With a new Division to manage its residential colleges and other accommodation for around 2500 students across its campuses, La Trobe aims to make the residential student experience something distinctive and special.
Steering the change is Professor Ron Adams, one of the University’s first students, who has recently taken the helm as Director of the Division of Residential Services. The Division was established in 2006 following an extensive University review of student accommodation.
One of the biggest improvements planned for the year is greater coordination amongst the three residential colleges – Chisholm, Glenn and Menzies – as well as across other student housing on the University’s main Melbourne campus at Bundoora.
‘To date the colleges have acted largely separately from each other’, says Professor Adams. ‘Sharing knowledge, facilities and services across the colleges is one way of ensuring that residents will have access to the best possible academic support, pastoral care, and personal development opportunities.’
Professor Adams says that University-owned accommodation will be drawn into the centre of campus life with residents and academics working together more closely to develop living and learning communities.
While the colleges will retain their individual identities, the new Division will merge their main administrative operations and free up college Wardens so they can devote more time to this important aspect of residential life.
Wardens will be appointed from La Trobe’s academic staff and work under the direction of Dr Michael Shortland, new Associate Director: Residential Life.
Formerly head of Menzies College, Dr Shortland is a leading figure in pioneering innovative academic, community, international and student leadership programs in residential colleges.
‘La Trobe is a modern and progressive University,’ says Dr Shortland, ‘and we are making these changes in the way we manage student accommodation to meet the needs of today’s students.
‘Our aim is to make La Trobe’s residential services one of the largest in the country – and a real contributor to the University’s development over the next decade.’
Thursday, 18 January 2007 Accommodating change at La Trobe UniversityStudent accommodation at La Trobe University is being restructured in 2007, one of the major improvements as the University embarks on its 40th anniversary year.
For further information:
PROFESSOR RON ADAMS: (03) 9479 3201
DR MICHAEL SHORTLAND: (03) 9479 1071