services. Ultimately, staff within Residential Services were undertaking a lot of tasks as business as usual and needed little management. Having said this, there was some very significant benefits during the exchange period by not being heavily involved an many of the day-to-day operational activities. It allowed me some ‘real time’ to observe and undertake other activities outside my direct work area. This included the opportunity to pause from day-to-day activities at UWA to reflect on the current state of my work area and consider future strategies to improve outcomes, particularly in conjunction with observing similar areas across the UK. It also provided me an www.adbourne.com
AACUHO FEATURED opportunity to review different student experience models in other institutions, not just at the University of Aberdeen, but at other institutions I visited such as Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Edinburgh University, Glasgow University, York University, Queens University and Durham University. Other indirect benefits associated with the staff development and time spent at another institution became evident. The exchange allowed opportunities for staff within UWA Student Residences to act in higher duties and consequently this has assisted in developing succession management. Spending time away, but still being associated and conscious of the activities of UWA, allowed an opportunity to observe staff in these higher positions and how they were operating. In addition, the exchange has allowed me to develop a strong and healthy working relationship internationally with individuals that are undertaking similar roles at other intuitions throughout the UK. In conjunction with these professional relationships, it is hoped that this exchange may assist in any future potential relationships of the two institutions.
3pm at University of Aberdeen Library The Australasian Student Residences Management Journal
If you are ever considering undertaking something similar to this type of professional development I am more than happy to discuss my experiences.
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The experience of a life time ACUHO-I International study tour Washington, D.C. 2014 Melanie Coffey | Manager Administration and Business, Campus Life, Federation University Australia
It was with great excitement that I headed to USA on the 21st June.This was my first trip to the United States and only my second trip overseas. I would like to acknowledge the wonderful opportunity provided to me by AACUHO in awarding me the new professional award 2014 that is provided by ACUHO-I to support international delegates to attend the Annual Conference and Exposition.Without this support the experience would still be a distant future dream. I would love to share with you my experiences, learnings and long term outcomes from participating in an international study tour and the ACUHO-I annual Conference and Exposition.
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y first stop was George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. I was amazed by the beautiful scenery around the area and in particular the size of the institution.The study tour kicked off with a casual dinner where we met our fellow tour participants and our fearless tour leaders Maggie Burkhart Evans (James Madison University) and Deb Boykin (The College of William and Mary).The group was a fantastic mix of participants from 6 different countries and 13 different institutions/businesses. It was great to introduce ourselves and share our roles and responsibilities and insights into our home institutions. This was a great platform to commence our networking and learnings. George Mason provided us with suite style accommodation featuring individual bedrooms and shared bathroom facilities. Each floor has shared common spaces with a kitchen downstairs. All residential students at George Mason University have meals provided hence the accommodation style at Piedmont Hall.
The Australasian Student Residences Management Journal
The next day we were introduced to our sensational bus driver Blake from James Madison University. I think Blake was just as excited as we were about the impending tour. We headed into Washington DC for our first University stop the historic George Washington University which is rated in the top US institutions. It was a very With outgoing impressive inner city campus with modern ideas ACUHO-I president overlaying old buildings. The fees were even more Patricia Martinez at a reception for impressive with car parking alone costing around award winners USD $10,000 per residential year. We received a fantastic presentation on affinity and gender neutral housing. In short, students can choose to share with roommates from either gender which is an emerging but fairly new trend in the US. There is a strong focus on students building living learning communities based around particular interests and programs. Our next stop was a very different institution on the opposite side of town, the Catholic University of America. Large expansive grounds were a feature along with a very impressive Chapel and more historical buildings. We learnt about Catholic University of America’s focus on student’s personal, spiritual and moral development in programming and in particular the reintroduction of single sex residence halls which created much discussion. Day one concluded with dinner in downtown DC and a tour of the amazing DC monuments and Mall area. It was a beautiful summer evening and the whole group was inspired by the monuments. My highlights were the Martin Luther King memorial and the Abraham Lincoln memorial. Day 2 had the group up bright and early for a bus trip to Williamsburg in Virginia a couple of hours away. Our first destination was the College
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Solar Table designed by final year student at George Washington University. Students can sit outside and charge their electronic devices whilst studying on table
We then travelled to the home of Thomas Jefferson ‘Monticello’. This was a magnificent property overlooking the mountains and we had another opportunity to learn about US history and the impressive achievements of Jefferson. We then travelled back to George Mason University with a traditional South Carolina BBQ restaurant stop en route. Day 4 and our tour guides were beyond excitement having managed to get rare permission for the group to go inside the White House. This is something that even US citizens find difficult to do so the excitement was palpable. Whilst totally overwhelmed with being inside such an important building, we never expected to gain a glimpse of President Obama crossing the inner courtyard to board his helicopter Marine One. This experience was going to be hard to top. of William and Mary which had been established by King William and Queen Mary in 1693. We were treated to a presentation in the Old Wren building which has been attributed to the designs of Sir Christopher Wren. The topic detailed the focus of the institution on engaging transition and student empowerment for success programs. We then were treated to the history of the residence by Louise Kale who has been with the institution since growing up there as a child. Louise entertained us with the history of the institution up to the early 1900’s and were enthralling. We then braved the heat for a walking history tour of colonial Williamsburg which is on the same site as the Campus. We were again treated to another extremely knowledgeable tour guide who not only explained the history of the time but took on the characters as well. I can now say that I know much more about the history of the period including having stood in the room where the founding fathers met and the declaration of independence was signed which is very special. After an exhausting but informative day we checked into our student accommodation. The bed height was something we don’t see in Australia due to the shared room scenario. Students raise their beds so they can put furniture and storage underneath which presented some challenge for the shorter members of the group such as myself. Day 2 concluded with a speedy dinner as the opportunity to visit the outlet shopping malls was too hard for most of us to resist. Another early start on day 3 saw us load back onto the bus to head to the very impressive University of Virginia. We were shown through one of the new student residences and they have many more in the pipeline. We can only dream of the level of capital expenditure with projects nearing US$100m in progress. University of Virginia has a strong focus on sustainability which is incorporated into the building design with very modern and well equipped communal spaces a highlight.The building design has retained the look of the older buildings across the campus.The presentation took us through the journey of merging the Housing and Residential Life divisions of the University and the successes this has bought to the operations. Maggie Burkhart-Evans James Madison University then presented on the refurbishment undertaken of the historic Wayland Hall which has earned James Madison University LEED platinum status with a design based on sustainable living and student interaction.
