Established in 1944, the RMIT Student Union Council, commonly known as the RMIT Student Union or RUSU, is the representative body for all students enrolled at RMIT University. The Student Union offers a range of services, including clubs and societies, publishing the RMIT student magazine Catalyst, student rights advocacy and support, Womyns, Queer and Postgraduate student lounges, campus activities and events and has offices at all Melbourne campuses and sites of RMIT University. It is a separate organsiation to RMIT Union, which provides support to Arts and Sports clubs. RMIT Student Union is affiliated with the National Union of Students and the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations.
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In 2006, with the introduction of voluntary student unionism (VSU) legislation, the Student Union underwent a major re-organization. Most of the staff were made redundant, the organization’s three separate campus councils were merged, and several services such as the second-hand bookshop were abandoned. While the organization suffered a drastic funding cut (from $3.9 million AUD to $1.3 million AUD) as a result of VSU, it managed to survive the cutbacks and continue providing services, advocacy and representation to students.
As of 2006, the Student Union Council comprises 25 students, who are elected by RMIT students at annual elections. All members of the council must be financial members of the Student Union. The council meets regularly, and it is also responsible for electing the president and media officer, as outlined in the Student Union Constitution. A smaller group of student office bearers, known as the secretariat, meets more regularly to discuss day-to-day and urgent matters. Each Melbourne campus/site also has its own campus collective.
The powers of the council and secretariat are limited by the Student Union’s constitution, which was adopted in August 2006. The constitution sets out the organization’s aims and objectives, the powers and rights of council members, the rights of members and defines the organization’s departments. Regulations are rules which the Student Union uses to govern matters such as conduct at meetings, or the operation of certain departments and can be altered by a vote at a council meeting. The constitution can only be modified with the agreement of a majority of RMIT students at an annual general meeting.
The RMIT Student Union hosts the community radio stations including Student Youth Network 90.7, 3RRR 102.7, PBS 106.7FM, 3ZZZ 92.3, 3CR Melbourne, 3KND 1503, & Joy 94.9. The Melbourne's Community Television station Channel 31 broadcasts on UHF Channel 31.
As per the constitution, the Student Union currently comprises the following departments. Each of these departments is governed a collective or committee of students who work alongside the office bearer (who in turns directs staff members).
Murray-Smith, Stephen and Anthony John Dare 1987, The Tech: A Centenary History of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Hyland House
RMIT Student Union: www.su.rmit.edu.au - accessed 24 May 2007 06:13:12pm
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