RMIT Handbook 2015 - My Student Village from CLV · RMIT Village Residents’ Handbook 2014 2 Welcome to RMIT Village Welcome to RMIT Village. Our team of personnel are all professionals

Contents

2 Welcome to RMIT Village 3 Introduction: Building a community

Background & history The Village staff

6 Facilities and services The gym The glass house The student lounge

The study The tutorial room Little Richard Pizza Bar

The deck Laundry The pool The activities room The bike shed Cultural activities

8 Your residences What is provided? What to bring What you can purchase from the village Internet

UCards

10 Fresh out of the nest? Cooking

Cleaning Garbage Reporting maintenance Car parking

12 Administratively speaking

Mail Checking in Logging on to your account Checking out

Your contract

Have you paid your bills Damages charges list

15 Your community: Village life

Live, Learn, Grow

17 Community living Sharing living: a beginner’s guide Resolving difficulties Noise Partying at the village Smoking

19 Your safety, security and wellbeing Personal wellbeing Drugs – legal & illegal

Personal issues Sexual decision making Harassment A little about you

22 Staying connected

Communication within the village 23 Where to go for help

The residents support team Locked out of your apartment?

24 In case of emergency

Fire Medical

Hospitals 26 Your community: Local and Melbourne city

Entertainment Eating local

Transport

Appendix a Village maps Appendix b Village rules Appendix c Noise policy Appendix d Party policy

Appendix e Privacy policy Appendix f 2014 Rent schedule Handy phone numbers

RMIT Village Residents’ Handbook 2014 2

Welcome to RMIT Village

Welcome to RMIT Village. Our team of personnel are all professionals who enjoy what they do and I

encourage you to make yourself known to them at the earliest opportunity.

As you settle into life at the Village you will also meet our willing, ready and able Resident Assistant (RA)

team members – these RA’s have been chosen to work with Village management to help make your stay

with us as comfortable, fun and safe as possible. If you have any ideas or suggestions about how we can

enhance the quality of your stay with us – please talk to an RA or come and see us at Reception.

I wish you every success with your studies this year and once again would like to welcome you to our

Village.

Best regards

Michael Lynch

General Manager

RMIT Village and Yarra House, NMIT


Introduction:

Building a community

Welcome to your new crib, RMIT Village. Our aim in 2015 is

not just to give you somewhere to stay, but to make the Village your “home away from home”. With 456 neighbours by your side, a jam-packed Residential Life program and staff on hand for 24 hours a day - you will be an official

Villager in no time at all. Our Residential Life program is like a broth, created with

different ingredients to help you ’Live, Learn and grow’. We’ve added in everything from sporting, cultural, community based programs and more. The only ingredient

missing…is you!

In order to get the best out of your time at the Village you need to get involved in our community. It is our goal to

ensure that each member of the Village is included and secure but most importantly we want you to have fun and achieve the best results you can.


The village staff

Noel McMahon General Manager

t. +61 3 8330 2002

e. [email protected]

As General Manager Noel’s main responsibility is to ensure that the

stay of every resident in the Village is safe, rewarding, enjoyable,

secure and comfortable.

Francois Soupe Facilities Manager

t. +61 3 8330 2009


If it’s broken, damaged or simply not working, contact Francois via

the Fix-it-Request and he will arrange for someone to attend and

fix. It is his job to maintain the property at RMIT Village and

ensure you are living in a clean comfortable environment.

Regan Shawcross Village Manager

t. +61 3 8330 2003


Regan is the Village Manager and can answer any general

questions about the Village you may have. She is responsible for

the day-to-day running of the Village, and available to meet with

residents regarding any concerns/issues they have through

Reception.


Kate Miles

Residential Life Co-ordinator

t. +61 3 8330 2014


As the Residential Life Coordinator, Kate hosts events that

encourage residents to 'Live, Learn and Grow'. She is committed

to bringing life, fun and happiness into the Village.

Gary Guo Village Accountant

t. +61 3 8330 2004


Gary is the Village Accountant and is responsible for looking after

the money and finances of the Village. To discuss money matters

such as problems with your rent payments, please contact Gary

through Reception.

Helen Murphy Administrator

t. +61 3 8330 2000


Helen is the Village Administrator and is the friendly face that will

greet you when checking into the Village. If you have any

questions or enquiries please come to Reception and see Helen.


Mahima Rana

Reception

t. +61 3 8330 2000


Gary is the Village Accountant and is responsible for looking after the

money and finances of the Village. To discuss money matters such as

problems with your rent payments, please contact Gary through

Reception.

Facilities and services

The gym

If you need a little exercise feel free to use the Village Fitness Centre free of charge located behind the Study

Area on Level 1 (above Reception). Put on a movie, connect your music to the speakers or simply meditate in

silence. The gym is open daily, from 6am to midnight.

Your room key will grant you access to the facility. We ask that you respect the equipment provided and

those who are in the Fitness centre at the same time. Please use a towel to wipe down equipment after use.

The glass house

Need a break from study? Our Games room is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Equipped with a pool

table that can be used any time free of charge, table tennis and a flat screen television with free Foxtel, it is a

great place for you to mingle and catch up with the Village gossip.

The student lounge

Another great place to relax with friends is our student lounge area located next to Reception. Furnished with

couches and a flat screen TV with Foxtel, it is the perfect place to catch up with friends (especially during

Melbourne’s colder months). And if you are into videogames, there is a PlayStation and Wii machine there for

you and your mates to play. Ask reception for a list of video and board games available for hire.

