ltsu annual report, 2014

L a Trobe UniversiT y sTUdenT Union

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES CLUBS & SOCIETIES

STUDENT THEATRE AND FILM PRODUCTIONS

I N T E R N A T I O N A L S T U D E N T S ’ A S S O C I A T I O N

SERVICES MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNTS

MA T U R E - A G E S T U D E N T S ’ O R G A N I S A T I O N

P O S T G R A D U A T E S T U D E N T S U P P O R T

ACTIVISM RIGHTS EDUCATION WELFARE ADVOCACY

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ANNUAL REPORT 2014Objectives .........................................................................................................................................4

Membership ....................................................................................................................................5

Representing studentsPresident’s Report .........................................................................................................................6

Student Representation ..............................................................................................................7

General Manager’s Report .........................................................................................................8

Informing studentsMarketing and Communication ..............................................................................................9

Connecting studentsActivities and Events ..................................................................................................................10

Clubs and Societies .....................................................................................................................11

Student Theatre and Film .........................................................................................................12

Recognising student achievementLTSU Awards ..................................................................................................................................14

Supporting students- Office and Second-hand Bookshop ...............................................................................16

- Advocacy ...................................................................................................................................17

- Postgraduate ...........................................................................................................................17

- Legal service ............................................................................................................................18

- Tax Help .....................................................................................................................................19

Associated bodies- International Student Association (ISA) ........................................................................20

- Mildura Students Association (MSA)..............................................................................21

- Shepparton Students Association (SSA) ......................................................................21

- Mature Aged Students Organisation (MASO) ............................................................21

Statistics .........................................................................................................................................22

Financial report .....................................................................................................................24

Staff & office bearers 2014 .......................................................................................43

La Trobe University Student Union

4 5

The purpose of the La Trobe Student Union (LTSU) is to advance the education of the students of La Trobe University by:

(a) Enhancing the learning experience of students while at the University;

(b) Promoting the interests and welfare of students;

(c) Representing students within and outside the University;

(d) Co-ordinating and supporting the activities of students; and

(e) Providing amenities and services for students, other members of the University community and the public.

2014 EXCLUSIVE STUDENT UNION MEMBER DISCOUNTS so far…ON CAMPUSOUTLET LOCATION DISCOUNTBake n’ Bean Agora 10% off all products

Café Spice Agora 10% off small, medium and large meals

Caffeine Café Agora Plaza 30cents off coffee or tea

Café Veloci Upper Agora 10% off food and drink

Child Care Centre East side of $16 off per sessional care (students only) campus

Eagle Bar Union Building Ongoing drink discounts

Fuel Juice Bar Agora $1 off large juice & 30cents off water

Fusion Pizza Agora Plaza $1 off whole pizzas and large pastas

Grain Express Upper Agora 10% off hot bar food items

Image La Trobe Agora 10% discount

La Trobe Golf Park 906 Plenty Rd 35% off driving range and mini golf

La Trobe Jewellery Agora 10% discount on all stock

La Trobe Parking Peribolos East $20 discount (students only)

Life Skills Café Agora West 30c off large hot drink & walkway 15% off large salad

2014 Student Union memberships available NOWLTSU Membership gets you- Discounts on majority of food & drink outlets on campus- Car parking discounts (Students only)- Sports Centre discounts- Second-hand Bookshop discounts- Discounts on all LTSU events throughout the year- FREE weekly member BBQ in the Agora- And SO MUCH MORE … see below and overleaf for a selection. For full details go to www.latrobesu.org.au/membership or to purchase online go to www.latrobesu.org.au/store

LA TROBE UNIVERSITY STU DENT UNIONThe Student Union is a member based not for profit organisation and is made up of student members, governing members, ordinary members, associate members and life members.

At an annual fee of $40 for students and $60 for non-students, the LTSU membership program continued to attract strong support from the La Trobe community in 2014. The program provides members with a package of discounts on:

• LTSU products, services and event tickets

• University services, including car parking, sports centre memberships and child care

• Goods and services from the majority of on-campus businesses and a host of businesses off campus

Member Type 2012 2013 2014student Members 4051 3541 3673non-student Members 255 251 242ToTaL 4051 3792 3915

Student Council has the authority to confer life membership to individuals it believes have made an outstanding contribution to LTSU. The following individuals were made life members in 2014:

• Lisa Huntington

• Corrine Grant

• Pranay Lodhiya

• David Ensor

• Sarah Cole

• Jim Morrison (posthumous award)

76

Although O Week 2014 seems so far away it was a great way to start off the year – jokes just before Orientation Week 2014 Vice Chancellor John Dewar announced the cut of 500 members of staff.

