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