The study

Our study room is the largest communal area in the Village. Here, you can hit the books in silence – open 24

hours, it is located on Level One above Reception. Free printing facilities, just BYO paper. Four group study

monitor screens are available for you to connect your laptop into. There is also a drafting board too for all the

architects! We also have an onsite tutor every Wednesday to help you with your academic queries.

The tutorial room


This room is ever changing and perfect for group study sessions, conferences, group fitness workouts, movie

marathons and more. The large projection screen is perfect for practising speeches, watching assignments,

and movies or even free to air TV channels. Just ask reception and we’ll let you in! We also use the tutorial

room during the exam periods as an over-flow space. During this time, this room is a silent zone.

The communal kitchen Located in the glass house, this is the perfect spot to get cooking and utilise the two cooking stations

provided. With state of the art ovens, two wash up areas and plenty of bench space- this kitchen is perfect

for group dinners, baking, cooking lessons and more. We also have many free food events in the kitchen

from pizza, taco’s, pancakes, pasta and a bunch of other delicious treats.

Little Richard Pizza Bar

Located in the RMIT Village building, you can easily enjoy a freshly made meal or hot coffee. Open from

Monday to Saturday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Purchase a VIP pre-paid card and prove to your parents

that you are spending your money on healthy food! Also watch out for weekly student specials on their

boards outside. For more info visit www.littlerichard.com.au.

The deck

We have two decks at the Village which often transform into a stage during events. One is located on the

ground floor outside the Student Lounge –also the designated smoking area for the Village. The other, is next

to the pool and displays two electrical BBQ units which we encourage you to use.

Laundry

The two laundry rooms in the building are on level 1 and level 3 at the car park end of the building. The cost

for a load of washing is currently $4 and drying is $3. You need to bring your own detergent and fabric

softener.

The pool

The pool is heated all year round and is for the use and enjoyment of all residents of the Village. Non-

residents, if they are registered with Reception, are also allowed to use the pool if accompanied by a resident.

Pool rules

NO glassware whatsoever in the pool or on the pool deck

If pool is deemed unhygienic by the Village Facilities Manager the pool may be closed for an extended

period of time – so please help keep it clean

To use the BBQ, follow the signed instructions and push the silver button to activate

Please clean the BBQ after use

No diving

Please respect all pool users at all times – no unsafe or dangerous behaviour

Pool hours 9am to 10pm

http://www.littlerichard.com.au/


The activities room

We have an all-purpose, private room which you can utilise for interviews, set up your designs or just to have

a dedicated work space. You may use the room free of charge. Booking are necessary, so contact Reception

and collect the keys.

The bike shed

Located on the ground floor of the car park, you can store you secure your bicycle in the bike shed. Available

24/7, you will require your key card to access it.

Cultural activities

We celebrate diversity. We encourage multiculturalism and will be offering a number of fun cultural activities

throughout the year. See your Village Events calendar for upcoming events or if you have any ideas for

events, come and have a chat with us at Reception.

Your residences

What is provided?

All residences come furnished with a:

Desk

Desk chair

Wardrobe

Shelving

Data port

Flat screen television


Bed & mattress

Mattress protector

Curtains

Full length mirror

Pin board

Storage cabinet, shower, toilet

Kitchen

The kitchens inside apartments are equipped with a microwave, refrigerator & freezer, electric cook top, exhaust fan and storage cupboards.

What do I need to bring/buy?

All residents need to supply their own*:

Crockery, cutlery and cooking

utensils

Bed linen and quilts

Towels and bathmats

Coat hangers

Cleaning supplies

Fans for summer

Regulation heaters for winter

(please ask us about what type of heaters are

permitted)

Rubbish bin

Iron and ironing board

*Not applicable for SAEX package customers. See below for details.

What you can buy from the Village….

The residential fee is for room only and does not include bedding and kitchen packs (with the exception of

International students who sign a SAEX contract).

For your convenience, the Village has sourced bedding packages that may be purchased from Reception upon

your arrival. Heaters and fans are also able to be purchased at Reception (until stocks last).

Single package - $400

(suitable for all rooms in two, three and five bedroom apartments)

Bathroom:

1 x bath mat

1 x bath towel

1 x hand towel

1 x laundry bag

Bedding:

2 x sheets

2 x pillow case

1 x pillow

1 x duvet cover

1 x doona

Kitchen: 1 x fork 1 x spoon 1 x teaspoon 1 x pack of 3 veg peeler

1 x potato masher 1 x spatula 1 x mug 1 x breakfast bowl 1 x side plate 1 x dinner plate

1 x glass cup 1 x large kitchen knife


1 x small saucepan

1 x medium saucepan 1 x frying pan 1 x tongs

1 x chopping board 1 x colander 1 x set of 3 plastic containers 1 x set of 3 wooden cooking spoons 1 x can opener 1 x kettle 1 x toaster

1 x dust pan 1 x toilet brush 1 x bin

Internet

All transactions for internet use are made directly between the resident and the 3rd party supplier, BigAir, on

a user-pays system (See Appendix B). Please contact Reception for more details.

Lost Room Cards™

Report lost room keys to Reception immediately. The longer you leave it, the longer the security of your

apartment is in jeopardy. Replacement of broken or damaged room cards is complimentary. Replacement of

lost cards incurs a $10 fee.

Fresh out of the nest?

