Cam says
This week, you’ll be voting for the AUSA executive for 2021. The executive are an important group of people. They act as a mediator between students and the university, wield influence over student policies, and have control over welfare grants, student spaces, and events on campus.
The elections this year have seen the largest number of candidates running for the executive in modern times, and while I commend the efforts of the association to encourage students to run for leadership, I do worry if in this situation, we might see quantity over quality.
To take on any position in the executive, you’re probably best to have some previous leadership experience – faculty associations, clubs, church or personal ventures. You should also have an understanding of the issues facing students, and an idea of how AUSA operates. It’s not enough to see an open role and say you want it. You should know the issues facing students and have ideas on how to make a positive impact.
The current executive this year have been highly effective considering the circumstances. Half of the executive is currently missing due to their positions being uncontested last election. It’s not left them in a great position for continuity.
I have two things I ask of you this week. Firstly, vote. It’s good practice for the other important election in October and you should because you can.
Secondly, read up on the candidates. Have a brief scroll through their Facebook pages or ask your mates who they’re voting for. Vote for someone you think is quality.
Catch you after the break,
Cam
Dan says
VOTE IN THE AUSA ELECTION YOU EGGS!!!!!!!
I know it’s easy to think that they’re not a big deal, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Honestly, unless you’re graduating at the end of this year, these elections will have more of an influence over your day-to-day lives than the real election. Yes, I’m serious.
That’s because the AUSA and the AUSA executive are responsible for loads of things which directly affect student lives. Among other things, AUSA:
- organises O-Week
- owns and runs Shadows
- controls the funding for hardship grants, deciding what the criteria are, how much can be awarded, and who can access them
- have a seat at the university council, where Dawn Freshwater and other big-wigs discuss big changes coming to the university
- own a bunch of land for some reason
That’s just a few of the things they do; there are so many more that I had to cut.
In essence, these elections are going to decide who is in charge of all that stuff for the next year. That’s massive for students. You’re giving a heap of money (literally millions of dollars; you can find their annual turnover online), assets, and buildings, to a bunch of students. It’s important that they’re the right ones.
Please vote in the upcoming election. Have your say on how you want the university to be.
Sincerely (or at least, as sincerely as anyone can be during election season),
Dan