Voluntary student unionism ( VSU ), as it is known in Australia, or voluntary student membership ( VSM ), as it is known in New Zealand, is a policy under which membership of – and payment of membership fees to – university student organisations is voluntary.
105-509: The University of Melbourne Student Union (UMSU) is one of two student organisations at the University of Melbourne , Australia . UMSU, incorporated as University of Melbourne Student Union, Inc. ( UMSU ) provides representation and services for all current students and the University of Melbourne. Following the liquidation of its predecessor, The Melbourne University Student Union (MUSU), UMSU
210-516: A financial surplus. Between 2013 and 2015 Davis introduced a wide-reaching restructure of the university's administration, labelled the Business Improvement Program, which led to the sacking of 500 administrative staff and some administrative responsibilities being transferred to academic staff. At the same time in the ten years to 2018 the university embarked on a large capital works program, spending $ 2 billion on new buildings across
315-462: A general bachelor's degree before specialising in either a professional or research graduate course. The introduction of the model, influenced by North American academia and the Bologna process , was controversial among students and staff. Various groups, including trade and student unions, academics, and some students criticised the introduction of the new structure, citing job and subject cuts, and
420-552: A large capital works program by the university, which included the demolition of the Student Union Building and the creation of a new student precinct on the south-east corner of the Parkville campus. In June 2021, a new speech policy was implemented with the stated purpose of protecting transgender individuals within the university while preserving freedom of speech principles for staff and students. In 2023, windows of
525-726: A large number of inquorate meetings, the Working Group instituted a drop-off rule. The Working Group persisted until mid-2005, when the final draft of the Constitution was presented to the Council of the University. In September 1052 out of 1240 students voted in favour of accepting the new constitution. The Constitution itself was largely based on the MUSU Constitution, with a number of innovations, including affirmative action provisions, pay-parity and strict accountability mechanisms curbing
630-399: A learning precinct in horticultural education in 1891. At the campus, students are offered short courses, associate degrees, post-graduate studies, and research. Specifically, training for urban landscape management, landscape design and production, park management, turf management, nursery and cut flower production, and arboriculture are all specialisations of the campus. The Creswick campus
735-578: A natural bush reserve. Agriculture students are able to access the city campus in addition to a semester at the Dookie campus. Subjects in agriculture, science, commerce, and environments are available at the campus. The Shepparton Medical Centre campus is located in Shepparton, nearly 200 km north of Melbourne. The campus is part of the Melbourne Medical School, and the Shepparton base is home to
840-602: A newly established ticket run by international students and former StandUp! office bearers. 2012 saw the union criticised for the decision to not lay a $ 200 wreath at the ANZAC dawn service, with President Mark Kettle stating that "participating in the ANZAC Day service would be ‘glorifying war’". There was also a publication in a major daily newspaper that student resources had been used to support "a live and extreme sex show performed on campus for "sex education" purposes." 2013 again saw
945-554: A number of former campuses, including Glenormiston (now Glenormiston College ), Longerenong (now Longerenong College ), McMillan (based in Leongatha and Warragul ) and the Werribee-based Gilbert Chandler Campus . Governance of the university is grounded in an act of parliament, the University of Melbourne Act 2009. The peak governing body is the "Council" the key responsibilities of which include appointing
1050-594: A pay parity provision in its constitution which stipulates that all full-time officers must be paid an equal wage and that all part-time officers be paid at a .6 fraction of the full-time rate of pay. The Burnley Campus Coordinator is paid at .5 fraction of the full-time rate of pay and the Southbank Activities and Southbank Education Officers are paid at .6 fraction of the full-time rate of pay. Elections for positions within UMSU are determined through direct election during
1155-525: A property deal was entered into with Optima Property Development Group. A draft report from auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers warned in June 2003 that this could potentially create obligations beyond MUSUi's capacity to pay. The deal was for MUSUi to sublease student apartments to international students from the Optima Group. It did not proceed. On 30 September 2003, Vice-Chancellor Alan Gilbert informed MUSUi that
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#17330926767531260-482: A referendum of students. Only students at the University of Auckland voted to enact VSM, affecting membership of the Auckland University Students' Association . Consequently, students enrolled since that vote go without membership in the student association unless they become aware of it, find out how to join, and afford the fees without the option of having it included in their student loan. Students at
1365-525: A result became a transformative period for the university. In 1940, the first issue of Historical Studies: Australia and New Zealand , now Australian Historical Studies , was published by the Department of History. Expansion of the university increased significantly during the 1980s and 1990s, as the university amalgamated with a number of tertiary colleges. In 1988 the Melbourne Teachers' College
