A TUU Welcome

Sharifah Syed-Rohan - TUU President

To commencing students, welcome to the University of Tasmania, for returning students, welcome back!

The Tasmania University Union is here for two main reasons.

First, we are here for when things don’t go according to plan. If you fail a course, feel that you have been aggrieved by a lecturer or university policy, are struggling to find accommodation, don’t have the money for textbooks, need to appeal a mark or struggle financially — we are here to help. We also provide representation for undergraduate and postgraduate students. We are elected annually and it’s our role to represent your views to the university, the government, the media and the broader community. So if you feel as though your voice isn’t being heard, or you would like to change something about the way the university operates, the TUU is the place to come.

Secondly, the TUU is here to ensure that your university experience is fulfilling both in and beyond the confines of the classroom. We believe that university is not all about turning up, going to class, passing and getting a degree. Okay, well, it sort of is, but it is also much more multifaceted than that.

#yourTUU affiliates over 100 clubs and societies, provide free student diaries, run your Welcome Weeks, publishes Togatus and hosts a myriad of events. So no matter what you’re into we will have something for you, so make sure you attend a few events and drop by the office to pick up some free stuff or just hang out.

Throughout 2019 the TUU will have a focus on:

• Ensuring the TUU and UTAS are more accountable for their decisions by encouraging consultation with students.

• Promoting a ‘green university’ by placing the environment and sustainability at the top of our agenda.

• Advocating for better support for student mental health and wellbeing.

• Creating an inclusive and vibrant campus culture, with original, creative and new events occurring throughout the year.

• Collaborating with UTAS and other stakeholders.

But if you think #yourTUU is not adequately representing you, then you need to tell us. My advice to new students and continuing students is to get involved. University is what you make of it and so is #yourTUU. If there is something we are not doing that you think we should, get in here, tell us and we will see what we can do! Get active while you are here, become a member of a sports team, join a myriad of clubs & societies, come along to our events, and of course, make sure you read Togatus!

Stay safe, have fun and welcome to the University of Tasmania!