Handbook
2017
Contents
3 Welcome
4
College Staff and Student Executive
•Staff
•Tutors
• College House Students’ Association
5
College House Glossary
6
Academic Study
7
College Life
8Accommodation
•Houses
• Room Allocation
• Student Rooms
• More About Your Room
11 Dining Hall
• Meal Times
• Formal Dining
• Dress in the Dining Hall
• Other Food Things
14Facilities
• Allan Pyatt Study Centre
• Arthur Sims Library
•Barbeques
• Bicycles and Vehicles
• Computer Room
• Formal Lounge
• Laundry and Drying Room
• Photocopier, Scanner and Mail
• Security and Safety
• Student Common Room
• Tennis Court
17 General Information
• Absences from the College
• Academic Requirements
•Chapel
• Evacuation Procedures
Welcome
•Fees
• Illness or Accident
•Insurance
•Location
•Re-admission
• Responsibility for Loss and Damage
•Vacations
•Visitors
20
Other Things
•Alcohol
•Drugs
• Firearms and Weapons
•Fireworks
• Intellectual Property
•Litter
• Looking after the College
•Noise
•Parties
•Pets
•Smoking
• Sport and Games
23 Expectations of Behaviour
• Breaking our Trust in You
24History
25 About the Houses
26 Alumni and Development Office
27 For Parents
• First Day
• Dietary Requirements
• Financial Crisis?
• Keeping us Informed
•What Happens if Your Son
or Daughter is Ill?
28 Items to Bring
29 College House Directory 2017
Welcome to College House for 2017.
College House is where you will live,
study and achieve. The next step
in your journey starts here and we
welcome you to a place we call home
and we know you will too.
In choosing College House you have chosen
a home that is like no other. It is a wonderful
community of people from all over the country
who have come to UC to study in all manner of
exciting fields. It’s a truly collegial place where
the students here drive each other to do the best
they possibly can.
This handbook is a guide to life at CH. There
are many cogs to the CH wheel and each plays
its part. Take some time to read through this
Handbook; it gives tips on what to bring, how
things function, who does what, how we live
as a community and some of the roles that are
unique to CH.
All the best for the year ahead.
Alastair Drayton, Principal
Our thanks to Annabella Thomas (2015-2016) for photographs used in the Handbook.
2 | College House Handbook 2017
College House Handbook 2017 | 3
College Staff and Student Executive
Staff
College House Students’ Association
The Principal is the Head of College House; he
is responsible to the Board of Governors for the
administration of the college and the welfare of
its students.
The College House Students’ Association
(CHSA) represents our students and organises
a wide variety of events and activities in the
college.
The Assistant to the Principal is responsible
for much of the day-to-day administration of
the college. Responsibilities include student
welfare, academic assistance for students and
leadership training.
An annually-elected House Council
(President, Vice-President, Secretary,
Treasurer, Social Chairperson, Sports
Representative, Cultural Officer, and Chief
Castigator and Crime Crusher) manages the
affairs of CHSA. It organises sports contests
throughout the year, cultural events, parties,
an annual ball, feast dinners, quizzes, drama
and other competitions.
The Bursar is responsible for the financial
management of the college, as well as the
upkeep of its grounds and buildings.
The House Manager supervises the college’s
kitchen and housekeeping staff, and she also
ensures the good health and welfare of all
students.
The Development Director is responsible for
alumni communications and events, as well as
fundraising.
The Maintenance Officer and the Groundsman
are responsible for the college’s buildings,
equipment, grounds and gardens.
The Alumni and Development Officer
helps manage events, communications and
fundraising.
Tutors
The residential tutor team assists the Principal
and other staff in the day-to-day management
of the house, and shares responsibility for our
students’ welfare.
A duty tutor is always on-site out of hours and
can be contacted in any emergency either
by telephoning the college on 03 364 2001 or
phoning 6001 from a student’s room.
Academic tutors are available for consultation
on individual academic problems and
assignments. CH offers both group tutorials and
one-on-one mentoring from Returners, and
from UC’s tutors on a weekly basis.
4 | College House Handbook 2017
College House Glossary
CHSA membership is compulsory for all CH
students; a fixed fee is payable at the time of
accepting a place at the college.
Decisions affecting the financial or internal
business of CHSA are taken at the General
Meetings of the Association.
House Council members are elected each
September for the following year. They come
into residence early the following year for
leadership training, to plan orientation
activities and to help new members of the
house settle in.
CCACC 2016: Tate Steele
CH has its own traditions and
vernacular that is unique to our
community. We list below some of
the terms you will need to know;
there are many others that you will
learn along the way.
Fresher – a first year College House student.
House Mum – she will help ensure that your
room, floor and house are looked after.
Returner – a second year College House
student. Returners make up just under half
the students at CH.
CCACC (Chief Castigator and Crime Crusher)
– presides over ‘Shambles Court’, see more on
page 7.
Room 16 – a Returner student who oversees
the wellbeing of one of CH’s 11 houses. A go-to
student who will take care of the students in
their house and organise house events.
CHSA – also known as the House Council.
Elected to represent the CH student body.
The House Council runs events at CH over the
academic year. See College House Students’
Association on page 4.
Tutors – usually fifth year students (some are
CH alumni) who are CH staff members. They are
on duty during the evenings and weekends, and
are responsible for the college and wellbeing of
all students.
College House Handbook 2017 | 5
Academic Study
College Life
At CH, students benefit from
collegiate living – in the true sense
of the word. With the wide range
of social events and hall activities,
you’ll get to know your fellow
students very quickly.
Cultural and social: Twice each year there’s a
major theme party and the annual ball, quiz,
drama and music competitions and events.
We hold an annual car rally, there are a number
of musical groups to join (including an octet,
rock and jazz bands) as well as many other
social activities.
Sport: There are sports contests throughout
the year, including inter-hall competitions in
athletics, swimming, ultimate frisbee, tennis,
badminton, basketball, volleyball and touch
rugby. There are competitions in tennis, table
tennis, pool and chess. Cricket and touch rugby
matches are also keenly fought.
CH normally fields soccer, rugby, basketball,
netball and tennis teams in local competitions.
