Swinburne ushers in a new era of student representation

Swinburne University of Technology is ushering in a new era of student representation, with students voting for the creation of a new Swinburne Student Association to focus on co-creation and delivering a student voice into university decisions.

More than 3,900 students had their say during the voting period, which ran over the last eight days on options to change their elected student body, with 88.85 per cent voting in favour of creating a new Swinburne Student Association.

Students were able to vote to maintain the current model with some minor changes, or a second option that offered the opportunity to create a new Swinburne Student Association, to replace the Swinburne Student Union and Swinburne Student Life. 

Swinburne Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Pascale Quester said Swinburne was committed to delivering a student voice in university decision-making, as well as resolving challenges with student representation.

“At Swinburne, we strongly believe in co-creation and having the student voice as a key part of university decision-making. We welcome this outcome and very much look forward to the establishment of the Swinburne Student Association,” Professor Quester said.

Inaugural elections for the new Swinburne Student Association will take place in September 2024, providing an opportunity for students to take an active role in having their voice heard.

“This outcome has been strongly supported by the current elected students in the Swinburne Student Union and the Student Representative Council, with both bodies working collaboratively and positively with the university to develop a model that would benefit students now and into the future,” Professor Quester said.

Over the next six to 12 months, there will be many co-creation workshops where students will be able to directly contribute to the future operation of their clubs and societies, sports (both club and university representation), social events, student advocacy in teaching, and the overall student experience.

“I thank our elected students in the Swinburne Student Union and the Student Representative Council for their willingness to be part of this significant change and look forward to working with our newly-elected students as we continue to take Swinburne from strength to strength.”