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About WUSA

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Demand Student Control of Student Affairs!

What is WUSA?

The Wollongong Undergraduate Students Association (WUSA) is a democratic, student-run union that exists to defend and extend students' rights on campus and in broader society. When standing together, students are powerful enough to resist decisions made by the Uni and the Government that are not in our interests. WUSA has existed for over 30 years to continuously involve students in campaigns that protect and further our rights.

Why Unions Matter

The introduction of Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) and WorkChoices by the Howard Government is seriously undermining the rights of students and workers. The Government has introduced these attacks (and the administration at UoW has willingly complied) to weaken and silence unions, because it knows that strong unions and student organisations can successfully resist government policies that we don’t support.

It is clear that the Uni and the Howard Government do not want input from those their policies directly affect; otherwise they would be supporting student unions (our collective voice), not attacking them.

The ongoing privatisation of higher education has meant that the cost of studying has been forced onto individuals. And because people have vastly different financial capacities, this means unequal access to Uni. But changing the unfair policies of the Government is not as simple as pointing this out. We have to force the government to act fairly and in our interest by demanding change together; as a union.

The Victories of WUSA and Students

When students unite and fight for their rights collectively, we can have a massive impact here in Wollongong, nationally and throughout the world. For example:

  • Students were central to the movement that forced Australia out of the Vietnam War and successfully demanded an end to conscription.
  • In 1994, when the Keating government tried to make Youth Allowance a loan, student unions around Australia fought together and prevented it from happening.
  • When UoW decided to axe the Indigenous Health Degree, indigenous activists, in conjunction with the Student Union, set up and operated an Aboriginal Tent Faculty outside the Vice Chancellor's office. This put so much pressure on the Uni that it caved in and not only reinstated the degree but agreed to fund an Aboriginal Education Centre.
  • When UoW administration refused to provide a safe queer space (despite its knowledge of death threats to queer students on campus), activists ran a sustained campaign against the Uni that gained local, national and international media attention and support. Despite riot police being called in by the Uni, students remained committed and eventually forced the Uni to provide a safe space for queer students on campus.

What WUSA Stands For

In recent years, students have come together at WUSA to campaign for:

  • The right to an education in a safe and discrimination-free environment. That is why WUSA opposes all forms of racism, sexism and queerphobia on campus and throughout the world.
  • Money for education, not warfare. The Australian government is currently spending $19.6 billion a year on war, while only providing $5.36 billion for higher education.
  • The repeal of WorkChoices, AWA's, VSU and "Welfare to Work", as they are all explicit attacks on the rights of students at Uni and at work. Ninety-six percent of students at UoW will work while studying, many of whom will hold positions with little job security and few rights.
  • Increasing the Youth Allowance rate. As it stands, the maximum amount a student can receive (including rent assistance) is $197.30 a week, while the poverty line for singles is $333.45.
  • Student Control of Student Affairs, where students can have a direct say [over] the way their Uni is run and have their opinions heard on issues that are most relevant to them.

Get Involved!

WUSA is your union and the voice for your rights. That is why we want all members to not just join but also get involved and active in campaigns. WUSA is directed by all those who want to have a say in how our union is run. All members' opinions are of equal value, with all decisions being made in an open, democratic and accountable way. WUSA provides a way for students to organise and campaign around important issues through collectives. Open to all, these groups democratically decide what campaigns we run and the most effective way we can defend and extend our rights.

Campus Collectives:

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