Postgraduate and Research Students' Association

The Postgraduate and Research Students' Association (PARSA) is the official postgraduate students' and research students association at the Australian National University (ANU).

The Australian National University Students' Association acts in an equal capacity to PARSA at the Australian National University as a representative body for undergraduate students.

Objective

The objective of PARSA is to support and promote the welfare and interests of enrolled ANU postgraduate and research students both within and outside the ANU. To do this PARSA has a mission statement[1] to:

  • Ensure a mutually supportive ANU postgraduate and research student community;
  • Provide effective policy and practices that support the diverse needs of ANU postgraduate and research students;
  • Maintain a well-informed ANU postgraduate and research student body regarding issues that may affect them in their university life;
  • Generate improvements in the university life of ANU postgraduate and research students that enhance academic outcomes;
  • Create solutions to problems or disputes ANU postgraduate and research students may have within the context of their university life.
  • Afford a recognised means of representation for said ANU postgraduate and research students, and a recognised means of communication between ANU postgraduate and research students and the University authorities;

As a recipient of a Student Services and Amenities Fee the ANU utilizes PARSA under its formal process of student consultation as required by the Student Services, Amenities, Representation and Advocacy Guidelines (Representation Guidelines).[2]

Membership

By the PARSA constition there are two standard forms of membership, though provisions exist for the creation of more; ordinary membership and honorary life membership. An ordinary member of the Association is a person who:

  • is a postgraduate or research student at the ANU and,
  • has not stated that the person does not wish to be a member by giving notice being not less than one month in writing to the Secretary of the member's intention to resign or refuse membership.

An honorary life membership is conferred by resolution of a joint meeting of the Board and the Postgraduate Representative Committee for meritorious service to PARSA over an extended period.

Organisation

The Postgraduate Representative Council (PRC) is PARSA's governing body. The basic role of a PRC member is to act as a link between students in their areas and the PRC in relation to voicing concerns, distributing information, gathering feedback on current issues, etc.[3]

The PRC Executive consists of seven positions who govern the Association: the President, two Vice-Presidents, the Treasurer, an Equity Officer, Indigenous Officer, and Social Coordinator.

The President for 2010 - 2011 is Areti Metuamate.

The PRC has four staff members, an administrator, a student consultant, a social and publications officer and lawyer.

References
  1. https://parsa.anu.edu.au/pageassets/aboutparsa/how-we-are-governed/PARSA-Constitution-Final-adopted-22nd-June-2018.pdf
  2. "Higher Education Support Act 2003 - Student Services, Amenities, Representation and Advocacy Guidelines". www.legislation.gov.au.
  3. http://parsa.anu.edu.au/index.php?page=representation
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