At the welcoming tea party in August this year, Xue Junjie, a Residence Student Tutor of Literary Education Hall, recalled his time as a participant, and now, he has become an organiser of the party. Since the establishment of the management system of UIC's residence hall in 2011, the system has gone through tests for more than ten years, witnessing and contributing to the development of the students and the construction of the campus.
The Halls are not only a place for students' accommodation, but also a micro-community that integrates life, learning and self-growth. For many, the halls are more than a living place.
UIC held a High Table dinner on 9 October 2024, gathering wardens, tutors and students together to share opinions on the construction of the residence halls.
Associate Vice President (Teaching and Learning) Prof Huang Yu encourages students to contribute their wisdom and strength to the halls
Representative of the Warden of the Moral Education Hall, Dr Andy Tam calls on students to build a comfortable living environment
Student representative of Yong Ya Education Hall Du Yitong shares her own experience
As an important form of UIC's liberal arts education and whole-person education, the living area of students is divided into different halls. Students of different grades and majors can exchange ideas and learn from the activities of each hall to enrich their university life.
The co-construction of teachers and students constitutes the core of the hall system of UIC.
At present, UIC has a total of 12 halls, each of which is managed and maintained by a Warden, a Residence Staff Tutor and a Residence Student Tutor. The Warden, usually acted by assistant professor or higher from Faculties and Schools, will bring academic or social resources into diverse hall activities. The Residence Staff Tutor, from Student Affairs Office, often deals with hall affairs directly. Senior student tutors are recruited to assist in organising activities and participate in daily management.
Certificates of appointment are presented to UIC's Wardens, Residence Staff Tutors and Residence Student Tutors
This fall, Dr Wang Peng of the Faculty of Business and Management is entering his third year at Yong Ya Education Hall. In the past two years, the Hall has completed the construction of its cultural environment.
"It was like experiencing a fruitful and meaningful adventure with my students, and I really enjoyed the experience," he said.
Dr Wang Peng hosts the High Table Dinner
In the "Sky Garden Planting" activity, Dr Wang Peng and student residents plant vegetables and trees
For Xue Junjie, this "little happiness" is valuable. "I used to organise a dessert DIY and tasting party to enrich the hall life for students and relief their pressure, and they were surprised and delighted when receiving my invitation."
"This is our home."
At the high table dinner, the Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Warden of Literary Education Hall, Dr Maggie Tang, stressed that consultation and co-governance are the most important factors in building a sense of belonging for students. She pointed out that communication and encouragement for residents to actively participate in the hall's activities and decision-making process is essential.
Dr Maggie Tang answers students' questions
The Student Committee, as the self-governing organisation of each hall, is committed to promoting communication, seeking welfare, enriching the life of the residents, and building the hall culture.
"We actively seek students who are passionate about building the hall culture and encourage them to join the Committee to play a central role in the work of the hall,” said Chief Student Affairs Officer of UIC and Warden of Global Education Hall, Prof Tang Shaolong.
Prof Tang Shaolong (left) shared with the students their experience in building the hall culture
As the first batch of the first-year students to live in the new halls of the second-phase campus, Gao Boxi applied to join the Student Committee of Le Ya Education hall when she was admitted. She likes to plan activities and make promotional materials, and chat with members to organise many activities according to the needs and interests of residents.
"Our goal is to create a relaxing environment for students and make their campus life more enjoyable."
Event sites of Le Ya Education Hall
This year, Gao organised two activities to welcome the new residents with her team, and has received feedbacks and thoughts from them.
"We are also willing to integrate their own ideas into the hall and be the master of the hall."
Gao Boxi (first from left) attends the high table dinner with members of the Student Committee of Le Ya Education Hall
Prof Tang Shaolong pointed out that at UIC, students can play two roles: as organisers, joining the management system as senior hall tutors or members of the student committee to develop skills, or as residents, participating in activities to experience hall culture and build community connections.
Names with visions
The halls at UIC have similar names: Scientific Education Hall, Moral Education Hall, Global Education Hall...
As one of the longest-serving housemates of UIC, Prof Tang knows all the details of the establishment of the hall. "The school hopes to give full play to the diversified educational function through the hall, so the names of the hall are ended with 'Education Hall', leaving more spaces for the development of each hall," he said.
After more than ten years of exploration and accumulation, many halls have gradually formed their own characteristics of the core culture, such as the Excellence Education Hall will select the "Representative of Excellence" every year to encourage students to shine and reach the top.
Events of Excellence Education Hall
"Academic performance is not the only criterion. Performance in sports and other aspects can be evaluated as well, which echoes the concept of whole-person education in our school." Xue Junjie, who once lived in the Excellence Education Hall, mentioned.
Global Education Hall integrates "sustainability" and "globalisation" into the life of the hall. Five years ago, it launched the first Green Bazaar in the whole campus, advocating a healthy and environmental friendly lifestyle. In order to help students establish a global vision and an international mindset, Global Education Hall has also invited outstanding scholars or industry leaders to share in the hall activities.
The Green Bazaar of Global Education Hall
Dr Wang and the residents jointly explored the concept of Yong Ya Education Hall: "Love nature, care about life, pursuit of high quality life", and for the first time around the campus, the hall has proposed an annual theme: "Building an eco-friendly living environment".
At the welcoming tea party in September 2024, Dr Wang Peng interacted with the first-year students
"The unique charm of the halls comes from its distinctive culture, just like the Hogwarts: the Snake House is flexible and pragmatic, the Eagle is forward-looking, the Badger is loyal and reliable, and the Lion is righteous and generous. Inspired by the hall cultures, residents contribute their wisdom and strength. This characteristic of the hall will become a lifelong gift for every participant, guiding their future life and growth," he said.
From MPRO
Reporter: Wang Ziling
Photographer: Lv Miaoyi, Camelia Deng
Editor: Cecilia Yu
