Deakin University Student Association

The Deakin University Student Association (DUSA) in Victoria, Australia is the student union at Deakin University. The association provides representation and a range of other services to all students at the University, across all campuses and modes of study.

History

The Deakin University Student Association (DUSA) was formed in January 2001, when the separate and autonomous campus unions (Burwood Association of Students - BAS; Geelong Association of Students - GAS; and Warrnambool Association of Students - WAS; and the Rusden Association of Students - RAS) amalgamated. The resulting cross-campus organisation allowed campuses to retain autonomy in campus-specific services and activities, but gave budgetary and policy power to the new Student Council. The amalgamation was seen as an opportunity to strengthen lobbying power with the University, as well as to streamline operational costs, allowing more spending on student services.

The present board include Kali Watson (President), Polly-Walker Dorras (Vice President), Zachary Smith (General Secretary), Jennifer Gibson (Assistant General Secretary, Toni Hawker (Welfare Officer), Shobitha Sivathamboo (Education Officer), Kate Dennis (Events and Activities Officer) and Hermione Granger (Clubs and Societies Officer).

Representation

DUSA is made up of elected office bearers, with governing positions in the organisation only available to students.

Organisational decisions within DUSA are made by the Governance Committee, consisting of the President, Deputy President, General Secretary, Undergraduate Director, Postgraduate Director, Development Director and Welfare Director. DUSA is a participant in the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations but not the more party-political National Union of Students. DUSA is a non-partisan organisation.

Each campus (Burwood, Waurn Ponds, Geelong Waterfront, Warrnambool and Distance) have campus committees. These committees are composed of fifteen Student Representatives. Each committee elects a Campus Director to act as the face of DUSA for their campus. The student population do not get to vote for their Campus Director. This decision is made by the campus committee, which is made up of members that are elected to the committee. Members also are unable to vote in the co-option of new committee members.

Functions and services

DUSA operates a range of services for Deakin students, giving discounts and preferential treatment to its members. These services include bookshops, entertainment, tourism and partnering arrangements with national discount card providers.

DUSA organises Orientation Week (O'Week) activities, and facilitates over 80 Clubs and Societies. DUSA teams participate in the Australian University Games and encourage active students to participate in a variety of sporting events and competitions, including the annual Campus Clash.

DUSA operates a number of outlets and spaces for students to utilise, including student lounges with free tea and coffee. It also operates the following eateries and shops on the Burwood and Warrnambool campuses:

• Cafe Plateau
• Einstein's Bar and Cafe
• SUB (Student Union Bar)
• Books
• Shop

DUSA provides members with a student diary, wall planner and member discounts on photocopying, laminating, binding, faxing, and other services such as free lunches and entertainment.

DUSA provides members with access to Student Rights Officers who assist in a range of academic and disciplinary matters including enrolment issues, fee issues, changes to grades and disciplinary cases and appeals. Student Rights Officers offer support to Students wishing to take action in cases of discrimination and harassment.

Clubs and societies

DUSA facilitates the provision of clubs, societies and collectives for students on each campus of the University.

Barbeque Club

The Barbeque Club was started in 2001 by The Two Nathans and is now the second-largest club on the Burwood Campus. Office bearers of the Club are Barbeque King (President), Grand High Poobah (Vice President), She Who Must Be Obeyed (General Secretary), and Chancellor of the Exchequer and Keeper of the Bucket (Treasurer). The club's single mission is to provide two barbeques to its members every week of the academic year, for an annual membership fee of $10.

Under the initial leadership of Nathan Cocks, Mikey Thompson, and Charlie Sanders, several notable events were established as Burwood Campus tradition: Clogged - a big fancy barbeque on the final day of Semester One; Marty's Memorial Sweet Chili Pint Drink-Off - a race to skull a pint of sweet chili sauce (and keep it down for fifteen minutes); and the legendary Hard Artery, when the club blows the remainder of its annual non-rolloverable budget on one single mammoth beer and meat festival on the last academic day of each year.

Hard Artery is also the Barbeque Club's AGM, where, upon the conclusion of the event, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Keeper of the Bucket gives a report on the club's finances, and office bearers for the following year are nominated and elected. Where the current Barbeque King is standing down and a new King is brought to serve the people, She Who Must Be Obeyed asks the new King to kneel before her, and the new King is anointed with a crown of various sauces. It is an emotional time for all those involved, not least because a) most attendees are very drunk by this stage, and b) the sauce tends to run down into the eyes of the King and makes him cry like a big girly manchild.

In 2005, King Mikey Thompson and She Who Must Be Obeyed Charlie Sanders commissioned the custom creation of The Juggernaut, a ten-burner barbeque soldered together from two barbeques, requiring two gas bottles to power the burners. Its size and weight is an integral security device, in that if it ever goes missing, the only club who could possibly be responsible is the football team.

