FUSA Annual Report 2018

Annual Report 2018

Contents

About FUSA Student President Student Council Student Assist Events Clubs

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Flinders University Student Association acknowledges the traditional owners of the various locations that Flinders University operates on and recognises the continued relationship and responsibility to these lands and waters by traditional owners past and present.

30 Be a Better Human 34 Empire Times 40 Representation 42 FinanciAlS 46 Media

The following is an indicative (but not exhaustive) list of traditional owners on whose country Flinders University has campuses: Arrernte, Boandik, Bungarla, Gunditjmara, Jawoyn, Kaurna, Larrakia, Nauo, Ngarrindjeri, Peramangk, Ramindjeri, Wurundjeri, Yolgnu.

Level 1 , Student Hub, Flinders University Bedford Park (08) 8201 2371 | fusa@flinders.edu.au FB.com/fusassociation

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About FUSA

Flinders University Student Association (FUSA) is the independent body representing the views and interests of the students of Flinders University. FUSA is charged with the promotion and advancement of the rights, interests, and welfare of students as well as the provision of a vibrant student experience and campus culture that promotes a sense of community and belonging. An elected Student Council provide the governance and direction of FUSA.

The services that FUSA provide include:

• Represent students within and outside the University

• Student representation

• Co-ordinate and support activities for students, including the provision of support for affiliated clubs

• Academic advocacy, financial counselling and welfare services • Administration of student clubs, societies and academic associations • Student events and activities • Student managed communication and media, including the student magazine, Empire Times Under the FUSA Constitution the function and purpose of FUSA is to: • Promote and advance the rights, interests and welfare of students

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FUSA Annual Report 2018

• Provide the means for effective communication between students, the Association and the University • Oversee the delivery of student services, which are funded from the Student Services and Amenities Fee and are the responsibility of the Manager, Student Engagement • Deliver other services, amenities and programs for students funded from the membership fee and other income received by the Association

2018 Student Council STUDENT PRESIDENT Ashley Sutherland

DISABILITIES OFFICER Louise Nixon

GENERAL SECRETARY Katt Hatzi

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES OFFICER Bradley Martin

EDUCATION OFFICER Josh Rayner

MATURE AGE OFFICER Tash Malone

WOMEN’S OFFICER Grace Hensel

GENERAL COUNCIL MEMBERS (SIX POSITIONS)

WELFARE OFFICER Kathryn Gallagher (until June 2018) Nathan Cheetham (from July 2018) POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS OFFICER Vincent Char INTERNATIONAL STUDENT OFFICER Keon Simmons INDIGENOUS STUDENTS OFFICER Yaritji Green QUEER OFFICER Sean Henschke ENVIRONMENT OFFICER Andy C

Jesse Stevens Josh Jarvis Kathryn Venning Tarmia Klass Alexandra Edhouse Lydia French EMPIRE TIMES EDITORIAL TEAM Ainsley Ewart, Oli Glenie and Cameron Lowe NUS CONFERENCE DELEGATES Hamish Richardson Ashley Sutherland Kathryn Venning Jordon O’Reilly Hilary Wigg Kathryn Gallagher

2018 FUSA Staff MANAGER, STUDENT ENGAGEMENT Chris O’Grady ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANTS Stacy White Alice Grieve Erik Ruehl Amy Tschirn CLUBS & EVENTS OFFICER Adam Rau EVENTS & PROJECTS OFFICER Kate Donnelly Rachel Pollock Caleb Osborne

MEDIA OFFICER Steph Walker Tim Coyle MEDIA ASSISTANTS Aaron Harvey Jess Nicole Erik Ruehl STUDENT REPRESENTATION & DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Kate Walsh Michelle Tatyzo TEAM LEADER, STUDENT ASSIST Vanesa Duran Racero STUDENT FINANCE & ADVOCACY OFFICER Helen Laity STUDENT ADVOCACY OFFICERS Sue Myatt Ally Drew

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I’m deeply humbled to have had the opportunity to represent students at Flinders University last year as FUSA’s 7th Student President. 2018 was a momentous year for FUSA. We achieved many things together, with valuable, creative input from students across all campuses.

Student President Ashley Sutherland

Initiatives We began six months of work on and, in May, launched the studentled ‘Be a Better Human’ (BABH) initiative. This campaign was lobbied for and created primarily in response to the results of the Australian Human Rights Comission survey investigating rates of sexual assault and harassment in Australian university communities. However, it is important that we acknowledge that BABH and similar initiatives across the country are and have been a long-time-coming, following decades of lobbying and protest by survivors, Women’s Officers, students, and university staff. We can celebrate the campaign that we have put together, the conversations that it has raised about affirmative consent, patriarchy, toxic masculinity, being an active bystander, and reporting. We can also feel shame and sorrow that it has taken so long for our university and other universities to give students the funding and autonomy needed to adequately address sexual violence.

With this said, I too acknowledge the university’s support for BABH, and thank them for their ongoing co-operation in this project as FUSA continues to roll out materials in the forthcoming months and hopefully years. In addition, I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to the FUSA staff and student ambassadors involved in the

campaign’s advisory group. Without you, your compassion, your selflessness, and your determination to advance our community’s consent-centric literacy, BABH would not be the authentic and transformative initiative that it has come to be.

We were thrilled to receive positive write-ups from both local and national media on our work from the ABC, Junkee, Campus Review, and The Advertiser, and were honoured to receive an accolade for ‘Best Proactive Communications of the Year’ from Universities Australia. The highlight of what we’ve achieved, however, was seeing the positive response both on our campuses, and from across the country upon the free release of our campaign materials to all other student organisations across Australia. In 2019, FUSA will continue to work with these student organisations to release current and updated BABH content to more than eleven Australian universities.

FUSA continued meaningful work in all departments, launching campaigns such as the First Nations’ and International Students’ Collectives’ ‘Racism: It Stops with Me’ campaign, and ‘Disarm Flinders’ in response to the university’s shameful connection to weapons manufacturers, BAE Systems and Thales, among others. Importantly, the Education Officer’s ‘Cut the Restructure, Not the Jobs!’ campaign worked hard to highlight the impact that the current Academic Restructure will have on all current and future Flinders University students. FUSA spent 2018 strengthening its relationship with the staff union and raising awareness on numerous bizarre proposals by University Council. Early in the year, we rallied with the NTEU to ‘put the heart back into Flinders’, and in April, I spoke to postgraduate Education students about the importance of fighting against the neo-liberalisation of the university sector. In August, we fought against proposed changes to the assessment system, which sought to allocate educators one-hour of marking time per student, per topic. We spoke to local media, to management, and to our student community, arguing that these proposed changes were a “rip off.” I wrote to the Vice-Chancellor on behalf of Student Council, and he essentially told us that we were barking up the wrong tree. We didn’t stop “barking”, much to the VC’s supposed annoyance, and publicly supported staff through their EBA process. I hope that FUSA will continue this approach into 2019 and beyond, because staff working conditions are student learning conditions.

Administration FUSA continued discussions on accountability and transparency, voting to establish a Student Council working group to explore how we could further these conditions that are paramount to democratic student representation.

In addition, the Education Officer and I worked with the Student Representation and Development Officer (SRDO) to explore ideas surrounding genuine student partnership and broader participation in university governance, and teaching and learning. I would like to thank the outgoing and incoming staff members who have filled and are filling the role of the SRDO for their tremendous passion for this role, and for their significant work in establishing the student representation network pilot at Flinders. I would also like to extend my thanks to all students who put their hands up to serve their cohort in this important initiative.

FUSA was a significant stakeholder in Flinders’ Policy Redesign Project, which commenced last year and seeks to review and update all university policies and procedures inline with national benchmarks and tertiary standards.

