Learning the ropes

The beginning of any academic year is a period of transition for the undergraduate, postgraduate and staff communities within the University. New undergraduates, new postgraduates and new staff share an experience common with all people who enter a new social community. Each person needs to first "learn the ropes" in order to be effective and feel a part of their new environment. The first requirement of a new sailor was to "learn the ropes"; to master the names, locations and functions of the various ropes on a ship. Each ship was different, so even when experienced, success for a newcomer was dependent on "knowing the ropes" in a particular environment. This need to be aware of the language and customs peculiar to the community of people you have joined, but not yet been accepted into, resurfaces each time a person leaves the familiar for the unfamiliar.

To ease this transition, orientations or induction events are often provided to enable the novice to meet experienced members of the community, as well as other novices. These orientations begin a process where the culture of the new group is glimpsed through stories told which help reveal some of the tacit knowledge necessary for group participation.

For each of these communities within the University (undergraduate, postgraduate or staff ) new members are selected for participation based on an assessment of demonstrated potential. Support from others within the University can help to see that potential realised. The use of mentors for both students and staff is one form of support to assist the transition and the development from novice to expert within each community. Some mentoring is arranged formally for either student or staff. A lot of mentoring is informal peers helping peers.

Not everyone makes this transition well. For some the experience is unproductive and the individual feels excluded. This limits their participation and their potential contribution to the community. What actions can we take to facilitate the transition of individuals from one community to the next within the University?