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We then travelled back to George Mason University for a tour and presentation on a well-being initiative that has been introduced for students and staff. We then headed off for our closing dinner at yet another beautiful location Old Alexandria town where the group had a night of frivolity and shopping if desired. Our final day had us farewell our lovely hosts at George Mason University for the last stage of our study tour. It was with much gratitude and pleasure that we presented our inspiring tour leaders Maggie and Deb and bus driver Blake with thankyou gifts that we had collected along the way including merchandise from our home institutions. What a wonderful way to finish off with a visit to America University which is surrounded by 21 international embassies. We visited their newly opened residential building which was very impressive with its massive gymnasium facility and modern and sustainable living style. We had a presentation on American University’s Residential Curriculum Living by some fabulous staff, some of which had only been at American University for just over two weeks, but were inspirational in their level of knowledge and passion about their institution and students. Our closing lunch involved us joining the ACUHO-I STARS College Participants and providing them with our own personal insights and experience which we hoped provided them with some inspiration to continue with their careers in student housing and residential life. What an impressive group of young future leaders we met. It was a great privilege for all of us to have the opportunity to share with this group. We then headed to our conference hotel where we greeted large beds and hot showers with much excitement (well I know I did) and prepared for the next few days at the Annual Conference and Exposition. Many of the group joined a substantial international and local contingent to attend the second ACUHO-I International Symposium held at the conference. This flagship preconference event was chaired by the ACUHO-I International Globalisation Director, Colin Marshall and provided great insight and discussion into the international arena relating to housing and residential life. This was another great opportunity to connect with colleagues from around the world and to learn about and contribute to an improved presence and contribution across the international industry.
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AACUHO FEATURED The annual conference and exposition then got into full swing with three days of conference presentations and networking events. Attendees of this event are provided with a huge variety of sessions to go to across all aspects of the industry and were grouped into categories based on the knowledge domains identified in the ACUHO-I Body of Knowledge. There were many occasions over the three days that it was difficult to choose just one session as there was so much to choose from. The Exhibition Hall was open for two days and had over 150 stalls offering a wide range of product and services. All attendees also had the opportunity to join any of the ACUHO-I network groups as they all held meetings over the course of the conference. As an international delegate it was a great opportunity to participate in the Global Initiatives Network (GIN) meeting to hear about future plans and meet other international colleagues. I look forward to being able to contribute to this group moving forward to enhance the opportunities for my own development and that of my institution. In conclusion, I can’t highlight enough what a wonderful experience attending the study tour and conference was and the ongoing value that this will enable me to provide to my institution and work area. There is immense value in having the opportunity to network with colleagues from many different institutions and roles and to share knowledge
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and ideas. I would like to acknowledge the wonderful support of my institution (Federation University Australia) and in particular my Director Colin Marshall who supported the opportunity for me to undertake the tour and conference. We all work in a fabulous industry where people are passionate about what they do and willing to help other colleagues to enhance their operations and student experience. I look forward to staying in touch with the many colleagues I met along the way as we continue to share ideas and support each other going forward.
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AACUHO FEATURED
Hot Topic Exchange: Drugs & Alcohol Laura Burge | Residential Education Manager Ali Norton | Residential Education Coordinator: Health and Wellbeing, La Trobe University
I
n a recent study by the Australian National Council on Drugs, some fairly scary stats emerged: • One in eight deaths of young Australians was attributed to alcohol,
• Two-thirds of 18 – 29 years olds indicated they drank “specifically to get drunk” and, • The hospitalisation of one in five under the age of 25 was a result of alcohol. Frightening as this information may be, many of us within student affairs manage incidents relating to drugs and alcohol (and their aftermath!) on a daily basis as part of our roles – so it wasn’t surprising when drugs and alcohol emerged as one of the key topics at the AACUHO Conference in April this year. With a number of presentations touching on the topic, conversations and debates regarding effective management and awareness raising frequently continued well into lunch breaks, and so emerged the concept of a ‘hot topic’ exchange forum in July, providing interested staff and students with the opportunity to share ideas, knowledge and resources in this instance specifically relating to drugs and alcohol. Hosted and organized by staff at La Trobe University, Bundoora, the first ‘hot topic’ exchange brought together over forty colleagues from near and far, sharing some of the challenges associated with drugs and alcohol, particularly in relation to orientation programs, education, awareness and training, event management and intervention and support. Student representatives were also encouraged to attend, and it was great to see a number of students engaging in the discussions, sharing their own unique perspective.
Adopting a ‘concurrent session’ conference-style approach, the day was broken into three key sessions (with a break for lunch) and a final closing presentation of ideas and discussion points.To facilitate group discussion around (1) issues, concerns and problems faced, (2) suggestions, ideas and recommendations and (3) future directions, each session provided attendees the option to focus on one of seven themed topics, (see table below). For those involved on the day, it was fantastic to see staff and students come together to discuss issues regularly faced by all, regardless of role, level or institution, and even better to see the emergence of an abundance of clever and creative ideas through many of the group discussions. Particularly noteworthy ideas included: • Taking a Night Off Campaign at La Trobe University – encouraging students to actively promote their intention to abstain from drinking at social events •D esignated ‘Cool Rooms’ at Monash University – providing a space for intoxicated students to ‘chill out’ (a.k.a sober up) with games and activities before accessing the main social event. • A range of fantastic suggestions for events not involving alcohol including carnival/festival style activities, fitness challenges, cooking competitions and talent nights. • F uture project possibilities including a sober programming resource page and event management accreditation program. •P lus much, much more! If you want to know what you missed, an overview of the topics, ideas and suggestions is now available in the member’s only section of the AACUHO website.
