History Celebrating over 50 years of advocacy and action.

History

#History of the UTSSA

UTSSA has a proud history of getting results for the student body. Below is just some of what we have achieved over the past 50 plus years.

#What We’ve Achieved

1966

First Representative Council of the Students’ Association elected - we’re older than the university!

1982

A women’s only room and Women’s Officer is established.

1985

Inadequate resources prompt a library occupation.

1991

University management’s decision to spend $2,000,000 on the Vice Chancellor’s new home sparks an occupation of the UTS administration.

1991

A demand for student accommodation was met by the creation of a seeding grant of $500,000. Later, this became student housing.

1992

The UTSSA publishes a drug harm minimisation usage booklet; university allows police to raid the Students’ Association offices. No charges were laid and local council and other organisations now regularly publish similar publications.

1994

The UTSSA funds the establishment of UTS’ Community Legal Centre.

1997

The Australian tertiary sector despairs when the newly-elected Coalition Government inititates gargantuan funding cuts and increased HECS fees. This also led to 25% of the student body being allowed to enter university through reduced entrance scores if they were willing to pay full fees up front.

1998

A $30 library fine amnesty is won by campaigns run through the SA.

1998

Increased computer facilities won by campaigns run by the SA.

2000

The then Vice Chancellor’s homophobic comments lead to an occupation, which attracted extensive media coverage.

2000

The Students’ Association wins a new shuttle bus service between the Tower, Markets and Kuring-gai campuses.

2003

Massive anti-war rallies organised through the UTSSA.

2004

Capsicum spray used at a peaceful protest at UTS. The protest was against a 25% increase to HECS fees.

2005

UTS introduces full-fee places for undergraduates, ignoring student and community submissions, lobbying and protest.

2005

The largest student demonstrations in years in opposition of the Coalition Government’s Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) legislation. Despite dissent, the legislation is passed after the government gain control of the senate.

2005

Anti-racism snap rally organised in response to Cronulla Riots, over 8,000 people turn up with less than a week’s notice.

2006

Students fight radical workplace relations reforms that undermine the rights of millions of workers.

2007

VSU hits student organisations and shuts down services on campuses across the country.

2008

The UTSSA successfully lobbies Rudd Goverment to put through real reform on Youth Allowance, campaigned for a Student Services and Amenities Fee and to abolish full-fee paying places.

2010

UTSSA representatives win the return of hard-copy course readers for FASS students. 2010 - The UTSSA successfully lobbies the university for 3-day laptop loans.

2010

The UTSSA secures changes to academic misconduct rules, making them more student friendly. 2010 - The UTSSA successfully lobbied to secure 750 new housing spots at 20% less than market rate.

2010

The UTSSA successfully lobbied the University to increase its use of renewable energies.

2011

The UTSSA secures 24-hour library at Broadway campus as part of UTS Campus Master Plan.

2011

The UTSSA works with UTS to establish Student Representative Network (SRN) to provide training and support to UTS student representatives on University Boards and Committees.

2011

The UTSSA introduces the Bluebird Brekkie Bar, a free weekly pop-up breakfast café for students (which later wins two prestigious international awards for student-run sustainability initiatives).

2011

The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) legislation is passed and UTSSA secures funding for essential projects, including expansion of existing services.

2012

The UTSSA works with the IT Department to run the ‘Where’s Wireless’ campaign. This campaign leads to the installation of 382 new wireless access points at the Broadway campus.

2012

In response to attacks on students nearby UTS Housing, the UTSSA organises a forum to raise student concerns about safety in and around Housing, prompting increased security measures to protect students.

2012

The UTSSA also works with students at the UTS Kuring-Gai campus to address the lack of resources in the Kuring-gai library.

2014

Students across the country took to the streets to protest the Liberal Government's proposed $100,000 degrees and fee deregulation. Mass student protest led to the senate voting against the government fee deregulation proposal.

2016

Following the success and popularity of Bluebird Brekkie Bar, the Students’ Association launches the first sustainable pop-up noodle bar Night Owl.

2017

Mass student protest following the Change the Course report by the Australian Human Rights Commission into the prevalence of sexual assault and harassment at Australian Universities.

2018

The UTSSA introduces the summer@Bluebird, with a Student Advocacy drop-in service every Tuesday and Thursday in the summer session.
The UTSSA continues to run a advocacy drop-in every Tuesday, 10am- 2pm.

2022

Established the Bluebird Pantry on campus, providing students with free food and essential items and fostering a strong sense of student solidarity and community.

2022

Held our first Radical Education week, led by the UTSSA Collectives.

#Past Presidents

2018

Lachlan Barker

2017

Beatrice Tan

2016

Sam Howes

2015

Dean Mattar

2014

Chris Gall

2014

Andy Zephyr