STUDENT ACCOMMODATION
THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF APSAA
March 2020 Volume 4 Issue 1
2020 StarRez APSAA Conference Adelaide Convention Centre
11–14 May 2020
PP324494/0062
www.apsaa.org.au/conference
PRE- CONFERENCE EDITION
Connect. Learn. Share. Think.
APAC Sept 8 & 9 Sydney, Australia StarRez Connect is a series of global events provide an opportunity to learn and share knowledge. We are passionate about connecting with the community and providing opportunities for the community to grow and develop relationships with one another. Visit starrez.com/connect for more information. Europe March 12 London, England
Global 2020 July 12-14 San Diego, CA
Conference Connect For our Conference users 2020 TBD
CONTENTS
Contents 19
16
NEWS From APSAA From the Editor Industry Movements APSAA NATIONAL OFFICE PO Box 7345 Beaumaris VIC 3193 T: 03 9586 6055 F: 03 9586 6099 E: admin@apsaa.org.au EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Honi McNaughton (Editor) Areti Metuamate ADVERTISING Honi McNaughton T: +61 3 9586 6055 E: idm@apsaa.org.au DESIGNER Perry Watson Design DISCLAIMER This journal is copyright and all rights are reserved. Apart from any use as permitted under the copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced without prior written permission. All reasonable efforts have been made to obtain permission to use copyright material reproduced. Every effort has been made to obtain accurate information for this publication. The views expressed in this journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of APSAA.
New Zealand update Asia update Professional Development Committee Update Industry Advancement Committee Update A Day in My Team
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FEATURES
3 4 5 7 8 10 11 34
Benefits of APSAA Membership
12
2020 StarRez APSAA Conference Preview
19
APSAA Excellence Awards: A New Approach
22
APSAA Learning: Boost your professional development in 2020
26
INDUSTRY ISSUES QLD RTA Update TEQSA: Key Risk Findings
18 32
FACILITIES & BUILDING DEVELOPMENT Auckland University Building Developments
16
STUDENT EXPERIENCE & WELLBEING NZQA: New Code of Practice for Pastoral Care in NZ
30
MANAGEMENT, OPERATIONS & FINANCE Career in Profile: Cameron Bestwick
28
ADVERTORIALS MOVE-IN
14
Student Accommodation March 2020  1
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NEWS
From APSAA Marion Bayley APSAA President, General Manager, Deakin Residential Services
Welcome to the March edition of Student Accommodation, our first publication for 2020 and the new decade. What a start to the year we’ve had! No one could have anticipated that off the back of the challenges of 2019 faced in our region; we would commence 2020 in a declared ‘global health emergency’ facing the complexities that the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has presented us with. Once again, the resilience, professionalism and speed of response from our members has been extremely evident and something we should all be proud of.
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rrangements are all but complete for the 2020 StarRez APSAA Conference in Adelaide and the program is shaping up to be one of the best delivered for our industry. We were extremely happy to receive so many outstanding abstract submissions from our membership. These have been shortlisted and chosen to complement the plenary sessions and keynote speakers that we have on offer. You really don’t want to miss out on the industry’s biggest annual conference. Work has been done by the Conference Committee, in conjunction with the Board on the revamped APSAA Awards that take place at the conference dinner. We are very excited to announce that there will be recognition opportunities for Residential Colleges, University owned and Commercial providers to reflect our diverse sector for each of the Excellence Awards. We are also proud to announce the addition of the Excellence in Sustainability Goals award, to recognise all of the work that has been undertaken in this area across our industry. This also represents our ongoing commitment to leave
as little impact on our environment as possible – something you will see throughout the conference. You can read more about the Conference and awards on pages 19-24. APSAA Learning continues to deliver opportunity in 2020 for any professional development you may be undertaking for yourself or the teams you manage. Check out the events calendar on the website which has all the details for the full year – there’s also more information on pages 26-27.
As we move into a new decade, I am sure we will continue to face new challenges and change will continue to be the new normal. That is why it is so important to celebrate our successes, remain focused on our purpose and stay ahead of the game by keeping our networks and skills as current as possible. I hope that you enjoy this edition of Student Accommodation and I look forward to seeing many of you at the 2020 StarRez APSAA Conference this May in Adelaide.
As we move into a new decade, I am sure we will continue to face new challenges and change will continue to be the new normal. That is why it is so important to celebrate our successes, remain focused on our purpose and stay ahead of the game by keeping our networks and skills as current as possible.
Student Accommodation March 2020 3
NEWS
From the Editor There’s no doubt 2020 has begun with a fierce focus on the environment and our human condition. Our industry is undergoing extreme pressure from external forces and as an industry association, APSAA is at the forefront supporting members throughout these issues.
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ow is the time to look ahead and to focus on what else we can achieve this year – as individuals and as a collective. The 2020 StarRez APSAA Conference is just around the corner and we encourage members to nominate for an award. These awards have been restructured for each sector: University, College and PBSA. There are a range of individual and group categories that are the pinnacle of student accommodation. We have also introduced a new award – the APSAA Excellence Award for Sustainable Goals. It is based on the United Nations Sustainable Goals program and we look forward to announcing the first industry recipient at the Awards Dinner on Wednesday 13 May at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
EDITORIAL TEAM Honi McNaughton Honi is the Industry Development Manager for APSAA. With close to twenty years’ experience in communications, events, media, public affairs and issues management, she has worked in Industry Associations and the Corporate sector.
Areti Metuamate Areti is Dean at St Marks College, Adelaide. Previous roles include: Deputy Master and Director of Student Experience at St Albert’s College, Armidale, Vice Master of Wesley College (Uni Sydney), Deputy Head of Toad Hall (ANU), and On Call Deputy Principal at Burgmann College (ANU).
In this edition you can read about new building developments from Auckland University and we focus on some industry issues with information provided from the governing authorities. We also focus on APSAA Learning and encourage you to register your CPD points before 1 April to be recognised at the Conference – if you have reached 100 CPD points – if not there’s still time with a range of events, webinars and your own activities to log and gain CPD points. On that note, we have announced the new dates for GHTI and the APSAA Industry Guidelines Workshop and the APSAA Book Club is now accepting members. We are excited about the forthcoming 2020 StarRez APSAA Conference and we encourage you to make the most of your complimentary registration as a member and also register your well deserving staff members as this conference always produces incredible professional development opportunities through dedicated learning sessions and the overall focus of the conference through the streams offered under APSAA’s Industry Guidelines of Management, Operations & Finance, Student Experience & Wellbeing and Facilities & Development. There really is something for everyone at any level of their professional development. And remember, if you have a story or feature you would like included in a forthcoming edition – please email me directly. idm@apsaa.org.au Honi McNaughton Editor, Student Accommodation
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APSAA NEW MEMBERS We welcome the following new member who has joined APSAA since our last Journal edition. APSAA now represents over 90% of student accommodation providers across the Asia-Pacific. A full listing of APSAA Institution and Corporate members can be found on the APSAA website. New Member – Institution
INDUSTRY NEWS
Lynda Mathey has been appointed to the role of College Director (January 2020) at UC College, University of Canberra she previously held the role of Academic Director at this establishment.
The University of Queensland has named Curtin University leader Deborah Terry as its next vice-chancellor to replace Peter Hoj.
Casey White has been appointed new College Dean of Undergraduates at St Paul’s College. Casey is an award-winning education leader with extensive experience in collegiate communities and strategically implementing improvements for student experience. The new Dean will lead the undergraduate community at St Paul’s as it continues to implement its commitment to cultural renewal. Casey will be joining the team at St Paul’s second week of March 2020. AXA, Allianz, APG and Scape Australia JV buys Urbanest
Macquarie University has appointed Dr Martin Parkinson as their new Chancellor. He is a public servant of more than 30 years who served as secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet since 2016.
A new Australian student accommodation partnership made up of AXA IM – Real Assets, Allianz Real Estate, Dutch pensions group APG and Scape Australia has acquired Urbanest’s A$2bn student accommodation portfolio. The venture is expected to raise A$1.5bn in equity and build up a portfolio worth A$4bn.
Susan Helyar has been appointed as the new Director Residential Experience at ANU.