Getting More Out of Orientation:
Making Sober Cool:
Going Beyond the Alternative:
What is our role in setting expectations early? What does this look like in terms of induction before students arrive and once they turn up on our doorstep?
How do we establish a responsible drinking culture in the residences? What sort of education is required? How can we combat common drinking problems including pre-drinking, binge drinking and the damage and destruction often associated after a big night out?
What problems do we face with designing and hosting engaging events which don’t always involve alcohol? How do we get buy-in from our student leaders and our residents?
Transforming Traditions:
Facing the Consequences:
What impact can we have on the so-called traditions, customs and rituals that see drinking a way of residential life? How can we encourage our student leaders and our residents to get creative and think outside the box?
What sanctions should be imposed on students who breach our rules and guidelines? How do we balance the carrot vs. stick approach? What support do we provide and what our limitations?
Beyond the Borders: What can we do to manage off-site competition and drinking promotions? How do we manage the issues with students returning to campus intoxicated with all the complications this brings?
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AACUHO FEATURED
Thanks go to Brendan McCarthy, Nicole Deller and Chelsea Murray (La Trobe University), and Andrew Swan (Monash University) who assisted as facilitators and note-takers on the day. It’s also timely to remind everyone that AACUHO is always looking for staff to get involved – if you are interested in hosting your own ‘hot topic’ exchange on a subject matter you think would be of
value to members please contact Cate Macnamara, execofficer@aacuho.edu.au. La Trobe staff are also happy to share information regarding the structure of the day to any interested AACUHO members. **Drug and alcohol statistics sourced from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-20/ alcohol-to-blame-for-one-in-eight-deaths---report/5102594
Contact us at save@soapaid.com or call 1 800 810 476 to find out more on how to get involved.
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Association of College & University Housing OfficersInternational
If campus housing is your profession, ACUHO-I is your association. More than 1,000 institutions and 250 companies from around the world count on ACUHO-I to deliver valuable member resources, all designed to strengthen the campus housing profession. ACUHO-I delivers: Face-to-face conferences and institutes, including the ACUHO-I Annual Conference & Exposition in Orlando, Florida, June 27-30, 2015. A growing number of online courses and certificate programs including the Certificate in Housing Assessment, Certificate in Occupancy Management, and the Architecture Course Series. Informative publications such as the Talking Stick magazine, the Journal of College & University Student Housing, and the definitive six-volume book set, Campus Housing Management. A vibrant online library featuring hundreds of documents and resources. More than 30 volunteer workgroups and a worldwide network of thousands of campus housing professionals. And much more. 34
Learn more at www.acuho-i.org www.adbourne.com
ACUHO-I INTERNATIONAL FOCUS
Under One Roof Bringing student services into the residence halls Emily Rudduck
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assie has been studying for her math final for several hours and feels fairly confident that her knowledge of the material is sound, but she has hit a snag: a set of problems that she just cannot figure out. She needs some help. It’s late, but she doesn’t want to put it off, so she sighs, gathers up her books, and heads out. Walking down the hallway toward the lobby, she looks out through a large expanse of glass to see several students walking by, hunched under their umbrellas in a cold, hard rain. Bigger sigh. She doesn’t want to be among them. She stops to open a door just inside the lobby, and there inside the main study room are several tutors, part of the inhouse student services staff, waiting to offer their help. Now more than ever, residential students have access to a variety of activities in the comfort of their own hall. Without having to leave the building, they can cook a meal in the kitchen, do a load of laundry, meet with friends in one of the lounge areas, or blow off some steam in the recreation room. And now, on some campuses, they
can also have immediate access to in-house student services, a trend that enhances the convenience of a living-learning community with a plethora of resources, information, and suppor t.
ADAPTING PHYSICAL SPACES New residence halls can include the physical space needed for in-house student services in their design plans, but existing residence halls need to adapt space that is often utilised for something else. For Michigan State University in East Lansing, offices were moved during renovations to provide the needed space. This allowed them to meet their objective of creating five neighbourhoods, each made up of six residence halls and one engagement centre that would provide services related to the university’s four central pillars of suppor t: academic success, health and wellness, residential suppor t, and intercultural engagement. Ray Gasser, senior associate director of residence education and housing services, says, “Each engagement centre is unique in how we were able to find the necessary square footage for each space.” In one case, an engagement centre with
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a health clinic utilised a basement. “There was much debate about that decision because people were worried that it would not be visible and therefore not well utilised by students,” says Kelly High McCord, neighbourhood engagement director for Brody Hall. However, the space was transformed into a desirable location with vibrant colours, new furniture, and new lighting and signage: “a bright, modern, pleasant destination for students,” says High McCord. While Michigan State was able to find enough space for their engagement centres during the renovation process, institutions like the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee were limited when trying to house academic suppor t and mentoring services in their residence halls. The solution was to utilise existing spaces more fully, using them for one purpose during the day and another during the evening. Now the Panther Academic Suppor t Services (PASS) program is available to students in the main library, the student success centre, and in three residence halls. Nicole Heinen, student services coordinator, says that in two of the residence halls, the spaces “are actually classrooms that are used during the day and where RAs can
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ACUHO-I INTERNATIONAL FOCUS
meet” but are now used in the evenings for tutoring and mentoring services. Making these services easily available to students is only one step, however ; the next one is to encourage students to use them. “One of our biggest struggles is that our students don’t see that a residence hall is a place for studying and tutoring.” While the space is functional for now, Heinen hopes to have a more defined space in the near future that students recognise solely as an academic support centre. In some cases, minor revamping of an existing space may be all that is necessary. Scott Walker, head of Aquinas College at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, says that they “sacrificed a bedroom and some office space” within the residence hall for the live-in academic fellow who provides academic support to students. When the position was created four years ago, they simply “split the deputy office to create a new office space.”