Students also organise regular group ski trips
during the winter.
College House students have a reputation
for high standards and academic
excellence. Many of our students
regularly obtain UC’s top awards and
prestigious national scholarships
whilst they’re at CH and beyond.
We have a strong commitment to study and
learning, and all students are expected to
share and support the academic culture at CH.
6 | College House Handbook 2017
Our residential tutors and Returners, as well
as alumni, lecturers and other students from
outside with expertise in many subjects, provide
free academic assistance in a large number
of first and second year subjects. It’s our top
priority to help you achieve success in your
academic courses.
There’s an annual sports and cultural exchange
with Otago’s Selwyn College with two events
each year – alternating between Christchurch
and Dunedin. We also have an annual cultural
exchange with Trinity College, Melbourne
– again the location alternates each year.
Traditions: College House is a modern hall
of residence with strong traditions; students
wear academic gowns to dinner three nights a
week during term. Our dining hall follows the
traditional English model with a high table and
long tables for the students who sit on wooden
benches. Formal dining gives us the opportunity
to gather as a community three nights a week,
allowing house activities to be organised and
helping students get to know each other quickly.
Other traditions include an induction ceremony
(expected but not compulsory) for all Freshers.
We hold special feast dinners throughout the
year including a Robbie Burns Dinner and a
Mid-Winter Christmas Dinner featuring carol
singing and a visit by Father Christmas. There’s
a ‘Shambles Court’ where students hold lighthearted mock trials of students who are deemed
to have breached the peace. Presided over by
an elected CCACC (Chief Castigator and Crime
Crusher), the student who stands accused can
avoid punishment with a witty and spirited
defence of his or her actions, while guilty
verdicts normally depend on how humorous
the proposed punishment is.
The essence of College House is its strong
community spirit, love of learning and making
great friendships.
If you’re a Returner, there are many leadership
opportunities for you this year.
College House Handbook 2017 | 7
Accommodation
Houses
Student Rooms
College House is distinct in that it’s a residential
college; it’s not a hostel or boarding facility.
We expect our students to keep their rooms
tidy (beds made every day!), clothes put away
in drawers and in the wardrobe, and for the
windows to be open. Snowboards, skis and bikes
are to be stored in the lockable storage rooms
or the drying rooms we have available – they’re
not to be kept in your room or in communal
house spaces.
You’ll live in one of 11 houses, each containing
13-15 student rooms.
Each house has a distinct identity; house
members hold house dinners and activities,
and take part in inter-house competitions.
There’s a potted history of each house on
page 25.
Most floors in each house have five student
rooms and a bathroom; there’s a foyer area that
includes a fridge and sink bench. Although the
foyer and bathroom are cleaned twice a week by
your house mum, you must keep the area clean
and tidy. Small appliances for making snacks
(such as toasters and electric jugs) may be
kept in the foyer area, but we can’t allow other
cooking appliances in your house. If you need
a microwave, there’s one in the common room.
Room Allocation
The outgoing tutor team allocates rooms at
the beginning of the year so each house has
a relatively even combination of men and
women, ranges of subjects being studied as well
as a geographical mix. Changes to the rooming
plan can only be done with the approval of the
Principal. At the end of each year rooms will be
re-allocated for Returners.
Whilst we respect a student’s privacy, we reserve
the right for staff to enter rooms as required
and to use any of the rooms during university
vacations. The House Manager will regularly
inspect your room!
More About Your Room
Stanford and Maidment Houses: Students
in these two houses may not use cooking
appliances anywhere in their house.
Adhesives: Pin-boards are provided in each
room, please use drawing pins for those. We
don’t want you to use adhesive stickers, labels
and hooks on your walls as they cause damage
to the paintwork, walls and ceiling. We also ask
you not to glue, sellotape, blu-tack, nor to staple
or pin anything to the walls, doors or ceiling.
Appliances: You can bring small appliances
such as alarm clocks and hair curlers/
straighteners with time switches. Electric
blankets are not allowed. Please don’t bring
large speakers and subwoofers for stereos –
they’re too noisy for a residential hall. If you
want to have cooking appliances, they must
be kept in the house kitchen, not in your room.
All electrical appliances brought with you to CH
must be certified as safe by a registered electrician
and have a test tag attached to the cable by
the electrician as evidence it has been tested.
Appliances must be certified every two years.
Bedding and linen: Each bed is provided with
a quilt, two pillows and two blankets, as well
as sheets and pillowcases. You may want to
bring your own duvet and cushions, and you’ll
need to bring your own towels. Sheets and
pillowcases are changed and laundered each
week. Please don’t take the mattress off the bed,
and, remember, we don’t allow electric blankets.
Environment and conservation: The college
supports reusing, recycling and reducing waste.
We encourage all our students to do the same in
each house and throughout the wider campus.
Each floor has a recycling box under the sink
and each house must set up a roster for house
members to empty those boxes twice a week.
Candles: No candles or incense please – they’re
fire hazards and will set off the smoke detectors.
Furniture: All rooms are carpeted and furnished
as single study bedrooms. Each room contains
a single bed, desk, chairs, bookshelves, pinboards, a rubbish bin, laundry basket, wardrobe
and a heater. You can’t bring in extra furniture
and please don’t remove any furniture from
your room – for whatever reason. At the end
of each term, you must put the furniture back
in its original position.
Cleaning: You’re responsible for keeping your
room clean and tidy. Your house mum will clean
your room once a week; she cleans the bathroom
and foyer area on each floor twice a week.
IT at CH: All CH buildings have access to UC’s
Wi-Fi. UC information technology policies
apply for using the network. For more details
look in the UC Policy Library. UC does not allow
Each Monday morning, you need to put one
sheet and two pillowcases outside your door;
the clean linen will be put on your bed. You do
have to make your own bed, your house mum
won’t do it for you.
8 | College House Handbook 2017
Please don’t write or post messages on any of
CH’s property including windows, doors and
walls. Notice boards for messages are available
in the dining hall and common room. If you
break any glass or cause a mess, you’ll need
to see a tutor to get cleaning stuff. Please wrap
any broken glass before placing it in an outside
rubbish container – not in the recycling bin.
