TUU Budget Breakdown

Every year, a thousand UTAS students cry out in darkness — a $300 SSAF fee has been deducted from their account. Misunderstood and shrouded in mystery, this fee has long been a source of confusion for UTAS students already encumbered with uni debts. So let’s talk about SSAF, budgets, and break out those pie charts.

The TUU gets some SSAF money from the University, but also receives Baseline Funding. It return, the TUU provides services to students without charge — things like societies, clubs, student media and important counselling services. In the 2019 budget, the TUU will receive about $900,000 in SSAF funds from the University. That’s a lot of moolah, so you should know where it’s being spent.

While drafting this budget, the TUU has been conscious of providing accountable and transparent communication to the people they represent — UTAS students. We are also dedicated to creating an inclusive and vibrant community which has safety, fairness, wellbeing and sustainability at the top of our agenda. We are also committed to strengthening our partnership with UTAS and key stakeholders.

As in previous years, TUU Clubs and Societies received a large proportion of the 2019 budget, with a total of $500,000 allocated. This funding provides for events which are the cornerstones of an inclusive and connected university community.

Furthermore, $75,000 has been allocated to support the production and publication of TUU student media publications such as Togatus and also put toward the maintenance of the TUU website for the purpose of providing accessible information to a broad range of students including information about TUU events, initiatives and Clubs and Societies.

$105,000 was set aside to support the provision of information to students, which is facilitated through the Contact Centres in Hobart, Launceston and Cradle Coast. $30,000 was allocated toward the provision of free independent legal advice for students in relation to migration issues. Furthermore, an additional

$40,000 was allocated for the provision of a student financial referral assistance on the Hobart, Launceston and Cradle Coast campuses.

The remaining $150,000 is allocated to TUU/SRC led initiatives, events, resources and facilities. In 2019 this includes (but is not limited to) activities for commencing and continuing students throughout the academic year, a range of events and activities to enhance the student experience on campus and online and initiatives for specific student cohorts. As part of our commitment to sustainability, we have allocated $20,000 to the Sustainability Integration Program for Students (SIPS). This program provides meaningful opportunities for students to apply their learning to real world sustainability challenges (and to be paid or gain course credit while doing so) and further assist the University of Tasmania to have a positive environmental impact on the world and to be a leader in sustainable campus management. We have also allocated $5,000 toward the Metro bus initiative which encourages students to save money, fight congestion, and travel sustainably by using public transport. Through this initiative UTAS students can redeem a free Greencard and $5 bonus fare credit from the Metro Shop and Metro depots from 18 February to 31 March 2019. The promotion will be offered while stocks last, with between 800 and 1700 students expected to benefit.

Furthermore, in line with our commitment toward the establishment of a safe, fair and healthy university community we have allocated $10,000 to the training and upskilling of Clubs and Societies executives so that they have the relevant knowledge for mitigating instances of sexual assault and harassment. This training will also include mental health first aid and cultural competency training. Finally, we have allocated $5,000 toward the launch of our ‘Find the Right Blend’ campaign which is focussed on how we can all work together to create a safe, fair and well university community.

This year #yourTUU is committed to representing you, your interests and delivering what you want to see us provide.