University of Queensland Union
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| Full name | University of Queensland Union |
|---|---|
| Native name | UQ Union |
| Founded | 1911 |
| Members | 46,000 (2012) |
| Affiliation | University of Queensland |
| Key people | Gabii Starr (President), Finbar Fuller (Secretary), Joshua Roser (Treasurer) |
| Office location | Level 4, Union Building (Building 21A), University of Queensland 4072 |
| Country | Australia |
| Website | www |
The University of Queensland Union (UQ Union) is a student organisation established to provide service, support and representation to the students of the University of Queensland. It remains the largest student representative body in Australia.
The specific aims of the UQ Union as defined by its constitution are:
a) to specifically promote the educational and academic activities and progress of the University community; and generally to further the aims, objects and interests of the University community;
b) to further the right of all people to a quality education on an equal basis;
c) to advance the interests of students in the fields of social security, health, welfare, equity, equal opportunity and cultural activities;
d) to represent students within the University and the community;
e) to financially assist affiliated bodies;
f) to provide quality facilities and services to students;
g) to foster the principle of student unionism; and
h) to do all such other things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of these objects and the exercise of the powers of the Union.
The UQU operates most of the campus' student eateries, cafes, bookshops in addition to the university bar and cinema. These facilities and services are concentrated at the Union Complex at the St Lucia campus.
The UQU organises the university's orientation week ("O-Week") activities, regular barbecues and free bands, as well as a range of larger events, such as Oktoberfest and, as of 2009, the annual Toga Party. Recently the UQU introduced a club funding scheme that supports over 200 clubs and societies, including faculty, ethnic, and a variety of social groups; sporting groups, however, fall under the domain of UQ Sport. The UQU also provides a free legal service to university students. In addition, it also organises the weekly Wednesday markets at the St Lucia campus.
One of the other roles of the UQU is to see that minority groups on campus are adequately supported. To this extent, it provides a Queer Space at St Lucia campus and Women's Spaces at St Lucia campus and Gatton campuses. The Ipswich Campus Queer Room has since been closed down, as a result of frequent vandalism by the occupants. UQU also has queer, women's, environment, disabilities and Indigenous collectives to represent their respective interests.
UQU coordinates student representation to the University through its Student Representation, supporting students to take positions on faculty and University committees, and the Academic Board. UQU recently successfully negotiated for the University to contribute 1 million dollars to the Union annually for student services. UQU also negotiated for the "formula marking" scheme (under which markers can deduct marks in multiple choice exams if a marker believes the student guessed answers) to be abolished.
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