Orientation 2019
The Monash Residential Services orientation period officially welcomed more than 1,360 new students to a growing residential community of over 3,000 across our Clayton and Peninsula campuses. We are especially glad to have welcomed 147 residents to new studio apartments at Gillies Hall on our Peninsula Campus, making 2019 the largest orientation programme in the history of Monash Residential Services.
Our Residential Support Teams delivered a diverse range of programmes for the benefit of all residents at MRS. Throughout the orientation period, more than 600 events were offered across the halls that provided fun opportunities for residents to meet their peers and the staff available to support them while living on campus. These in-hall events were complemented by a programme of events for the enjoyment of all new residents, including the annual MRS Carnival, Lasertag and Arcade Nights, a Quidditch Tournament, a day at the beach and trips to local shopping attractions. Over the course of orientation, our Halls Café provided a great number of meals as residents worked up a healthy appetite. As the orientation period drew to a close, thousands of residents recorded their place in the annual hall photos and proudly represented their hall’s colours and merchandise.
Orientation is undoubtedly the most important period for new residents living on campus as it provides the opportunity to become familiar with new surroundings, create friendships and learn the community values. Our ResStart website and presentations supports new students for a smooth transition to living away from home by providing the information necessary to move-in, settle-in and thrive within the Monash Residential Services community. All new residents are offered the opportunity to learn about community expectations around safe and respectful relationships, and about our approach to alcohol within the MRS community.
Our aim throughout orientation is that all residents join Monash Residential Services with an understanding of community expectations, plenty of opportunities to form new friendships, and a strong sense of belonging within their community. With these foundations set, we look forward to a safe and rewarding year ahead for our residential communities.