Student Accommodation March 2020 5
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US CH AT W IT H A AT TH E AP SA CE CO NF ER EN , IN AD EL AIDE M AY 20 20
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NEWS
New Zealand update Amy Valentine President, NZATEAP, Head of Halls, Massey University, Manawatu
Tēnā koutou kātoa. Wow – when we thought things couldn’t get any busier… it did!
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s with most of you, all Halls across New Zealand have just welcomed their new cohort of residents for 2020, while working around consequences of this global issue. Alongside this challenge, as at the 1st of January, new legislation was put in place regarding pastoral care requirements for tertiary students in New Zealand, which directly impacts student accommodation. You can read more about this on pages 30-31. The quick turnaround of the legislation means that most institutions have been busily trying to identify how their current policies and procedures align to the new Code of Practice. This is being carried out while also ensuring that RA training content also reflects this, and of course running that training… and opening new buildings, and
undergoing restructures, and understanding future implications of new approaches to teaching and learning in the digital space, and so on! This is student accommodation. Each year, we come back, because despite the many and varied challenges – we love what we do. We make a difference – all of us; and the rewards are immeasurable. You’re not in it alone. It is an extremely busy time, it is stressful, and you will likely receive many more complaints than thanks. However, the memories that are created, the fun that is had, the reassurance and support that is received, and the lives that are impacted, makes it all worthwhile. The dust will settle, and the chaos will subside. You’ll have made it. Enjoy your residents, enjoy your colleagues, enjoy gaining new skills and learnings from the challenges. Happy 2020 people!
The dust will settle, and the chaos will subside. You’ll have made it. Enjoy your residents, enjoy your colleagues, enjoy gaining new skills and learnings from the challenges.
Student Accommodation March 2020 7
NEWS
Daniel Lee APSAA Board Member and Director, The Purple House, Malaysia
Asia update: Coronavirus impact on Student Accommodation
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s the higher education sector has become increasingly globalized, the outbreak of the Novel- coronavirus has caused real concern amongst students, parents and institutions around the world. The timing of the outbreak has also been unfortunate as most universities are on the tail end of the traditional December-January study breaks and are expecting students to return to campus soon. Many Asian universities that host a large number of students from China are also expecting a high number of students returning from China after the Chinese New Year holidays. The situation has prompted universities throughout Asia to put in place measures to monitor and prevent the spread of the virus. The general response from Asian universities has been to delay the start of the first semester for 2020 and postpone orientation activities to later in the semester. The knock-on effect of delaying the semester start may impact the check-in dates for students returning in February and March 2020. The following are some measures taking place in various Asian countries.
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Malaysia The Malaysian Health Ministry and Education Ministry are working to identify students and lecturers who have recently returned from China, and to isolate any possible ill individuals. Identified asymptomatic (not showing any symptoms) individuals will be placed under home surveillance for 14 days (self-quarantine) and will be given a Health Warning Card and Home Assessment Tool indicating possible symptoms and what to do in case they arise. The Malaysian Education Ministry has also temporarily halted the approval of student enrolments for students originating from Wuhan City and Hubei Province. On Borneo island, the state of Sabah has declared that all incoming flights from China will be suspended/banned for the time being. The Sarawak state government has also disallowed students from China, who are studying in the state, from re-entering Sarawak after their Chinese New Year holidays in China.
Singapore The Singaporean government has requisitioned some of the blocks (about 1,000 beds) at the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) Prince George’s Park Residences, the Nanyang Technological University’s (NTU) Graduate Hall 1, and the Singapore Management University’s (SMU) Prinsep Street Residences to serve as quarantine zones for suspected cases of the Wuhan virus.
Unfortunately, existing residents were only alerted to move out on Sunday 26 Jan 2020 and were given only 24 hours to do so. Some residents were even moved to rooms which were not of the same price/standard as their existing rooms. Despite the expected unhappiness of some residents, this extraordinary move by the Singaporean authorities highlights the seriousness of the situation. The Singaporean Ministry of Education has ordered all students and school staff who returned from mainland China from 15 January 2020 to take 14 days leave of absence – which mirrors the coronavirus incubation period. The National University of Singapore has also introduced a new rule whereby students who flout 14 day leave of absence rule will face a one-month suspension.
South Korea The South Korean government have also announced a similar 2 week leave of absence for staff and students returning from China. The country has more than 69,000 students from China, which make up 43% of all its international students. Korean universities are considering cancelling or postponing campus orientation events so that students can delay their flights from China. Korean University and Yonsei University have cancelled Korean language classes for foreign students while Ewha Woman’s University said it had cancelled all group campus tours. The Korean Education Ministry are in talks with universities on how to manage upcoming graduation ceremonies.
NEWS
Thailand Chulalongkorn University have advised students and staff returning from China to take a leave of absence for 14 days for observation purposes and to prevent the possible spread of the coronavirus.
Philippines The Philippine government has decided to stop issuing visas on arrival to Chinese nationals to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Discrimination of People of Chinese Descent As reported by the Wall Street Journal on 2 February 2020, ‘Chinese travelers and communities overseas are becoming targets for anger, sometimes in ways that are amplifying long-held biases and anti-Chinese sentiments.’
It has been reported that people of Chinese descent have experienced offensive behavior in countries from Australia to Canada and the U.K. due to the coronavirus outbreak. In Malaysia, which contains a large ethnic Chinese population, the Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has attempted to prevent discrimination saying that the Malaysian government will not have a policy to turn Chinese people away from local museums and mosques.
APSAA members are no doubt aware of the situation and will by now have taken preventive measures to protect their students while also being considerate of the difficult situation facing students from China and others of Chinese descent. *Please note that the coronavirus issue is a developing situation and the above is correct at the time of writing 6 February 2020.
A Singaporean undergraduate who recently returned from China and was on a leave of absence was not allowed back into his off campus rented property by his landlord. He was forced to undergo self-quarantine at a budget hotel before being allowed back to his rented room.
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NEWS
Professional Development Committee Update Laura Burge Chair APSAA PD Committee, Student Experience Manager Deakin Residential Services
2020 is already shaping up to be a big year both for APSAA overall and the PD Committee in particular.
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e were very excited to be a part of the launch of the 2020 APSAA Learning Calendar released as part of the Student Accommodation Journal in December last year. Providing this calendar of learning events in advance, including our monthly Weekday Webinars, annual conference and study tour, will assist members in forward planning and budgeting professional development opportunities for the year ahead. We are also particularly thrilled to be in a position to promote the first two webinars for the year in March (Restorative Practice with Gemma Edgar, UON) and April (Energy Saving Tips with Sri Valen, Purple House, Malaysia). Behind the scenes the PD Committee have also been strategizing to determine main priorities and goals for the year ahead. Focus for 2020 will be centred on: • Continuing to provide an annual calendar of APSAA Learning events for members • Providing a range of events which meet the broad needs and interests of our members both in terms of expertise (student experience, marketing, facilities and development, management and operations) and geography (Australia, New Zealand and Asia-Pacific). • Increasing member awareness and engagement with APSAA Learning offerings, in particular our CPD offering and APSAA Qualifications. • Ensuring a diverse program of weekday webinars for
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the year, and a streamlined experience for those members in attendance from registration through to evaluation. • Launching an APSAA Book Club for interested members via our online portal. • Careful consideration of all submissions for the 2020 Conference to ensure value, relevance and transferability.
Keen to get more involved in 2020? There are a number of ways in which we’d love to see more involvement and engagement from our members – why not pick one (or more) from the options below and add this to your professional development plan for the year? • Nominate yourself (or a colleague) to facilitate a Weekday Webinar. Complete the submission form available online to express an interest and a member of the APSAA team will be in contact to discuss this further with you. • Attend any one of our APSAA Learning Events (Weekday Webinars, APSAA Qualifications, Conference, GHTI etc.) to earn valuable CPD Points. • Write an article for our Student Accommodation Journal. Not
sure what to write, or how to start? One of our APSAA Team can assist you in topic ideas and how to craft your submission. • Register to attend our annual conference so that for 2021 you can consider submitting a conference presentation. • Interested in chatting with likeminded colleagues on a more regular basis? Why not join one of our online discussion forums. We have a number of private discussion boards that you can join to stay in the loop with industry updates. • Finally, have you already had a good (or not so good?) experience when attending a webinar, networking event, GHTI, or completing an APSAA Qualification? Either way, we’d love to hear from you, and we’d love for you to share your perspective so that we can make improvements, or so that you can encourage others to also get involved by contacting education@apsaa.org.au. Thanks as always go to our PD Committee members – Cameron, Sarah, Daniel, Gemma, Lynda and Jacob for the tireless work behind the scenes. We look forward to a productive and successful year!
