4 September 2006 Memorable experience of living on campus

In addition to the books, the lectures and the learning, there are obviously many other aspects to the university experience, says Lincoln University's Amy Milner, Community Manager with the University's Accommodation Services.

“One of the most memorable ‘other aspects’ is living on-campus in the halls of residence. You will find that halls stories and memories live on and become legends long after you’ve graduated and settled into the rest of your life.

“As a university with a national recruitment catchment, Lincoln draws many of its students from outside of Canterbury so its six halls of residence are an important campus facility.

“In many ways the halls provide the nucleus of the campus spirit at Lincoln,” says Amy. “Unlike many other universities where the halls are often distributed around several off-campus locations, at Lincoln the halls are all part of the central campus. There are six halls in total, just a moment or two’s walk from the Library, lecture theatres and other facilities.”

This term the University has 520 students in residence, and an enthusiastic team of Accommodation Services personnel, senior residential assistants and residential assistants is making sure that they have a safe, happy and memorable time.

Amy, who is a key member of the Accommodation Services team, is responsible for providing activities, care and support for the residential students.

It’s part of her job to generate a feeling of community among halls residents through organising and running a programme of social and competitive activities.

For the residents of 2006 there will be many legendary memories. So far this year there’s been the Kombi Challenge – seeing which hall could fit the most students into the University’s Kombi van (stationary and off-road, of course); the Op Shop Challenge – who could come up with the best fashion presentation from op shop purchases to the value of $40; the Big Eat (enough said!); a formal halls ball; and much more.

The halls activity programme is definitely something that puts “life” into the expression “life at Lincoln” and Amy has plenty of ideas for legend-making activities in 2007. Included is an on-campus “beach party” planned for Orientation 2007. “We’ll be making our own beach on the campus and providing jandals, sunhats and other typical Kiwi beach items,” she says.

For the full story about living on-campus, check out www.lincoln.ac.nz/accommodation or contact the University for halls of residence information.

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand