Victoria University Student Union
Encyclopedia
Victoria University Student Union (VUSU) is the peak body representing and supporting all students at Victoria University
, Melbourne
, Australia
. The stated objectives of VUSU are to provide a range of representation and general services to a student population of approximately 50,000 on all campuses of the university.
VUSU provides representation and advocacy to all students. Student representatives often provide support to students when they have to front up to show cause hearings, discipline hearings and also when students have complaints and grievances against Victoria University.
Held annually, the elections are fundamental to the democratic nature of the organisation. Participation rates in VUSU elections vary from year to year.
VUSU uses meetings to facilitate informed discussion with the aim of making decisions.
VUSU utilizes mobile info booths to facilitate the exchange of information between student representatives and the students that we represent.
Forums are another type of meeting that VUSU organizes. Forums are not formal meetings as such, but are used to collectively discuss student's views. The Student Forums are an opportunity for students to come and voice their views on any issues that they face. VUSU use these forums to remain reflective of the views of the student population.
VUSU is affiliated to the National Union of Students
(NUS). The NUS is the peak student representative body in Australia. It has over 600,000 members within Australian tertiary institutions. VUSU is a proud member of the NUS and values the contribution it can make to furthering the interests of students. Each year VUSU sends delegates to the National and State NUS Conferences. Those delegates take part in the democratic process of formulating NUS policy and electing NUS office bearers.
The peak representative body of the organisation is the Student Executive. Members of this committee include the President, Vice President and the General Secretary.
The Postgraduate Association (VUPA) and International Student Association (ISA) are affiliated bodies of the Executive and have representatives on the committee.
Each campus has a Campus Branch Council elected by students on that campus. These committees have a range of positions and meet to discuss issues of general interest to students on campus.
The WISU was formed by the combined efforts of students from the St. Albans and Werribee campuses. This union provided services and was a source of political agitation. The VUU and the SRC were based at Footscray Park campus. The VUU ran the catering, the resource centers and sporting activities. The SRC was a politically active organisation. It was responsible for organising student groups, campus committees and advocating for students' rights.
Victoria University decided that it would be easier for the Vice Chancellor and Director of Student Affairs to deal with only one representative student body. With VSU threatening, it agreed by the various student council/associations/unions that unification of the representative student body and service providers would give student interests more weight. Therefore, the six student organisations took part in negotiations to amalgamate. In 1995, the amalgamation process was initiated and the organisation known as Victoria University Student Union (VUSU) was founded. The Victoria University Postgraduate Association (VUPA) came to the amalgamation process with a certain amount of autonomy and reluctance, as they had always received independent funding, and were highly regarded by Victoria University because of their research status. At the conclusion of 1996, the amalgamation process was complete.
In 1998, VUSU amalgamated with Western Institute of TAFE (WMIT). This amalgamation process took just over 12 months and by mid-1999 the two organisations became one.
In 2001, VUSU was incorporated and became Victoria University Student Union Incorporated. The change of name reflected the fact that VUSU was a 'union for students, run by students'. Thus as elected representatives it is our responsibility to ensure that Victoria University students receive the best service from their student union and that it is provided with openness, transparency & accountability.
Victoria University now has over 50,000 TAFE and Higher Education students on 11 campuses. VUSU has offices located on most campuses.
In 1999,the union executive was faced with mismanagement of its services provided which compelled the university to take away the catering and most of Bldg M (Union Bldg).
The relationship was on a decline since 2001 between the executive and the University Staff over funding objectives. The staff failed to respect the principle of Student Control of Student Affairs and constantly denied the executive to take decisions in relation to clubs and societies, sports, recreation and marketing of the union. This led to a hamstrung which left the union nearly non-existent.
In 2003 negotiations with the university to solve the outstanding problem of the distribution of the GSF and its expenditure led to stripping of clubs and societies, sport and recreation, Education and Welfare Services, Advocacy, resource centres, dental service, housing from the union to a university controlled administration still bearing the same title of VUSU, however since 2004 the staff of these departments had abandoned the name VUSU and thus called themselves the Student Leadership Branch. The union resulted in gaining only 13% of the total GSF of $295 colelcted every year from each student.
Since 2001 , the union was never allowed or barred from maintaining reserves thus pumping back the remainder of funds to university accounts. Post VSU the union fought hard with the university council to secure a $500,000 funding agreement by the university which was in fact the portion of VUSU's share of GSF collected for 2006.This fund of $500k has been allocated for 4 years thus cutting down a massive number of representation based departments, staff and other student organisations.