Here’s a little help

Cooking

Unlike most resident accommodations you have your very own kitchen! However with this luxury comes cost,

mess and health. Luckily, we are only a two block walk from the Victorian Markets on Victoria Street. At the

“Vic” Markets you can get fresh meat and veggies all for a great price. Budgeting is also a very important part

of student living, so make sure you look after yourself and prioritise food over partying. There are also

several supermarkets in the area including:

IGA on Errol St Nth Melbourne and Flemington Road

ALDI on Franklin St City

Coles in Melbourne Central

Woolworths on Lygon St

Cooking classes are available at the start of each Semester – come and see us at Reception for all the

details.


Cleaning

It is very important to have a high level of personal hygiene. Make sure you do not leave dirty dishes to

fester in your sink. Please keep your room as tidy as possible. There will be random inspections throughout

the year to keep a check on the state of the rooms.

Cleaning services:

You are encouraged to keep your room as clean as possible and do all your own cleaning. We have vacuum

cleaners at Reception for you to use – please leave your student ID while you use it. This is returned to you

when you return the vacuum cleaner.

However, if you are struggling with keeping your room clean, we can organize a cleaner before your room

inspection. We call it the ‘Lazy Bones’ cleaning service; it costs $99 per person.

‘Lazy Bones’ cleaning includes:

Vacuuming

Cleaning of entire kitchen, including microwave

Cleaning of entire bathroom

Wiping down of desks and furniture

Dusting of balcony

Window cleaning (for rooms with balconies)

Cleaning of fridge

This service does not include:

Picking up of items left around the room

General tidying

Making of Beds

Washing of dishes

Your apartment will need to be relatively tidy before it can be cleaned. This is not a hotel type service but

simply a cleaning service to encourage personal hygiene.

To book the “Lazy Bones” service:

All residents of the apartment will have to agree on the cleaning and be prepared to pay their share in

advance.

You must book at Reception either in person or via email at [email protected].

Cleaning must be booked at least 3 working days in advance.

Garbage

Garbage can become a major problem if not taken out regularly. Garbage is not to be left in your room for an

extended period of time, as the smell can spread throughout the whole building. There are waste disposal

bins in the car park which you are able to use. Do NOT place any personal rubbish in the laundry room bins or

on balconies.

mailto:[email protected]


Reporting maintenance

To report any maintenance problems in your room or around the property, please log on to the RMIT Village

website and lodge your Fix-it-Request. All repairs at the Village- including rooms- are performed by trade

qualified persons including changing of light globes. So please let us know if you have a blown globe. We

encourage you to report any hazards at the Village for your own safety and that of others.

Car parking

Please contact Reception if you require a parking spot. Payments for casual parking can be made at Reception

during our opening hours.

If you are not able to make it to the front desk during this period, we ask that you call or email us as all

monetary transactions are arranged and charged directly to your account.

Unauthorised vehicles will be wheel clamped or towed. All parking is subject to availability and at the owner’s

risk. Please ensure your parking sticker/ permit is on display at all times.

Administratively speaking

Mail Your postal address:

[Your Name], [Room number]

RMIT Village

5-17 Flemington Rd

North Melbourne VIC 3051

Australia

Receiving mail

All mail received via ordinary Australia Post is distributed by last name in pigeonholes near Reception, which

is accessible 24 hours a day. Should you receive a large parcel, it will be kept in Reception and a pink

notification slip will be placed in your mailbox. Parcels can be collected during office hours from Reception, and

up until 9pm via the RA on duty Monday-Friday. Any mail not collected after departure will be returned to

sender or disposed of. Private post office boxes are available at the nearest Post Office – for more info visit

www.auspost.com.au.

Couriers & other deliveries

The Village will sign for packages delivered by couriers to avoid frustration between residents and the courier

company, however, the Village does not accept any responsibility for misplaced or damaged goods.

Courier companies may charge you if items have to be redelivered. Some companies will return deliveries to

the sender if they cannot be delivered. Private post office boxes are available at the nearest Post Office – for

more info visit www.auspost.com.au.

http://www.auspost.com.au/

http://www.auspost.com.au/


Sending mail

The nearest post box is located on Elizabeth Street. The nearest Post Office is located inside the Royal

Melbourne Hospital on Grattan St or within the University of Melbourne campus.

Checking in

Stairs will lead you to reception, located opposite Little Richards Café. Please pick up you O-Week ticket on

arrival and get ready to smile for your personalised room key card. Please pre-load a photo of yourselves on

our online portal before your arrival so that we may take you straight to your room. We know what it’s like

having to take a photo with baggage dangling around your neck and dad in the background- awkwardd.

In your welcome pack, please find two pink forms- you will need to return these within 48 hours after your

arrival. Your Room Condition form, is to let us know of the condition of your room upon arrival. And a fire

awareness form. It is imperative that these are completed in detail as they are a record of the condition of

the room when you arrived at the Village. You will also receive further information about living in the Village

and using the facilities.

Logging on to your account

You can logon to your account at RMIT Village available at our website at any time. You must enter your

logon details which were provided to you on your application. If you don’t have or forgot your log on details,

contact Reception and we will organize it for you.

On the website you can:

> View your account and make payments

> Lodge Fix-it-Requests

> Update your contact details

Checking out

1. Fix a date

Please advise Reception in advance of your check-out date and your check-out time. It is essential that we

know when you will be leaving.

2. Where to go

Checking out of the Village can only be done at Reception.

