RMIT Student Union
Encyclopedia
The RMIT Student Union Council, commonly known as the RMIT Student Union or RUSU, is the representative body for all students enrolled at RMIT
University. The Student Union offers a range of services, including clubs and societies, publishing the RMIT student magazine Catalyst, student rights advocacy and support, Womyns, Queer and Postgraduate student lounges, campus activities and events and has offices at all Melbourne
campuses and sites of RMIT University
. It is a separate organsiation to RMIT Union
, which provides support to Arts and Sports clubs. RMIT Student Union is affiliated with the National Union of Students
and the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations
.
) legislation, the Student Union underwent a major re-organization. Most of the staff were made redundant, the organization’s three separate campus councils were merged, and several services such as the second-hand bookshop were abandoned. While the organization suffered a drastic funding cut (from $3.9 million AUD to $1.3 million AUD) as a result of VSU, it managed to survive the cutbacks and continue providing services, advocacy and representation to students.
.
, 3RRR 102.7
, PBS 106.7FM
, 3ZZZ 92.3
, 3CR Melbourne, 3KND 1503
, & Joy 94.9. The Melbourne
's Community Television station Channel 31 broadcasts on UHF Channel 31.
University. The Student Union offers a range of services, including clubs and societies, publishing the RMIT student magazine Catalyst, student rights advocacy and support, Womyns, Queer and Postgraduate student lounges, campus activities and events and has offices at all Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
campuses and sites of RMIT University
RMIT University
RMIT University is an Australian public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. It has two branches, referred to as RMIT University in Australia and RMIT International University in Vietnam....
. It is a separate organsiation to RMIT Union
RMIT Union
RMIT Union is an unincorporated subsidiary company owned by RMIT University. It was formed in 1968 and currently it consists of Four main branches including RMIT Union Arts, RMIT Sports and Recreation, RMIT City Fitness and RMIT Union Administration. RMIT Union is responsible for running all Arts...
, which provides support to Arts and Sports clubs. RMIT Student Union is affiliated with the National Union of Students
National Union of Students (Australia)
The National Union of Students is the peak representative body for Australian university students. Most student unions in Australian campuses are affiliated to NUS...
and the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations
Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations
The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations, or CAPA, is the peak representative body for postgraduate students in Australia. Founded in 1979, CAPA provides member associations with representation to the Federal government, and peak bodies such as the Australian Research Council and...
.
History
In 2006, with the introduction of voluntary student unionism (VSUVSU
VSU is an abbreviation that can stand for:*Valdosta State University*Venstresocialisternes Ungdom*Vikrama Simhapuri University*Virginia State University*Visayas State University*Voluntary student unionism*Voronezh State University...
) legislation, the Student Union underwent a major re-organization. Most of the staff were made redundant, the organization’s three separate campus councils were merged, and several services such as the second-hand bookshop were abandoned. While the organization suffered a drastic funding cut (from $3.9 million AUD to $1.3 million AUD) as a result of VSU, it managed to survive the cutbacks and continue providing services, advocacy and representation to students.
Current structure
As of 2006, the Student Union Council comprises 25 students, who are elected by RMIT students at annual elections. All members of the council must be financial members of the Student Union. The council meets regularly, and it is also responsible for electing the president and media officer, as outlined in the Student Union Constitution. A smaller group of student office bearers, known as the secretariat, meets more regularly to discuss day-to-day and urgent matters. Each Melbourne campus/site also has its own campus collective.Constitution, regulations and policies
The powers of the council and secretariat are limited by the Student Union’s constitution, which was adopted in August 2006. The constitution sets out the organization’s aims and objectives, the powers and rights of council members, the rights of members and defines the organization’s departments. Regulations are rules which the Student Union uses to govern matters such as conduct at meetings, or the operation of certain departments and can be altered by a vote at a council meeting. The constitution can only be modified with the agreement of a majority of RMIT students at an annual general meetingAnnual general meeting
An annual general meeting is a meeting that official bodies, and associations involving the public , are often required by law to hold...
.
RMIT Student Radio & Television
The RMIT Student Union hosts the community radio stations including Student Youth Network 90.7Student Youth Network
SYN Media is a youth-run media organisation that provides training and broadcast opportunities for young people.Commonly referred to as SYN, the organisation produces new and independent media that is made by and for Melbourne's young people...
, 3RRR 102.7
3RRR
3RRR is a popular Australian community radio station, based in Melbourne. It is the largest per capita subscribed radio station in the world....
, PBS 106.7FM
PBS 106.7FM
PBS 106.7FM , also known as the Progressive Broadcasting Service, is a co-operatively owned community radio station in Melbourne, Australia, that broadcasts on 106.7FM, Digital radio and online...
, 3ZZZ 92.3
3ZZZ
3ZZZ is an ethnic community radio station in Melbourne, Australia broadcasting programs in over 70 languages on FM 92.3 MHz....
, 3CR Melbourne, 3KND 1503
3KND
3KND is a community radio station which represents the Indigenous communities within Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 3KND broadcasts in Melbourne at 1503 on the AM radio band and also streams on the internet. As at late 2006, 3KND has the beginnings of an mp3 library. The South Eastern...
, & Joy 94.9. The Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
's Community Television station Channel 31 broadcasts on UHF Channel 31.
Current departments
As per the constitution, the Student Union currently comprises the following departments. Each of these departments is governed a collective or committee of students who work alongside the office bearer (who in turns directs staff members).- Activities
- Clubs and Societies
- Education (includes the Student Rights service)
- Welfare
- Queer Department
- International
- Postgraduate
- Womyn’s Department
- Media (includes RMITV and Catalyst)
- Real Foods Organic Cafe