lot's wife election guide 2015

Lot’s WifeMONASH UNIVERSITY STUDENT MAGAZINE - CLAYTON

SPECIAL EDITION - ELECTION GUIDE 2015

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3 CONTENTSVOTINGPolling for the MSA elections will be 21 – 24 September 2015, with the

polling times and places as follows:

The main polling place will be open in the Campus Centre foyer

Monday 21 September 9.30am – 4.30pmTuesday 22 September 9.30am – 6.00pm

Wednesday 23 September 9.30am – 4.30pmThursday 24 September 9.30pm – 4.30pm

Remote polling will be open in the Hargrave-Andrew Library foyer

Monday 21 September 11.30am – 2.30pmThursday 24 September 11.30am – 2.30pm

And at the foyer 21 Ancora Imparo Way (Yulendj Indigenous Engagement Unit)

Wednesday 23 September 11.30am-2.30pm

Postal votes are possible for those students unable to attend the election in person.

Applications will be available online or at the MSA.

ELECTED POSITIONSOffice Bearer positions:

President Treasurer Secretary

Disabilities and Carers Officer Education (Academic Affairs) Officer

Education (Public Affairs) Officer Welfare Officer

Women’s Officer Male Queer Officer

Female Queer Officer Environment & Social Justice Officer

Indigenous Officer Activities Officer

Lot’s Wife Editor/s

Monash Student Council and Committees:Monash Student Council (5 General Representatives)

Women’s Affairs Collective (5 Members)Student Affairs Committee (10 Members)

National Union of Students:7 Delegate positions

4. PRESIDENT

5. SECRETARY

7. TREASURER

8. WOMEN’S OFFICER

9. EDUCATION ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

10. EDUCATION PUBLIC AFFAIRS

11. WELFARE

12. EDITOR’S OF LOT’S WIFE

16. MONASH STUDENT COUNCIL

19. STUDENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

22. WOMEN’S AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

25. NUS DELEGATES

28. ELECTED UNOPPOSED

- ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIAL JUSTICE OFFICERS

- DISABILITIES OFFICERS

- INDIGENOUS OFFICERS

- FEMALE QUEER OFFICER

- MALE QUEER OFFICER

- ACTIVITIES OFFICERS

4

PRESIDENT

In my time in the MSA, I’ve seen careerists use the organ-isation as political stepping stone, it’s time for that to stop and for the MSA to start listening to what students really want and fighting against the commodification of educa-tion! The MSA needs to start standing up to the university and demanding genuine consultation about decisions that affect students.I have been involved with the MSA since my first year in 2013, when I joined the Education Action Group and helped organise the first Student General Meeting in 9 years. Since then, campaigning for free, accessible, publicly funded education has been a passion of mine. As Education (Public Affairs) Officer this year I mobil-ised students against funding cuts and deregulation. I also worked with the NTEU to campaign around the casualisa-tion of staff at Monash.My top priorities for 2016 are:• Createanot-for-profitSecondhandBookshopoutof the JML• DivesttheMSAfromFossilFuels• MorefundingforClubsandSocieties• OpenandaccessibledecisionmakingthroughMonash Student Council• Takedirectionfromthestudentbodythroughregu-lar Student General Meetings• Campaignfordirectlyelectedstudentsandstaffback on University Council

Vote Switch for a Strong MSA!

Abby is a third year Arts student majoring in politics/crim-inology. She’s been involved in the Monash Student Asso-ciation for three years, whilst also actively engaging with the National Union of Students. Abby believes that student representation is crucial in maintaining a vibrant campus culture. Student welfare is particularly important to Abby who has both utilised and volunteered with MSA hump days and breakfast club. Abby is currently the treasurer of the MSA and has worked consistently throughout the year to improve the transparen-cy and accountability of the MSA finances. in 2014 she was the state Women’s officer for NUS. Through her experience in both these roles Abby has been able to build her under-standing of the issues young people face today.This year the MSA has seen the highest union membership in ten years, a feat that was achieved through the expansion of Stress Less Week as well as more events on campus. Abby has played a pivotal role in increasing awareness of the benefits of joining your student union. Next year Abby will work to create more emergency hous-ing for students as well as expanding welfare services through the use of the welfare van.

Go! vote, vote Go!

Mal

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- Sw

itch

Abigail Stapleton - G

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SECRETARY

The MSA’s strength lies in engaging and involving students to take up the fight for students rights. The MSA must be an active political force on campus, advocating and campaign-ing for the rights of oppressed and marginalised groups.

