Student unionism in Australia

Last updated
Aside from their political role, student unions organise on-campus activities, such as the popular Orientation Week program at the University of New South Wales. UNSW YS2004 steamboat squad.jpg
Aside from their political role, student unions organise on-campus activities, such as the popular Orientation Week program at the University of New South Wales.

Australia's universities are home to a variety of different student union groups, providing a range of political, commercial and other services to students. The sector has undergone substantial change in recent years, with a decline in participation, intervention by university administrations, and the end of compulsory membership arrangements.

Contents

Although names such as union, student association, representative council and guild are common, in practice they provide little insight into an organisation's role on campus. In addition, some organisations have chosen to rebrand using entirely new names, with the term "union" in particular considered to be the source of misunderstandings about their role. Students at Macquarie and Arc @ UNSW are examples of this trend. Where campus unions are being replaced with university-owned corporate entities, non-traditional names such as UWS Connect and UniCentre are becoming common.

History

Early student unions

The history of student union in Australian universities broadly reflects the changing nature of the student body in the Australian tertiary system. The earliest student body was a largely wealthy group. Entry into the University system was only available to the privileged and wealthy. The associations formed by this body reflected the social associations formed by this class of Australians: they were largely voluntary and focused on extending the social opportunities of their members. In the late 19th and early 20th century, at each University these organisations developed closer links with one another, and eventually transformed into unified student associations.

The rise of radicalism

By the 1930s, the Australian Labor Party was proving to be politically attractive to small groups of University students. These students formed Labour Clubs, dedicated to the ideas of the labour movement, and began to contest for leadership of student associations. The Labor Clubs were often opposed by independent conservative students, but often conservative students lacked the vast activist apparatus built up under the Labour Clubs.

In the 1950s, the composition of the student body changed radically. The Menzies Government founded new technically oriented universities, like the University of New South Wales, and expanded the role of the technical tertiary colleges. This was in response to a perceived lack of graduate labour in the Australian economy. Increasingly, working class students were able to access University through teacher-training schemes, veterinary preference schemes, and other avenues. Bonded in labour to a government authority, these students could exert some level of pressure against their future "employer" by joining a union and protecting the rights of newer graduates with little real life experience and new to the workforce. A similar wave of increased tertiary funding in the 1970s under the Whitlam Government saw the foundation of mostly regional tertiary campuses. The opening up of higher education to a broader social group coincided with a period of popular student unionism in the 1960s, '70s and '80s.

Voluntary student unionism

Students rally outside the Victorian State library to protest cuts to education funding and reductions in the quality of student income support. Nus-state-library.jpg
Students rally outside the Victorian State library to protest cuts to education funding and reductions in the quality of student income support.

A new National Union of Students was established to replace AUS, this time with a structure designed to make it harder for constituent organisations to disaffiliate.

The collapse of AUS coincided with a hardening of attitudes on the right of politics towards student unionism. State and federal Liberal parties began to consider policies to stop student organisations from using funding from compulsory universal membership on left-wing political activities.

VSU began to gain legislative traction in the 1990s, with variations on the idea being briefly implemented in Western Australia and Victoria. VSU was also the policy of the Howard government, in power federally from 1996. Although Labor reversed the state VSU initiatives, the federal government brought in VSU legislation using its new Senate majority in 2005. VSU came into full effect at the beginning of 2007.

It wasn't just VSU that caused the student organisations problems: disputed elections, financial mismanagement and interventionist university administrations also took their toll. In the 2000s, many student organisations found themselves being liquidated or restructured by universities, losing much of their independence in the process.

Union Structure

Campus unions have traditionally been responsible for the provision of commercial services, such as food and retail outlets, and activity programs, such as those associated with orientation week. The advent of voluntary student unionism and the impact of a number of financial scandals at student organisations have prompted many universities to significantly alter the structure of campus service delivery. At a number of universities, campus unions are assuming responsibility for student council activities.

Often student councils represent the interests of students to universities and to government. Many provide additional services including legal advice and student media outlets. At many universities, student council services are provided by a single-structure campus union (see below).

Dual-structure

Campus unions that operate as part of a dual structure are in which an organisationally separate student council is present. Even among dual-structure campuses, organisational structure differs markedly.