MAKING THE SERVICES VITAL An impor tant consideration in bringing student services into the residence hall is to decide which ones are most needed. Through the use of MAP-Works, a surveybased tool that, among other things, helps students identify what areas they struggle with, institutions are able to examine what specific subjects students are repeatedly listing as problem areas. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, MAP-Works helped them identify what services students most needed; as Heinen notes, “we make sure that we always have a math tutor and a chemistry tutor.” The University of South Carolina in Columbia utilised the natural grouping of first-year students with a focus on academic recovery and tutoring and created a program that located student success centres in three residence halls. Chris Lewandowski, residence life coordinator in Columbia Hall, says that the resources now include “coaching, tutoring, support for transfer students, academic recovery assistance, cross-college advising, financial
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literacy, supplemental instruction, and early intervention oppor tunities.” At Michigan State, the engagement centres offer tutoring, academic and career advising, IT services, and various workshops for any student enrolled at the university. A unique workshop, the Multi-Racial Unity Living Experience, offers students an oppor tunity to come together to increase their knowledge and understanding of healthy and positive racial relations through interactive exercises, discussions, and leadership possibilities.
CONNECTING WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE Making student services available in the residence halls extends the benefits that are pivotal for students’ academic and social success. As Walker explains, the academic fellow employed in the residence hall at Aquinas College has the role of “setting an academic ethos within the college community and implementing programs and workshops that suppor t our students.” But students also need to be connected to a wider network of people and resources, and connecting with the right individuals on campus enhances their success. In order to elucidate and unify the concept of neighbourhoods within the residence halls at Michigan State, their engagement centres involve many different people from many different depar tments. Gasser says that initial planning involved “sharpening how the neighbourhoods would be formed, what some of the measurements of success would be, and what population the neighbourhoods should initially centre on.” From there, authorities in a myriad of fields – student affairs, mathematics, the learning centre, and the undergraduate university division, as well as individuals representing residence life and residence education, construction and interior design, and executive space planning – contributed to the plans. Partnership can be facilitated through a central point of contact, like the academic fellow at Aquinas College who, Walker says, “does not deal with any other pastoral
concerns such as mental health or financial concerns, but the fellow does work closely with our pastoral team and college management so we can refer students to relevant people.” The same process can be especially helpful in residence halls with limited space to devote to all the resources students may require. Lewandowski says that the University of South Carolina, despite having an array of services offered on site, retains a central point of contact by making sure that housing and the student service centres work closely with each other. Those trained in offering the resources and in initiating conversations with students can also be a point of contact for professors who note a concern about a student’s academic performance. Similarly, Heinen says that at Wisconsin, “We include it in the training that RAs can learn how to talk with students about reaching out for tutoring.” Widespread par tnerships and communication are critical to making it easy for students to utilise these services and to benefit from them. The feedback from students at the University of Otago has so far been very positive. Walker says that since employing the academic fellow, “there has been a visible rise in GPA from Semester 1 to Semester 2 for those who utilise the service.” Students who have visited the academic fellow often comment on how refreshing it is to have someone so conveniently located who can help with course decisions and other academic needs. At Michigan State, the fall 2013 resident survey showed that 67 percent of students utilised the resources, and 56 percent felt as if the engagement centres had enhanced their living experience. As Michigan State waits for more recent numbers, Gasser says the process has been rewarding, and he believes this type of model will become universal among other higher education institutions in the future. “We were able to take tired, old spaces and create par tnerships on campus while bringing vital services closer to students.” This article originally appeared in the July+August 2014 issue of Talking Stick, the ACUHO-I member magazine.
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Electrical Safety in Student Accommodation Aesthetically pleasing accommodation that is conducive to a balanced study and recreational lifestyle is important. Ensuring that electrical safety within any level of accommodation is never compromised, is paramount.
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ommon electrical hazards in student accommodation include: unsafe appliances, overloading of electrical circuits, improperly installed air conditioning/heating units and poorly maintained essential lighting systems. Luckily, with the assistance of properly qualified electricians, these hazards can be avoided and a safe learning environment achieved. Identifying unsafe appliances is an important safety measure in any student environment. Appliance testing and tagging by a trained
professional delivers assurance of the safe condition of electrical devices and leads to Australian Standard ASNZ 3760:2010 being maintained. In-Service Safety Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (ASNZ 3760) can assist in complying with Occupational Health & Safety legislation within each State. Getting this work performed by qualified electricians has the added bonus that any defects can also be rectified at the time of testing. Another common problem is incorrect use of extension leads, double adapters and power boards, which can lead to overloading of electrical circuits. Overloading not only creates the inconvenience of tripping protective breakers, but it can also create a fire hazard. Regular load testing and digital testing of protected power points, circuits and distribution boards by professionals will ensure a safe environment is maintained.
While a godsend on chilly winter mornings and scorching summer days the addition of air conditioning and heating units/systems can also compromise electrical infrastructure.To prevent relief becoming a hazard it is essential to conduct an electrical assessment prior to major installations.This will protect electricity supply and minimise fire risk due to overloading. If an emergency does occur it is essential that vital lighting systems are all working properly. Scheduled auditing of exit, emergency and external lighting systems to Australian Standard ASNZ 2293 will provide confidence in security and safety systems should they be needed. For peace of mind we recommend that electrical testing and tagging of appliances along with the above mentioned services are performed to Australian Standards.This in turn will ensure that legislative requirements are adhered to within the OH &S Act within the state you reside in.
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UCA CONFERENCE
UCA President’s welcome It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the University Colleges Australia 2014 Conference in Adelaide.
