The New England Award: Providing student development opportunities through cross-campus and external collaboration

The University of New England (UNE) recognizes and rewards student development and achievement in extra-curricular activity. The New England Award (NEA), introduced in 2004 to on-campus students for a three year pilot period, recognizes that valuable skills and attributes are developed through participation in otherwise non-accredited activities whilst at university. Eligible activities include contribution to the university community, engagement with the local community through informal collaboration with outside organisations, extra-curricular learning and training and professional development. This case study focused on the outcomes of the NEA for a range of stakeholders during its pilot period in the light of the types of skills and attributes sought by employers of graduates. The first two NEA cohorts (students who graduated with NEAs in 2005 and 2006) were canvassed via postal and phone surveys. Six of the 2005 cohort were surveyed again after graduation. Other participants in the research were the NEA activity providers; employers and supervisors of students involved in part-time paid and voluntary work with external organisations; and a selection of senior University staff. The 79 participants were asked their views about the value of extra-curricular activity; the value of being registered for the NEA; and the perceived value of the NEA after graduation. Additionally the six NEA graduates and another 49 students who participated in examples of each of the three NEA categories of activity were asked specifically about their development of the UNE Graduate Attributes. The research indicated that the NEA was successful in meeting its primary objective which was to support the UNE Graduate Attributes Policy through recognizing extra-curricular activity (thereby complementing curriculum-based strategies for graduate attribute development). Not only that, students also developed a range of other valuable attributes and attitudes. On the basis of these results, the NEA was endorsed by the UNE Council as an ongoing feature of UNE from 2007 and has been extended in Semester 2, 2007 to all students, including those studying at a distance. While these results are not generalizable because of the small sample size and the uniqueness of the UNE on-campus experience, the underlying notion of providing student development opportunities through cross campus and external collaboration is transferable (Asia-Pacific Journal of Cooperative Education, 8(2), 149-162).