College House Handbook 2017 | 9
Dining Hall
students to use wireless routers as they
interfere with the system due to the limited
number of frequency channels available for
wireless networking.
CH has a dedicated computer room which has
PCs linked to UC’s network. The room has a
printer, scanner and photocopier.
Each room has an outlet that provides access
to UC’s computer network. Students who have
a laptop and pay UC’s charges can connect to
UC’s IT network (internet and intranet).
Keys: A room key, lockable cupboard key and
a key to the bike sheds are given out at the
beginning of the year. At the end of each term,
following a room check, you must hand in your
keys. All keys remain the property of the college.
Please take care of your keys; we’ll charge you
if a replacement is needed. If you’ve lost or
mislaid your key, you must tell the Bursar.
Please don’t lend your key to anyone, or have
a duplicate key cut.
Lighting: You’re welcome to bring a desk lamp.
Please don’t change any college light bulbs;
just let the maintenance officer or a tutor
know if a light needs attention.
Maintenance and repairs: Any maintenance
and/or repair problem should be reported to
the maintenance officer and logged on the
College House app. We will charge for any
damage to a room or extra cleaning needed
due to negligence. If there’s an urgent problem
out of hours, please contact a tutor.
Room checks and clearances: At the end of
each term, you must follow expected departure
procedures, checking out at the agreed time
and date with your room check completed
and the keys returned. House residents share a
responsibility for clearing common spaces such
as the bathroom, kitchen area and corridor.
Meal Times
Formal Dining
Weekdays
Weekends
Breakfast
7.30-9.15am
7.30-9.30am
Lunch
12.00-1.30pm
11.00-1.30pm
Dinner
6.00pm
MondayWednesday
6.00-6.30pm
6.00-6.30pm
ThursdayFriday
We expect you to be punctual for all meals
and not to linger beyond the finish time. The
serving of first helpings finishes at 6.20pm and
there are second helpings only from 6.20pm;
anyone arriving on or after 6.20pm may miss
out on dinner.
10 | College House Handbook 2017
Formal dinners are held Monday to Wednesday
during term time. You should assemble in the
dining hall from 5:55pm onwards; please stand
when the Principal and high table guests enter.
You should be served and seated by 6.30pm.
If you have to withdraw from the dining hall
before the meal ends you should excuse yourself
to the Principal or the presiding tutor. Grace
is said at the end of the meal, after which the
Principal, guests and tutors leave. The house
leaves after notices and Shambles Court. Tea
and coffee are served in the formal lounge
and all students are welcome to join in. This
provides an opportunity to meet and chat with
high table guests.
If you need an early or late meal, you must
advise the kitchen, using the College House
Meals App, detailing your choice from the
menu. There’s more on this in the section
‘Early and late dinners’ on Page 13.
College House Handbook 2017 | 11
Dress in the Dining Hall
The dining hall at College House is a special
place that is respected by us all as a communal
gathering place where our house members
meet, dine and build friendships. Our practice
at dining is underpinned by the college values of
community, respect and excellence. The dining
hall is the ‘hub’ of the college and our traditions
at dining reflect these values.
At formal meals and other significant house
occasions, all members of the college wear the
normal undergraduate or graduate academic
gown. We provide you with a gown for the year.
If it’s lost you will be charged for a replacement;
gowns are very expensive so please take care of
it. The gown is worn with formal dress.
Formal dining for men: A white, stiff collared,
long-sleeved shirt and tie (many students wear
the CH tie), suit-type jacket (not a windcheater
or parka-type), black dress trousers (not jeans or
track pants) and dark shoes (not track shoes).
Formal dining for women: Skirts or dresses
should be knee length. Shirts must have a collar.
If you’re wearing a shirt or dress you’ll need to
wear a blazer or jacket with lapels. A plain white
shirt (like a school shirt with long sleeves and
buttoned cuff) is needed for the waiata several
times a year. You’ll need to wear dress shoes that
are ‘office appropriate’ with a sensible heel (no
sharp heels please as they will ruin the dining
hall’s new floor). No slip-ons (backless heels),
sneakers or boots of any length at formal dining
please. You can wear plain or dark dress trouser
suits and dress pants. Trousers may be flared or
slim-line and ankle-length, but not tight-fitting
nor patterned.
Casual dining: The emphasis must be on
tidiness, not fashion. Sports gear must be clean
and laundered. No jackets please – this includes
puffers, puffer vests, ski jackets, rain jackets,
parkas and trench coats.
Please don’t wear hats, scarves or sunglasses
in the dining hall. Jandals, boots and bare feet
aren’t appropriate.
During Study Week and Exam Fortnight you
can wear Ugg boots and pyjamas to supper
in the dining hall – but not at any other time.
Skirts, dresses and shorts must be an
appropriate length. Leggings are fine but they
shouldn’t be patterned and you’ll need to wear
a top that extends to your thigh.
It’s not appropriate to read in the dining hall,
nor can you send texts or receive calls on your
mobile. You must have your phone switched
off and invisible in the dining hall at all times.
Other Food Things
Absence from meals: We expect all CH students
to attend formal dinners, Monday – Wednesday.
Permission isn’t needed to be absent from other
meals. However, if a large (10+) group of students
is going out together and will be absent from
dinner, the House Manager must be advised 48
hours before the planned excursion so that food
isn’t wasted. For a house dinner on Thursday
night the House Manager must be advised by
12pm on Tuesday; for the weekend dinners, you
must advise the House Manager by 12.00pm on
Thursday. If a house or group doesn’t provide
adequate notice then a penalty charge will be
made at the standard rate of $7 per person or
$100 per house group. House dinners may not
be held on formal dining nights.
Alcohol: We provide wine with meals on special
occasions. Otherwise, there’s no alcohol at
meals in the dining hall, unless you’re sitting
at high table.
Clearing up: You must return crockery, cutlery
and glasses to the servery before leaving
the dining hall. Each table is responsible
for returning water carafes to the servery.
