welcoming new residents- the res life approach lee fellows senior residence life co-ordinator
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Welcoming New Welcoming New Residents- The Res Residents- The Res
Life ApproachLife ApproachLee Fellows
Senior Residence Life Co-ordinator
The Student Experience in The Student Experience in University AccommodationUniversity Accommodation
We provide more than just a roomWe provide more than just a room Services and support are constantly evolving Services and support are constantly evolving Increasingly influenced by developments in the Increasingly influenced by developments in the
US - Residence Life is a recognised professionUS - Residence Life is a recognised profession Australia – not far behind in many aspectsAustralia – not far behind in many aspects
Accommodation – key part of the Accommodation – key part of the Student ExperienceStudent Experience
As expectations rise Accommodation is a As expectations rise Accommodation is a huge part of the Student Experiencehuge part of the Student Experience
For new students each year a significant For new students each year a significant part of that experience is provided around part of that experience is provided around their accommodationtheir accommodation
Where they live, sleep, socialise and studyWhere they live, sleep, socialise and study Pre-arrival and the first week are Pre-arrival and the first week are
important in establishing what their time important in establishing what their time here will be likehere will be like
Major period of transitionMajor period of transition
They spend more time with us than They spend more time with us than anywhere elseanywhere else
First time away from home First time away from home First time away from home countryFirst time away from home country ChallengesChallenges Managing expectationsManaging expectations Providing correct supportProviding correct support Providing varied activitiesProviding varied activities
Our InductionOur Induction
Pre ArrivalPre Arrival
• Strong website with images and clear precise Strong website with images and clear precise informationinformation
FacebookFacebook
Each Residence has a Facebook group administrated by a Each Residence has a Facebook group administrated by a member of Staff and RA. Residents join before arrival. This member of Staff and RA. Residents join before arrival. This means we can build an online community before residents means we can build an online community before residents arrivearrive
Provides advice, guidance and can assist with induction Provides advice, guidance and can assist with induction before arrivalbefore arrival
Can help with anxiety before residents arrive, provides Can help with anxiety before residents arrive, provides reassurance and a feeling of ‘I am not the only one’reassurance and a feeling of ‘I am not the only one’
Online InductionOnline Induction
Delivers what we consider to be the Delivers what we consider to be the essential information residents needessential information residents need
Talks through the Residence contractTalks through the Residence contract Provides links to other areas of informationProvides links to other areas of information All residents advised they must do this All residents advised they must do this
before arrivalbefore arrival
Arrival and Coming Up WeekendArrival and Coming Up Weekend Each site staffed by Wardens, RAs and Each site staffed by Wardens, RAs and
Fresher’s HelpersFresher’s Helpers 9am till 10pm Saturday and Sunday9am till 10pm Saturday and Sunday Help to relax residents on arrivalHelp to relax residents on arrival Provide a friendly faceProvide a friendly face Organise welcome eventsOrganise welcome events Welcome Talk with WardenWelcome Talk with Warden Get site ready before hand- welcome packs and Get site ready before hand- welcome packs and
welcome letterswelcome letters
Welcome WeekWelcome Week
A wide variety of events and activitiesA wide variety of events and activities RAs must complete a list of essential RAs must complete a list of essential
activities- local area tours, tours to activities- local area tours, tours to academic buildings and ensure residents academic buildings and ensure residents are taken to EUSA activities on the first are taken to EUSA activities on the first night.night.
Organise social event and activities Organise social event and activities around Edinburgh all weekaround Edinburgh all week
We do not provide alcohol led eventsWe do not provide alcohol led events
Community Development & EventsCommunity Development & Events Focus on Whole StudentFocus on Whole Student
Ensure that students are engaged and happy in their Ensure that students are engaged and happy in their new homes new homes
Emphasis on Community Building Emphasis on Community Building Academic Colleges focus on “school learning” Res Life Academic Colleges focus on “school learning” Res Life
focuses on “life lessons”focuses on “life lessons”
Offer students events throughout the year based Offer students events throughout the year based on the following themes:on the following themes: Getting to Know Edinburgh Getting to Know Edinburgh Wellness/AthleticWellness/Athletic Cultural/DiversityCultural/Diversity HolidayHoliday Site TraditionSite Tradition SustainabilitySustainability CharityCharity
WelfareWelfare RA and professional staff look for RA and professional staff look for
residents who are homesick and not residents who are homesick and not integratingintegrating
Provide initial support and will signpost to Provide initial support and will signpost to areas in the university where help can be areas in the university where help can be givengiven
On-going through the year (chit-chats, On-going through the year (chit-chats, pantry kitchen talks, Warden Hours)pantry kitchen talks, Warden Hours)
How are we measuring How are we measuring success?success?
To measure our success we:To measure our success we:
Conduct 2 surveys each year (Bristol and Conduct 2 surveys each year (Bristol and EBI)EBI)
Use information gathered from New Use information gathered from New Student SurveyStudent Survey
Benchmark against other institutions so Benchmark against other institutions so we know where to improvewe know where to improve