Student representation - FAQs

What is the purpose of a student organisation?

The purpose of a student organisation to provide students with a voice and avenues to address issues they encounter in their university lives.

What is the aim of the new model?

The aim of the new model is to provide equitable and consistent student representation and participation at UWS in a supported and meaningful way. This will be achieved through the Student Campus Councils which will be responsive to student needs on a campus level (taking into account individual campus identity and culture), and the overarching Student Representative Council which will deal with cross campus issues.

How can student representation benefit me?

Student representation can benefit you in many ways, for example, by including students in the University’s decision making processes, and through student-directed campaigns and activities.

What type of issues can I raise with my representatives?

Student representatives can assist with a wide variety of representative and advocacy issues. This could include anything from issues in your course of study through to campus services such as access to microwaves. Your representatives can also assist in larger campaigns regarding equity and access for students with a disability or queer students, through to higher education funding and State and Federal government policies.

How do I obtain assistance from my Student Campus Council?

Primarily this will be through contacting the relevant Student Campus Council Secretary, or by making contact with support staff for student representation and participation.

What is the difference between the Student Campus Council and the Student Representative Council?

The Student Campus Councils will be a forum for students to raise issues which are relevant to the campus, whilst the Student Representative Council will be able to take up overarching issues which affect a number of (or all of) the campuses. For example, an issue related to car parking may be campus-specific and discussed at the Student Campus Council. However, representatives from the Student Campus Council on the Student Representative Council may also raise this at the Student Representative Council level to see if this is an issue at other campuses.

How are UWS clubs and societies affected by the new structure?

Under the new structure, the funding and administration for clubs and societies will be handled by uwsconnect. A new body, known as the Clubs and Societies Forum, will be established which will provide clubs with an opportunity to provide input into funding and administration, as well as activities and events across UWS. Also, each Student Campus Council will have two representatives appointed by the Clubs and Societies Forum, to ensure that clubs and societies are represented on a campus level.

Who will look after activities and events on campus?

At each campus there will be a Campus Life Committee which will consist of both students and staff, and will be chaired by the Campus Provost. Part of the purpose of this committee is to assist with coordinating campus events and activities where UWS staff and students can meet. The Campus Life Committee will also hold joint meetings twice a year with the Student Campus Council to ensure greater synergies between these two bodies in the delivery of campus events and activities.

What is the role of members of the Student Campus Council?

The primary role of representatives on the Student Campus Councils is to provide representation and advocacy for students on that campus. This could include following up on student complaints regarding access to campus services through to providing a student voice in the planning and decision making for a proposal to build a new library on campus. Student representatives will also play a key role in developing campus activities and events in conjunction with the Campus Life Committee as well as ensuring that equity and diversity issues are being addressed in all aspects of campus life.

Do representatives receive payment or reimbursement?

The new model will provide an opportunity for student representatives to gain valuable experience and training relevant to their role. Beyond this, the university will establish a sitting fee policy to cover student expenses and service at a University level above and beyond normal representation activities. For example student representatives will be reimbursed for any expenses related to travel between campuses for official business and other business-related out-of-pocket expenses.

How does funding work?

At this stage the model for funding has not been decided upon. The University has acknowledged however that the new model will need to be resourced and funded appropriately, and a charter of understanding and funding arrangements between the university and the SRC will be detailed in a formal agreement. More details on the funding model will be provided in the coming weeks.

When does the new structure become effective?

The new model will become effective upon the first meeting of the Student Campus Councils following the student elections in October, and with the internal elections to the central Student Representative Council. Whilst the broad structure of the new model will be in place by this point, it is planned that the remainder of the model, including the support structure and final policy framework, will be developed in conjunction with the newly elected student representatives.

What is the term of election?

The term of elections under the new model will normally be one year. However the term of office for all incoming student representatives in the October 2011 elections will expire on the 31 December 2012, effectively being just over one year. The reason for this is that there will be a changeover period with the newly elected student representatives in the 2012 elections.

What support will the student members receive from UWS?

Student representatives will receive various levels of support including staff support to assist with the running of the Student Campus Councils and Student Representative Council, as well as strategic advice and research to assist with campaigns and following up issues within the University. Representatives will also receive access to office facilities such as computers, telephones, printers and photocopiers. All representatives will receive an induction and training relevant to their roles as student leaders.

Will all campuses have a Student Campus Council?

Yes, all UWS campuses will have a Student Campus Council. Arrangements for UWS College students at Nirimba Education Precinct (Blacktown campus) and Westmead will be established early in 2012.

Who should attend the student forums?

All students who have an interest in learning more about the new model, or who are interested in becoming involved as a student representative either elected or co-opted, should attend the student forums. We will be videorecording two of the forums and making them available on the website for any students who are unable to attend a forum.

What will the student forums cover?

The student campus forums will provide an opportunity for students to find out more about how the new model will work and how the elections will be conducted. It will also be an opportunity for students to ask any questions of the presenters as well as members of the Student Leadership Group who have been involved in the development of the new model.

What is the timeline for elections?

The notice for elections will be sent to students via email around 29 September, with the close of nominations taking place around 14 October. Voting will be conducted between 25 and 27 October, and the outcome will be advised soon after.

How can I nominate to participate on a Student Campus Council?

All students will receive an email regarding the process for the elections for Student Campus Councils. Also, further information about elections will be provided at the student forums.

What are the benefits of participating on a Student Campus Council?

Not only does participating as a student representative on the Student Campus Council give you an opportunity to provide a voice to students at your campus, it also provides you with an opportunity to develop skills which will be useful once you join the workforce. These include leadership skills, skills in the operation of a committee or council, advocacy skills, and communication and negotiation skills. It is also an opportunity to develop friendships and networks.

When can I vote?

Elections for the Student Campus Councils will be conducted electronically via the web, and students will be able to vote from any web-capable electronic device from 25 to 27 October.

Are there any other student representation opportunities at UWS?

Yes there are. UWS provides a range of opportunities for students to represent their peers. These include the undergraduate and postgraduate members of the University’s peak body, the Board of Trustees. Also there are several academic bodies such as Academic Senate and School Academic Committees where students can be elected to provide a student voice in decisions affecting their studies. Further information about these positions can be found on the Student Academic Committees webpage.

Will specific student groups (e.g. Indigenous, undergraduate, postgraduate, international, women, queer) be represented?

The new model is extremely flexible in being able to adapt and respond to the changing needs for equity and diversity at both the Student Campus Council and Student Representative Council levels. Defined positions will exist at the Student Campus Council level for international, postgraduate and residential students. Additional equity positions including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, queer, women’s or any other portfolio, can be co-opted onto the Student Campus Council at any time. Similarly, the Student Representative Council has the ability to co-opt equity office bearers to ensure that cross campus equity issues and support networks can be established. The Student Representative Council is also required to include both postgraduate and international student representatives. The Student Representative Council will also be responsible for establishing a forum to deal specifically with postgraduate matters. This will be known as the Postgraduate Students Forum.

What is the role of the new Pro Vice Chancellor (Students)?

The role of the Pro Vice Chancellor (Students) in relation to the new model for student representation and participation will be to act as a primary point of contact between student representatives and the University Executive. It is envisaged that the PVC Students will work closely with the Student Representative Council to address any overarching issues which student representatives wish to raise.

Who can I contact to find out more?

To find out more about the model, you can contact Richard Martino, Project Officer, Student Representation and Participation via ri.martino@uws.edu.au or 02 9772 6270.

How can I provide feedback on the new structure?

The period for feedback on the new model is now complete. However, there will be further opportunity for students to provide feedback once the model has been operating for approximately 12 months.