International Students Association (ISA)
What is the International Students Association?
The International Students Association (ISA) is an association of VUSU and governed by a constitution as regulated by VUSU.
ISA represents all international students at Victoria University.
It is an active member of several local and national student organisations and one of their major tasks is to continually monitor policies (University and Government) that may affect the conditions of international students. For example Victorian Public Transport Concessions.
ISA organises various social activities throughout the year to alleviate the culture shock experienced by many students who are living away from their home and family many for the first time. These include an extensive welcoming program during orientation and re-orientation weeks, various trips throughout each semester (to must see destinations of Victoria and Australia), familiarisation functions throughout the year, and their much anticipated Multicultural Week (MCW) celebrating the best of understanding and multiculturalism.
Current ISA News
ISA was booming in 2008 after a tumultuous time in 2007, and if current trends occur in 2009 we will have a repeat performance of 2007. Since the introduction of VSU laws, ISA has been in a constant fluctuating state. Firstly it lost a proportion of its original funding (pre 2005), and lost its Development Officer. Today it shares an office with VUPA, and has great links with the University body; however a mass exodus of talented individuals leaves ISA bare in 2009.
We at VUSU want to change this, and intend to resurrect ISA to it stature. Those international students interested, be sure to contact us via the contact information available on this site.
Post Graduate Association (VUPA)
What is the Post Graduate Association?
The Victoria University Postgraduate Association (VUPA) is a body within the Victoria University Student Union (VUSU) that is designed to address the needs of postgraduate students. Postgraduate students are those undertaking degrees such as Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, Masters by Coursework, and those enrolled in research degrees, such as Masters by Research and Doctor of Philosophy.
The Association acts primarily as a link or contact point for all postgraduates. This is achieved by conducting workshops, seminars, conferences and organising social events. The Association’s committee represent the views of postgraduates and hold membership rights to official University committees. The Association’s committee also receive invitations to meet with external organisations and other University bodies, ensuring the needs and interests of postgraduate students are widely represented.
Current VUPA News
VUPA was the first and hardest hit since the inception of VSU laws in late 2005. Firstly it lost most of its funding, lost its Development Officer, lost its committee, lost its research room, and lost its gatherings and contacts. Today it shares an office with ISA, and sporadically has a President with no committee, with all known affiliations other than VUSU having ceased.
We at VUSU want to change this, and intend to resurrect VUPA to have some of its former glory. Those post graduates interested, be sure to contact us via the contact information available on this site.
TAFE Association
To be advised
Equity and Equality Portfolio
What is the Equity and Equality Portfolio?
Originally derived from the need to encompass greater representation, in an era of VSU laws, and the EO legalities of electing the position the way it was; the original women’s officer became the equity officer. In expanding this portfolio, from just representing the long serving women’s collective, to include the then strong queer collective, the sporadically involved disability collective, no longer was this position a token gesture, but an integral part of the organisation.
The Equity officer attends and also opens up for interest in many conferences and summits addressing current day equality issues via the university, government, and other interested bodies.
This portfolio is responsible for delegations to Network of Women Students of Australia Summit, Queer-space Forum, and National Indigenous Students Conference.
Current Equity and Equality News
Collectives are sort of like sub-committees or lobby groups that discuss particular issues, the introduction of VSU laws attempted to stop such activity. In 2009 we at VUSU wish to build on existing collectives such as Women’s, Queer, and Disability. VUSU also wishes to go one step further to include an Ethno-Cultural collective, an Indigenous collective, and possibly a Men’s Health collective. Those interested in any of the stated collectives, be sure to contact us via the contact information available on this site.
Education and Welfare Portfolio
What is the Education and Welfare Portfolio?
The aim of this position is to coordinate education and welfare campaigns focusing on issues that affect Higher Education and TAFE students; gain knowledge about VU’s procedures and be familiarised on trends elsewhere. The first point of call for all VUSU advocacy issues. This portfolio is responsible for delegations to the National Education Conference, and the National Faith and Values Conference.
Current Education and Welfare News
Originally this portfolio that encompassed two executive positions, however due to the long-term effect of VSU laws since 2008 we only have one executive member. The portfolio is one that has true separation of powers, and can be the true indicator of quality and assurance in these fields for the university. In 2009 we at VUSU wish to hold a student forum, and put out a 12 month review on how we at VUSU see the universities direction. Those interested in any of these activities, be sure to contact us via the contact information available on this site.