Academic & Pastoral Assistance

Tutorial/Fellowship (aka Mentoring) Program

The College provides academic assistance for undergraduates, particularly first years, through its tutorial system. Assistance is available from both the Residential Tutors (later year undergraduate residents) and Residential Fellows (experienced postgraduate residents)  appointed by the College to undertake academic, pastoral, leadership and administrative duties. They come under the direct supervision of the Deans. The academic areas covered vary and include most areas studied by Burgmann residents. The names and photos of tutors and their specialty areas appear on the Tutors’ noticeboard near the Dining Hall, and on the handbook available through our web page http://burgmann.anu.edu.au/.

The tutors in College come from a number of specialised fields Ranging from Commerce, Business, Law, Mathematics and a variety of Arts and Sciences. However, the exact range of subjects will change as new tutors are selected each year.

In the past the tutors have organised academic assistance in areas outside their formal fields, utilising their other skills and interests. They are available for individual consultations and offer group tutorials sessions where appropriate.

There are generally two tutors living on each floor and one fellow in each block. Tutors will make themselves known to residents on their floor/block, and around the College. They offer assistance in a variety of ways:

• general advice on university study and workload management,
  
• organising subject specific discussion tutorials, helping to fill in the questions not covered by the university lectures,
  
• helping with the structure of essays and assignments, understanding the question being asked, expression and general approach,
  
• assistance with lab report format,
  
• understanding the theory behind complex equations or other quantitative assessments,
  
• suggesting strategies for more effective study techniques,
  
• care for individuals issues, and helping to find the best ways and people to assist,
  
• floor, group and individual care and well-being,
  
• conflict resolution.

Our Fellows:

Ashish Srinivasan – A Block   (Medicine) 

Ashish has been an active resident at Burgmann College since 2007.  Before coming to Burgmann, Ashish studied at Monash University   and is currently studying medicine at the Australian National  University. He is currently involved in ongoing research which seeks   to investigate the relationship between sleep apnoea and gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease.  
 
 

Kastoori Hingorani – B Block   (Biology) 

Kastoori has been an academic tutor in Biochemistry,  Molecular Biology, and Biotechnology since 2006. Before coming to ANU in 2008, she completed her 
Undergraduate/Hons in Molecular Biotechnology at University of Otago, New Zealand. Currently working on Artificial Photosynthesis and Protein Engineering at RSBS as a PhD 
student, she also enjoys Salsa dancing, fitness training and travelling. Originally from India, she has also been to UK, Fiji, Singapore and Malaysia. Last year at Burgmann she was 
involved in organizing the ‘Indian Cultural Night’ for all residents, which she hopes will become an annual event.  
 
 

Zheng Bo Wang ‐ C Block  (Engineering and Molecular Biology) 

Zheng is currently undertaking honours in his combined degree of Engineering and Molecular Biology. He is fond of research and 
has done a number of projects on subjects ranging from Malaria to Solar Cells to  Nanotechnology. He enjoys a good game of   chess or table tennis, or most racquet spots for that matter. Zheng was also working in Pastoral Care at Fenner Hall before coming to Burgmann. 
 

Patrick Aouad  – D Block    (Medicine, Biology) 

Hello Burgmann Residents! My name is Patrick and I am the Senior Fellow at the college as well a final year medical student and medical tutor. I have a bachelor of Medical 
Science from the University of Sydney and have special interests in neuroscience and neurology. Having said this, I am pretty much interested in any subject from fundamental 
sciences to politics and arts.  I look forward to meeting new students this year and catching  up with returners. I hope to see as many of you as possible at  his year’s Burgmann Health Forum!    

Maryam Rashidi ‐ F Block (Visual Arts, Art History, Persian)

Hello! I am currently studying in the second year of my PhD in Visual Arts at ANU School of Art. My research revolves around the notions  of ideological diversity (be it cultural, racial, ethnic, religious, etc.)  and the ways in which visual art (my current art medium and 
research tool being video/film) can enhance communication across different or conflicting ideologies. … I have previously received an 
Honours Degree in Visual Arts (ANU, 2007) and a Bachelor of Fine Art (University of Newcastle, 2006). Prior to coming to Australia 
from my home country, Iran, in 2004, I have also studied a few years of Materials Engineering in Iran (Iran University of Science and   Technology, 2001‐2004). Welcome to Burgmann and I would love to see you around!!  
 
 

Sam Inverso - G Block (Computer Science, Neuroscience) 

 
Sam is an old hand at Burgmann, and technically more of a Dean than a Fellow.  He has dispensed pastoral care with pancakes  since 2006. He is active in collegiate life  having organized many events; his favorites being the  International Food Festival and the annual Monster Brain and the Trivia competition.   Before coming to ANU, Sam worked in Dublin, Ireland for sixteen‐ months researching brain‐computer interfaces and myo‐electric interfaces at the MIT Media Lab Europe.  Afterwards, he flitted across Europe from Portugal to the Czech Republic with a  tiny backpack.  In his spare time, Sam is currently working towards a PhD in Visual 
Neuroscience at RSBS. 
   