We saw throughout the year a savage hand of management with little consideration of the students they serve.

The lack of understanding of management in the areas, courses and subjects cut has never been more obvious than in 2014 where such little foresight has culminated in the cutting of 5 faculties into 2 colleges, seen staff leave and students stranded without any knowledge of the future of their degree.

The amazing work of the La Trobe Student Union activities department and student representatives to welcome in the new and returning students however was incredible. It is such a testament to how much we have grown in our few years to our 4th year of operation to see a huge spike in union membership and the well received events!

We have also been able to grow with the help of the Student Services and Amenities fee – which is sees the funding of crucial campus services, clubs and student representation! With over 70 Clubs and Faculty Societies now it is amazing to see our membership and numbers of clubs growing every year!

If you are a new student in 2015 or returning for the 2nd 3rd 4th or any other year it is never to late to join a club, the union and use our vital services!

Thankyou to the office bearers of 2014, councillors, clubs and societies, the students and in particular the LTSU staff who made my year and who were so supportive of the student voice.

I am so proud to handover to such a capable and passionate team in 2014 – I know they will cause trouble!

Rose Steele 2014 President

REPRESENTING STUDENTSLTSU’s governing bodies are comprised of student representatives who are elected by the student body through an annual election process across the University’s Bundoora, Shepparton, Mildura, Collins St, and Franklin St campuses. Elections are held towards the end of semester two, and the elected students commence their period of office from January 1st in the following year.

2012 2013election

2014election

nominations 114 133 186votes cast 1898 2590 2866

In 2014 our elected student office bearers ran weekly member barbecues and breakfasts; held regular welfare, education and disability collectives and clothes swaps and championed major events including First Year Ball, Pride Week, Sexual Health & Consent fun fair, Queer Beer, Stress Less Week and more.

As elected student representatives, LTSUoffice bearers sat on numerous university committees to provide the student voice on proposed university policy and procedural changes. They also provided feedback to the university on student issues in a range of less formal forums.

2014 has seen the first year of the newly created Office Bearer position of Education Public Affairs. Collaboration between the Education Vice President and Education Public Affairs positions helped create a unified and strong voice for students through strong representation on University governing boards while maintaining an active and informed student body.

Elected office bearers 2014President ........................................ Rose Steele

General Secretary ....................... Jessica Cornish

Education Vice President ........ Lisa-Maree Goff

Activities Officer .......................... Patrick Gibson and Minh Dat Trang

Rabelais Editor ............................. Finbar James and Nikita Vanderbyl

Welfare Officer ............................. Sebastian Horey and Lance Sinclair

Women’s Officer .......................... Jacalyn Grose and Jenny Stramilos

Postgraduate Officer ................. Eshan Arya

Environment Officer .................. Lucy Fallon

Queer Officer ................................ Justin Butler

Disabilities Officer ...................... Mohammadreza Shabab Dehkordi

Indigenous Officer ..................... Jay Wymarra

A movement is only composed of people moving. To feel its warmth and motion around us is the end as well as the means.

Gloria Steinem

8 9

LTSU communicates with students and markets our activities and services through a range of media, including:

LTSU WebsiteThe website has gone from strength to strength each year, in 2014 the website traffic increased by over 45% with over 80,000 Unique visitors and 110,000 visits.

LTSU continued to be a strong presence in student life at La Trobe in 2014. The attached report details our activities and achievements during the year.

Highlights included:

• Boostingtheorganisation’scapacitythroughappointment of an Advocate /Research officer position

• Securingcapitalfundingforanupgradeofspacein the Union Building to provide improved facilities for use by our Mature Aged Students Organisation, Queer Lounge, Clubs and general students. Work is due to commence in early 2015

• IntroductionoftheLTSUScholarshipprogram

• AdoptionbyStudentCouncilofanumberofnewregulations – on Membership, Discipline, Committee and Office Bearers, ISA, Associated Bodies and an LTSU Code of Conduct

• AdoptionbyUniversityCounciloftheRecognitionof Student Organisation Policy, establishing core principles of the University’s relationship with LTSU and the other recognised La Trobe student bodies

Our financial performance remained strong, with the audited reports revealing a surplus of $101,385. We have now accumulated financial reserves of $531,559.

I want to thank La Trobe University for their ongoing support of LTSU. The annual University grant to LTSU, funded by students’ SSAF contributions, remains our

predominant form of income. Over and above the grant, the University provides space to LTSU at Bundoora, Shepparton and Mildura campuses, as well as a range of tangible support and goodwill from a range of University areas including Student Services, Infrastructure and Operations, Human Resources, and IT.

