About USU
USU, Students' Association is a forward-thinking, innovative students’ association offering a full range of services, support and activities for all students enrolled at Unitec. When you enrol at Unitec you automatically become a member of the Students’ Association.
USU operate independently from Unitec to protect your rights as a student and as a paying customer of Unitec by running the student reps. programme, sitting on committees and providing advocacy and free legal services if you ever have a problem.
USU also work to ensure you are getting a quality education through initiatives like their online course evaluation system, Rate My Course and running the annual Student Satisfaction Survey.
The other main function of the Students’ Association is to provide the ‘student life’ side of being a student. This includes everything from the Sounds in the Sun festival, Kids’ Day Out, comedy events, sports tournaments and clubs, concerts and parties, international food days, to Script- the free student magazine.
The USU website is a hub of information for students, with information about Unitec and all the services and facilities that are available here at Unitec, the latest news and events and even a system to buy and sell textbooks, course materials and list flats.
The Student President and Executive committee of the Students’ Association are made up of elected students and any student can run for office and use all of USU’s services.
Contact:
Where | Building 180, Mt Albert campus |
Hours | Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 4.30pm |
Contact
| USU, Students' Association at Unitec |
History
The USU was formed in 1977 with the objective to uphold students’ interests, provide services and ensure that all students are being treated fairly.
The USU is student-run, student-focused and funded by student money. Students pay an annual levy, which is included in your course fees. You get to decide how that money is spent.
At the USU’s core is our commitment to represent and work for our members. Our purpose is to provide a means of communication between the members and external community, to advance the welfare and social life of members.
USU Membership
All Unitec students automatically become members of USU Students’ Association when they enrol at Unitec. The membership fee is $120 (G.S.T incl)
The yearly amount is set at the Annual General Meeting and is based on a full time student. Part-time students pay proportionately less.
This fee covers a variety of things, including: This website, events like Sound in the Sun and Kids’ Day Out, student advocacy, access to lawyers, free sausage sizzles, Script magazine, sports teams, clubs, international services and education services ( including running Student Reps and the Student Satisfaction Survey.)
It also means if you have problems such as a dispute over grades or an assignment, or facilities and conditions on campus you can take your issue to the USU, who are independent from Unitec, and are here to represent you.
However; if you are experiencing financial hardship or you disagree with being a members of USU for political, religious or personal reasons, you can apply to the USU to be exempted from the USU membership fee. If you do not want to be a member of the USU, you can apply to be excluded on the grounds of conscientious objection. For more information email usugm@unitec.ac.nz