University of Newcastle Students' Association

The University of Newcastle Students' Association (UNSA) is the student organisation at the University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia (UON). The organisation provides a range of student services and supports campus life activities and events. UNSA facilitates the UON's elected Student Representative Council (SRC) which is the peak representative body for all students at the University.

This article is about the University of Newcastle Students' Association Ltd. For the NSW incorporated association known as NUSA that transitioned to this company, see Newcastle University Students' Association (NUSA).
University of Newcastle Students' Association
AbbreviationUNSA
Established28 April 1954 (28 April 1954) as Newcastle University College Students' Association
Registered as company27 May 2020 as University of Newcastle Students' Association Ltd.
AddressUNSA Building, University Drive, Callaghan 2308
Governing bodyBoard of Directors
MembershipStudents of the University of Newcastle
Websitewww.unsa.org.au

Structure and Governance

UNSA is a not-for-profit Australian Public Company Limited by Guarantee with a governing board consisting of nine directors. The board's composition includes six elected students and three appointed directors.

Services

UNSA enhances the lives of students at the University of Newcastle by providing:[1]

  • Student representation and advocacy
  • Welfare and support services
  • Campus activities and events
  • Clubs and societies
  • Student media, including Opus magazine
  • Equipment hire
  • Subsidized and free food on campus
  • Discounted training courses
  • Sporting and gym facilities

Student Representative Council (SRC)

UNSA's representative structure facilitates the Student Representative Council (SRC) as the peak representative body for students at the University of Newcastle. Prior to the reforms to student representation commencing from 2016-2020 and the transition to UNSA Ltd, the NUSA Council had a dual role of both the governing body of the organisation and the principle SRC for UON.[2] Representatives on the SRC are elected by the student body in annual elections in Semester 2 each year.[3]

Representative structure

The SRC's structure incorporates several representative committees and bodies, each chaired by an office holder elected to the SRC. These include portfolio committees for Education, Wellbeing & Welfare, Engagement & Experience; a Postgraduate Student Senate; an International Student Senate; Campus Committees; and Collectives for Disability, Indigenous, Queer and Women's representative groups.[4]

Elected positions on the SRC include:

  • President (Chair);
  • Vice-President Education;
  • Vice-President Engagement & Experience;
  • Vice-President Welfare & Wellbeing;
  • International Students’ Senate Convenor;
  • Postgraduate Students’ Senate Convenor;
  • Disability Collective Convenor;
  • Indigenous Students’ Collective Convenor;
  • Queer Collective Convenor;
  • Women’s Collective Convenor;
  • Newcastle Campuses Committee Convenor;
  • Central Coast Campuses Committee Convenor;
  • Cloud Campus Committee Convenor;
  • Sydney Campus Committee Convenor; and
  • Port Macquarie Campus Committee Convenor.

That are also several positions that are elected externally to the SRC and hold ex-officio membership on the Council:

  • Student Member on University Council;
  • Student Representative of Academic Senate; and
  • Student Accommodation Representative.

The SRC Executive consists of the President, the three Vice Presidents and the two Senate Convenors.[5]

UNSA presidents by year
Name Year SRC Political association/grouping
Luka Harrison 2020 68th National Labor Students (NLS)

University of Newcastle Students' Association Ltd. was registered as an Australian Public Company, Limited By Guarantee on 27 May 2020.[6] From 30 June 2020, NUSA ceased most operations as an incorporated association alongside NUPSA and Yourimbah pending wind up and deregistration as individual legal entities. On 1 July 2020, UNSA commenced operating in place of the three separate student associations and began providing the services previously delivered by NUSA, NUPSA and Yourimbah.[7]

References
  1. "Everyday Services". NUSA. Retrieved 2020-06-26.
  2. "Opus - Orientation handbook - 1994". Living Histories. Retrieved 2020-06-28.
  3. "Student associations". The University of Newcastle, Australia. 2019-04-30. Retrieved 2020-07-23.
  4. SAC Elections Guide 2020. University of Newcastle. 2020.
  5. "SAC and new Association SRC Election FAQs" (PDF). 20 June 2020.
  6. "Australian Securities and Investments Commission - UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION LTD. ACN 641 135 195".
  7. "Student associations". The University of Newcastle, Australia. 2019-04-30. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
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