We continued our affiliations with the National Union of Students (NUS), the Council of Australian Postgraduates Association (CAPA), the Council of International Students’ Australia (CISA), and Tertiary Access Group (TAG).

We maintained a future focus on alternative revenue streams and independence from the university, continuing an ongoing legal and governance-focused investigation into becoming an incorporated entity.

Events FUSA hosted it’s largest-ever O’Week and O’Fiesta, selling out an awesome gig headlined by Dune Rats, San Cisco, Montaigne, Heaps Good Friends and Runaway Weekend.

Student Council continued its tradition of creating fun and affordable events for students, including an extensive NAIDOC week, Anti-Poverty week, Mental Health Week, International Women’s Day, Wear It Purple Day, IDAHOBIT Day, World Environment Day, and much, much more.

Excitingly, the Queer Officer and the Flinders University Queer Society brought back a previous tradition in hosting for the first time in almost a decade the Flinders University PrideFest! which celebrated our wonderful LGBTQI+ student community.

Of note was FUSA’s first-ever successful bid to host the NUS Education Conference in July. This win saw 300 student activists and notable guests such as Terri Butler MP and Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, as well as Redgum front-man and Flinders alumni John Schumann come to Bedford Park to discuss the national campaign against cuts to higher education.

Goodbye!

I wish I could write more about our year, but I don’t want to make our great Media Team’s design job harder by making them fit my blabbering in.

Thanks to all members of the 2018 Student Council for your hard work and dedication to higher education and to the betterment of the university experience for yourself and your peers.

Thanks to the FUSA staff who I worked with extensively this year. Your support means the world to me, and to all students, who unfortunately are mostly unaware of how much heart and soul you put into your work.

And with graduation looming, thanks, lastly, to the students (literally FUSA itself). Get involved in your student association, engage with your student representatives, and demand bigger and better in 2019 and beyond – because without your intelligence, your diversity, and your ideas FUSA is nothing but a concept. With all of you, it’s a union – and that’s immensely powerful.

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Student Council

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FUSA Annual Report 2018

The Student Council is responsible for the overriding governance of FUSA and seek to promote and advance the rights, interests and welfare of students, co-ordinate and support activities for students, including the provision of support for affiliated clubs, and oversee the delivery of student services, which are funded from the Student Services and Amenities Fee. The following provedes a summary of the activities of Student Council members for 2018.

Student President

Represented students at:

• Respect. Now. Always. Advisory Committee

• University Council

• Sustainability Advisory Committee

• Academic Senate

• Student Experience Panel

• Student Appeals Committee

• Student Retention Working Group

• Student Service and Amenities Fee Budget Advisory Committee

Coordinated with FUSA and Flinders University staff regarding: • Changes to car parking • Changes to RHD grievance policy • Reviews of various university policies: ––

Equal Opportunity

––

Bullying

––

Student Appeals and Complaints

––

Student homelessness

• Successful tender to host the National Union of Students – Education Conference • Launched the Be a Better Human campaign nationally ––

Media releases and interviews

Attended several conferences, including:

• Universities Australia Higher Education Conference

• National Union of Students – National Conference

• Tertiary Access Group – CampusLink 2018

• National Union of Students – President’s Summit

• Network of Women Students Australia (NOWSA) Conference 2018

• National Union of Students – Education Conference

• National Student Leadership Forum • National Student Volunteer Week

Contributed to Empire Times

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General Secretary • Contributed to the FUSA regulation amendments including the Clubs and Academic Association Regulations • Assisted various office bearers with their initiatives and budgets • Worked with the FUSA Clubs Officer on various Clubs initiatives: ––

Launched the Clubs Bingo Night and Club Quiz Night

––

Held Mental Health First Aid training for Club Executives

• Assisted with interview processes to fill vacant Student Council and FUSA positions • Processed FUSA’s affiliation with the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations

• Represented FUSA at: ––

Academic Senate

––

Student Appeals Committee

––

Student Service and Amenities Fee Budget Advisory Committee

––

National Day of Action

• Represented FUSA at multiple conferences and events: ––

National Union of Students – National Conference

––

National Union of Students – President’s Summit

––

National Union of Students – Education Conference

––

NOWSA Conference 2018

• Worked towards a revenue stream independent of the SSAF

Education Officer • Contributed to the FUSA regulation amendments including the Clubs and Academic Association Regulations

• Promoted the NUS Bury the Bill campaign on campus • Attended conferences :

• Sat on the Student Retention Working Group sub-committee

––

National Union of Students – National Conference

• Ran events for the Education Collective

––

National Union of Students – Education Conference

• Ran the Cut the Restructure, Not the Jobs! campaign • Promoted the NUS Books Not Bombs campaign on campus

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FUSA Annual Report 2018

• Spoke at the National Day of Action in Adelaide

Women’s Officer • Events ––

International Women’s Day

––

Women’s Health Day

––

Bluestocking Week

––

Women’s Careers Events

––

Smash the Paint-riarchy

––

“The Hunting Ground” movie screening

• Continued to update the Women’s Space

• Rolled out the sanitary items initiative in bathrooms across Flinders campuses • Assisted Student President and FUSA staff with the Be a Better Human campaign • Chaired the Women’s Collective • Attended conferences: ––

Network of Women Students Australia

––

National Union of Students – Education Conference

Welfare Officer • Collaborated with FUSA staff in the coordination of the Welfare Brunch initiative and Exam Campaign • Coordinated the ‘How to Adult’ student event – providing students with an opportunity to engage with services crucial to their wellbeing

• Collaborated with FUSA staff on: ––

R U OK Day

––

Mental Health Week

––

Anti-Poverty Week

––

Drop in Not Out

––

Homelessness Week

Postgraduate Students Officer • Chaired the Flinders University Postgraduate Students Association • Assisted various office bearers with their initiatives • Attended Future of Leadership conference

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International Students Officer • Coordinated the Multicultural Festival with FUSA staff • Assisted with FUSA Anti-Racism campaigns in semester one and two

• Events ––

“Black Panther” movie screening

––

International Student welcome event at Oasis

––

Supported the Oasis Market Day events

• Met with International Student Services & Pro Vice- Chancellor (International) to discuss international student issues

• Represented FUSA at conferences

• Advocated to the university on international student poverty

• Attended NUS National Conference

––

Council of International Students Australia

• Coordinated FUSA’s affiliation with the Council of International Students Australia

Queer Officer • President of the Queer Society • Advocated for gender neutral bathrooms on campus • “No Cure For Love” anti-conversion therapy campaign • Drafted a Queer on Campus Student Guide

• Events ––

Queer Formal

––

Pride Week

––

Queer Ball

––

Transgender Day of Visibility

––

Wear it Purple Day

––

Queer Hang Outs

––

Enviro Market Day

Environment Officer • Promoted awareness of environmental initiatives around campus • FUSA zero waste drink bottles & keep cups • Events

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• Chaired Environment Collective – worked to increase cohesiveness between the environmental groups on campus • Investigated Flinders University waste management

––

UN World Environment Day

––

Environment Collective meet & greets

––

Environmental Film Festival

FUSA Annual Report 2018

• Worked on an on-campus Enviro Space & Co-op Kitchen proposal

Indigenous Students Officer • Events

• Carried out duties for the First Nation’s Collective

––

FUSA NAIDOC 2018

––

FUSA Anti-Racism campaigns in semester one and two

• Organised compulsory Cultural Awareness Training for all Student Council members

––

FUSA Multicultural Festival 2018

––

“Black Panther” movie screening

––

“She Who Must Be Loved” movie event

––

Medical Mentoring Day

––

Point Pearce Healthy Diet Day

––

Meet and Greets with Students: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and First Nation Groups from other countries.