UniversityStudent Representative CouncilService Organisation
Australian National University Australian National University Students' Association Australian National University Union (Note ANU Union is solely responsible for running businesses, all services provided by ANUSA.
Macquarie University Macquarie University Students' Council Students at Macquarie
RMIT University RMIT Student Union RMIT Union
Southern Cross University Southern Cross University Students' AssociationSouthern Cross University Union
Swinburne University of Technology Swinburne Student Union Swinburne Student Amenities Association (University owned, operated and controlled)
University of Adelaide Adelaide University Student Representative Council [1] Adelaide University Union
University of Canberra University of Canberra Students' Representative CouncilUniversity of Canberra Union
University of New England University of New England Student Association (UNESA)University of New England Student Association (UNESA)
University of Newcastle Newcastle University Students' Association,| Newcastle University Postgraduate Students' Association [2] UoN Services Limited, Campus Central & NUSport
University of Sydney University of Sydney Students Representative Council University of Sydney Union
University of the Sunshine Coast University of the Sunshine Coast Student Representative Council [3] University of the Sunshine Coast Student Guild [4]
University of Technology, Sydney UTS Students' Association UTS Union
University of New South Wales UNSW SRC Arc @ UNSW

Single-structure

Campus unions that operate as part of a single structure, are in which student council services are provided by a division or department of the union.

UniversityUnion
Central Queensland University Central Queensland University Student Association
Charles Sturt University Charles Sturt University Student Senate
Curtin University of Technology Curtin Student Guild
Deakin University Deakin University Student Association
Edith Cowan University Edith Cowan University Student Guild
Flinders University Flinders University Student Association
Griffith University Griffith University Student Representative Council
James Cook University James Cook University Student Association
La Trobe University La Trobe Student Union
La Trobe University, Bendigo Bendigo Student Association
Monash University, Clayton Monash Student Association
Murdoch University Murdoch Guild
Queensland University of Technology Queensland University of Technology Student Guild
University of Melbourne University of Melbourne Student Union
University of Queensland University of Queensland Union
University of South Australia University of South Australia Students Association
University of Tasmania Tasmanian University Student Association
University of Western Australia University of Western Australia Student Guild
Western Sydney University WSU Student Representative Council
Victoria University Victoria University Student Union

Postgraduate organisations

At many universities, postgraduate students are represented by separate student organisations. Given the smaller numbers - and relative time-poverty - of postgrads, these organisations tend to be smaller and are significantly under-resourced when compared to general or undergraduate groups. At a national level, postgrads are represented by the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations.

National organisations

See also

Related Research Articles

A students' union, also known by many other names, is a student organization present in many colleges, universities, and high schools. In higher education, the students' union is often accorded its own building on the campus, dedicated to social, organizational activities, representation, and academic support of the membership.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Union of Students (Australia)</span>

The National Union of Students (NUS) is the peak representative body for Australian higher education students. As of 2020, there are 21 student unions in Australian campuses affiliated to NUS. A student union is eligible for membership by its classification as a legitimate student representative body at any Australian post-secondary training provider and the payment of Union fees by the union according to the number of full-time study units of its students.

The University of Newcastle Students' Association (UNSA) is the student organisation at the University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia (UON). The organisation provides a range of student services and supports campus life activities and events. UNSA facilitates the UON's elected Student Representative Council (SRC) which is the peak representative body for all students at the University.

The Tasmanian University Student Association (TUSA) formerly known as Tasmania University Union (TUU), is the peak body of student representation for tertiary students attending the University of Tasmania and was established in 1899.

The University of New England Students' Association (UNESA) was the representative body for students at the University of New England, Australia. It has existed in myriad forms over many decades. The vision statement of its most recent incorporation expressed a vision to: “Represent without fear or favour the students of the University of New England. To encourage participation in a fair and just tertiary experience through shared higher thinking.”

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of South Australia Students Association</span>

The University of South Australia Student Association (USASA), provides democratic student representation and services including advocacy, student clubs, second-hand books, social events, and a student magazine to the students of the University of South Australia (UniSA). USASA is spread across the University of South Australia's four metropolitan campuses as well as the Centre for Regional Engagement, encompassing the Whyalla and Mount Gambier campuses.

YouX is a student union at the University of Adelaide, South Australia. It provides academic advocacy, welfare, and counselling services to students free of charge, funds the student newspaper On Dit, and owns a number of commercial operations on campus. It also oversees the Student Representative Council (SRC), an organisationally separate body responsible for student political representation.