Allow ample time, as a number of people may also be checking out at the same time as you. On your day of

departure you must fully vacate your room and ensure no belongings are left behind. If your actual departure

time is before Reception opens in the morning, you must complete all departure formalities the day before.

3. Upon checking out

You will need to arrange for a post-departure inspection of your room by contacting Reception. Your room

must be cleaned to the same standard it was when you arrived, otherwise you may incur additional cleaning

charges. Your room/apartment must be left in such a state that a new resident could theoretically move in

the same day. Your room will be checked within 24 hours of your departure, and if it is not in a satisfactory

condition, as inspected by Village management, you will be charged for this cost.


4. Furniture and fittings in place.

Make sure that all items that should be in your room are present. Anything that is missing will be replaced at

your cost. When you have checked and cleaned everything, close the bedroom door.

5. Pay up!

You will be required to settle all accounts, telephone, miscellaneous charges etc. prior to your check out.

Your contract

Contract period You are entitled to occupy your room in the Village from starting until the ending date of your contract. . Your

Residential Agreement requires you to pay the full amount of rent for the entire period of your agreement.

If a tenant wishes to end the tenancy agreement prior to the contract end date, the tenant must:

Resident must pay a contract break fee of $150.00, as per agreement

Residents must continue to pay the residential fee up to the contract commencement date of an approved

replacement tenant, as per contract. Existing tenants cannot be used as replacement tenants.

Have you paid your bills?

Payment of bills Payments must be made on time or in advance. If you find yourself in financial hardship, contact the Village

Financial Manager as soon as possible. We understand that it may be the first time that you have had to pay

rent and are more than happy to talk to you on the matter. Do not just let it go, as it will result in a build-up

of debt and leave you with a poor rent rating, coming for a chat can eradicate both of these problems.

To change any personal details, please log on to the RMIT Village website or come to Reception and leave

your new details with a Receptionist, who will change them in our system.

Damages charges list ITEM COST

Bedroom

Study desk $ 195.00

Book shelf $ 125.00

Pin board $ 70.00

Curtains $ 145.00 – 265.00

Double bed frame $ 270.00

King single bed frame $ 215.00

Flat screen television $ 800.00

Double bed mattress $ 290.00

King single mattress $ 275.00

Mattress protector $ 21.00

Mirror $ 55.00

Study chair $ 125.00

Wardrobe $ 725.00

TV antenna point $ 60.00

Data outlet $ 60.00

Data cable $ 3.00

Telephone handset $ 150.00

Lounge / Kitchen

ITEM COST

Lounge / Kitchen ‘cont’

Kitchen table $ 215.00

Kitchen chairs $ 75.00

2 Ring cook top $ 215.00

Apartment microwave $ 180.00

Refrigerator $ 270.00 – 1150.00

Tapware $ 250.00

Bathroom

Shower screen $ 280.00

Basin and Tapware $ 550.00 – 880.00

Shelf $ 70.00

Towel Rail $ 55.00

Toilet roll holder $ 45.00

Soap holder $ 12.00

Mirror $ 90.00

Other fittings

Smoke detector $ 240.00

Light fittings $ 35.00 – 95.00


2 seater lounge $ 550.00

3 seater lounge $ 600.00

Tub chair $ 375.00

Artwork $ 125.00

Coffee table $ 140.00

It is impossible to price many items or maintenance services in the Village, as they are generally dependant

on the damage caused. All work carried out on a Do and Charge basis, will be charged at a rate equal to the

actual charge from the supplier or contractor to the Village plus an administration fee equivalent to 20% of

that cost.

Your community:

Village life

It won’t take you long to realise that there’s never a boring

moment at the Village. Village life is very informal - after all, it is your home. Lots of socialising takes place around the kitchens and common areas, and it’s not uncommon to find half a dozen people in the lounge watching TV.

Live, Learn, Grow

RMIT Village, as part of Campus Living Villages, provides you the place to Live, Learn & Grow. This is the

essence of our Residential Life program which provides for you facilities with a range of activities that

support your academic, personal and social life.

Living away from home for the first time can be a very challenging time. At the Village we believe that

being part of a supportive residential community can make all the difference.

Live: We facilitate the creation of a fun, friendly and diverse community through social events, sporting

and recreational activities and community development programs.

Learn: We support residents’ academic success through study support, study groups, academic advice,

financial assistance and educational facilities.

Grow: The Village encourages residents’ personal growth and transition to independence with a focus on

life skills, cultural awareness, social conscience, personal development and pastoral care.


The Residential Life Coordinator manages a wide variety of activities and issues regular updates regarding

the dates and times they are held. Your RA also has the latest information, so go on - get involved and

enjoy the interaction! To see our most upcoming events, follow our social media sites:

www.facebook.com/rmitvillage/events

Instagram @rmitvillage #rmitvillage

Joining the gym

If sport is not for you but you want to stay fit you can join the gym! There are a number of gyms in the area:

RMIT University gym (Information can be gathered from RMIT city campus)

Melbourne University gym (Information can be gathered from Melbourne Uni)

The Underground Fitness Club located on Peel Street

Fitness First (situated in Melbourne Central, Level 4.)

Newly refurbished RMIT Village gym is located on Level 1 behind the Study area.(no charge)

Images of RMIT Village Gym

http://www.facebook.com/rmitvillage/events


Community living

Community and diversity are key components of Village life. We encourage all residents to be involved in activities if only in a small way. You will encounter people whose lifestyles,

backgrounds, personalities and values are different to your own. Take the time to get to know people around you, and never be afraid to ask questions, seek advice or guidance.

