Maintenance, IT, cleaning & sustainability
Living out on your own can present certain challenges such as things breaking down in your apartment, getting your internet access organised and making sure where you live is clean and tidy.
You may refer to this page for information on logging maintenance issues, internet access and usage and cleaning responsibilities.
The MRS Operations team look after the buildings - check their profiles here.
Maintenance
You can submit your requests for maintenance online via the scout portal below. Please note that maintenance is not done after-hours (overnight) or on weekends, work is usually done within 5 business days depending on the type of work to be done and availability of supplies or equipment.
If your maintenance is an emergency (e.g. leak), please contact your Residential Support Team or the Security office at your campus.
A video on how to use the Scout Portal is here
Important: . Your username is your Monash email address. Your password is your Monash email password.
Also for iphone users using Safari, please follow these instruction to prevent the portal continuously loading
Submit a maintenance request via the Scout Portal
For any issues with IT, speak to your RA or email mrs-ithelp@monash.edu.
Internet, IT support and tips
Everyone at MRS has a network connection point via the voice over internet protocol (VOIP) phone. This connection will provide you with the best connection when the VOIP phone is connected and working.
The private network connection point in each room gives you 24-hour access to:
- The university campus network
- Extremely fast internet services
WiFi is also generally available, but the signal is not guaranteed. While MRS will attempt to assist you with minor configuration issues on your computer or device, if you need technical IT support to connect to the network, we recommend you seek this from the Esolutions helpdesk.
Connect your device to the Monash WiFi Network
While interfaces vary between devices, the connection instructions are essentially the same across all devices.
To connect to the eduroam wireless network, when prompted for a username and password, simply use your Authcate details (Monash computer user0name and password).
Wifi won't work for devices such as Sonda or Google devises, the University network does not support them.
Connecting your computer to the wired Monash Network and registering your devices on the network
Any device (Including smart TV's, gaming consoles etc..) requiring an internet connection must be first registered through the add host system to obtain an IP address. If you are familiar with this process please proceed to the add host registration page. Otherwise please read the guides below.
- General Setup for Windows operating systems
- General Setup for Apple Mac systems
- Monash TV streaming (Free service)
Ensure your phone and computer are set up correctly:
Smart TV's and Consoles
Having trouble?
- Don't know who to go to? Email the MRS IT Co-ordinators mrs-ithelp@monash.edu (Resident Advisors who specialise in all things IT).
Fair usage policy
The internet service available at MRS is provided by Monash University eSolutions.
You are responsible for using the internet in a responsible, ethical and lawful manner. If you are using a substantially large amount of data, you may find that your internet speed and usage could become restricted. Internet usage is regulated by the University.
The use of the Monash University Network is governed by the Information Technology Acceptable Use Policy for students. Any breach of this policy may result in deactivation of your room network port without warning in addition to any penalties imposed by the University.
See more information on internet access at Monash University.
Here are some tips to limit your internet usage while using the university network:
- Avoid downloading video and audio files
- Avoid websites with major graphical content
- Avoid listening to the radio over the internet
Be secure
All internet dealings are recorded and can be traced to a particular computer or username.
You should keep your username and password secure.
If you believe that others have obtained your information and could be using your account, report it immediately to eSolutions.
Keep your personal information safe when using the internet and the VOIP phone. For more information about phishing and security online or via phone calls, please visit the Educause website.
Keep your personal information safe when using the internet and the VOIP phone. For more information about Phishing and security online or via phone calls, please visit the Educause website.
Viruses and updates
We strongly encourage you to have anti-virus software and the latest updates for the operating system installed before connecting to the university network. You can use the free Anti-Virus software Microsoft Security Essentials software that the esolutions team recommend.
Monash Residential Services (MRS) will not be held liable for any damage caused to your computer as a result of being connected to the University’s network.
Cleaning responsibilities
We have developed a cleaning responsibilities list that:
- Gives a broad overview of the level and frequency of cleaning for each of our residences
- Informs you about what cleaning has not been included in the respective residential site cleaning contracts
- Informs you about what cleaning responsibilities you have as a resident.
To ensure that cleaning is maintained at the highest standards, each of our residential sites have developed performance indicators for the external cleaning contractors.
Take some time to familiarise yourself with the cleaning responsibilities in place at your residence.