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he national executive has accomplished much since the 2012 Canberra Conference; hosting a mini-conference in 2013 on Youth Mental Health at Broadbeach on the Gold Coast, holding strategic meetings with university executive members around Australia and visiting the local chapters at the University of Western Australia, Macquarie University and UNSW. A number of other relevant and interesting projects have been undertaken on your behalf by the executive.The Conference program has been planned to allow time to discuss these projects and to address other issues currently facing our sector.
Another important role the executive plays is to provide a panel of peer mentors for those involved in residential leadership. In this capacity, one of the most frequent conversations I have with members is in relation to governance and organisational structure issues. Whether the member is working within a university context, with an independent board or within a religious structure the issues are surprisingly similar. Hence the inclusion in this Conference of a strong component of governance professional development adapted for our sector by the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). The AICD is the leading organisation for governance education in Australia, with each ‘hands on course’ conducted by respected and experienced directors. Our headship roles provide a platform for influencing the quality of our organisations corporate governance and in turn, on the
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performance of the college or hall. At the same time, the external landscape is continually evolving and changing the demands on us. This conference will provide an opportunity to critically examine, explore and improve our own governance effectiveness. Sincere thanks for all of the time and effort put into arranging this Conference and particularly, to our local conference convenor Rose Alwyn, our organiser Bob Cope and our executive officer Deb Pugh. At times our roles can be lonely ones. Our Conference will enable us to share our common experiences and to be understood. The range of social events and college tours should also provide a good opportunity to renew friendships and to network with our peers. Adjunct Professor Iyla Davies President of University Colleges Australia
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UCA Conference
600 BEDS, FIRST AUSTRALIAN MULTI-RESIDENTIAL GREEN STAR RATING FOR SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION MONASH UNIVERSITY STUDENT HOUSING CLAYTON, VIC AWARDS RIBA International Award RAIA Frederick Romberg Award for Residential Architecture RAIA VIC Multiple Residential Architecture Award IDEA Multi Residential Award TDA Multi Residential New Buildings Runner Up
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UCA CONFERENCE
Message from UCA Conference Convenor This conference has been some time in the planning, and now we are ready to reap the results with a fantastic few days of professional development, seminars, discussions, dinners, events and the warmth of camaraderie and collegiality.
W
e have called the conference “Governance and Headship: Roles, Risks and Responsibilities in residential leadership”, which reflects the complexity and risks inherent in our roles and recognises headship as a profession. Working in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the conference organising committee is confident that
these three sessions will combine the best of professional development and practical application that will appeal to both the new and more experienced heads of Colleges and Halls. The topics of our keynote speakers and workshop sessions are also based on your feedback and reflect current issues in our Colleges and Halls as the Universities. The proposed changes within the higher education sector present some challenges for us all, and we will hear from leaders from all three major universities in Adelaide at a Q&A session entitled “Fees, futures and furphies: finding our way through fiscal change”. The support of sponsors has been fantastic and we have a social program with entertainment that will also enable plenty
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of time for heads to engage with one another in that all important ‘networking’ capacity. Please make the most of all the opportunities and enjoy them to the full! The Adelaide Chapter of UCA is delighted to welcome you back to South Australia– it’s been eleven years since we last hosted a heads of Colleges conference – so why not make the most of it and stay a while longer and explore the magnificent home grown produce and wines at the nearby Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley or McLaren Vale or just relaxing at Adelaide’s central markets – you’ll find it “heaps good”. Rose Alwyn Conference Convenor, University Colleges Australia
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UCA Conference
2014 StarRez UCA Conference Tuesday 30 September – Friday 3 October, InterContinental Hotel, Adelaide Governance and Headship: Roles, Risks and Responsibilities in Residential Leadership Programme Outline – Update@26 August Tuesday 30 September 5.00 – 7.00 pm
StarRez Welcoming Reception – at the InterContinental Hotel Own arrangements for Dinner
Wednesday 1 October 7.30 – 8.30
Registration at InterContinental Hotel Tea & Coffee on arrival
8.30 – 8.40
Conference Opening – Adjunct Professor Iyla Davies, Chair, University Colleges Australia
8.40 – 9.00
Professor Warren Bebbington – Vice-Chancellor, The University of Adelaide
9.00 – 10.30
AICD Governance Series for Heads of Colleges Duties and Responsibilities of the NFP Director Course Stream 1 Facilitator: Virginia Hickey FAICD Course Stream 2 Facilitator: Jane Jeffreys FAICD
10.30 – 10.45
Morning Tea
10.45 – 12.30
AICD Governance Series for Heads of Colleges Duties and Responsibilities of the NFP Director Course Stream 1 Facilitator: Virginia Hickey FAICD Course Stream 2 Facilitator: Jane Jeffreys FAICD
12.30 – 1.15
Lunch@InterContinental Hotel
1.15 – 1.30
Sponsor Presentation: University Stays
1.30 – 3.00
AICD Governance Series for Heads of Colleges Course Stream 1 – Strategy and Risk for the NFP Director, Facilitator: Amanda Rischbieth FAICD Course Stream 2 – The Board and the CEO, Facilitator: Mark Coleman FAICD
3.00 – 3.15
Afternoon Tea
3.15 – 5.00