Victoria University, Australia
Victoria University is a multi-sector tertiary institution based in Melbourne, Australia with 10 campuses.VU offers qualifications in higher education, vocational education , and short courses...
, 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...
. The stated objectives of VUSU are to provide a range of representation and general services to a student population of approximately 50,000 on all campuses of the university.
VUSU provides representation and advocacy to all students. Student representatives often provide support to students when they have to front up to show cause hearings, discipline hearings and also when students have complaints and grievances against Victoria University.
Held annually, the elections are fundamental to the democratic nature of the organisation. Participation rates in VUSU elections vary from year to year.
VUSU uses meetings to facilitate informed discussion with the aim of making decisions.
VUSU utilizes mobile info booths to facilitate the exchange of information between student representatives and the students that we represent.
Forums are another type of meeting that VUSU organizes. Forums are not formal meetings as such, but are used to collectively discuss student's views. The Student Forums are an opportunity for students to come and voice their views on any issues that they face. VUSU use these forums to remain reflective of the views of the student population.
VUSU is affiliated to 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...
(NUS). The NUS is the peak student representative body in Australia. It has over 600,000 members within Australian tertiary institutions. VUSU is a proud member of the NUS and values the contribution it can make to furthering the interests of students. Each year VUSU sends delegates to the National and State NUS Conferences. Those delegates take part in the democratic process of formulating NUS policy and electing NUS office bearers.
The peak representative body of the organisation is the Student Executive. Members of this committee include the President, Vice President and the General Secretary.
The Postgraduate Association (VUPA) and International Student Association (ISA) are affiliated bodies of the Executive and have representatives on the committee.
Each campus has a Campus Branch Council elected by students on that campus. These committees have a range of positions and meet to discuss issues of general interest to students on campus.
History
Before 1995, there were six different student organisations at Victoria University:- Sunbury Student Union (SSU)
- Western Institute Student Union (WISU)
- Victoria University Union (VUU)
- Student Representative Council (SRC)
- International Student Association (ISA)
- Victoria University Postgraduate Association (VUPA)
The WISU was formed by the combined efforts of students from the St. Albans and Werribee campuses. This union provided services and was a source of political agitation. The VUU and the SRC were based at Footscray Park campus. The VUU ran the catering, the resource centers and sporting activities. The SRC was a politically active organisation. It was responsible for organising student groups, campus committees and advocating for students' rights.
Victoria University decided that it would be easier for the Vice Chancellor and Director of Student Affairs to deal with only one representative student body. With VSU threatening, it agreed by the various student council/associations/unions that unification of the representative student body and service providers would give student interests more weight. Therefore, the six student organisations took part in negotiations to amalgamate. In 1995, the amalgamation process was initiated and the organisation known as Victoria University Student Union (VUSU) was founded. The Victoria University Postgraduate Association (VUPA) came to the amalgamation process with a certain amount of autonomy and reluctance, as they had always received independent funding, and were highly regarded by Victoria University because of their research status. At the conclusion of 1996, the amalgamation process was complete.
In 1998, VUSU amalgamated with Western Institute of TAFE (WMIT). This amalgamation process took just over 12 months and by mid-1999 the two organisations became one.
In 2001, VUSU was incorporated and became Victoria University Student Union Incorporated. The change of name reflected the fact that VUSU was a 'union for students, run by students'. Thus as elected representatives it is our responsibility to ensure that Victoria University students receive the best service from their student union and that it is provided with openness, transparency & accountability.
Victoria University now has over 50,000 TAFE and Higher Education students on 11 campuses. VUSU has offices located on most campuses.
In 1999,the union executive was faced with mismanagement of its services provided which compelled the university to take away the catering and most of Bldg M (Union Bldg).
The relationship was on a decline since 2001 between the executive and the University Staff over funding objectives. The staff failed to respect the principle of Student Control of Student Affairs and constantly denied the executive to take decisions in relation to clubs and societies, sports, recreation and marketing of the union. This led to a hamstrung which left the union nearly non-existent.
In 2003 negotiations with the university to solve the outstanding problem of the distribution of the GSF and its expenditure led to stripping of clubs and societies, sport and recreation, Education and Welfare Services, Advocacy, resource centres, dental service, housing from the union to a university controlled administration still bearing the same title of VUSU, however since 2004 the staff of these departments had abandoned the name VUSU and thus called themselves the Student Leadership Branch. The union resulted in gaining only 13% of the total GSF of $295 colelcted every year from each student.
