Overview
TAFE NSW Student Associations provide benefits and education support services to members. Educational support services include inexpensive photocopying, laminating, binding, faxing and other assignment preparation and job search services. In addition, many Student Associations provide support for the physical college environment such as outdoor furniture, shading, landscaping and vending machines by actively raising funds for refurbishments in partnership with the campus management. Student Associations Officers also make an important contribution to college business. This may include operating TAFEcard photo capture stations and the implementation and management of services such as parking, printing, photocopying and vending machines.
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Benefits
Student Association Members are entitled to various benefits, depending on which campus you attend. You can access your benefits by showing your TAFE card where discounts or events are offered.
While benefits vary from campus to campus, it is generally agreed that the voluntary Student Association membership provides great value for the annual $20 joining fee, and often much more in tangible and intangible benefits. These services and benefits contribute positively to the education and training of our students when they feel supported in their learning environment and comfortable in their physical environment.
Common membership benefits include useful branded products such as pens, carry bags, coffee mugs, pencil case, study guide and a student diary as well as on and off-campus discounts on a variety of goods, thus saving the student money which may help reduce financial stress. Most offer on-campus lunchtime entertainment. Some campus Associations operate campus bookshops offering discounts to its members.
Some Membership Benefits Are: - Discounts in many retail shops
- Discounts on textbooks and stationery at campus bookshops
- Student rates on organised trips and activities
- Concessional entry to some theatres
- Access to discounted movie tickets
- Many other benefits as provided by your local Student Association
- Having your say in student issues by joining your Student Association Board
Please Note: Membership or associate membership of the Association commences on the day a person pays the membership fee and is valid only until the end of that calendar year. No pro-rata discount shall apply. To find out what your local benefits are, contact your local Student Association!
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TAFE Active
In response to the general decline in sports participation in TAFE and the rest of the post-secondary sector, the TAFE Student Associations decided to develop a new approach called “TAFEactive”. TAFEactive is designed to broaden the definition of health and fitness to include not only the traditional team sports but also dance, gym work, aerobics, defence arts, yoga, nutrition, wellbeing and various activities.
Off-campus benefits and connections of Student Associations are highly valued. Student Associations encourage student and staff volunteer involvement in support of the work of charities and local community groups. For example, there is an annual Raft-A-Thon coordinated by one of the Associations, with the involvement of several others, which has raised over $40,000 in three years for the Children’s Hospital at Westmead and this is just one example of the many community partnerships the Associations have build up over the years.
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Issues or Assistance
There have been a number of occasions when TAFE NSW Students’ Associations have assisted in the conduct of consultations with students about major issues or initiatives. These consultations have generally been in regard to operational or service matters (such as TAFEcard) although, on at least one occasion, consultation with TAFE NSW Students’ Associations has occurred on educational matters, including their participation on focus groups established during the consultation phase of The Futures Project.
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Structure
With the exception of Western Institute (in western NSW), every Institute has at least one constituted Students' Association administered by a Student Association Officer, usually funded by the college.
TAFE NSW Students Associations are generally managed by a board of management in accordance with the rules of its constitution. The board is elected from current members and comprises of both students and staff. It may recommend expenditure but only the designated college manager may approve expenditure in accordance with the Student Funds Procedures Manual developed by Audit Directorate to ensure financial management standards are applied. TAFE NSW Student Associations are supported by State Office resources through the Student Affairs Unit. |