We were very excited to be a part of the launch of the 2020 APSAA Learning Calendar released as part of the Student Accommodation Journal in December last year – visit the APSAA Learning/Event Calendar page.
NEWS
Industry Advancement Committee Update Tomas Johnsson Chair APSAA IAC, UniLodge CEO
Our resilience as an industry is getting thoroughly tested with the most challenging period on record playing out. Significant bush fires around Australia dominated world news over the holiday season and adversely affected many. Our sector responded strongly and effectively – only to be faced with a bigger challenge: Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). At the time of this report, travel restrictions out of China and 14-day selfisolation for people in risk-categories is enforced. There is uncertainty around further restrictions or when in the future the spread might slow down to a degree where travel restrictions might ease. As an industry, our planning is centred around the safety of students and team members in our care, enabling flexible travel arrangements and facilitating self-isolation in the least disruptive possible way. Collaboration between Universities, other education providers, Industry associations and operators has been intense, and it is encouraging to note such strong response and willingness to cooperate. At this stage, it is a race against time: will the virus slow its transmission, and if so, will it happen fast enough to provide governments enough courage to ease the travel restrictions in time to salvage the first semester on 2020? Universities and other education providers have been very active in their plans to give students the very best chance with some alterations to starting dates and creative course deliveries. The Federal Education Minister has set up a taskforce for the industry to protect Australia’s position as a leading provider of education to international students. The taskforce has both the bush fires and Novel Coronavirus as priorities,
and whilst we do not have direct representation, many active channels have been utilised to great effect. IAC’s activity over this period has been reflective of that of our industry; working with partners, governments, colleagues and other stakeholders to respond effectively to the rapid changes. At the time of writing, no major incidents have been reported in our sector and we apply prudent processes to give the best chance to keep it that way. The best case scenario as we see it at this stage, is the slowing of transmission over the next few weeks, confirmed mortality rate below 2% and a subsequent release of travel restrictions – perhaps in the reverse order it was introduced with mainland China first and the higher risk Hubei region later. SARS ran its course over a few months which is clearly a very possible development for Novel Coronavirus as well. We are preparing for all eventualities. On other live issues, the Queensland Land Tax issue continues to evolve. For those not familiar with the topic, Queensland Government announced a shock increase to land tax, moving it up 0.25% for all and adding a foreign land tax surcharge of 2%. This effectively doubles the land tax for many properties. It was supposed to be implemented in June 2019, however strong advocacy effort has stalled implementation. It is now unlikely that land tax assessments will be issued before April 2020. We will have provided further comments to the Queensland Government prior to February 21 to support our case for ex- gratia relief, based on significant economic contribution and the importance of the education industry in a broader sense.
Changes to Residential Tenancies Acts across Australia continues to occupy the committee and other APSAA members. Changes are afoot in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia and we have representation in each jurisdiction. In Queensland, we are actively piloting their proposed on-line bond system. It is not geared for bulk treatment and international restrictions – which our industry needs to facilitate. Subject to these trials and RTA budget process, the system change is likely to be implemented mid-2020. In NSW, we have made representation to the Department of Planning and Environment on how best align student accommodation with the RTA and Boarding Houses Act. In Victoria, we have attended stakeholder consultation sessions and followed up with site visits in some of our properties to clearly demonstrate practical examples of design solutions that need to be contemplated for future planning. The common theme in these representations is the need for clear definitions for student accommodating that can be applied in our quest for exemptions, which we are now developing. On a different matter, the IAC has also reached out to Colleges in APSAA’s member base in an effort to define how we can better support this group. Thanks for your on-going support. Please contact us if you have any issue that you would like us to pursue, or better still, if you want to be involved please contact idm@apsaa.org.au.
Student Accommodation March 2020 11
F E AT U R E
Benefits of APSAA Membership APSAA is the peak industry body for all providers of post-secondary student accommodation in the Asia-Pacific region, along with their staff and individual professionals within the industry. Our large and diverse membership includes universities, private residential colleges, commercial providers and individuals.
APSAA Member Benefits APSAA Learning A CPD program & Tertiary Vocational Qualifications to boost your career
Receive Quarterly Student Accommodation Journal
Webinars
Annual Conference
Online professional development
APSAA members receive complimentary registration*
Representation
Industry Guidelines
Giving the student accommodation industry a voice
Learn ‘Best Practice’ industry programs to implement at your site
Scholarship
Study Tours
$1,000 scholarship to attend ACUHO-I Conference in USA
Visit state-of-the-art student accommodation sites and learn best practice
Awards Individual and Excellence Awards
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SAJ
GHTI Global Housing Training Institute. The only intensive professional development of its type in Asia-Pacific
F E AT U R E
Advancing the student accommodation industry through Leadership, Learning and Leverage. 6,000
APSAA Member Beds
Industry Snapshot – January 2020
Membership Snapshot – January 2020
APSAA members currently represent 108,438 student accommodation beds through the Asia-Pacific region with a projected growth of approximately 20,000 beds in the pipeline across Australia.
APSAA currently represents 83 member organisations with locations in all Australian states and territories, across New Zealand, in Malaysia as well as Singapore. That’s 90% of ALL student accommodation beds in Asia-Pacific.
643 14,836 5,662 3,429
29,273 9,985 22,953
APSAA Mission Statement
13,257
2,400
Leadership, Learning, Leverage. The core purpose of APSAA is to: • support and facilitate quality standards of service delivery in student accommodation • advocate for the sustainable economic and pedagogical benefits of student accommodation • be the leading professional organisation providing our members access to information and resources • be the leading association providing professional development to our members Our Institution and Corporate membership covers all staff working in student accommodation across three areas: Management, Operations and Finance; Student Experience & Wellbeing; Facilities and Development. Join today and boost your networking and professional development opportunities.
JOIN NOW! Contact admin@apsaa.org.au or join online www.apsaa.org.au Student Accommodation March 2020 13
ADVERTORIAL
MOVE-IN:
The Leading FF&E Specialists in Student Accommodation When we asked the team at Move-in what made them trailblazers of the industry, their non-traditional response was only fitting. “Reading copious amounts of text can be boring. Move-in’s approach to Student Accommodation is anything but. We’re passionate about the importance of creating inclusive, stimulating and practical spaces for students and we’re pretty proud of our work. Don’t take our word for it. We’ll let the numbers do the talking.”
Photography: Tess Kelly
14 www.apsaa.org.au
3272 The number of student’s lives impacted by Move-in student accommodation projects.
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Creating Communities Our designs focus on the importance of social spaces. Carefully curated areas encourage integration, getting students out of their rooms and into inspiring common areas. We’ve successfully installed:
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ADVERTORIAL
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We work closely with developers to truly understand the needs of their target demographic. Our proposed turn-key solutions are specifically designed with their end user in mind. A perfect combination of form and function.
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Let’s chat about your next project. Photography: Tom Ross
Student Accommodation March 2020  15
FAC I L I T I E S & B U I L D I N G D E V E LO P M E N T
Auckland University: Building for the future Auckland University currently offers 4,400 beds in both catered and self-catered residences. They have a range of exciting student accommodation developments underway as they work towards accommodating 7,500 students by 2026.
Waipārūrū Hall Construction is well underway at 35 Whitaker Place, the site of their newest Hall of Residence, Waipārūrū Hall. Waipārūrū will be the largest catered school leaver hall in New Zealand, with 786 beds in two towers located adjacent to Whitaker Hall. This exciting new build is scheduled to open in 2020.
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FAC I L I T I E S & B U I L D I N G D E V E LO P M E N T
Te Tirohanga o te TĹ?angaroa Construction of the newest self-catered addition to the accommodation community is well underway. Te Tirohanga, opening in 2020, will be home to 488 undergrad and postgrad students.
