Unit Activities 2007 - 2009

In March 2007, at the time the Transition Unit Coordinator was appointed, SmoothStart, the uni-wide equity peer networking program, was the only project under the Transition Unit’s banner.  At that stage O’Week was still under Student Support Services.

Since then the following initiatives and outcomes have been achieved:

UniStep

UniStep (University Student Transition Experience Program) has been developed and expanded into a comprehensive, first semester program for first year undergraduates which now incorporates O’Week.

SmoothStart

SmoothStart has continued to grow:  in 2007 there were 96 participants; in 2009 there were 135 mentees.  In 2008 the eligibility criteria was expanded to incorporate Wilto Yerlo students.  Increased retention data for SmoothStart suggests that this program alone pays for the Unit

PeerNetworking

Peer networking programs within Faculties and Schools have grown:

• In 2007 there was only one pilot program in the School of Commerce, Semester 2
• In 2010, in addition to the SmoothStart program there will be programs operating in 4 Faculties, and 13 Schools.  The HumSS Helix program incorporates 17 Disciplines and so is accessible for any students enrolled in the six available degree programs.  The Hub Bee Connected program incorporates the Schools of Business, Economics, and Teaching and is available to first year undergraduates enrolled in any of the available degree programs within those Schools. [link to table of programs]

First-Year Website

Website improvements:

• Consolidated websites for first year students from three into one
• Added Peer Networking Program section, including information for staff
• Upgraded the SmoothStart website to include information for mentors and electronic registration forms
• Added resource section on first year experience for staff

Mature Age Students

Mature Age Connections commenced in 2009.  The Unit organised 4 social events to provide opportunities for mature age entry students to meet one another and discuss issues and needs specific to their cohort.  This program will be expanded in 2010 to incorporate mentoring

Flexi mentoring 

In 2009 the Transition Unit set up a pilot program  with the Counselling and Disability Services to accept referrals for isolated students who did not join a mentoring program but would like peer support.  2 students were matched to existing peer mentors under this pilot project.

Student Intergration

Initiatives for integration of international and domestic students:

• 3 Peer networking programs planned a social activity that integrated predominantly international students from Business School with domestic students in HumSS programs
• Collaboration with International Student Centre to plan integrating activities for O’Week and mentoring programs in 2010

Support Services Collaboration

Promoting collaboration between support services

• Student Care and Academic Learning and Language (ALL) are collaborating on plagiarism modules to be incorporated into UniStep in 2010
• Counselling, Disability and Elite Athletes Service, together with ALL , Transition Unit, and Student Care are collaborating on producing time management modules for UniStep 2010

First Year Experiences

• Transition Unit staff presented two mini Nuts and Bolts papers at the 12th Pacific Rim First Year in Higher Education Conference in Townsville
• University of Adelaide First Year Experience Group:  The Coordinator attends this group, contributing to knowledge and practice wisdom on First Year Experience issues
• First Year Expectations and Experiences project 2009:  the Transition Coordinator is an associate member of the project team