1 The Buddy Program: An initiative from the Office of the Dean of Students in the Division of Education, Arts & Social Sciences

2 Introduction Context  Role of the Dean of Students in Division of Education Arts and Social Science  Why run a buddy program? What is the Buddy Program? How is it implemented? What are the outcomes? Future Directions for the Buddy Program

3 Context: Division of Education, Arts & Social Sciences 1 of 4 Divisions in UniSA 8 Schools teaching in broad range disciplines  Communication, media & cultural studies  Education  International studies  Architecture & design  Psychology  Social work & social policy  Art  Indigenous and Australian studies Approximately 9000 students and 400 staff members

4 Context: The role of the Dean of Students The scope of the Dean of Students role within the Division which includes: being a contact point for students who may be having problems with their program of study; monitoring students’ academic experience with the aim of improving that experience and; the implementation of a variety of strategies for the benefit of students and staff including equity initiatives and planning.

5 Context: Why run a buddy program? While fulfilling other objectives of for both buddies and buddy recipients the program is an equity Initiative. The University’s positioning statement, UniSA 2010 states that the “University’s diverse student population will reflect our commitment to ethical action, access and equity, lifelong learning and internationalisation” (p. 1).

6 What is the Buddy Program? Overview The program is for new and continuing students, and aims to match students who are having difficulty settling into life at University with a student who has more experience and is willing to offer advice and support on an informal basis. Individual buddy partnerships are arranged through the Office of the Dean of Students and are confidential. Once established the collaborating pair develops their own way of working together.

7 What is the Buddy Program? Overview The partnership may continue over several semesters, or may end when a particular goal has been achieved or when the collaboration no longer meets the needs of either party. The majority of buddy partnerships are successful. However, if the match does not work students are encouraged to contact the Office of the Dean of Students so that alternative arrangements can be negotiated.

8 What is the Buddy Program? Activities A buddy can assist with activities such as: Familiarising a student with their UniSA Campus and the services available to students Helping a student to improve their conversational English, if they are from a linguistically or culturally diverse background Assisting a student to settle into Adelaide if they are from a rural, regional or remote part of Australia, or from another country Simply providing a friendly ear from time to time

9 What is the Buddy Program? Being a Buddy and having a Buddy Once students committed to being a buddy or requested to have a buddy they are matched by the Office of the Dean of Students. Buddies are asked to be available to their buddy partner for approximately one hour per week over one or two Semesters. The relationship is best described as professional and does not necessarily involve friendship.

10 What is the Buddy Program? Being a Buddy and having a Buddy It is not intended to involve individual academic or personal counselling – students requiring that type of assistance are referred to the relevant UniSA services The most effective buddy partnerships occur when both parties have a clear understanding their mutual expectations. For this reason we encourage both parties to fully discuss expectations for the match and document their goals.

11 What is the Buddy Program? History Buddy Program was launched in 2001 Collaborative initiative with the Golden Key International Honour Society. Golden Key was to assist in the promotion of the Program to its members Members would provide the buddy service as part of their commitment to promote altruistic conduct through voluntary service.

to The program was launched 6 successful matches across the year 2002 Less attention was given to marketing 2 matches – only 1 successful

Re-launched the program Increased marketing to students and staff Formed closer links with other student support services and academic staff Streamlined systems 40 successful matches across the year Over 90 students (buddies and recipients) involved in the program

14 How is it implemented? Marketing – to students and staff  Posters and Fliers  Direct Registering Process:  Student indicates interest or is directed to service  Enter into database  Matched by Dean of Students  Students are notified by or phone and asked to confirm match  Once confirmed – students are sent contact details of their match Follow-up and Review

Program Current Statistics for 2004 Registered Buddies:38 Registered Recipients:25 Confirmed Matches:23

16 Outcomes Difficult to measure expect from student responses and anecdotal Feedback from students and staff has been very positive 2003 survey of students and 2004 survey of Office of Dean of Students

17 Feedback –Recipients ‘It gave me the confidence to go on further’ To know that there is people out there who understand what difficulties that students have to face while studying. It is a great program for commencing and even continuing students if everyone is like [my buddy]. Good luck with the program this next year and I hope now with the knowledge I have I am able to continue by myself. Thank you to Philip and yourself Jo for a job well done. I want to say thank you for providing me with a buddy :). I hope that this program will be kept running because students can't get through difficulty without this buddy program. Thank again for your support :) I think the Buddy Program is a great idea especially from a more mature age student. The explanation of the buddy programme was clear and concise and I was provided with the contact details of a student who required a 'Buddy'.

18 Feedback - Buddies Being able to help someone out. Meeting a lovely lady who has the courage to extend herself under difficult circumstances. The feeling of helping someone and seeing them achieve their goals and feeling confident about what they are doing. helping someone, feeling that I was making a difference for her. It’s a great program, and I would love to involved again… it’s a matter of time, that’s all. Keep up the good work!

19 Future Directions Short term buddies for orientation Group buddies Mentoring for High School students