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) is the peak representative body for postgraduate students in Australia. CAPA's members are 33 postgraduate associations and the National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Postgraduate Association (NATSIPA). CAPA provides member associations with representation to the Federal government, and peak bodies such as the Australian Research Council and Universities Australia, on issues affecting postgraduate students in Australia. In 2017, Australia had over 400,000 postgraduate students, representing one quarter of all tertiary students in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UTS Students' Association</span>

The University of Technology, Sydney, Students' Association is the representative body for students at the University of Technology, Sydney. It is based on level 3 of building 1 at UTS. It publishes the student magazine Vertigo. The association has departments which have previously worked collaboratively with the university to achieve practical outcomes for students, as well as ensuring that the university is held to account over its handling of student issues. Historically, this has resulted in numerous successful campaigns which have won rights for students in the university.

Swinburne Student Union (SSU), is the independent student representative body of Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia. Membership is opt-in for all Swinburne students. Swinburne Student Union is currently campaigning for a return of student control of student affairs. The Swinburne Student Union is Swinburne’s only independent, student-run; representation, welfare and events service.

Voluntary student unionism (VSU), as it is known in Australia, or voluntary student membership (VSM), as it is known in New Zealand, is a policy under which membership of – and payment of membership fees to – university student organisations is voluntary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wollongong Undergraduate Students' Association</span>

The University of Wollongong Undergraduate Students' Association is the principal student union at the University of Wollongong (UOW), New South Wales. Besides representing the campus students' interests, WUSA provides them with specific welfare services.

The Australian Liberal Students' Federation (ALSF) is an Australian students' political organisation. Founded in 1948, the ALSF carries similar ideology to the Liberal Party of Australia. The Federation works closely with the Liberal Party, however it is an independent organisation that pursues its own policy agenda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RMIT University Student Union</span>

Established in 1944, the RMIT University Student Union or RUSU, is the peak representative body for all students enrolled at RMIT University. The Student Union is independent of the university and operates under the direction of annually elected student representatives. According to the constitution, all students are automatic members of the Student Union but may choose to become a financial member. RUSU works in collaboration with its sister organisation the RMIT Vietnam Student Council to achieve common aims and objectives for all students.

Campus Experience is the student organisation at Macquarie University and is a wholly owned subsidiary company of the University. The organisation manages Macquarie University's non-academic services of food and retail, entertainment, sport and recreation, student groups, child care and student publications. The organisation also houses an elected student representative council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association</span>

The Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association (SUPRA) is the peak body of elected representatives who campaign on behalf of the Research and Coursework Students at The University of Sydney, alongside the University of Sydney Students' Representative Council.

Acuma Incorporated is a representative organisation for senior staff in tertiary campus service organizations in Australia and New Zealand. The purpose of this group is to speak on behalf of its members in areas affecting the tertiary campus service industry. Individual campus service organizations are represented by their General Manager or an equivalent position.

The Council of International Students Australia, or CISA, is the peak representative body for international students in Australia. CISA was founded on 7 July 2010 in Hobart, Tasmania and provides member associations with representation to the Federal government, and peak bodies such as the Australian Research Council, English Australia, ACPET (Australian Council for Private Education and Training, TAFE Directors Australia and Universities Australia, on issues affecting international students in Australia.

The La Trobe Student Union (LTSU) is a representative body for students at La Trobe University. The LTSU is located at the Bundoora campus in the Agora. The LTSU is made up of elected student representatives who provide advocacy, services, events and support for all La Trobe Students. The representatives include President, Education Vice President, General Secretary, Postgraduate Officer, Education Public Affairs Officer, Welfare Officer, Women's Officer, Queer Officer, People of Colour Officer, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Officer, Disabilities Officer, Social Justice Officer, Activities Officer and 7 General Members of Council.

The Flinders University Student Association (FUSA) is a student union at Flinders University, South Australia. It provides free welfare services, academic advocacy, grants for clubs and societies, and funding for the student newspaper, Empire Times. It also organises an O'Week each semester, as well as various social events throughout the year.

References

  1. ↑ http://auu.org.au/
  2. ↑ NUPSA Website, Newcastle University Postgraduate Students Association.
  3. ↑ "Student Representative Council". www.usc.edu.au. Archived from the original on 2015-06-17.
  4. ↑ uscstudentguild.org.au
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.