––

Established the first Flinders University Indigenous Medical Students and Alumni Dinner

––

Established first year Indigenous Medical Pre- Medical School Mentoring

• Liaised with Property Facilities and Development to have sharps containers in selected areas • Assisted the Pacific Islander students in forming a club • Advocated for and achieved an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Officer position with Flinders Medical Student Society • Advocated for Indigenous Student scholarships • Negotiated with staff around an Acknowledgement of Country at the beginning of each semester in each topic

Disabilities Officer • Coorindated the Disabilities Collective

• Attended Equal Opportunity Committee meetings

• Maintained a working relationship the Health, Counselling and Disability Service

• Attended NUS Education Conference

• Advocated for students with disabilities to the university • Liaised with the NUS Disability Officer

• Assisted with FUSA involvement in various events: ––

Mental Health Week events

––

R U OK Day

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Social Activities Officer • Coordinated the following events with FUSA Events & Media staff: ––

FUSA Semester one Pub Crawl

––

House of FUSA Semester two Pub Crawl

––

FUSA Ball

• Assisted various Office Bearers with their initiatives • Represented FUSA at conferences ––

Queer Collaborations 2018

Mature Age Students Officer • Carried out duties for the Mature Age Collective • Organised compulsory Consent Training for all Student Council members

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FUSA Annual Report 2018

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Student Assist

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FUSA Annual Report 2018

In 2018, Student Assist continued to provide support, advice and advocacy services to students on academic, financial and welfare matters. Staff have provided advocacy support to individual students and have advocated for students systemically at the College and University levels. We have provided feedback to the University on policy changes that will affect students, and have met with key University staff to discuss ways of providing support for students, particularly with regard to the Policy Redesign Project.

Case management Each student case involves one or more ‘issues’, which are broadly classified as Academic, Financial or Welfare in nature.

The 2018 caseload generated 852 issues and involved an investment of 837.3 hours of staff time. The average time devoted per case was 1.3 hours, down from 1.5 hours in 2017.

Academic issues represented 53% of the total caseload, with Financial and Welfare issues making up 43% and 4% respectively of the Student Assist casework. A necessary point of clarification is student cases are often complex and present a number of compounding issues. In 2018, the number of cases initially presenting as mainly ‘Academic’ also involved a ‘Financial’ component, usually in the form of Emergency Financial Assistance.

Financial advocacy Grants This year, 69 (down from 93) students applied for a Second Semester Grant worth $500. Student Assist awarded grants to the 64 students who met the eligibility criteria.

Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA) Student Assist stocks food parcels, supermarket and Foodbank vouchers, Metrocards, petrol and chemist vouchers, to help students in short-term financial difficulty. We provided assistance to students on 238 occasions (up from 185 in 2017) in the form of $14,465 in supermarket/Metrocards/ petrol and chemist vouchers and $2,531 in food parcels.

In addition, Student Assist staffs a dedicated help and support email address (student.assist@flinders.edu.au). This year, staff responded to 412 email queries from students, which represented a 53% increase from 2017 (268). This can be partially attributed to staff shortages over a substantial part of the year, which allowed for a timely and accessible support platform.

In semesters one and two we run an exam Survival campaign, following on from the success of a similar pilot project in semester two last year. This year we gave away emergency breakfasts, lunches, snacks and toiletry/hygiene products for 3 weeks leading up to examination time. This has continued to prove popular, using up all stock to the value of $3,700.

Academic advocacy

Loans

Advocacy for individual students We assisted students to manage 455 Academic issues in 2018, an increase from last year (442). The six most common academic issues, accounting for over two-thirds of Academic casework, were Appeals and Reviews of Grade (each 14%), Complaints (13%), Placements (10%), Re-marks (9%) and Review of Progress (7%).

Student Assist were also contacted by three groups of concerned students (over 40 individuals in total), who shared considerable concern about the quality of the topics they were enrolled in, including their structure, teaching, curriculum and assessment. Student Assist led appropriate grievance-resolution mechanisms on behalf of the students, at the systemic level in all three cases, whilst maintaining the confidentiality of the students involved.

Demand for $500 interest-free student loans decreased in 2018, with 50 applications, including enquiries, (86 in 2017).

Financial Counselling The number of students attending FUSA for Financial Counselling decreased by 8% this year, with 76 cases in 2018 (83 in 2017). After a peak of demand for the service in 2017 (requests for assistance increased by 32% from 2016 to 2017), demand for the service seems to have settled.

Anti-poverty Week Our major event for the year continues to be Anti-Poverty Week. It ran for half a day on the 25th October, and featured giveaways, information stallholders and cooking demonstrations by Flinders Nutrition students.

Student Assist staff distributed 100 free lunches and drinks, 100 food parcels and 200 recipe packs. The event’s goal is to provide direct financial relief, tackle the topic of food insecurity and raise awareness of Student Assist’s financial services. The combined expenditure for the event was $6,011.

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Collaborations with Student Council/University Student Assist staff collaborated with Student Council on various projects during the year, including: • Joint FUSA presentations to commencing students during O’Week • Collaboration with the Welfare Officer delivering Anti-Poverty Week activities •

Working in partnership to respond to the University’s Policy Re-design Project, with regard to the Academic Integrity, Bullying and Student Appeals and Complaints suite of policies and procedures.

•

Student Assist have had a regular presence at the Oasis Community Market, raising awareness of our services and promoting ways for students to thrive on a small income.

• We collaborated with Anglicare referring students to the “Thread Together” service.

•

We supported one Social Work student undertaking her placement at Oasis, by providing advice, guidance and material support towards her Mental Health Day project.

• Collaboration with Topic Representatives.

Highlights Student Assist were invited by ASIC to be part of their “Working Together” network for our work delivering financial capability and wellbeing initiatives aligned to their 2018 National Financial Capability Strategy.

Goals for 2019 • Develop and implement a Financial Capability Program with the help of a newly created Project Officer position.

• Enhance existing marketing and communication strategies to build on the awareness of the service amongst students as well as new College staff.

• Establish best practice student feedback mechanisms for continuous improvement

Feedback from Students

“I am... particularly grateful for the support letter you wrote me in favour of the application and the advice given”

“I just want to say thanks ever so much for your help with my appeal. I’m grateful and I appreciate all your help”

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FUSA Annual Report 2018

“Thank you very much.

Your support will never be forgotten”

“Your assistance was important to me. You gave me the opportunity to be heard when I was incredibly distressed and helped to rationalise and normalise everything going on”

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Events

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FUSA Annual Report 2018

FUSA ran a wide range of successful events in 2018 that combined fun, connection, increasing awareness and acknowledgement. Events such as O’Week and O’Fiesta continued to grow from strength to strength, as well as a range of recurring successful events such as RELAX, Welfare Brunches, NAIDOC, FUSA Ball, pub crawls and many more.

There were a range of new events and activations such as PrideFest, Flinders Live on a Sunday, Bluestocking Week, Wear it Purple Day, Smash the Paintriarchy and many more.

FUSA also collaborated with a wide range of University services to provide assistance for student events including the Student Assist team, Flinders Tav, Oasis, OCME, the Careers and Employability service, and many more.

2018 Goals • Work collaboratively with Student Council to strategically plan an event schedule for the year.

• Increase the capacity of O’Fiesta and continue to grow the event.

• Support Student Council in developing their collectives – to increase consultation with the wider student body.

• Be strategic in regards to the quantity and timing of events to increase student participation.

Outcomes We continued to expand our presence at other campuses through the Relax events at Tonsley, Sturt and Flinders Medical Centre. Relax has been extremely popular at these campuses and this will be further enhanced in 2019.

O’Week and O’Fiesta have continued to grow in both participation and reputation. In particular, O’Fiesta had its largest year ever selling an extra 688 tickets in comparison to 2017, maxing out the venues capacity at 3,700. Other O’Week events also continued to grow in size and attendance including the comedy night and quiz arvo events. Semester 2 O’Week was also a success with a larger event program and more interaction with students.

