first impressions: student induction warwick network 2007 catherine thomson induction officer
TRANSCRIPT
First Impressions: Student Induction
Warwick Network 2007Catherine Thomson
Induction Officer
Purpose and direction
• To provide an insight into current induction-related activities at Warwick
• To explore the notion and purpose of induction
• To share practice and develop ideas
• To engender a culture of shared ownership of induction
The best years of your life?
What do new students bring?
• Expectations of course and institution • Ideas about the campus culture• Sense of pressure / apprehension• Varying amounts of financial freedom• Excitement• Variable skills for HE• Personal ambition• Helicopter parents
The Warwick Welcome: Autumn 2007
• Enrolment • Arrivals weekend
– Residences– Registration– VC’s addresses
• Students’ Union• Orientation• Academic departments
So, why is the first year so important?
• Last things first - graduation• The undergraduate environment• What do we want from our students?• Employability• Rites of passage• Benefits for all
Induction at Warwick: The Story So Far
November 2005 – June 2006: QUAD Research report: Exploring student retention and the student experience at the University of Warwick
February 2006: Student and Ancillary ServicesConsultation on induction (departmental)
Late 2006: HEFCE TQEF funding allocated for induction (2007-2009)
March 2007: Students’ Union paper on induction
May 2007: Induction Officer appointed
Campus Affairs
Student Development and Diversity
CSDE
Induction Officer
Administrative and support services
Residences
Students’ Union
International Office
Academic Departments
Where is Induction Situated?
What is induction?
The purpose of induction
For students For universities
What do we think students need?• Clarity of communication (enrolment; where to get support; degree information)
• Community (academic and social integration; course identity; learning and virtual communities)
• Activity (subject engagement as well as information)
• Certainty (enrolment, timetables and unit information)
• Accessibility (IT, library, student support)
• Security (where to go and who to go to)
•Inclusivity (being able to access central services in ways which minimise fears about being stigmatised).
How do we find out more about students’ needs?
• Talking to - and listening to - students
• Working with their preferred communication methods
• Monitoring service usage• Sharing experience• Building collaboration
among staff
Focus Group Exercise 1
1. What is induction made of?
2. When should induction start – and end?
What is induction made of?Academic
Administrative and support
Residential
The international factor
Students’ Union
When should induction start – and end?
What is induction made of?When should it start – and end?
Five groups1. Academic
2. Administrative and support
3. Residential
4. The international factor
5. Students’ Union
Focus Group Exercise 2:Delivery Options
Induction week No induction week
Consider…
•When are students in a position to be introduced to the university?
•What can we do pre-arrival?
•Staff resources
•Current initiatives: orientation, arrivals weekend
•Work / life balance
•The role of technology/ fact to face contact
What happens without effective induction?
• Little opportunity for students to understand the institution or their role in it.
• Poor integration• Low morale• Risk to productivity• Failure to work to highest potential• Withdrawal• Impact on institution’s reputation
(consider revenue)
Do these issues affect you?
In what ways?
Campus Affairs
CSDE
Induction Officer
Administrative and support services
Residences
Students’ Union
International Office
Academic Departments
Whose responsibility is it?
What Next?• Current activities• Working with new students• Building and strengthening links• Providing centralised support and guidance• Developing inclusive policy• Generating buy-in, ideas and enthusiasm • Collaboration is key
The best years of our life?
Contact Details
Catherine Thomson
Induction Officer
Centre for Student Development and Enterprise
Campus Affairs
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 024 761 50482