Cleaning responsibilities
- Clayton cleaning responsibilities
- Peninsula cleaning responsibilities
- Departure cleaning responsibilities
If you believe the cleaning standards aren't being met, please email us:
- Clayton Campus: mrs.operations@monash.edu
- Peninsula Campus: mrs.peninsula.admin@monash.edu
Environment and sustainability expectations
Composting
Organic waste compost bins can be found in each Hall’s veggie garden. These are tumbler-style composting bins, which keep the bins off the ground and enable easy aeration to provide the ideal environment for organic waste to break down.
Dried pea straw, stored next to the compost bins, is provided by MRS Operations, and can be used to even out the ratio of green and brown organic matter.
Using the compost bin:
- Fill up one side of the tumbler bin first, using a 1:1 ratio of food waste to pea straw
- Tumble the bin after each use to aerate the mixture and assist organic breakdown
- When one side is full, begin using the second side (switch the lids over so the ‘clock symbol’ indicates the full side is breaking down)
- Continuously monitor the compost mixture on the full side. Once it’s ready, use the carts provided to transport your compost mixture to your garden beds
- If your pea straw bin gets low, let your Hall Enviro RA know, so they can organise a top up
Accepted: fruit and vegetables including peels, loose tea leaves and coffee grounds, egg shells.
Not accepted: meat/fish waste including bones, dairy products, processed food scraps including bread and pizza crust, non-food waste such as tea bags, packaging, or paper towels.
Important information:
Organic waste bins are not permitted in Hall kitchens. Organic waste is not cleared away by the cleaners, and exposed food scraps create risks of hygiene or pest issues. Therefore, if you would like to compost, please ensure you take your organic waste to the outdoor compost bin straight away.
Mixed Recycling and Landfill
Commingled (mixed) recycling bins (yellow lid) can be located in your Hall’s waste station. When placing waste in mixed recycling bins, ensure items are loose and free from plastic bags.
All items put into the recycling bins must be free of food waste. It is not necessary to clean your container thoroughly, but there should be little to no solids or obvious food residue before any item goes in the recycling.
Small quantities of food residue is acceptable in hard plastic, metal and glass containers. Paper and cardboard must be clean and free from food residue.
Accepted: glass bottles and jars, hard plastic containers and bottles, tins, cans, and aerosols, aluminium foil (scrunched into loose ball no smaller than a tennis ball), newspaper, magazines, glossy paper, brochures, books, brown paper, envelopes, clean paper, flattened cardboard.
Must go to Landfill: tea bags, disposable gloves, waxed cardboard, tissues, serviettes, paper towel, wrappers and plastic packets, Australia Post plastic satchels, soft plastics, bubble wrap, cling wrap, broken glass, drinkware, crockery, disposable cups (including all take-away coffee cups), staples, coat hangers, scrap metal pieces, polystyrene, plastic cutlery, straws, chopsticks, coffee foods, non-compostable food scraps, biodegradable food containers include entire BioPak range
Important note:
Contamination of non-accepted items in the commingled recycling bins is a real problem. Only a small percentage (<10% by weight) of contamination is accepted by the waste contractor. Anything over that amount automatically diverts the entire bin to landfill.
eWaste
eWaste (electronic waste) contains potentially hazardous and harmful materials which do not belong in landfill. On 1 July 2019, the Victorian Government banned eWaste from landfill.
eWaste is any electronic device or appliance with a plug, battery or power cord:
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MRS has two dedicated eWaste bins at Clayton Campus, located at Roberts Hall and Holman Hall waste stations. Alternatively, you can take your eWaste directly to Monash Waste Transfer and Recycling Station or Frankston Regional Recycling and Recovery Centre (FRRRC).
Used Cooking Oil
When cooking oil is poured down the sink, it can block drains and sewer systems, and ends up in our waterways, where it becomes an environmental hazard.
Used cooking oil should be correctly disposed of in the general waste bin (landfill, red lid).
MRS also offers a Collection Station where your used cooking oil is taken away to be refined and recycled. The Used Oil Collection Station is located at the back of Hall’s Cafe, next to the kitchen loading dock off Blackburn Road.
How to correctly dispose of used cooking oil:
- After cooking, allow oil to cool down completely, then filter into a sealable jar for storage and future re-use
- When oil becomes too old to re-use, take your jar to the MRS Used Cooking Oil Collection Station and pour it into the drum provided
- Alternatively, if you would like to dispose of your cooking oil instead of recycling it, then pour your completely cooled oil into a non-recyclable container with a sealable lid and throw it into the landfill bin