Carlaw Park Student Village: Stage Three Construction of the newest self-catered addition to the accommodation community is well underway. Te Tirohanga, opening in 2020, will be home to 488 undergrad and postgrad students.
Student Accommodation March 2020  17
INDUSTRY ISSUES
Natalie Townsend Acting Director – Customer Experience, Residential Tenancies Authority
Handy tools for student accommodation providers in Queensland
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The RTA website (rta.qld.gov.au) has a wide range of resources, including a handy house-hunting checklist for students and an outline of key items to consider before, during and after renting accommodation.
A range of resources and services from the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) are available to help all accommodation providers ensure they have the relevant information to support students renting in Queensland.
For prospective residents who may not be familiar with Queensland’s residential rental legislation, the RTA Contact Centre can provide information to help residents navigate the rental sector and clarify the obligations of residents and accommodation providers alike.
ith the new academic year well underway and students now settled in, you may now be turning your thoughts to how you can continue to engage and support your students in the months ahead, especially first-time renters.
Customers from a non-English-speaking background can access the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) free of charge to help clarify their rights and responsibilities when renting in Queensland. Customers can contact TIS on 131 450 during RTA hours of business (Mon–Fri, 8.30am–5pm) and TIS can then telephone the RTA to facilitate a conversation.
Delivering Networking Honours
Accommodation managers and providers who interact with residents regularly play an important role in recognising signs of domestic and family violence (DFV) and responding appropriately to provide support where possible. A DFV toolkit developed by Q Shelter and Real Estate Institute of Queensland contains useful tips for accommodation managers and providers on recognising and responding to a DFV situation. Visit rta.qld.gov.au/student-tools for a list of helpful resources for student accommodation providers in Queensland with links to further information. An important reminder that the PDF upload facility for bond refunds has been replaced by the RTA Web Service for bond refunds from 1 Feb 2020. RTA has ceased bulk printing of all forms and publications to further streamline services and help reduce the sector’s environmental footprint. Customers can still download forms and publications from our website and order single printed copies via the website or Contact Centre.
Easy to manage networks for an outstanding student experience. © 2020 Commscope Inc. All rights reserved.
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www.commscope.com
The RTA is continuing to make renting work for everyone and support customers through our digital optimisation and transition. If you require clarifications on Queensland legislation around student accommodation or further assistance with changes to RTA services, contact the RTA direct on 1300 366 311.
F E AT U R E : 2 0 2 0 C O N F E R E N C E
Pre-conference Program Visit the APSAA website to download your copy of the full itinerary. Tours can be booked individually or as a package. Here’s a snapshot of what’s included.
Bookings for the preconference multi day study tour must be made no later than 26 March 2020
MULTI DAY STUDY TOUR Wednesday 6 May, 2:00pm – Monday 11 May 2020, 4:30pm Wednesday 6 May 2020 • Delegates to make their own way to Perth • Tour, welcome drinks and dinner at the Student Housing Company • Overnight accommodation included at the Student Housing Company
ONE DAY STUDY TOUR
Thursday 7 May 2020 • Visits to Perth and Fremantle accommodation facilities, including Campus Perth, Murdoch University Village (CLV), the University of Notre Dame • Sightseeing in Fremantle • Overnight accommodation included at the Student Housing Company
Join us as we visit student accommodation facilities in Adelaide. In 2020 the One Day Study Tour will feature two streams. One focusing on Student Experience & Wellbeing and the other on Facilities & Development, offering participants a more tailored experience.
Friday 8 May 2020 • Visits to Perth accommodation facilities, including ECU Village Mt Lawley (CLV), Trinity Residential College UWA, St Catherine’s College, University Hall UWA • Sightseeing in Perth • Overnight accommodation included at the Student Housing Company Saturday 9 May 2020 • Visit to Perth accommodation facility, Curtin University • Flight from Perth to Adelaide included • Overnight accommodation included at the Intercontinental Adelaide
Delegates attending the Perth leg only conclude at 12:30pm. Sunday 10 May 2020 • Day trip to Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale and Hahndorf • Delegates to make their own accommodation arrangements from Sunday onwards • All Conference delegates are invited to register their attendance to this day trip Monday 11 May 2020 • Joining the One Day Study Tour – see details below
DAY TRIP Sunday 10 May, 9:00am – 6:00pm
If you are looking for an additional opportunity for networking and can’t make the Multi Day Study Tour, why not arrive a day earlier and join us, as we explore Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale and Hahndorf.
Monday 11 May, 8:30am – 4:30pm
Student Experience & Wellbeing • University of Adelaide, includes an overview of student accommodation in Adelaide and presentation by University of Adelaide Student Care & Wirltu Yarlu Indigenous Education on supporting needs of students in accommodation • Urbanest • St Mark’s College, including a presentation on student leader training programs • UniSA City West Campus, with briefing from Accommodation and Student Services and tour of Pridham Hall • UniLodge City Gardens • Flinders Living (Flinders Hall, Dierdre Jordan Village, Student Hub), including briefing on Flinders Village major developments Facilities & Development • University of Adelaide, includes an overview of student accommodation in Adelaide • dwell Student Living East End • UniSA Accommodation Services presentation and briefing on UniSA facilities redevelopment • UniLodge City Gardens • St Mark’s College, focusing on East Wing (accommodation, library, gym), Learning Commons and car park extension • Aquinas College, focusing on MacKillop House (dining hall, accommodation) • Flinders Living (Flinders Hall, Dierdre Jordan Village, Student Hub), including briefing on Flinders Village major developments Itineraries are correct at the time of printing and subject to change. Keep up to date via the APSAA website.
Student Accommodation March 2020 19
F E AT U R E : 2 0 2 0 C O N F E R E N C E
The 2020 StarRez APSAA Conference program is out now! Visit the APSAA website to download your copy today. The program features an exciting range of presenters exploring current industry issues and sharing successful outcomes.
Adelaide Convention Centre
11–14 May 2020 www.apsaa.org.au/conference
Early bird registrations close 26 March 2020 – start planning your attendance now. This is the pre-eminent conference for our industry and while that should be justification enough, we have developed a justification letter for you to make the decision easier – available on the website. Below is a snapshot of the conference – keep reading and then visit our website for the full program, sponsor and exhibitor information and delegate registration.
2020 StarRez APSAA Conference REGISTRATION
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATIONS CLOSE 26 MARCH 2020
Registration for the conference is available via the website. Register and pay by 26 March 2020 to take advantage of the early bird savings. With so many demands and time-consuming day-to-day activities, we have made it easy for you to justify your conference attendance. Simply download the Justification Letter from our website and fill in the blanks. Did you know your APSAA Membership includes a complimentary conference registration? Institution and Corporate Members are entitled to receive their complimentary registration(s) to the Conference, as outlined in your membership agreement. When registering, select “Institution Included” as your registration type to claim your entitlement. Complimentary registrations must be nominated no later than Thursday 26 March 2020.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Keynote presenter: Lt Gen David Morrison AO
Australia’s former Chief of Army and Australian of the Year 2016. Committed to making the Army an inclusive force, with a strong stance on gender equality, he is famous for saying, “If that does not suit you, then get out!” His experience in leading a workforce of over 30,000 and driving significant change make him a leader well worth listening too. Keynote presenter: Dr Huu Kim Le
Adelaide based Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, specialising in video game addiction or “gaming disorder” presents ‘Escape into the Virtual World – Student Wellbeing and Video Game Addiction.’ Keynote presenter: Dr Louise Mahler
Don’t forget your other well deserving staff, who would benefit from attending the APSAA Conference, with our range of professional development and industry specific sessions, workshops and networking opportunities.
An expert in the psychology of face-to-face engagement, her research is award-winning and her informed hands-on approach lends itself to transformational change.
Early bird prices are available until 26 March 2020. Register and pay before this date and save $370 on registration fees.
Innovations in Indigenous student support – what works, what doesn’t?
