18 November 2011

USU Board November Update

Thank you everyone for joining in on the discussions regarding the USU-University Negotiations. It’s been excellent to see so many people taking the time to make their voices heard, especially during the exam season. There have been a number of comments requesting further explanation so I would like to pick up from where we left off in the last blog and answer some contested issues. If you have any more questions or thoughts, please post a comment below.

STUDENT SERVICES AND AMENITIES FEE (SSAF)
First, allow me to clarify the misconception surrounding the new Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). Many are calling this a return of compulsory union fees, which is untrue as no-one will be obliged to join the Union, SRC, SUPRA, Campus Rewards or SUSF. Every cent of the $263 paid by each student goes to the University’s administration to distribute as they see fit, as long as it falls within the legislative guidelines (click here for more details). The decision about where the money will be spent is made in consultation with student organisations – that is, representatives of the student organisations sit on a Consultative Committee led by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Derrick Armstrong. The second meeting of this committee will be held next Monday. There is no onus on the University to provide the USU with any of the funding, but we feel very strongly about providing more services for students, particularly those currently marginalised in student experience programs, such as students at the affiliated sites.

THE USU’s FINANCIAL SITUATION
Much discussion has focused on the USU’s financial health since VSU and what happens on our balance sheets. The VSU’s impact on the USU in 2006 - the loss of $8.4 million dollars annually and a completely new business environment, was a challenge we overcame. The USU’s strength and ability to survive and evolve is why we exist today as the largest and most extensive student union in the country; an incredible feat that is largely thanks to the support of our student members. Numerous initiatives and business plans were enacted that meant the USU not only stayed afloat, but over time reduced deficits and increased cash flows. The last few years have seen a hostile global financial landscape that made most organisations around Australia feel the pinch – including the USU and University itself. Agreements with the University have aided us specifically for the occupation and upkeep of our buildings – buildings built with Union funds over the last 100 years. Without such Agreements, the USU would still exist – but the student experience program we deliver would have been at the mercy of the accountant’s chopping block. The USU would have simply been a diluted example of what it used to be and we wanted to guarantee this did not happen.

The USU’s commercial operations have been financially improving each year and in 2010 the USU made an $83,616 operating profit, the first operating surplus since VSU. The profits generated from our commercial operations, which exceeded $4 million were duly invested directly back into the student programs. A focused strategy to improve USU outlets has been a long-running project that is beginning to pay dividends; and more steps and continual improvements are planned by the USU. Last year’s surplus is proof that with a commitment to improved service delivery, the USU’s commercial services will continue to be an important source of independent revenue in the future. We strongly believe that we are able to deliver these services from a financially-sound business platform, and importantly, in a way that truly reflects the wants and needs of the campus community.

THE USU’S PLANS
Access
The SSAF Bill is another game-changer for the USU and the University. Given that the University is the gatekeeper to these student-paid funds, future plans are dependant on their decisions regarding distribution. The USU believes that the best way to give students value for the payment or the SSAF is through the universal provision of the Access Benefits Program - our membership program that was established in the wake of VSU to recoup lost membership revenue. Access delivers tangible benefits through discounts both on and off campus, free membership packs at O-Week, exclusive deals, leadership opportunities, access to Clubs and Societies and much more. Its founding premise is our belief that students deserve value for money, which is why we hope that the Access Benefits Program can be delivered to each and every student to tangibly demonstrate value for students’ fees (SSAF). This is, of course, dependent on the University’s distribution of SSAF funds, and we will discuss this possibility with the University in the very near future.

Retail Strategy
The USU was not satisfied with the Retail Plan delivered by the University’s Campus Infrastructure Services, as it did not address specific student needs. Considerations such as affordability and opening hours, or student choice in regards to outlets and catering options were not addressed. Throughout the negotiations, the University have repeatedly assured us that we would be able to deliver our own Retail Strategy in response to the University’s plan, as a vision for how we would improve food and beverage facilities on campus. The detailed Retail Strategy is currently being developed, and while I cannot reveal specifics as yet, rest assured that at every corner of this plan the whole campus community is at the forefront of our mind. We seek to reach out to the campus community to gauge wants and needs so we can deliver them. You inhabit the campus and your money is invested into it, therefore we believe your opinion is what really matters, not the interests of external commercial entities.

