Support and services

Our on-site manager and collegiate team provide a personal level of support, networking, advice and companionship. Members of the Residential Colleges team are trained in administering first aid and mental health first aid training. 

You will also have access to a Student Advisor (Wellbeing), along with the broader support for learning team who are here to enhance the health and wellbeing of the college community through provision of support, advice and training to the collegiate team and college staff. The Student Advisor (Wellbeing) assists residents with services such as mental health triage and risk assessment, referral to allied student services, study strategies, stress management strategies and psychoeducational programs. Their office is located in the administration building of McGregor College and appointments can be arranged by contacting the Wellness Team. 

Additionally, UniSQ offer a variety of support services.

Every member of the university community has the right to experience a safe, secure and welcoming environment. It is therefore expected that residents will display considerate and respectful behaviour to others at all times. Abusive behaviour, including sexual assault and harassment, will not be tolerated.  

Community values

Values of respect, integrity and excellence guide our community expectations and standards for our student cohort. All residents, student leaders and staff are committed to our university values. We expect residents to behave in a proactive, safe and tolerant manner.  

We value building a positive community with common values and we celebrate diversity as our strength, irrespective of the individuals’ background. 

Residential student support

If you are a victim of sexual assault or harassment, support is available to you at the Residential Colleges by contacting a member of Collegiate Team or college management. 

UniSQ also provides a variety of support services through our Safer Communities resources, with external support information available. 

The fundamental purpose of college life is to help you achieve your academic goals. Academic life at colleges is supportive and rewarding and is experienced through a number of programs and activities, outside your scheduled lectures and tutorials. 

Residential Colleges also inherently offers the opportunity of an informal network of support by simply being part of the residential community and therefore having the opportunity to share with other students and to seek assistance from Residential Leaders who are experienced in the academic area.

Res PALS

Each year, Residential Colleges conduct the Residential Peer Assisted Learning Sessions (Res PALS) program. This induction program is modelled on and runs in conjunction with the existing UniSQ PASS Program to support and develop a learning community for new students residing on campus. 

Throughout each study period, several structured induction sessions are conducted for peer mentors or experienced students to engage with first-year students and draw upon past study experiences to aid in transitioning to tertiary education and a living-learning on campus balance.

Living Learning Communities (LLCs) are active groups that support the college experience. They are great opportunity for all residents to contribute to the various streams of LLCs.  With the support of the Collegiate and RSC teams, the learning communities organise several events and initiatives.

The LLCs and their missions’ statements are as follows:

Academic support community: We’re passionate about education, social peer learning and establishing professional relationships within academic study areas. Additional to Residential Peer Assisted Learning Sessions (PALS), we organise regular study nights to help support students, and of course, provide study snacks!

Cultural, charity and community: We’re centred around bringing the colleges together by creating memories through arts, media, and entertainment. This may include internal events on colleges and excursions in the Darling Downs Region. This Committee also supports charitable organisations and are committed to giving our time & effort to strengthen the relationship between the Residential Colleges and the community. We’re responsible for fundraising, including organising events like World’s Greatest Shave, Relay for Life and providing various services to support local outreach programs such as the Vinnies SENSE program and Rosies Friends on the Street.

Environment and sustainability community: We’re aiming to create a sustainable culture within every aspect of college life. We’ll help with recycling programs, events like clean up Australia Day and Earth Hour, and maintaining our college community garden. We’re also working towards a plastic free, more sustainable living environment for our current residents and future ones!

Nutrition, health and wellness community: We’re passionate about providing fun opportunities that enhance physical, mental and social health within the college community. We aim to encourage inter-college relations through organising themed dinners or BBQ’s, which will be incorporated with other events. All residents will have the opportunity to learn about healthy and cheap meals through cooking classes held each Trimester. We also promote healthy meals and use of sustainable resources throughout all three colleges.
To be a part of an LLC, residents can speak with their block Res Leader or RSC representative.