beyond lecture theatres: re-framing participation in volunteering activities ms simone st clair...
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Beyond Lecture Theatres: re-framing participation in volunteering activities
Ms Simone St Clair
Student Experience and Transition
Australian National University
@Simone.StClair
Beyond Lecture Theatres…..
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OBJECTIVES:
•to outline how an equity outreach program also became a student transition program
•to show how co-curricular/volunteer activities enhanced student development
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Overview:• ANU: a research intensive institution• Volunteering at ANU: an unframed life• Student Life and the Community Ambassador Program• Framing student life: Lizzio’s ‘Five Senses Model’• Case studies in Student Life: exploring the Five Senses• What we have learned so far….• Future challenges
Australian National University
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Above: The Carillion, Lake Burley Griffith Canberra Above: School of Art, Australian National University
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Above: Research Student holding tribal mask, ANU Above: International Post-graduate students at ANU
Volunteering at ANU
• Many opportunities for students to volunteer.
• Eager students interested in volunteering.
• Disparity in how volunteering is approached and recognised within the university.
• Unclear understanding and framing of volunteering.
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ANU Market Day, 2014
Policy change, finance incentives and student life
• Bradley Review 2008 • Low SES is major factor influencing
participation
•Higher Education Participation and Partnership Program (HEPPP)
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ANU’s Equity position• Lowest % of low SES
(approx 4.5%)• Low % Indigenous
(< 1%)• Low/average
regional/remote
(approx 12%)• New ANU Strategic plan
identifies targets and need to widen participation.
Challenges for Equity at ANU
• Limited funding (least funding out of all universities in Australia)
• No existing outreach programs.
• No Education Faculty at ANU
• Traditional study areas and high entry requirements.
• Postcode measure hides disadvantage in Canberra.
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Community Ambassador Program
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Becoming a Community Ambassador
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Fully fledged Community Ambassador
Role of Community Ambassadors:
• Demonstrate they understand principles of access, equity and have cultural awareness.
• Aim is not to market ANU but to build aspirations of tertiary education.
• Opportunity to develop and lead projects.
• Attend further training for specific projects.
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Current Recognition
• Certificate from Vice Chancellor.
• Community Ambassador T-shirt.
• Travel outside of ANU/ACT.
• For some projects food is provided to volunteer ambassadors.
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Above: Ambassadors on their way to homework centre
Five Senses Model (Lizzio, 2006)
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Arabella
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• International Student• Living on-campus
(self-catered)• Bachelor of Finance
and Masters of Project Management
Above: Arabella and student at Kingsford Smith Homework Centre, 2012
Sense of connectedness:
• Student to Student Relationships.
• Student to Staff Relationships
• Student and Institution Relationship.
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Above: Arabella, Sayan and Livvi, Community Ambassadors presentation 2012.
“…being involved in this program made me more proud to be an ANU student knowing how ANU staff and students contribute to communities.” – Arabella, 2013
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Above: Arabella helping a student at Kingsford Smith Homework Centre in 2012.
Fifi• First-in Family Student• Lives off-campus with
family. • Bachelor of Arts/Visual
Arts, Honours in Philosophy.
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Above: Fifi at Community Ambassador Thank you Ceremony, 2011
“My family immigrated when I was very young so that I could enjoy a more flexible and less competitive education system… it is my duty to go to university” – Fifi, 2014
• Task/Role Clarity• Community
participation.
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Sense of capability:
Above: Fifi and ambassadors on route to Regional school to run a cultural day (2012).
“I was always the shy person who never said anything but now I have the skills and self confidence to take on leadership roles” – Fifi, Community Ambassador
Sayan
• Studying Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Economics.
• Domestic/ Living off-campus student
• Joined Community Ambassador program in his first year.
• Also is has carer responsibilities.
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Above: Sayan performing at ANU Voice Poetry Slam in 2012.
• Disciplinary engagement.
• Vocational Direction• Personal
Development.
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Sense of Purpose:
“Because of my work with Student Equity I’ve begun to aspire to eventually having a career in education” Sayan, Senior Community Ambassador
Sense of Resourcefulness
• Systems Navigation• Physical Environment• University-Life
Interface
• “participation in the program made me know more about ANU, it is possible that I would not walk around to the other parts of campus if I did not get involved in the program.” – Arabella, 2014
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Sense of Academic Culture
• Academic integrity • Collegiality• Independence/confidence
building• Critical thinking
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• Our students are our greatest asset.
• Engagement of off-campus and international students.
• Need for organised and meaningful volunteering opportunities on campus.
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What we have discovered:
Summary• Federal Govt Funding lead to the
development of Community Ambassador Program (CAP).
• Buy-in from the students and community.
• The realisation that CAP is in-reach just as much as it is outreach.
• Need to further embed these programs within the university.
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The future of volunteering at ANU
• Review and identification of different volunteering opportunities at ANU.
• Defining of volunteering.
• Development of a Volunteering Framework. Is there a need to further recognise volunteers?
• Future of equity funding and impact on university budget.
• Do we need formal recognition?
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