Panel Discussion: Professional Development Sessions
ACCOMMODATION
Regional Networking Session
Looking to also secure your accommodation? A room block is being held at the InterContinental Adelaide. The InterContinental Adelaide is the city’s leading luxury hotel, exclusively positioned on the River Torrens, close to Adelaide’s main attractions. It’s also conveniently located adjacent to the Conference venue – the Adelaide Convention Centre. Details available at www.apsaa.org.au/conference/accommodation/
Full details available on page 19.
20 www.apsaa.org.au
Pre-Conference Study Tours
F E AT U R E : 2 0 2 0 C O N F E R E N C E
Thank you to our Sponsors and Exhibitors We are delighted to welcome the following sponsors and exhibitors to the 2020 StarRez APSAA Conference.
P L AT I N U M PA R T N E R
G O L D PA RT N E RS
S I LV E R PA R T N E R S
BARISTA SPONSOR
WELCOME RECEPTION SPONSOR
EXHIBITORS
®
Student Accommodation March 2020  21
F E AT U R E : 2 0 2 0 C O N F E R E N C E
APSAA
AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE 2020
APSAA Excellence Awards: A New Approach
E
ach year, APSAA offers a range of scholarships and awards that recognise outstanding performance and innovative ideas from our members. These awards are presented on an annual basis at the StarRez APSAA Conference. In 2020, the APSAA Excellence Awards have been categorised into the three sectors representing our membership. Colleges, Universities and PBSA. We have removed Housing Operator of the Year. We also have a new category for all sectors: ‘Excellence in Sustainability Goals’.
Excellence Award categories
How to nominate
Four new awards were also introduced as part of our 25th anniversary celebrations in 2016 and in 2020 we have introduced the Excellence in Sustainability Goals award:
Entries are completed online via the APSAA website. There is an entry page for each award - if nominating for more than one award, you must complete a separate nomination for each award.
• Excellence in Marketing and Communications Award • Excellence in Facility Development or Management • Excellence in Student Experience • Excellence in Customer Service • Excellence in Sustainability Goals
Individual Award categories
Benefits for Winners
• Fran O’Brien Award for New Professionals
Recipients of an APSAA Award receive national and international peer recognition, official acknowledgement (in the form of trophy or certificate), publication of their details in APSAA’s Student Accommodation Journal, E-News bulletin and APSAA webpage and public acknowledgement at the official Awards Gala Dinner at the APSAA Conference.
• Joe Massingham Award for Meritorious Services • Michael O’Leary Award for Innovation • Business Partner of the Year • The ‘My Favourite Student’ Best of Program Award • APSAA Scholarship • ACUHO-I Scholarship
2019 Award recipients
22 www.apsaa.org.au
Tips for nominating • Re-read each question to ensure you are addressing precisely what is being asked • Be clear and concise - ensure your answers are within the word limits • Ensure you have provided information relevant to the evaluation rubric • Check spelling and grammar • Reference evidence - these can be incorporated into your submission • Before hitting submit - do a final review - have you clearly addressed the criteria and demonstrated what the category seeks to recognise?
F E AT U R E : 2 0 2 0 C O N F E R E N C E
Customer Service
Student Experience
Marketing & Communication
Facilities Development or Management
Sustainable Practices
Business Partnerships
As a celebration of our Excellence Awards we have designed new Award icons to clearly identify the categories.
Customer Service
Student Experience
Marketing & Communication
Facilities Development or Management
Sustainable Practices
Business Partnerships
2019 Award recipients
Judging process
Judging Panel
• Award nominations will be scored by each member of the judging panel against the evaluation rubric.
All nominations in both the Individual and Excellence Award categories will be judged by a panel made up of industry professionals appointed by the APSAA Board.
• Only nominations with an aggregate score of 18 points or higher will be considered by the panel as contenders for an award. There will be interviews of shortlisted nominees. • Following assessment and scoring by panel members, the panel will meet to discuss nominations and agree on recipients
Process Nominations received will be published on the APSAA website by Thursday 10 April 2020. Award recipients will be announced at the 2020 APSAA Gala Awards Dinner,
to be held on Wednesday 13 May 2020 at Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide. Get your nominations in now! Your people, your programs, your sites are eligible. Visit the APSAA Awards section of the website for more information and you could be revered by industry and on the cover of the June 2020 Journal.
Key Dates Award nominations open
Now
Award nominations close
3 April 2020
Finalists notified by email and on APSAA website
9 April 2020
Award recipients announced – APSAA Gala Awards dinner
13 May 2020
Student Accommodation March 2020 23
F E AT U R E : 2 0 2 0 C O N F E R E N C E
How to get the most from your conference experience Whether you’re a ‘first timer’ or an ‘old hand’ at attending conferences, these tips will help you make the most of your conference experience and arm you with new information, techniques and even a renewed sense of purpose in your student accommodation career and industry.
1
R E VI E W
Plot your daily attendance plan by the program– this is essential to ensure you attend the relevant sessions and get the most bang for your buck! Download the APSAA Conference app on arrival to avoid disappointment.
2
CON N E CT
Find out who’s who and who you need to connect with.
3
O R I E N TAT E
Google check parking arrangements, accommodation and where the actual conference is staged within the venue.
4
ATTE N D
Don’t miss the keynote address and any group events – these usually form the basis of the direction of the conference and will give you valuable insight into industry issues. Take notes to make your networking more fulfilling.
24 www.apsaa.org.au
5
NE TWO RK
Make sure you write essential points on the back of collected business cards immediately, so you can remember important information. Follow up – do as you say. Call or email your new contact as soon as possible.
6
SE LE CT
Be specific and select your breakout sessions prior and turn up on time. If attending alone – sit near the facilitator and offer to assist if required. You’ll make a new contact and your help will be appreciated.
7
PARTI CI PATE
Challenge yourself to ask at least one question per session. Engage your facilitator – other delegates will admire your confidence.
8
VI S I T
Exhibitors and sponsors invest time and money into their booths and usually have special deals for conference delegates – this is a great opportunity to find a new supplier and learn about new products and services – they often have giveaways too!
9
E Q UI PME NT
Check the program for special events, pre-con tours or activities that may require the right footwear, theme or outfit. Also – don’t forget your laptop and phone chargers, your business cards and to set your ‘out of office’ message.
10
S H ARE
Your learnings via a short presentation or written report– make sure you cover the most important and relevant topics of the conference with your colleagues back at the office, they will appreciate your thoughtfulness.
11
E NGAG E
Don’t be shy-engage with other attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, presenters and your industry association.
12
F E E DBACK
Give feedback to the conference organisers and have fun!
NEWS
GLOBAL HOUSING TRAINING INSTITUTE Sydney, Australia Nov 30 – Dec 4, 2020
Don’t miss this unique opportunity for members around the globe to participate in an intensive professional development and learning event to build meaningful skills, discuss critical issues, and form strong bonds with colleagues.
Receive 80 CPD points. More information here: www.apsaa.org.au/education/global-housing-training-institute/
Laundry room needing some love? Invest with Maytag Commercial for COIN or CARD operated Washers and Dryers that last!
Ph: 1800 629 824 Student Accommodation March 2020 25
NEWS
APSAA Learning: Boost your professional development in 2020 APSAA is pleased to announce the latest in our continuing professional development program for those who enjoy reading – the APSAA Book Club. Simply fill in the form on the APSAA website and you will be given access to the Book Club discussion forum. Enjoy targeted topics with learning outcomes and gain valuable CPD Points all from the convenience of your digital device.
APSAA Learning Save the date and register now for a wide range of APSAA Learning continuing professional development opportunities including events and webinars. These activities earn valuable CPD points – when you reach 100 CPD Points you will be recognised as an APSAA Practicing Professional. Go online to register and find out more about these incredible continuing professional development opportunities! www.apsaa.org.au/education/event-calendar/ or email education@apsaa.org.au WEBINAR
DATE/TIME
TOPIC
PRESENTER
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
APSAA Weekday Webinar
19 March 12noon to 1pm (EST)
Restorative Practice: Supporting the wellbeing of your team and community
Gemma Edgar 20 CPD Points
Anyone interested in building a supportive workplace
APSAA Weekday Webinar
16 April 12 noon to 1pm (EST)
The Purple House: Energy Saving Tips-How to build a sustainable community in 2020
Sri Velan 20 CPD Points
Learn how you can put simple yet highly effective sustainability practices in place to save money
2020 StarRez APSAA Conference, Multi Day Study Tour, One Day Study Tour
6-14 May
Visit the APSAA website for full conference details or read the special feature in this edition.
