TE RANGI HIROA COLLEGE

Student Handbook

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Welcome

Congratulations on being selected to live in Te Rangi Hiroa College. Our unique College environment is made up of four residential floors, which are complimented by additional communal spaces. You will be a part of this special community and will over the course of the year help to build its character and philosophy.

As a College, we operate on a ‘high trust’ model. As such there is an expectation of respect for our community and knowing the ‘right’ thing to do. This builds a strong sense of collegiality amongst our students, to strengthen the experience of living in a College.

A basic premise to remember is that every individual has the right to be able to sleep and work uninterrupted before anyone else has the right to be noisy and disturb others.

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Reception hours are 8:30am – 5:00pm, Monday - Friday

Meet the staff

Head of College - Tumuaki

Rosemary Tarbotton

BAppMgmt, DipCompNursing, DipHospMgmt, ADipSCSM

(Office)+64 3 4794332

(Mobile)+64 27 4444 145

rosemary.tarbotton@otago.ac.nz

Residential Tutor – Kaiako-ā-whare Chelsea Blair

(Office)+64 3 4794334

(Mobile)+64 21 225 5460

chelsea.blair@otago.ac.nz

Finance and Administration Manager - Kaiwhakahaere

Joanne Gruppelaar

(Office) +64 3 479 4334

(Fax) +64 3 479 4331

joanne.gruppelaar@otago.ac.nz

Reception hours are 8:30-5:00pm, Monday-Friday.

4 Duty Phone Number: 021 279 4330

Our RA Staff Our RA Staff

Te Rangi Hiroa College has a Residential Assistant (RA) team consisting of five

RAs. You will have either one or two RAs on your floor and after hours a “Duty RA”

will be available to assist with anything you may need.

Get to know your floor RAs (and the wider RA team) as they are an invaluable source of support and knowledge. Each RA has been a first year student themselves, and is still actively studying within the university. The RA team will be available as your first point of contact for all questions you may have about our College and the university in the first few weeks, and throughout the year.

RAs are involved in a wide range of duties around the College. As well as completing set rostered evening and weekend duties, getting to know residents and providing general support, they organise corridor and College wide events throughout the year.

One of the main situations in which you will encounter RAs is during their evening rounds. Evening rounds have several functions. As well as ensuring an appropriate atmosphere for study and sleep, RAs will be monitoring noise and checking for health and safety risks throughout the College.

RAs are acting on behalf of College management in the evenings, and as such, students need to follow their instructions at all times.

When they are not on rounds, the rostered duty RA can be found at the main office on the ground floor. Each evening the rostered RA will be on duty from 5:30pm until 10:30pm, after which time a staff member will remain ‘on call’ throughout the night.

The name of the Duty RA is displayed on the wall beside the main office, in the foyer. Next to this is a direct line which will connect you to the Duty RA or Duty Staff Member. If you need assistance outside of business hours, the Duty phone will be answered by the staff member on call.

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College, Campus & Map Area

Te Rangi Hiroa College Phone: +64 3 479 4330

192 Castle Street Fax: +64 3 479 4331

Dunedin 9016 Duty Staff: 021 279 4330

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Your Space

Te Rangi Hiroa provides high standard living facilities for our students. We expect that

when you leave at the end of the year, the room will be in the same condition as you

found it at the beginning.

Please take care of your room and follow the guidelines below:

Please do not stick anything to the walls, instead use your pin board. Please also

be careful to protect the surface of the study desk.

Any damage to the room may be charged to you.

Make sure you fill in a room inventory list at the

beginning and end of the year.

You are, at all times, responsible for your own

room and the behaviour of visitors, whether you

are present or not. This is why we recommend

locking your door at all times, when you are not

in your room.

Please be considerate and noise aware at all

times.

There are to be no room swaps.

Please refrain from removing any furniture away

from your bedrooms or communal areas.

To ensure your room is adequately ventilated,

please open your windows on a daily basis.

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Rubbish & recycling from your room should be regularly taken to the

recycling bins and rubbish skip via the corridor behind reception on the ground

floor.

Personal heaters, electric jugs and toasters are not permitted at the College.

Instead jugs and toasters will be supplied in some of our common areas.

All electrical gear brought to the College must be certified by an electrician - this is

especially important for devices such as phone and computer chargers which

undergo heavy use on a daily basis. Please get this done at home before you arrive

here. This is a University Health & Safety expectation.