Living in shared accommodation: A survival guide

Living with a new person can be somewhat confronting - you don’t know their funny quirks and aren’t familiar

with their pet peeves. The important thing is that it doesn’t need to be. Indeed if you follow a few simple

rules you can ensure that you will get along with your new housemate(s).

Get to know each other. As each new housemate moves in, take the opportunity to show them around the

Village and have a coffee together or grab a meal.

If you are going to be living with these people for the next 12 months (or 6 months minimum for International

students), the sooner you get to know them, the better.

Decide from the outset whether you are going to share cooking and grocery shopping.

Whilst sharing the cooking is a great way of minimizing costs, it isn’t for everyone. You need to consider if you

have similar tastes and budgets and it always helps if the other person can cook.

Be considerate with your use of shared facilities and equipment.

If something has strong sentimental value to you, don’t leave it in a communal area but store it in your room,

otherwise it may get accidently broken.

Be aware of the noise you and any guests you have over produce. This is a common courtesy which should

extend to all residents. Please also remember that ALL guests onsite after midnight must be pre-registered at

Reception or by the RA on duty. Each resident is entitled to one guest for two nights maximum over a

consecutive seven night period, only with their roommates approval. Any unregistered/over-staying guests

will be asked to leave the Village immediately.

Your guest is your responsibility, and must be with you at all times (as they are not issued with a key).

Don’t hog the bathroom.

If you are going to be messy, restrict it to your room and do not allow it to spread to communal areas.

Don’t leave dirty dishes overnight– there is nothing worse than having to do the dishes before you can

have some breakfast in the morning.


Change the toilet roll when it is empty.

Take out the garbage when the bag looks full.

Arrange a cleaning roster for communal lounge areas, kitchens and bathrooms if you and your roommate

have differing views on cleanliness.

Resolving difficulties

Living with other people involves a balance between patience and knowing when to raise issues that are

affecting your personal wellbeing.

If you have an issue with a fellow resident, try first to talk about that issue with the person concerned. Try to

talk about it before you are at bursting point. Talk about how the actions of the other person are affecting

your happiness in the house. Don’t get into accusations. Think of solutions that can accommodate the

interests of all involved.

If you feel that you are unable to come up with suitable compromises yourselves you can call a Resident

Assistant to discuss strategies with them, or contact Management via Reception.

Sanctioned room moves (only approved in exceptional circumstances and subject to availability) will incur a

room-move fee of $150.00 and will be subject to the usual room condition report processes.

Please see the Visitor Policy further along in the Handbook as this could cause problems between house

mates.

Noise

An important part of becoming a member of the Village community is having respect for fellow residents. It is

important to remember that not everyone has the same workload and whilst you may be free to party and

have a good time others may have assessments due in the next day. It is for this reason that we ask you to

abide by the Village Noise policy. (See appendix C).

Partying at the village

A major part of Village life is about socialising and having a good time. We encourage people to interact with

one another in a safe environment. The Glass House or Student Lounge are also great places to host

gatherings. You are allowed to have parties on site; you simply have to fill in a party application and it needs

to be approved by the General Manager. (See appendix D). You are responsible for your guests and must

ensure the venue is cleaned afterwards.

Smoking

There is to be no smoking in rooms, balconies or by the pool. There is a designated smoking area in the

courtyard in front of the Student Lounge (See appendix B). Please respect this policy and be courteous of

those around you. Please also dispose of cigarette butts in the ashtrays provided.


Your safety, security and

personal wellbeing

The Village is designed with your safety in mind. While our city is a friendly place, it is dynamic and like any city it is

sensible to be security conscious both at home and when you are out and about. Campus Living Villages provides after hours Village security. We advise residents to always lock their bedroom door upon leaving the apartment.

Personal wellbeing

The Village Evening Duty Manager is on duty weekdays from 8:30pm to 5:00am. On weekends and public

holidays, uniformed security patrols the grounds between 10:00pm and 3:00am. There is also a Resident

Assistant (RA) on duty who is contactable at any time on 0433 283 610. 24 hour video surveillance also

monitors the Village for your security.

Our first priority here at the Village is to ensure that you as a member of our community feel safe and

secure; however, you will need to take responsibility for yourself to ensure your own safety as well. The

Village is located in the inner city of Melbourne. Like any big city, when traveling to and from the Village,

especially at night, you should take simple security precautions. Stick to busy, well lit streets and try not to

walk alone. If you feel that your personal security is threatened at any time you should first contact the police

on ‘000’ and then contact the Resident Assistant on duty.

Bikes

Bikes must be stowed at various designated bike racks throughout the Village. If you have a bicycle then you

need to use a heavy-duty lock that is very hard to cut such as a “U-Bolt”. If your bike has flip lock wheels

then consider securing these and taking flip lock seats with you. Please ensure that your bike / belongings are

secured as the Village accepts no responsibility for stolen property.

Cars

It is advisable not to leave any valuables in sight such as stereos, wallets, keys, coins, mobile phones or

cameras. Consider leaving your glove box open so that people can see there is nothing of worth to steal. The

Village does not accept any responsibility for any stolen goods and damage done to your car.

Doors and windows

Always remember to ensure all doors are securely closed behind you, particularly foyer and fire doors and

balcony doors. It is important that residents take responsibility for the security of their own apartments and

buildings. Very simple precautions such as checking you always lock the front and balcony doors to

apartments when not in the living room, lock windows and draw curtains when not in your bedroom, can

reduce the likelihood of burglary. Also remember to NEVER leave your door propped open as this just encourages

people to walk into your room uninvited. Please ensure all your personal belongings are secure as the Village

accepts no responsibility for stolen goods.


