What is an Off-Campus Students’ Project Coordinator?

The Off-Campus Student Project Coordinator Role Partnership between the University and the Students’ Union Focuses on Integrating and Improving Off-Campus Student Experiences Encompasses: Living at Home Students, Mature Students, Student Parents and Carers Role: the position was created a year ago (Sept 2014) as a result of research into off-campus students. The research echoed many concerns of staff about the experience of living at home students. The report finally arrived with the Director of Student Life, Dr Tim Westlake, who with the Senior Management Team agreed upon funding for enhancing the experience of off-campus students. Focuses: concerns arise from retention rates (as off-campus students are 4x more likely to not complete their studies). So our focuses are about integrating and emphasising accessibility to university/union opportunities for all students and also creating communities for the living at home students to build support systems and friendships. Encompasses:… (all with unique needs and experiences) Living at Home students: are considered both an umbrella term and also more specific to 18-21 year old students who remain living with their families or homes within Greater Manchester/ North West. Many have come the Manchester Access Programmes. Needs specifically revolve around travel issues, friendships. Mature students: considered over 21. Needs may involve understanding newer technology, balancing jobs if doing course part-time. Student parents: covers all with under 18 children. Needs concern timing with parental responsibilities, child care facilities (university nurseries exist, union crèche in welcome week). Student carers: hard to identify as many carers don’t always identify themselves. Legally university has to identify from next year under Care Act 2014, hoping university will sign ‘Going Higher’ campaign to support Student Carers. Also encompasses distant learners who have taken up courses from other countries, so in essence it’s about unconventional undergrads.

Living at Home Students 27% of students live at home (The Guardian 2013) Due to family, religious or economic reasons Less likely to complete studies or feel involved in student community Students who live at home, in Manchester, tend to be from widening participation backgrounds, most notably MAP (Manchester Access Programme)…growing area of concern. Suggests supporting off-campus students has an element of equal opportunity requirement. Economic concerns are making students consider alternative options of living at home. Students may have family caring responsibilities, consider leaving their family home against religious practice, or be financially unable to leave home. However, all of these factors suggest the students do not have an immediate student community like those who enter student halls accommodation.

How Do They Engage With Living at Home Students?

Living at Home Residential Before Welcome Week Social Activities University and Student Union Support Activities 65 students

Residential Feedback “I’m really glad this event was held. Before it, I was really nervous about starting university but I went home not being able to wait till it started.”

Residential Feedback “It made me feel a lot more confident about meeting people at university and participating in student life.”

Residential Feedback 94% agreed they felt more part of the Living at Home (the remaining 6% slightly agreed) Similar figures for wider student community Overwhelmingly emphasised the fantastic opportunity to make friends

Welcome Week Active Society: stalls, meet and greets, quizzes, meals University Departmental Welcome Events Home Away From Home Newly established societies this year. Events with Law, Nursing, Medicine.

Home Away From Home

Our Societies Living at Home Society Mature Student Society Student Parents and Carers Group

Living at Home Society Student led society which organises socials, trips, meals Communicate with 400 member Facebook Group Work with SU to bring Living at Home projects to life!

Living at Home Projects Daytrippers Transport Buddy System Student Train Campaign Residential We intend on running Day Tripper projects where local Living at Home Students can offer their unique insight into the community to create brilliant days out for students who may not otherwise gain such experiences. Whether it’s to a local low league football team, an out of city unique spot, or a community fair. Transport buddy system, research found that many students take the bus in. If not a buddy system also thoughts of transport related campaigns for cheaper fares for students, particularly on tram. Residential which we’ve just had, tons of informative sessions, fun activities and a chance to get to know other students in a similar position. Feedback shows the students who attended feel much more part of their student community which is perfect and what exactly what we’re trying to do!

Mature Students Society Important to think about, diversify and tailor to different branches of ‘Living at Home’ students 500 member Facebook Group + Email Newsletter Socials & Lunch Club Careers Peer Mentoring

Student Parents and Carers Group Less than a month old but already 85 members in Facebook Group PGR Parent Peer Support Group Student Parent Advice Booklet Family Friendly Activities Working with Carers Trust, Carers UK, Manchester Carers Centre Supporting Going Higher Campaign for Student Carers

Family Friendly Campus Tour Day

Back to Living at Home Students!

Beyond Engagement? Engaging with Living at Home Students is predominantly facilitating social events… BUT … This needs to be sustainable with the long term interest of re-thinking the image of a stereotypical student Knowing I won’t miss out on a Student Experience Halls or Home (different but equal) Having my University understand ‘Living at Home’ needs

Establishing Living at Home Working with University Support Staff and Widening Participation Creating Long Term Thinking with University School Events (importance of academic routes)… e.g. Welcome Week, Follow Up Meets, Pre-Exam Well-Being Sessions, Post-Exam Celebrations Appropriate Timetabling for Living at Home Students Online Resources Discussing Living at Home with Prospective Students

Thinking about Living at Home Students Bad Example Lack of Consideration on Student Finance Flyer

Thinking about Living at Home Students Good Example Included at Open Day next to Accommodation

Additional Support Working with Advice Developing FAQs Raise Awareness of Support Temporary Solutions to Long-Term Issues

To Conclude! Integrate and Improve! Living at Home Students = Facilitate Social Events/ Social Spaces Think About Tailoring to Different Students Engaging with Wider University Establishing the Presence of Living at Home Students