Early and late dinners: These are available
seven days a week if they’re necessary for an
academic reason (late lecture or tutorial), to
participate in sport or for some other valid
reason. If you have a 6.00pm commitment,
early dinner is available from 5.30-6.00pm.
If you have a commitment from 7.00pm
onwards, we expect you to attend formal
dining and excuse yourself early, if it’s necessary.
Late dinners are available from 7.00- 8.30pm.
Using the College House app, please let the
kitchen know before 4.00pm on the relevant
day, detailing your meal preference. The weekly
menu is posted on Sundays.
Guests: You may bring guests to either lunch
or dinner provided that you have advance
permission from the office, and the appropriate
payment is made. The Principal’s permission is
necessary for you to bring a guest to a special
dinner. A guest at formal dining doesn’t wear
an academic gown (only members of the house
12 | College House Handbook 2017
and high table guests do so), but must otherwise
adhere to our dress standard. Guests are not
invited to attend feast dinners, nor the first and
last term parties.
Packed lunches: If you have lectures or late
schedules that prevent you from attending
lunch, you can make yourself a cut lunch at
breakfast time.
Removal of crockery, cutlery or food: No
crockery, including mugs, or cutlery may be
removed from the dining hall or common room.
While you may take a piece of fruit from the
dining hall, no other food may be removed.
Too sick to come to meals? If you’re unwell
and can’t come to the dining hall, let the House
Manager know and she will arrange a meal for
you. You will need to arrange for a friend, your
Room 16 or your tutor to help you with meal
service.
Vegetarian or other special diets: If you need
a special diet, please make sure you’ve filled
out the required details on the form available
at the office.
College House Handbook 2017 | 13
Facilities
Allan Pyatt Study Centre
Bicycles and Vehicles
This first floor area is often used for evening
tutorials and peer mentoring groups; it’s also
available for private study at any time of the day
from 8.00am-11.00pm – later by arrangement
closer to exam times. The study centre may
also be used for other functions including
pre-dinner and post-dinner drinks, our term
chapel services, alumni social gatherings and
occasional conference events.
You must register all cars and other vehicles
with the office. We have very limited car parking
available and parks are allocated on a first-come
basis; there’s an annual car-parking fee. Our car
park is not suitable for large vehicles.
The Study Centre is named after Allan Pyatt,
Bishop of Christchurch 1966-1983. He was
Warden of College House over this period.
Arthur Sims Library
The Arthur Sims Library is located at the east
end of the quad. Access is by keycode. The
library contains a small collection of university
course texts and reference works. You’re
welcome to study in the library, but remember
there’s no talking. This is a quiet study space.
When you leave the library, please clear your
table of books and papers, or at least leave them
in a tidy pile. Anything left in a mess overnight
will be removed. So we can protect our precious
materials, you can’t take food or drink into the
library; the only exception being sealed water
bottles and wrapped snacks (the same as for
the UC Library).
Sir Arthur Sims (1877-1969) was a benefactor to
the University of Canterbury’s Combined Halls
of Residence Appeal. To acknowledge Sir Arthur’s
generosity, the library is named in his honour.
Barbeques
We have two barbeques available for your
use for house dinners and so on. You’ll need
to apply through the office, and you’ll also
need to talk with the House Manager for other
information about food, refreshments and
cleaning materials.
14 | College House Handbook 2017
You can keep your bicycle or motorbike in our
lockable bike sheds. For the safety of others, do
not leave them against any of the walls or access
stairs, and you definitely can’t keep your bike in
your room or your house corridors.
We recommend that you keep details of your
bike or motorbike model and serial number in
case of theft. We have a separate shed for high
performance bikes; the Bursar has a key.
Skateboards pose a safety hazard and should
be stored in your room when not in use. Any
skateboards left in the college grounds and in
a hazardous area will be removed and you’ll
have to pay for it to be returned.
Computer Room
The computer room is located on the ground
floor of Hardie/Beadel houses. Access is by
keycode. The room has a number of screens
and printers that are connected to UC’s system;
these computers run all UC’s software.
You have priority use of these computers if
you’re using them for your study; leisure users
come second!
Please don’t take in food, drink (other than
sealed water bottles), laptops or iPads into the
computer room, and please don’t play games
or music as they can be a distraction for others.
Formal Lounge
We have a small collection of books and DVDs
in the formal lounge, next to the main foyer.
You can borrow these, provided you return
them in a timely manner.
Laundry and Drying Room
We have a modern laundry with automatic
washing machines, dryers, irons, ironing boards
and a large drying room available for your
personal laundry. Use of the laundry facilities
is free of charge. You provide your own laundry
powder. The laundry is available 24 hours a day;
access is by combination lock.
Washing machines, laundry equipment and
the drying room are only available for current
CH residents and only during term time.
Photocopier, Scanner and Mail
You can use the photocopier in the computer
room. Photocopying credit can be bought
from the office. You may post letters in the box
provided near the office; stamps and envelopes
can be purchased from the office.
You can also ask at the office to scan documents;
we will make a small charge for this.
Security and Safety
Your safety and security is of prime importance
to us. The pedestrian gates at either end of the
CH campus are for the protection and welfare
of all our students and are always kept locked.
The main gate is locked Monday-Friday from
6.00pm-7.00am and all weekend. Use your UC
card to activate the swipe card access system
on all gates. Access to the computer room,
library, laundry and drying room is by using
the combination lock. Please don’t disclose
the combination to non-residents; you have
paid for these facilities and they haven’t.
Entry to your house corridor is by swiping your
UC card; to lock or unlock your room door,
you will need to use your room key. Please
College House Handbook 2017 | 15
General Information
do not compromise the swipe security by
propping open external doors as this just invites
unwanted intrusions. For the safety of everyone
on site, repeat offenders will be fined. We also
advise you to lock your room door after 11.00pm
to ensure your personal safety and security.
Please don’t walk through Ilam Gardens at
night. We also strongly advise you not to walk
through UC’s campus and the surrounding
streets alone at night. Anyone or anything
suspicious should be reported to the office
or the duty tutor. Any theft or crime should
also be reported immediately to a tutor or a
staff member.
Please enter the number of Campus Security
(0800 823 637) into your mobile speed dial list.
