Who and what in the heck is the USU?

Emily Graetz explains the University of Sydney Union. 

You have made it through the first half of semester 1 relatively unscathed. You have attended (some) classes, maybe handed in an assignment and made a friend or two. Putting aside the impending doom of unemployment, the fact that the government wants to defund your degree and the collective concern about Redfern cat (where is he???), life is good. As you’ve stayed up late completing discussion posts and risen early for 8am lectures, one thing has stayed on your mind… what in the heck is the USU? 

For many new USyd students or the older ones that haven’t been paying attention (we see you and we are here for you), the USU is a mythical creature that nobody can seem to explain. Never fear! Pulp is here to answer your questions.

Who are they?

Founded way back in 1874, the University of Sydney Union (USU) is a student-led, independent and not-for-profit organisation that provides programs, facilities, services and support for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Functioning under values of ‘inclusivity, diversity, and sustainability,’ they facilitate events and publications like Welcome Week, PopFest, International Festival and yours truly, Pulp. Additionally, they run a huge portion of the university’s bars and eateries and are responsible for the funding (and defunding) of the uni’s nightlife. Importantly, the USU also funds USyd’s vast array of clubs and societies.

The USU is also made up of, well, you! Students! All members can vote in elections and join clubs whilst paying Rewards members receive discounts around campus.

Wait, so there’s more than one student representative body?

Don’t confuse the USU for the Student Representative Council (SRC) though! Whilst they’re both representative bodies, the SRC is an undergraduate group that provides casework help and legal services as well as other student publications, like Honi Soit. There’s also SUPRA who are the postgraduate student body that provides assistance on things like renting, special consideration, and visas and migration. 

Where does the money come from?

Well, my dear friend - it’s you! In 2020, the USU received $5,415,453 from Student Services and Amenities Fees (which you either pay upfront or defer). A huge portion of their revenue also comes from their outlets, like cafes, their paying Rewards members and they also engage and sponsorship partnerships.

Who leads the Board?

The USU is led by 11 elected student representatives who are voted in on a two-year term basis. Elections are held yearly which means there is an overlap in representatives. The board is also graced with the (non-voting) presence of the Immediate Past President. There are also two Senate-appointed Directors who effectively represent the University’s interests - a recent move that has been criticised by those wanting to see the USU remain independent. In 2021, the USU was joined by newly appointed CEO Andrew Mills. 

Elections for positions as Board Directors take place in May of each year with 6 new directors taking the helm in 2021. Nominations for candidates close soon, on April 15, with all members of the USU being able to vote in the preferential system May 17-21. 

Aren’t the Board Directors just glorified School Prefects?

The group consists of a President, Vice President, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and general Directors. Directors also lead important portfolios and committees such as the Queer, Disabilities, International Student, Wom*n's and Environment Portfolios and the COVID-19 Response Committee. 

In 2021, board directors are paid $4994.20 for the year, the Honorary Secretary, Treasurer and Vice President $14,982.59 and the President $29,965.17. They also receive a daily meal allowance of $11 to be spent at USU outlets. 

Becoming a Board Director is kind of a big deal. Candidates represent and are supported by on-campus political groups and they run comprehensive campaigns (stay tuned for a full explainer on political factions). Some would argue that student politics is a training ground for real politics - and indeed many USyd alumni have made it to the big stage including ol’ boy Malcom Turnball and the Hon. Michael Kirby - but Board Directors actually take on some pretty serious roles during their time in office. 

President Irene Ma says that ‘a misconception about the role would be that they [Board Directors] are responsible for the managerial decisions and interfering with the day-to-day operations’ of the USU. Rather, she says, they ‘sit on the horizon to oversee and monitor the operation, the finance (including the budget), and the strategy of the organisation’ as well as advocating for policies that will benefit students’ interests.

Basically, the decisions USU Board Director’s make can affect the functioning of the USU and its staff as well as potentially changing student life for the better… or worse. As recently as 2019, a club executive who ran for board was alleged to have embezzled $12,000 from the USU, revealing the power afforded to elected students and the importance of the elections.

Surely they must deal with a lotta challenges? 

Yes, correct, absolutely. In the past the USU have grappled with their fair share of challenges. 

The USU currently faces another year of COVID-related matters including the return of staff and venues to full capacity and the shifting in-person attendance of students. President Ma says that ‘the pandemic has changed the student experience significantly, so the question of how to continue staying relevant to the student community and providing an engaging campus experience for students who are not actually able to join us on-campus is also a challenge for the Union’. 

In 2020, the USU faced the sudden departure of CEO Alexis Roitman, a challenging time considering the uncertainty of a pandemic-riddled year. The Union has also been criticised for lacking transparency, bowing to the corporatization of the university, reducing staff hours and laying off staff during the pandemic, as well as making changes to the way that clubs receive funding. However, in a March board meeting, the CEO announced a surplus suggesting there is at least some semblance of economic stability on the horizon. 

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Yeah, we know, it’s a lot! And hey, we aren’t going to kid you - student politics can be a bit of a drag sometimes. But it is important to keep an eye on who the USU are and what they do - they make important decisions that have a real impact on student life. If you want to be involved you can attend their monthly meetings, vote in elections, nominate for Board, keep reading student publications and speak to Directors about what you want to see more of! 

Or alternatively, head back into that student-politics-free cave of yours… we won’t blame you...