Queensland University of Technology Student Guild
Encyclopedia
The Queensland University of Technology Student Guild (QUTSG) is a student organisation established to provide service, support and representation to the students of the Queensland University of Technology
in Brisbane
. It is a student member organisation, whose office bearers are also students. The guild, like others of its type, operate advocacy and welfare services, as well as many commercial services at the University.
, plagiarism, grievance relating to assessment and discrimination.
The Guild facilitates advocacy and welfare services for students. Currently, the QUTSG offers several programmes which include; voucher schemes, food stamps and a peasant employment system. There are a range of free service events and campaigns which include; free breakfasts, free health products, free workshops and a food bank. Many of these events attempt to publicise and promote awareness of student poverty or under-representation; eventually aiming to draw the need for a socialised economic system. In addition to these services the Guild oversees commercial ventures and access to justice of the peace
and employment services.
The largest and best attended event managed by QUT Student Guild is Orientation Week held at the beginning of each semester, during the week preceding classes while some events extend into the first week of the teaching period. Orientation Week often involves free or cheap food, drinks, games, clothes, vouchers and information for new students as well as continuing students. Many other smaller events are run on-campus during the year, generally organised by the Guild for current students.
A substantial portion of the student body view the student guild and its activities as unrepresentative of their interests. Whilst the student guild actively campaigns to reinstate compulsory student unionism (and payment of guild fees), most students do not support such a reversal. Before voluntary student unionism was introduced in 2006, the collected funds were widely believed to be squandered on private functions and other perks, for upper echelon guild administrators.
The Guild has also been criticised for its suppression of free speech where views opposed to its own are concerned.
This has been the result of students aligned with the Socialist Alternative being in power.
Queensland University of Technology
Queensland University of Technology is an Australian university with an applied emphasis in courses and research. Based in Brisbane, it has 40,000 students, including 6,000 international students, over 4,000 staff members, and an annual budget of more than A$750 million.QUT is marketed as "A...
in Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
. It is a student member organisation, whose office bearers are also students. The guild, like others of its type, operate advocacy and welfare services, as well as many commercial services at the University.
Aims
The specific aims of the Guild as defined by its Constitution. They can be broadly defined as student representation and welfare, to provide cultural, sporting, recreational and social services and facilities to students, and promote the social life of the University.Advocacy and Support Services
The union coordinates student representation to the University through its a variety of ways, supporting students to take positions on faculty and University committees, and the Academic Board. The Guild is responsible for representing students in intra-institutional disputes, particularly academic disputes where the student is accused of violating QUT's Manual of Procedures and Policies. Common disputes include academic dishonestyAcademic dishonesty
Academic dishonesty or academic misconduct is any type of cheating that occurs in relation to a formal academic exercise. It can include* Plagiarism: The adoption or reproduction of original creations of another author without due acknowledgment.* Fabrication: The...
, plagiarism, grievance relating to assessment and discrimination.
The Guild facilitates advocacy and welfare services for students. Currently, the QUTSG offers several programmes which include; voucher schemes, food stamps and a peasant employment system. There are a range of free service events and campaigns which include; free breakfasts, free health products, free workshops and a food bank. Many of these events attempt to publicise and promote awareness of student poverty or under-representation; eventually aiming to draw the need for a socialised economic system. In addition to these services the Guild oversees commercial ventures and access to justice of the peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
and employment services.
Campus Culture and Events
The Guild, through its constituent student clubs and societies, contributes to 'campus culture' at QUT. QUT has approximately 50 faculty, sporting, spiritual, special interest & international clubs and groups. The Guild currently owns and manages the QUT Guild Bar, which hosts concerts and music events for QUT students. The QUT Student Guild is also responsible for social sport programs, sporting teams and events for QUT students and facilitates student's participation in University Games, an annual sporting event for Australian universities.The largest and best attended event managed by QUT Student Guild is Orientation Week held at the beginning of each semester, during the week preceding classes while some events extend into the first week of the teaching period. Orientation Week often involves free or cheap food, drinks, games, clothes, vouchers and information for new students as well as continuing students. Many other smaller events are run on-campus during the year, generally organised by the Guild for current students.
Clubs and Societies
Our clubs and societies are the heart and soul of campus culture at QUT. Recently, funding and support for QUT clubs has been increased. Students are encouraged to join and start enjoying the social gatherings, such as BBQs, society balls, dinners, pizza nights, industry meets and Guild Bar sessions. Some of the most prominent societies on campus include the Economics and Finance Society (EFS) and the Information Technology Student Association (ITSA). However, one of the biggest clubs on campus QUOTALS is not affiliated with the guild.Commercial Services
In order to run the support services and advocacy areas of the organization, the Guild relies upon income from its commercial services. The Guild operates several different businesses on the two main campuses of the university for this purpose. These businesses include Kelvin Grove Lolly Shop, Kelvin Grove Bar, Gardens Point Bar, Gardens Point Lolly Shop, Newsagency and Post Office, Campus shop, and Academic Gown Hire.Structure
Decisions within the Guild are made by an annually elected Executive and Council.| Guild Executive 2012 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Name | ||
| President | Tasmin Trezise | ||
| General Secretary | Jake Phillpot | ||
| Campaigns Director | Josh Cameron | ||
| Academic Rights Director | Stacey Percival | ||
| Welfare Director | Zane Schuller | ||
| Women’s Director | Mikaela Sandlers | ||
| Disability Director | Sofie Balmanno | ||
| International Director | Ben Heremaia | ||
| Indigenous | Whitney Hunt | ||
| Ethno-Cultural | Peter Park | ||
| Environment Director | Anthony Deacon | ||
| Sport and Recreation Director | Alex Davey | ||
| Clubs and Societies Director | Luke Swetman | ||
Pre-2012 Criticism
The guild's management of its commercial operations have been criticised in the media both for being unfair and for failing to operate efficiently. In October 2008, alleged mismanagement of Student Guild funds was blamed for $5.5 million in funds being frozen.A substantial portion of the student body view the student guild and its activities as unrepresentative of their interests. Whilst the student guild actively campaigns to reinstate compulsory student unionism (and payment of guild fees), most students do not support such a reversal. Before voluntary student unionism was introduced in 2006, the collected funds were widely believed to be squandered on private functions and other perks, for upper echelon guild administrators.
The Guild has also been criticised for its suppression of free speech where views opposed to its own are concerned.
This has been the result of students aligned with the Socialist Alternative being in power.