Building Community in a Graduate Residence – A Case Study
Tracks
Stream 2
| Tuesday, August 6, 2024 |
| 2:25 PM - 3:15 PM |
| Crystal 2 |
Overview
Robert Freeth, Graduate House - ANU
Details
Graduate House (GH) and University House (UH) are two unique residences at the Australian National University (ANU) that are available to 220 postgraduate students. The residences emphasise building a community fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose among students pursuing their academic goals.
The Houses are dedicated to supporting and enhancing the experiences of graduate students pursuing Higher Degree Research (HDR) and postgraduate coursework. We provide social environments that enable graduate students to excel and offer residential activities that provide development opportunities and growth. Our community encourages residents to interact with others who perform research in different areas, fostering collaborations and enhancing the learning experience. We understand that some residents may find living away from their families challenging. Therefore, we strive to create a safe and welcoming environment for all.
The objective of this workshop is to share and reflect on the strategies that have been employed to build a strong community at GH and UH. The workshop also aims to discuss effective practices that can be implemented in other graduate residences. As a dedicated graduate residence, we have a unique opportunity to connect students and create meaningful interactions. We intend to share our experiences and lessons learned, highlighting what has worked and what hasn't. We will also detail the steps we have taken to ensure the best outcomes for our community.
During the workshop discussion, we will focus on how we have formed productive relationships with residents and collaborated with the broader academic community. Our conversation will cover various aspects, including cultivating partnerships, enhancing graduate attributes in the residential community, and the lessons learned from collaboration.
Speaker
Mr Robert Freeth
Residence Manager - Graduate House & University House
The Australian National University
Building Community in a Graduate Residence – A Case Study
Abstract Overview
Graduate House (GH) and University House (UH) are two unique residences at the Australian National University (ANU) that are available to 220 postgraduate students. The residences emphasise building a community fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose among students pursuing their academic goals.
The Houses are dedicated to supporting and enhancing the experiences of graduate students pursuing Higher Degree Research (HDR) and postgraduate coursework. We provide social environments that enable graduate students to excel and offer residential activities that provide development opportunities and growth. Our community encourages residents to interact with others who perform research in different areas, fostering collaborations and enhancing the learning experience. We understand that some residents may find living away from their families challenging. Therefore, we strive to create a safe and welcoming environment for all.
The objective of this workshop is to share and reflect on the strategies that have been employed to build a strong community at GH and UH. The workshop also aims to discuss effective practices that can be implemented in other graduate residences. As a dedicated graduate residence, we have a unique opportunity to connect students and create meaningful interactions. We intend to share our experiences and lessons learned, highlighting what has worked and what hasn't. We will also detail the steps we have taken to ensure the best outcomes for our community.
During the workshop discussion, we will focus on how we have formed productive relationships with residents and collaborated with the broader academic community. Our conversation will cover various aspects, including cultivating partnerships, enhancing graduate attributes in the residential community, and the lessons learned from collaboration.
The Houses are dedicated to supporting and enhancing the experiences of graduate students pursuing Higher Degree Research (HDR) and postgraduate coursework. We provide social environments that enable graduate students to excel and offer residential activities that provide development opportunities and growth. Our community encourages residents to interact with others who perform research in different areas, fostering collaborations and enhancing the learning experience. We understand that some residents may find living away from their families challenging. Therefore, we strive to create a safe and welcoming environment for all.
The objective of this workshop is to share and reflect on the strategies that have been employed to build a strong community at GH and UH. The workshop also aims to discuss effective practices that can be implemented in other graduate residences. As a dedicated graduate residence, we have a unique opportunity to connect students and create meaningful interactions. We intend to share our experiences and lessons learned, highlighting what has worked and what hasn't. We will also detail the steps we have taken to ensure the best outcomes for our community.
During the workshop discussion, we will focus on how we have formed productive relationships with residents and collaborated with the broader academic community. Our conversation will cover various aspects, including cultivating partnerships, enhancing graduate attributes in the residential community, and the lessons learned from collaboration.
Biography
Robert Freeth is the Residence Manager at Graduate House and University House at the Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. For the past fourteen years, he has worked in the Student Accommodation sector at various institutions in Australia and New Zealand. Robert is enthusiastic about assisting residents in creating and promoting inclusive communities.