Various 50 CPD Points
Anyone working in the student accommodation sector
CUBO Summer Conference
10-12 June
Belfast, UK.
Various 20 CPD Points
Anyone working in the student accommodation sector
APSAA Weekday Webinar
18 June 12noon-1pm (EST)
Sexual Assault on Campus: Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion 20 CPD Points
Accommodation Managers who need to develop programs to reduce sexual assault on campus/in accommodation
ACUHO-I Conference & Expo
27–30 June
Portland, Oregon
Various 20 CPD Points
Anyone working in the student accommodation sector
Global Housing Training Institute (GHTI)
30 Nov to 4 Dec
Sydney, Australia.
Various 80 CPD Points
A unique opportunity for members around the globe to participate in an intensive event to build meaningful skills, discuss critical issues, and form strong bonds with colleagues
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NEWS
Save The Date APSAA Industry Guidelines Workshop Date (TBA) UTAS
Save The Date
GHTI 2020 30 Nov-4 Dec, Sydney Register your interest now! education@apsaa.org.au
100 APSAA Learning CPD Points
There’s still time to reach & be recognised at the 2020 Conference! Do a webinar, attend an event, or upload your own recent PD achievements! https://www.apsaa.org.au/apsaa-learning/cpd-program/
Join The APSAA Book Club Join now! apsaa.org.au/apsaa-learning/book-club/
APSAA Tertiary Vocational Qualifications Open all year 24/7. Join online and choose from three streams; • Management, Operations & Finance • Student Experience & Wellbeing • Facilities and Development or try a Skill Set to gain confidence! www.apsaa.org.au/apsaa-learning/tertiary-vocational-qualifications/
APSAA Industry Guidelines Workshop Coming soon. Check the APSAA website for more details. Presented by leading student accommodation industry professionals, this workshop will provide a rewarding experience for individuals to improve their knowledge and application of APSAA Industry Guidelines. Don’t miss this outstanding CPD learning opportunity!
Three streams of learning:
Learning Outcomes
• Management, Operations and Finance • Student Experience and Wellbeing • Facilities and Development
Attendees will gain exposure to and understanding of APSAA Industry Guidelines.
Attendees will participate in a range of activities and will:
Who should attend?
• Learn valuable management structures • Participate in work groups and scenarios • Take away key templates and documentation • Integrate learnings immediately into the workplace
This work shop is ideal for mid-senior management and those wishing to progress their student accommodation career. Relevant for those involved in general management and required to conduct assessments, surveys and produce reports or analysis for internal or external stakeholders.
Save the date & register now! Watch the APSAA website and social media for date and location announcement coming soon! APSAA Learning CPD Points Value: 40 Email education@apsaa.org.au for more information.
INFORMATION; https://www.apsaa.org.au/education/event-calendar/ Student Accommodation March 2020 27
M A N A G E M E N T, O P E R AT I O N S & F I N A N C E
Career in profile: Cameron Bestwick In this series, we focus on professional development strategies and spotlight the role of Accommodation Manager. What is it, how can you chart your career towards these type of roles and what to expect in a day-to-day context. We speak with Cameron Bestwick – Manager, Student Accommodation at University of Melbourne. How did you come to work in student accommodation? Like nearly everybody else I never had a plan to work in student accommodation – I fell into it. What might be a little different about my journey is that I started as a resident, rather than coming laterally from another industry. In the very beginning I was an eager first year, then I volunteered to organise an event, then took a volunteer role, then a part-time paid role, and so on. When I finished my studies, I entered a graduate program in another profession, but I came back to working in student accommodation the first time I was asked. After a few subsequent jobs, I’m now the Manager of Student Accommodation for The University of Melbourne. Where did you start? How did you progress?
My advice is to take every opportunity you can to get involved in the other aspects of student accommodation that don’t seem to be related to your day job!
28 www.apsaa.org.au
My first paid role was as a Community Coordinator for Kinloch Lodge at The Australian National University. The role was similar to what we think of as a Sub-Dean or an Assistant Residential Life Manager in the college and PBSA settings respectively. I worked half-time to oversee a team of other student leaders and manage a small suite of student life programs for 2,000 residents. When my boss left a year later, I was asked to take over! This was a fantastic opportunity for me, but perhaps more importantly, they were putting a lot of trust in me. I don’t think I nailed it, but I learned a lot anyway. Later, I learned about the business side of things while doing a project management role at The University of Sydney and while I was outside the industry as a management consultant. I think how people progress in this profession is somewhat unpredictable, but much of my progress so far seems to have stemmed from trying to engage equally with both the business and educational sides of student accommodation.
M A N A G E M E N T, O P E R AT I O N S & F I N A N C E
Other APSAA Learning initiatives such as GHTI, webinars, book club, Industry Guidelines workshops, and other PD offerings collectively cover so many different learning styles and formats that a satisfying PD opportunity is available for anybody who is looking for one. What are the challenges of the role? My current role is responsible for the overall success of the UniMelb’s accommodation service. I certainly face the ever-present challenges of general management, but I am finding there are two specific challenges in my current role: accommodation being new at the university; and having lots of stakeholders to serve. The second challenge is, in fact, what I find to be the enduring (and also satisfying) source of stimulation in my work. A university’s internal accommodation office is usually trying to join up the needs of many different stakeholders. For this type of operation, there is usually no single overarching objective like ‘profit’. Instead there is a whole web of stakeholders who have distinct and let’s face it, sometimes competing, needs. If the accommodation team can bring enough energy and inventiveness to our work, we can create an operation that benefits everybody in that web. What qualifications do you have? I have a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration and a Graduate Diploma in Strategic Communications, as well as a few smaller qualifications like a diploma and various practical certifications. In hindsight, I think I was particularly lucky throughout my university studies to be able to choose my subjects widely. This is because I’ve come to realise that in student accommodation, we often must bring together disparate sources of knowledge and use them in very practical ways. For that reason, having a patchwork of previous education and training helps.
If you were starting out in student accommodation today, what would you do differently? I think it’s really important in Student Accommodation to be able to work across different disciplines. For instance, I could have back-to-back meetings in the same day about totally different aspects of accommodation, such as finance, marketing, student conduct, service operations, education, staff and culture, ICT, and facilities. Each of these areas will have its own problems and opportunities, and an effective accommodation manager must be able to make them fit together to deliver a great environment for students. It’s all interconnected. I don’t think any of us can really master that skill of integrating these things, but we can always get better at it. Most of us begin in a functional silo, such as Residential Life or Facilities Management, which is perfectly fine and normal. And whilst it is really important to master skills required in that area, at some point, you will need to learn about the other functions of student accommodation if you want to do the best work you can in your area, or if you want to work on bigger problems than yesterday. So, my advice is to take every opportunity you can to get involved in the other aspects of student accommodation that don’t seem to be related to your day job. Let’s say you are from Res Life, then you should volunteer to help Facilities the next time they need something. You will be helping out your team, but crucially, you will learn more about other aspects of student accommodation.
The APSAA Qualifications through NSW TAFE can give you a baseline understanding of key functional areas straight away.
How can APSAA Learning as a CPD program and the Tertiary Vocational Qualifications help progress a student accommodation career? Learning about other functional areas used to be really hard – you used to rely on good people being around you to coach you, and for opportunities to simply emerge in your day job – but I think it has become a lot easier since the launch of APSAA Learning. There are now so many opportunities to get that exposure. The APSAA Qualifications through NSW TAFE for example can give you a baseline understanding of key functional areas straight away. And you can start extending that knowledge on the job, giving you the best of both worlds. The other initiatives such as GHTI, webinars, book club, Industry Guidelines workshops, and other PD offerings collectively cover so many different learning styles and formats that a satisfying PD opportunity already exists for nearly anybody who is looking for one. For more information visit https://www. apsaa.org.au/apsaa-learning/cpd-program/
Much of my progress seems to have stemmed from trying to engage equally with the business and educational sides of student accommodation.