Cleaning Services

During the year, you will get to know your cleaner as part of the Te Rangi Hiroa

experience. Show them the respect they deserve by tidying up after yourself both in

your bedroom and bathroom as well as communal areas, so they can do their job.

Your room will be cleaned once a week. It will be vacuumed, dusted, mirrors

cleaned and your bathroom will also be cleaned. You will be informed at the

beginning of the year which day your room will be serviced.

Each week, on your rostered day, you will need to be out of bed and ensure that

your space is tidy and the floor is clear. In order to clean efficiently, our cleaning

staff asks that all bench spaces and sinks also be clear of items.

You need to supply your own soap, shampoos and towels, and a floor mat for the

shower area.

Each student must also keep their fridge tidy and clean. Please check the food

regularly and throw away any old items.

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Alcohol may be stored in fridges (outside of the alcohol free area) in modest

quantities. Eg. No more than a dozen cans of beer at any one time (no bottles) or

one bottle of wine.

Please do not take crockery or cutlery items from the dining room.

The dining room is equipped with a kitchen area including basic appliances and

supplies to prepare hot drinks and snacks. Everyone has a responsibility to clean

up after themselves. This is not the job of the cleaning staff and students found to

be leaving undue mess, may find themselves excluded from using the dining room

facilities outside of meal times.

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Linen & Bedding Materials

Upon arrival to the College, your room will already be equipped with:

Mattress & Mattress Protector

Pillows & Pillow Protectors

Sheets & Pillowcases

You will need to be able to account for this bedding during your end of year inventory

check. Some extra blankets may be available on request.

Please note that you will be invoiced for any items that go missing or are

damaged in your room during the year.

A linen change service is provided each Thursday evening in the linen room on the

ground floor. Here you may exchange your sheets and pillowcases for clean ones.

Please don’t bring your mattress protectors or duvet covers to linen change.

Laundry Facilities

The laundry facilities are free to use – you will only need to provide your own washing

powder and a (named) washing basket.

When using our laundry facilities, please be considerate of others sharing the space.

Some simple guidelines to ensure appropriate use are as follows:

Do not turn off dryers or washing machines being used by others, before cycles

have finished.

After a previous load has finished, place the existing washing into the student’s

basket before using the machine.

Be timely and do not leave your laundry in the machines for long periods.

Please be careful not to overload machines and ensure all loads are evenly

spread around the machine. If in doubt, do two loads.

Manage any muddy clothing or sports gear in the laundry tubs and thoroughly

clean up after yourself.

Keep windows open when using any clothing racks in bedrooms, to ensure

proper ventilation and to avoid condensation.

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Security

Access Cards: You will be given a personalised bedroom access card when you arrive

at the College, which will give you 24/7 access to your bedroom and the front

entrance doors of the College.

Please note that cards need to be carried with you at all times as the College

building is permanently locked outside of business hours for security purposes. This

includes weekends.

Te Rangi Hiroa (front entrance) Open 8:30am – 5pm weekdays

DO NOT lend your key card to other people.

Please do not give any person, especially non-College residents, access into the

building unless they are your bona fide personal guest. If you are concerned

about unknown people at the College entrance, please contact the duty

member of staff.

Please ensure doors are shut behind you after you have come in. This is both

for your safety, and the safety of others.

Please be considerate of others if you come home at a late hour.

Be aware that bedroom doors are on automatic closers / locks and as such you

will need to consistently carry your own key card.

We employee a security staff member for several nights every week.

They are based down in the foyer area and are tasked with ensuring the safety

of the College and occupants. All residents (and their guests) are to adhere to

their instructions at all times.

Like the wider University campus, Te Rangi Hiroa College property is a strictly

smoke-free environment, including the entrance, driveway and rear car park.

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Fire Safety / Evacuation

Fire safety regulations strictly prohibit the burning of candles or incense in the

College building. All rooms are fitted with highly sensitive smoke alarms which can

be set off by deodorant spray, hair straighteners or steam, for example.

‘Fire Exit’ doors will automatically unlock in a fire evacuation.

Any fire callout caused through resident/guest carelessness will be charged to the

resident responsible.

Should you exit the building through the rear emergency stairwell, please follow

the yellow marked path (pictured below left) out to the street.

