Your Student Guide
Acknowledgment of Country We respectfully acknowledge the Kaurna, Boandik & Barngarla First Nations Peoples & their Elders past & present, who are the First Nations’ traditional owners of the land that is now home to the University of South Australia’s campuses in Adelaide, Mount Gambier & Whyalla. We are honoured to recognise our connection to the Kaurna, the Boandik & the Barngarla lands, & their history, culture & spirituality through these locations, & we strive to ensure that we operate in a manner that respects their Elders & ancestors. We also acknowledge the other First Nations of lands across Australia with which we conduct business, their Elders, ancestors, cultures & heritage.
All information & links contained in this guide were up to date at the time of printing. While this booklet is designed to assist students, USASA accepts no responsibility for actions taken on the basis of information provided in this booklet. In addition, USASA does not endorse or accept responsibility for the content of any linked site contained in this booklet. 2
Contents Acknowledgment of Country Welcome Get out what you put in Getting Started USASA Student Spaces USASA Online Community Campus Culture Verse Magazine UniSA Merchandise Find your Flock USASA Clubs USASA Grants Leadership Opportunities Student Voice Student Board Election Receive Support USASA Academic Advocacy USASA Financial Counselling Tax Help Opportunities & Volunteering
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Welcome to the UniSA Community This little guide from the University of South Australia Student Association (USASA) has everything to help you get started. You’ll find ways to get involved in the UniSA community, how to access all of USASA’s services, how to receive support, where you can get creative, & how you can meet new friends!
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We are the University of South Australia Student Association USASA’s ethos is pretty straightforward - we exist to empower you to shape your own university journey. USASA provides tools & services which enable you to thrive & become a well-rounded individual. As a UniSA student, all of USASA’s services are free & available to you. Established in 1994, we are a not-for-profit organisation led by a Student Board (elected each year by you). We are the engine that provides vibrancy outside of lectures, exams & assessments. USASA gives students a voice, supports heaps of clubs, delivers fun events, provides academic support, helps you navigate your finances, fosters your creativity & constantly improves student services & spaces.
Becoming a member You are automatically a member of USASA by enrolling as a UniSA student - how good is that? All USASA services are paid for by your Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF). This is the fee charged to all university students for nonacademic services & amenities. This includes employment & career services, student clubs, sport & recreational activities, counselling & subsidised food services. USASA.sa.edu.au/SSAF
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Get out what you put in One of the best pieces of advice USASA can give you is to get involved! Your university experience is only as good as you make it & USASA’s aim is to empower you with the tools to ensure you have a great experience! As a UniSA student, you are automatically given access to all of USASA’s services like clubs & societies, grants for creative ideas & personal development, various jolly-good events, volunteering & paid opportunities, running for the student Board, receiving advocacy support & financial counselling, as well as writing & creative input for Verse Magazine (the UniSA student publication). Everything is yours for the taking, you just need to take the first step.
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Getting started A good place to get started is heading tothe website. USASA.sa.edu.au Registration is easy, & although it’s not a necessity, it’s a good way to ensure you stay connected with the wider UniSA community. When you register, you’ll be added to our mailing list, which will ensure you never miss a beat. You can also connect with USASA via social media, where you’ll receive daily updates, important announcements, lol-worthy memes, student discounts, & giveaways! Follow us on social media: Facebook.com/USASAAdelaide Instagram.com/USASAAdelaide LinkedIn.com/Company/USASA Twitch.tv/USASAAdelaide
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USASA Student Spaces You can find USASA staff & spaces on all six UniSA campuses. The USASA spaces are an everchanging hub of activity. They are your go-to location for key information to keep you in the loop & stocked up on useful items. Our staff are available for face-toface queries, support, directions, goodies or just to have a chat. Other essentials include: • $1.50 cup noodles • Goodies (student diaries, pens & wall planners) • Personal health items (sanitary items & condoms) • Verse Magazine • Board games • Friendly staff who are also UniSA students • Some spaces offer a student kitchen with access to tea, coffee & a microwave (other campuses have access to a student lounge) USASA.sa.edu.au/FindUs
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USASA Online Community USASA is dedicated to ensuring that external & online students have their voices heard & their needs met. USASA strive to connect, socialise & support the Online cohort through, • Supporting online student clubs & online friendly studentrun event • Facilitating online social events (think quiz nights, virtual meetups, etc.) • Ensure all USASA services are accessible & available to online students USASA.sa.edu.au/USASAOnline Join the Online Student Groups: Facebook.com/groups/ UniSAOnlineStudents Discord.gg/qrak3jHfY2
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Campus Culture Balance study life with the fun stuff A spirited university community is at the forefront of everything USASA does. USASA hosts a fantastic variety of events & activities each semester to help cultivate community, capture moments & help you look after your health & wellbeing. USASA also helps our eclectic mix of student clubs to throw weekly events - that’s around 1000 events each year! There is always something to do, see, eat & learn.
