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Student organisations

Bendigo Student Association (BSA)

The Bendigo Student Association is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping students get the most from their University experience. Our mission is ‘making student life better’ and we strive to achieve it by helping students balance their academic demands with their social life while studying.

We think it is important for students to finish their time here with a qualification in one hand and a suitcase full of life skills and great memories in the other. The BSA provides services on campus designed to do just that, but the benefits of a vibrant university experience go far beyond tertiary education. Research shows that graduates with good supplementary skills and experiences stand a much better chance of getting the job they want.

The BSA is a student based organisation independent of the university. Current students are elected annually onto the BSA Board of Directors. They are responsible for outlining the general objectives for the organisation. There is a small team of professional staff that provide the services, administration and management expertise designed to meet the Board’s objectives.

BSA events and social activities are important opportunities for students to meet each other and form the support groups that will help get them through their time at University. O Week activities provide the first chance for students to do this in a safe environment and without spending a lot of money.

Clubs & Societies give students the chance to meet others with similar interests and introduce them to committee work and event management. Not only is it good for balancing a uni student lifestyle, being involved in a club committee is also an impressive inclusion on a resume.

Our fantastic trips program gives students the chance to experience Victoria’s best holiday destinations at a fraction of the normal price. It’s also a great way to recharge the batteries and meet students from all walks of life.

Students can participate in a variety of national awards and competitions that extend their skills beyond academic learning. Competitions such as the National Campus Bands Competition and the National Tertiary Art Prize not only give students the chance to win prizes and credibility, they are challenging and fun to be part of.

Sometimes students have issues with a lecturer or a university procedure that they find hard to resolve by themselves. The BSA provides free, independent advice to students and can help represent their interests in meetings or through the written word. This is particularly helpful for students with Academic Progression or Academic Misconduct issues.

The BSA own and operate 3 commercial businesses on campus. Prices are kept down to allow for limited student budgets. Any profits are channelled back to the BSA to help fund other services. These businesses also provide important casual employment for uni students.

The BSA Gym is great for helping students to maintain a balanced mind & body while at Uni. Memberships are substantially discounted for students and include a huge range of facilities and fitness solutions. On-campus sports include indoor mixed netball and soccer held on the courts at Evolution Sports & Fitness Centre. This student based competition is run 4 nights per week during semester and is a great way for students to meet friends and stay fit.

The BSA website features an online marketplace. Students can browse for off-campus accommodation, or buy and sell things like 2nd hand textbooks, computers, furniture, bikes, cars - even jousting sticks.

Membership of the BSA is free. Log on to our website to learn more or to sign up online.

La Trobe University Student Union (LTSU)

LTSU is the peak representative body for La Trobe students at the Melbourne, Shepparton and Mildura campuses. From the start of 2011, LTSU has replaced the Guild, La Trobe University Postgraduate Association (LUPA) and the Students Representative Council (SRC).

LTSU provides:

• A voice for students through elected student representatives, and the Student Council, which is the governing body of LTSU
• Services that support students and help build community at La Trobe -  Secondhand Bookshop, Student Advocacy, Clubs & Societies, Tax Help program, Student Lounge, Activities and Entertainment, newspaper distributions and Rabelais student newspaper
• Support for our sister organisations at La Trobe; including the Part – Time, Evening or Mature Aged Students’ Organisation (PEMSO), the International Students’ Association (ISA), and the student associations at Shepparton and Mildura

Student Theatre and Film, the Student Legal Service and services formerly provided through the Contact desk are also likely to come under the LTSU umbrella in 2012.

Watch out for LTSU’s 2012 Membership package which will provide a great range of discounts and benefits on and off campus.

Visit us at Upper Agora West, or go to http://www.latrobesu.org.au for full details of LTSU staff and student office bearer contacts, as well as news of upcoming events and activities.