USVC
The USU has operated the University of Sydney Venue Collection (USVC) successfully for the last four years. The business model uses joint assets of the USU and University to benefit the entire community. As the USU had a pre-existing functions business (called The Venue Collection) and the University had a vast array of desirable venues, by combining the two we provided a one-stop shop for corporate, wedding and University clients to have all their event management needs met, including catering. This business became highly valuable for the USU, providing over $900,000 in operating contribution back into student services. The University gave us 12 months termination notice last December, and it is disappointing that the University is adamant on breaking up such a successful business unit by the end of 2011. We are also concerned with the University’s suggested proposal for the operation of the venues on campus, as it is not a sustainable alternative to that offered by the USU, which has a proven track record.

WHAT YOU CAN DO…
The USU Board will continue to negotiate with the University in seeking to arrive at a mutually beneficial outcome. Over the last nine months of negotiations, we have agreed on a number of core principles. We have strong agreement on the importance of student life being student-run; acknowledgment that the food and beverage services need to be improved for the benefit of our students; and a keen desire to reach a shared vision for service delivery in the future. We believe that there are more conciliatory, cost-effective and inclusive ways to improve the food and beverage services on campus than the University’s proposed takeover, and we will work hard to negotiate with the University in exploring those alternative solutions.

However, with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s November 2 email, the University signalled an unwillingness to confine the discussions regarding the future of the USU’s commercial operations to the negotiation room. We don’t think this communication should be a one-way street - we’d like you to share your thoughts with the University administration, and more importantly, the University of Sydney Senate. The Senate is the University’s governing authority, and is the body responsible for keeping this University a world-class institution; a leader in education, academic research and achievement; and a leader in student experience and life within the campus community.

The Senate decisions are largely informed by the advice of the University administration, and student voice is not often recognised with the exception of the two student Senate Fellows. If you feel strongly about the situation facing the USU, please inform the current (and recently re-elected) student Senate Fellow, Ben Veness as well as the Chair of the Senate, The Chancellor, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO.

Below is an example template you may wish to use, or feel free to write your own message.
By emailing them and asking them to bring your concerns to the next Senate Meeting on your behalf (the next meeting is being held on 5 December), you can ensure your student voice is heard.

As always, thank you for your support and patience throughout these negotiations, and please don’t hesitate to post your comments and questions below.

Yours sincerely,
Sibella Matthews


Email contact details:

Ben Veness, Student Senate Fellow: (email)


Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, Chancellor: (Chancellor’s Office)


EXAMPLE EMAIL:
SUBJECT: USU-University commercial takeover 
Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO / Ben VenessI write to you in support of the University of Sydney Union, and its autonomy as Australia’s leading Student Union – and the last truly independent one left standing. The proposed takeover of the USU’s commercial services will deny the USU crucial funding to deliver the extensive student programs and services that the entire campus community holds dear. 
As such, I request that within the next senate meeting this decision be addressed, and may the USU’s independence and financial autonomy be recognised by allowing them to retain the rights to run the commercial services (including the USVC). 
I also request that the Senate consider my personal wish for the Student Service and Amenities Fee that I will pay to be put towards programs and services that I value, in particular, those that are run by peers that I trust in the Student Union.
Please consider the student voice in this important decision. 
Sincerely, NAME

03 November 2011

Update on USU-University Negotiations

Dear members,

You will have received an email yesterday from Professor Derrick Armstrong, the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), regarding the University’s proposed future of the USU, in particular the catering and retail outlets.

The USU Board found the email highly concerning and feel it is important to begin by looking at the bare facts of the relationship between the USU and the University.