If elected, I am committed to making the MSA relevant to students by fighting the university and government as they seek to erode student rights. I will make the MSA as demo-cratic, transparent and accessible as possible.

As 2015 Women’s Officer I have learnt skills that will make me an excellent secretary and gained a strong understand-ing of how the MSA works. I will ensure the effective oper-ation of the MSA; enabling MSA departments and divisions to run campaigns and events that support students. I will widely publicise Monash Student Council meetings and publish both agendas and minutes in a timely fashion.In 2016 I will: • introducelegalsupportservicetofightforstudentsrights in housing, employment and activism• facilitatethecreationofahousingco-optoprovideaffordable housing to students• continuethecampaignagainstderegulationofhigher education• pressureMonashUniversitytodivestfromfossilfuels • empowerstudentsbyorganisingstudentgeneralmeetings

Vote Switch for an effective MSA!

Glenn is a second year Science/Engineering student who is active both in student affairs on and off campus and has been involved with the MSA since he first started at Monash. He is excited to be involved in an MSA that con-tinues to represent student’s views and also provides the services that students need.

He is currently serving on the Monash Student Council and the Clubs and Societies Executive, where he also served as the Acting Secretary. Throughout his time in these posi-tions, Glenn has learnt much about the internal workings of the MSA as well as many of the skills essential to perform-ing the role of secretary.

Glenn became involved in the MSA’s Student Representative Network and has remained involved in the many campaigns around education and student services and will continue to fight for students’ rights.

If elected Glenn is looking forward to using these skills to assist office bearers and divisions to defend the rights of students and run essential student services they need whilst maintain a fun and engaging campus life.

Go vote, vote Go!

Gle

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onah

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Go!

Sophie Vassallo - Switch

6

SECRETARY

No photo submitted

No candidate statement submitted

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TREASURER

With higher education and student unions under threat from increasing corporatisation it’s more important than ever to ensure that our student unions are as strong as pos-sible.

I’m running for the position of Treasurer because I want to make sure that the financial matters of the departments of the MSA are dealt with in a timely, efficient and effective manner, so that they can continue to help run the kinds of campaigns which have previously beaten back the looming threat of fee deregulation.

I am also keen to help support and facilitate the divestment of the MSA’s funds from the fossil fuel industry.

In addition, I hope to help run an MSA that is open and accountable to students: big decisions about how to spend students’ money should not be made behind closed doors as they have in the past.

After three years of involvement in the MSA, I have seen how effective student activism can be when it is well organ-ised and well supported. I believe that with an executive who are passionate about student rights, the environment, social justice and the accessibility of education, the MSA will be stronger than ever.

Vote Switch for a well resourced MSA!

Matilda is completing her second year at Monash, majoring in Psychology. Since the beginning of the year, she has been actively involved in the Monash Student Association, as well as events run by the National Union of Students. This has exposed her to the operative structure of student union bodies, and provoked her desire to assume an executive role in the MSA.

Matilda would like to expand on previous work done to further promote greater transparency and communication between students and the MSA. She wishes to ensure that the needs and concerns of the students are accurately rep-resented in MSA campaigns, and that the student services and amenities fee is invested into services that truly benefit students.

With the current Government persistently posing threats of cuts to education and deregulation of university fees, Matil-da is passionate about student funding.

Matilda is eager to tackle the challenges that she would face as Treasurer. In recognition of the MSA as a crucial organ-isation for students at Monash, she is excited to assist each department in ensuring that they operate efficiently and ef-fectively. Matilda is particularly looking forward to working alongside the Women’s department in improving safety on campus.

Go vote, vote Go!

Matilda G

rey - Go!

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WOMEN’S OFFICER

Amila is 2nd year Arts students majoring in Human Rights and Sociology. Amila has been an active participant in the Women’s Department this past year, is a current member of WAC and has attended NOWSA 2015. She devotes much of her time to the Monash Women of Colour Collective, an autonomous collective in its early years that currently has a working relationship with the MSA Womens department, and hopes to help in developing and improving this rela-tionship.

Tina is a 3rd year Arts student majoring in Psychology and Criminology. Being an active member of the department, she has facilitated multiple workshops, discussion groups, attended WAC meetings and attended NOWSA twice. Tina wants to make the department as inclusive and safe as pos-sible and run campaigns surrounding mental health stigma, consent, and harassment of women on campus.