Please call this number for any on-campus
security concern.
Student Common Room
Absences from the College
Known as ‘The Com’, this large room is located
on the ground floor beyond the formal lounge.
Permission isn’t needed if you’re away overnight
or for a weekend. However, in all cases of
absence from the college including illness,
you must let us know by the sign in/out form
on the College House app. You’ll also need to
speak to your Room 16 and house tutor so they
know you will be away.
You can use it from 7.30am-11.00pm any day
of the week. It’s an alcohol-free area. There’s
a television with a DVD player and Sky, a data
projector, and a kitchen for baking and making
snacks. All students are responsible for keeping
the room clean and tidy; this includes washing
and drying dishes. Please keep your shoes off
the sofas and tables.
Tennis Court
You can use the tennis court on a first-come
basis; the tennis court is only for use by
CH residents.
Please note: from time to time College House will undertake building repairs and construction.
At such times the building site will be cordoned off and available to construction workers only.
Under no circumstances may students enter such a site.
Academic Requirements
Only full-time UC students may live at CH;
the Principal must be notified of any proposed
changes to your course.
You’re required to regularly discuss your
academic progress with the Principal or the
Assistant to the Principal. In applying for a
place at CH, you agree to the Principal and
the Assistant to the Principal having access
to your test and examination results.
Chapel
College House was established as an Anglican
foundation. Chapel services are, however,
non-denominational; all students are expected
to attend.
Evacuation Procedures
Evacuation procedures for fires, earthquakes
and other emergencies are posted in every
room. When an emergency alarm sounds, you
must evacuate immediately. Emergency drills
are held at least once a term.
Any misuse of alarms or other safety equipment
endangers all residents. Please leave them all
alone.
Fees
All CH students contract to remain at the college
for the full academic year. If you leave during
the academic year, you’re obliged to pay for the
remainder of that year’s fees, or until a suitable
replacement takes up residence.
Fees are charged as an annual amount, payable
in three instalments. These are due for payment
in January (40%), May (40%) and September (20%).
16 | College House Handbook 2017
If you pay late, there’s a penalty fee. Fees are
only refundable at the discretion of the Board
of Governors; any application for a fee refund
must be made in writing to the Principal.
Payments are accepted by cash, cheque or direct
credit – we prefer direct credit, and details are
on the invoices. Eftpos and credit card facilities
are also available. If you want to use a credit
card, there’s a surcharge.
Illness or Accident
All students must register with UC’s Student
Health Service. All the tutors are trained in
first aid. For minor accidents, each tutor has a
small first aid kit and ice in their room. Injury
or illness should be reported immediately to
a tutor, the House Manager or the office.
If you become ill during the night, you
should call the duty tutor for help. CH has
a defibrillator on-site should the need arise.
Insurance
Before you arrive for your first term at CH,
you should arrange insurance for all your
personal effects, cars, motorcycles and bicycles;
CH doesn’t carry insurance for students’
possessions. Parents’ household policy
insurance sometimes covers their children’s
personal belongings at the college.
College House accepts no responsibility for any
damage, loss or theft of students’ possessions.
No insurance is carried for damage caused
by any student, such as broken windows.
Any damage incurs a direct charge against
the student concerned.
Location
College House is set in park-like grounds with
extensive lawns and trees. The property is
bounded by two streams that are lined with
mature trees; it borders Ilam Gardens. Located
five minutes’ walk from the UC campus, CH is
close to shops, supermarkets, malls, bus stops
and also Christchurch International Airport.
College House Handbook 2017 | 17
Re-admission
At the end of the academic year, if you wish to
return for the following year, you must apply
for re-admission. Permission to return isn’t
automatic. The Principal takes into account the
following, although the GPA of 4 requirement is
the most important:
•Students wishing to return would be expected
to achieve a GPA of 4 or above (B- average)
in the first semester exams. You will need to
maintain that standard in the end of year
exams – overall a GPA of 4 or above.
•The contribution made by the student to the
community life of the college.
•The general behaviour and attitude of the
student consistent with the good order and
character of College House.
•Student’s support of the college ethos and
expectations.
Clarifications:
•Students who gain a GPA of 3 or above,
but below 4, in the mid-year exams will be
allowed a provisional place depending on the
outcome of the recount if the faculty allows.
The recount result must be through soon
after the start of Term 3, and must now be
a GPA 4 (B- average) or above, so students
asking for a recount must make sure that the
examinations’ office is aware of this deadline.
•If your recount is not successful and your
GPA remains at 3 or above, but below 4, you
can apply to go on our waitlist at the end of
the year. No place is guaranteed.
•In all of the above scenarios, if after the end
of year exams your GPA drops or stays below
4 (B- average) then you will no longer have a
guaranteed place.
•No waitlist places will be offered at any stage
to students with a GPA below 3.
18 | College House Handbook 2017
•If, after the end of year exams, your GPA
rises to 4 or above (B- average), your waitlist
place will be reviewed in consideration of
the late exam results publication date.
No place is guaranteed.
•If you have undertaken a completely new
course after Semester 1 and your standalone Semester 2 GPA is 4 (B- average) or
above, you will be offered a place on our
waitlist. There will similarly be no guarantee
of a place.
•Students in these situations would be wise
to research some other accommodation
option(s) just in case, because of the early
December release of final results and the
close of applications on 1 October.
•Failure to achieve GPA 4 (B- average) midyear and then making a decision to change
courses for the following year will not be
sufficient to gain re-admission. Students
who are unhappy with their course or
struggling with it are advised to change
to a more suitable course after Semester 1.
•Taking summer courses in the holidays at
the end of the first year at College House,
after failure to gain a GPA of 4 (B- average)
or above in the end of first semester exams,
will not be taken into consideration for
re-admission to College House for a
second year.
•Students who don’t achieve a GPA 4
(B- average) at the end of Semester 1 exams
and who have a severe learning difficulty,
verified by a signed hard copy, diagnostic
assessment, will be asked to meet certain
conditions. These conditions will include
compulsory learning support and assistance
(to be specified) before being considered,
on a case-by-case basis, for re-admission
for a second year to College House.