1470-463: A risk of "dumbing down" content. A group of students produced a satirical musical about the model's adoption. A dean from Monash University rejected the model and argued it led to a reduction in student applications to the University of Melbourne. The University of Western Australia is the only other Australian university to adopt the structure. Davis also introduced reforms to university governance, making faculty deans more responsible for producing
1575-544: A significant loss of funding for the union, as the ASF was no longer charged from 1 July 2006. On 11 October 2011 the SSAF was introduced which led to a large increase in funding to the Union, though not as high as in the pre-VSU era. In 2014 the Union was allocated just under $ 4.5 Million by the University, or 34% of the total SSAF revenue collected. The union funds a range of services including:
1680-500: A special grant of £20,000 was made for buildings that year. The foundation stone was laid on 3 July 1854, and on the same day the foundation stone for the State Library. Classes commenced in 1855 with three professors, all of whom, like the founding University Chancellor, Redmond Barry , were from Ireland. There were sixteen students; of this body of students only four graduated. The original buildings were officially opened by
1785-565: A toxic workplace culture within the Faculty of Arts were aired, with a number of senior staff leaving their positions. At the same time, there was controversy over the high salaries earned by the Vice Chancellor, with Davis earning $ 1.5 million in 2019, the most of any university head in Australia. Like other Australian Universities, an extraordinary growth in international students took place at
1890-520: Is a public research university located in Melbourne , Australia. Founded in 1853, it is Australia's second oldest university and the oldest in Victoria . Its main campus is located in Parkville , an inner suburb north of Melbourne's central business district , with several other campuses located across Victoria . Incorporated in the 19th century by the colony of Victoria , the University of Melbourne
1995-555: Is currently in the design phase. Construction on stage one of the campus is expected to start in 2024 with a planned opening in 2026. The site is 7.2 hectares, and will be used by the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology (FEIT) and the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning (ABP). The site is located in a renewal area set aside for industry and technology by the Victoria State Government . The university had
2100-544: Is home to research and teaching for the Melbourne Veterinary School. Recently the campus undertook an AU$ 63 million redevelopment to enhance facilities for pet treatment and the training of future veterinarians at the University of Melbourne. Victoria's only accredited veterinary course is based at The University of Melbourne, at both the Werribee and Parkville campuses. A new engineering campus at Fishermans Bend
2205-557: Is located within the township of Creswick, 120 km north-west of Melbourne. It is situated on 15 hectares of land, in is also connected native and plantation forests. Accommodation is available at the campus to members of the University of Melbourne's student cohorts and teaching staff when engaged at Creswick. Creswick campus has been offering forest science education since 1910, and is Australia's only dedicated forest ecosystem science campus, which focuses on forest industry, conservation, and molecular biology research. Scientists based at
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#17330926767532310-630: Is on the ground floor of the Student Union. The Guild Theatre is on Level 1. Over 200 student-run clubs and societies are affiliated to UMSU, which supports these organisations though financial grants and administrative assistance. The groups affiliated with UMSU range from the Fotoholics - Photography Club to the Pirates, but the largest and most notable of these societies are the faculty clubs (Arts' Students Society & Science Students' Society) which have
2415-598: Is one of Australia's six sandstone universities and a member of the Group of Eight , Universitas 21 , Washington University's McDonnell International Scholars Academy, and the Association of Pacific Rim Universities . Since 1872, many independent residential colleges have become affiliated with the university, providing accommodation for students and faculty, and academic, sporting and cultural programs. There are nine colleges and five university-owned halls of residence located on
2520-624: Is one of Victoria's oldest student organisations, founded in 1876. MUDS holds weekly debating competitions, as well as larger annual invitational competitions for other universities in the lead-up to the World Universities Debating Championships, and the Australasian Intervarsity Debating Championships. Historically, the University of Melbourne has been very successful, hosting the 1993 World Universities Debating Championship, and making it to
2625-407: Is seen by some as a form of forced unionisation, contrary to freedom of association . Alternatively it may be seen as being required to belong to a professional organisation, in which case it would merely be a means of ensuring standards. Opponents of VSU argue that it silences students' voices by removing universal membership of a student organisation. A common thread in the argument against VSU
2730-542: Is the largest union to affiliate to NUS. Due to this, at the yearly National Conference of NUS in December, UMSU is the most represented student organisation. UMSU holds 7 delegate positions, and a grand total of 182 votes on conference floor. The election of NUS Delegates is undertaken during the general elections in early September of each year. The Constitution of UMSU was drafted by a Student Representative Working Group, members of whom were elected in 2004 by electronic ballot;
