First Impressions: Student Induction Warwick Network 2007 Catherine 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 Services Consultation on induction (departmental) Late 2006: HEFCE TQEF funding allocated for induction ( ) March 2007: Students’ Union paper on induction May 2007: Induction Officer appointed

Administrative and support services Residences Students’ Union International Office Academic Departments Where is Induction Situated?

What is induction?

The purpose of induction For studentsFor 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 groups 1.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?

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 Telephone: