Swinburne Student Union - History

History

Due to the advent of voluntary student unionism, Swinburne created a subsidiary organisation known as the Swinburne Student Amenities Association, or SSAA, in 2006, which superseded many of the roles formerly operated by the union. Of late, the SSU have focused their energy on political activism. It also used to publish a student newspaper called Tabula Rasa. (Until 2005, 'Tabula Rasa' was an independent student magazine). In December 2005, the University declined to renew the Student Union's lease on catering outlets and outsourced catering operations to private operators. In 2009, SSU's offices in the Union building at Swinburne's Hawthorn campus were occupied by the SSAA, and the Union moved their offices to the Administration building. This left the unique situation of the Union building, built in the 80's solely to house SSU activities, having no Union presence. However in 2011, the Union successfully campaigned to return to the Union building, although only to one floor. The Swinburne Student Union holds annual elections for office bearer positions. It has several standing committees including the Education Board, Secretariat, Services Management Board, SISA and SUPA; the latter two being constitutionally established representative bodies to serve the needs of international students and postgraduates respectively. In March 2006, the union was the subject of controversy after the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ian Young, announced that the university would not renew the Union's funding for 2006 - an expected payment of A$1.5 million. Media reports speculated of the "collapse" of the organisation as a result . The organisation was under considerable financial pressure, and was forced to reduce staff numbers considerably in order to remain solvent. In 2006, SSU terminated the employment of its executive officer, Balrama Krishnan for alleged gross and wilful misconduct. He was the Union's most senior employee, having worked there for over 26 years. The Swinburne Student Union has implemented a range of strategies designed to ensure its survival despite VSU. They began rolling out financial membership packages from 1 July 2006.