The Student Representative Council (SRC) is working to bring a student union to Western Sydney University (Western). Mid 2024, the SRC engaged the CPR Consulting firm to effectively handle this transition and the talks with the university. SRC President Laine Fox stated, “It was important for the SRC to have someone with experience in the student union sector to guide us through the process. The CPR Consultancy Group, which has consulted for other student organisations and groups across Australia, seemed like the right choice.” Every university’s student body has different goals and needs regarding unionisation. the more engagement that the SRC receives from students, the better the union can best meet the requirements of Western students.
The idea for the union came from the SRC’s involvement in the National Union of Students Education Conference in 2023. While the union is still developing, Fox hopes to see ‘tangible progress by early to mid-next year.’ This planning is only the first step of unionisation and may take years to be fully implemented. CPR’s managing director Michael Connelly has said that there has been no push back from the university in its efforts to unionise students, which he considers a good sign for any significant obstacles in the future. The SRC is collaborating closely with Western’s Vice-Chancellor, George Williams, to ensure a strong working relationship between the union and the institution. The SRC will formally submit the student union proposal to the Board of Trustees for a vote once a solid plan has been developed.
This process is still in its infancy and needs student support and feedback throughout its development. The SRC holds monthly meetings open to all students, but the best way to stay informed is through the SRC’s social media and newsletters.
Follow the SRC’s Instagram, SRC’s Facebook or email the SRC directly at src@westernsydney.edu.au. This is also a great place to learn about any openings or opportunities within the Council if you want to get more involved in student leadership.
