15 Living Black at University Commission Report 2022/23 14 Living Black at University Commission Report 2022/23 1.2 RECOMMENDATION 2 Improve acclimatisation and integration activities for all new students and extend the period over which these activities take place. Identified issues • The welcome period is typically two weeks following arrival, which may not be long enough for new students – particularly international students – to adjust to their new surroundings and make friends • Opportunities to bring integration and acclimatisation efforts into student residences can be missed as a result of accommodation teams being overlooked in university welcome steering groups • University welcome steering groups are majority White, meaning events aimed at non-White students may not be considered • Induction materials for new students do not identify where students can find culturally relevant services, such as haircare, mental health support and international supermarkets Commission actions • Develop and pilot a Black services guide resource in collaboration with Black students, to signpost to culturally relevant services in university cities • Create a toolkit to support the wider sector to use the Black services guide resource in their city Good practice tips Rebecca O’Hare, Interim Deputy Director of Residential Services at the University of Leeds : • Review arrival activities with a student working group that includes students’ union members, Residence Life Assistants, and members of relevant societies such as Afro Caribbean and faith groups • Use findings from the working group to create action plans and build into annual objectives; this will centre Black students and create a relationship between students and staff • Create content designed specifically for Black students, supporting them to navigate university life, the campus and student accommodation, and share this through pre-arrival communications, printed guidance and student-led social media content • Provide opportunities and budget for Black students to lead activities of interest to them and their peers throughout the academic year Sharon O’Donnell, Head of Customer Services & Residences Life at Newcastle University : • University accommodation teams, student life teams and the Students’ Union should work collaboratively to create a joined-up, coherent induction experience • Prepare students for induction prior to arrival with a dedicated site, so that they can familiarise themselves with the university and city in advance • Offer a hybrid induction, giving students the opportunity to engage with content both in-person and online • Continue to run events throughout the year that recognise a variety of culturally significant dates and festivals Self-assessment questions Does the diversity of your organisation’s welcome steering group reflect the diversity of the student body? Are accommodation teams represented on your institution’s welcome steering group? Does your institution’s welcome steering group consider events shaped by and organised for non-White and international students? Do your organisation’s induction materials consider the needs of students from different countries and cultures, including signposting to culturally relevant services in your town/city? Are your university’s international and/or ethnic societies in contact with your accommodation team, and does your accommodation team signpost students to these societies? Does your institution hold ‘refreshers’ events throughout the year, and for students in later years of study, to offer new touchpoints for making friends and building a sense of community? Does your institution offer a good variety of events without alcohol for students whose faith or cultural background may prohibit its consumption?