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Campus Fair Campus Fair is UniSA & USASA’s main orientation event. The multicampus event is full of freebies, festivities & fun, which aims to immerse you into university life, bring together people from all over campus & make lifelong mates. Campus Fair connects you with all USASA & UniSA services, including social & sport clubs, events, wellbeing, career & volunteer opportunities, & leadership to name a few. USASA.sa.edu.au/CampusFair Working on Wellness Working on Wellness is a monthlong program taking place in SP2 & SP5 designed to help all students focus on their mental health & wellbeing. Keep an eye on what’s happening with events & activities popping up all over the metro & regional campuses, as well as online & offcampus events! USASA.sa.edu.au/WOW
Art on Campus Art on Campus is the perfect opportunity for you to express your creativity! The project unites aspiring creatives from all disciplines across the University. Entries open mid-year, so keep an eye out for the launch! USASA.sa.edu.au/ArtonCampus Club Awards Program USASA Club Awards recognise & celebrate the outstanding work done by Clubs each year, to build community, create opportunities & develop networks for students at UniSA. USASA.sa.edu.au/ClubAwards Clubs Fest Clubs Fest is the perfect opportunity for UniSA students to explore, connect & join clubs in SP5. A chance to make friends, stay active, gain experience & have an awesome time at uni! USASA.sa.edu.au/ClubsFest Social Parties & Other Events On top of everything else, keep an eye out for fun, social events & activities, including Art on Campus, pub crawls, end-of-year parties, mid-year celebrations & more. USASA.sa.edu.au/Events 11
Verse Magazine Funded & supported by USASA, Verse Magazine is your go-to independent student publication. The award-winning magazine is completely student-run, with all the content curated by the UniSA community. The meticulouslydesigned mag includes anything from think-pieces, poetry, & reviews, to hand-crafted masterpieces & university projects. The magazine releases six editions every year, with over 12,000 printed copies distributed across the six campuses. Each year, USASA recruits a new editorial team who are able to tap into a loyal following of talented contributors who report on what’s happening in & around the current student zeitgeist.
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Connect, submit, get involved or even apply for the team.
USASA.sa.edu.au/VerseMagaine VerseMag.com.au Facebook.com/VerseMagAdelaide Instagram.com/VerseMag
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UniSA Merchandise Official UniSA Merchandise is available from USASA, through the online store or through inperson Spaces. All profits from merchandise sales go straight back into empowering you & supporting the work of USASA. You can choose from a variety of items including hoodies, t-shirts, caps & more. USASA.sa.edu.au/Shop
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Price & Product List UniSA Men’s & Women’s Varsity Hoodie
UniSA Men’s & Women’s Printed T-shirt
Maroon, Grey & Navy $65.00
Navy & Red $25.00
UniSA Men’s & Women’s Varsity Jacket
UniSA Men’s & Women’s Vintage T-Shirt
$65.00
White & Grey $25.00
UniSA Men’s & Women’s Collegiate Zip Up Jacket
UniSA Men’s & Women’s Navy Polo Shirt with White Trim
Grey & Navy $60.00
$35.00
UniSA Men’s & Women’s Adventure Vest
UniSA Promotional Items
$65.00
Umbrella: $15.00
Lapel Pin: $15.00
Unisex Cap: $15.00
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Find your Flock Clubs & Societies USASA funds & supports over 90 clubs & societies. One of USASA’s key objectives is to empower you to drive a campus culture where you have fun, make friends & take pride in your University. What better way to do this than by supporting student clubs? But, why should you join or start a USASA Club? We can think of a couple great reasons: • Make friends with like-minded people • Enhance campus vibrancy • Boost your resume • Run your own events • Expand your university experience • Learn about different cultures With many diverse & exciting student clubs to join at UniSA, there’s bound to be something for you! Can’t find a club that interests you? Be a trail-blazer, & start a new club.