We hope to funnel our passion for women’s issues by:• ExpandingthereachoftheWomen’sDepartmentand get more women involved.• EncouragingMonashUniversitytoopenupadedi-cated parents’ room.• Fosteringamoretolerantandunderstandingen-vironment in the department with a solid grievance policy along with the current safer spaces policy in place.

Vote Tina and Amila for a more inclusive Women’s Department!

Melanie is a 4th year Commerce student and Tamsin is completing an honours in music. Mel and Tamsin aim to make the Women’s department as safe and accessible as pos-sible, and maintain an understanding, autonomous space for those that identify as or with women.

They are passionate about learning and spreading awareness of the issues women face as well as working alongside the Women’s Affairs Collective to build a strong sense of com-munity and represent the woman-identifying student body.

If elected, Mel and Tamsin will collaborate with other de-partments and groups on campus to create a safer and more engaging environment for women at university. As well as continuing events like Q Squared, Rad Sex & Consent Week and Blue Stockings Week, they will introduce new cam-paigns and events to help support women, fostering a caring Women’s community at Monash, targeting mental health and wellness.

Melanie and Tamsin are keen to improve the safety on campus, including enhanced security and lighting around campus, particularly the bus loop area. Through events and campaigns Melanie wishes to encourage involvement and improve understanding of women’s rights and issues both in the world and the Monash community.

Go! vote, vote Go!

Tamsin Peters &

Melanie Loudovaris

- Go!

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No photo submitted

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EDUCATION ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Lauren is a 3rd year Arts student, majoring in Philosophy, who is passionate about education, student rights, and social justice. This year, she has been involved in the Edu-cation Action Group and Women’s department, as well as reactivating and running Monash’s Women in Philosophy group.David is second year Arts (Global) student majoring in International Studies who has been involved in campaigns including the #FreeEducation occupations, and Fossil Free Monash, as well as serving a General Representative on the Monash Student Council.As threats of deregulation and privatisation loom, the im-portance of not only protecting our educational rights but also developing them has never been greater. As Education Academic Affairs Officers, we aim to protect our existing student rights, and expand student oversight and involve-ment in decision-making regarding academic issues within the university.We will fight to increase the university’s accountability, and to ensure discussions of academic policy and potential course restructurings are conducted transparently, with real engagement with students, and always with the aim of protecting staff and students.We also aim to work alongside other MSA departments in developing a second-hand bookshop on campus that will be greatly beneficial to students.

Vote Switch for a transparent, accountable university!

Jess is in her third year of biomedical science, and Dan in his second year of Arts, majoring in politics and interna-tional relations. Jess and Dan have both been involved in the external education campaign with the National Union of Students, and with Dan in World Vision Australia. They are passionate about advocating for equitable and accessible education for all students.

Jess and Dan both attended the National Day of Action run by the National Union of Students on August 19th. The NDA was one of the many protests to fight fee deregulation, which would be detrimental to the accessibility of higher education for all students. They both have attended Monash Student Council meet-ings, and in July attended the National Union of Students Education Conference in Sydney, where they further devel-oped their passion for equitable and accessible education.

If elected, Jess and Dan will build on the work of previous officer bearers by further expanding the 24 hour library and lecture recording campaigns, as well as promoting more transparent communication about unit changes, fairer assessment policy, and will aim to keep the Monash admin-istration accountable to the students.

Go! vote, vote Go!

Jessica Stone & D

aniel Ffrench-Mullen

- Go!

Dav

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& L

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EDUCATION PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Rhyss is a 4th year arts/law student with experience in environmental, education and social justice campaigns. He’s been heavily involved as one of the coordinators of Fossil Free Monash and as the MSA Environment and Social Jus-tice Officer this year. Rhyss has learnt a lot about the MSA and the university admin over the past few years and is keen to make our fight for affordable and accessible education a focus of the whole union.

Naish is an arts student majoring in literature and philos-ophy. He has been a member of the Monash Education Action Group, fighting against fee deregulation, and a vol-unteer at Wholefoods.

We are passionate about fighting against the Abbott Gov-ernment’s higher education changes and broadening the campaign to improve and not just defend our education. We will fight in solidarity with international students and university staff to create the best learning and teaching environment.

We want to see the MSA:• bemoreparticipatoryandlessbureaucratic• fightagainstthecorporatisationofouruniversitiesand their slow slide into degree factories that put profits first and students second. • campaignfortheuniversitytodivestfromfossilfuels

Vote Switch to stand up against university fee deregulation!