2835-403: Is the notion of a campus culture, or the university experience. University has traditionally been a time of broadening horizons, socialising, and political activism. Opponents argue that VSU makes it more difficult for students to have high quality sports grounds, lively music and social venues, and the resources necessary to mount protests and political campaigns, leading to moribund campuses. This
2940-622: The Australian Union of Students , which ran a number of overtly progressive campaigns (for example, in support of the Palestine Liberation Organization ), led to a conservative minority within that organisation to call for voluntary student organisation membership. Following its election in 1996, the Howard Government signalled its intention to introduce VSU. It tried to pass legislation to this effect several times in
3045-529: The Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee (AVCC), were generally in support of membership and compulsory fees for student organisations for three broad reasons. First, they prefer to leave service provision in the hands of students; second, the activities associated with campus organisations help to market the universities to prospective students; and third, they view student unions as valid representative bodies. The Australian National University ,
3150-507: The COVID-19 pandemic . The majority of teaching was moved to online delivery during the first semester. Like many other institutions and workplaces, university faculty members elected to use telecommunication platforms such as Zoom Video Communications , Microsoft Teams , or Skype to conduct live tutorials and provide interactive online learning experiences as a result of the suspension of face-to-face teaching during this time period. In 2020
3255-555: The Colleges . Faculty theatre clubs include the Law and Medical Revues. Theatre clubs from culturally diverse backgrounds include Chinese and Sri Lankan theatre groups. There are seven notable faculty clubs at the University of Melbourne: The Melbourne Arts Students' Society, The Science Students' Society, The Engineering Students' Club, The Commerce Students' Society, The Biomedicine Students' Society, The Environments Students' Society (ENVi), and
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3360-536: The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences . The university is a part-owner of the Melbourne Business School , based at Parkville campus, which ranked 46th in the 2012 Financial Times global rankings. A new campus located in Fishermans Bend is currently under planning, and construction may commence 2026. It will be used by the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology (FEIT) and
3465-535: The Melbourne Business School , the Melbourne Law School , the Melbourne Veterinary School, and the Melbourne Medical School . Four Australian prime ministers and five governors-general have graduated from the University of Melbourne. Nine Nobel Laureates have taught, studied and researched at the University of Melbourne, the most of any Australian university. The University of Melbourne
3570-456: The Parliament . Despite opposition, Education Minister Nelson insisted that the legislation would pass unamended and come into force as of 1 January 2006. By October 2005, however, it became apparent that it would not be possible to implement VSU in time for the new academic year. On 9 December 2005, the legislation was reintroduced. Due to the decision of Joyce to cross the floor and vote against
3675-691: The Rowden White library ; the Student Union Advocacy and Legal Service; the campus information centre; the Union House Theater, Clubs and Societies, Farrago , Student Representation and common areas in Union House. This allocation also covers staff salaries, and office bearer honorariums. UMSU additionally collects a small amount of revenue from event ticket sales, AV and BBQ hire, sponsorship and other sources. The University of Melbourne Union
3780-620: The Southbank campus. Veterinary science is taught at the Werribee campus. In regional Victoria, the Creswick and Dookie campuses are used for forestry and agriculture courses respectively. They previously housed several hundred residential students, but are now largely used for short courses and research. The Shepparton campus is home to the Rural Health Academic Centre for
3885-410: The University of New South Wales , the University of Sydney , the University of Queensland , the University of Newcastle and the University of Adelaide have provided funding to their respective student unions, subject to various conditions. Compulsory student organisation membership was initially accepted as uncontentious by all political persuasions. By the 1970s, the overtly political nature of
3990-494: The University of Waikato enacted VSM, but later returned to universal student membership, when a referendum was held during study week. In October 2009, Heather Roy 's Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill was drawn from the ballot. The bill was greatly delayed due to a large number of public submissions (4837 in total, including 132 oral submissions), necessitating the Select Committee stage to be extended from
4095-859: The Working Dog crew. Several Members of Parliament were active within the MUSU, including Sir Robert Menzies (former Australian Prime Minister ), Lindsay Tanner (Member for Melbourne ) and Sophie Mirabella (Former Member for Indi). The Union Theatre, also known as the Union House Theatre, was founded around 1953, along with the Union Theatre Repertory Company . A large number of notable Australian performers, writers and other notable people did some of their earliest work there, including Cate Blanchett , Barry Humphries , Steve Vizard , Barrie Kosky , Graeme Blundell , and Germaine Greer . It
4200-459: The "somewhat precipitative" timing of civil court proceedings, which McVeigh quickly settled out of court after much adverse publicity about his own fees and expenses believed to total more than $ 8 million prior to producing a liquidator's report and convening a meeting of creditors. The downfall of MUSU was satirised by the Union Players in the play Friday Night at the Union in 2004. Following