The quality of events was improved thorough planning, more staffing resources and working closely with Student Council to deliver the best events possible.

However, it was also found that the large volume of events packed into Semester 2 was challenging in peak times and it is recommended that a greater focus is given to spreading the events out, with a focus on the first half of Semester 1.

Despite engaging more with the other campuses, there is still room for improvement in this area and this will continue to be a focus for FUSA.

O-Week Orientation Week continues to grow and improve each year. In 2018, Semester 1 O’Week ran from Monday 19th–Friday 23rd February. Semester 1 was a great success and included many activities, entertainment and experiences for the new and continuing students here at Flinders.

FUSA was responsible for the overall coordination of the social component of O’Week including event logistics, social events and activities, stall coordination, stallholder management, stage management, generation of commercial interest, marketing and communications and stakeholder management.

There were a range of exciting events during the week including a free Comedy Afternoon, a Quiz Night, a Clubs Social night and an Outdoor Cinema event. These events took place in various locations across the University – including the Plaza, Tavern and Matthew Flinders Theatre.

Free lunches, games and activities, giveaways, roving entertainment, live music and much more complimented the activities during the week and continued to bring students together to enrich their experience of transitioning to Flinders. Every year FUSA also creates and distributes O’Week tote bags which include a range of promotional items including discount deals, notebooks, pins, sunglasses and other items. In 2018 5,500 bags were distributed to the students.

Semester 2 O’Week was also a great success and introduced a number of new events and activities for students.

Throughout the week there were several events including a Clubs and Stalls day, Market Day, Quiz Arvo, Tavern Party, movie screenings and more. One of the more successful events was the Winter Warmer event at Alere which featured free wine tasting with tasting platters, as well as live acoustic music. A variation of this event will be held in Semester 1 O’Week 2019.

FUSA also trialled an activation at Sturt campus which was very successful and included a free lunch, live music and giveaways.

There were also a range of daily activations and freebies including free lunch, stalls, live music, roving entertainment, photo booth, and freebies such as popcorn, henna, balloon artists, caricatures and much more.

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O’Week Main Event Attendance 2017

2018

3,000 (tickets sold)

3,700 (tickets sold)

Outdoor Cinema

170

200

Comedy Arvo

350

400

Quiz Arvo

140

150

O’Fiesta

Student O’Week Directors provided input into the planning of the events and activities for O’week and O’Fiesta, ensuring that they were student directed and student centric. There was consultation with students on the artists and marketing for O’Fiesta, as well the majority of elements for O’Week such as the theming and design, entertainment and activities, planning of the tote bags and much more.

O’Fiesta – Friday 23rd Feb 2018 O’Fiesta rounded out O’Week on Friday 23rd February and featured performances from the Dune Rats, San Cisco. Montaigne, Heaps Good Friends and RNWY WKND. The event was a sell out with 3700 tickets sold, the largest attendance in O’Fiesta history. There was an increase of approximately 688 tickets overall. There were several ticket options for the event including: • Flinders Students — $20 • General students — $25 • Non-Flinders students — $35 One again FUSA engaged 5/4 Entertainment to assist in the coordination of the event both in the lead up to and on the night. FUSA, with the support of 5/4 Entertainment were responsible for the overall coordination of O’Fiesta, including event logistics

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FUSA Annual Report 2018

Welfare Brunches An initiative of Student Council that was started in 2014, is providing students with free food and drink to help them get through their days. In 2018, FUSA held 81 Welfare Brunches, an increase from 2017. There were 54 held at various locations at Bedford Park, 10 held at Tonsley, 10 held at Sturt, and 7 at FMC. $19,951.17 was spent to distribute: • Pancakes • Muesli bars • Muffins • Seasonal fruit • Breakfast bars • Up & Go • Juice boxes • Toiletries (for part of the year)

Relax FUSA Says Relax is a weekly event held at multiple campuses at Flinders University. In 2018, 26 events were held across central campus, Tonsley, Flinders Medical Centre and Sturt campus.

The event offers students free haircuts, free massages, free stationary, staple food and a free lunch. This event is an initiative of Student Council and funded through the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). It aims to offer students services that will support their well-being and academic study. Musicians provide the backdrop to the event.

Relax has proven to be valuable to students and aims to alleviate student stress, boost student morale, and build upon the communal atmosphere on campus. The event also contributes to the University’s sense of community, provides a platform for student performers, an opportunity to partner with community agencies (i.e. Foodbank), the provision of student employment and a space to communicate FUSA’s services.

Many express appreciation for the services such as massages and the haircuts as well as how they will use the staple food, to feed their family or housemates.

Goals for 2019 • Develop a plan for the year early on and in collaboration with Student Council to ensure maximum participation in events in Semester 1 • Continue to engage with the Sturt, Medical and Vic Square campuses.

•

Work collaboratively with University departments such as Buildings and Property and the Office of Communication and Engagement to strengthen events and gain University support where needed.

233 $3.5K 351 $6.5K

Shifts for event casuals

worth of free food staples

Haircuts

FUSA Annual Report 2018

worth of free lunches

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Clubs 24

FUSA Annual Report 2018

FUSA’s Clubs & Associations program continued to see growth and success in 2018, with significant increases in the number of registered members, events and activities and overall engagement.

While Voluntary Student Unionism legislation passed in 2005 effectively destroyed clubs programs across Australia, FUSA has worked successfully with the student community to establish a larger and more active clubs program. FUSA continues to work with the student community to encourage student-driven events, campaigns and projects through these Clubs & Associations.

Continued efforts to improve the quality of Club/Association management and FUSA’s internal processes continued to see positive impacts in 2018. This is reflected in larger executive committees and more organised events and activities. The implementation of a new funding model in 2018 led to a substantial increase in student engagement, with more events and activities, more ambitious projects and more students participating in Club/Association activities.

New training materials such as the Clubs & Associations Handbook, new tools and templates and an online Clubs “Wiki” provides executive and committee members with a wealth of knowledge to manage their Clubs and Associations more effectively.

While Clubs provide a wide variety of social opportunities, activities and projects for the Flinders community, FUSA’s Academic Associations continue to provide student representation along with helpful services for students such as skill workshops, seminars and tutoring. These Clubs and Associations also provide students with management and leadership skills recognised through Flinders University’s Horizon Professional Development Award program and the Government of South Australia’s Office for Volunteers.

In 2019, FUSA will focus on providing new opportunities to be recognised professionally and academically for their work as an executive/committee member; and encourage more students to take on these roles. FUSA will also investigate ways to encourage Clubs and Associations to work collaboratively on more ambitious events, activities and projects.

Clubs & Associations at FUSA FUSA received 27 applications for new Clubs and Associations in 2018, and 24 of these clubs were approved for formal affiliation. 88 FUSA affiliates were active in 2018, including: • 36 academic clubs • 23 cultural/spiritual clubs • 13 political/social/environmental justice clubs • 15 special interest or social clubs • 3 sporting or outdoor clubs* *Note: Clubs involved in activities recognised by the Australian Institute of Sport are managed by Flinders Sport and not by FUSA.

Membership Membership within FUSA’s affiliated club continues to increase, currently over 16,000 recorded members; 35.4% more than recorded in 2017. While the public is typically welcome to attend, the overwhelming majority of these members are Flinders University students.

88 16,067 % % 28 42 Affiliated Clubs & Associations

Increase in registered club events and activities

Registered club members

Increase in patrons engaged in club events & activities

FUSA Annual Report 2018

670 24

Executive Committee Members

New clubs approved for formal affiliation

25

While the number of active Clubs & Associations have remained stable, the number of students involved in organisational roles has increased to 670 members; an increase of 14.7% compared to the previous year.

