What's on Offer
What the Transition Unit can offer Faculties and SchoolsThe Transition Unit would ideally like all first year students to have the opportunity to participate in a peer networking program regardless of which Faculty or School they belong to.
We are committed to working in partnership with Faculties and Schools to establish peer networking programs in order for students to have opportunities to socialise and talk about their studies within their own learning communities. We provide practical and financial support as well as practice wisdom to staff in Faculties and Schools who would like to pilot or to continue to run their own Peer Networking program/s. The Transition Unit is directly responsible for SmoothStart the uni-wide Peer Networking Program which was established in 2005. Practical assistance the Transition Unit offers includes: - Generic training for all peer mentors
- Ordering and purchasing of t-shirts or lanyards for peer mentors
- Funding cash rewards for peer mentors and other costs associated with each pilot program
- Funding some costs for ongoing programs- by negotiation with Transition Unit
- Provision of Coordinator Manuals (hardcopy/electronic) to Faculty & School staff to help with planning and facilitating programs (based on the successful SmoothStart program - contact the Transition Unit to read or obtain a copy)
- Assistance with design and production of brochures and other promotional materials- both online and hard copy
- Consultation on ideas for program events
- Assistance with data analysis comparing participating students’ retention rates and GPAs with those of non participating eligible students
- A Coordinator’s network group for those involved in facilitating peer network programs to share ideas and practical information
What the Faculties/Schools need to doIdentify a Coordinator for the Faculty/School Peer Networking program who will:
- Take leadership of the program on behalf of the Faculty/School
- Liaise with the Transition Unit about funding, data, and material supports
- Recruit and support their own peer mentors
- Facilitate the registration of new first year students within their target group who wish to participate in their program
- Oversee the planning and implementation of an introduction activity that allows new students to meet their allocated mentor and small group members, as well as mix with the other new students
- Oversee the planning and implementation of social events throughout the defined time of the program. The social events provide opportunities for ongoing socialisation within the learning community, including staff
- Ensure feedback surveys are conducted with participating students
- Meet the funding conditions set by the Transition Unit
Establishing a pilot programFor any Faculty or School staff interested in establishing a new peer networking program, please contact the Transition Unit Peer Networking Program Coordinator, Audrey Stratton to arrange a discussion time. Ideally this should occur before the end of August to allow for recruitment of mentors prior to the final assessment weeks and end of the academic year.
Prior to meeting it would be helpful for staff to do the following:
The initial tasks for the new Coordinator will be to: - Devise a peer mentor recruitment plan (i.e. recruit known students or invite particular cohorts to apply to become mentors)
- Decide on a name for the new program
- Decide on the duration of the program (i.e. a term or semester or somewhere in between)
- Plan dates for the introduction event and the ensuing social events
- Decide on method for advertising the new program and encourage registrations
- Develop a program of social activities
The Transition Unit staff are more than willing to help plan the details in consultation with local Coordinators and to meet on a regular basis until the planning is finalised. Our level of involvement is dependent upon the local coordinator's requirements.
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