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USASA Clubs are the largest contributor to student events & campus culture at UniSA, running up to 1000 events per year, & providing a network of students to make friends & create connections. USASA supports clubs in a variety of ways including resourcing & mentorship, with the aim of empowering students to engage each other, peer-to-peer. USASA.sa.edu.au/AboutClubs
Launch your ideas with USASA Grants Have an exciting idea that needs a kick-start? The USASA Grants Program is designed to ensure clubs are resourced & visible, so they can be at the heart of the student experience, & to assist non-club student-led groups in contributing to a vibrant UniSA community. USASA clubs & student-led groups can access grants of up to $2,500 in a single application to support their activities or purchases, with a maximum of $3,500 within a calendar year. USASA.sa.edu.au/Grants
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Leadership Opportunities
Student Voice If you’re a student representative (or aspire to be one) this is your one-stop-shop for all things to support you in your student representation journey. Find your voice during your time at UniSA & develop your professional skills in governance & student representation.
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USASA Student Voice connects & supports student representatives from across the University. This service provides resources & networks for students & staff involved in student representation & decision-making at all levels. USASA.sa.edu.au/StudentVoice
Student Board USASA is led by the Student Board & they are the peak decision-making committee of the organisation. The Board is made up of 15 elected students, who are passionate about representing all UniSA students. They have an overarching responsibility to manage the conduct of USASA’s business & affairs. They are also responsible for the management & control of USASA’s funds & property. The board gives a voice to all UniSA students, & you can also voice your concerns & enact change by contacting any of the reps. You can contact the Board & also see what they’ve been up to by visiting their website. USASA.sa.edu.au/StudentBoard
Want to be a student leader & represent your peers? You can challenge & empower yourself by nominating to be a student leader in the annual election for the USASA Board. Being a student representative enables you to develop confidence & leadership, build networks with staff & students, increase your employability & receive personal development. Nominations for positions & the election usually run from September each year, find out more by visiting the website & social media. USASA.sa.edu.au/Election
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Receive Support USASA Academic Advocacy An overwhelming & confusing aspect of being a student is adhering to academic policies & procedures. If you run into academic integrity issues, the USASA advocacy service exists to help you navigate the system & depressurize your situation. USASA Advocacy Officers can help you with the procedures for remarking, resubmissions & appeals against your final grades.
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The USASA Advocates can help you understand academic policies & procedures, & advise you as to what is happening with your situation & what to do next. Their expert advice & knowledge of university processes will help you pursue your student rights. USASA.sa.edu.au/Advocacy
USASA Financial Counselling Being a university student is a huge financial commitment, especially if you are supporting yourself. USASA offers a Financial Counselling service, that can help you manage your finances & assist in making the pieces of the puzzle fit. On your university journey, you may find you have stress related to issues such as debt, rent, utility costs & budgeting problems. This is where a Financial Counsellor may be about to help identify your options & help you plan a course of action. The service provides access to emergency food support, help with applications for grants, dealing with bad financial standing with the University, & developing a budget to stabilise your finances. USASA.sa.edu.au/ FinancialCounselling
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Tax Help Taxes are a yearly thing that you need to stay on top of. USASA offers students free help with their tax returns, with appointments open from July until October. To make sure you are eligible & to book an appointment visit USASA.sa.edu.au/TaxHelp
Other support There are a number of useful support services available to students, both internal & external to the University. USASA.sa.edu.au/SupportLinks
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Opportunities & Volunteering We are constantly on the lookout for people who are passionate, positive & driven team players, who have a ’can-do’ attitude & can also be an ambassador for USASA. This include’s helping out on the day, attending planning committee meetings, or sharing your great ideas - the choice is yours! Volunteering is a great way to make friends & boost your resume. USASA.sa.edu.au/Volunteer
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Academic Advocacy Clubs & Societies Student Voice Social Events Student Board Verse Magazine UniSA Merchandise Financial Support Student Spaces We are USASA, the University of South Australia Student Association & we are here for students. We are a non-profit student-owned organisation focused on providing services & a voice for UniSA students.
USASA.sa.edu.au Website
USASAAdelaide Discord
@USASAAdelaide Facebook
@USASAAdelaide Instagram
