RMIT University Student Union: Difference between revisions
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{{More citations needed|date=January 2021}} |
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<ref></ref>{{Infobox Union |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}} |
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| name = RMIT University Student Union |
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{{Use Australian English|date=June 2011}} |
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| founded = 1944 |
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{{Infobox union |
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| country = [[Australia]] |
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| name = RMIT University Student Union |
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| members = 3,742 financial members as of March 2019 <ref name="RUSU First Quarter Report, 2019.">[https://rusu.rmit.edu.au/files/Reports/2019/01%20Quarterly%20Report%202019_WEB.pdf|publisher=RMIT University Student Union|accessdate=25 September 2019]</ref> |
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| founded = 1944 |
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| location_country = [[Australia]] |
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| people = Daniel Hoogstra (President), |
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| members = 3,742 financial members as of March 2019<ref name="RUSU First Quarter Report, 2019.">[https://rusu.rmit.edu.au/files/Reports/2019/01%20Quarterly%20Report%202019_WEB.pdf |publisher =RMIT University Student Union |accessdate =25 September 2019]</ref> |
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Beatrice Co (General Secretary) |
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| affiliation = [[RMIT University]] |
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| key_people = {{ubl|Bethany Shegog (President)|Mark Morante (General Secretary)}} |
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| native_name = ''RUSU'' |
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| full_name = RMIT University Student Union |
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| image = RMIT_University_Student_Union_Logo.png |
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| native_name = ''RUSU'' |
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| office = Building 57, Level 4, RMIT University, 115 Queensberry Street, Carlton 3053. |
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| image = RMIT_University_Student_Union_Logo.png |
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| headquarters = Building 57, Level 4, RMIT University, 115 Queensberry Street, Carlton 3053. |
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| website = {{URL|https://rusu.rmit.edu.au/}} |
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}} |
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The '''RMIT University Student Union''' ('''RUSU'''), is the peak representative body for students enrolled at the [[RMIT University|Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology]] (RMIT). The [[Student Union]] is independent of [[RMIT University|the university]] and operates under the direction of annually elected student representatives. According to the constitution, all students are automatic members of the Student Union but may choose to become a financial member.<ref name="RUSU Constitution May 2017">{{cite web|title=RUSU Constitution May 2017|url=https://rusu.rmit.edu.au/files/546|publisher=RMIT University Student Union|access-date=14 November 2018}}</ref> RUSU works in collaboration with its sister organisation the [https://www.rmit.edu.vn/student-council RMIT Vietnam Student Council] to achieve common aims and objectives for all students. |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2011}} |
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{{Use Australian English|date=June 2011}} |
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Established in 1944, the '''RMIT University Student Union or RUSU''', is the peak representative body for all students enrolled at [[RMIT University]]. The Student Union is independent of [[RMIT University|the university]] and operates under the direction of annually elected student representatives. According to the constitution, all students are automatic members of the Student Union but may choose to become a financial member.<ref name="RUSU Constitution May 2017">{{cite web|title=RUSU Constitution May 2017|url=https://rusu.rmit.edu.au/files/546|publisher=RMIT University Student Union|accessdate=14 November 2018}}</ref> RUSU works in collaboration with its sister organisation the [https://www.rmit.edu.vn/student-council RMIT Vietnam Student Council] to achieve common aims and objectives for all students. |
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The Student Union offers a range of services, including student rights advocacy, campus activities and events, funding student media including [[RMITV]] & [[Catalyst (magazine)|Catalyst]] as well as hosting Women's, Queer and Postgraduate student lounges. RUSU is also responsible for funding and supporting over 100 clubs & societies that are either Academic, Cultural, Political, Social or Spiritual based. [[RMIT Link]], which is run by the university (not the Student Union) funds and manages all Arts and Sports clubs. RUSU has offices at the three major [[Melbourne]] campuses and sites of [[RMIT University]]. RUSU is an affiliated body to the [[National Union of Students (Australia)|National Union of Students]] and the [[Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations]]. |
The Student Union offers a range of services, including student rights advocacy, campus activities and events, funding student media including [[RMITV]] & [[Catalyst (magazine)|Catalyst]] as well as hosting Women's, [[Queer]] and [[Postgraduate]] student lounges. RUSU is also responsible for funding and supporting over 100 clubs & societies that are either Academic, Cultural, Political, Social or Spiritual based. [[RMIT Link]], which is run by the university (not the Student Union) funds and manages all Arts and Sports clubs. RUSU has offices at the three major [[Melbourne]] campuses and sites of [[RMIT University]]. RUSU is an affiliated body to the [[National Union of Students (Australia)|National Union of Students]] and the [[Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations]]. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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John Storey Junior helped found the Student Representative Council in 1944, acted as its first President, and lobbied for the establishment of a central library. His studies were cut short when he was diagnosed with leukaemia and died in 1947, aged just 22. His recognition of service to the RMIT community lives on with one RMIT's most striking buildings – Storey Hall – in tribute to John Storey Junior and his father Sir John.<ref name="John Storey Donor Information">{{cite web|title=RMIT University Buildings |
John Storey Junior helped found the Student Representative Council in [[1944 in Australia|1944]], acted as its first President, and lobbied for the establishment of a central library. His studies were cut short when he was diagnosed with leukaemia and died in 1947, aged just 22. His recognition of service to the RMIT community lives on with one RMIT's most striking buildings – Storey Hall – in tribute to John Storey Junior and his father Sir John.<ref name="John Storey Donor Information">{{cite web|title=RMIT University Buildings – Storey Hall|url=https://www.rmit.edu.au/maps/melbourne-city-campus/building-16|publisher=RMIT University|access-date=14 November 2018}}</ref> |
