A: As a mixed-use facility, Orchard Commons has created a lot of new opportunities. The dining hall, and classroom facilities are open to everyone at UBC. There is a real buzz in the building — with first year students living in the space and with classes from all different disciplines and programs taking place in the building. Now that we’ve been open for a year, many students, staff and faculty have also discovered Orchard Commons is a great place to connect! The active learning classrooms and informal learning spaces have become a popular place to study for students and the Open Kitchen is a great place to eat.
I like how Orchard Commons increases the opportunities for students, staff and faculty to interact with each other. In addition to in-class settings, there are a multitude of spaces for group study sessions, and we also hold office hours in more open and informal learning spaces. I think spaces like Orchard Commons make it less intimidating for students to approach faculty and staff outside of class. I, for example, enjoy smiling at, saying hello, and chatting to the students as I walk through the building (and often talk with students in the lunch time line ups at Open Kitchen).
When I have talked with students about Orchard Commons, they tell me they like being able to use the classroom spaces as learning / study spaces (i.e. outside of regularly scheduled class time). They describe how the vibrancy of these spaces feels different than studying in the library. There is a sense of community. For example, one student shared with me that she studies here because her friends live here. So when she needs to take a break she can visit with her friends and everything they need is really close.
A: This is a special year for the Vantage One programs as our first intake of students will begin graduating in May of 2018. It has been so rewarding to track the success of Vantage One students and to see the many different program specializations, combinations of majors, student leadership opportunities, and options they have pursued. Again, I am always amazed and inspired by our student leaders at UBC. We have peer mentors who are former Vantage students and this year they organized a Vantage One reunion. Seeing friends reconnect and watching 2nd and 3rd year students give advice to first years, made that reunion one of my favourite events of the year.
The Vantage One Capstone Conference is another place where our student community really shines. This past July, we had close to 300 student delegates present the results of their research and design projects. Vantage One students choose the conference theme, design the logo, build the website, and set the academic program. Students really enjoy presenting their work in this multidisciplinary and authentic conference setting and we also get the chance to acknowledge and celebrate their achievements.
A: In the Vantage One program we think deeply about how to enrich the student experience. Our faculty and staff work collaboratively on how to integrate academic English instruction, coordinate courses and co-curricular programming, and incorporate multidisciplinary research and design experiences.
A: All Vantage One students participate in the Jump Start orientation program. In Jump Start, students can expect to meet other students from their Faculty, explore the campus, connect with advisors, and get set up for academic success at UBC. Students have the chance to interact with peers and faculty members in learning communities.
I’m particularly passionate about teaching in first year. I love it when I can connect with students. For example, I enjoy teaching in the Fall term because that means that I can be one of the first professors (or classes) who welcomes new students to UBC. For the past three years, I have also volunteered to greet students at the airport when they arrive for Jump Start. I feel a special sense of connection with students that I meet in these contexts and I love to hear about ‘Who they would like to be’ as they begin their studies at UBC.
For the past three years, I have also volunteered to greet students at the airport when they arrive for Jump Start. I feel a special sense of connection with students that I meet in these contexts and I love to hear about ‘Who they would like to be’ as they begin their studies at UBC.
