Voluntary Student Unionism meant the end of undergraduate student representation at the University of New England – until now.

The UNE Council passed the constitution for the Undergrads of New England Guild on 1st May, 2009. Nominations have now closed for election to the executive positions within this new student representative organisation. The first election will take place from 17th-24th August. The results will be declared on 25th August.
Alicia Zikan is the Undergraduate member of the UNE Council. She has been a driving force behind the formation of the new student body.
According to Mrs. Zikan, the University’s undergraduate students have been yearning for the return of student representation on the campus. “My mailbox has been overflowing with requests for information. I’ve run four information sessions, which were all very well attended. Acting as the Returning Officer, UNE’s Secretariat has been inundated with nominations. Elections will be required for each position.”
The Undergrads of New England Guild will entail a President, Vice-President, a college student, an internal student who does not reside in a college (a town student), two external students, one international student, and two non-specific positions, open to all undergraduate students. Non-voting, ex-officio members of the Guild will be the Chief Operating Officer of the University, the undergraduate member of the University Council and an Administration Officer that the University will employ to support the Guild.
“The University Council has put a lot of thought into this. It is considered the optimal model for success,” Mrs. Zikan said.
“It is still debateable whether the Student Services and Amenities Bill will be passed by the Senate. So, the University is demonstrating a lot of goodwill in supporting the Undergrads of New England Guild with funding for budgets, administrative support and interim office space. New office space is actually being built for the Guild, which is scheduled to be completed for the beginning of next year,” she said.
Mrs Zikan explained that advocacy and representation of undergraduate students are important because while individual students can speak for themselves, it will always be efficient and effective to have an organisation that can serve as a communication channel between the student body and the University.
It is expected that re-invigorating the social functions and live entertainment hosted on the campus will be one of the first items on the Guild’s agenda. This aspect of the new Guild will benefit the wider Armidale community, with major live acts including the Whitlams, Powderfinger, Regurgitator and Midnight Oil having been lured to Armidale by UNE students in the past. “Engagement with the local community is another of the commitments that the executive would be expected to fulfil,” Mrs. Zikan said.
Given controversies which diminished the integrity of student organisations at UNE in the past, attempts to prevent history repeating have been written into the new organisation’s constitution.
“There is a provision that the funds, premises and name of the Guild is not to be used for political electioneering in any way,” Mrs. Zikan said.

Story: Gary Fry