Thanks also to 2014 President, Rose Steele and her team of elected student representatives. It’s been a pleasure to support Rose and her team during what has been a very busy program of student activities and events during the year.

LTSU’s staff continued to do great work in maintaining and developing many of the services and activities undertaken by LTSU. Welcome to Kat Nordern (Advocate / Research Officer) and Rosina Byrne (Mildura Student Association Support Officer) who joined us during the year. Sadly, Leanne Innes (Operations Coordinator) left us in early December to move interstate. Leanne made a major contribution since she joined us at the start of 2011, in what were the very early days of LTSU, and she will be sorely missed. We also farewelled Chelsea Candy, who from May 2013 pioneered the provision of the Student Legal Service under our new partnership with the West Heidelberg Community Legal Service.

Support for LTSU from the University community has remained strong. Our membership program attracted 3,915 members, and our Newsletter is distributed to an audience of over 10,000 students who have created an account on our website.

We look forward to making a difference for La Trobe students in 2015 and beyond.

INFORMING STUDENTSLTSU Newsletter In January 2014 LTSU entered into an agreement with an email service provider to better service our student member database with more professional and consistent newsletters. The result has been a significant increase in students signing up to receive the LTSU fortnightly newsletter. The LTSU newsletter grew from 3000 subscribers to over 10,100 in 2014.

Printed Publications The LTSU also communicates with students via our printed publications including the 2014 Student Diary, brochures, posters & flyers

Social MediaLTSU has an active social media presence across multiple platforms: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Student Office Bearers host a number of social media groups to engage all students (LTSU Activities, LTSU Facebook) as well as a number of smaller targeted social media sites for specific groups (Womens Collective, Queer Collective, Postgraduate, etc.)

LTSU’s events team delivered an exciting calendar of social events at Bundoora Campus in 2014.

0

20000

2012 2013 2014

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

Web tra�c at latrobesu.org.au

no. hits (visits)

unique visitors

01020304050607080

A�liated clubs

0100200300400500600700800

Club events

2012 2013 2014

52 64 66

2012 2013 2014

384 510 709

0

10

20

30

40

50

60Hearings

No. students seeking legal advice

Breakdown – type of legal support

0

500

1000

1500

2000Personal consultations

2012 2013 2014

2012 2013 2014

60 59 15

2012 2013 2014

831 1028 1876

Audience numbers

2012 2013 2014

41,451 56,599 81,396

62,370

87,173

114,836

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

3015 2886 2673

0

100

200

300

400

500

147 88 147

463 96 30 certification/witnessing/swearing

cases

one-o� advicesor referrals

2013 2014

95

28 21

132

Crime

Infringements

Debt

Family (1)

Consumer

Tenancy

All legal problems –cases and advices

Total: 181 16

85

4

24

11

13

14

Motor vehicle related

13

Other

Employment

10 11

CONNECTING STUDENTSThe LTSU Clubs & Societies program supported over 60 campus based clubs and faculty societies through:

• Administering and implementing a full affiliation program to ensure proper governance of clubs

• Financial assistance via administration of the club grants program

• Providing club executive training and materials on food safety and certification, responsible service of alcohol, risk assessment, bookkeeping, leadership skills, conflict resolution and delegation

• Facilitation of joint club events and festivals

2012 2013 2014number of Grants 164 205 270volume of Grants $29, 765 $56,752 $78,940

LTSU’s events team delivered an exciting calendar of social events at Bundoora Campus in 2014.

Orientation WeekLTSU is responsible for delivering the Orientation social program to ensure maximum engagement for first year students and an introduction into the social groups available to them.

Major events included Oh! Fest Music Festival, held on campus to an audience of over 1000 first year students, O Week bar night attended by 1700+, and an alcohol-free moonlight cinema event.

The Student Union Festival is a cornerstone event of Orientation week, and in 2014 it featured over 50 club and faculty society stalls for new students to meet and

join, an entertainment stage, and the LTSU marquee informing students of services available to them.

Activities ProgramOther major events in 2014 included the heavily attended mid and end of year Ex Parties (end of exam parties), Halloween party, LTSU Cruise, Battle of the Brain Trivia night and our consistent weekly Wednesday Acoustics sessions and monthly 90s nights.

In 2014 LTSU hosted the National Campus DJ Competition grand final at the Ex Party. State champions flew to Melbourne to compete at the event which was won by first-year La Trobe Melbourne student, Sam Bertuna. The National DJ Competition is a flagship event of the Australian Association of Campus Activities (AACA).