Sumudu is currently a first year medical student. Having become involved in the Monash Student Association after attending a Monash club run refugee forum, she was driven to join a progressive student body. From here her involve-ment and experience in the ‘Demand a Better Future’ campaign and at this year’s Education Conference, cultivat-ed her passion for activism and advocating for the rights of students.

Sulaiman is a second year Arts student. Upon participating in the Student Representative Network and attending mul-tiple National Day of Action rallies, he had a greater resolve to get involved in the MSA and enact progressive change. Furthermore his experience in campaign publicity has left him well versed in communicating with students about their wants and needs.

In the current political climate students voices have never been more crucial in ensuring an accessible and equitable education system. If elected Sumudu and Sulaiman would aim to provide more platforms for which these students could fight towards a prospective future on education. We’d also aim to counteract the current neoliberal agenda associ-ated with the proposed higher education reforms.

Sumudu Setunge &

Sulaim

an Enayatzada - Go!

Rhys

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Nai

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- Sw

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WELFARE

It is the student union that is best placed to ease the transi-tion from high school and make students feel like university is their home. Tim and Brendan are committed to providing things like the new food truck, continuing Free Food Mon-days, Free Fruit Fridays as well as campaigning hard for the university to improve student services.

Brendan is in his fifth year of studying at university. After completing an Arts degree at the University of Melbourne, he is now in his first year of engineering at Monash. He wants to encourage students who just come to uni for class to stick around and get involved, so that they can get more involved in campus culture.

Tim is from Mansfield in the High Country of Victoria, moving to Melbourne for University three years ago. He studies International Studies and Geosciences. Having transitioned from a small community town, Tim aims to provide a more inclusive environment for both students whom live on and off campus. Brendan and Tim will strive to be the bees knees for events, advice, and laughs!

Emily is a second year Arts/Science student majoring in Philosophy and Psychology. She is passionate about pro-moting student well-being through an inclusive and fulfill-ing University environment. Emily collaboratively runs the Monash Women in Philosophy group, and has been in-volved in campaigns focused on Education, Refugee rights and Anti-death penalty. She also volunteers at Wholefoods and Amnesty International.Hannah is a first year Science student majoring in Geo-science and Ecology. She wants everyone to feel safe and comfortable in University by prioritising student welfare. Hannah has been actively involved in campaigns including Fossil Free, stopping coal mines to protect the Great Barri-er Reef and preserving Indigenous communities. She also volunteers in disability and at Wholefoods.We are committed to upholding Monash students welfare with a particular focus on mental health and affordability for 2016.We aim to:• Improveaccessibilitytocounsellors• Createa‘stress-less’handbook• Runfreestressbusterworkshops• Introduceasecond-handbookshop• Continuefreeyogaclasses.• Furtherdevelopthehousingco-operative• Expandfreefooddays.Most importantly, we are committed to providing per-sonalised help for students regarding any issues, in a safe, judgement free space; your wellbeing is our priority.Vote Switch for a MSA that prioritises YOUR wellbeing!

Emily G

riffith &

Hannah G

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Tim

Ber

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- Go!

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EDITORS OF LOT’S WIFE

Audrey is a third year Arts student majoring in Linguistics and Literature, and Vice-President of the Creative Writers Club.Elyse is a first year Arts student thinking about majoring in History and Politics. She attended the Network Of Women Students Australia (NOWSA) conference this year.Liyan is a Masters student doing research in Political Theo-ry. She has been heavily involved with the MSA, starting the Women of Colour Collective in 2014, previous Lot’s Wife sub-editor and campaigning against university fee deregu-lation.Together, we will revitalise Lot’s Wife as a witty, political and exciting paper fully engaged in Monash student life. We will cover politics and student affairs, endeavouring to be critical, impartial and transparent.Together, we will increase Lot’s Wife’s online presence for a more accessible student media. We will promote and feature on-campus arts & culture, and reconnect with MUST, and student artists, writers, and photographers.We will cover science, arts, culture; live-tweet events that affect students, and promise to never let a typo grace the front page.We will write a student paper you are proud to read, proud to take home, and proud write for.Vote Switch for fantastic student media next year!