AICD Governance Series for Heads of Colleges Course Stream 1 – Strategy and Risk for the NFP Director, Facilitator: Amanda Rischbieth FAICD Course Stream 2 – The Board and the CEO, Facilitator: Mark Coleman FAICD
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6.15
Transport to St Ann’s College (if required) Pre-Dinner Drinks
7.00
Hotel Space Opening Dinner – St Ann’s College: Vinh Giang, 2013 Entrepreneur of the Year, magician and professional speaker
9.30
Transport to InterContinental Hotel (if required)
Thursday 2 October 8.45 – 9.00
Housekeeping Tea & Coffee on arrival
9.00 – 10.30
AICD Governance Series for Heads of Colleges Course Stream 1 – The Board and the CEO, Facilitator: Mark Coleman FAICD Course Stream 2 – Strategy and Risk for the NFP Director, Facilitator: Amanda Rischbieth FAICD
10.30 – 10.45
Morning Tea
10.45 – 12.30
AICD Governance Series for Heads of Colleges Course Stream 1 – The Board and the CEO, Facilitator: Mark Coleman FAICD Course Stream 2 – Strategy and Risk for the NFP Director, Facilitator: Amanda Rischbieth FAICD
12.30 – 1.30
Lunch@InterContinental Hotel
1.30 – 1.45
Sponsor Presentation: StarRez
1.45 – 2.30
What can the collegiate experience do to support Indigenous students? Speakers to include: Deborah Bland and Matthew Graham, Wirltu Yarlu Aboriginal Education Unit, The University of Adelaide, Session Facilitator: Rose Alwyn, Master, St Mark’s College
2.30 – 3.00
Member Papers: Dr Damian Powell, Principal, Janet Clarke Hall, The University of Melbourne, Session Facilitator: Rose Alwyn, Master, St Mark’s College
3.00 – 3.30
AACUHO & NAAUC Reports: Edwina Ellicott, President of AACUHO and Boyd Paterson, President of NAAUC
3.30 – 3.45
Afternoon Tea
3.45 – 5.00
Optional College Tours: St Mark’s College & Aquinas College or Free Time
6.15
Transport to St Mark’s College (if required) Pre-Dinner Drinks
7.00
Sodexo Dinner: St Mark’s College Presentation of Honorary Life Member Awards
9.30
Transport to InterContinental Hotel (if required)
9.15 – 9.30
Housekeeping Tea & Coffee on arrival
9.30 – 10.15
Annual General Meeting
10.15 – 10.45
Association Reports: National Census of Colleges, Halls and 100+ Commercial Student Accommodation Providers Mr Peter McDonald, Tertiary Balance, Session Facilitator: Dr Ian Walker, Head of Ursula Hall and Toad Hall
10.45 – 11.00
State Reports
11.00 – 11.15
Morning Tea
11.15 – 11.35
Mr Andy Gourley, “Red Frogs” – new trends amongst the student population, Session Facilitator: Mrs Barbara Green, Principal, St Hilda’s College
11.35 – 1.00
ARC Linkage Grant Research, Alcohol Use in the Student Population Assoc. Prof. Toni Schofield and Dr Rose Leontini, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney. Prof. Julie Hepworth, School of Public Health, Queensland University of Technology, Session Facilitator: Dr Marie Leech, Principal, Sancta Sophia College
1.00 – 2.00
Lunch@Intercontinental Hotel
2.00 – 3.30
Q&A Panel Session – Fees, futures and furphies: finding our way through fiscal change Speakers to include: Professor Pascale Quester, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic) Adelaide University; Professor Andrew Parkin, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Flinders University; and Professor Allan Evans, Provost & Chief Academic Officer, University of South Australia; Dr Ian Walker, Head of Ursula Hall and Toad Hall, Session Facilitator: Adjunct Professor Iyla Davies, Head of College & CEO, The Women’s College
3.30 – 4.00
Afternoon Tea & End of Conference
Friday 3 October
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Major student accommodation provider
Multiple locations in close proximity to university
Why THE PAD?
Strong focus on a positive student experience by our people
Rent includes furnishing, internet, utilities and cleaning
Student Accommodation Operator
1300 843 273 www.thepad.com.au 44
www.adbourne.com
Special Interest
Student housing – A friend for everyone Student housing is quick becoming the topic of conversation among people in Australia. It is difficult to pin point exactly when student housing emerged as a focal point however, the market is moving quickly to grasp this new found friend.
T
he student housing market in Australia has been (and still is) characterised by a significant shortage of appropriate accommodation supply. Across Australia current student beds supplied account for only approximately 10% of total student bed demand (and only approximately half that, that is, circa 5% on campus). Considering bed demand numbers nationally is into the hundred’s of thousands, this makes for a very large gap in bed numbers in nominal terms. Students attracted to Australia’s tertiary education system have in the main been required to source accommodation by their own means and the private rental market (which has accounted for approximately 70% of housing for students) has seen a marked upswing in the demand for their rental properties by students willing to rent a room in a larger property with others. It is important to note here, that the private rental market does have an important role to play in offering affordable accommodation through a diversity of housing choices, although, there is a growing concern about the suitability or otherwise of this part of the student accommodation market. There is no question that students and universities alike are seeking higher levels of safety and welfare for their accommodation needs. In response, attempts have been made to establish greater regulation around the need for minimum standards around safety and welfare as it relates to student accommodation. Further, industry has identified the importance that a positive student experience has on a student’s desire to remain enrolled for an extended period to see out their course and included in this is a student’s residential life experience. This shift in focus on enhancing student accommodation is resulting in positive outcomes for both students and universities and we are now seeing an advent of a proliferation of supply coming to market, together with the emergence of multiple specialist student accommodation operators. In a recent survey undertaken, 63% of students selected branding as the key determinant for their student accommodation preference whilst location came in a distant second with only 23%. There is a clear desire to stay in accommodation that is tailored to students needs and currently Australia, in the main, cannot satisfy this need.