4305-409: The 1890s and the discovery of a significant fraud by a university registrar in 1901, the university continued to expand during this period. This growth included the construction of several buildings between 1900 and 1906. Such growth was facilitated largely through an increased government funding allocation, and the coinciding university led funding campaign. To accompany the training dentists received by
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4410-570: The 1990s, with the Victorian College of the Arts affiliation with the University of Melbourne in 1992. This increased the number of campuses for the University of Melbourne. In 2001, the Melbourne School of Population Health was established, the first of its kind in Australia, and continued the growth of the university. Work at the centre involved contributions from many disciplines, ranging from
4515-565: The 2004 annual election, a coalition between the Liberal Club and the Labor Right was defeated by a cooperative left made up of National Labor Students (ALP Club), Socialist Alternative , and a group of progressive students who are not involved in other politics called Activate. The positions won by the left groups were for an interim student representative committee established by the university to oversee student representation and advocacy until
4620-527: The 2016 election, the UMSU constitution has applied Affirmative Action to the election of positions held by more than one representative. This mandates that in all Office Bearer positions, at least 50% of elected representatives must identify as a woman, with the Women's Department having to elect at least one officer that identifies as a Woman of Colour. This is extended to Students Council and department committees, which must elect women into 50%+1 of all positions. In
4725-939: The ALP Club ( Labor Left ), Labor ( Labor Right ), Greens , Socialist Alternative and Solidarity , as well as clubs representing Amnesty International and the Political Interest Society . A number of activist campaign groups are affiliated to the student union, including the Campus Refugee Rights Club and the Australian Youth Climate Coalition . As of 2023, there are 43 cultural and linguistic clubs. Out of those, there are 29 Asian cultural and linguistic clubs, 4 Middle Eastern cultural and linguistic clubs, 5 European cultural and linguistic clubs, 1 African club and 4 broader cultural and linguistic clubs. The Melbourne University Debating Society
4830-771: The Burnley Campus Coordinator; the Southbank Campus Coordinators; the Southbank Activities Officer, and the Southbank Education Officer. Aside from the positions of President, General Secretary, the campus coordinator of Burnley, the Southbank Activities Officer and the Southbank Education officer, all other offices can be shared between two people. The Media Office must be shared between three or four people. UMSU has
4935-441: The Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning (ABP). The Parkville campus is the primary campus of the university. Originally established in a large area north of Grattan Street in Parkville , the campus has expanded well beyond its boundaries, with many of its newly acquired buildings located in the nearby suburb of Carlton . The university is undertaking an "ambitious infrastructure program" to reshape campuses. The campus
5040-583: The Grand Final of the 2003 WUDC. Additionally, MUDS were the champions of the 2019 Australasian Intervarsity Debating Championships. The Society also hosts Public Debates, and is one of the largest student groups on campus. As of 2021, there are 35 special interest clubs including Unimelb Love Letters and the Bullet Journal and Stationery Club. The student union had been funded by compulsory Amenities and Services Fees since 1911. The introduction of VSU saw
5145-713: The Lieutenant Governor of the Colony of Victoria, Sir Charles Hotham , on 3 October 1855. A law school was established in 1857 at the Parkville campus, following which a Faculty of Engineering and School of Medicine were established in 1861 and 1862 respectively. The university's residential colleges were first opened on the northern aspect of the campus in 1872, divided between the four main Christian denominations. The first chancellor, Redmond Barry (later Sir Redmond), held
5250-566: The Melbourne Dental Hospital, a School of Dentistry was established to teach the scientific basis of dentistry at the university. Agriculture was established in 1911 following the appointment of the State Director of Agriculture as the first professor. During this period the university became a notable site for research, emerging as a leader in Australia. Following World War II the demand for higher education increased rapidly, and as
5355-457: The Music Students' Society (MSS). All clubs run events throughout the year aimed at integrating new students into university life, running social activities and liaising between the faculties and the current students to enable and encourage their studies and enable opportunities for future employment. Political clubs in 2020 include Melbourne International Relations Society (MIRS) Liberals ,
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#17330926767535460-700: The New Student Precinct in 2022. UMSU is now housed across neighbouring buildings in the precinct, with most of the organisation residing in Building 168 (formerly Doug McDonell Building). Union House Theatre and George Paton Gallery are now located in the Arts & Cultural Building, while the Rowden White Library can be found in the Student Pavillion. From 2002, some of the union's unprofitable commercial services were terminated, including U-Bar, and
5565-533: The Shepparton Rural Clinical School. It provides fully furnished, subsidized, self-catered student on site at the Clinical School. The University of Melbourne Shepparton Medical Centre was the first purpose built teaching clinic in Australia, and services Shepparton and surrounds with comprehensive primary healthcare. The Werribee campus is located about 30 km south west of the city, and
