Branch Meeting 17 April 2012 addressed by Jade Tyrell

Jade Tyrell  UTS Student Association President http://www.sa.uts.edu.au/ was invited by CPSU Organiser Petra McNeilly Rutledge to address the branch committee on issues of common interest and 2012 UTS Students’ Association campaigns.

Tutor Consultation Hours:

·         Hours on call are no longer published in Study Guides. Optional opt in for Students. No consistent hours of availability across the seven faculties.

·         Raises issues of service expectation and guarantee. 

·         UTSSA want hours to be published.

·    Discussed Learning Contract between Students and Academics. (Rosa can supply examples of Learning Contracts)

·         UTS Student Satisfaction Survey.

Illegal Course Costs:

·         These are additional costs that are considered essential to pass. This would cover Laboratory Safety Gear, Excursions, lab coats….etc. Covers mostly Faculty of Science, submission from UTSSA to Dean of Faculty of Science.

Wireless:

·         Current UTS Wireless Network Coverage is inconsistent and patchy. It works in some areas – some even of campus !! – but not in some areas where it supports classroom activity or teaching. Chris Cahill was invited to speak at a recent UTSSA event highlighting the problem and looking at possible solutions.

·         http://www.sa.uts.edu.au/wirelesscampaign

UTS wireless is changing
We will be switching off the ’UTS-Wireless’ network on Thursday 26 April as part of measures to manage the connection of devices on the UTS network. Users will be advised to log onto ’UTS-WPA’ a protected network that provides users with more security than the ’UTS-Wireless’ network connection.

The change is a precursor to a wireless expansion project which aims to add 380 new access points, primarily into university teaching spaces.

Legal Service:

·         UTSSA has been able to re-establish this service.

·         Advisory Committee established with UTSSA representation.

Housing:

·         Affordability and availability

·         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nqJxpmwK3k&feature=youtu.be  (UTSSA Youtube Campaign Video)

·         Respectful Relationship Program – encouraging harmony amongst and varied group of student nationalities

Lectures Online:

·         UTSSA – viewed as a revision resource not an alternative to attending lectures

KC Shuttle:

·         Jade met with the director of Central Services to discuss extra services to KC. Perhaps a 7:05 am bus and a 6:10 pm bus. Aware of issues relating to staffing in Central Services and need for rest breaks.

Other issues:

·         Post Graduate Engagement

·         Use of recycled paper in printers – though aware of additional cost of buying recycled paper.

·         Student Welfare Centre

·         Library Text Book ratio – number of books per student.

The Branch thanked Jade for attending to meeting and looked forward to creating and maintaining a positive work relationship.

Contact List for the Branch

Cautionary tales

 CAUTIONARY TALES IN THE NEW YEAR

The branch would like to remind everyone that to maintain your membership is important as we have had some recent cases of non-members of the CPSU approaching us for assistance with what have been serious concerns and other than being able to give them some basic advice at a branch level it has been impossible for the people to have access to our Industrial Staff in these cases as they did not have membership that was current.

Like any organisation the CPSU cannot maintain itself without membership fees that pay for Organisers and Industrial staff to represent members. Also if necessary legal expenses, campaigns, training, publicity, and the list goes on here is link that illustrates why it pays to be a member:  http://www.thegeneralstaffunion.org.au/index.php/why-join/

If you know of fellow workers who are not members the branch are happy to supply membership forms or you can follow this link: https://membership.psa.asn.au/join/