It is true that Voluntary Student Unionism, which took away $8.4 million in funding from the USU, led the University and the Student Union to enter three working agreements.

These agreements are:

-          The Occupation License: The USU built three buildings upon University land using member funds, the Holme, Manning and Wentworth Buildings. This agreement provides the USU the right to occupy these Union buildings without incurring a rent, as well as the right to occupy affiliate site catering outlets run by the Union, such as, The Conservatorium of Music, Bosch and Mallet Street. This license is not due to expire until 2017.

-          The Service Level Agreement: This is funding (approx $3.6 million annually) provided to the Union by the University to spend on the student spaces for maintenance, cleaning, repair and utilities of its three buildings. This expires on 31 December 2011.

-          The University of Sydney Venue Collection (USVC) Joint Venture: This agreement allows the USU to book University venues (such as MacLaurin Hall and The Great Hall) and to provide the catering for corporate, wedding and University clients using the venues for event purposes. As a result of the joint venture, the USVC now receives 50 per cent (from 12 per cent prior to the joint venture) of all catering, resulting in greater revenue (approximately $900,000 per annum) back into the USU student experience. With the ending of this agreement, the University will take back the responsibility of booking their venues (but not USU venues – Holme, Manning and Wentworth which will remain under the existing USU Venue Collection). This agreement expires on 31 December 2011.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor failed to mention the fact that USU members hold the ultimate authority in deciding the future of the Union. Any transfer of commercial services or termination of the Occupation Licence prior to 2017 must be put to a vote of USU Members (of which there are over 13,100).The proposals outlined in Prof. Armstrong’s email breach the Occupation Licence and cannot occur without the consent of Union Members. Specifically, a two-thirds majority vote is required by USU members at a Special General Meeting. We find it disappointing and concerning that the University went ahead and sent this email to all students without acknowledging this crucial fact.

The USU Board was not consulted about the email sent by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor. Judging from the response on social media, many students were also shocked by the content. The University did advise us of the termination of the Joint Venture and the SLA late in 2010, and when the negotiation process began this year, the University requested it not become a public negotiation and as such asked both parties to enter the negotiations in good faith.
Forming a good-faith working relationship was stressed as a priority in these negotiations, which the USU took very seriously. Unfortunately, progress was slow; meetings were often short with no agendas, the University failed to abide by their own deadlines and repeated assurances were made that a resolution of mutual benefit was in sight. In May this year, the University advised us that formal negotiations had begun and at this time they would present us with their proposed Retail Plan. However, this plan was not received until October and it proposed that the University take over catering and retail outlets in 2012.

The University’s proposal to take over the catering and retail outlets has not been agreed upon by the USU. In fact, the USU expressed several concerns relating to the plan to the University of Sydney Senate’s Safety and Risk Management Committee. Several Senate Fellows also shared these concerns, in particular the University’s desire to market the USU outlets to external commercial operators. We know the catering and retail operations require improvements, and we’re committed to delivering that outcome. However, unlike the University, our methodology is to reach out directly to the campus community to set our targets and to make changes based on the wants and needs of the student population. The University made a commitment to the USU throughout the negotiations that they would consider the USU’s own vision for commercial operations which was to be delivered after we received the University’s Retail Plan. The email sent by Prof. Armstrong demonstrates a breach of that commitment, and an unwillingness to negotiate any outcome other than a complete transfer. At no point in the negotiations was it indicated that the University would be so audacious as to inform the student populace of a proposal not agreed upon by the USU, without even consulting or warning the USU. The move has left the USU’s Student Board feeling somewhat betrayed that this trust in good faith was compromised.

