Welcome to RUSU Campaigns
RUSU is passionate about creating a better future for students at RMIT. Our campaigns team advocates directly to the university for high quality education and assessment experiences, inclusive practices, fair policies and procedures, excellent facilities and student spaces and a vibrant campus community.
2022 Priorities
RUSU has compiled a list of 18 priorities for 2022 that have been selected to represent the interests of RMIT’s diverse student cohort, that are focused on delivering a blend of initiatives to improve the student experience at RMIT and designed to achieve positive outcomes for students. Here are some highlights:
No Online Proctoring
RUSU is fundamentally opposed to any form of online proctoring that occurs on a student's personal device or in their own home. Online proctoring of this nature is an invasion of privacy and an imperfect tool for securing assessments. As more Australian universities introduce some form of remote exam surveillance, RUSU will continue to stand up for students’ rights and fight for privacy.
UPDATE: RMIT has discarded plans to launch an e-proctoring trial in the CoBL and has no plans to explore online proctoring options at present.
Better Processes for Investigating and Case Managing Reports of SASH
RUSU feels strongly that RMIT’s current practices for investigating and case managing instances of sexual assault and sexual harm (SASH) no longer reflects best practice. The results of the National Student Safety Survey (NSSS) demonstrate that universities have to do more to create processes for reporting that students can trust. RUSU calls upon RMIT to do the following:
- Establishment of an independent unit for the investigation and case management of SASH.
- Re-drafting of Sexual Harm Policy suite for greater accessibility.
- Creation of a learning and development prevention program for staff and students, promoting respectful relationships, and preventing gender-based violence.
- Re-establishment of the Restorative Engagement Program through the Centre for Innovative Justice.
Sunset Clause for At Risk Students
Once a student has been classified as ‘first stage at risk’ there is no way for them to regain a satisfactory academic progress status and therefore the threat of potential exclusion stays with them for the remainder of their degree. RUSU would like to see a more balanced academic progress process that would allow students to regain the classification of satisfactory academic progress, after completing a mandated number of semesters without meeting the classification for poor academic progress.
Central Clubs Events Calendar
One of the most promising opportunities of returning to campus is the chance for students to build community. RMIT and RUSU clubs are a key component in establishing connections between students. A centrally run events calendar for both RUSU and RMIT clubs would allow students to access the breadth and depth of club activity in a single place.
Free Sanitary Products in Bathrooms
A lack of access to sanitary products can impact the mental wellbeing of students as well as their education. Providing free sanitary products in bathrooms would reduce inequity and allow for more complete participation in on-campus activities.
RMIT Spaces for RMIT Students
Whilst universities have not yet re-opened to the general public, there may be a time in the future when non-RMIT members of the public can freely enter campus. Pre-pandemic the RMIT library was often heavily used by non-RMIT students during peak study periods. RUSU is campaigning for RMIT to implement swipe-card activated turnstile entry to the library, during the weeks leading up to the assessment period, when campus is reopened to the general public, in order to preserve RMIT spaces for RMIT students.
No Deadnaming on Student Facing Applications
At present, only students who legally change their name can have their true name represented on all RMIT systems. This traumatises and invalidates the experiences of trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming students who may not want to complete the long, drawn-out and often insensitive process of a legal name change or who might decide that a legal transition is not a necessary part of their personal gender affirmation.
As part of RMIT’s commitment to supporting all students to bring their whole selves to their studies, eliminating deadnaming on RMIT platforms is necessary to ensure the safety and wellbeing of trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming students.
New Women’s and Queer Lounges on City Campus
For many years the RUSU city campus Women’s Room and Queer Lounge have often been filled to capacity. With the ongoing presence of covid-19 it is important that these rooms can cater to the needs of our queer and women students without becoming over-full. RUSU is campaigning for new and updated rooms so we can continue to provide safe spaces on campus for these students.
Fee Payment Plans for International Students
For the vast majority of international students, tuition fees is their most significant financial outlay during their time studying, far outstripping the cost of rent, groceries and other living expenses. Fee payment plans would give international students the agency to ask for help when they needed it and be proactive in creating a solution that will allow them to meet their financial obligations in a way that fits their individual circumstances.
RUSU Statements
RUSU Stands With Survivors of Sexual Harm
Content Warning: This statement discusses the results of a survey that asked students about their experiences of sexual assault and sexual harm. The statement does not go into detail of specific experiences in sexual assault, but it does mention the harmful impacts of sexual violence.
