Adelaide University Union
Encyclopedia
The Adelaide University Union (AUU) was founded in 1895. The AUU currently funds six affiliated bodies. These include the Adelaide University Student Representative Council (SRC), Student Care, the Clubs Association (CA), the Roseworthy Agricultural Campus Student Union Council
(RACSUC), and the Waite Institute Students’ Association (WISA). In 2008 the AUU Board disaffiliated the now defunct Students' Association of the University of Adelaide
(SAUA), which was replaced by the SRC.
After the introduction of Voluntary Student Unionism
, the AUU found itself in financial difficulties. This was addressed in early 2008, when the University of Adelaide
signed a Funding Agreement to fund the AUU for the next ten years in return for the AUU relinquishing all its commercial operations to the University. In 2009, the Adelaide University Sports Association, previously an affiliate of the Union, began the process of disaffiliation from the AUU, having secured a separate funding agreement with the University.
The ultimate existence of the AUU, and its relationship with the university, is governed by the University of Adelaide Act 1971. This Act of the South Australian Parliament gives the University of Adelaide
Council significant power over the Union. The AUU cannot alter its constitution or rules, or charge a membership fee, without the agreement of University Council. Furthermore the AUU is bound to provide University Council with its financial reports and budget for the coming calendar year prior to December 1.
Famous past presidents have included former Premier of South Australia John Bannon
, current Federal Prime Minister Julia Gillard
(1981–1982) and senator Sarah Hanson-Young
(2002–2003).
, the third oldest student newspaper in Australia.
. O'Week runs from Monday to Thursday in the week before lectures begin. During O'Week the Sports Association
and Clubs Association organise their own tented areas where clubs and societies display their activities. The AUU coordinates a variety of events centring around beer, bands and barbecues on the lawns near the Union complex. A major event for the week is the O'Ball (live entertainment and licensed areas) which takes place in the Cloisters (Union House). The O'Ball attracts many thousands of revellers, not all of whom are Adelaide University students.
(VSU) period contained significant financial difficulties for the AUU. Previously funded by compulsory fees paid by all students, the introduction of voluntary unionism resulted in a sharp drop in income for the AUU. This resulted in grave financial difficulties. In late 2007 the AUU handed control of Union House and the vast majority of the Union's commercial services to the University of Adelaide. This was in return for the University agreeing to fund the AUU for a period of ten years. The University of Adelaide paid $1.2 million to the AUU in the first year of this funding agreement, with future funding to be determined on a year to year basis. This gives the University final control over the size of the AUU budget in any given year.
The AUU retains ownership of Unibooks, its not-for-profit bookstore.
Financial membership, the price of which was slashed to $20 in 2008, has been slowly recovering since the post-VSU drop.
Roseworthy College
Roseworthy Agricultural College was an agricultural college in Australia. It is north of Adelaide and west of Roseworthy town. It was the first agricultural college in Australia, established in 1883. It is now part of the University of Adelaide....
(RACSUC), and the Waite Institute Students’ Association (WISA). In 2008 the AUU Board disaffiliated the now defunct Students' Association of the University of Adelaide
Students' Association of the University of Adelaide
The Students' Association of the University of Adelaide commonly referred to as the SAUA was a Students' Representative Council like body that existed for students at the University of Adelaide from 1973 until 2007. It was one of a number of student organisations at the university affiliated to...
(SAUA), which was replaced by the SRC.
After the introduction of Voluntary Student Unionism
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....
, the AUU found itself in financial difficulties. This was addressed in early 2008, when the University of Adelaide
University of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide is a public university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third oldest university in Australia...
signed a Funding Agreement to fund the AUU for the next ten years in return for the AUU relinquishing all its commercial operations to the University. In 2009, the Adelaide University Sports Association, previously an affiliate of the Union, began the process of disaffiliation from the AUU, having secured a separate funding agreement with the University.