Responsibility for Loss and Damage
If no student accepts liability for damage
caused, this is considered vandalism and may
make a floor, house or all residents liable for
the cost of repair.
The contingency fee that’s paid on accepting
a place at CH may be applied towards the costs
of repairing that damage and replacing any
missing crockery, cutlery, linen, bedding or
other items of college property.
Our students and guests have always taken
particularly good care of the college and its
property, and we normally expect to be able
to refund most of the contingency fee at the
end of the year.
Vacations
At university vacation time, you need to vacate
your room within 24 hours of the end of term
for Terms 1 and 3; and for Terms 2 and 4, within
24 hours of your last exam. Conferences and
other events are held at the college during the
vacations. You may leave personal belongings
in your lockable cupboards at the end of Terms
1, 2 and 3; everything else is to be cleared away
according to instructions given at the end of
each term. At the end of Term 4, you must clear
your room of all personal items.
For safety reasons College House needs to
know when guests are staying on site overnight.
Overnight visitor notification is to be made by
the College app 48 hours ahead of the visit and
the appropriate charge paid in advance; this
includes breakfast. Other meals must also be
arranged through the office.
Currently the charge is $10 per person per night
for bed and breakfast, $7 for lunch and $7 for
dinner.
Charging overnight visitors is seen as a fair
process that avoids fellow residents subsidising
your guest. Any change in the overnight visitor
rates will be notified.
No visitors are allowed until after the Initiation
Dinner (around Week 3), nor are they allowed
to stay during study or exam weeks, for feast
dinners and not for special College House events.
The college can take no responsibility for any
loss or damage to personal effects.
Visitors
All visitors, and what they do, are the responsibility
of their hosts – that is to say the person with whom
they are visiting, whether by express invitation or
not. You are responsible for advising your guest
of the College House rules. Ignorance will not be
regarded as an excuse for any breach of the rules.
All visitors should have left the college by
11.00pm Sunday to Thursday; on Fridays and
Saturdays by 12 midnight.
College House Handbook 2017 | 19
Other Things
outdoors at any other times. When you are
drinking outside, you’ll need to tidy up and leave
no rubbish. Keep noise to a level that is courteous
and considerate to others in our community.
Alcohol in common areas: You may have alcohol
in the recreation block. Drinking is only allowed
in the recreation block during the evenings
(weekdays) and the weekend. Drinking in this
room does not include any unauthorised parties.
Any special parties requiring exclusive use of
the recreation block by a small group must first
have ensured the availability of the block with
the Principal, the Assistant to the Principal
or the senior tutor and then complete the
appropriate permission form from the office.
Please leave it tidy and clean up any litter.
If you bring a guest to the recreation block
you must be responsible for seeing that visitor
off the site by 11pm (weeknights) and by 12
midnight (Saturdays).
Alcohol isn’t allowed, however, in any of the
other common areas of the college – library,
formal lounge, common room, study centre
and foyer areas.
Alcohol
You should read this section in conjunction
with the College House Drug and Alcohol Policy
that’s available at the office.
Beer and other drinks: Beer cans and cans
of RTDs are allowed, as is wine. For reasons
of environmental and personal safety (broken
glass in the grounds), we don’t allow bottled
beer and glass-bottled RTDs in the college.
Excessive drinking of alcohol, and inconsiderate
behaviour resulting from this, and the use of
spirits, are unacceptable at College House.
Kegs, bongs and home brewing are not allowed
at all, nor are spirits. There are instant fines if
you’re found breaking these rules.
If you choose to drink alcohol, we expect you to
do so responsibly. Severe drunkenness will be
regarded as a serious disregard of the conditions
of residence at College House.
Drinking outdoors: You can drink outdoors on
Fridays and Saturdays from 5.00pm-10.00pm,
and on Sundays 4.30pm-6.00pm (this latter time
being for house drinks). We don’t allow drinking
20 | College House Handbook 2017
Guy Fawkes display at New Brighton Pier in
early November.
Intellectual Property
In New Zealand, copyright protects original
literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works,
sound recordings, films, communication works
and typographical arrangements of published
editions. The illegal downloading or copying of
such material from the internet or other source
is a criminal offence and leads to prosecution.
The College House crest is part of this copyright
protection and is not to be used in any form
without the express permission of the Principal.
Unauthorised use of the crest may lead to a
prosecution.
Litter
Everyone at College House is expected to help
keep the premises and grounds litter-free. We
recycle, conserve and care for the environment
in which we live. Deliberate or careless littering
is discourteous and thoughtless towards both
staff and your fellow students.
Alcohol in student rooms: Modest quantities
of alcohol, stored tidily, are allowed. Bottle
collections, however, aren’t permitted and
spirits are not allowed on site.
There are rubbish bins located outside each
house, including a separate bin for cans. The
can and cardboard containers beside Hardie/
Beadel should be used as appropriately; you can
place large items in one of the rubbish skips in
the parking area.
Drugs
Looking after the College
College House has a zero-tolerance approach
to drugs. Any resident possessing or using
an illegal drug is likely to face immediate
expulsion.
The ledges outside the middle and top floor
rooms in each house weren’t designed to sit or
stand on; doing this is dangerous. It’s absolutely
forbidden to climb on the outside of the
building and on any of the roofs. Please don’t
climb in or out of windows (even if you’re on
the ground floor).
Firearms and Weapons
No firearm or weapon is to be stored (including
in vehicles) or used anywhere at College House.
Fireworks
We work very hard to look after our garden and
grounds, so please don’t stand on garden beds
outside ground floor.
Fireworks are fire hazards and are not allowed
on College House property at any time. If you
want to watch fireworks, there’s a very good
College House Handbook 2017 | 21
Expectations of Behaviour
Noise
Smoking
Everyone at College House needs to be aware
of the need to be considerate to their fellow
students and staff when it comes to noise; this
can be one of the most irritating aspects of
institutional living. Everyone has the right to
work and sleep in peace, and you all need to
ensure that noise doesn’t travel beyond your
room. Please use headphones if you have a
stereo; large speakers and subwoofers for
stereos aren’t allowed.
