Department of Mathematical Sciences Induction events organised exclusively by students Freja Elbro, Abrahim Borgi and Sofie Volder Jensen Department of Mathematical Sciences EFYE 2016 Slide 1
Department of Mathematical Sciences Plan Introduction who are we? How is it carried out? Why do the students volunteer their time? What are the effects of student run inductions? EFYE 2016 Slide 2
Department of Mathematical Sciences Who are we? Freja Elbro Academic Officer Past induction organiser Abrahim Borgi Second year mathematics student Current induction organiser (2nd time) Sofie Volder Third year mathematics student Current induction organiser (2nd time) EFYE 2016
Department of Mathematical Sciences Where do we come from? Department of Mathematical Sciences 4 educations Mathematics Mathematics and economics Actuarial sciences Statistics 2 induction events Bachelor mathematics (180 new students each year) Bachelor economics and actuarial sciences (110 new students totally each year)
In practise what do we do? January: Advertise the position February: Select the groups March: Kick-off seminar April-August: Autonomous work in smaller groups August: Full time job September: Induction week 4 days on campus 4 days in country side October-July: Student organised events for new students.
Overview how wide spread is the idea? We don t know about all the different universities and educations in Denmark, but all the bachelor inductions events we know of are organised by students: All educations, the Technical University of Denmark At University of Copenhagen: Mathematics Physics Chemistry Computer Sciences Veterinary Sciences Molecular biomedicine Biochemistry Literature Geoscience Politics
How do others do it? Different ways to select the student organisers. Who runs the educational programs Different combinations with mentorship programmes Distribution of roles among the students (academic/social/cook/coordinator) Number of student organisers Mix students from different degrees
Exercise 1 How would it make sense to organise the student induction organisers at your home university? Who selects the group? Who runs the educational programs? How does it combine with your other programmes? (mentors, TA s etc.) Distribution of roles among the students (academic/social/cook/coordinator) Number of student organisers Mix students from different degrees
Why do the students volunteer their time? Have fun creating the induction together. Get a huge network Want a good social study environment in the future Learning experience Altruism (CV / resume)
What are the effects of student run inductions? Creates ties across the different year groups Gives a personal and heartfelt induction I think the induction organisers have done a good job Did not participate Don't remember Completely disagree Partly disagree Neutral Partly agree Completely agree really good at making us a group and be both a mentor and a friend 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 The induction organisers were super engaged and chatted with everybody great to feel the engagement the student organisers had in us
What are the effects of student run inductions? Innovative and fun events (breaks down barriers) How did you feel about participating in the theatre? 25% 2% 73% I thought it was incredibly fun It crossed some of my boundaries, but I still found it mainly fun It crossed some boundaries in a way that made me uncomfortable In the beginning, it sounded really dull, but when we actually did it, it turned into an incredible laughing party I found the theatre entertaining beyond all expectations Created by someone who knows what is difficult
What are the unintended side-effects? Breaking down barriers The student organisers become local celebrities -> Whose party is it? Inductions for the happy majority Would you judge that you are on your way to become part of the social community? Not at all To a small extend To some extend To a large extend 0 10 20 30 40 Strong traditions
Exercise 2 Do the pros outweigh the cons? How free reigns would you dare to give the students? How would you deal with the cons? Pros: Cons: Ties between year-groups Personal and heartfelt Innovative and fun The students know best what the students need. Breaking down barriers Celebrity status Happy majority Strong traditions
Outlook Political battle scene Bad examples in the media Communication break downs My approach We all have the same goal Explain the problem to the students, and let them solve it.
The end Any questions or ideas?