Did you know? You are automatically included in the CPD program just by being an APSAA member. Check your points balance, upload certifications and gain CPD points by attending webinars, events, the APSAA conference, study tour and more!
Student Accommodation March 2020 29
STUDENT EXPERIENCE & WELLBEING
NZQA: New Code of Practice for Pastoral Care in New Zealand
Pastoral Care for domestic tertiary students Q&A What does the Code mean? Who will be held accountable? The Code means there will be a consistent approach to the welfare, safety and wellbeing and pastoral care of domestic tertiary students. An interim Code will be in place for 2020 setting out a general duty of pastoral care that tertiary education providers have for domestic tertiary students, and specific requirements for providers that offer student accommodation In relation to student accommodation, tertiary education providers are required to support the safety and wellbeing of students and improve the consistency of standards in student accommodation. The general duty of pastoral care under the Code sets out requirements for providers to assist students to experience a safe, inclusive learning environment and to access the advice and assistance they need to maintain their own wellbeing. All tertiary education providers are expected to comply with the Code and will be accountable for discharging their responsibilities under the Code.
30 www.apsaa.org.au
Photo: ©gettyimages.com.au/1905HKN
Last year, a local student was found deceased in student accommodation. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) have released the following information following the inquest.
Why do we need this Code? There are a number of drivers behind the need for the Code of Practice. The tragedy at Sonoda Village student accommodation in Christchurch exposed the limits of the old system of selfregulation for pastoral care of students. It was based on a voluntary code and failed to maintain adequate standards at tertiary providers around the country. The Government has moved quickly to change the Education Act so there would be better protections in place for students from 2020. The community has also made it clear through the nationwide Education Conversation, Kōrero Mātauranga, that it wants greater alignment between learning and wellbeing. New Zealanders want education to be about more than just learning things. The Code shows we are listening. NZQA have a mandatory Code of Practice for supporting the pastoral care of international
students, but for domestic tertiary students we have had only a voluntary code in place which has been applied inconsistently around the country. Providers and domestic students alike have a right to be given greater clarity around their respective responsibilities and entitlements. Was the Code consulted on? An interim Code of Practice will apply from 1 January 2020. Officials have tested the content of this Code with experts from the tertiary sector, and with learners. Providers realise there is variation in how students are supported currently and that since we have a mandatory Code for international students, but not for domestic learners, there is a gap in the system. During 2020 the NZ Government will consult on the development of a more comprehensive and permanent Code which will take effect from 2021. The Government will engage with learners, families and sector groups as part of this consultation.
STUDENT EXPERIENCE & WELLBEING
Will there be an extra cost to providers as a result of the new Code? Where providers are already providing high quality and robust pastoral care with strong systems and processes, it is expected that any cost will be low. However, there may be some cost involved for those providers that need to improve their systems and processes to comply with the Code. NZQA expect providers to exercise restraint in passing on any costs from complying with either the interim Code or the ongoing Code that will apply from 2021. Providers can charge student services fees for particular services, such as counselling, but these are set in consultation with students, and may be regulated if increases are unreasonable. Increases in tuition fees are also regulated. Is this just for University halls? No. Wellbeing and pastoral care is important for all domestic tertiary students, wherever they study. The Code includes general
pastoral care requirements which will apply regardless of where students live. Polytechnics, wānanga and private education providers, including those who own or arrange student accommodation services, will need to comply with the Code. How can complaints be made about pastoral care or accommodation now the Code is in place? Students should, in the first instance, raise concerns directly with the tertiary organisation where they are studying. For further information, see the website of the Code Administrator, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority NZQA will be publicising the Code and how to get advice about how it works extensively within the tertiary sector. NZQA will make it clear how parents, whānau, students and rangatahi can raise concerns about how a provider is meeting the code.
One of the things NZQA will be working on for 2021 is setting up a process for resolving disputes between students and rangatahi, or their parents and whānau, and tertiary education and/or accommodation providers. What protections are in place for international students? For international students there’s already a high level of pastoral care and support required as set out in the Code of Practice for pastoral care of international students. APSAA members can read the Code of Practice for pastoral care of international students on the NZQA site or via the Resources page. The development of the ongoing Code will also provide an opportunity to address any gaps in the current Code for international students. Printed with thanks to NZQA
COMING TO APSAA? Drop in to ST AN for excellent D 22 deals!
Need control but offer free laundry for students? With Speed Queen you can have both Part of the campus living experience is about as much as education as it is about preparing for later life. Whether a student is laundry experienced or new to it, the fact is everyone has to do laundry! SQ Insights allows Student accommodation to: • Give free laundry but still but keep track of utilities (Gas, water, electricity) • Ensure machines are being used correctly in times of water shortages (full loads!) • Give laundry credits or remote start machines • Receive an email if a machine is out of order (the machine will self-diagnose a problem) • Receive frequent reports on machine usage and ensure all are being used effectively • Contact students when machines have not been emptied on time!
Student Accommodation
Student Accommodation
Student Accommodation
All of this can be done from a laptop or mobile phone! This system gives Student Accommodation, the best of both worlds. It enables the student to do free laundry but also allows the laundry manager or campus manager to keep control!
Student Accommodation March 2020 31
INDUSTRY ISSUES
TEQSA: Key Risk Findings Report
Key risk find in Australia’s h gs on igher education se ctor
July 2019
The Key Risk Findings on Australia’s Higher Education Sector (‘Key Risk Findings’) Report (KRF 2019) is TEQSA’s first public release of its risk findings to the sector and other stakeholders. This is in line with TEQSA’s commitment to publish key data used or collected by the agency (TEQSA Corporate Plan 2018–2022, Action 3.2) in order to be open and transparent in its dealings with Australia’s higher education providers.
T
EQSA’s risk assessments are conducted on an annual basis and serve as a regulatory tool which guides TEQSA’s priorities and regulatory scoping activities in a risk-reflective manner. The KRF 2019 provides insights based on aggregated observations of performance and risks derived from TEQSA’s regulatory experience with the sector and articulates TEQSA’s risk analysis process in further detail. Through the report, TEQSA aims to better inform stakeholders about the state of the sector, to increase the sector’s confidence in TEQSA’s risk-based approach to regulation, and to clarify the internal processes behind, and outcomes of, TEQSA’s risk findings.
Data in the report are derived from higher education data used within TEQSA’s risk assessments. These are primarily sourced from the Department of Education’s Higher Education Information Management System (HEIMS) data collection, the Provider Information Request (PIR) data collection, the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT), and the HELP IT System (HITS). The data scope ranges from 2012 to 2016 for the student and staff indicators, and 2012 to mid-2017 for the financial indicators. The scope of this report covers TEQSA’s risk assessment process, risk profiles of provider types within the sector, and risk findings based on risk cycle years 2014 to 2018.
The use of historical data enables TEQSA to present snapshots of risk indicators across Australia’s higher education sector, along with commentary regarding the sector’s performance and identified risks thus far. The statistical analyses in this report enable providers to reflect upon the performance of each provider category and the sector and to identify areas for further improvement.
TEQSA acknowledges that the risk ratings are based on historical data. For instance, Cycle Six, which was conducted in 2018, draws from data between 2016 to mid-2017. The report is therefore limited in the extent of which certain conclusions may be drawn about the current
and future state of the sector. The risk ratings are also dependent on the established risk thresholds which are aligned with TEQSA’s risk appetite. As such, the risk ratings are indicative of TEQSA’s risk tolerance, and the concept of ‘risk’ in this context is not absolute. For the purposes of this report, TEQSA has grouped providers by broad operating model. The market groupings used in this report are: • For-profit providers • Not-for-profit providers (includes Technical and Further Education providers)1 • Universities Though the analysis in this report differentiates between for-profit providers, not-for-profit providers, and universities, it is important to note that there is a diversity of risk assessment outcomes within each market group, and that there are exceptions to the trends presented within the report.