This would indicate that many Clubs and Associations now have larger committees, ensuring greater stability and organisation.

Club Events, Projects and Activities

•

Palaeo in the Pub and STEM in the Tav events run as a cooperative project between the Palaeontology, Biology, Archaeology and Chemical & Physical Sciences clubs; providing informative seminars by experts in each field

• The Photovoice Exhibition run by the Students With Disabilities Association; promoting inclusivity, equality and empowerment for students with disabilities

FUSA’s clubs have once again run more events & activities with increased engagement than previous years. In 2018 clubs ran 28.8% more events and activities than the previous year, with 957 registered events and activities in 2018, compared to 743 in 2017, 560 in 2016, and 425 in 2015.

• Free tutoring of Chemical and Physical Sciences students in Thinking CaPS’ SWOTVAC Study Sessions

In 2018 clubs reported more participants than ever before, with a collective attendance of 34,752 patrons within their events and activities; compared to 24,394 patrons in 2017, 19,555 patrons in 2016 and 12,889 patrons in 2015.

• Free Law Exam Skills Seminars offered by the Law Students Association

Clubs and Associations continue to represent a wide variety of academic, cultural, spiritual, political/social justice and other special interests; ensuring all students have the opportunity to build lasting friendships with like-minded peers.

Club event & activity highlights this year include: • Participation in the Formula SAE competition by the Flinders Motorsport Club • Work by the Students of Biology Association on the Grow, Eat Learn campus community garden •

Celebrating 30 years of the Palaeontology Society with a sold out reception, lectures and presentations from old members and the establishment of a new Palaeontology scholarship through fundraising campaigns

• Ongoing development and work by the Field Robotics Club on the Topcat Autonomous Surface Vessel project •

26

The PPIA Flinders Cup soccer tournament run by the Indonesian Student Association; participated in by cultural clubs from the University of Adelaide, UniSA and Flinders University

FUSA Annual Report 2018

• Japanese language classes and workshops offered by the Japanese Cultural Club

• The ‘Charlie and the Doctor Factory’ musical, run and performed by the Medical Students’ Society in its annual ‘MedRevue’ theatre production • Life skills workshops offered by the Business Students Association to assist students to better understand taxation and budgeting •

Presentation by former martial arts champion Richie Hardcore regarding gender-based violence, gender, love and sexual relationships; organized and presented by the Medical Students’ Society

• The ‘Islam Awareness Week’ project run by the Muslim Association; seeking to promote understanding of Islam throughout the Flinders community •

Student Balls run by the Education Students Association, Tourism Association, Thinking CaPS, Optometry Student Association, Medical Students Society, Law Students Association, Health and Human Rights Group and more

• GPS skill development activities run by the Palaeontology Society and Archaeological Societies • Caving Trips and skills workshops offered by the Speleological Society

FUSA Annual Report 2018

27

FUSA Affiliated Clubs, societies & Academic Associations

8 Ball Club

French at Flinders Club

Ahmadiyya Muslim Student Association

Fu ball Society (Fusball Society)

Archaeological Society

General Practice Students’ Network

Australian Youth Climate Coalition Club

Golden Key International Honour Society

Automotive Solar Team

Government Student Association

Baha’i Society

Health and Human Rights Group

Bangladeshi Students Association

Hellenic Association

Biodiversity and Animal Behaviour Society

Indian Student Association

Biotechnology Student Association

Indigenous Student Association

Bob Hawke Appreciation Society

Indonesian Students Association of Australia (PPIA)

Book Club Business Students’ Association Chinese Student and Scholar Association Cinephile Society (FLICS) Computer Society Costume Club (FUCOS) Criminology Student Association Digital Gaming Enthusiasts East Timorese Students Association Education Student Association Entrepreneurship Society (formerly IPITS) Evangelical Students Fair Trade Collective Field Robotics Club Filipinos at Flinders

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FUSA Annual Report 2018

International Postgraduate Scholars Association Jam Sessions Japanese Cultural Club Labor Club Lady’s Club Lao Student Association in South Australia Law Students Association League of Legends Club Liberal Club Lions Campus Club Mad Tea Collective at Flinders Malaysian Student Society Maniac Dance Club Marine Biology Association

Market Speculation Club

Rocketry & Aerospace Technology

Mathematics and Statistics Society

Rural Health Society

Medical Science Society

Saudi Students Association in Adelaide

Medical Students Society

Singapore Medical Students Association

Medical Students Society (NT Chapter)

Singapore Students Association

Motorsport Club

Social Work Association

Muslim Association

Socialist Alternative Club

Myanmar Student Association

Society of Engineers

Nepalese Students Association

Southern Adelaide Skin Society

Nursing and Midwifery Students Association

Speakeasy

Nutrition Club

Speleological Society

Optometry Student Association

Sri Lankan Student Association

Outdoor Club

Student Exchange Club

Overseas Christian Fellowship

Student Paramedics Australasia

Pacific Islands Club

Students of Biology Association

Palaeontology Society

Students with Disabilities Association

Performing Arts Society

Surgical Society

Permaculture Committee

Tabletop und Roleplaying Enthusiasts

Persian Club

Thinking CaPS – Chemical and Physical Sciences Society

Philosophy Club Photography Enthusiasts Postgraduate Students Association Psychology Students Association Queer Society Reach Out Volunteers Student Group

Tourism Association Twenty Thirty Veg*n Club Vgen Vietnamese Student Association

FUSA Annual Report 2018

29

Media

30

FUSA Annual Report 2018

Throughout 2018, the Media Team provided support to FUSA staff, student representatives, Empire Times editors, student clubs and academic associations through the provision of graphic design solutions, communication and marketing strategies and website development.

Websites In 2018, the use of fusa.edu.au accounted for 58,168 page views. Individual users numbered 46,626, culminating in 124,674 page views. The Media Team has continuted to work within the new design parameters from 2016, and has continued to collaborate with the Web Transformation Team within the University to create more links on the Flinders website to FUSA’s website has also contributed to an increase in cross-URL promotion.

Data shows that the core age group accessing fusa.edu.au. is 18-34 year olds which in total amounts to 74% of our online users. Organic and direct searching for FUSA on search engines amounts to 75% of how users land on the FUSA website with 12.75% being clicks from other sites (such as flinders.edu.au) and the final 12% is attributed to social media.

Our most frequently visited pages are: (1) Jobs (13%) (2) Clubs (7%) (3) Grants (3%) (4) Events (3%) and (5) The Semester 1 & 2 Pub Crawl ticket purchase pages (2% each)

3% Events

3% Grants

7% Clubs

2018 saw FUSA concentrate considerable efforts on growing its social media profile and developing its delivery of content and services through social media platforms. A focus on high-quality creative content and providing a consistent, student-focused voice has resulted in significant growth in engagement, particularly on Facebook, where we have chosen to channel considerable resources in promoting events and FUSA-led initiatives on and off-campus. This reflects the growth of social media use in Australia, with Australians now spending more than 18 hours on Facebook alone (per week). In 2018, FUSA increased its followers on Facebook by 14% to approximately 10,000. We received 662 unique personal messages, averaging 1.8 messages a day, which we generally answer within 10 minutes. Replying, moderating and interacting on social media is becoming more important.

In 2018, we had a renewed focus on using secondary social media platforms such as Instagram for specific events or with curated content. The Media Team is custodian of 30+ other social media accounts which include Student Council Collective pages, club pages, group forums and branded pages for large events such as O’Fiesta.