Formal relationship with the University of Adelaide
As of 2008, the AUU relies on the University of Adelaide for the vast majority of its funding. This is a result of a funding agreement with the University.The ultimate existence of the AUU, and its relationship with the university, is governed by the University of Adelaide Act 1971. This Act of the South Australian Parliament gives the University of Adelaide
University of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide is a public university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third oldest university in Australia...
Council significant power over the Union. The AUU cannot alter its constitution or rules, or charge a membership fee, without the agreement of University Council. Furthermore the AUU is bound to provide University Council with its financial reports and budget for the coming calendar year prior to December 1.
Student governance
The AUU is governed by a board of management. The board consists of 16 ordinary members, who are not also permanent staff of the AUU, elected annually by the students of the University. The Board then elects several of its members to positions within the AUU, such as AUU President, Union Activities Chair, and Chair of the Finance Committee. Although elections are held annually the Board-elect do not take their positions until 1 December.Famous past presidents have included former Premier of South Australia John Bannon
John Bannon
John Charles Bannon AO is a former Australian politician. He was the 39th Premier of South Australia, leading the Labor Party to government at the 1982 election. The Bannon Labor government was re-elected at the 1985 election and the 1989 election...
, current Federal Prime Minister Julia Gillard
Julia Gillard
Julia Eileen Gillard is the 27th and current Prime Minister of Australia, in office since June 2010.Gillard was born in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales and migrated with her family to Adelaide, Australia in 1966, attending Mitcham Demonstration School and Unley High School. In 1982 Gillard moved...
(1981–1982) and senator Sarah Hanson-Young
Sarah Hanson-Young
Sarah Coral Hanson-Young is an Australian politician. She has been a Greens member of the Australian Senate since July 2008, representing the state of South Australia. she is the youngest person ever elected to the Australian Senate....
(2002–2003).
Support services
The AUU has developed an extensive network of support services for Adelaide University students. This includes counselling and academic support services provided by its Education and Welfare Officers (EWOs). The AUU also funds six affiliated organisations which provide further support to students, and the student newspaper On DitOn Dit
On Dit is a student newspaper funded by the Adelaide University Union and advertising revenue which is published fortnightly during semester time. Founded in 1932, it is the third oldest student newspaper in Australia along with Semper Floreat On Dit is a student newspaper funded by the Adelaide...
, the third oldest student newspaper in Australia.
O'Week
The AUU coordinates part of the Adelaide University O'WeekOrientation week
Student orientation or new student orientation, is a period of time at the beginning of the academic year at a university or other tertiary institution during which a variety of events are held to orient and welcome new students. The name of the period varies by country...
. O'Week runs from Monday to Thursday in the week before lectures begin. During O'Week the Sports Association
Sport at the University of Adelaide
Sport at the University of Adelaide is primarily organised by the Adelaide University Sports Association . Other bodies affiliated to the University of Adelaide providing sport include the various sports clubs forming part of the residential colleges and the Roseworthy Agricultural Campus Student...
and Clubs Association organise their own tented areas where clubs and societies display their activities. The AUU coordinates a variety of events centring around beer, bands and barbecues on the lawns near the Union complex. A major event for the week is the O'Ball (live entertainment and licensed areas) which takes place in the Cloisters (Union House). The O'Ball attracts many thousands of revellers, not all of whom are Adelaide University students.
Impact of VSU
The post-Voluntary Student UnionismVoluntary 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....
(VSU) period contained significant financial difficulties for the AUU. Previously funded by compulsory fees paid by all students, the introduction of voluntary unionism resulted in a sharp drop in income for the AUU. This resulted in grave financial difficulties. In late 2007 the AUU handed control of Union House and the vast majority of the Union's commercial services to the University of Adelaide. This was in return for the University agreeing to fund the AUU for a period of ten years. The University of Adelaide paid $1.2 million to the AUU in the first year of this funding agreement, with future funding to be determined on a year to year basis. This gives the University final control over the size of the AUU budget in any given year.
The AUU retains ownership of Unibooks, its not-for-profit bookstore.
Financial membership, the price of which was slashed to $20 in 2008, has been slowly recovering since the post-VSU drop.