The key findings highlighted within this report should motivate the sector to focus its attentions on areas for development and improvement
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INDUSTRY ISSUES
The key findings from this report are: • In 2018, the overwhelming majority of providers were rated as Low or Moderate Risk to Students (56.5%; 29.9%).2 • There were 87 providers rated Low Risk to Students comprising mainly of universities (42.5%) and not-for-profit providers (42.5%), followed by a small percentage of for-profit providers (14.9%). • Only a small percentage of providers (7.3%) were assessed as posing a High Risk to Financial Position. However, the proportion of providers considered to pose a Moderate or High Risk to Financial Position has been trending upwards over time, driven by small but increased risk levels to Financial Viability in the not-forprofit sector, and Financial Sustainability in the for-profit sector. In addition, this report finds that: • From 2016 to 2018, providers rated High Risk to Students demonstrated persistently higher levels of student attrition, lower progress rates, higher student-to-staff ratios, and higher proportions of casual academic staffing. • The for-profit and not-for-profit sectors had very different approaches to academic staffing, whereby a higher percentage of for-profit providers were found to be high risk in relation to Student-Staff Ratio (23.2%) and academic casualisation (33.9%) compared with not-for-profit providers (7.4%; 5.5%). • The risk profiles of for-profit providers showed improvements from 2017 to 2018 with a substantially decreased percentage of providers rated High Risk to Students (61.8% to 29.8%) and corresponding increased percentages of providers rated Moderate Risk to Students (23.6% to 47.4%) and Low Risk to Students (14.6% to 22.8%). Any high-risk findings in relation to the provider’s risk assessment do not necessarily result in regulatory sanctions; rather these should prompt early discussions between TEQSA and the provider about any emergent issues. More broadly, risk findings should prompt the provider’s internal evaluations and inform good practice, policy development, and more purposeful and intentional investments in key aspects of the provider’s higher education delivery. The key findings highlighted within this report should motivate the sector to focus its attentions on areas for development and improvement, whilst TEQSA will continue to monitor provider risk profiles on an annual basis, and use these risk findings to inform its regulatory decisions in a risk-reflective and proportionate manner. The full TEQSA Report can be downloaded from the APSAA website under the Resources section.
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Student Accommodation March 2020 33
A DAY IN MY TEAM
A DAY IN MY TEAM Team: Student Engagement Location: Emmanuel College, St Lucia Who: Michael D’Arcy Title: Dean of Studies Years: Three months Education: Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of Queensland; Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching from the University of Southern Queensland. I am part-way through a Master of Arts in History. Michael D’Arcy
Why did you choose to work in student accommodation and what do you love about the role/industry? I really enjoy being able to contribute to students’ academic and personal development, and to help them work their way through their transition out of secondary school and into early adulthood. Have you worked at other institutions/ facilities, and if so where? If not, what sector/industry have you come from and how does it differ to student accommodation? How do your skills/experience fit with student accommodation?
Emmanuel College
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I have worked at Emmanuel College in an on-site student support capacity since 2016, and was an Emmanuel student between 2008 and 2010. My exposure to college life as a student, alumnus and staff member has been very helpful for understanding student needs and the broader residential experience from multiple vantage points. I worked as a chess coach for seven years, and sat on the Chess Association of Queensland Council (as Newsletter Editor and Secretary) for six years – this is obviously a different industry to student accommodation, but the requirements of organising and managing large groups of people and inspiring students to enjoy and improve their chess have been extremely useful in my current work environment.
What are the most challenging facets of your role? College students are entering their first years of adulthood, so there are some transitional teething problems. They are going to make mistakes, sometimes the same mistake several times, before they are able to really learn from them. It can be difficult to maintain patience when well-organised plans do not work as well as expected, but it is extremely important not to be unduly dismayed or affected by such setbacks. Also, every day is completely different and capable of producing different and new challenges seemingly out of nowhere.
A DAY IN MY TEAM
What is the best advice for people wanting to work in a role like yours? Colleges are busy places, and it is almost impossible to schedule tutorials and other events at a time that suits everyone. This role requires high levels of organisation and administrative skills, combined with an interest in and awareness of residential life. If you could highlight one factor that is essential for maintaining a happy residence, what would it be? Patience and good humour! Michael D’Arcy (pictured second from right) with current students and alumni Scott (pictured middle) after he held a seminar on career pathways with valuable advice into securing employment in the private and public sectors
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Student Accommodation March 2020 35
A DAY IN MY TEAM
Connect. Learn. Share. A DAY IN MY TEAM Think.
Team: Location: Who: Title: Years: Education:
Student Engagement Team Emmanuel College, St Lucia, Brisbane Christina Scattini Dean of Student Wellbeing 18 months Bachelor of Social Work
Why did you choose to work in student accommodation and what do you love about the role/industry? It is my absolute privilege to work in this role alongside young people. I find this transition period between childhood and adulthood to be so full of opportunity, new experiences and so much personal growth. I get to be a part of making this experience one that is positive and supportive so I consider myself very lucky. I love working individually with students and hearing about their experiences and how these have shaped who they are now. Being able to live alongside students and see them on their best day and their worst day provides a unique opportunity to connect and establish a very genuine relationship.
I have developed strategies such as using the drive home on the coast to sort my thoughts and shelve them for the next time I am in work mode. What is the best advice for people wanting to work in a role like yours?
Christina Scattini
My work in more Social Worker roles has taught me how to prioritise and work in a crisis. I have had to provide critical support for students at Emmanuel and my background of working in Emergency and Oncology has provided me with strong skills needed in a crisis. What are the most challenging facets of your role? Probably the most challenging is switching out of work mode and not wondering and worrying about students I am working with. I am aware that my words will weigh heavily on these students and work hard I always come from a point of ‘do no harm”. In this role I respond to students and other staff at Emmanuel most always except for annual leave periods. This can feel a bit consuming at times however it is also what makes the role a privilege.
APAC Sept 8 & 9 Sydney, Australia
Have you worked at other institutions/ facilities, and if so where? If not, what sector/industry have you come from and how does it differ to student accommodation? How do your skills/experience fit with student accommodation?
Get some practical experience. Volunteer with young people. Try and gain some perspective about what it might be like to struggle with issues that many young people face. Homelessness, addiction, mental illness and violence. Never forget your own struggles during adolescence no matter how big or small. Plan to be well informed through study and experience about these issues. If you could highlight one factor that is essential for maintaining a happy residence, what would it be? I think transparency from staff is essential. I need to develop trust in my work with students and this stems from a general trust of the establishment. Young people need to feel heard and responded to in order for them to truly engage. During this stage of development for adolescents they are questioning so many things in their lives and in the world. If we can provide a safe space to explore their own identity and learn about the world of ‘adulting’ we are gifting these young people with a unique opportunity to safely make their way in the world.
I worked in a primary school in a Student Welfare role before beginning at StarRez isina series of global events provide an opportunity to learn and share Emmanuel. PreviousConnect to this I worked the Domestic Violence/ Family support knowledge. We are passionate about connecting with the community and providing area, Face to face Counselling and opportunities forwith the community to grow and develop relationships with one another. children with cancer and their families. My work as a Counsellor supports myVisit individual work with students currently. I was able to develop counselling skills that are essential to my everyday practice. Europe
March 12 London, England
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starrez.com/connect for more information. Global 2020 Connect Christina Scattini (pictured second from left) attending an annualConference lunch held with students and alumni. July 12-14 San Diego, CA
For our Conference users 2020 TBD
2020 StarRez APSAA Conference Adelaide Convention Centre
11–14 May 2020
The program features an exciting range of presenters exploring current industry issues and sharing successful outcomes. The Conference program will be built around the theme 2020 Our time to reflect, unite and ignite and will deliver a wide-ranging program that will have relevance across the diversity of roles within the student accommodation industry.
PLAN YOUR ATTENDANCE NOW: • Review the full program
Full program out now. Visit the APSAA website to download your copy today!
• Register online Early bird prices are available until Thursday 26 March. Register and pay before this date and save on registration fees. Institution and Corporate Members are entitled to receive their complimentary registration(s) to the Conference, as part of your membership entitlements. When registering, select “Institution Included” as your registration type to claim your entitlement. Complimentary registrations must be nominated no later than Thursday 26 March.
• Book your accommodation A room block is being held at the InterContinental Adelaide and bookings can be made via the APSAA website
www.apsaa.org.au/conference
Student Accommodation March 2020 Phone: +61 3 9586 6055 Email: admin@apsaa.org.au apsaa.org.au