Victoria University of Wellington Students' Association

What’s VUWSA?

VUWSA was set up by students for students just after Victoria opened its doors for lectures 113 years ago. They knew students themselves were the only people who could represent students, and ensure the University was delivering the quality of education, experience, community, and facilities they wanted and needed during their study.

This 113-year-old idea still holds true: Everyday VUWSA continues to work on the philosophy of students serving students.

VUWSA’s Strategic Plan (2012-2015)  is a key aspect of our ongoing programme of professionalising and invigorating VUWSA. It will ensure that students always receive an outstanding level of service and a strong student voice across Victoria year-to-year.

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You control VUWSA

As a student of Victoria you can join the Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association (VUWSA) – one of the oldest and largest student organisations in the country for FREE!

Your FREE VUWSA membership gets you access to a huge range of services and benefits both inside and outside of your academic life helping you get the most out of your time at Victoria. To join simply visit one of the VUWSA offices.

As a member of VUWSA you have the ultimate governing role over VUWSA – it is students who have the power to say what VUWSA should be doing and in what direction it should be going. You are an integral part of VUWSA so you should get involved. VUWSA is governed by an Executive elected by students and you are free to contact them about anything to do with the University, VUWSA, or students in Wellington generally.

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President’s Welcome

Hey there!

Whether you’re entering you first year of study or returning for another, I welcome you to Victoria University. My name is Bridie Hood and I am the President of your Students’ Association.

VUWSA has a long and proud history at Victoria University. Set up by students, for students, within weeks of the University first opening for lectures, VUWSA has spent the last 113 years supporting and advocating for students. I feel incredibly proud and honoured to be your President this year and to continue the tradition of students serving students.

VUWSA was established because it is only through effective student representation that students can ensure that the University is delivering the education, experience, community and facilities that students want and need during their study. This is a principal that has not changed. VUWSA exists to ensure that students are treated fairly at this University, receive a high quality education and have a well-rounded student experience.

If you are a returning student you would have noticed that things have changed a bit this year. Upon enrolment you were asked whether or not you would like to become a member of VUWSA. Due to a law change that came into force this year, you can no longer become a member of VUWSA automatically upon acceptance to Vic. From 2012 you have to opt into VUWSA membership. And if you haven’t already I strongly suggest you do.

While VUWSA provides a raft of services free to students, regardless of VUWSA membership, becoming a member of VUWSA does get you some special benefits. Better yet, it’s FREE to join!

As a member of VUWSA you can get freebies such as our wall planners, student diaries and welcome packs; you will have voting and speaking rights at all of our General Meetings and Student Representative Council meetings – which means you will have a direct say in the way that VUWSA operates; you can run and vote in the VUWSA General Elections; you will be able to access monthly deals and discounts around VUW and Wellington and you will be able to access special member only services and activities through the year. But most importantly your membership of VUWSA will show that you believe students should have a say in issues that affect them and that VUWSA should be a part of ensuring this happens.

Signing up to VUWSA is really easy and only takes a minute or two. If you didn’t join via your enrolment you can sign up at any of our three VUWSA offices (Kelburn, Pipitea, Karori) and soon you will be able to sign up online through facebook and our website (this feature will be launching in mid February).

Finally before I sign off, if there is one piece of advice I could give you as a survivor of tertiary education, it is make sure you get involved. It’s very easy to get bogged down with University work – essays to write, labs to attend, reports to hand in, tutorials to prepare for and exams to cram for. But I’m a firm believer that there is more to the University experience than just the academic side. So join a club, attend University Games, become a Class Rep, join the Rec Centre, go to an O-Week gig, have a starring role in the annual German Club play – what ever you do, get involved! The opportunities and experiences you have here will never come around again, so make the most of it!

All the best with your studies this year and please know that you can contact me at anytime. 2012 is going to be great – I just know it!

Bridie Hood