58,168 14 % 75 200

%

2% S2 Pub Crawl

BREAKDOWN OF MOST FREQUENTLY VISITED PAGES

Social Media

13% Jobs

Web Page Views

Growth in Facebook Followers

OV E R

2% S1 Pub Crawl

There has been decline in use of fusa.edu.au in 2018 and this can in a large part be attributed to the dramatic growth in engagement FUSA’s social media accounts have experienced through 2018.

Of Web Page Visitors Through Organic and Direct Search

FUSA Annual Report 2018

Unique Designs for Events & Clubs

31

Graphic Design In 2018, the Media Team produced over 200 unique designs for student clubs, societies and academic associations.

In 2017, the Student Services and Amenities Fee Budget Advisory Committee approved $50,000 of SSAF funding to be allocated to FUSA to create a campaign in response to the Australian Human Rights Commission’s report on sexual assault and sexual harassment at Australian universities and as a compliment to the Universities Australia’s ‘Respect. Now. Always.’ campaign.

The campaign is called ‘Be a Better Human’ and was launched in 2018. It focuses on building awareness around matters of sexual consent, rape culture and bystander behavior whilst encouraging the fostering of better relationships and selfimprovement. A more detailed summary of the Be A Better Human campaign can be found on pp 34–39 of this report.

O’Week The theme for 2018 O’Week, ‘Summer’ was chosen by the O’Week Student Directors and was well received by students.

Branding asset amalgamation designed by the Media Team

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FUSA Annual Report 2018

averages about 100 unique templates that we create each year. Various posters and digital screen images were created for each of the O’Week events, in addition to a schedule and generic promotional posters and digital signage. Banners where also created to advertise O’Week generally and for specific events. A media package was created and sent out to the various university departments.

The 2018 Student Diary was a success in spite of production difficulties delaying their release. Our O’Week designs, assets and tote bags were all designed by the Media Team and very well received by students.

The Media Team is responsible for the creation and maintenance of the FUSA O’Week website, which also includes academic and other orientation information for students. Activity on the O’Week website started to pick up from February 11 with the peak of 845 unique users visiting the site on February 25 (first day of O’Week). For the full period of the website being live (21 December 2018– 1 March 2019), it attracted 10,258 visitors, a similar result to 2018 (10,661).

the creative issue 2018

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33

Be a Better Human

34

FUSA Annual Report 2018

In 2018 FUSA launched the Be a Better Human Campaign to address issues of consent, communication, empathy and respect in relation to well-publicised issues surrounding harassment and sexual assault on Australian university campuses. The campaign involved the production of materials and the hosting of a fair day on the Flinders University campus to make the first steps towards much needed cultural change.

Universities Australia launched the Respect.Now.Always.

(RNA) campaign in February 2016 to prevent and address sexual assault and sexual harassment across the university sector. As part of this campaign, the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) conducted a national survey of university students about their experience of sexual harassment and sexual assault. The AHRC released the Changing the Course Report documenting their findings and recommendations on 1 August 2017.

create a campaign that reflected the culture of Flinders.

In late 2017, the Student Services and Amenities Fee Budget Advisory Committee approved $50,000 of SSAF funding to be allocated to the Flinders University Student Association (FUSA) to create a campaign in response to the AHRC Changing the Course Report and the RNA campaign. The FUSA campaign is titled Be a Better Human (BaBH) and focuses on building awareness around matters of sexual consent, rape culture and bystander behaviour whilst encouraging respectful relationships and self-improvement.

The FUSA Media Team (3 staff members) utilised the student voice through Student Council and the creation of a Student Advisory Group made up of thirteen students from diverse backgrounds to ensure that the messaging of the campaign was conveyed in an engaging and student friendly manner. To ensure that the material is appropriate and in line with good practice, FUSA consulted with key stakeholders such as Health Counselling and Disability Services and Yarrow Place.

Given the diversity of Flinders’ student body, we placed significant emphasis on ensuring that the campaign’s core messages would be available in a number of languages. The BaBH Student Advisory Board and 2019 FUSA Student Council are keen on expanding this to incorporate a range of translated materials.

Goals The goal at the beginning of this project was to create a multi-pronged campaign raising awareness and promoting an open and educated dialogue on the topics of sexual harassment, sexual assault, consent, rape culture, bystander behavior and community culture, with an overall slant of fostering better relationships and self-improvement. Utilising the student voice each step of the way assisted FUSA to

45,764

It’s important that education campaigns are developed with a prior analysis of the target audience’s thoughts and perceptions, their sexual identity, ethnicity, age, culture and ideology. The creation and utilisation of the Student Advisory Board along with Student Council involvement was the most crucial factors that contributed to the success of this campaign.

Campaign Strategy The campaign utilises a myriad of strategies and approaches with a positive message focused on self-improvement and for all of us to strive to be better.

The benefits of the campaign include building awareness of: • acceptable and unacceptable behaviour • support for those who have experienced sexual harassment/assault on campus • space for those wishing to increase their understanding/improve themselves One of the core advantages of this campaign was that it was student led and therefore, it was less corporate, less heteronormative and more in touch with the aesthetic, views, and opinions of the diverse student demographic. It was FUSA’s hope that the campaign would resonate and engage

50

Unique users who have engaged with Be a Better

Unique Downloads of Be a

Human campaign materials on social media

Better Human Materials by Australian Universities and TAFEs

12

Australian University & TAFE Campuses Adopted Be a Better Human Campaign

FUSA Annual Report 2018

35

students in a thoughtful and reflective way with regards to our own personal responsibilities as well as how we are as a university community.

The campaign focused on providing information on the following through the design choices made: • Sexual harassment and assault on and off campus and in the digital realm • How to be an active bystander and assisting others • Affirmative consent • Addressing myths, toxic masculinity and building awareness of rape culture and the act of victim blaming • How to contribute to positive cultural change • The role that alcohol plays • Coping strategies and self-care • Specialist services including counselling for survivors • How to report on and off campus • Campus security services

Be a Better Human features a suite of assets, combining hand-drawn and digitally-produced artwork. It has relied on a large-scale print and signage campaign for visibility and a strong and engaging social media presence. Digitally animated videos featuring character design were used to enhance this digital engagement.

Environmental design features with decals and physical props were also used to promote social media usage and greater immersion in the concepts and ideas behind Be a Better Human.

Below features summaries of the various components of the Be a Better Human campaign.

Consent Videos The introduction video to the BaBH campaign was successful in reaching 5,626 people with 139 separate engagements (this includes likes, comments or shares).

The animated short film on sending and receiving signals surrounding consent resulted in a similar reach, however due to edits and the video needing to be replaced a few times for minor edits we can’t provide accurate analytics. Combined statistics suggest the video was viewed 1,481 times with a combined reach (individuals who saw the content on social media) of 5,973 on Facebook.

Both videos were played on all screens across the University from April 19 until June 1 2018.

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FUSA Annual Report 2018

Handbook A 48 page booklet was released as part of the campaign, and served as the central reference point for the campaign. The handbook was made available around the university in hard copy and is embedded on the campaign website through ISSUU. The intention was to give as much information to students as possible – in both hard and soft versions. The Student Advisory Group acknowledged that the booklet may not seem exciting to read but that it would be helpful to be used as a reference for students if they need it in the future.

Anecdotally students seemed to appreciate that approach.

On the campaign website, the handbook has been read 255 times from start to finish with a further 483 people that have browsed the booklet. Average time spent reading was registered as 35 minutes, which is exceptional. To date, 780 hard copies of the booklet have been handed out with the remaining 720 set for distribution around campus. In total, 1,035 people have read or taken a copy the handbook.

Tavern Mini-Campaign

The Tavern have a zero-tolerance policy in regards to any harassment and assault. Tavern staff have reported that being able to refer to their coasters, our booklet and their t-shirts has helped inform their patrons and that the promotional material as being helpful in publicisinig their policy.

