Author
Simon Johnson

Copyright
NZERN

Student liaison process outline:
In response to Project Team meeting 13/7. Mike has already designed a notice for advertising the project. I will get a copy soon. He has taken it out to Lincoln this week for a meeting with students in the Landscape dept. I will act as the contact person for this venture.

The project is aimed at project managers, who find they have useful work for a keen and willing student. Students are expected to join the project on terms that suit the managers needs. A need to do something in the real world that is worthwhile (for the greater or common good) is implied. The Project team discussed the role of money, vis funding. While no definitive agreement was reached, it was my feeling that attracting students to his project by using the lure of funding could be counter productive in that the wrong motive may be encouraged.

Process:
1.0    Wildlife habitat restoration project managers find they have a task that may meet a students academic/intellectual interests a practical and useful way;
1.1    Project manager fills in a form supplied by the Bush Society;
1.2    Completed form arrives at Bush Soc, where the application is completed;

2.0    Students respond to the notice posted on campus notice-boards and the information provided by intermediaries. They contact the same bsoc individual processing the forms received from project managers;

3.0
a)Either the Bsoc person contacts the supervisors of interested students; or

b) the student brings their supervisors interest and requirements with them. The second option being preferable and actively encouraged.

Note)    Intermediaries should be used as far as possible. For example, a department could provide a list of students describing their respective interests, skill level, the research question(s), area of experience or study.

4.0 (as required) Bsoc contact person brings the student(s) and project manager(s) together, facilitates discussion of criteria, aims and objectives; integrates project needs with student interest/ skill; and encourages mutual agreement on method and other conditions related to the aims and objectives of the project.

5.0 On going arrangements and adjustments are the responsibility of the participants. Guidance/ management can be provided by the bsoc person as and when necessary.

Examples of projects where students have/ could help out:
Compilation of Plant Fact sheets. An A4 format information sheet supplied by the society to groups (35 listed plants so far); Soil mapping; Planting trails; Bird and Insect surveys; Describe/ illustrate/ demonstrate correct planting techniques, produce information that is accessible to the needs of people using the Bush Society network; Describe propagation methods (for schools; pri and high); Landscape design for specific sites (Eel creek, Addington), Master plan for the city(?), possibly a description of potential wildlife corridors?

Faculty Reps
·    Richard Duncan    Soil Sci/Entomology (Linc)
·    Nora DeVoe    Forestry    (Canterbury)    
·    Jenni Mihova    Landscape/Urban Design (Li)
·    ?              Journalism (Canterbury)

Keywords
NZERN 

Updated 20/11/2008 4.08AM by PIPI4