5670-745: The Southbank Campus, and Students of Colour . At the 2022 election, no nominations were received for the position of Indigenous Representative. Several Members of Parliament were active within Melbourne University student life, including Sir Robert Menzies (former Australian Prime Minister ), Gareth Evans (former Australian Foreign Minister), Lindsay Tanner (former Member for Melbourne ), Michael Danby (former Member for Melbourne Ports), Richard Marles (Deputy Prime Minister of Australia), Alan Tudge (Member for Aston), and Sophie Mirabella (former Member for Indi). Notable past presidents include: University of Melbourne The University of Melbourne (colloquially known as Melbourne University )
5775-423: The Student Union. Their tenure in 2009 was highlighted by difficulties in passing budgetary support towards the National Union of Students and Students for Palestine organisations. 2009 saw nearly all major elected positions won by a Labour Right-Liberal coalition called Synergy. On Student Council, Synergy were elected to four positions (two Liberals and two Student Unity), and five positions were won by iUnion,
5880-432: The University Secretary was appointed Returning Officer. The University was closely involved in the drafting process and provided free legal advice to the Working Group. These student Working Group members consisted of both undergraduate and post-graduate members, and the overall composition of the Working Group was factionally diverse, with the incumbent Student Unity/ALSF coalition being reduced to opposition status. Due to
5985-494: The University of Melbourne Arts & Cultural Building on the Parkville campus. From 2025, the Parkville Campus will be accessible via Parkville railway station , as part of the Metro Tunnel project. The Southbank campus is home to the Victorian College of the Arts and the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music , and is situated within Melbourne's creative arts precinct. Theatre and dance stages, film and television studios, visual arts studios, and concert halls are all located at
6090-420: The University of Melbourne Award (see below) are acknowledged by bronze commemorative plaques along Professors Walk on this campus. The Parkville campus was used extensively to shoot interior and exterior scenes in the MIFF -funded The Death and Life of Otto Bloom starring Twilight actor Xavier Samuel and Golden Globe nominee Rachel Ward . The new Union and Guild Theatres are located within
6195-422: The University of Melbourne and meant the university became increasingly reliant on revenue from its overseas student cohort. Davis would finish his final term as Vice-Chancellor in 2018 with Duncan Maskell succeeding him on 1 October. In 2020, on-campus teaching was limited to selected clinical placements as a result of social distancing restrictions required by the Victorian State Government in response to
6300-441: The University was terminating the 2003 Funding Agreement, effectively stripping it of any future money, citing "evidence of breaches by MUSUI of its obligations under the Agreement" (the agreement being "providing facilities, services, or activities of direct benefit to students at the institution"). He also cited a "serious breakdown in governance, financial management, and accountability structures within MUSU." On 6 February 2004,
6405-471: The VCA. This was due in part to it coming together with the Conservatorium to form the then Faculty of the Victorian College of the Arts and the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. The Burnley Campus is located within the suburb of Burnley in Melbourne, around 5 km east of the Melbourne CBD. The campus is dedicated to both ornamental and environmental horticulture, and is surrounded by nine hectares of heritage-listed gardens. The campus began operating as
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#17330926767536510-428: The VSU agenda. Advocates of VSU received a boost, however, when the Howard government gained control of the Senate at the 2004 Federal election . Nationwide implementation of VSU had been listed among the government's legislative agenda to be placed before the Senate. On 16 March 2005, Brendan Nelson introduced the Higher Education Support Amendment (Abolition of Compulsory Up-front Student Union Fees) Bill 2005 before
6615-460: The associated costs of university study. Others cite that the associated financial benefits of robust representation provided by students' associations result in lower fees and higher quality of educational experience for students. Although universities and student unions each had their own rules, students generally were required to become a member of their campus student organisation automatically upon enrolment. A fee for student services or amenities
6720-524: The campus include hydrologists, soil scientists, plant geneticists, geomorphologists, fire scientists, ecologists, engineers, and mathematicians. The Dookie campus has been the university's rural home to agriculture and agricultural teaching and learning since its inception in 1886. It is based between Shepparton and Benalla, about 220 km north east of Melbourne. Dookie campus is situated on 2440 hectares of land that houses student and staff accommodation, an orchard, winery, merino sheep, robotic dairy, and
6825-433: The earliest campus buildings, such as the Old Quad and Baldwin Spencer buildings, feature period architecture in a Gothic revival style. The Old Quadrangle underwent extensive restoration in 2019 to return to elements of the original design, including a dedicated temporary exhibition space in the Treasury Gallery. The new Wilson Hall replaced the original Gothic Revival building which was destroyed by fire. Recipients of