0

20000

2012 2013 2014

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000


no. hits (visits)

unique visitors

01020304050607080

A�liated clubs

0100200300400500600700800

Club events

2012 2013 2014

52 64 66

2012 2013 2014

384 510 709

0

10

20

30

40

50

60Hearings



0

500

1000

1500


2012 2013 2014

2012 2013 2014

60 59 15

2012 2013 2014

831 1028 1876

Audience numbers

2012 2013 2014

41,451 56,599 81,396

62,370

87,173

114,836

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

3015 2886 2673

0

100

200

300

400

500

147 88 147


cases


2013 2014

95

28 21

132

Crime

Infringements

Debt

Family (1)

Consumer

Tenancy


Total: 181 16

85

4

24

11

13

14


13

Other

Employment

0

20000

2012 2013 2014

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000


no. hits (visits)

unique visitors

01020304050607080

A�liated clubs

0100200300400500600700800

Club events

2012 2013 2014

52 64 66

2012 2013 2014

384 510 709

0

10

20

30

40

50

60Hearings



0

500

1000

1500


2012 2013 2014

2012 2013 2014

60 59 15

2012 2013 2014

831 1028 1876

Audience numbers

2012 2013 2014

41,451 56,599 81,396

62,370

87,173

114,836

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

3015 2886 2673

0

100

200

300

400

500

147 88 147


cases


2013 2014

95

28 21

132

Crime

Infringements

Debt

Family (1)

Consumer

Tenancy


Total: 181 16

85

4

24

11

13

14


13

Other

Employment

12 13

The StudioThe Activate season provided us with the first opportunity to showcase our newly refurbished performance space, The Studio. This small well-equipped theatre space will provide us with many more opportunities to facilitate student-made projects in the future.

Short Flicks Short Flicks is our annual filmmaking program where students are given the opportunity to make short films over the mid-year break. This year’s films covered a range of genres and had a very successful screening at ACMI in Federation Square.

2012 2013 2014no of Productions 18 19 19no of Performances 91 99 82

Student Theatre and Film run an annual program of events which give students the opportunity to direct, write, perform, crew and compose for stage and screen. Student Theatre and Film is managed by an Artistic Director and supported by an Office Coordinator and a range of casual staff and student volunteers.

Moat Festival La Trobe’s Moat Festival is the largest arts event on campus and has been held annually for nearly 30 years. 2014 had a diverse collection of theatrical works, both classic and contemporary, as well as a student film night and a day of outdoor happenings in the Agora.

CabaretThe annual Cabaret held at the end of first semester keeps getting better and better. This year’s theme was the seven deadly sins and it was a wonderful collaboration between singers, musicians and performers. Cabaret has been one of Student Theatre and Film’s most popular events over the past couple of years, with people filling the room each night to enjoy songs from some of the University’s most talented singers and musicians.

Short Works and ActivateWe always start second semester with a rush of projects. First up has always been our Short Works program of student written and directed plays. This was followed by a season of edgy contemporary plays that we are now calling our Activate season. This has replaced our off-campus season of plays and is now performed in various venues around the University. This year we continued our collaboration with La Trobe International with the project, A Different Sky, which featured students from eight different countries in a moving and at times hilarious account of their experiences as international students on this campus.

0

20000

2012 2013 2014

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000


no. hits (visits)

unique visitors

01020304050607080

A�liated clubs

0100200300400500600700800

Club events

2012 2013 2014

52 64 66

2012 2013 2014

384 510 709

0

10

20

30

40

50

60Hearings



0

500

1000

1500


2012 2013 2014

2012 2013 2014

60 59 15

2012 2013 2014

831 1028 1876

Audience numbers

2012 2013 2014

41,451 56,599 81,396

62,370

87,173

114,836

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

3015 2886 2673

0

100

200

300

400

500

147 88 147


cases


2013 2014

95

28 21

132

Crime

Infringements

Debt

Family (1)

Consumer

Tenancy


Total: 181 16

85

4

24

11

13

14


13

Other

Employment

14 15

LTSU ScholarshipsLTSU is committed to providing support to assist students in the successful completion of their studies. In 2014 we launched the LTSU Scholarships to help students with the costs associated with studying. The gold, silver and bronze scholarships combined are valued up to $6,300, and are paid to winners through a range of vouchers that assist with education and living expenses.

LTSU AwardsLTSU’s annual awards recognise excellence across the student body and acknowledge the dedication shown by many La Trobe University students to helping provide fellow students with an outstanding university experience in a supportive environment. Students who received awards in 2014 had made notable contributions across academic support and community building; and towards activities such as clubs, faculty societies, sporting clubs, and student theatre and film. The LTSU Teaching Award is a student-voted award; 2014 saw a 25% increase in student participation in the voting process.

