Residential Students’ Department

BY VAISHNAVI RN

In 2021, the Residential Students’ Department focused on fostering positive intercollege ties and promoting safety and inclusivity across college row. We started the year by including information in College Orientations to update residents on ways to get involved with University and inform them about the support services on campus, bridging the gap between campus and College.

There are many achievements that make 2021 a notable year for the department. We rewrote and passed a set of rules to implement positive election culture and a more functional department structure. We introduced a Women’s Officer and a Community and Environment Officer to adapt to the changing needs of college row. We provided free masks for residents during lockdowns and advocated for residents’ financial constraints during snap lockdowns. In terms of events, we brought back Intercollege LipDub, Intercollege Debating, Intercollege Quiz Night, RSD Toga Party and the RSD Ball. We also introduced Intercollege Chess and Intercollege Comedy to engage with residents that do not participate in usual social events. Our events have been well-received and have all sold-out to maximum capacity. We worked with the Tavern to introduce “A Taste of College” into their menu as a cocktail representing college row. We prioritised our welfare initiatives throughout the year by hosting a Petting Zoo with St George’s College in the lead up to exam season, by providing a coffee van for residents during study break and raising $1800 for the UWA Living Room to support its work around residents’ mental health. We worked with the Women’s Department to organise a self-defence class for women and non-binary residents at college and ran a sold-out panel lunch in lieu of International Women’s Day discussing pertinent issues. We have promoted safety at our events by supporting the Guild’s “Wellbeans” initiative and by working closely with local bars to expand their “Ask for Angela” initiative and food menu during student nights. We are currently working on a College Row Student Experience Survey for residents to be able to provide their honest feedback surrounding various aspects of college life.

2021 was a great year for the RSD’s Culture Cup which ran with heightened engagement. With 900 people through the door at our final cultural event, Battle of the Bands, Trinity clinched the top position for Culture Cup. 2021 has been a busy and rewarding year and I hope we continue working towards making College a great experience for everyone.