Be a Better Human Campus Fair A Campus Fair was stage 10 May 2018, and included music, free succulent plants, cupcake decorating, a tea bar with a screen playing the consent animation using tea as an analogy, free food giveaways, self-care spinning wheel with prizes and information and a merchandise stall where staff and student representatives engaged in conversations with students regarding the campaign. There were stall holders from organisations such as SHineSA, Yarrow Place, Women’s Legal Service, Victim Support Service and others.

The Campus Fair was a success and students seemed very pleased with our campaign. Approximately 400 students interacted with the fair (based on promotional material given away and stall engagement).

Consisting of special t-shirts, coasters and videos, part of the campaign was to address alcohol consumption on campus.

Working with the owners of The Tavern we developed the ‘Don’t Be a Jerk’ concept in conjunction with the ‘If it’s not a clear yes, it’s a no’ artwork.

FUSA Annual Report 2018

37

Stall holders were surveyed and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive with reports that they had excellent opportunities to engage with students.

We surveyed just under 200 students at the fair, receiving a mean score of 4.32/5 for ‘delivering the right tone/reflecting Flinders voice’ and a mean score of 4.61/5 with regards to ‘the campaign having a continued presence on campus’.

Approximately 450 booklets were taken on the day as were all of the shirts (approx. 260) and most of our other promotional items. Many said they were very proud to wear the shirts.

A BaBH installation was placed just outside the Tavern giving the opportunity for students to interact with the campaign by coming up with their own ‘calls to action’ for use on social media.

Underwear The core of what the student advisory group wanted to achieve with clothing (t-shirts, underwear) was to direct public attention to the issues of sexual violence, subverting the dominant rhetoric around the sexualisation of clothing, and the culture of objectification. The underwear was manufactured with an attached tag, detailing the campaign details and URL.

38

FUSA Annual Report 2018

The underwear is accompanied with a flyer outlining the campaign and affirmative consent.

Sales of the underwear were used to provide Victim Support Services SA with a donation. Underwear was also made available for purchase online for the remainder of 2018.

Feedback We have collected extensive feedback for the Be a Better Human design and campaigns, particularly in its implementation on other campuses. Feedback has been positive with respect to the accessibility of the material, the importance of our message and the ability to implement it in different contexts and on different campuses. Numerous respondents have praised the more informal tone with which these concepts have been presented in the campaign.

The campaign has had significant reach, having been picked up by 12 other university and TAFE campuses across Australia, including La Trobe University, the University of Sydney, University of Western Australia and the University of New England, with many others indicating an interest in incorporating Be a Better Human materials in their own campaigns. The campaign also received three TAG Awards for Best Marketing Campaign, Most Successful Digital Initiative, and Most Successful Visual Design.

FUSA Annual Report 2018

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Empire Times

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FUSA Annual Report 2018

Empire Times is the student magazine of Flinders University. Each year, three students are elected to form the editorial team and together they produce print and digital magazines throughout the academic year.

From its very first editorial in 1969, Empire Times has proudly numbered among Australia’s most radical, creative, and forward-thinking student magazines. Empire Times strives to provide campus-oriented news and student-centric content.

It also acts as a platform from which to launch emerging talents at Flinders University.

Since its hiatus from 2006-2013 (due to Voluntary Student Unionism), Empire Times has increased its readership and engagement both on campus and in the digital realm. As in previous years, ISSUU.com hosts the digital versions of the print magazine, which not only increases online readership but does the very important act of archiving Empire Times across the years. The official website of Empire Times, empiretimes.com.au, has grown in audience with an impressive 3,400 visitors in the last year and features unique articles that are unavailable to a print readership. As such, the website acts as a means of reporting on timesensitive matters as well as expanding Empire Times’ reach by providing varied voices via an accessible platform.

2018 This year’s editors – Ainsley Ewart, Oli Glenie and Cameron Lowe – published nine issues, including the Creative Competition special, with print runs ranging from 600-3000 depending on the time of year.

Themes ranged in subject, including ‘Adelaide’, ‘Style’ and ‘Space’ as well as the recurring theme ‘Sex’. Year after year the Sex themed issue remains the most popular edition of Empire Times and 2018 was no different – unsurprisingly, this year’s Sex edition was well-received and only half a box of print magazines remained (approximately 25 copies). This is especially significant since most students read Empire Times and put it back on campus for others to read, according to a survey conducted in 2016.

Achievements In September, the editors attended the National Young Writers Festival held in Newcastle. This was an excellent opportunity for the editorial team to develop their skills by attending workshops and seminars, network with other emerging talents, and build a supportive foundation of likeminded creatives.

Empire Times remains an integral part of the student community here at Flinders University and the editors work hard all year round supporting the creatives that come through their doors. As such, the End of Year Party is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate student media and the

amazing efforts put in by the editorial team. The End of Year Party was held in November and coincided with the release of the final edition and featured a special display of copies from the archives. The party had a good turnout and allowed the incoming and current editors to give thanks to contributors through awards such as ‘Best Sub-Editor’ and ‘Favourite Fiction Piece’, for which winners received an Empire Times branded t-shirt and pin.

Creative Competition During the year, Empire Times ran the ever-popular Creative Competition and received an exciting 48 submissions, most of whom were submitted by new contributors. This evidences just how fantastic these competitions are at gaining traction with a unique audience. It is also reflective of the incredible talent and creative interest we have here at Flinders University.

Cash prizes were given to those who came first and runner up. The results of the Creative Competition were:

Fiction 1st: Marina Deller-Evans 2nd: Georgina Hand

Poetry 1st: Elizabeth Middleton 2nd: Richard Falkner

Photography 1st: Danielle Yap 2nd: Nathan Solly

Visual Art 1st: Courtney Egan 2nd: Loretta O’Connor This year the editors did something special with the Creative Competition and presented the winners in an exclusive A5 zine designed by the media team. This unique format also acted as an example of what the magazine could look like in future years should incoming editors like to experiment with design and form.

FUSA Annual Report 2018

41

Representation

42

FUSA Annual Report 2018

Engaging in representative positionas and activities is a powerful way students can enhance their experience at university. It provides opportunity for independent student voice in decision making, learning and teaching, and advances the rights and interests of students. FUSA promotes a wide range of student representation opportunities to connect students meaningfully with their learning, their College and the University more broadly.

The Student Representation and Development Officer was involved in the following initiatives in 2018: •

Conducting a Topic Representative Pilot in the College of Science & Engineering, College of Business, Government and Law and with one topic in the College of Nursing & Health Sciences.

• Providing advice and developing support materials regarding strengthening student representation structures in Colleges.

• Developing and running training for student run Academic Associations (formally School Associations).

•

Continual development of frameworks, manuals, academic papers and other resources relating to student engagement with a particular focus on student partnership in governance and teaching and learning.

FUSA Development Grants The FUSA Development Grants program gives students the opportunity to attend events or participate in activities linked to their current area of study or campus activities which may not be otherwise possible due to financial constraints. At the same time, students are given valuable experience in applying for and acquitting grants – a useful skill in many professions.

FUSA is able to promote and advance the rights, interests and welfare of students at Flinders University by utilising funds provided by the Student Services and Amenities Fee to support students.

FUSA development grants are awarded twice a year (Semester One & Semester Two) for amounts of up to $800 per grant.

Students are invited to apply for FUSA Development Grants for an activity focussing on one of the following areas:

• Developing and delivering training for student representatives across the University.

• Professional development linked to the applicant’s area of study

•

• Student representation or leadership opportunities that link with the applicant’s current campus activities.

Participating in national conversations lead by Office of Learning and teaching (OLT) Fellow, Sally Varnham around the creation of a National Framework for Student Partnership in University Decision-Making and Governance.

• Participation in the Student Voice Australia: Student Engagement Pilot in Australia project.