LTSU Student Leadership Award – Giulia Portelli & Kar ina Quinn

LTSU Teaching Award – Dr. Michael Emmerling

International Student Award – Tu Thanh Tran

LTSU Clubs & Societies Award – La Trobe University Islamic Society

LTSU Faculty Society Award – Psych Society

LTSU Club Event of the Year – Psych Society ‘Psych Study Club & Peer Mentoring Program’

Sports Club Award – Mountaineering Club

Student Theatre Workshop Award – Clarisse Bonello

Geoffrey Milne Student Theatre Writing Award – Luke Jacobson

LTSU Regional Commitment Award – Stuart Walsh (Mildura Campus)

16 17

SUPPORTING STUDENTS

0

20000

2012 2013 2014

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000


no. hits (visits)

unique visitors

01020304050607080

A�liated clubs

0100200300400500600700800

Club events

2012 2013 2014

52 64 66

2012 2013 2014

384 510 709

0

10

20

30

40

50

60Hearings



0

500

1000

1500


2012 2013 2014

2012 2013 2014

60 59 15

2012 2013 2014

831 1028 1876

Audience numbers

2012 2013 2014

41,451 56,599 81,396

62,370

87,173

114,836

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

3015 2886 2673

0

100

200

300

400

500

147 88 147


cases


2013 2014

95

28 21

132

Crime

Infringements

Debt

Family (1)

Consumer

Tenancy


Total: 181 16

85

4

24

11

13

14


13

Other

Employment

The LTSU Second-hand Bookshop provides La Trobe University students with the opportunity to buy and sell second-hand text books. Offering both over the counter and online sales options with reimbursements to students made through a consignment system, the bookshop has grown exponentially since recording sales of $245 in 2009, its first year of operation. Regional students have access to the bookshop via the online sales system, with deliveries being transported through the internal mail. Regional students can also hand their book in for sale at their home campus.

In 2014, upgrades to our cataloguing system made the processing of books faster and more efficient.

Sale queues in peak times remained long but were reduced somewhat by these improvements. In late March 2014 we commenced selling a range of pens in the bookstore, which we hope to grow in the future. The welfare initiatives established in 2013 gathered pace in 2014, with hundreds of unsold books being passed on to families in need.

2012 2013 2014sales $ $176,500 $231,389 $259,453reimbursement $ $132,089 $149,506 $166,677no. of books sold 4,740 6080 5965

Office and Second-hand Bookshop

The Student Union Advocacy Service provides support and advocacy to coursework and higher degree research students at Bundoora, Shepparton and Mildura campuses. The service comprises a full-time Advocacy Coordinator, a .6 Higher Research Degree Advocate, and an advocate who divides their time evenly between coursework advocacy and policy support to the office bearer team – a role created in March 2014.

Casework AdvocacyCasework activity has increased during 2014. Increased levels of service in Remission and Refund applications and Academic Progress related issues are noteworthy. We recorded a small fall in the numbers of students seeking advice in respect of Academic Misconduct allegations attributable to fewer recorded cases of examination centre breaches.

Academic Integrity Statute and procedures The LTSU welcomed the development and completion of a replacement statute for the Academic Misconduct Statute 2009 provisionally entitled in a draft form as the Academic Integrity Statute 2014. Many of the key elements of this statute meet recommendations made by the 2012 office bearer group designed to meet industry sector standards and community expectations in respect of a ‘fair hearing’ and appropriate appeal provisions. The LTSU is participating in the advisory group formulating supporting Academic Integrity policies and procedures.

Research The work of the Research/Policy Officer has greatly enhanced the Student Union’s capacity to respond to and influence university policy, and to advocate for the implementation of student-centred policies.

These policies include the introduction of a campus bus to improve students’ safety and mobility for the disabled, a more streamlined approach to bullying and discrimination, assessment, and a critique of the Future Ready strategy. Much of this policy work is rooted in casework however an increasing awareness of the importance of policy research has encouraged the development of a more professional approach to committee work by the LTSU.

Postgraduate support programsIn 2014, the LTSU continued to support postgraduate students through the elected student representatives, and a part-time Postgraduate Student Advocate.

The elected Postgraduate Officer and Student Advocate sat as members of the La Trobe University Graduate Research School (GRS) working group which met throughout 2014 to provide insight and feedback to the review and recommendations for the development of the University’s new Graduate Research School. LTSU convened two focus groups of approximately 10 and 20 HDR students to elicit feedback for the new GRS.

Other support for postgraduate students included:

• conductingongoingadvocacycaseworkforpostgraduate students

• runningweeklyinformaldrop-insessionsinNovember and December to provide additional support for research students

• organisingsocialeventsspecificallyforpostgraduatestudents

• holdingeducationalsessionsforpostgraduatestudents on referencing and avoiding plagiarism, writing a CV and job interview skills.

