6 July 2009 Strong secondary student interest in Lincoln shown through events

Events are an important component of the student recruitment process. The Event Coordinator in Lincoln University's Marketing, Communications and Recruitment Group is Bachelor of Recreation Management graduate Rachel Boon. Among the events Rachel has had on her agenda so far this year have been three with a primary focus on the recruitment of secondary school students - the Careers Advisors Extravaganza, Discovery Day and the Coca-Cola Christchurch Careers Expo.

The Careers Advisors Extravaganza held in February saw 70 secondary school careers advisors from around New Zealand invited to campus to attend the two-day event. The theme for the event was Sustainability and throughout their time at the University participants had the opportunity to view the campus and find out more about what Lincoln University has to offer to prospective students. On departure each Careers Advisor was presented with a specially potted native seedling to take back to their school. Each of the plants was collected locally and the intention was to provide a gift that could begin as a sustainable addition to the careers office and later be planted in the school grounds as a reminder of a relationship the school has with Lincoln University.

The Extravaganza was highly successful with 98% of those who attended indicating that they would now recommend Lincoln University to a student they might not have previously, prior to attending the event.

Discovery Day is an annual event which provides senior secondary school students from around Canterbury with the opportunity to attend half-day sessions at Lincoln University and the University of Canterbury. The aim of the day is for the students to "discover" the tertiary education opportunities available to them in Christchurch and encourage them to start considering their futures beyond secondary school.

This year more than 500 secondary students from as far afield as Timaru, Greymouth and Hurunui visited Lincoln University on Discovery Day. This year Tourism and Sport and Recreation proved to be the most popular subject choices among the students.

After Discovery Day the event focus moved from on-campus to off-campus events and the Coca-Cola Christchurch Careers Expo. The Coca-Cola Christchurch Careers Expo is a three-day opportunity for a wide range of tertiary providers, training institutes, government departments and employers to engage with secondary school students, their families and members of the public in order to assist them with making decisions about careers. Lincoln University had a large presence at the Expo with the orange and black colours prominently visible around the Westpac Arena.

Coming up as the final major recruitment-focused event for 2009 is the Lincoln University Open Day on Thursday 16 July. Open Day provides those seriously considering studying at Lincoln University with an opportunity to see the campus and gain specific information about Lincoln University and the qualifications offered. Prospective students from around New Zealand descend upon the campus for Open Day, with many staying overnight in the Halls of Residence. The 2008 Open Day was the best yet with a record number of visitors attending the welcome from the Vice-Chancellor and the course presentations throughout the day. The hope is to build on this success in 2009.

Open Day visitors have the opportunity to attend course specific presentations, tour the campus and facilities, meet and talk with current staff and students, and gain one-on-one
advice regarding everything from enrolment, to course planning to dining hall menu options and everything in between!

Traditionally Open Day sees Academic Faculties and support services make staff available in the Stewart Building foyer to answer questions and speak with interested students and their families. However this year with the opening of the new Landscape Architecture Building staff will be spread between the Stewart and Landscape buildings for the first time. This will allow for a greater number of staff to be involved in Open Day.