Suspicious persons

Only residents can gain access to corridor entrances. If you see anyone acting suspiciously, alert Village

administration or a Resident Assistant by calling 0433 283 610

Drugs – legal & illegal

We have placed information about drugs under this section because our primary concern is your safety.

Alcohol is perhaps the most widely used “drug” in society and its use can have a very negative impact. The

negative health effects of alcohol are widely known and include heart and liver disease. The regular and

excessive use of alcohol can have a major impact on your personal relationships, work and study. If you are

drinking several times a week and doing it every week, then you may have an addiction to alcohol. There is

also a strong link between alcohol and violence, including date rape.

We’re not here to preach but we do want you to be safe and enjoy all aspects of life. RMIT Village does NOT

support the use of any illegal drugs. The possession and use of marijuana is illegal by law in Australia.

A few things to note about drugs in the Village:

The use of marijuana and all other illicit drugs is prohibited.

If you are in possession of, dealing (selling) marijuana or any other illicit drug in the Village the police will

be called and you will also be required to immediately move out of the Village.

If there are reasonable grounds or suspicions of illicit drug use then random drug searches may be

authorized by Village Management and carried out by local Police authorities.

If you think you have an alcohol or drug problem and don’t know who to see for assistance any of our

staff members are available to help and can assist you to see a doctor or counsellor.

Your welfare is our primary concern. In the evenings, you can always contact the on-call RA or Evening

Duty Manager if you or your friends need help.

Personal issues

Personal issues, such as academic stress, alcohol abuse, depression and eating disorders may strain

relationships in a living situation. It is both a resident’s right and a resident’s responsibility to seek help when

such issues become disruptive.

Studies on alcohol abuse within universities show that there are significant secondary affects for roommates

and friends of those who drink excessively. A resident’s concern about protecting a roommate’s privacy, where

excessive drinking is involved or otherwise, should not keep him or her from getting support personally or for

that other person.

If a resident is worried about a friend, if the behaviour of another resident affects living habits of others, he or

she has the right and responsibility to seek help both personally and for that other person. It may be that the

resident’s action spares the individual concerned painful consequences – then or later. You may seek

assistance from a Resident Assistant or Village Management.

Further information and help

If you need help or want to talk to someone about excessive alcohol use, quitting smoking or problems you

may have with illicit drugs, then think about dropping into your University Health Service or make an

appointment to see a doctor.

Sexual decision making

No one should feel pressured into being sexually active. Despite greater sexual freedom in recent times, and

more openness in discussing sexual attitudes and behaviour, don’t feel forced into behaviours you aren’t yet


ready for. You need to feel comfortable with the decisions you make in this regard. Decisions about sexual

behaviour should be made thoughtfully. Everyone has their own set of values and attitudes and people are

ready to engage in different sexual behaviours at different times. Go with what feels right for you.

If you and your partner decide to be sexually active, both of you should take some responsibility for health

care within the relationship. You have to decide how much physical contact to have, and you have to make

decisions about contraception.

Partners should share these responsibilities and should respect each other’s wishes. It is vital to consider the

consequences of sexual involvement. These could include: unwanted pregnancy, dealing with the issue of

abortion, early marriage, HIV and so on. These issues need to be discussed with your partner before you start

a sexual relationship. These aren’t easy decisions. If you need some guidance, the Red Aware organisation

can provide information and referral; they also have an excellent website: www.redaware.org.au with many

facts and support tips. Your General Practitioner is also a good source of help in discussing the options in

contraceptive control.

There are times when you are vulnerable to being swept away in strong feelings, for example in the party

context with free flowing alcohol, when spur of the moment impulses may lead you into unwise behaviour.

Don’t forget, you can always see a medical practitioner at your University Health Service following such a

time.

If you want to talk about relationship issues at any time, and feel uneasy talking with a Village RA, make an

appointment to see a Counsellor at the University, which is free and confidential.

Harassment

Harassment has no place within any of our Villages or halls and the residential management team have a

proper concern where the behaviour of students towards other students may constitute harassment.

Such behaviour may take the following forms (but is not limited to): offensive jokes; expressing stereotypes

(assumptions about an individual’s behaviour, values or culture based on a group they belong to); derogatory

or offensive material sent through the mail or email; physical contact; intimidation, abuse or assault.

Behaviour is considered harassment when it is unwelcome or offensive to the recipient and is repeated or of

such a significant nature that it has a detrimental effect on the recipient’s ability to study or engage in his or

her normal activity.

Harassment complaints procedure:

In the first instance, assistance may be provided by Village Management.

A little about you

Your personal details It is really important that you keep the Village up to date with all your personal details.

For instance, you must have notified to us your current e-mail address to access the Village intranet.. Please

note that once you check-out, mail IS NOT redirected to this address. It is the residents’ responsibility to

update mail delivery or to arrange a mail redirection service through Australia Post.

Please note personal details are kept in the strictest confidence in accordance with the RMIT Village

Melbourne Privacy Policy (Appendix E in this Handbook). To change any personal details, log on to the RMIT

Village website by following the link “Current Residents” or please come to Reception and leave your new

details with a Receptionist, who will update them for you.

http://www.redaware.org.au/


Staying connected

Communication within the Village

Friday Updates will be sent to your email every Friday and will keep you update on what is happening around

Melbourne and around The Village. If you would like to publish an article or contribute photos to the Friday

updates, please let an RA know.