0

20000

2012 2013 2014

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000


no. hits (visits)

unique visitors

01020304050607080

A�liated clubs

0100200300400500600700800

Club events

2012 2013 2014

52 64 66

2012 2013 2014

384 510 709

0

10

20

30

40

50

60Hearings



0

500

1000

1500


2012 2013 2014

2012 2013 2014

60 59 15

2012 2013 2014

831 1028 1876

Audience numbers

2012 2013 2014

41,451 56,599 81,396

62,370

87,173

114,836

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

3015 2886 2673

0

100

200

300

400

500

147 88 147


cases


2013 2014

95

28 21

132

Crime

Infringements

Debt

Family (1)

Consumer

Tenancy


Total: 181 16

85

4

24

11

13

14


13

Other

Employment

18 19

Tax Help is a free, confidential service, and involves over 1,200 trained community volunteers throughout Australia offering help and guidance to low income taxpayers when completing their tax returns. LTSU offers a Tax Help centre at La Trobe University Bundoora Campus from July to October, using the services of student volunteers who have been trained and accredited by the Australian Taxation Office.

The LTSU Student Legal Service continued to be provided under a partnership arrangement with West Heidelberg Community Legal Centre (WHCLC). Our Agreement with WHCLC was novated with effect from July 1st, 2014 when that organisation merged with Banyule Community Health (BCH).

Under our Agreement, LTSU contracts and funds BCH to provide the legal service at the LTSU. BCH supports the LTSU legal service by providing legal practice supervision, compliance and risk management oversight as well as general legal practice and file management. The service is provided for 3 days per week during academic semester, and 1 day per week outside semester, with the exception of a 4 week shutdown from mid-December to mid-January.

In addition to the case work, advice and referrals described below, the Student Legal Service undertook community legal education work in the form of:

Tax Help

Student Legal Service• AseriesofarticlesforRabelaisonlawaroundTraffic,

Sexual Harassment, Consumer and employment matters

• “YourRightsatHome”and“YourRightsatWork”campaigns conducted in the Agora, with quiz materials, information sheets and verbal advice provided to students on both these matters

• AwebinarandPowerpointpresentationontenancyrights prepared for La Trobe International

Resources produced as part of these education campaigns have been posted on the Student Legal Service webpage of the LTSU website, where they can be accessed by the general La Trobe student community.

Information gathered through the year from students about tenancy problems formed the basis of a submission by the Student Legal Service to Darebin Council, outlining concerns at the practices of a number of unregistered rooming houses providing accommodation to international students within the City of Darebin.

0

20000

2012 2013 2014

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000


no. hits (visits)

unique visitors

01020304050607080

A�liated clubs

0100200300400500600700800

Club events

2012 2013 2014

52 64 66

2012 2013 2014

384 510 709

0

10

20

30

40

50

60Hearings



0

500

1000

1500


2012 2013 2014

2012 2013 2014

60 59 15

2012 2013 2014

831 1028 1876

Audience numbers

2012 2013 2014

41,451 56,599 81,396

62,370

87,173

114,836

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

3015 2886 2673

0

100

200

300

400

500

147 88 147


cases


2013 2014

95

28 21

132

Crime

Infringements

Debt

Family (1)

Consumer

Tenancy


Total: 181 16

85

4

24

11

13

14


13

Other

Employment

0

20000

2012 2013 2014

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000


no. hits (visits)

unique visitors

01020304050607080

A�liated clubs

0100200300400500600700800

Club events

2012 2013 2014

52 64 66

2012 2013 2014

384 510 709

0

10

20

30

40

50

60Hearings



0

500

1000

1500


2012 2013 2014

2012 2013 2014

60 59 15

2012 2013 2014

831 1028 1876

Audience numbers

2012 2013 2014

41,451 56,599 81,396

62,370

87,173

114,836

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

3015 2886 2673

0

100

200

300

400

500

147 88 147


cases


2013 2014

95

28 21

132

Crime

Infringements

Debt

Family (1)

Consumer

Tenancy


Total: 181 16

85

4

24

11

13

14


13

Other

Employment

0

20000

2012 2013 2014

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000


no. hits (visits)

unique visitors

01020304050607080

A�liated clubs

0100200300400500600700800

Club events

2012 2013 2014

52 64 66

2012 2013 2014

384 510 709

0

10

20

30

40

50

60Hearings



0

500

1000

1500


2012 2013 2014

2012 2013 2014

60 59 15

2012 2013 2014

831 1028 1876

Audience numbers

2012 2013 2014

41,451 56,599 81,396

62,370

87,173

114,836

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

3015 2886 2673

0

100

200

300

400

500

147 88 147


cases


2013 2014

95

28 21

132

Crime

Infringements

Debt

Family (1)