The University of Canterbury and its associated
residential colleges are smoke-free places at all
times. Smoking isn’t permitted at any time or
on any part of the campus, and this includes
College House.
No unreasonable noise is allowed, particularly
after 10.00pm. If there is loud noise, the best way
to deal with this is for you to approach the person
creating it and ask them to be considerate. If
the noise doesn’t stop immediately, it’s best
to contact the duty tutor. The duty tutor won’t
divulge who has made the noise complaint.
Parties
If you want to hold a party (which is more than
five people), you must consult the Principal or
the Assistant to the Principal before you issue
any invitations so the appropriate arrangements
can be made. You must keep party noise within
reasonable levels; it’s the responsibility of the
party host to monitor this.
More than five people in a room is considered
an unauthorised party if a tutor/duty tutor
has to enter the room because of noise. There
may be fines imposed if you’re hosting an
unauthorised party, or you’re one of the guests
at an unauthorised party, if you’ve been warned
by a tutor or asked to leave that or another
student’s room earlier. The recreation block is
available for parties – you’ll need to apply to
the Principal, the Assistant to the Principal or
a duty tutor.
Pets
No pets can be kept in the College; this includes
goldfish and mice.
Sport and Games
The College participates in the inter-hall sports
competitions and also fields social teams
for codes such as rugby, soccer, water polo,
basketball, netball, ultimate frisbee and tennis.
CH students also belong to a wide variety of
UC’s sports clubs.
College House is located beside the Ilam Fields,
so our sports practices and social sports games
are played there, rather than in the college
grounds. We have a large number of glass
windows in the college and sporting noise can
be disruptive, so playing sport and other games
in our grounds is restricted.
Rugby, soccer and other sports balls can’t be
kicked or thrown in the college grounds, and no
games are to be played in the quad. Ilam Fields
should be used for rugby and soccer games, and
for cricket and similar bat/ball games.
Do unto others as you would have them do
unto you...
The culture at College House is to have
consideration for others, look after college
property, and for you to treat people and
things as you would your own.
We’re a community gathered in one place
for a common purpose – to study seriously
at UC whilst enjoying the benefits and fun
of community life. We expect reasonable
behaviour so everyone can enjoy their years
at CH, and we want to acknowledge the rights
of every person in the house. The behaviour
expectations are really unwritten traditions
maintained by the consensus of opinion within
the student body. This consensus is established
and enforced by a Shambles Court where goodhumoured entertainment and judicial function
are intertwined.
The College House Board of Governors
empowers the Principal with the right to
suspend or exclude (on immediate notice)
any resident guilty of a serious breach of
the college’s expectations or repeated minor
infringements. A student who is suspended or
expelled remains liable for fee payments until
a suitable replacement takes up residence.
We also need to draw your attention to
the University of Canterbury Disciplinary
Regulations, together with UC’s Code of
Conduct and its policy documents; these
govern all students at UC and its halls of
residence. The Regulations, Code and policies
are printed in the University Calendar.
We also need to remind students that when
you’re visiting other halls, host hall rules apply
– not ours.
The CH guidelines put a framework around
the expectations we have of each one of you;
this handbook sets out the most important
regulations and requirements of behaviour of
the college. From time to time other guidelines
are defined by the Principal and communicated
clearly to students.
Breaking our Trust in You
If you continually break our trust, you’re
answerable to the Principal. He may impose one
or more of the following disciplinary measures:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Verbal or written warnings
Restitution of damage
Community duties
A ban on using alcohol for a specified period
Monetary fine
Exclusion for severe offences
A combination of the above, or
Anything else that’s regarded as appropriate.
Copies of the College House Policy Booklet are
available to all students in the common room,
the CHSA office and the main office foyer.
You should be familiar with College House
expectations and our policies.
22 | College House Handbook 2017
College House Handbook 2017 | 23
History
College House is the oldest university
college in New Zealand. Founded
along with Christ’s College in 1850,
CH has evolved into an independent
hall of residence for full-time students
attending the University of Canterbury.
CH traces its history back to the earliest
days of European settlement in Canterbury.
In May 1850 the Canterbury Association
resolved to establish a college to consist of two
departments; a grammar school for boys, and a
collegiate or upper department for young men.
The College was first named Christ Church
College as several prominent members of the
Canterbury Association had been educated
at Christ Church, Oxford. Many of the first
students were seeking ordination as Anglican
priests, meaning that the upper department
was strongly theological in nature.
From 1873 the upper department of Christ’s
College became a residential college for the
newly established Canterbury College of the
University of New Zealand. In 1877 the college
students moved into a house of their own on the
east frontage of the Christ’s College quadrangle.
The Rev F A Hare was appointed HulseanChichele Professor, Chaplain of Christ’s College
and supervisor of the upper department. The
house accordingly became known as Parson
Hare’s house or Chichele. In 1882 the upper
department moved from the school precincts to
an independent site at the corner of Rolleston
Avenue and Cashel Street. Within a year the new
house was being referred to as ‘College House’.
The size of the house expanded slowly; when
the house celebrated its centenary in 1950
there were 75 men in residence. In 1957 College
House became fully independent of Christ’s
College. The endowments of the upper and
lower departments were divided, and a separate
board was formed to govern what was officially
called Christchurch College in accordance with
the original resolutions of 1850. This name was
24 | College House Handbook 2017
About the Houses
used interchangeably until1981, when the college
settled on the more popular ‘College House’.
The University of Canterbury’s decision to
move from the centre of Christchurch to the
considerably more spacious Ilam site forced
CH to do the same. In 1965 the Archbishop of
Canterbury, Dr Michael Ramsay, blessed the
new site, and in 1966 students moved into the
new buildings. Set in park-like grounds with
extensive lawns and trees, the college’s white
concrete block buildings were designed by
Warren and Mahoney and won the New Zealand
Institute of Architects’ Gold Medal.
Together with St John’s College in Auckland,
CH continued to provide theological training
until 1970. Theological teaching continued
on site until 1994, when the College House
Institute of Theology was established.
