The development of community

in residential accommodation and

enhanced student engagement

and experience

Paul Yeates, Dean of Students, RMC

Students living in residence have a broader university

experience and a higher level of engagement

“Challenging and supportive learning environments, and

environments that support students’ participation in enriching

experiences, play an important role in enhancing satisfaction and

student outcomes.”

ACER, 2008, p1.

Students living in residence have a broader university experience and a

higher level of engagement

Definition of community

People in relationship connected

in some kind of space (e.g. geographic locality, cyber

space, and social spaces),

with organizational structures (leadership, authority

and rule-makers/implementers),

and a shared culture/identity.

Reasons why community contributes to student

engagement and experience: Academic peer support

2.45

2.52

2.63

2.54

2.66

2.72 2.68

2.73

2.86 2.82

2.90

2.83

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

2.7

2.8

2.9

3

2007Sem 1

2007Sem 2

2008Sem 1

2008Sem 2

2009Sem 1

2009Sem 2

2010Sem 1

2010Sem 2

2011Sem 1

2011Sem 2

2012Sem 1

2012Sem 2

Mean

GP

A

RMC MQ Students Average GPA 2007-2012

Reasons why community contributes to student

engagement and experience: Interconnectedness

Reasons why community contributes to student

engagement and experience: Diversity

Reasons why community contributes to student

engagement and experience: Pastoral care in a new

home/family

Reasons why community contributes to student

engagement and experience: Integration of staff

How to build community

•Social entropy

•The reasons students come

•The built environment

Challenges Strategies

How to build community

•Social entropy

•The reasons students come

•The built environment

•Do details well

•Events with diversity

•Use of food with imagination

•Create an academic community

•Leaders and staff

Challenges Strategies