The official College evacuation meeting point is the car park on the south side of the

College, on Castle Street (pictured below right). Please do not leave this area until

the ‘all-clear’ has been given by a member of staff.

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Academic Support

Te Rangi Hiroa College links closely with the Student Learning Centre - an ideal place to

go as soon as you arrive and become familiar with all the academic support they offer,

from study skills sessions to learning how to write a University essay to PASS (Peer

Assisted Study Sessions).

As well the College runs a very good tutorial programme and you are encouraged to

attend these in-house sessions.

The Head of College and Residential Tutor are the key support people for all academic

matters. T h e R A s t o o a r e a v a i l a b l e f o r a c a d e m i c a d v i c e . This

includes:

Being available for conversations about work management.

Referring to other academic resources in the wider University.

Helping with the transition into tertiary study.

Overseeing the College academic support programme.

Monitoring the various study areas and resources.

Providing advice and recommending resources to sick / impaired residents especially during assessments and exams.

Providing accurate information for the academic noticeboard near the dining room and advising students of key dates and memos.

Related Student Resources

(Click the links below to visit the respective web pages)

Student Services Directory

The Student Learning Centre

Disability Information and Support

Student Health Centre

The Career Development Centre

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Alcohol Expectations

The ability to have a drink within the College is a privilege, not a right, and as such may be

revoked for those found not adhering to College expectations. We expect a high level of

maturity around the consumption of alcohol

Legislation regarding the under-age purchase, possession, storage and consumption of alcohol is to be adhered to at all times.

Alcohol may be consumed in bedrooms (excluding those in alcohol-free areas) until 10:15pm; however this is at the discretion of duty staff.

No more than 6 people are to be in a bedroom at any one time.

Kegs, funnels and drinking games are strictly prohibited.

No more than 12 cans of beer/RTDs (no bottles), or one bottle of wine may be stored at any one time. Any excess may be confiscated by duty staff.

The consumption of alcohol is not permitted in any public areas including hallways, common room, theatre, dining room, ground floor recreation area and the College grounds.

Residents will have open vessels disposed of, and may face penalties if discovered with an open vessel in a public area (including walking between bedrooms). Legal liquor bans define an ‘open vessel’ as including bottles which have been opened and have had the lid reapplied.

We discourage the use of bottles in this College, and encourage you to recycle thoughtfully.

Being grossly intoxicated on site is a breach of contract with severe consequences. We expect our students to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner both at and away from the College.

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You are to listen to the RAs and do as they ask at all times. If you have an issue with an RA you may speak to the RT or Head of College

Alcohol-Free Areas

Some students have opted to reside in an alcohol-free environment. As such it is expected that students will not use, possess or store alcohol in this designated area.

They will return to their floor in a quiet manner if alcohol has been consumed elsewhere and will assist in holding others accountable to maintaining this environment. Each resident is responsible for ensuring any personal guests adhere to these expectations.

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Health & Wellbeing

Your wellbeing is of paramount concern for us, but you need to take ownership in the first instance.

Take extra care with hand washing and make good use of the hand-sanitiser stations outside the common-areas in the College.

Be aware that having a Community Services Card can dramatically reduce the cost of services such as Student Health Services and the Urgent Doctor. Students are usually eligible and can apply for a Community Services Card here.

First aid services are available in the College as required – ask at reception or call the Duty Phone for assistance. Please note that we are unable to supply paracetamol and other pain relief supplies.

Feeling Sick?

Please let your RA or a Duty Staff member know so we can assist. eg. Academic matters, arrange for meals, student health and medical services.

Always tell a member of staff if you are feeling unwell so you can be checked regularly.

It is essential that a member of staff is involved or informed

immediately if an ambulance is called.

Student Heal th (A lbany Street ) 0800 479 821

Af ter Hours Urgent Dr – (Hanove r S t) (03) 479 2900

Emergency Psychia tr i c Serv i ces (Hospi ta l ) (03) 479 0999

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General Information

Being away from the College

If you plan on being away from the College over night or longer, please sign the ‘Not in Residence’ book at the main office. This is so we can contact you as needed and assist in our management of emergency evacuations. If you intend to be away, it’s important to mention this to your RA too.