The Australasian Student Residences Management Journal
Importantly the growth in demand for student beds is not abating with Australia expecting an additional 117,000 international students by 2020, being a 30% increase on today’s numbers (Source: Australia – Educating Globally Feb 27, 2013 Final Report). Further, international students mobility globally is increasing with the number of international students studying outside their country of origin, doubling from 2.1 million to 4.1 million between 2000 and 2010 and expected to exceed 7 million by 2020 with Australia ranking now in the top three destinations globally. The increase in numbers globally is expected to come mainly from Asia’s growing new middle class with Asia now accounting for almost 80% of Australia’s international enrolments. Not surprisingly, China leads the international student enrolments in Australia with approximately 150,000 enrolments when compared with the other Asian countries, and has almost 60% of its enrolments undertaking higher education study (Source: AEI International). The macro story is well understood by the private sector too and there is currently more than $1 billion of planned investment in student accommodation in Australia. The Australian market is maturing quickly with major banks showing strong interest, as are equity funds both local and international wishing to invest in Australia’s student accommodation market. There is some catch up here playing out and if we look to the UK experience over the last 15 plus years we can see how what has traditionally been a cottage based market can mature into a more sustainable playing field. The east coast of Australia is enjoying much of the attention from the private sector market wanting to invest heavily in the student accommodation sector. New South Wales accounts for circa 34% of total student enrolments nationally (domestic and international); Victoria approximately 27% and Queensland approximately 20.5% with Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory and Canberra accounting for the balance (Source: AEI International). Accordingly, student accommodation is in the front of everyone’s mind at present and in my own experience not a day goes by without someone wanting to discuss the topic of student accommodation. For too long now student accommodation has taken a back seat or not been seen a true friend for a number of reasons and has lagged behind in responding to the needs of the market. It is pleasing to see student accommodation is now getting the attention it deserves given the important role it must play in responding to the needs of students and finally student accommodation is now a friend for everyone.
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Special Interest
Are you really that different? Ben Lopez | Director, Paper Monkey
Every higher education institute is proclaiming they are different. Some are really shouting about it while others are quietly putting the message out there in the community. But, when it comes down to the nuts and bolts of it (and be very honest about this) how different are you from every other residential college?
Y
our logo might look different however, at a guess, it’s probably still based on a crest, the same as many other colleges.Your communications material might feature happy students who attend your college — why wouldn’t it. You might have the best accommodation available to students but only until someone else builds something better. For a parent or student selecting a residential college, it seems clear that pretty much every college is in fact offering exactly the same as its competitors!
in your marketing.You already know who your’re marketing to — you just need to know what to market to them. The key is simply to be different. Identify what it is that sets yourself apart from other colleges and actively use it to be different. Steer away from the pack and stand-out from the crowd. Becoming highly visible in the marketplace will make your target audience pay attention, and in doing so, realise what it is that you offer that they can’t get at any other college. Continuing to mimic your competitors will ultimately become a race to the bottom of the barrel. Differentiating from your competitors will put you in a league of your own and make your college unique. If your uniqueness is based on what your users hold dear, you will not only attract more students — you will attract the right students.That’s something that every college should want.
You are probably aware of the following ‘differentiators’ because you may well use them to sell your college — ‘a well-rounded experience’, ‘preparing global citizens’, ‘a safe environment’, ‘a sense of community’, ‘a convenient locality’, ‘modern facilities’, ‘price’. However, as competing colleges are using the same differentiators, these are hardly unique selling points. How can you expect potential students be drawn to your institution if it’s being sold in exactly the same way as the college across the road? In the end, you will be judged on factors that you might not necessarily have any control over — location, price, social media chit-chat. If that wasn’t enough, tightening budgets, increasing costs and intensifying competition are making your life much more stressful, not least because your international student market isn’t as reliable as it was a few years ago. The combination of tougher student visa regulations and migration rules, the strong Australian dollar and the now questionable claim of a ‘safe place for international students to study’ has meant they are beginning to look for something different, somewhere else.The bright lights of America or the vast historical offerings of Europe are suddenly much more attractive than Australia, reducing the quantity of students looking for accommodation. However everyone else is in the same boat at the moment so maybe this is your opportunity to distance yourself from the pack. And if you don’t, someone else will seize the initiative and beat you to it. Often what the college head believes to be the college’s point of difference is, is not what the students truly value. It can often be something that money can’t buy. Find out what it is that student and their parents really value about the college — that way you know what aspects of your college to emphasise
The Australasian Student Residences Management Journal
INTERNATIONALLY AWARDED SPECIALISTS IN VISUAL STRATEGY AND GRAPHIC DESIGN FOR COLLEGES
Looking for more students, or just the right students? We engage with your students and staff to distil what is unique about your college, to help you target your marketing.
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SPECIAL INTEREST
DRUGS: Less Knowledge = Higher Use
Ashley Gurney | Managing Director and Founder, AlcoCups
A
s children we are taught many important life lessons ‘never accept candy from strangers’, ‘don’t answer the front door if we are not expecting a visitor’, ‘always look right, then left then right again when crossing the road’. However when teaching young people about drugs what are teaching them?
The classic terms ‘Don’t do Drugs’ or “Drugs are Bad’ just does not suffice when educating young adults and future leaders. According to the latest data from the UN World Drug Report Australia has the highest illicit drug use of any other country in the world. Approximately 17% of Australians aged between 15-24 have used an illicit substance in the past 12 months.
More staggering, Australia has the highest Ecstasy use in the world. An incredible 11% of people, aged between 15-24 years of age, have used the illicit substance during their lifetime. AlcoCups have surveyed more than 7,500 Australians, aged between 15-30, over the past 3 years regarding drug knowledge. Less than 3% of those surveyed could name more than 3 substances used to create the drug Ecstasy. What these statistics outline is young Australian’s willingness to use Ecstasy without any knowledge of what they are putting into their bodies.
Book Your 2015 Student Leader Training Today
Increasing understanding and knowledge regarding illicit drugs significantly reduces illicit drug use.The Netherlands have identified this and successfully implemented strategies around education and understanding.
alcohol & drug
education specialists
It is well documented that in Amsterdam people are able to purchase cannabis from licensed venues and distributors. Approximately 25% of people from the Netherlands have used cannabis at least once in their lifetime. Compared to Australia where more than 33% of people have used cannabis at least once in their lifetime.
TRAINING
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Standard Drink Pouring Educational Kit Resources include The Standard Drink Cup, Standard Drink Magnet, 800ml Standard Drinks Water Bottle, B.A.C. Wallet Card. Experts in providing harm minimisation and information resources regarding alcohol. Resources endorsed by the Australian Drug Foundation (ADF). Personalise each resource by having your college logo attached.