The results from the 2021 National Student Safety Survey into incidences of sexual assault and sexual harm (SASH) at Australian Universities was released on Monday 28th March 2022. The results demonstrate that SASH remains pervasive on Australian campuses.
Statement Regarding the Religious Discrimination Bill
Content Warning: Homophobia, Transphobia, Queerphobia, Mentions of Suicide.
Australia is one of the most religiously diverse nations in the world, and it is extremely important that the expression of religious beliefs (and non-religion), should be legally protected and free from discrimination in this country. While the ideas behind the proposed bill appear to support religious freedoms, the details within the bill are fundamentally flawed.
In 2021 we achieved...
- Advocating to the university to extend the 2020 fee freeze to 2021 as students continue to be severely impacted by COVID 19.
- Continued to fight for the maintenance of student-staff ratios and for RMIT to engage in consultation with students prior to discontinuing programs.
- As some students return to campus and blended learning commences, we worked with RMIT to ensure that students were satisfied with the blended delivery model and they receive a meaningful education experience.
- Introducing swipe card access to student spaces on campus to ensure that they are accessible only to RMIT students, especially during peak times.
- RUSU called upon RMIT to declare a climate emergency, and worked with RMIT to offer more options for recycling and composting on campus.
- Working with RMIT to ensure students have a smooth transition to the College of VE structure, with particular focus on moving more VE processes, such as online timetabling.
- Supporting an active lifestyle at Bundoora by creating more options for cyclists and building an open-air gym.
In 2020 we achieved...
- Retention of the library Makerspace and ensuring key services like ELS and counselling received adequate resourcing.
- Financial hardship and technology grants and emergency grocery vouchers for student struggling with costs of living and online learning due to COVID-19.
- No fails on transcripts for the whole year, reflecting the disruption caused by the global pandemic.
- One-off extended census date to give students more time to decide whether to enrol or take leave in light of the COVID-19 lock-downs.
- Submissions to government inquiries to advocate for free tram zones and non-discrimination against LGBTQIA+ students and community-members.
- Student housing outreach: RUSU provided over 20,000 free meals to student housing during COVID-19 in 2020.
- Multilingual communications including an anti-racism campaign during COVID-19.
- Online mental wellbeing outreach and support in collaboration with RMIT Creative, RMIT Together and RUSU Compass.
In 2019 we achieved...
- Collaborative artwork promoting respect for women and non-binary people.
- Have Your Say Summit, providing an opportunity for students to help shape RMIT and RUSU’s student programs and hear from RMIT leadership.
- A new medical hub at RMIT city campus, providing bulk billing for local students and direct billing for international students.
- Clearer policies surrounding inherent requirements, promoting student equity and participation.
- Extended library hours during peak periods.
- Better access to SAI Global standards to support students who require these to complete their assessments.
- RUSU Little Libraries and Food Bank cupboards to support the student community.
In 2018 we achieved...
- Improved teaching standards regarding student assessment.
- Improved academic progress policy.
- Equitable Learning Service accessibility improvement.
- A review of policy and process regarding sexual harassment and assault at RMIT.
- Creating a more mental health friendly campus.
- More phone charging stations on all campuses (including Brunswick and Bundoora East).
- Edible gardens at Brunswick and Bundoora.
- Affordable parking permits for Bundoora students.
- More international vending machines with a wider range of food option.
- Sanitary vending machines in accessible spaces.
In 2017 we achieved...
- Inclusion of an Indigenous Officer position in RUSU’s Regulations and appointment of the Union’s first Indigenous Officer, Jedda Rocha Costa.
- Preservation of a number of Assessment Principles as the Assessment Policy was transferred to the new policy framework, safeguarding important appeal rights for students.
- Inclusion of the recommendations of the Group Work Working Group in the new Assessment Process.
- Working with DPVC Learning and Teaching for each College to develop a mechanism to ensure a three day response time when academics are contacted regarding extensions and/or special consideration.
- Increased student access to University spaces, including a new activity space in NAS which is available to over one hundred RUSU clubs and departments.
- Provision of safe and accessible Queer and Women’s lounges on the City campus.
- Expansion of the AskRMIT Questions to include additional information on support services and to encompass topics such as sexual harassment and assault, mental health services and the Equitable Learning Service.
- Compulsory PowerPoint slides on mental health and support services to be delivered by teaching staff during student orientation.