Car Parking

We have a small number of car parks available for lease. These are charged out at University rates and you should contact reception well in advance of arrival to make arrangements. There is limited metered on-street parking available, but this is at your own risk and can be competitive at certain times of day.

There is temporary visitor car parking available at the rear of the College for service vehicles. NB. It is expected that students with cars at the College will at least have third-party insurance, to protect the interest of other students/staff.

Breach of Communal Living Expectations

Occasionally a conversation with the Head of College or Residential Tutor is required. Consequences are negotiated on a case-by-case basis. In extreme circumstances residency may be terminated. (Refer Section 7, College Terms & Conditions).

Drugs

The use of i l l e g a l drugs is banned at Te Rangi Hiroa College. Confirmation of such a breach will result in immediate dismissal from the College and the forfeiture of fees. (Refer Section 7, College Terms & Conditions).

Duty Staff & ‘Lift-Up’ Phone

There is someone available or on duty 24/7 at the College. The RAs have a rostered duty each evening and during the weekends. They can be contacted via 021 279 4330 or by picking up the direct dial phone in the foyer. Outside of business hours, this is your first point of call.

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Facilities

Computer Room (First Floor)

We currently have three desktop computers available on the first floor in the small computer lab, opposite the theatre. There are also printing facilities (charged at University rates) available here.

Gaming or viewing offensive material is strictly prohibited. Be aware that personal usage can be monitored by University IT Services.

Study Centre (Ground Floor)

The Study Centre is located on the ground floor. Students have 24/7 access to this environment, which is a quiet study zone at all times. In the evenings, priority is given to our tutorial programme – and students not enrolled may be asked to vacate during a tutorial to allow space for others.

Please do not ‘set up camp’ in the Study Centre as the area is often used for meetings and other purposes. We have provided cubby holes are the rear of the room so books can be stacked neatly between study sessions.

Aside from bottled water, there is to be no food/drink in the Study Centre.

Resident Common Room (Fourth Floor)

This is a multi-purpose area available 24/7 for your relaxation. It has a small kitchen and a large deck for student use. Please note that neither the deck nor the piano are to be used after 10:30pm for noise reasons. The wall mounted TV in this room has access to limited Sky TV Channels.

It is extremely important that this room is kept tidy to allow our cleaners to service it. This includes cleaning up after yourself and ensuring that no dishes are left in the sink or on the bench area.

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Theatre (First Floor)

The Theatre on the first floor is open all day until 10:30 at night and has equipment for watching Sky TV, DVDs and for connecting laptops. Any food needs to be cleaned up before you leave.

Ground Floor Recreation Area

The Recreation Area on the ground floor is equipped with a small gym, table tennis, foosball and air hockey, pool and snooker tables. Some of the equipment (especially the snooker table) in this area is old and has a lot of history behind it – so extra care needs to be taken to ensure its ongoing care and maintenance. Please follow the instructions in the room to ensure the appropriate care is applied.

Aside from bottled water, there is strictly no food/drink allowed in this area unless approved by the Head of College.

Laundry

The Laundry is on the first floor, near the theatre (see page 9 for further instructions on use). Students need to supply their own washing powder and washing basket. Laundry is open daily between 8am and 10:30pm.

Smoke Detectors

False alarms form the bulk of Fire Service callouts. Each one costs the College $1350 and this can be on-charged to the resident whether malicious or accidental, so be aware.

Common activators include; touching/tapping a detector in any way, heat from hair dryers and straighteners, excessive use of alcohol based sprays and deodorants.

Make sure your room is well ventilated and please note that tampering with fire equipment in any way is a breach of College guidelines.

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Meal Times (Dining Room)

The Dining Room is open between meal times and overnight, should students wish to study quietly or meet for a hot drink. Toast is kept out in the evening as an ‘extra’ for students – please make sure the surrounding area is kept tidy.

No cutlery or crockery is to be removed from the dining room.

Details on meal times are displayed outside the dining room on the second floor. Keep an eye out as these are likely to change during holiday periods.

Please note that during some holiday periods, some meals may be provided at Cumberland College (one block along Castle Street), in cases where student numbers are low.

There is an option each weekday morning to make a packed lunch, should you be

unable to return to the College. Please note that packed lunches and late dinners are

an alternative to in-College meals, not an addition.