All previous office bearers are automatically life members of the club, and a secret handshake exists for these and current office bearers to acknowledge hierarchy within this group.

The official song of the club is 'I'm an Asshole' by Dennis Leary. It is tradition for honorary life member Phineus Meere to sing the opening line to any rendition of this song.

The Barbeque Club crest was conceived by Mikey Thompson and Charlie Sanders, and designed by honorary life member Nathan Davis.

Bits and Pieces

A club based at Geelong whose membership is made up of mostly students studying Computers. Funds many social events that gets its geeky members away from their computers. Anyone can join and it is well known as a match-making organisation between geeks and non-geeks.

Burwood Student Theatre Company - BuST Co

The longest-running club on the Burwood campus, BuST Co dates back to the 1950s when Deakin University was the Burwood Teachers College. BuST Co has enjoyed a long and prosperous existence, producing musical theatre and dramatic productions such as Grease, City of Angels, Chicago, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Bye Bye Birdie, A Slice of Saturday Night, Footloose, Sweet Charity, Fame, Guys and Dolls, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, A Chorus Line and West Side Story. It is also noted for running performances of Australian works, such as A Property of the Clan and various original works. In 1999, BuST Co had the exclusive honour of producing and performing the Australian premiere of Clue: The Musical, based on the world-famous Parker Brothers board game. The show ran for seven performances and was directed by former BuST Co President and Lifetime Honorary Member, Matthew J Bevis. BuST Co alumni include Australian actor Simon Westwood.

Deakin Commerce Society (DCS)

The society formerly known as DAFSS, is the primary commerce society for Deakin's Burwood Campus. The DCS consists of a strong 30 person committee highly motivated to organizing successful events for the student body. It is also the largest affiliated DUSA club in Melbourne. The DCS extends far beyond the strictly accounting and finance role, into being a society for all commerce students, as well as students from other faculties. It provides an important link between employers and students and organizes social events to provide a balance for students studying at university.

The Deakin Commerce Society and its committee is made up of an executive and 5 key portfolios. Accounting, Finance/Economics, Marketing/Management, Publications and Events.

It runs a wide range of academic commerce events such as the DCS Graduate and Vacationer Roundtable Events, the Finance and Economics Careers Event, and the CPA International Event, Finance Events and Marketing and Management talks. DCS also hosts a variety of social events including the First Year's Camp for new commerce students, the annual Booze Cruise, and the infamous DCS Commerce Ball. With over 800 members in 2010 it is the largest club on campus. DCS is proudly sponsored by CPA Australia, Ernst & Young, Pitcher Partners, BDO Kendalls, and the ICAA. For more info please check our website and facebook. [1]

Deakin Study Abroad Club

The Study Abroad Club is primarily for international exchange students but also welcomes Deakin students who are looking to embark on an exchange. All committee members of the SAC have been on exchange for either a year or a semester and speaking with them is a great way of finding out more information about the application process and what to expect when you do go on exchange. SAC organise social events throughout the year to introduce international students to Melbourne and Australian culture but also run general events such as bar crawls, winery tours and outdoor bowling afternoons which are a great opportunity for Australian students and International students to get together, have fun and learn more about each others home countries. We have members from all over the world - so there is definitely someone who will be able to tell you more about studying in their city/country! For more information, add SAC as a friend on Facebook (Deakin Sac) where you will have easy access to information about the events we are organising.

Deakin Anime Club

Often abbreviated to DAC, this club is based at the Burwood campus of Deakin University. DAC is an informal society for Anime fans. Anime screenings are held weekly throughout the year, including during university holidays. Activities in the club also include other events like video gaming, Asian movie nights or visits to Anime conventions are also held throughout the year. DAC started around the same time as a similar club at the Geelong campus, Deakin Anime Recreational Gaming and Hobbies! (D-ARGH!).

Deakin Christian Union

The Deakin Christian Union's purpose is to spread the Gospel of Jesus and provide a social network for Christians on and off campus. The Christian Union is on four Deakin campuses: Warrnambool, Burwood, Waurn Ponds and Waterfront.