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Over the years since its founding, the student union has continued to grow and expand into more areas to become an integral part of the student experience on campus. |
Over the years since its founding, the student union has continued to grow and expand into more areas to become an integral part of the student experience on campus. |
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In 2006, with the introduction of voluntary student unionism ([[Voluntary student unionism|VSU]]) legislation, the Student Union underwent a major reorganisation. Most of the staff were made redundant, the organisation's three separate campus councils were merged, and several services such as the second-hand bookshop were abandoned. While the organisation 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. |
In 2006, with the introduction of voluntary student unionism ([[Voluntary student unionism|VSU]]) legislation, the Student Union underwent a major reorganisation. Most of the staff were made redundant, the organisation's three separate campus councils were merged, and several services such as the second-hand bookshop were abandoned. While the organisation 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. |
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In 2010, the RMIT University Student Union adopted the acronym and rebranding of RUSU. |
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== Criticism == |
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Significant numbers of current and former staff members working for RUSU have complained about a toxic culture of bullying and unaccountability within the organisation, with student representatives constituting the supervisors of staff on paper, but in reality having no contact with their employees other than sending rare emails that were often impersonal, legalistic or even abusive and appeared to have been drafted for them by a lawyer and/or one particular senior staff member. One staff member who worked at RUSU for several years sent an email when finding another job in late 2019 to which several student representatives and other staff were blind carbon copied; |
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“Many of you know that I've been unhappy at RUSU these past 10 months. At it's best, RUSU is an organisation that empowers thousands of students through its support services and volunteering opportunities. It's humbling - and great fun - to work with these incredible students and help them to get the most out of university. At its worst, RUSU is toxic and doesn't care if you get hurt. A dehumanised establishment where no one has accountability or responsibility. I've seen a good half-a-dozen staff leave the past 18 months feeling some variation of this pain I leave with. Far worse, countless Student Representatives exit traumatically bearing visible scars from their time. I don't think much of the lessons RUSU teaches are helpful or healthy. ...I think RUSU would be a finer place without the external influence of major political parties and interfering individuals who are not students.” |
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In late 2020 another staff member resigned who cited this email and echoed the sentiment that the organisation does not care who it hurts. Before resigning this staff member had repeatedly asked for the committee of student representatives and staff that was supposed to make decisions about the service they were managing to be convened, to no avail. Finally, when the staff member needed to take personal leave because a close family member had fallen ill, the committee was convened in their absence. Upon leaving, the staff member openly wrote to the student council and all staff explaining that they had been away from work since early 2020 on due to being bullied, and that they knew many other staff were also being bullied. That email was removed from inboxes within days even though much of it was positive and it did not name the staff members who had been engaging in bullying, or anybody else in a negative context. |
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==Current structure== |
==Current structure== |
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{{unreferenced section|date=January 2021}} |
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As of 2018, the Student Union Council has 26 voting members, who are elected by RMIT students at annual elections. Each Melbourne campus of RMIT (Brunswick, Bundoora and City) has a campus coordinator and a general campus representative as part of the 26 voting member structure. |
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As of 2022, the Student Union Council has 28 voting members, who are elected by RMIT students at annual elections. Each Melbourne campus of RMIT (Brunswick, Bundoora and City) has a campus coordinator and a general campus representative as part of the 28 voting member structure. |
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Councillors are typically elected in September and hold November to October terms. Ex-officio (non-voting) members may be appointed to the Student Union Council at its discretion. All members of the Student Union Council must be financial members of the Student Union. |
Councillors are typically elected in September and hold November to October terms. Ex-officio (non-voting) members may be appointed to the Student Union Council at its discretion. All members of the Student Union Council must be financial members of the Student Union. |
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In addition to having student representatives as board directors of the organisation, the Student Union employs professional staff to help deliver key programs and services, and assist in governance. All staff members are supervised by an elected student representative as determined by the Secretariat. |
In addition to having student representatives as board directors of the organisation, the Student Union employs professional staff to help deliver key programs and services, and assist in governance. All staff members are supervised by an elected student representative as determined by the Secretariat. |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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|+Student Union Council |
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!Position |
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!Representative |
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|President |
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|Daniel Hoogstra |
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|General Secretary |
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|Beatrice Co |
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|Communications Officer |
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|Xavier Fitzgerald |
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|Education Officer |
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|Akshay Jose |
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|Welfare Officer |
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|Chrishell Yin |
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|Activities Officer |
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|Karan Khandelwal |
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|Sustainability Officer |
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|Emily Cork |