Appropriate behaviour and a reasonable standard of dress whilst queuing and dining are expected – this includes:

No mobile phones or laptops use during meal times

Wearing of shoes at all times

Sitting down whilst eating

No hats

No distasteful t-shirt/clothing messages

Adequate body coverage

Pyjamas only to be worn till after breakfast

Please also note, that as a health and safety issue, bags are not to be brought in or left directly outside the dining room. You can leave these in your room prior to meal times.

Menu Choice: Most nights there will be a choice between white meat, red meat or vegetarian main course. These are ‘either/or’ choices.

We ask that any dietary requirements eg. Allergies/intolerances are discussed with our head chef, Dylan, immediately upon your arrival.

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General Information

Notices & Information

There are several different ways in which we will communicate with you at the College. Please check these frequently as there will often be time-sensitive information which requires immediate action:

The academic noticeboard near the dining room, updated regularly with tutorial timetable and other various notices.

Floor whiteboard at the end of each corridor (near lifts) updated with weekly notices. Duty RAs also write reminder notes on these boards.

The Dining Room has an electronic screen updated daily with important notices from the College and also the wider university.

The pin-board opposite the mail-slots on the ground floor has a wealth of academic and extra-curricular information available.

Mail

Mail will generally be put in the slots around the corner from r eception and are sorted by last name. Large parcels will be placed in the large white tubs underneath the mail slots. As a protection, we ask that you only collect your own mail and not on behalf of others.

Payment & Administration Queries

Any queries about accommodation fees should be directed to our Finance and Administration Manager, Joanne, at reception.

Pets

Residents are not permitted to have pets of any kind during their residency.

Newspaper

Free copies of the Otago Daily Times are available in the College Foyer. Please ensure these make their way to recycling when you have finished with them.

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Policy for Non-College Guests.

Non-Staying Guests: You are more than welcome to have friends and family come and visit you in the College during the day. If these guests are not registered to stay overnight, then they must leave by 10:15pm at the latest.

If your guest is coming outside of office hours, it is your responsibility to meet them downstairs and bring them into the College. Please do not give anyone else your swipe card.

Non-College guests are not to bring alcohol into the College and they must understand and abide by College guidelines at all times.

Overnight Guests: You may also have one overnight guest stay with you at the College at certain times during the year.

The current cost for an overnight guest is $5 per night, regardless of whether or not extra bedding is required. These guests may stay for a maximum number of 3 nights (and any possible request to extend this period must be approved by College management well in advance).

NB. Guests can be signed in and paid for at reception during office hours, or alternatively can be signed in with College security/an RA in the evening and paid for the following day. Once signed in, your guest will receive a white guest pass and must keep this with them during their stay.

Unfortunately we are currently unable to offer meals for non-College guests.

As above, it is your responsibility as host, to ensure these guests abide by College guidelines, or they will be asked to leave immediately and penalties may be issued.

Non-Guest Periods: There are a number of periods during the year, in which non- College guests (excluding parents) are not permitted to stay in the College. This includes Orientation Week, early semester two and around exam periods. Please refer to your College wall planner at the beginning of the year for these dates.

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A few more things…

In advance of each holiday period you will be asked to accurately fill out an online form indicating your plans, so we can adjust our systems and procedures.

Remember, you will need to seek permission to have any overnight guests over the break and check ‘no-guest’ times on your College wall planner.

Insurance

Take the time to check if your parents have an extended Insurance Policy to cover you living in a residential College, otherwise you should consider obtaining your own personal effects policy.

The College is not responsible for any loss or damage to personal property. We also advise that students adopt the habit of always locking their rooms, right from

the beginning of their residency.

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Student Support

It is important that our students understand they have a number of support

options available, should they have any issues/concerns.

Talk To:

Head of College (Rosemary)

Residential Tutor (currently vacant)

Any member of the Residential Assistant team

External Supports:

OUSA Advocacy Service

University Ethical Behaviour Committee

Te Rangi Hiroa College staff are able to support you in all manner of things

that may come your way during your stay with us. We consider our staff

team to be safe, well trained and experienced in all manner of life

circumstances.

If you need help, and aren’t sure where to go, or you just want to talk

about something that has happened to you, or that you are worried about,

feel free to talk to one of us.

Of course we always welcome a good old chat, so don’t be afraid to drop in

to see us about nothing in particular.

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The Te Rangi Hiroa team look forward

to welcoming you to the College and

the University of Otago.