6930-464: The election of roles within autonomous departments, as well as the election of restricted autonomous positions on Students Council, only those who identify with the represented group are eligible to run. The Students' Council, the peak body for the union, is made up of 22 student representatives. There are 15 General Representatives, plus 7 for special constituencies – Queer , Indigenous , International , Graduate, Students with Disabilities, Students at
7035-420: The first week of September each year. This sees the election of 32 paid office bearers of 17 representative departments, as well as 22 students who sit on UMSU's peak decision body, Students Council. The election of representatives onto department committees and seven NUS delegates also occurs at this time, with the election of a student representative onto the University's Council occurring every two years. As of
7140-423: The first woman to graduate from an Australian University. Early in the 1900s, the university expanded its offerings to more utilitarian courses. In 1901 the number of students enrolled at the University of Melbourne exceeded 500 students for the first time. The university established the Diploma of Education in 1903, following negotiations with the Victorian Education Department. Despite the economic depression of
7245-412: The incorporation of UMSU. UMSU saw few changes in its power dynamic from 2005-07. In 2007, National Labor Students held the President, Secretary, and Education (Academic) Offices. The makeup of the 2007 Student Council had no ALSF presence (due to the Liberal Student tickets withdrawing from the annual elections prior to the opening of the ballot). The 2007 UMSU budget, due to funding cuts caused by VSU,
7350-419: The largest balls and parties on campus. Union House Theatre is the facilitator of student theatre at the Parkville campus, and runs two theatre spaces available for use by student theatre groups. Student theatre groups include the Melbourne University Absurdist Theatre Society (MUATS), the University of Melbourne Music Theatre Association (UMMTA), the Throwback Players and the Union Players, as well as groups for
7455-407: The late 1990s. Student organisations responded with strong campaigns in opposition to VSU throughout that time. The legislation was persistently rejected in the Australian Senate , where the Labor Party, the Australian Democrats , and the Greens have voted against it. Following its 2001 election victory , aware that attempts to introduce VSU would not pass the Senate, the Government moved away from
7560-479: The legislation, Howard was forced to obtain the vote of Family First Senator Steve Fielding , who had maintained for several months that he was opposed to the bill in its current form. However, after being courted by Howard, Fielding did an abrupt about-face and voted for the legislation, calling compulsory student unionism "crazy" and allowing the bill to pass; though both Fielding and Brendan Nelson insisted no behind-the-scenes deal had secured his vote. The legislation
7665-563: The library will start a-five to seven day strike. Union members are seeking a 15% increase in wages over the course of 3 years. On 24 April 2024, students occupied the South Lawn of Parkville campus in solidarity with international, grass-roots, student-lead Pro-Palestine movements . Concerns arose as students sought to keep the university accountable in its investments. More specifically, to disclose research and investment ties with Israeli Government companies, stocks, or bonds benefiting from
7770-601: The main campus and in nearby suburbs. The university comprises ten separate academic units and is associated with numerous institutes and research centres, including the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research , Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health , the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research and the Grattan Institute . The university has fifteen graduate schools , including
7875-592: The number of graduates in each faculty. Voluntary Student Unionism Australia passed legislation enacting VSU in 2005, which came into force on 1 July 2006. Forms of VSU in Australia had been law in the state of Western Australia from 1994 until 2002, and in Victoria from 1994 to 2000. New Zealand passed legislation enacting VSM in 2011, rules which came into force on 1 January 2012. Arguments for and against VSU typically fall into three broad categories: civil rights impacts, social impacts, and economic impacts. Requiring membership of student organisations
7980-686: The occupation of Palestine and the Gaza humanitarian crisis since October 7, 2023. Students occupied the Arts West building, "renaming" it Mahmoud's hall after a palestinian student who was expected commence his studies at the university but died in the Israel–Hamas war. On 29 April 2024, it was announced that Vice-Chancellor Maskell would step down from his position, partway through his second term, by early 2025. Despite efforts to comply with university policies while exercising their right to protest, on 14 May
8085-558: The poor employment and financial conditions of its highly casualised academic workforce. Over the 2010s the university increasingly casualised its workforce, with reports that between 47 and 72 per cent of its 11,000 employees were on casual contracts by 2023. In 2021 the State Government granted planning approval for a new campus for the university at the urban renewal precinct Fishermans Bend . The $ 2 billion campus, planned to open in 2026, will focus on engineering and forms part of
8190-434: The position until his death in 1880. The inauguration of the university was made possible by the wealth resulting from Victoria's gold rush . The institution was designed to be a "civilising influence" at a time of rapid settlement and commercial growth. In 1881, the admission of women was seen as a victory over the more conservative ruling council. Julia 'Bella' Guerin graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1883, and became
