Here for You
It’s about getting more out of your time at Uni. It’s about immersing yourself in a wealth of cultural facilities and events whilst having access to quality support services. It’s about making sure that students have advocacy and representation on campus. It’s all about the battle to keep student voices in the big picture whilst making your time at Uni fun and enjoyable.
Embracing Diversity
The Student Union is a diverse and exciting place supporting all students from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. It does this through cultural events, activism and direct support through services.
MU Student Union Ltd is the services and commercial arm of the Student Union dedicated to providing students with the cultural and support services that bring life to campus.
Information Centre
A good place to start for directions or information about the Student Union and the University. The information centre staff can answer your questions and refer you on to Student Union services. Information Centre, ground floor, Union House. Semester hours: 8.30am—5pm, Mon to Fri. Phone: 8344 6966
Our Board
On behalf of the University, the role of the Board is to:
Advance the educational experience of students by providing amenities, services and facilities for the benefit of students, utilising revenue, funding or reserves as appropriate.
The Board is made up of the following members:
- Dr Meredith A. Doig (Chair)
- Ms Gillian L. Luck (appointed by the Vice Chancellor)
- Ms Elizabeth A. Bare (appointed by the Vice Chancellor)
- Mr Trevor J. White (appointed by the Vice Chancellor)
- Mr Paul C. Coats – Elected Student Representative (appointed 1.11.2008)
- Ms Carla Drakeford – Elected Student Representative (appointed 1.11.2008)
- Ms Goldie B. Pergl- Elected Student Representative (appointed 1.11.2008)
- Karen Roe – Company Secretary
MU Student Union Ltd Board Charter 268KB
History
Foundations
The Student Union was formed in 1884 to promote the common interests of students, provide resources for pursuing public life and assist social interactions between its members.
The Student’s Representative Council was created in 1907. It then took over the management of the University’s various clubs and societies and the move to the old National Museum building in 1910.
Social Conscience
In 1939 the Student Union successfully fought to exempt lecturers from the draft and gained the support of Prime Minister Menzies in July 1940 for insisting the University remain open throughout the war. Later, in 1958 a student poll condemned the White Australia Policy. By 1971, in protest against the Vietnam War, students turned Union House into a safe haven for conscientious objectors. In this same year it hosted the first interstate conference of Women’s Liberation groups.
Cultural Tradition
In 1954 both George Fairfax and Barry Humphries both premiered work at the Union Theatre. A year later Ray Lawler produced the Australian classic Summer of the Seventeenth Doll. In 1961 the Union Repertory Company moved to Russell Street becoming the Melbourne Theatre Company in 1968. By the mid-1960s student groups had performed David Williamson’s first full-length play and premiered work by Jack Hibbard. Other performers and creators over the years have included Zoe Caldwell, Noel Ferrier, Steve Vizard, Barrie Kosky, Graeme Blundell, Germaine Greer and Cate Blanchett.
In 1975 the George Paton Gallery in the Ewing Gallery Complex of Union House became Australia’s first avant garde gallery with institutional support. Also a publishing gallery, the George Paton began publication of Arts Melbourne in 1976 that became the highly successful Art Almanac as well as producing Agenda Contemporary Art Magazine in 1988. Notable artists and curators have included Howard Arkley, Janine Burke, Juliana Engeberg, Fiona Hall, Patrick MacCaughey, Mike Parr and Stelarc.
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Posted Tuesday 31 March, 2009. Updated Tuesday 27 October, 2009.