Deakin Commerce Students' Society

Otherwise known as the DCSS, The Deakin Commerce Students Society is a society run by commerce students based on the Geelong campus. The largest Academic society on the Geelong campus, the DCSS is sponsored by various large accounting & finance firms in the hope of being the link between firms and Commerce graduates attempting to secure full-time jobs. The society also offers a wide number of entertainment, community service and career oriented activities including:

• 1. Intro Night
• 2. Graduate Fair- March
• 3. Annual Ball
• 4. DCSS Trimester 1 Pub crawl
• 5. Red Cross "red shield appeal"
• 6. Vacation Recruitment Fair- August
• 7. Trivia Night
• 8. Red Cross Blood drive

NOTE: DCSS is the ONLY society to offer 2 Pub Crawls

Located in building Ib (Business and law), the DCSS welcomes all students no matter what faculty they are from to become a member (2011 membership is $15 and can be purchased from DUSA or the DCSS office). Joining the DCSS and being part of the best Society on campus is the only sure fire way to ensure that you reap the rewards of University life

The DCSS is sponsored by the Victorian State Government, Ernst & Young, Deloitte, KPMG, Pitcher Partners, BDO Kendalls, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, ICAA, Moore Stephens & GMK Centric.

With over 1000 members, the DCSS guarantee that you will be 100% satisfied and like Ollie, will be “keen as” for all events.

Committee; Executive roles: • President x 1 person • Treasurer x 1 person • Secretary x 1 person

Portfolio Teams: • Careers x 3-4 people • Functions x 3-4 people • Beyond Commerce x 3-4 people • Marketing x 2-3 people

General Committee: x 5-8 people

First year Representatives: x 4-6 people. To become a first year rep students can send their application (cover letter)stating why they want to be on the DCSS and what they can offer to the Society. First year reps are highly regard by the DCSS and is a stepping stone to higher positions on the committee in the future.

The DCSS can be contacted via email, phone, www.facebook.com/deakincommerce or http://www.dcss.org.au

Deakin Education Society

The Deakin University Education Society was established in 1995. It is run entirely by students and it has two major purposes:

• To provide representation and support to students studying with the Faculty of Education
• To provide entertainment and social activities for all Deakin students

The Education Society is based primarily at the Geelong campus at Waurn Ponds.

Deakin Law Students Society

The Deakin Law Students Society (DLSS) is one of the largest student societies at the university, however it is not currently associated or affiliated in any manner with DUSA. The DLSS does not receive funding, support and assistance from DUSA. The DLSS serves to advance and represent the academic, vocational and social interests of law students. The organisation is separated into two chapters: Melbourne and Geelong. The DLSS is a member of the Australian Law Students' Association and the Victorian Council of Law Students Societies. The DLSS runs a number of academic competitions each year:

• Client Interview
• Letter writing
• Mediation
• Moot
• Negotiation
• Paper and Oral Presentation
• Witness Examination

Each year the DLSS runs an array of social events, including a Law Ball, Pub Crawl, First-Year Camp, Booze Cruise and Trivia Night, as well monthly social barbecues.

Deakin University Debating Society

The Deakin University Debating Society (DUDS) was a debating society based on the Geelong campus. DUDS has attended the World Universities Debating Championship on four occasions: Melbourne 1994, Toronto 2002, Singapore 2004 and Dublin 2006. DUDS also competed at the Australasian Intervarsity Debating Championships in 2006. In 2006 the society was shut down after recruitment and financial difficulties. In 2008 the Deakin Debating Club was established on the Burwood Campus, run by professional debating adjudicators and coaches.

Deakin University Psychological Society

The Deakin University Psychological Society (DUPS) is a Geelong based club that aims to better link Deakin psychology students with each other, with Deakin Psychology staff, and with the profession. In particular, to provide a place where psychology students from across all year levels and course streams can get to know each other, share their experiences and gain valuable academic and career relevant insights. Each semester DUPS runs essay and report writing workshops, career information seminars, social get-togethers, and movie nights. Each month they interview a psychology lecturer based on nominations from students. For more information go to [www.psychsociety.org]

Geelong Dot Net Users Group

The Geelong Dot Net Users Group (GDNUG), is a student organisation that promotes Microsoft products on the Geelong campuses of Deakin University. It organises trips to Microsoft conferences and provides monthly seminars with guest speakers.

Deakin University Queer Collective

Queer Collective consists of a number of collectives on each campus of Deakin University for those who identify or may identify as Queer or GLBTTI. It provides students with a valuable network of support, and social gatherings are held regularly to give members, friends and supporters opportunities to socialise and feel less isolated.

DeakinTV

DeakinTV is a student society concerned with the entertainment and television industry, giving students the opportunity to take part in creating, producing and starring in original content television shows. Shows produced by DeakinTV include TheatreGames LIVE, Beyond the Brief, Family Dawns and the multi-award winning The Mutant Way.

External links

• Deakin University Student Association (DUSA)

'Clubs and Societies

• Burwood Student Theatre Company (BuST Co)
• Deakin Anime Recreational Gaming and Hobbies! (D-ARGH!) (Geelong Campus)
• Deakin Commerce Society Website
• Deakin Law Students' Society website (Melbourne Chapter)
• Deakin Law Students' Society website (Geelong Chapter)
• Deakin University Debating Society Website
• Deakin University Psychological Society