Complete the SSAF survey to have a say in where your money goes

At 9.30am on Friday 1 June, you will receive an important email in your inbox. It’s an email from the University with a link to a survey, which gives you the chance to express your opinion on how you feel your compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) payments should be spent.

The survey will ask you to rate the importance of 19 permissible uses for the SSAF funds, such as supporting student artistic activity, providing food and drink on campus and information to help students in their orientation.

The survey is important as it also gives you the opportunity to comment specifically on where you would like your SSAF money to be invested. The information you provide will be used by the University to determine the 2013 funding priorities, so it’s imperative you take this chance to make your voice heard.

The USU’s main priority is to secure enough SSAF funding to make the Universal Access Scheme a reality, which will see every student who has paid the SSAF able to receive an Access Card and enjoy all the opportunities and benefits at no cost. This will allow you to realise the true value of your SSAF payment through significant discounts both on and off campus, and opens up hundreds of opportunities to be involved in the USU’s wide-ranging student experience programs, including Clubs & Societies, leadership positions, competitions, grants and more.

The ‘transitional funding’ the USU has received from the University will cease at the end of this year, so it’s vital the USU continues to work with the University for a multi-year financial commitment and long-term certainty. At present, the 2012 allocation of $3.184 million puts the USU in a consolidated financial position but unfortunately does not allow longer term planning. The Universal Access Scheme would allow for additional investment into expanding current student programs and the pursuit of new avenues to engage the entire campus community and enrich student life.

If you agree that the SSAF funds should be used to remove financial barriers to a truly inclusive and valuable student experience then please let the University know. Use the 1 June survey to comment on areas of expenditure such as providing food and drink to students on campus or supporting Clubs & Societies. Make it loud and clear to the University that you want value for your SSAF payment, and that means free and Universal Access Benefits.

This is your University and your student experience. Complete the survey. Make your voice heard.

Click here to see the USU's FAQ page on the SSAF.

We would love to hear from you, so please leave your thoughts or questions on SSAF funding below.

ELECTING THE 2012-2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

In case you've missed uni for the past two weeks, we're just letting you know that USU elections are happening this Wednesday on May 30th!

No one's going to say that elections are the highlight of uni life. The campaigners can be in your face when all you want to do is get to your class. 

But elections are an important part of keeping your uni services relevant and representative. So cut some slack to all those kids in coloured shirts begging you for votes on Wednesday.

If you are a currently enrolled student you can vote using your student ID number. Here's what you need to know to get you through the final three days:

Where do I vote?

Who do I vote for?

If you are not sure who to vote for, the candidate booklet is the best source of information, available at voting booths or on our website.

Or just have a chat with the very enthusiastic campaign teams camped outside Manning!

For a more interesting, if less reliable run down on the candidates, check out Honi Soit: http://www.src.usyd.edu.au/honisoit/?q=node/657. 

This is their cover from last week's election edition, where Board candidates are fighting the omnipotent forces of Vice-Chancellor Michael Spence. Some exaggeration might be involved.

Free Food?

Because we appreciate that campaigns get in your way, and that food is good, we've added a (savoury) sweetener to voting. On 30 May 2012, the USU Board Election Day, voters will be eligible for free BBQ’s all around campus between 11am and 2pm. They will be located on Eastern Ave, Manning Lawns, and Cadigal Green. There will also be a band on Eastern Ave at lunchtime as part of FUNCH (Fun At Lunch, obviously…).

There aret $5 vouchers for voters at The Con, SCA and Mallett St.

Pre-pollers aren't eligible for the free food this year. But if you're pre-polling you're probably more motivated by time anyway.

Pre-Polling

Polling is open today and tomorrow from 9am-4pm in the top level of Wentworth (International Students Lounge) and the top level of Manning (Barnard Eldershaw Room). Take advantage of the lack of queues and cast your vote!

Happy Voting!

Mina Nada

Director

Election Soapbox

USU Elections have begun, as you will have noticed from the brightly coloured A-frames and t-shirts dotted around campus. Yesterday was also the Candidates Soapbox – a chance for the public to hear the candidates speak on their policies and take hard-hitting questions from the audience, and a panel made up of Bull Editor Bronte Lambourne, Honi Soit Editor Bebe D’Souza and myself. In case you missed it, here’s a brief wrap-up:

John Harding-Easson was first cab off the rank and spoke about how great the USU is for creating a sense of community on campus, but “under the surface lies great potential” for the USU to engage with more students. He drew on his own experience of coming to uni and finding it quite isolating. His ideas included better utilisation of campus spaces, and more accessible USU benefits. He was asked about his political affiliations with the ALP club, the time commitment of being on Board considering that he is also on the SRC Executive and also how he would fund his universal Access policy.

Sophie Stanton was up next, and also spoke about her desire to engage more students on campus. In particular, she said that she is the candidate that represents students who are not your typical USU member, and promises to speak up on their behalf. She drew on her experience of not seeing the value of buying an access card in her second year, and believes her experience gives her a “fresh perspective”. She was asked about her role as President of SUBSKI and gender equity, as well as what ideas she has for inclusive events for students who don’t drink.

Tom Raue described himself as the left-wing candidate who will fight for fair trade, solar panels on USU buildings, and workplace democracy within the USU. He highlighted his experience in grass-roots activism in setting up the Education Action Group in the SRC. Tom was asked about his policy to improve transparency in the USU, his desire to increase USU-owned outlets, and his time-commitment given that he is currently Vice President of the SRC. Unlike John, he didn’t say that he would resign from his Vice President position, but said that he feels capable of managing the two roles.

Karen Chau listed her love for the USU and club experience as reasons for running for USU Board, particularly her executive roles on the UN Society. She spoke about her ideas for expanding programs such as Kickstart grants and new initiatives such as a USU Music Festival and twilight noodle markets. Questions for Karen included what new ideas she has that the USU Board are not pursuing already, how she can provide cheaper food, and what similarities and differences she sees between the roles of representing students as an SRC Councillor and as a Board Director of the USU.

Hannah Morris spoke about how all her favourite memories and experiences from university have been provided by the USU, and her enthusiasm and excitement to direct the future of the organisation. Her ideas included a Hermann’s Grill, recharge room, and Inauguration Day Party. Hannah was asked about what ideas she has for more off-campus Access partners, how the USU would fund her capital intensive initiatives, and also answered a question about which policies from other candidates she disagreed with by saying that “everyone has put a lot of time into developing their fantastic policies”.

Nick Coffman said he “is proud of his Union”, and spoke off the cuff about his ideas for increasing communication between the USU and students including an iPhone/Android app, and a commemoration day party to engage with a wider variety of students. He was asked about what policies he has for including minority groups on campus and whether he holds sufficient experience outside the college environment to bring to the USU Board. He was also asked about colleges having a separate induction that clashes with USU O-Week, and responded by calling for more integration between the two.

Vale Sloane was the last candidate to take the stage, and also didn’t use a pre-prepared speech. He advocated for free Access cards, pop-up bars, and transforming the USU website. He was asked about his Liberal affiliations and what that meant for voluntary student unionism, to which he replied that universal access, as a form of compulsory student unionism, would allow everyone to experience the great benefits of the USU. He was also asked a question submitted online about the financial viability of universal access.

If you want to join in on the action look out for the twitter hashtag #usudecides and follow @USUAccess and @USUBoard for regular updates. Let us know your thoughts on the Soapbox in the comments below.

See you on the campaign trail!

Sibella Matthews

USU President