Consumer

Tenancy


Total: 181 16

85

4

24

11

13

14


13

Other

Employment

0

20000

2012 2013 2014

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000


no. hits (visits)

unique visitors

01020304050607080

A�liated clubs

0100200300400500600700800

Club events

2012 2013 2014

52 64 66

2012 2013 2014

384 510 709

0

10

20

30

40

50

60Hearings



0

500

1000

1500


2012 2013 2014

2012 2013 2014

60 59 15

2012 2013 2014

831 1028 1876

Audience numbers

2012 2013 2014

41,451 56,599 81,396

62,370

87,173

114,836

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

3015 2886 2673

0

100

200

300

400

500

147 88 147


cases


2013 2014

95

28 21

132

Crime

Infringements

Debt

Family (1)

Consumer

Tenancy


Total: 181 16

85

4

24

11

13

14


13

Other

Employment

0

20

40

60

80

100

2012 2013 2014

75 100 74

Tax help consultations with students

Key statistics

20 21

MILDURA STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION (MSA)The Mildura Students’ Association (MSA) is the student representative body of the Mildura Campus of La Trobe University. MSA provides opportunities for social interaction for students, promotes social, cultural, educational and recreational activities, and contributes to the welfare of Mildura students.

In 2014 the MSA:

• Heldawiderangeofsocialandorientationactivities,and campaign based activities such as the Rainbow Day and Diversity Day lunches

• Providedsupportforvisualartsstudents’graduateexhibitions

• FundedtheColinBarrieAwardtothebestvisualartsstudent in their third year

• Continuedtoprovidesuppliesforthestudentkitchen on campus

2012 2013 2014Major events 17 24 18

SHEPPARTON STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION (SSA)The Shepparton Students’ Association (SSA) is the student representative body of the Shepparton Campus of La Trobe University. SSA facilitates student community and interaction on the Shepparton campus through social, educational, and cultural events. It provides recreational activities and works to support students through welfare initiatives.

In 2014, SSA’s Membership program attracted 63 members, at an annual fee of $20. The organisation held 34 events, including the annual Gala Ball, to Kids on Campus Day, Market Day, BBQs and Breakfasts on Campus. SSA donated $1000 to the Wishing Tree Appeal, and also contributed $1500 a Green Scheme Keep Cup program initiated by students at the local campus.

2012 2013 2014Major events 35 35 34

Mature Aged Students Organisation (MASO)The newly formed Mature Aged Students Organisation was promoted on campus during 2014, and attracted significant interest from mature aged students. Several social events were held. Plans are underway to renovate the MASO space on campus early in 2015, with the support of capital funding from the University. This will create a much more inviting and functional space for both mature aged students and other student groups on campus.

ASSOCIATED BODIESINTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION (ISA)The International Students’ Association (ISA) supports international students enrolled at La Trobe University with representation and advocacy of their interests. It promotes social, educational and cultural activities and helps work towards a better understanding amongst domestic and international students. ISA membership is

free and open to any person who entered Australia with a student visa and who is currently enrolled in a course at La Trobe University.

In 2014, Student Council revised the ISA Regulations to restructure the ISA Committee and its operations. Planning is underway to renovate the ISA space in Upper Agora East in early 2015, with the support of capital funding from the University.

22 23

2012 2013 2014

2012 2013 2014

Tax help program volunteers trained by australian Tax office

5 2 1

Tax help consultations with students

75 100 74

Rabelais

no. editions 8 8 6no. students writing articles per edition per year

Avg 12 per edition*

26 15

distribution per edition 1900 2000 2000

Annual elections

no. nominations for office

114 133 186

no. votes cast 1898 2590 2866

Mildura Student Association

no. events 17 24 18

Shepparton Student Association

no. members 86 60 63no. events 35 35 34

LTS U F U N D I N G AG R E E M E N T A N D A N N UA L R E P O R T S TAT I S T I C SSTATISTICS 2014

2012 2013 2014Website

no. website hits 62,370 87,173 114,836no. unique visitors 41,451 56,599 81,396

ISA

no. members 978 1248 343no. activities 9 8 7Average attendance – trips

40 40 40

Average attendance – seminars

45 45 45

AdvocacyPersonal consultations 831 1028 1876Hearings attended 60 59 15

Postgrad program

no. seminars held in the year

4 6 10

no. attending / linking by video conferencing to each seminar

Avg 10 Avg 30 Avg 50

no. social / networking events

3 9 21

no. attending each event

Avg 25 43 Avg 50

2012 2013 2014Secondhand Bookshop total sales

number of books consigned for sale

5,436 5881 5849

number of books sold 4,740 6080 5965sales amount $176,500 $231,389 $259,453reimbursement amount

