The University of Wollongong Undergraduate Students' Association (known as WUSA, and its governing body the WUSA Council) is the principal

student union A students' union, also known by many other names, is a student organization present in many colleges, universities, and high schools. In higher education, the students' union is often accorded its own building on the campus, dedicated to social, ...

at the

University of Wollongong The University of Wollongong (abbreviated as UOW) is an Australian public research university located in the coastal city of Wollongong, New South Wales, approximately 80 kilometres south of Sydney. As of 2017, the university had an enrolment of ...

(UOW),

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

. Besides representing the campus students' interests, WUSA provides them with specific welfare services. WUSA was affiliated to the

National Union of Students (Australia) The National Union of Students (NUS) is the peak representative body for Australian higher education students. As of 2020, there are 21 student unions in Australian campuses affiliated to NUS. A student union is eligible for membership by its cl ...

and has participated in national campaigns including the fight against upfront course fees,

Voluntary Student Unionism Voluntary student unionism (VSU), as it is known in Australia, or voluntary student membership (VSM), as it is known in New Zealand, is a policy under which membership of – and payment of membership fees to – university student organisations ...

, and the struggle to reinstate free Higher Education in Australia. WUSA has also called upon the national body and other student organisations to support its local causes in the past. The sister student organisation for WUSA is the

Newcastle University Students' Association The University of Newcastle Students' Association (UNSA) is the student organisation at the University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia (UON). The organisation provides a range of student services and supports campus life activities and events. UNS ...

. In 2016, WUSA held a referendum to end affiliation with the National Union of Students. The campaign to disaffiliate, led by a group called WEXIT 2016, saw the motion passed. However, only 27 votes were cast in total causing significant controversy. WUSA reaffiliated with the NUS in 2019. In the years since WUSA has actively participated in a number of campaigns, including leading the opposition to the controversial degree in Western Civilization.

References

External links

{{NUS

Students' unions in Australia University of Wollongong