Abstract
The First Year Advisor Network (FYAN) at Murdoch University has a three-tiered approach offering (i) individual, (ii) school-based and (iii) institution-wide student access to support that addresses the diverse needs of the contemporary student population. The programs, campaigns and open - door policy of the FYAN, along with the unique structure of the network, have been developed to provide these varied points of access to student support. Importantly, First Year Advisors (FYAs) act as a generalised support for all students and as a hub to accessing specialised support at the University. This paper highlights the range of initiatives developed by the FYAN and emphasises that while outreach contact is a successful way to promote access to support, many students still self identify as at-risk and will access FYAs for direct and referral advice.
Highlights
Widening participation and increasing the number of non-traditional and low socio economic status students in higher education has been a focus for Australian universities, since the Review of Australian Higher Education (Bradley, Noonan, Nugent & Scales, 2008)
In the lead up to semester, the admission letter from the University encourages students to contact their FYA if they have questions regarding any aspect of their enrolment process; First Year Advisors attend Early Enrolment Days in the two weeks leading up to Orientation Week (O Week); and students meet their FYA during orientation sessions, whereupon they are given material displaying the FYA logo, contact details and a description of the type of issues FYAs can assist with
The First Year Advisor Network (FYAN) are formally evaluating, and continually reflecting, on all areas of the Network to have a clearer understanding of which initiatives are working well and which areas may require adaptation or change
Summary
Widening participation and increasing the number of non-traditional and low socio economic status (low SES) students in higher education has been a focus for Australian universities, since the Review of Australian Higher Education (Bradley, Noonan, Nugent & Scales, 2008). Students are entering tertiary study through a variety of non-traditional and alternative pathways, and many of these students are withdrawing within their first year of study (Brinkworth, McCann, Matthews & Nordstrom, 2009) This can be attributed to a wide range of factors and the issues that students face within their first year of study at a higher education institution. The network, as a cohesive group, provides a consistent and coordinated approach to student support at all three tiers and works together to promote access to the support available The need for this holistic approach to support for students is outlined by Nelson et al (2009), who state that providing personal, social and academic support are vital for successful first year experience programs. The range of support provided and promoted by the FYAN creates a “building blocks” approach to first year transition, recognising that each individual will access support differently
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