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|Clubs and Societies Officer |
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|Ashraf Shaikh |
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|Queer Officers |
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|Matte Howard and Kingston Goh |
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|Indigenous Officer |
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|Bromley See Kee |
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|Women's Officer |
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|Mounika Gudapati |
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|International Officer |
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|Xiaoyue Gui |
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|Postgraduate Officer |
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|Nithin Reddy Ponnaluru |
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|Vocational Education Officer |
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|William Gate |
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|Brunswick Coordinator |
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|Luisa Bruce |
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|Brunswick Representative |
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|Raveena Deshmukh |
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|Bundoora Coordinator |
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|Stephanie Flores-Tapia |
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|Bundoora East Representative |
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|Sona Kannan |
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|Bundoora West Representative |
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|Stephanie Au |
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|City Coordinator |
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|Prashanth Kumar |
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|City Representative |
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|Shreyas Urunkar |
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|General Representative |
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|Ankit Saurabh |
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|General Representative |
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|Ankit Munot |
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|General Representative |
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|Peiji Zhou |
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|General Representative |
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|Cormac Mills Ritchard |
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|General Representative |
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|Aasrita Kalahasti |
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|} |
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==Student media== |
==Student media== |
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Latest revision as of 14:25, 17 July 2024
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2021) |
RMIT University Student Union | |
| RUSU | |
 | |
| Gegründet | 1944 |
|---|---|
| Hauptsitz | Building 57, Level 4, RMIT University, 115 Queensberry Street, Carlton 3053. |
| Standort | |
Mitglieder | 3,742 financial members as of March 2019[1] |
Key people |
|
| Affiliations | RMIT University |
| Website | rusu |
The RMIT University Student Union (RUSU), is the peak representative body for students enrolled at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). The Student Union is independent of the university and operates under the direction of annually elected student representatives. According to the constitution, all students are automatic members of the Student Union but may choose to become a financial member.[2] RUSU works in collaboration with its sister organisation the RMIT Vietnam Student Council to achieve common aims and objectives for all students.
The Student Union offers a range of services, including student rights advocacy, campus activities and events, funding student media including RMITV & Catalyst as well as hosting Women's, Queer and Postgraduate student lounges. RUSU is also responsible for funding and supporting over 100 clubs & societies that are either Academic, Cultural, Political, Social or Spiritual based. RMIT Link, which is run by the university (not the Student Union) funds and manages all Arts and Sports clubs. RUSU has offices at the three major Melbourne campuses and sites of RMIT University. RUSU is an affiliated body to the National Union of Students and the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations.
History
[edit]John Storey Junior helped found the Student Representative Council in 1944, acted as its first President, and lobbied for the establishment of a central library. His studies were cut short when he was diagnosed with leukaemia and died in 1947, aged just 22. His recognition of service to the RMIT community lives on with one RMIT's most striking buildings – Storey Hall – in tribute to John Storey Junior and his father Sir John.[3] Over the years since its founding, the student union has continued to grow and expand into more areas to become an integral part of the student experience on campus.
In 2006, with the introduction of voluntary student unionism (VSU) legislation, the Student Union underwent a major reorganisation. Most of the staff were made redundant, the organisation's three separate campus councils were merged, and several services such as the second-hand bookshop were abandoned. While the organisation 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.
In 2010, the RMIT University Student Union adopted the acronym and rebranding of RUSU.
Current structure
[edit] |
As of 2022, the Student Union Council has 28 voting members, who are elected by RMIT students at annual elections. Each Melbourne campus of RMIT (Brunswick, Bundoora and City) has a campus coordinator and a general campus representative as part of the 28 voting member structure.
Councillors are typically elected in September and hold November to October terms. Ex-officio (non-voting) members may be appointed to the Student Union Council at its discretion. All members of the Student Union Council must be financial members of the Student Union.
The Student Union Council meets regularly, and it is also responsible for electing the President and Communications 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 operational, staffing, and other urgent matters.
In addition to having student representatives as board directors of the organisation, the Student Union employs professional staff to help deliver key programs and services, and assist in governance. All staff members are supervised by an elected student representative as determined by the Secretariat.
Student media
[edit]The RMIT Student Union funds the student-run magazine Catalyst & student television on-campus production studios RMITV. It continues to have strong ties with SYN radio station located within RMIT, however there is no formal or funding relationship between the separate organisations.
Catalyst Magazine was first published in 1944, the same year the Student Union was established. It is one of two official student magazines and news sources on RMIT campus.
References
[edit]- ^ |publisher =RMIT University Student Union |accessdate =25 September 2019
- ^ "RUSU Constitution May 2017". RMIT University Student Union. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
- ^ "RMIT University Buildings – Storey Hall". RMIT University. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