The Board also find it unsettling that the University shifted its negotiation tact immediately after the Student Service and Amenities Fee (SSAF) was passed by the Federal Senate in October (it should be noted that the SSAF is not a compulsory union fee and goes directly to the University – see previous post.) From the SSAF it’s estimated that the University will receive approximately $10 million per year. Despite this windfall in student funds, the University has attempted to threaten the USU into accepting their proposal by stating that any funding for next year is contingent on a transfer of our commercial operations. The USU will not be intimidated by such negotiation tactics into an unsatisfactory outcome for students.

We feel at the heart of the issue lies the interpretation of the term: ‘student experience’. As the Student Union believe the student experience goes beyond the programs and services, the Clubs and Societies and the big events like O-Week and Verge. To us, it is about making every experience on campus ideal for students – that includes your morning coffee; your lunchtime break and the grey bits in between class. We strive to fill that with colour – it is the USU’s directive as an organisation led by students and has been since 1874. The University, as you can see from Prof. Armstrong’s email, assume to know what students want, but we believe students can and should decide for themselves. We want to continue the wonderful evolutionary trademark that makes the USU such an historic and relevant organisation – driven by student ideals - not by profit.
The Union is a non-profit organisation. The revenue we generate goes directly back into our student experience programs, which is why the operation of our outlets, our Venue Collection and the Access Program is so important to us. We seek to serve the students. It makes sense to us that students are the ones who define what a ‘student experience’ entails.

Allow me to stress that nobody is here to politicise student affairs. The vision of the University and the USU are the same: to deliver the best possible experience to the campus community. We believe that a student experience becomes superficial when it is restricted to programs and services - the USU is an organisation that wants students at the University of Sydney to appreciate every moment they have on campus. We know the University provides a world class environment for learning and an educational experience that is second-to-none. We, as your Student Union, are responsible for providing a world class experience outside of the lecture halls and classrooms; we believe it should stay that way. Maintaining student control over student spaces is key to achieving this aim.

So we turn to you, students and members to make your voice heard, because it’s your voice that really matters. This is a valuable chance to have your say on what direction you believe the future of these essential components of the student experience – food, retail, bars, and student spaces – should be. Comment below, put your hand up for the Are You With Us cause on Facebook and be vocal. Keep student life, student run – it makes sense, doesn’t it?


We will keep you updated throughout the process and we will seek to answer any questions you may have. Find us on Facebook and Twitter.


Yours sincerely,
USU Board of Directors

01 November 2011

Storytelling: Tales from the Union Art Collection

“The Union’s art collection stands at approximately 650 works spanning six centuries of production, and is nearing its 100th anniversary.”
Bethany Cannan & Elyse Horan

This October-November drawing to a close the Verge Gallery’s incredible successes is the exhibition ‘Storytelling’. The USU’s wonderful Art Collection Interns for 2011, Bethany Cannan & Elyse Horan curated ‘Storytelling’ using pieces from the USU’s art collection.

Their exhibition realises how essential storytelling is to the development of our selves and our society. They chose art from the USU collection that shared stories worth telling. The exhibition seeks to inspire others to tell their stories. So, Bethany and Elyse sought out local emerging writers asking for compositions of prose or poetry that responded to one or more of the works being exhibited.

‘Storytelling’ is a wonderful exhibition and well worth a visit when you need a break from that pesky StuVac. Go and appreciate the USU’s Art Collection, the fabulous work of our Art Interns and how awesome it is to have a student-run gallery on campus!


WHAT: Storytelling: Tales from the Union Art Collection
WHO: Curated by Elyse Horan and Bethany Cannan

Featuring works by Bill Henson, Trent Parke, Terry Gilliam, Del Kathryn Barton, Hayley Linz, Gareth Sansom, Noel Counihan, Richard Lewer, Maurice de Vlaminck, Matheus Van Helmont and Albrecht Dürer.

Check out what's coming up at the gallery at their blog spot: http://verge-gallery.net/

When: Until the 4th of Novemeber, 10am – 5pm
Where: Verge Gallery, Jane Foss Russell Plaza, City Road, University of Sydney.




Rhys Pogonoski
Honorary Treasurer
UA-5126621-7