Our Tutors:

John Birrell, Rm 102 Homer. (Law & Economics) 

In 2007, John migrated to Daley Rd, Canberra from Orange in achieve notoriety at Burgmann by to actually enjoy the CaterCare  Salad. John is completing his third degree in 2009 and encourages everyone to visit his room on 1H for some help or just a chat. duties as Tutor John wants to keep being involved at College and finally beat Johns in a sports match. He looks forward to seeing you in 2009 for another great year at Burgmann College!

Kate Ottrey – 135 ‐‐ Homer (Law, German, Political Science) 

G'day newbies, my name's Kate Ottrey and I like to think of myself as country girl given that I hail from Ballarat ('the rat')  Victoria. Due to my overtly maternal tendencies, I work as a swimming instructor for four year olds and it was for this reason that I became a tutor (so that I could mother someone over the age of four). You can find me in the  rainbow room on 1H, the quietest, most studious and highest achieving floor in Burgmann. I'm a queer‐friendly who in previous lives put the sex in Sexuality Officer for Burgmann, and was a General Representative on ANUSA. I'm the 2009 ANUSA's Women's Officer ‐ I'm a student politician studying Arts/Law ‐ need I say more? When I'm not busy being over‐involved, I enjoy talking. So if you get excited about subordinate clauses (Linguistics student) come by for tea and a chat, or just a pastoral care touch. 

Zemma Holmes‐Story – 202 ‐‐ Homer (Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics) 

I realised I wanted to be a tutor the first time I went through second year.  I saw my reflection in the back of a grimy Burgmann spoon and thought – “Wow – you’re ridiculously tutor‐looking ‐ maybe you could do that for a career.”  The look I am best known for is probably “Study Break”, then there’s “Frantic Work” and “Learning For Fun”.  I’m currently working on “Organised” and it’s nearly ready – you have to tame the beast before you let it out of its cage.  I enjoy science, philosophy, acrylic nails and talking about myself in the second person.  Yes you do.  I live on 2H 

Frank Liu – 235 ‐‐ Homer  (Finance, Actuarial Studies, Economics)

Hi my floor mates, this is Frank. I am an international student from China. I am a 3rd year Actuarial Studies/Finance student. I wasn't fond of math to do this combo but I have been enjoying all the statistics and financial math subjects. I have done all the major courses for quantitative finance, as well as all the 1st and 2nd year actuarial/statistics and economics courses... and yes, my nationality suggests that I might not be a bad Chinese teacher. My two years actuarial studies haven’t given me a clear picture of what actuary really do but I find that I am more interested in the quantitative finance stream now. So if you are one of those who choose these proud of the high UAI and/or you are not clear what this field is like, come find me and we can always have a chat. Apart from school work, I like ping‐pong, badminton, soccer, classical guitar, karaoke, shopping and making traditional Chinese tea.  So feel free to pop in 235, there will be plenty of free tea and cultural talk.   

Emma Butcher – 302 ‐‐ Homer  (English, French, Development Studies)  

Hi my name is Emma! I am a hybrid of two evils (so I am told): France and Sydney. I study glorified arts aka Phb, majoring in English and Development Studies. I can also help out with French and essay writing in general. Interests: too many. In particular I enjoy the beach, clouds, insects, painting, books, and chatting about 'deep' stuff. My week consists of too many espressos, staring into space, playing netball, riding my bike and going to church. I always like help to procastinate so come and help me by visiting me in my room ‐ and I might be able to give you some tea...or chocolate! Interesting fact about me: I once put a  garden fork through my toe.  

Matt Lendrum – 335 ‐‐ Homer (Political Science, History)  

Matthew has been an active member of the college community since 2004 and is currently enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts. Whilst majoring in political science and international relations, he is also able to provide academic assistance with history, sociology, and some philosophy courses. Matthew can provide a variety of peer‐review tasks including: argument exploration, content brainstorming and proof reading. Always eager to assist, Matthew has usually has pot of tea brewing, port to offer, and Tim Tams for a late night snack and can be found at 3H windows. 

Lyndsay Dean– 151 ‐‐ Barassi (English, SRES) 

Lyndsay has just begun her 3rd year of a combined BASc, majoring in Film Studies and Earth and Environmental Sciences: or as people who hate their own degrees put it, “a degree of Fun, majoring in Awesome.” Heralding from the small town of Blayney in country NSW where cattle farming rules the world and no‐one’s even heard of vegetarianism, Lyndsay spent the first two years wandering the hallowed halls of back‐wall 2B. Completely at ease with the fact her degree will lead nowhere, she’s got great plans for a return to Africa and climate‐related aid work in the Pacific. Most of all, she’s looking forward to spreading the joy and wishes you all the best for your stay at Burgmann!  (Try the Spam, it’s delicious.) 

