Tuesday 31 July 2018 9:00pm
Andy Walne (standing) took up his role as Head of Caroline Freeman College in early 2016. Photos: Sharron Bennett.
Andy Walne
Living in a residential college is an important part of the university experience for many students leaving home for the first time. At Otago, each of our 14 undergraduate residential colleges is supported by a team of individuals whose main priority is to ensure the welfare, enjoyment and overall success of the residents in their care.
At the helm of each college is a leader — known as a Warden at some colleges, Head of College or College Master at others — who is responsible for all aspects of the running and day-to-day management of the college, its residents, and staff.
In this instalment of the College Leaders Series, we introduce you to Andy Walne, Head of Caroline Freeman College.
Formerly known as City College, Caroline Freeman College was renamed earlier this year in honour of the University’s first woman graduate.
Q. How long have you been with the college/University? How did you come to this role?
A. I started in this role in late January 2016, so five semesters now. I started just before O Week in 2016 and experienced the year with the same nervous excitement as all the other new residents. With over 20 years’ experience in a range of roles in both secondary and tertiary education, the Head of College role presented an exciting and challenging opportunity. I was attracted by idea of living on-site and being fully immersed in the life of the College.
Many of the college’s buildings face onto the sunny central courtyard.
The Attic space is set up for gaming, television, movies and hanging out.
Q. What’s your favourite college event each year and why?
A. With only two full years under my belt, I still get excited by every event at the College and each year we try new activities. The end of year formal dinner is a bittersweet night as, although we are saying farewell to the residents, it is inspiring to see how much they have grown during the year, leaving as adults ready for greater independence. The annual art show is special. Over the years, the college has created a beautiful collection of student art. The quality and variety of work always amazes me – the residents are so talented.
The café space is ideal for socialising, eating meals, playing pool or watching TV.
Q. What’s your favourite place/amenity within your college and why?
A. We are lucky to have a great purpose-built college. My favourite indoor area is probably the café which is our informal dining and social area. This area was redesigned in 2017 and quickly became the hub of the college. There are always students in the café so it a great place to stop for a chat or try to win a game of pool. The courtyard is a great outdoor space, especially in spring with the trees and plants in bloom. During the day, it is a relaxing environment in which to relax or study. On warmer Saturday evenings, it becomes a vibrant social space for the college to get together.
A well-being programme is led by the residential assistants to encourage residents to develop healthy habits for study, rest and play.
Q. If your college was a person, how would you describe it?
A. Caroline Freeman College would be very much like the person whose name we are proud to honour. Caroline Freeman was the first female graduate of the University of Otago in 1885. She was a determined student, passionate about the opportunities provided by education and prepared to back her own judgement rather than follow the crowd. A person who cared about the future and thought creatively to solve problems.
Artworks from alumni cover the walls throughout the college.
Q. What would you say makes your college unique? What sets it apart from others at Otago?
A. The physical infrastructure of the college offers residents the best of both worlds with large, welcoming communal areas in the centre combined with smaller accommodation units. They can join with the crowd or choose a quieter space to study or chill with a few friends.
The lovely artwork on the walls is the first aspect that most visitors notice. Every piece of art is made by a student who was living at the college at the time. Each year, we hold an art show for any resident to enter and over 19 years the collection has grown. This artwork showcases the diversity that is a key part of the history and tradition of the college. Originally with residents from three tertiary institutions, we have always embraced diversity and the vibrancy that comes with it.
Each housing block at Caroline Freeman College is named after one of the original titleholders of the land on which the college is built.
Q. Describe a typical day for yourself around the college.
A. I am usually in my office by about 8.30am when I will have my first coffee of the day, catching up on any events from the previous night, attending to urgent matters for the day and checking on residents’ welfare. After that the morning will be a mixture of meetings including administrative, property maintenance, food service, financial or health and safety matters, interspersed with frequent cups of coffee. After a good lunch at the college, I will often meet with residents to discuss academic or pastoral matters. Like all the college leaders, I also represent the wider collegiate community on a number of working groups. This community is a real strength of the University. While we may compete on the sports field or in the debating room, we work together to provide a student-focused residential experience. It is something really special.
After dinner with my family, often at the college, I may attend a college event, clear emails from the day or catch up with residents about their day.
The college comprises 38 apartments, mostly with six bedrooms and a few with four or five bedrooms.
Q. Is there a particularly memorable story/highlight from your time at the college that you can share with parents/whanau?
A. I would say being crowned winners of the inaugural Inter-college Cultural Competition in 2016. The 14-event competition went down to the last day, the pool competition. When we came second to clinch the overall award, the celebrating began and our top player became an overnight legend.
There are also sporting successes – the enthusiasm and determination of our ladies rugby team in appalling weather conditions is memorable. However the most memorable events are those less obvious, but more important, stories that happen within the community. The genuine care for each other is inspiring.
Q. What do you hope the students will get out of their time at your college?
A. I believe there are two key goals for first-year students. Firstly, to adjust to the higher level of study. NCEA is at Level 3 and their degree starts at Level 5 so it is a big jump for some. Secondly, to develop friendship groups and support networks to help them get the best out of their university experience.
We support our residents to achieve these goals by doing virtually everything else for them. We provide pastoral and well-being support; social, cultural and sporting activities; good food; and a warm, safe environment within a community based on family values.
I hope all the residents take advantage of the huge range of opportunities available to them at the college and at the University of Otago and thereby have a great residential experience. My closest friends in the UK are still a crowd I met in my first year at the University of York over 30 years ago.
Nestled among the student flats of North Dunedin, the College is situated just across the road from Dunedin’s Botanic Gardens and is just a short, flat walk to the University.
Q. What would parents/whanau be surprised to learn about your college? About your role as head of college?
A. They might be surprised to know that the college has “toast-time” 24/7 and the residents consume about 7kg of hot chocolate powder and 30 loaves of bread every day.
Most people are surprised to know that the collegiate residential experience offered at the University of Otago is unique in New Zealand. The University is one of a small group of universities worldwide that embraces the collegiate way in supporting students in the transition from secondary to tertiary education.
A typical Caroline Freeman College room – heaps of space for study and friends.
Q. Do you have anything you wish to add?
A. As college leaders, we all say to potential students that the best college is the one you are in. It is easy to say this as it is true. The collegial experience at the University of Otago is exceptional and I feel privileged to be part of it.
View more photos from our recent visit to Caroline Freeman College:
Find out more about Caroline Freeman College
Caroline Freeman College is the latest addition to the University’s portfolio of colleges and is named in honour of the University’s first female graduate and a passionate pioneer in education. Caroline Freeman College has 214 single bedrooms spread across 38 apartments. Each apartment comprises four, five or six bedrooms; a lounge; a kitchenette; and shared bathrooms. Shared living offers you a perfect stepping-stone into your first year away from home with all the benefits of college life.
Address 911 Cumberland Street, North Dunedin
Tel 03 479 5590
Email carolinefreeman.college@otago.ac.nz
Web www.otago.ac.nz/freeman-college