• Managing Student Council elections and vacancy appointments.

• Cultural or social significance linking to the applicant’s current campus activities Grant applications were assessed according to how well they match the selection criteria within the Development Grant Guidelines. Each grant covered no more than 85% of the total costs associated with the proposed activity.

• Organising Student Council Induction for all incoming Student Council members.

FUSA Annual Report 2018

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Development Grants Case Studies Katarina Jerbic

PhD in Maritime Archaeology

Awarded $600 in Semester 1 to attend fieldwork on the Victorian salt-marshes.

“This experience was a great opportunity to present what I know to myself and others, and to also develop the knowledge I have gathered here at Flinders. Working with another student with a different scientific and academic background was a very positive and useful experience.”

- Katarina Jerbic, 2018

Joseph Loielo

Bachelor of Paramedic Science

Awarded $700 in Semester 1 to attend a Royal Flying Doctor Service Ride Along Program “The experience made me appreciate the transferability of the skills which I have developed throughout my course as a Flinders University Student. Working with the different health care professionals allowed me to develop my skills and knowledge in areas of medicine and pre-hospital care.”

- Joseph Loielo, 2018

Kimberley Lipszyc Doctor of Medicine

Awarded $800 to attend the Specialists Without Borders Medical Education Outreach Program “The SWB program allowed me to network with some inspirational doctors and some lovely medical students who are also passionate about global health. It was incredibly interesting to see the different styles of teaching and how this was made relevant depending on the medical equipment available at each hospital.”

- Kimberley Lipszyc, 2018

2018 Development Grants Breakdown Semester 1

32

9 Undergrad 23 Postgrad

Semester 2

Grants Approved

44

$

Total Amount Applied For

Grants Approved

60

49,409 18,284

$

41 Undergrad 19 Postgrad

Total Amount Approved

53,092 38,847

$

$

Total Amount Applied For

FUSA Annual Report 2018

Total Amount Approved

81 62 Nominations

Individaual Candidates

2018 Election Results STUDENT PRESIDENT Katt Hatzi GENERAL SECRETARY Josh Rayner EDUCATION OFFICER Jesse Stevens WOMEN’S OFFICER Jawahir Baraki WELFARE OFFICER Nathan Cheetham POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS OFFICER Hansha Manimendra INTERNATIONAL STUDENT OFFICER Nicholas Loh INDIGENOUS STUDENTS OFFICER Sarah Howson

Elections The annual FUSA elections took place online through Big Pulse.

The first day at the polling booth was the busiest and overall, and we had a slightly lower voter turnout than the previous year (8.3% in 2018 vs. 8.9% in 2017) over three days of voting.

81 nominations were received (down from 91 in 2017) and 62 individual candidates nominated (up from 59 in 2017).

DISABILITIES OFFICER Nicole Cutufia SOCIAL ACTIVITIES OFFICER Gemma Lyons MATURE AGE OFFICER Christopher Norman GENERAL COUNCIL MEMBERS (SIX POSITIONS) Angus Clarke Clara Rose Santilli Jesy Murphy Laura Savaglia Louise Nixon Nathan Fiedler EMPIRE TIMES EDITORIAL TEAM Kienan McKay, James Watson, Alicia Wood NUS CONFERENCE DELEGATES Alfred Lowe Angus Clarke Josh Jarvis

QUEER OFFICER Sean Henschke

Josh Rayner

ENVIRONMENT OFFICER Grace Hensel

Louise Nixon

Katt Hatzi

Elections in 2018 Along with Annual Elections for Student Council held in October, in 2018 we also had 2 casual vacancy appointments.

Postgraduate Officer Casual Vacancy Appointment January 2018 Vincent Char was appointed

Welfare Officer Casual Vacancy Appointment July 2018 Nathan Cheetham was appointed.

FUSA Annual Report 2018

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FinanciAlS

The majority of the funding FUSA receives is from the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). The SSAF is a compulsory fee charged by the University which supports non-academic services and amenities for Flinders students. Student consultation takes place when considering how the income will be used to provide or enhance these services and amenities.

Every year, FUSA submits a funding request and budget to the SSAF Budget Advisory Committee which provides a recommendation to the Vice-Chancellor regarding how the SSAF income should be allocated across the University.

This funding request is prepared in consultation with the Executive of Student Council and all FUSA staff. Student Council then approve the final funding request and budget. In 2018, FUSA received $2,109,100 which was approximately 43% of the total SSAF that was distributed across the University.

SSAF funds are required to be spent in accordance with the Allowed Amenities and Services as provided for under Section (19-38) if the Higher Education Support Act 2003.

Unspent funds for the year are returned to the University’s SSAF holding account to be disbursed as per the above section in the Act.

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FUSA Annual Report 2018

18% Other

11% Careers & Employment Liaison Centre

2018 UniversityWide SSAF Allocation

16% Health, Counselling & Disability 12% Flinders Campus Community Services

43% FUSA

Breakdown of SSAF Funds Allocated to FUSA

Communications & Media $ 228,354 This program delivers FUSA’s communication activities, including:

Student Engagement $ 1,274,302 Support for programs and initiatives that enhance student experience, engagement and student representation, including:

• FUSA and Student Council promotion and marketing, including website and social media presence • Production of the student magazine, Empire Times

• O’Week

• O’Week

• Student events and activities

• Student Diary

• Welfare breakfasts for students

•

• Student Council initiatives, campaigns, events and conference attendance

Funding for a consent campaign is response to the in response to the Australian Human Rights Commission’s report on sexual assault and sexual harassment at Australian universities

• FUSA Development Grants

Clubs and Societies (non-sporting)

• FUSA/Student Engagement operational expenses

$ 177,000

Student Advocacy & Welfare

Funding for non-sporting student clubs and societies, including social, political and international clubs, for:

$ 353,444 Funding provides independent and confidential academic advocacy, financial counselling, emergency financial assistance and welfare support to students through Student Assist. This includes administrative support.

• Grants to clubs for events, club leadership initiatives and operating expenses • Club awards night to reward the most active clubs • School-based student associations • Postgraduate support and activities

Student Council $76,000 Administrative costs and professional development of Student Council members 17% Student Advocacy & Welfare 4% Student Council 11% Communications & Media

8% Clubs & Societies (non-sporting)

Breakdown of SSAF Funds Allocated to FUSA

2,109,100

$ 60% Student Engagement

Total SSAF Funds Allocated to FUSA

FUSA Annual Report 2018

47

Income & Expenditure YTD Report from January to December 2018 SSAF Transfers

Income

Expenses

Surplus/Defecit

$353,444

$0

$301,108

$ 52,336

$ 1,274,302

$147,933

$1,422,106

$ 129

Clubs & Societies (Non-Sporting)

$177,000

$229

$172,233

$4,996

Communications & Media

$228,354

$0

$241,932

-$13,578

Student Council

$76,000

$386

$61,312

$15,074

$2,109,100

$148,548

$ 2,198,691

$ 58,957

Student Advocacy & Welfare Student Engagement

Totals

Student Council Bank Account The Student Council has a separate bank account where it receives small amounts of income from the jobs board, pub crawl t-shirt sales and O’Week stall holder fees.

This account is completely controlled by the Student Council and the signatories to the account are the Student President and the General Secretary. The only major expense occurred from this account in 2018 was the annual affiliation fee to the National Union of Students, which was $16,000.

Student Council Bank Account Position Opening Balance as at 1 January 2018 Total Debits

$27,930.12

Total Credits

$28,919.81

Closing Balance as at 31 December 2018

48

FUSA Annual Report 2018

$ 1,833.57

$2,823.26

FUSA Annual Report 2018

49

Level 1 Student Hub Flinders University Bedford Park (08) 8201 2371 fusa@flinders.edu.au

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