$132,089 $149,506 $166,677

% of online sales 22% 22% 23.75%

Student Theatre & Film

no. productions 18 19 19no. performances 91 99 82

Student Legal Service(Note: 2013 service commenced operation from May, under new partnership with West Heidelberg Community Legal Centre )

no. consultations with students

N/A 123 153

Total no. students seeking legal advice

147 88 147

students attending for signature of statutory declarations

463 96 30

Membership program

Total no. members 4051 3792 3915staff members included in total

255 251 242

Major events

oh Fest – music festival – 1100 1050orientation Thursday bar night

1869 students plus

80 guests

1800 1720

orientation student Union Festival

3000+ estimate

3000+ 3000+

ex Party I 1450 1800 1450

ex Party II 1280 1500 1290

back to Uni bar night (semester 2)

– 1400 1500+

Pre-exams Halloween party

– 1800 900

Clubs and Societies

no. affiliated clubs 52 63 66no. individual grants to clubs

164 205 270

no. club events promoted on LTsU website

384 510 709

no. students attending club events given grants

4164 5139

no. club members** 3007 3179 3595

** member numbers listed are a minimum number. Clubs are required to submit a membership list of a minimum 10 members for affiliation. Many clubs submit the minimum to avoid excessive administration; however they consist of much larger membership numbers.

2014 SUMMARY OF KEY STATISTICS

OFFICE BEARERSRefer list of 2014 Office Bearers on p7

NUS Delegates Helen Morrison, Rose Steele, Nathan Robertson, Lisa-Maree Goff, Sebastian Horey, Angus Middleton, Emily Feigan

Student Council General MembersAllysa Tully, Caitlin Maher-Gale, James Ottaway, Bethel Belay, Jamal Blakkarly, Jack Aquilina, Emily Feigan

Activities Committee Esther Hoang-Le, Mitchell Pether, Jacob Amataya, Nucharegnat Wiratpruk, Mary Thu Thi Ngoc Nguyen

Postgraduate CommitteeTathagat Saroop, Aarti Nagpal, Rochelle Tixeina, Royston D’Souza, Renuka Menon

ASSOCIATES

International Students AssociationPresident ......... Eshan Arya

Jessica Samuel elected President at 2014 AGM

Mildura Students AssociationPresident ......... Marie Hopton,

then Stephanie Rochester

Stuart Walsh elected President at 2014 AGM

Shepparton Students AssociationPresident ......... Ben Moyle

Russell Taylor elected President at 2014 AGM

STUDENT UNION STAFFGeneral Manager ........................................................Peter Hughes

Advocacy Coordinator ......................................... Howard Wilson

Advocate/Research Officer ........................................Kat Nordern

Advocate (Postgraduate) ................................... Dr Heidi Ellemor

Finance Coordinator .................................................. Elissa Khoury

Assistant Finance Officer ......................................Belinda O’Lynn

Office and Bookshop Coordinator ........................... Louise Newton Keogh

Bookshop and Reception Support Officer ....................................... Kylie Neilson

Reception ..................................................................Lisa Huntington

Operations Supervisor ............................................. Leanne Innes

Clubs and Societies Officer .............................Jennifer Sheridan

Activities, Events, and Volunteers Officer ....................................................Tyler Cameron

Graphic Designer ....................................................Nicole Johnson

Student Legal Officer ..............................................Chelsea Candy

Student Theatre and Film Artistic Director ...............................................................Bob Pavlich

Student Theatre and Film Office Administrator .................................................. Sonia Di Iorio

ISA Coordinator ...........................................................Yan (Sean) Xu

MSA Support Officer ................................................ Rohan Morris, then Rosina Byrne

SSA Support Officer ................................................Melissa Beaton

LTsU would like to acknowledge the vital contributions made to our operations by our student casual staff and volunteers.

2014

For core office bearers please see page 7.

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES CLUBS & SOCIETIES

STUDENT THEATRE AND FILM PRODUCTIONS

I N T E R N A T I O N A L S T U D E N T S ’ A S S O C I A T I O N

SERVICES MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNTS

MA T U R E - A G E S T U D E N T S ’ O R G A N I S A T I O N

P O S T G R A D U A T E S T U D E N T S U P P O R T

ACTIVISM RIGHTS EDUCATION WELFARE ADVOCACY

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ltsu annual report, 2014

Documents