About Us
Location, Location, Location
Situated on some of the Manawatu's prime real estate, Fergusson Hall offers 86 self-catering positions for first year and returning students (including College of Education students). Accommodation is also available from mid-November through to mid-February for individuals and groups.
The Hall is located on the hill overlooking the Turitea campus with an inspiring view of the mighty Manawatu plains. the Turitea campus is a 5-10 minute walk away, making it easy to pop back between lectures (if you dare take on those infamous stairs more than once a day...).
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Park-Like Grounds:Spacious grounds, gardens and native bush surround the Hall providing areas for sporting and social events. The field in front of the House is regularly used for team sports and other inter-hall competitions. Near this field there is a volleyball court that gets used regularly. We also have an all-weather practice cricket wicket and basketball hoop. A number of picnic tables around the grounds provide places for outside relaxation. |
Supportive Staff
The Head of Hall, Simon Cayzer, works with three senior student Residential Advisors (RAs) to make Fergusson Hall an outstanding Hall of Residence. This leadership team is supported by other permanent and casual staff, including Stu (maintenance), Carol (housekeeper) and Helen (office assistant) who all help make Ferg run as smoothly as it can. They do this by:
- Ensuring the Hall is a safe place to live with the facilities residents need.
- Fostering an exciting community with many fun events throughout the year.
- Encouraging Academic Success through attractive spaces to study, computer facilities and academic support programmes.
- Providing Care and Support when it is needed from the practical through to the personal.
Simon lives at the Hall with his wife Juliet who works as a research Veterinarian, daughter Rebecca and their small but active dog Annie, who loves meeting students. The Hall is owned by a trust called the Presbyterian Educational Purposes Trust.
Supportive Environment
Fergusson Hall aims to be your “home away from home” while you are studying at university. One of the great things about living at Ferg is that there are people you can turn to if you’re looking for advice or support in any area of your life, from academic to personal. Simon and the RAs are trained to help you deal with any issues that arise and if they are unable to help they will know who can. We also have residents from all walks of life and hearing their experiences will no doubt have an impact on the type of person you want to become during your student years.
Community Spirit at Ferg
Ferg may have a leadership team who have overall responsibility for the running of the Hall, but their main goal is to make each resident’s stay as enjoyable and as beneficial as it can be. One of the ways they do this is to get residents involved with what happens at Ferg, by encouraging students to join the Social Committee, help with events, and get their input at hall and hall rep meetings. There are heaps of ways that individuals can have an impact on the community spirit that gets built each year, by getting involved in activities and events, having random conversations with everyone in the lounges or kitchens and by helping out those who may be having a hard time. Despite having over 80 residents, everyone looks out for each other at Ferg, which makes it feel like a little community all on its own!
Academic Success
Ferg is a great place to live if you’re looking for a good time, as there is always heaps of events and activities taking place. But we also want residents to succeed in their studies (that is the main reason you’re at university after all!) Each year, about one quarter of residents are returning students, which means that there is a strong likelihood that they would have taken a lot of the first year papers and will therefore be able to help you with exam preparation and assignments. At the beginning of the year, the leadership team helps establish study groups so you know who’s doing your papers and who to ask for more information. In the weeks leading up to exams, Ferg sets up some tutorials for common papers to help make you feel more confident with your studies. There are also heaps of quiet places to study apart from your room, like the study room in the House, music room, and games room during study week.
Security
After listening to residents opinions and concerns about security, in 2010 the Board of Trustees decided to add extra security measures to the Hall, which has created an atmosphere in which residents feel safer than they did beforehand. To get into the carpark and buildings, residents need a swipe card which is issued upon arrival. Residents are also issued bedroom and kitchen cupboard keys. While there is still a need for residents to take responsibility for their belongings, you can be assured that Ferg has done what it can to ensure that all residents feel safe and secure.
