Handbook

Required reading

General information

Undergraduate

Postgraduate

International

Handbook sitemap

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 and give them opportunities that will equip them for their career after graduation.

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.

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 is working toward becoming a Registered Training Organisation which will make certificate courses available for students wanting to add to their academic qualifications before, after, or during their university studies. Courses such as a Certificate 4 in Governance will equip students with relevant knowledge for boards and committees - a fantastic advantage when applying for management roles at all levels.

Through new partnerships with a range of Bendigo based organisations the BSA is now providing students access to several new 'real world' professional development opportunities. Students can participate in Lead On Australia's Community Door Program which places students on local boards (business and not-for-profit), sports club committees, and school councils; giving them hands-on experience in governance and strategic planning much earlier than normal in their professional careers.

Volunteer placements are also now available to students through the BSA's partnership with the Bendigo Volunteer Resource Centre - offering access to an array of volunteer activities and resume building opportunities. As the BSA grows and strengthens its partnerships with the wider Bendigo community, students will be able to participate in further professional development opportunities that will prepare them for their future careers.

The BSA own and operates a number of 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 well equipped weights room, group fitness classes and a sports hall. On-campus sports is a semester based competition involving indoor mixed netball and soccer held on the courts at Evolution Sports & Fitness Centre. Our Sports Rep can help you get involved in the sport of your choice at a local level and/or with the La Trobe team for the Australian University Games.

The BSA website features an online marketplace where students can browse for off-campus accommodation, look for private tutors, or buy and sell things like second hand textbooks.

Basic membership to the BSA is free and includes access to the services listed above. Platinum membership is an inexpensive way for students to get direct discounts for goods and services on and off campus. For more information on Platinum membership, log onto the BSA website.

La Trobe University Student Union (LTSU)

LTSU is the peak representative body for La Trobe students at the Melbourne, City, 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 Lounges, Activities and Entertainment, newspaper distributions and Rabelais student newspaper, Student Theatre and Film, the Student Legal Services and Student Union Reception Counter
• 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

Watch out for LTSU’s 2013 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 services, staff and student office bearer contacts, as well as news of upcoming events and activities.