Since 2001 , the union was never allowed or barred from maintaining reserves thus pumping back the remainder of funds to university accounts. Post VSU the union fought hard with the university council to secure a $500,000 funding agreement by the university which was in fact the portion of VUSU's share of GSF collected for 2006.This fund of $500k has been allocated for 4 years thus cutting down a massive number of representation based departments, staff and other student organisations.
VUSU Executive Committee
The Executive Committee of VUSU is responsible for the strategic vision and future direction of the organization. It sets the overall policy and takes responsibility for expanding its own funds and for distributing funds to the VUSU Campus Branches. The VUSU Executive is also recognized by the University as the body that officially represents students.USU Executive Committee
The Executive Committee of VUSU is responsible for the strategic vision and future direction of the organization. It sets the overall policy and takes responsibility for expanding its own funds and for distributing funds to the VUSU Campus Branches. The VUSU Executive is also recognized by the University as the body that officially represents students.2011 Executive Committee
- Position Name Campus Faction/Club
- President Jon Barlow, Queen St, Unity
- General Secretary Ryan Mathews, Footscray Park. Unity
- Vice-President Saxon Woodroffe, Flinders Street, Unity
- Education Welfare Joy Soundias, Footscray Park, Unity
- Equity Officer Marshall Nichols, Queen Street, NLS
- Events & Activities Dania Dabliz, Footscray Park, Unity
- Multimedia Officer Lauren Kidston, Flinders Street, Unity
- ISA President Wang Ru, Footscray Park, Unity
- VUPA President Susan Bird, Independent
2010 Executive Committee
- Position Name Campus Faction/Club
- President Leon Burger, Queen St./Footscray Park, Unity
- General Secretary Jonathon Barlow, Queen St./Flinders St. Unity
- Membership & Planning Bianca Hallinun, St.Albans, Independent
- Education Welfare HE Joy Soundias, Footscray Park, Unity
- Equity Officer Lauren Fernando, Footscray Park, Unity
- Events & Activities Dania Dabliz, Footscray Park, Unity
- Multimedia Officer Saxon Woodroffe, Flinders St. Independent
- ISA President Garry Kuan, Footscray Park, Unity
- VUPA President Yuhanis Adnan, Independent
2009 Executive Committee
- Position Name Campus Faction
- President Leon Burger, Footscray Park/Queen St. Unity
- General Secretary Michael DeBruyn, Footscray Park Unity
- Membership & Planning Penelope (Penny) Antoniou-Libreri, Queen St. Independent
- Education Welfare HE Sam Walsh, Queen St. Liberal Party
- Education Welfare TAFE N/A
- Equity Officer Binda Bartkowski & Lauren Fernando, Unity
- Events & Activities Thomas D'Souza, Unity
- Multimedia Officer Simon Walliker & Marshall Nichols, Unity
- Cross Campus Board N/A
- ISA President
- VUPA President Garry Kuan, Independent
2008 Executive Committee
- Position Name Campus Faction
- President Nadike K. Edirisinghe, Footscray Park Unity
- General Secretary Savio Domingos, Footscray Park Unity
- Equity Officer Aksay Seetaloa, Footscray Park Unity
- Events & Activities Dania Dabliz, Footscray Park Unity
- Multimedia Officer Andrey Prokhorenko, Footscray Park Unity
- Cross Campus Board N/A
- ISA President Mohammed Ulfat Toaha Footscray Park Independent
- VUPA President Anil Nair, Flinders Street Independent
2007 Executive Committee
- Position Name Campus Faction/Club
- President Jenny Barboza Melton independent / Labor Club
- General Secretary Lauren Fernando Footscray Park independent / Labor Club
- Membership & Planning Jason Sorrenti Footscray Park Student Unity / Labor Club
- Education Welfare HE Shaun Connell Footscray Park independent
- Education Welfare TAFE Kylie Moxon Footscray Park independent
- Equity Officer Michelle Scholefield Werribee independent/ Labor Club
- Events & Activities Jason Sorrenti Footscray Park Student Unity / Labor Club
- Multimedia Officer
- Cross Campus Board
- ISA President Mohit Masand Footscray Park NLC
- VUPA President
2006 Executive Committee
- Position Name Campus Faction/Club
- President Millicent Lang Queen Street independent / Labor Club
- General Secretary Simon Walliker Footscray Park independent / Labor Club