In 1990 the College admitted its first women
students; and appointed its first principal who
was not a clergyman. Perhaps appropriately,
the new principal, A M Brough, was a former
Headmaster of Christ’s College. In 2007 College
House appointed its first woman principal,
Laraine Sharr; she retired in 2015.
Our 11 houses acknowledge
benefactors and people have given
significant and distinguished service
to College House.
made a significant gift which made Maidment
House, opened in 2015, possible.
Beadel: Geoffrey Beadel who served 40 years
on the CH board from 1964-2004, with 10 years
as Sub-Warden (Board Chairman).
Rymer: The Rev Canon J O Rymer, was 9th
Principal (1965–1969) of College House and
first Principal on the Ilam site.
Carrington: The Very Rev C W Carrington was
4th Principal of College House (1902–1913) and
Dean of Christchurch Cathedral.
Stanford: The Rev Canon W B Stanford was
College House’s first Principal (1882–1890).
Chichele: Named after Henry Chichele, an
Archbishop of Canterbury who founded the Oxford
College that Edward Hulse, a Canterbury settler
who endowed the Hulsean-Chichele Professorship,
had attended. The Professorship provided funds
that paid for CH’s early Principals.
Parr: The Rev Canon S Parr was 6th Principal
of College House (1933–1949).
Warren: The Right Rev Alwyn Warren was
Bishop of Christchurch (1951–1966) and
Warden of CH over the period which saw
the establishment of CH at Ilam.
Hardie: Norman Hardie, the distinguished
mountaineer and alumnus (1944) who served
26 years (1971–1997) on the College House board.
Watts-Russell: Named after John Watts-Rusell
a Canterbury settler, originally from Ilam Hall,
Derbyshire, whose endowment of the WattsRussell Divinity Professorship helped fund
the early days of CH.
Maidment: Dr David Maidment (alumnus
1968-1970) and his wife Dr Helen Maidment
Wilford: The Rev Canon J R Wilford was the
5th Principal of College House (1913–1932).
In 2006 the Alumni and Development Office was
established to connect with our alumni and to
co-ordinate fundraising programmes.
Over the years the College has made some
additions to the original Warren and Mahoney
design with two new houses – Hardie and
Beadel – established in 1994, and the new
Allan Pyatt Study Centre and common room;
all designed by Wilkie + Bruce.
Following the earthquakes the college rebuilt
Main Block, including the new dining hall,
kitchen and a new residential house (Maidment
House) that opened in July 2015. The Chapel
requires strengthening and the board is
assessing the best options to achieve this.
In 2016, College House was home to 160
students (from 73 different schools) enrolled
across all UC faculties.
College House Handbook 2017 | 25
Alumni and Development Office
For Parents
First Day
Financial Crisis?
At the beginning of the academic year, many
parents want to deliver their new student son
or daughter to university.
Sometimes a family may have an unexpected
financial crisis that could impact on your ability
to pay the year’s fees. If you find yourself in this
situation, please talk with the Bursar.
We would very much like to meet you all on the
day we welcome our new Freshers – Sunday,
12 February 2017. We hold a welcome afternoon
tea at 2.30pm and give you a tour around the
college, whilst your son or daughter settles in
under the guidance of their Returner buddy.
A representative of the University’s
administration staff will join us at the parents’
welcome afternoon tea.
There’s an invitation in the Welcome pack
we send out to all Freshers and Returners in
January.
Dietary Requirements
Alastair Drayton (BM), Anna Wilkes (Chairman of the College House Board) and alumna (1994),
Hon Gerry Brownlee (MP for Ilam) and John Rolleston (Chairman of Development) and alumnus
(1979) at the formal opening of the dining hall, March 2016.
We’ve asked your son or daughter about any
special dietary requirements in the documents
we sent at the beginning of the year. We can
cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergies
and many other food situations.
If you’re concerned about what your student is
eating (or not eating!) please get in touch with
our House Manager.
The Alumni and Development Office
oversees College House marketing,
communications, public relations,
alumni reunions and networks, and
fundraising.
Keeping us Informed
Sometimes you may have genuine concerns
about your son or daughter leaving home for
the first time, or there may be a family or health
issue that it could be helpful for us to be aware
of. If there’s anything that you’re worried about
or think we should know, please don’t hesitate
to contact the Assistant to the Principal. In the
same way, if there is any matter we believe is
serious, we would like to make contact with you.
What Happens if Your Son
or Daughter is Ill?
Please let the Assistant to the Principal or
House Manager know if your son or daughter
tells you they are unwell. Even though we’re all
living under the same roof, we may not know if
a student is ill unless they tell us or someone in
their house lets us know. We can make sure they
are well looked after and well fed. We will make
sure they seek medical attention if this is needed.
As well as regular alumni events that are held
throughout the country and overseas, the
Alumni and Development Office publishes
an annual magazine. Click here to read the
2016 edition.
The Alumni and Development Office is keen
to keep updated on the lives, careers and
achievements of alumni.
For more information on the Alumni and
Development Office or to update your
contact details, please be in touch by emailing
[email protected]
26 | College House Handbook 2017
Maurice Mahoney and Sir Miles Warren
(founders of Warren and Mahoney) who
designed College House in the 1960s.
College House Handbook 2017 | 27
Items to Bring
College House Directory 2017
Principal
Alastair Drayton - [email protected]
Assistant to the Principal
TBC - [email protected]
Bursar
Rex Dillon - [email protected]
House Manager
Sharon Scott - [email protected]
Kitchen Manager
Shirolee Gallagher - [email protected]
Office Manager
Rosemary Wall - [email protected]
Development Director
John Godfrey - [email protected]
Although we provide most things at CH, you may need the following:
• Desk lamp
• Coat hangers
• Towels, two at least
•Drawing pins to fix posters and things
to your pin board
• Musical instruments
• Duvet and cushions for your bed
•Sports equipment (tennis racquets,
balls, table tennis bat/balls so you can
make the most of our facilities) and
• Mug and plate for snacks
• Hair dryer and hair straightener.
•Teatowel
• Posters for your room
28 | College House Handbook 2017
College House Handbook 2017 | 29
100 Waimairi Road, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
P: +64 3 364 2001 E: [email protected]
www.collegehouse.org.nz