8295-894: The powers of the President and Secretary in particular. It also created the Clubs & Societies Department (which in the past had been a part of the Activities Department) and the Indigenous Department. UMSU has a number of paid officers, which include: the President; the General Secretary; Media Officers; Education (Academic Affairs) Officer; Education (Public Affairs) Officers; Activities Officers; Creative Arts Officers; Clubs and Societies Officers; Welfare Officer; Environment Officers; Indigenous Officers; Disabilities Officers; Queer Officers; Women's Officers; People of Colour Officers;
8400-495: The protests. On 30 September 2024, it was announced that Emma Johnston would be appointed the university’s next Vice-Chancellor, succeeding Maskell. Johnston will be the first woman to hold the position in the university’s history. The university has three other campuses in metropolitan Melbourne at Burnley, Southbank, and Werribee. The Burnley campus is where horticultural courses are taught. Performing arts , visual arts, film and television, and music courses are taught at
8505-564: The social sciences to epidemiology. Health fields such as Indigenous, women's, mental, sexual, and rural health have all been researched at the centre. In 2008, Vice Chancellor Glyn Davis introduced a major restructure of the university's curriculum. The new structure, named the Melbourne Model , replaced traditional undergraduate specialist degrees with a two-degree undergraduate/graduate structure. Over 100 undergraduate degrees were replaced with six generalist degrees, with students taking
8610-558: The union criticised when they passed a motion to unreservedly celebrate the death of Margaret Thatcher, resulting in media coverage from the Herald Sun and a large student backlash against the union over Facebook. UMSU is an affiliate to Australia's peak representative body for students, the National Union of Students (NUS) . With the University of Melbourne having over 30,000 students of an Equivalent full-time student load ( EFTSL ), UMSU
8715-532: The union was placed into liquidation by the Supreme Court of Victoria after a vote by the Student Union Executive. MUSU's liquidator , Dean Royston McVeigh, said in his provisional liquidator's report that the union owed debts of $ 4.3 million (mainly to the University of Melbourne) but only had assets of $ 3.5 million. McVeigh acknowledged that these "debts" were the result of creative accounting by
8820-671: The university administration to disband encampments in exchange for disclosure of endowment investments and research ties with weapons manufacturers. However, as of 23 May, protesters and university are at a stalemate, citing lack of correspondence from the latter, with encampments remaining in place. The university is subject to an investigation by the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner to investigate whether it breached privacy laws after allegedly using surveillance technology to identify students who participated in
8925-470: The university announced further job losses, despite the university running an $ 8m surplus in 2020. Eleven subjects were cut as part of the savings measures including a number of specialist scientific subjects, a move criticised by Nobel Laureate Peter Doherty and others. The halting of international student arrivals as part of the Australian pandemic response was projected to cause a major loss in revenue for
9030-501: The university announced it was axing 450 staff in the institution's largest ever layoff of academic staff, despite a planned expenditure of $ 4.2 billion for capital works over the decade from 2020. Similarly, in semester two of 2021, the majority of teaching was once again moved to online delivery due to the outbreak of the Delta variant of COVID-19 and ensuing lockdowns in Victoria. In response
9135-427: The university issued a breach notice, warning students of potential expulsion and faculty of disciplinary actions if protest activities continued. The notice also referenced the possibility of state law enforcement involvement, though no intervention occurred as the protests remained peaceful. On the evening of 22 May, University of Melbourne for Palestine representatives announced that an agreement had been met with
9240-518: The university's Sidney Myer Asia Centre Building were broken and the building was graffitied with a message accusing the university of contributing to an unsafe environment for transgender individuals. In August 2023, all National Tertiary Education Union members who work in the Faculty of Arts, Melbourne Law School, the Victorian College of the Arts School of Art, student services, stagecraft and
9345-438: The university's campuses. The Melbourne School of Land and Environment was disestablished on 1 January 2015. Its agriculture and food systems department moved alongside veterinary science to form the Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences , while other areas of study, including horticulture, forestry, geography and resource management, moved to the Faculty of Science in two new departments. In 2019, allegations of
9450-484: The university's purpose-built creative arts home. A$ 200 million major capital works project at the campus was completed in 2019. The project includes the construction of a new state-of-the-art conservatorium for music and the conversion of historically important buildings for use as education and research facilities. In 2011, the Victorian State Government allocated $ 24 million to support arts education at
9555-399: The university, with the university ultimately relinquishing any claim to such "debts." As a result, it was no longer student-controlled (a prerequisite for affiliation to NUS ) and was in any case unable to pay affiliation fees. A new constitution was approved. Master Ewart Evans, who was presiding over the hearings of the liquidators' examination until his retirement in 2005, was critical of
9660-473: The university. In 2019 and 2020 the university was also involved in wage theft and underpayment controversies towards its large teaching workforce of casual staff , and began repaying casual tutors for unpaid marking. The university was accused of owing Faculty of Arts teaching staff an estimated $ 6 million. In 2021 the Vice-Chancellor issued an apology for systematically underpaying staff, saying there
