Locals from 2024 are pictured getting to know each other at one of last year’s events. Locals will be holding a series of meet and greet events in O-Week, starting on Tuesday at Te Wao Nui Otago Business School atrium.
Don’t let the name fool you – the Locals programme is not just for tauira from Ōtepoti.
Maya Pitcon
The Locals programme offers support and a sense of community to all first-year students who aren’t in colleges and might otherwise not have access to the same experiences, according to the programme Head, Maya Pitcon.
Tauira who are flatting, boarding or living at home make up about a quarter of all first-year students, Maya says.
“And a large proportion actually come from out of Dunedin and may not know many people. They’re navigating flatting and university at the same time and they’re the ones who need the most help.
“Locals can help make the transition to university life as smooth as possible.”
Maya was in Locals as a first-year student in 2013 and has since done every role in the programme.
"As a past Locals student myself, I understand some of the challenges students may face in their first year and I’m here to help.”
Maya works alongside a team of volunteer leaders to organise and run events, as well as engaging with the wider University community to organise academic support.
“Locals also has a staff member dedicated to developing the academic aspect of the programme. They work closely with the first-year students to figure out exactly what each year’s cohort need to help them transition smoothly into the new academic atmosphere at the University.
“And we’re restarting our mentoring programme, where small groups of students will be matched to a leader and will get more personalised support about a whole range of things that will help you get used to life as tauira at Otago.”
“Our cohort doesn’t know what students in colleges are getting but if they knew, they would surely say I want that too.” - Maya Pitcon
Locals leaders – who have all been in Locals in their first year – fulfil a similar role to college sub-wardens, Maya says.
“Our leaders have office hours where students can express any issues they might be having or ask any questions. Tauira can tell us what’s wrong and we can coach them through life events that don’t meet the need to see a counsellor, or we can refer them if needed.
“We can also talk to lecturers if they need extensions, and can help with essays – literally everything the colleges offer. Our cohort doesn’t know what students in colleges are getting but if they knew, they would surely say I want that too.”
Locals has its own HQ, located on the first floor of the Union Building, which is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 10pm.
“Locals HQ offers lounging spaces, study areas and a kitchen. It’s a place to set up for the day where your stuff is safe.”
There are also social opportunities, such as Unipol’s Intercollege Sports Day.
“The sports day is early in O-week when no one knows anyone that well. You just say what sport you want to play and we put you in a team. You don’t have to be good. They don’t keep score.”
There are also weekly crafty things, a monthly pancake breakfast, a book club, outings around the city, movie nights, volunteering opportunities and an annual ball.
“People are also welcome to introduce things,” Maya says.
“You get out what you put in.”
Meet and greets
Maya invites all eligible first years to attend one of Locals three meet and greet events this week.
The first event will be on Tuesday 18 February, at Te Wao Nui Otago Business School atrium.
“This is a chance to introduce people to the programme leaders and a range of University support services staff, and for students to get to know each other.
“Please don’t be intimidated. So many people are going to come by themselves, so you won’t be the only one who doesn’t know anyone. We’re all doing the scary thing together.”
This will be followed by a meet and greet for mature students at Locals HQ on Wednesday.
“About 30 per cent of first years are aged 20 or over and they often have a different uni experience. They benefit the most from connecting with other mature students who are at the same life stage as them.”
A third event, also at Locals HQ, will be held on Thursday for those who missed the first one.
“This one will be a bit more low key for anyone who prefers a quieter atmosphere.”
Even if you can’t make one of the meet and greets, Maya encourages tauira to drop into HQ and say hi.
“It’s never too late. Just know we’re here and come in if you start to struggle. Our door is always open.”
– Kōrero by Internal Communications Adviser, Laura Hewson
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