Swinburne Student Union
Encyclopedia
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.
Due to the advent of voluntary student unionism, Swinburne created a subsidiary organisation known as the Swinburne Student Amenities Association, or SSAA, in 2006, which superseded many of the roles formerly operated by the union. Of late, the SSU have focused their energy on political activism. It also used to publish a student newspaper called Tabula Rasa. (Until 2005, 'Tabula Rasa' was an independent student magazine). In 2010 there is no student newspaper at Swinburne University.
In December 2005, the University declined to renew the Student Union's lease on catering outlets and outsourced catering operations to private operators. In 2009, SSU's offices in the Union building at Swinburne's Hawthorn campus were occupied by the SSAA, and the Union moved their offices to the Administration building. This left the unique situation of the Union building, built in the 80's solely to house SSU activities, having no Union presence. However in 2011, the Union successfully campaigned to return to the Union building, although only to one floor.
The Swinburne Student Union holds annual elections for office bearer positions. It has several standing committees including the Education Board, Secretariat, Services Management Board, SISA and SUPA; the latter two being constitutionally established representative bodies to serve the needs of international students and postgraduates respectively.
In March 2006, the union was the subject of controversy after the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ian Young, announced that the university would not renew the Union's funding for 2006 - an expected payment of A$1.5 million. Media reports speculated of the "collapse" of the organisation as a result http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/swinburne-student-union-nears-collapse/2006/03/10/1141701695921.html. The organisation was under considerable financial pressure, and was forced to reduce staff numbers considerably in order to remain solvent. In 2006, SSU terminated the employment of its executive officer, Balrama Krishnan for alleged gross and wilful misconduct. He was the Union's most senior employee, having worked there for over 26 years.
The Swinburne Student Union has implemented a range of strategies designed to ensure its survival despite VSU
. They began rolling out financial membership packages from 1 July 2006.
The situation at Swinburne remains largely unchanged although in early 2009 it was hinted by the university they would be willing to give back some control of advocacy to the Union if the organisation was prepared to negotiate. In 2010 the situation remains unchanged with the finances of the union in a dire state. At a council meeting on 1 September 2010 a motion was successfully passed to freeze the wage of all office bearers.
At the 2010 Swinburne Student Union Annual elections Socialist Alternative running under the banner of Student Voice lost all positions (with the exception of National Union of Students Delegates) to an Australian Greens/Labor/Independent Coalition running under the banner of Shake Up. This is a unique result as it is the first time candidates from any significant political parties have had significant inroads into the Swinburne Student Union. The Shake Up team ran under student service/advocacy/activity based policies rather than the left wing and broad non-student issue focus of Student Voice.
In 2011 Swinburne Student Union is enjoying a resurgence in interest and membership, with over 700 members joining in the first half of 2011. SSU offers its members free printing, free breakfast, parties and events as well as representation and advice by students, for students.
Moving forward Swinburne Student Union will be campaigning for a return of student control of student affairs.
Swinburne University of Technology
Swinburne University of Technology is an Australian public dual sector university based in Melbourne, Victoria. The institution was founded by the Honourable George Swinburne in 1908 and achieved university status in June 1992...
in 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...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. Membership is opt-in for all Swinburne students.
Due to the advent of voluntary student unionism, Swinburne created a subsidiary organisation known as the Swinburne Student Amenities Association, or SSAA, in 2006, which superseded many of the roles formerly operated by the union. Of late, the SSU have focused their energy on political activism. It also used to publish a student newspaper called Tabula Rasa. (Until 2005, 'Tabula Rasa' was an independent student magazine). In 2010 there is no student newspaper at Swinburne University.
In December 2005, the University declined to renew the Student Union's lease on catering outlets and outsourced catering operations to private operators. In 2009, SSU's offices in the Union building at Swinburne's Hawthorn campus were occupied by the SSAA, and the Union moved their offices to the Administration building. This left the unique situation of the Union building, built in the 80's solely to house SSU activities, having no Union presence. However in 2011, the Union successfully campaigned to return to the Union building, although only to one floor.
The Swinburne Student Union holds annual elections for office bearer positions. It has several standing committees including the Education Board, Secretariat, Services Management Board, SISA and SUPA; the latter two being constitutionally established representative bodies to serve the needs of international students and postgraduates respectively.
In March 2006, the union was the subject of controversy after the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ian Young, announced that the university would not renew the Union's funding for 2006 - an expected payment of A$1.5 million. Media reports speculated of the "collapse" of the organisation as a result http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/swinburne-student-union-nears-collapse/2006/03/10/1141701695921.html. The organisation was under considerable financial pressure, and was forced to reduce staff numbers considerably in order to remain solvent. In 2006, SSU terminated the employment of its executive officer, Balrama Krishnan for alleged gross and wilful misconduct. He was the Union's most senior employee, having worked there for over 26 years.
The Swinburne Student Union has implemented a range of strategies designed to ensure its survival despite VSU
Voluntary student unionism
Voluntary student unionism is a policy, notable in Australia, under which membership of – and payment of membership fees to – university student organisations is voluntary....
. They began rolling out financial membership packages from 1 July 2006.
The situation at Swinburne remains largely unchanged although in early 2009 it was hinted by the university they would be willing to give back some control of advocacy to the Union if the organisation was prepared to negotiate. In 2010 the situation remains unchanged with the finances of the union in a dire state. At a council meeting on 1 September 2010 a motion was successfully passed to freeze the wage of all office bearers.
At the 2010 Swinburne Student Union Annual elections Socialist Alternative running under the banner of Student Voice lost all positions (with the exception of National Union of Students Delegates) to an Australian Greens/Labor/Independent Coalition running under the banner of Shake Up. This is a unique result as it is the first time candidates from any significant political parties have had significant inroads into the Swinburne Student Union. The Shake Up team ran under student service/advocacy/activity based policies rather than the left wing and broad non-student issue focus of Student Voice.
In 2011 Swinburne Student Union is enjoying a resurgence in interest and membership, with over 700 members joining in the first half of 2011. SSU offers its members free printing, free breakfast, parties and events as well as representation and advice by students, for students.
Moving forward Swinburne Student Union will be campaigning for a return of student control of student affairs.