9765-483: The vice-chancellor and principal, approving the strategic direction and annual budget, establishing operational policies and procedures and overseeing academic and commercial activities as well as risk management. The chair of the council is the "chancellor". The "academic board" oversees learning, teaching and research activities and provides advice to the council on these matters. The "committee of convocation" represents graduates and its members are elected in proportion to
9870-473: Was a view expressed by Senator Barnaby Joyce . Proponents counter that the free-market system rewards venues and establishments which students enjoy and value, and that it lets students choose their own level of contribution to a political cause. Student unions charge anywhere between $ 0 and $ 300 per year for membership. Levying of fees is criticised by some on the grounds that it is financially onerous, particularly to students who may already be struggling with
9975-401: Was brought into the Faculty of Education, and the amalgamation lead to the formation of a distinctly new Faculty of Education. The College of Advanced Education was incorporated into the university in 1989. During this period, more students than ever before were attending the university. The university had expanded its student population to beyond 35,000 students. Such amalgamations continued into
10080-534: Was charged to students, typically once a semester , once a year, or in a lump sum upon enrolment. This fee was typically collected by the university, which usually took a portion in collection fees and passed the rest to campus student organisation(s). These organisations then distributed the money according to their own rules. On 9 December 2005, the Higher Education Support Amendment (Abolition of Compulsory Up-front Student Union Fees) Bill 2005
10185-474: Was essentially identical to the government's original proposal. In September 2010 the Gillard Labor government introduced legislation to allow universities to charge students a compulsory service fee of up to $ 250 a year to fund amenities such as sporting facilities, childcare and counselling. Under legislation passed in 1999, but subsequently superseded, VSM could be enacted at any New Zealand university by
10290-537: Was established following a proposal by the Hugh Childers , the Auditor-General and Finance Minister, in his first Budget Speech on 4 November 1852, who set aside a sum of £10,000 for the establishment of a university. The university was established by Act of Incorporation on 22 January 1853, with power to confer degrees in arts, medicine, laws and music. The act provided for an annual endowment of £9,001, while
10395-448: Was founded in 1853, and is located just north of Melbourne's central business district. There is a diverse range of cafés, two gyms, five university libraries, a bank branch, Australia Post parcel lockers, a bike shop, a boutique supermarket and a small pharmacy located on the Parkville campus. The campus is located within a broader knowledge precinct, which encompasses eight hospitals, and many other leading research institutes. Several of
10500-510: Was founded in 1884 to promote the common interests of students and assist in social interactions between its members. The Melbourne University Students’ Representative Council was formed as an independent, unincorporated association at a special general meeting called by the Sports Union Council on 19 September 1907. The Associations Incorporation Act (1981) allowed incorporation of student bodies, among others. The Students’ Association
10605-548: Was incorporated in 1987 as the Melbourne College of Advanced Education Students’ Association-Carlton Incorporated, and the Students’ Representative Council was incorporated in 1988 as Melbourne University Students’ Representative Council Incorporated. In October 1988, the two merged to form Melbourne University Student Union Incorporated (MUSUi). After over 100 years in Union House, UMSU was relocated to
10710-486: Was incorporated on 17 November 2005, following approval by the Council of the University of Melbourne in October of that year. Its first elections were held in October 2005 under the transitional clauses of the constitution. There is a long history of student activities at the University of Melbourne. The Union Band Comp has kick-started the careers of several well-known Australian bands, and an annual comedy review once produced
10815-600: Was passed in the Senate , and received the Royal Assent on 19 December 2005. Since 1 July 2006, Australian universities have faced fines of A$ 100 per student for compelling payment for any non-academic good or service. Many student organisations opposed VSU, expressing concern about their ability to provide social, academic, and political services under VSU as well as meet long-term financial commitments without guaranteed revenue streams. Australian universities, as represented by
10920-521: Was reduced from just over $ 2 million in 2006 to $ 1.23 million in 2007. This resulted in reductions in funding for departments, particularly those that traditionally have been considered high, such as the Activities, Clubs, Societies, and Media Departments. In 2008, the National Labor Students and Grassroots tickets, running as StandUp! and Activate, respectively, won most of the paid positions in
11025-515: Was “a systemic failure of respect from this institution" towards casual staff that resulted in underpaying 1,000 staff members and requiring the university to pay back $ 9.5 million. This followed a campaign by the National Tertiary Education Union's University of Melbourne Casuals Branch, which engaged in a series of protests, including one outside the Vice Chancellor's residence. The university came under sustained criticism over
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