Village events calendar

Check the Village Calendar at the start of each month with all the upcoming events, public holidays, sporting

draws, community fundraisers and any other exciting things happening throughout the semester. The

calendars are posted on notice boards and the Village Facebook page: www.facebook.com/rmitvillage.

Reception

Reception is also a great place to touch base with the Village. Here you can get information for upcoming

events, contact information and general enquires.

Email

Email from the Village will inform you of any changes within the Village or upcoming events. Be sure to give

your email address to Reception in order to stay connected!

Telephone

The telephone in your room can be used to make internal calls between rooms for free. To do so you simply

dial ‘2’ and then the persons room number you are trying to contact.

Eg. To call room 345 you would dial ‘2345’. Please note that for room numbers under 50, you need to add

“20” in front and add 50 to the number. Eg. To call room 28 you would dial 2078.

You may also receive external direct calls to your apartment. Your direct line follows your extension as per

above. Just add “8330“ in front of your 8-digit telephone number. Don’t forget the area code is 03 for

Melbourne and +61 for Australia

Eg. For apartment 28, your number is (03)8330-2078.

http://www.facebook.com/rmitvillage


Where to go for help

The resident support team

You will meet all your Resident Assistants (RAs) within a short period of living at the Village and will be

officially introduced at the beginning of O’ Week. O’ Week is a week of events organised to induct you into our

Village community through social games, dress up parties, BBQ’s, live entertainment and more. It is

important that you become familiar with the RA team as they are your bridge between residents and the

Village management.

No matter how big or small you think your problem is you can always approach one of the Resident Assistant

(RA) Team or the Evening Duty Manager to ask for help (chances are they have come across a problem like

yours before).

The team is your first point of call for any difficulty that you may encounter whilst living in the Village and

they can provide you with advice, support and where appropriate refer you on to other organizations within

the Village for help. They can help with lockouts, noise complaints, resident disputes and more serious

matters.

If you are having trouble with Uni, experiencing emotional problems or stress, are ill or just in need of a chat,

please feel free to contact a Resident Assistant after hours on 0433 283 610 or the Evening Duty Manager.

Save this number into your mobile phone, it will certainly come in handy! Alternatively, you can arrange a

time during office hours to meet with the General Manager, Village Manager or Residential Life Coordinator to

discuss your problem.

Locked out of your apartment?

There is always someone in the Village who can assist you to get back into your apartment or room if you

lock yourself out. To encourage you to carry your key with you there is a $10 after hours lock out charge that

is donated by the Village to a designated charity. During office hours, you should contact Reception.

After office hours (5:00pm on business days), lockouts are attended to by either the On-Call RA or Security.

Remember that other more pressing matters may prohibit these staff from attending to your lockout straight

away, so please be patient.


In case of emergenciesFire

Fire alarms are a life and death matter and must be treated as such. Please listen for fire alarms and follow

the procedures set out below. To minimise fire risk in the Village, do not use any open fire sources in your

apartment. This includes lighters, candles, incense burners, all of which are forbidden by Village rules. Do not

leave cooking unattended, or leave heaters or irons on in your room in your absence. Toasters, Rice cookers,

kettles should be used only in your kitchen.

ALWAYS USE THE EXTRACTION FAN WHEN COOKING AND KEEP BALCONY DOOR OPEN TO REMOVE

COOKING SMOKE.

Do not open the apartment door to corridor to remove cooking smoke. False alarm fees payable by residents

to Fire Brigade are a minimum of $1,800, usually reaching as high as $2,700.

Procedures When you hear the alert alarm (BEEP BEEP BEEP)

Switch off all appliances, grab your room key and wait for further instructions or the evacuation alarm.

When you hear the evacuation alarm (WHOOP WHOOP WHOOP) you MUST evacuate via the nearest EXIT.

Proceed to assembly area as instructed by safety personnel

The authorities will advise when it is safe to return to your apartment.

TAKE YOUR ROOM KEY WITH YOU. LEAVE ALL BELONGINGS BEHIND.

Who in the village responds to fire alarms?

During office hours, the staff in the office will investigate fire alarms. If outside of office hours and you hear a

fire alarm going off or set off a fire alarm in your apartment, it is important that you tell someone about it.

Even if you’ve just burnt the toast and the alarm goes off for a minute or two, you need to tell someone

about it so that the alarms can be re-set. After hours it will be the RA on duty and Evening Duty Manager

and/or Security who will respond to the fire alarm. Call 0433 283 610 for the on-call RA.

Medical

Always ensure that the Village knows if you or your housemates have experienced a serious medical

emergency. If the emergency is of a serious nature do not hesitate to phone an ambulance by dialing 000.

If you are unsure of what to do you should phone a Resident Assistant immediately. They will attend, assess

the situation and contact the relevant people, ambulance, security etc.

Hospital

If you feel the need at anytime to go to hospital please let the RA on duty or Reception know. The Royal

Melbourne hospital is situated just down the road on Grattan St.


Doctors and dentists:

There are several Doctors and Dentists in the local area as listed on the following page. Doctors Telephone Number

Swanston Street Medical Centre (SSMC) 393 Swanston St, Melbourne, opposite Storey Hall. Bulk- billing doctors for fulltime local students. Physiotherapist, dentist.