Alex Davies – 185 ‐‐ Barassi (Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics)  

Hey, My name is Alex and I am one half of the awesome, crime‐fighting team that is the 1B tutors. I'm originally from Sunny Queensland and in my fourth year of PhB (Science), so if you feel overwhelmed by Law and Arts students at any stage feel free to come visit!  My other specialties include:  Water polo (Everyone should join ANU Waterpolo!)  Guitar (Acoustic‐, Electric‐ and ‐Hero)  Facial hair (See shave for a cure '07) If you need help with any of the above then come by room some time. Visitors are always welcome.   

Alan Criddle – 252 ‐‐ Barassi (Law, Mathematics, Chemistry) 

I am originally from Melbourne, where I completed high school at Wesley College, Prahran. I completed my first two undergraduate  degrees (law and science) at The University of Melbourne in 2007.  My science major at Melbourne was in pure mathematics. At the ANU, I am studying for a Bachelor of Economics and will also complete subjects equivalent to a major in chemistry. 

Helen Baxendale – 290 ‐‐ Barassi (Arts, French) 

Hugh Turnbull – 351 ‐‐ Barassi (Psychology, Law, English) 

 Hey guys I'm Hugh Turnbull (for all you politicians out there, no I'm not his son and please stop asking) I'm studying Psychology and Law which is unfortunate because both subjects hate each other immensely and neither help me achieve my dream of being James Bond. I can also do English, Philosophy, SRES and Anropology. I'm the mal tutuor of 3B along with my "Floor-wife" Rachel. So if you can climb up 3 flight of stairs, please feel free to hang out on my big blue couch and I can explain why I have a guitar in my room but don't play it. Hope to see you soon at Burgmann!.

Rachel Von Gerhardt – 385 ‐‐ Barassi (Chemistry, Economics) 

Hey everyone, my name’s Rachel. I study Economics and Science (majoring in chemistry and botany). Feel free to drop by  by 3B windows als je wil nederlands leren spreken, if you ever want to learn about sex‐changing monoecious grasses, how to synthesise ‘chemical compounds’ or just want to broaden your narrow law‐filled perspective on life. Already well acquainted with my TARDIS, I'll be able to help you out with the entire of first year experiences. This year I will be ruling 3B with an iron fist. Do not try to rebel, I'm from Darwin, I wrestle crocs for fun.

International Residents

At Burgmann, international students enjoy the presence of the resident tutors who ensure that all new arrivals are familiarised with College facilities and services, integrated into the resident community, and shown the wider Canberra social and cultural environment. There are also a wide variety of services and support for international students at ANU. They include the services of ANU’s International Education Office, Academic Advisers in each faculty and the International Students’ Service of the ANU (ISSANU). Some of the residential tutors are from overseas and can therefore understand the difficulties of moving to another country for the first time.

The Burgmann Residents’ Association (BRA) also has an international representative who organises social events for international students funded by BRA. Events such as the Chinese New Year have been very popular and helped people from different cultures to get to know each other.

Postgraduate Residents

Our Residential Felllows organise regular get-togethers of Postgraduate residents and are available to answer questions and offer assistance as required.

We also have a social committee, which is part of BRA. The social committee organises postgrad events like FREE Pizza Night, Winery Tour, Pot-luck Dinner that are fully or partially subsidised by BRA.

IT Support

Many ANU courses provide critical course materials and feedback online. In addition, many assignments will not be accepted in hand-written form. Having access to computers, the university network, and printing facilities is important to all ANU students.

Burgmann College provides all residents with access to a state-of-the-art computer lab. All lab computers come standard with LCD screens to reduce eye-strain and DVD-writeable drives for all backup and storage needs. Also all computers come with USB support for all USB storage devices such external hard disks and thumb drives.

For those who wish to use their own computer, each room has a high-speed (100 Mb/s) network connection. Accessing data and websites with the ANU network is free of charge. However, accessing websites outside of ANU is charged at 0.6c/MB. (or $6 per GB)

Students who wish to connect their computer will be assisted by the Assistant Network Administrators (ANAs), who are under the supervision of the College Officer (Sub Dean). Regardless of the student's computer skills, they can be connected in a stress-free manner. Since it is a requirement to have up-to-date anti-virus software on connected PCs, Burgmann will provide students with free anti-virus software if it is needed.

You do not need to be doing an IT course to apply for an ANA position. In 2009, the ANAs are doing courses ranging from Law and Anthropology to Mathematics, IT, and Engineering: