RAW data from the 2011 ANUSA survey, summarised in an upcoming ANUSA Housing Review Report, makes strong recommendations on pastoral care at ANU residences.

The report suggests that students were generally satisfied with pastoral care, but points to worrying student statistics and argues that improvements must be made to SR-student ratios and consistency between residences.

“The quality of pastoral care provision was not uniform between residences,” says the report, drawing on raw data from the 2011 ANUSA Survey to show that resident satisfaction was generally higher at Colleges than Halls and Lodges.

This variation between residences is broadly consistent with Housing Review responses, according to the report, but there may be limitations in this ANUSA Survey data. In a separate summary report, ANU Statistical Services stated that the survey data was “broadly representative of the survey population based on residency, and study level”, but slightly over-represented by female respondents. Other surveys addressing pastoral care have also been conducted, with some reporting similar conclusions, but they are not addressed by the report.

The Housing Review report also makes the recommendation that SR-student ratios be standardised across all residences at ANU to no lower than 1 SR for every 30 residents.

“Respondents in several residences with significantly higher SR-student ratios sometimes reported that they found regularly interacting with their SR more difficult”, states the report.

Raw data from the appendix of the report also cites consultation responses from students who said they felt that “the ratio affects the quality they can provide”. The report states that these comments were more frequent from students and even past SRs residing on floors with 90-100 students.

Housing Review respondents in a few residences also said the quality of their SRs sometimes varied between floors, according to the report. In response, the report recommends “a more comprehensive performance evaluation system … so residence administrations can better monitor each SR’s performance”.

The report also states that Housing Review respondents expressed satisfaction with the training their SRs had received, and recommends a gender and sexuality SR portfolio in each residence.

Woroni obtained an advance draft press copy of the Housing Review Report, which is scheduled release within the next few weeks. The 11,000-word report, based largely on consultations conducted as part of last year’s Housing Review, also cites 2011 ANUSA Survey data and prior peer-reviewed research into Higher Education. The report comments on ANU’s residential experience, life in residences, student finance and international students.

The ANUSA Housing Review, which took place last year, comprised of a series of open consultation sessions based on a discussion paper drawing from past survey data, reports and discussions between ANU and ANUSA representatives during 2011.