(03) 9654 2722

City Baths Medical Practice 420 Swanston St, Melbourne. Bulk-billing doctors for fulltime local students. No payment required for fulltime international students with current

Medibank Private health insurance.

(03) 9662 4644

Melbourne Sexual Health Centre 580 Swanston St, Carlton.

Specialist sexual health bulk-billing doctors, and nurses HIV testing, and STI info. Online information.

(03) 9347 0244 or 1800 032 017

www.mshc.org.au

Family Planning Victoria. Level 1, 94 Elizabeth St, Melbourne (between Collins and Little Collins Street)

The Action Centre for Young People (under 25)

(03) 9654 4766 www.fpv.org.au

Women’s Health Service Royal Women’s Hospital 132 Grattan St, Carlton.

(03) 9344 2183

http://www.rwh.org.au/wellwomens/index.cfm?doc_id=2278

CASA House (Centre against Sexual Assault) 3rd floor, Queen Victoria Women’s Centre. 210 Lonsdale St, Melbourne. Provides services which recognize and promote the rights of victims of sexual assault.

(03) 9244 2210

After hours – (03) 9349 1766 Email – [email protected]

Victoria St Medical Centre 436 Victoria St, North Melbourne

(03) 9328 4034

Dentists Telephone Number

Melbourne Dental Ceramics Level 4, 134 Flinders St, Melbourne

(03) 9650 5500

Collins Dental Image 220 Collins St, Melbourne

(03) 9650 6622

Queen Street Dental Group Suite 204, 150 Queen St

(03) 9670 3576

http://www.mshc.org.au/

http://www.fpv.org.au/

http://www.rwh.org.au/wellwomens/index.cfm?doc_id=2278

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Your community:

Local and Melbourne city

Entertainment

Apart from life at the Village, the city of Melbourne is renowned for its great entertainment in all areas of

sport, art, music and religion. Some venues that maybe of interest are:

Cinema centres:

Main stream Movies can be seen at ‘Hoyts Cinema in Melbourne Central’ and ‘Village Cinemas in Crown

Casino’.

Art House movies can be seen at ‘Nova Cinema’ on Lygon Street.

Sporting venues:

MCG, Etihad Stadium, Rod Laver Arena, Hisense Arena

The Royal Melbourne Zoo:

Located a few blocks from the Village (or accessible via Tram 55 heading away from the City).

Music concerts:

Rod Laver Arena, Myer Music bowl, Festival Hall

Theatre and musicals:

Athenaeum Theatre

188 Collins St. Carlton

Courthouse Theatre

349 Drummond St.

Comedy Theatre

240 Exhibition St.

Art galleries:

Alcaston House Gallery

2 Collins St.

Aboriginal Desert Art

31 Flinders Lane.

National Gallery of Victoria

Federation Square

For more venues and information check out

www.thatsmelbourne.com.au.

This site showcases the wide variety of events, shows and nightlife that Melbourne has to offer!

http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/


Eating local

For those of you who are sick of cooking and looking for somewhere else to eat check out the local cafés,

pubs, restaurants and fast food outlets!

Here are some nearby:

Little Richard Pizza Bar (located in the RMIT Village building) The Turf Club (right next door)

Flavors Café (on Flemington rd opposite 7/11)

The Metro (on Blackwood St)

The Castle (on Wrecklyn St)

Domino’s Pizza (on Grattan St)

KFC (on Grattan St)

Lanna Thai (on Flemington road further up from 7-11)

Classic Curry (Two blocks down Elizabeth Street)

Lygon Street has a great selection of authentic Italian food

Transport For complete information on public transport in Melbourne, please visit www.ptv.vic.gov.au.

Trams:

The best way to get around the city is on the Tram network, there are stops right outside the Village on

Flemington Rd no. 59 and another on Elizabeth St no. 19.

Remember you need to purchase a MyKi card to use the tram, trains and buses. You can purchase it at the

local Seven Eleven prior to your travel or purchase your card in the train station using the ticket machine. The

majority of travelling you will do will be in Zone 1 – feel free to ask Reception staff for transport tips and

directions.

Trains:

There are also three main train stations used for further travel, Southern Cross Station on Spencer St,

Flinders St Station and Melbourne Central Station on Elizabeth St.

Taxi:

The Village uses the Yellow Cab Taxi Service. There is a phone in the foyer that automatically connects you to

yellow cabs free of charge, you are welcome to use it at any time. Alternatively you can contact them on 13

CABS or 132 227.


Handy numbers Emergency Services Telephone Number

Police/Ambulance/Fire

000

Duty Resident Assistant

0433 283 610

Reception (Business hours)

(03) 8330 2000 or #9 on internal phone.

Village Extensions

Reception Office Telephone / Email

(03) 8330 2000 or #9 [email protected]

Michael Lynch – General Manager

[email protected]

Regan Shawcross – Village Manager

[email protected]

Gary Guo – Village Accountant

[email protected]

Francois Soupe – Facilities Manager

[email protected]

Adrian Geddes – Evening Duty Manager

[email protected] or 0401 056 633

Kylie Holland – Residential Life Coordinator

[email protected] or 0433 283 351

CLV Head Office

Phone

02 9270 1600

Email

[email protected]

Internet Service

Access Plus Customer Support 1300 739 822




RMIT Handbook 2015 - My Student Village from CLV · RMIT Village Residents’ Handbook 2014 2 Welcome to RMIT Village Welcome to RMIT Village. Our team of personnel are all professionals

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