- Vice President Jenny Barboza Melton independent / Labor Club
- Education Welfare HE Christian Farrelly Queen Street independent
- Education Welfare TAFE Lambros Tapinos Footscray Park Student Unity / Labor Club
- Women's Officer Joan Webley Queen Street independent
- Cross Campus Board HE Jason Sorrenti Footscray Park Student Unity / Labor Club
- ISA President Svetlana Prokhorenko Footscray Park NLC
- VUPA President Ateev Dang Flinders Street NLC
2005 Executive Committee
- Position Name Campus Faction/Club
- President Jodie Parsons Werribee Independents
- General Secretary Shannon Fernie Queen Street Liberal
- Vice President Sumeet Oberoi Flinders Street NLC
- Vice President HE Yasser Bakri Queen Street NOLS
- Secretary HE Kieran Gill Queen Street NOLS
- Vice President TAFE Jacqueline Moon/ Paula Di Ciocco Footscray Nicholson independent / Labor Club
- Women's Officer Bobbi Slattery Werribee Independent
- ISA President Julian Ipsen NLC
- VUPA President Sumeet Oberoi Flinders Street NLC
2004 Executive Committee
- Position Name Campus Faction/Club
- President Klaus Lang Footscray Park Lady Teflon
- General Secretary Goran Gambiroza Werribee Lady Teflon
- Vice President Patrick Slattery Footscray Park Student Unity / Labor Club
- Vice President HE Jeremy Kelly Footscray Park Student Unity / Labor Club
- Secretary HE Hamish Brown Footscray Park Student Unity / Labor Club
- Vice President TAFE George Longos Footscray Nicholson independent / Labor Club
- Secretary TAFE Suresh McKenzie Footscray Nicholson independent / Labor Club
- Women's Officer Jodie Parsons Werribbee Independent
- ISA President Sumeet Oberoi Flinders Street
- VUPA President Neville
2003 Executive Committee
- Position Name Campus Faction/Club
- President Klaus Lang Footscray Park Lady Teflon
- General Secretary Goran Gambiroza Werribee Lady Teflon
- Vice President
- Vice President HE Patrick Slattery Footscray Park Student Unity / Labor Club
- Secretary HE
- Vice President TAFE
- Secretary TAFE
- Women's Officer Jen Edge St Albans Independent Left
- ISA President
- VUPA President Neville
2002 Executive Committee
- Position Name Campus Faction/Club
- President Klaus Lang Footscray Park Lady Teflon
- General Secretary Goran Gambiroza Werribee Lady Teflon
- Vice President Michaela Pelevaniuc
- Vice President HE Lambros Tapinos Footscray Park Student Unity / Labor Club
- Secretary HE Patrick Slattery Footscray Park Student Unity / Labor Club
- Vice President TAFE Aruovure "Louis" Asanughwa-Onodjamue
- Secretary TAFE Matthew-Paul Fowler
- ISA President Mau Simanu
- VUPA President Thinh Nguyen
2001 Executive Committee
- Position Name Campus Faction/Club
- President Klaus Lang Footscray Park Lady Teflon
- General Secretary Peter Travlos St Albans Independents
- Vice President Elena Hornjak Werribee Independents
- Vice President HE Lambros Tapinos Footscray Park Student Unity / Labor Club
- Secretary HE Goran Gambiroza Werribee Lady Teflon
- Vice President TAFE Adrian Di Peitrantonio
- Secretary TAFE Tim Best
- ISA President
- VUPA President Kylie Bartolo
2000 Executive Committee
- Position Name Campus Faction/Club
- President Andrew Perry (Resigned) Footscray Park independent
- Nick Murray (Acting) Footscray Park NOLS
- General Secretary Nick Murray Footscray Park NOLS
- Vice President
- Vice President HE
- Secretary HE
- Vice President TAFE
- Secretary TAFE
- ISA President
- VUPA President
1999 Executive Committee
- Position Name Campus Faction/Club
- President Klaus Lang Footscray Park Lady Teflon
- General Secretary Goran Gambiroza Werribee Lady Teflon
- Vice President
- Vice President HE
- Secretary HE
- Vice President TAFE
- Secretary TAFE
- ISA President
- VUPA President
1998 Executive Committee
- Position Name Campus Faction/Club
- President Klaus Lang Footscray Park Lady Teflon
- General Secretary Goran Gambiroza Werribee Lady Teflon
- Vice President
- Vice President HE
- Secretary HE
- Vice President TAFE
- Secretary TAFE
- ISA President
- VUPA President
1997 Executive Committee
- Position Name Campus Faction/Club
- President Goran Gambiroza Werribee Lady Teflon
- General Secretary Klaus Lang Footscray Park Lady Teflon
- Vice President
- Vice President HE
- Secretary HE
- Vice President TAFE
- Secretary TAFE
- ISA President
- VUPA President