Victoria University of Wellington Students' Association

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About VUWSA

For over 100 years the Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association has been defending our interests and ensuring we get the absolute most out of our time at university. As soon as you enroll to become a student at Victoria University, you become a member of the students’ association. The association has a wide range of goals, from representing you at all levels of university decision making, through to supporting campus clubs and activities. There is a heavy emphasis on making sure you get the maximum possible value for your money, and the association operates on the philosophy of students serving students.

VUWSA Students

All you students can come along to the Initial General Meeting (first trimester), Annual General Meeting (second trimester), and Student Representative Council meetings (every week during term time) and set the policy and direction of your students’ association. A simple majority of students can make most decisions binding on the Executive.

Student Representatives

All courses elect class reps, who provide a link between students and lecturers and who represent their course’s interests to the VUWSA Executive. There are also students elected to faculty boards, Academic Committee, groups such as the Library Committee, and Academic Board. Elections or these positions take place at the start of each year.

The VUWSA Executive

The VUWSA Executive consists of 13 students – President, 2 Vice Presidents, Treasurer, and 9 officers – Activities, Campaigns, Clubs, 2 Education, Environmental, International Students, Women’s Rights, and Queer. They run VUWSA on your behalf. They get a small honorarium and bonus. They implement the policy you and past students have set, work for students on a daily basis.

VUWSA President

The VUWSA President is your ultimate spokesperson on student issues. S/he works full-time, overseas the day-to-day operation of the association’s activities, and acts as the employer of all the staff.

You, the students, determine what your students’ association does. Here’s how.

The Students’ Association is run by students, for students. It’s yours, and it’s here to help you through your studies and to provide you with entertainment. It also gives you a voice at university and national level by advocating on your behalf. If you don’t agree with something the Association is doing, it is your right to say so. You can write to Salient or to the VUWSA President, or you can come along to any of the VUWSA Executive’s meetings.

How much you pay

Every year, you pay a levy to VUWSA. If you are a full-time student, you are charged $125.40 (part-time students pay proportionally less. Where the money goes.

Class Representatives

At the beginning of each trimester, VUWSA ensures that a Class Representative is appointed in every class. This person is there to make sure that if any problems arise, they are dealt with quickly and effectively. They are trained by the association for this role, and through class representatives the association is often able to gain feedback on the way things are going in a particular course or department.

The Executive

The Executive are here to represent you. If you have any questions or comments, you can contact them through the VUWSA office on the ground floor of the Student Union Building. Phone 463 6716 or send email.

The annual executive elections are held each September, nominations usually opening just before the middle break in the second trimester. If you are keen to give it a go, or just want to find out a little bit more about what’s involved, drop by the VUWSA office and talk to one of the existing exec, they’ll be more than happy to offer a few words of wisdom.