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AlcoCups believe that using innovative, interactive and informative approaches to drug education significantly reduces drug use. Furthermore significantly reducing the harms and risks associated with drugs for individuals, families and communities. As professionals we need to accept responsibility to continually deliver and develop drug educational messages in order to influence cultural change. Empowering our young Australians and future leaders, regarding drug information, will change the current drug culture in Australia. Let’s work towards teaching our young leaders and communities to ‘not except candy from strangers’.
For Bookings or to place an Order for Resources contact AlcoCups on: (03) 9863 6845, 0488 551 543 or email contact@alcocups.com
Order Your Resources for O’week 2015
Bottle
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How is this possible you might ask, well it is simple.The Netherlands provide more money into the development and delivery of educational programs regarding cannabis and illicit drugs. Therefore enabling people to make a more informed decision about drugs which results in a reduction in illicit drug use.
Understanding Your
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Understanding Your
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Drinking
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Specialists in providing alcohol & drug education training. Innovative, interactive and engaging sessions. Enhances student leaders and residents knowledge of alcohol & other drugs. Train the Trainer now available enabling Student Leaders to provide alcohol & drug education sessions to fellow residents.
Hours Spent
•
Proud Silver sponsor of AACUHO
Dellis Commercial Dellis Commercial is a partnership specialising in the manufacture, supply, placement and long term maintenance of commercial grade furniture for the hotel, labor housing, mining and student housing industries.
D
ellis Commercial has a range of partnerships with local manufacturers and international suppliers of quality commercial-grade furniture that is suitable for cafe & restaurant fit outs, aged care, hospital/doctor waiting room furniture, boarding house furniture, universities, boutique
30 key 5 star hotels through to 1,000 bed purpose built student accommodation buildings.
Servicing the following industries:
As well as the supply and placement of furniture, Dellis Commercial delivers long term peace of mind with a fully fledged, local service offering to ensure your furniture is kept at its optimum throughout the life of the building. This includes cost-effective re-upholstering structurally sound furniture after it’s initial life cycle.
• HOTELS
Dellis Commercial guarantees the quality and workmanship of its furniture. Every Dellis Commercial item will be delivered as agreed.
• MOTELS
• STUDENT ACCOMODATION • UNIVERSITIES ACCOMODATION • BOARDING HOUSES • REAL ESTATE • HOSPITALITY For more information, call 02 9319 7518 or visit www.dellisfurniture.com
Dellis Furniture are specialists in Australian custom made furniture. We service the following industries: • MOTELS/HOTELS • STUDENT ACCOMODATION • UNIVERSITIES ACCOMODATION
(02) 9319 7518
I
• BOARDING HOUSES • REAL ESTATE • HOSPITALITY
www.dellisfurniture.com
advertorial
PRODUCT NEWS
Back Frame Black nylon fibre back frame provide flexs comfortably as you lean back Backrest A breathable polyester mesh suspension allows improved ventilation, to provide exceptional thermal comfort
NEW COLLECTION – Gas Lift, Academic, Conference and Visitors Chairs
Lumbar Support Stretchable lumbar support can be freely fit to your spinal curve Armrest 4-way armrest adjusts for 10 cm in height, 6 cm in depth, can swivel into 3 angular positions and 5 cm in width Base Studio base allows extra clearance for your feet movement. This standard base is moulded of polypropylene in black
Especially designed for use in University Student Residential Living, Academic and Conference areas. Innovative design and leading edge quality at highly competitive prices. ESIE Gas Lift Chair features advanced swivel tilt mechanism, with tilt tension control, multi position tilt lock and pneumatic seat height control, plus comfortable mesh back and loop arms.
Initial stocks arriving October. Enquires on these new products are welcome to Phil Ellis on 0412 357 499 OR email phil@directproducts.net.au
Seat The 3D contour of the seat cushion provides a comfortable seat whilst working
Chair Mechanism Advanced swiveltilt mechanism provides tilt tension control, multi position tilt lock and pneumatic seat height control
Victorian Educational Furniture (VEF) Victorian Educational Furniture (VEF) is an Australian company, part of a family-owned and operated group that has been operating in the furniture industry since 1992. Part of the VE Concepts Group, we have an extensive range of furnishing product and services that we provide within the Australian marketplace. We have been providing quality, well-priced FF & E services for all tiers of the educational sector and have been developing innovative furnishing solutions that have a strong emphasis on space-efficient design.
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Soft-Back (Optional) Cushion on backrest creating more comfort touch on our back
It is in this arena that we see great potential for working with student residential housing providers. We offer more than individual product we provide complete space solutions. We are a specialist manufacturer and importer of furniture and components, specifically designed to meet the diverse needs of the educational, training, residential, library and commercial market sectors. Our extensive warehousing facilities, in total 160,000 square feet, with in excess of $3 million in stock, ensures that we can deliver your furniture requirements with minimal delay. Our in-house design capabilities are broad with our development team, Industrial designers, Product Engineer and CAD / estimator and Interior designer, focusing on product research & development. We specialize in designing innovative furniture solutions for your diverse needs.
For further information, contact: 1300 96 66 40 www.adbourne.com
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Our SV8d is absolutely FANTASTIC!! We've found it's particularly great for deodorising our rooms, cleaning curtains and refreshing carpets. Purchasing the SV8D steam vac is the BEST investment we've ever made for the facility and comfort of our residents. Pattie - Injilinji Aged Care Centre Just a quick note to let you know that our machines are going great, we are constantly amazed by what they can do. Tammy—Forster Private Hospital I use the SV8D steam cleaner daily. It's the best machine for spot cleaning stains off carpets, windows, curtains and cleaning bathrooms from top to bottom. Every aged care facility should have one. Sherrie– Autumn Lodge Aged Care
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