Your Editorial Team for 2016 features the talents of Carina Florea, Psychology/Commerce major; Lisa Healy, a student of Journalism and Human Rights; Josh Zuzek, Journalism major; and Tim Newport, Geology student and Journalism major. They are pledging themselves to improving the state of stu-dent’s voices on campus. They believe that Lot’s Wife should be your regular rag - the paper you consult for the latest in campus news and local opinions.They are focused on bringing Lot’s into the 21st century, giving a progressive and forward publication for your edifi-cation and consumption.In 2016 Lot’s Wife will:• Provideopportunitiesforadiverserangeofstu-dents to have their voices heard on issues relating to stu-dents and the wider world.• Offerachanceforyoungandemergingwriterstodevelop their skills under the help and guidance of experi-enced and inclusive editors. • Giveyouthelatestgossandtipsfromstudentslikeyou.• Offerawholesectiondevotedtostudentcomplaintsand letters.• ShowcasethetalentsofnotonlyMonash’sliterarystudents, but also creative and design students. • Increasetheonlinepresenceofthemagazineovera range of platforms, primarily social media and a reinvigo-rated website. Go vote, vote Go!

Carina-D

iana Florea, Josh Zuzek, Lisa H

ealy & Tim

othy New

port - Go!

Audr

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lyse

Wal

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& L

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EDITORS OF LOT’S WIFE


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MONASH STUDENT COUNCIL

Naish GawenNaish is an arts student majoring in literature and philoso-phy. He has been involved in the Education Action Group, fighting against university fee deregulation. He is also a vol-unteer at Wholefoods. Naish is passionate about seeing the MSA becoming more participatory and less bureaucratic, and stepping up the union’s fight against the corporatisation of universities. James TempleJames is a third year arts student majoring in history. He has been part of the Monash Fossil Free movement and the ongoing campaign against deregulation. He wants to see re-sponsible and transparent spending on clubs, societies and movements to help student engagement on campus flourish. Melodee Ried Melodee is a 4th year Arts student majoring in human geography. She has been around the MSA since 2012, vol-unteering at Wholefoods and the women’s department. She has continued being involved in both these departments ever since, and has worked on education campaigns.Rory SloanRory is a 1st year Arts student considering majoring in either literature or philosophy. He has been involved in the fight against Abbott and Pyne’s agenda to deregulate univer-sity fees and thinks Wholefoods is the best place to eat on campus.

Vote for Switch’s MSC general representative candidates for an accountable, transparent and activist MSC!

We are running for Monash Student Council because we want to see the MSA take a more left wing direction. All of us are seasoned activists who have participated in an impressive array of social justice campaigns. We have cam-paigned:- Against the Abbott Governments plans to deregulate universities and turn Australian higher education into the ‘American model’- Against attempts to restrict the provision of welfare to young people, especially given the predominance of youth and student poverty in Australia- Against the imprisonment, deportation and persecution of asylum seekers and for a just asylum policy in Australia- For a sustainable environment, through our involvement in campaigns such as QuitCoal. - Against all forms of anti-Indigenous racism, including the recent policy of forced remote community closures and the ongoing Northern Territory Intervention- Against queerphobia, by challenging the legal discrimi-nation in the Marriage Act that denies LGBTIQ people the basic civil right to marry- In support of Palestinian human rightsWe want to use our platform, if elected, to further these causes and to take on the university administration in its ongoing attempts to turn Monash University into yet anoth-er dull corporation.

Meg

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Yas

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Rory Sloan, Melodee Ried,

James Tem

ple & N

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As it stands, international students have to pay upwards of $50 a week to travel on Melbourne’s public transport system - double the amount of domestic students. We think this is completely unacceptable, especially given that international students have to pay full fee course costs, do not have access to HECS and face numerous obstacleswhen studying in Australia. If elected, we will lobby the state government to introduce international student concession cards so that international students get a fair go too!Shreeya Luthra

Shreeya is a first year student studying Science Advanced - Global Challenges. She is currently secretary of Clubs & Societies and has been involved in the campaign against deregulation. Shreeya thinks it is vital that women feel more comfortable on campus, and that students of all back-grounds are represented on the council.Kapil BhargavaKapil is a first year Arts/Law student, he strives to maintain accountability and transparency. He will maintain the MSA’s

egalitarianism and drive it to uphold its core union values: the support of student rights and welfare.Tess FreemanTess is second year Psychology student who has been in-volved with the MSA since the start of the year and attend-ed Education conference. Tess hopes to improve the quality of education provided at Monash especially in nursing and health sciences faculty though her position on the student council.Corey RosevearCorey is an Information Technology student who lives on campus. Corey is determined to fight for students to create a fairer education system. Corey has been active within the MSA throughout the year and will continue to ensure the experience at Monash is the best that can be offered.

C’mon Monash, $370 for a patch of bitumen in the middle of Clayton? How much money can the Uni possibly hope to scam out of students? Enough is enough! We want the Uni to expand free parking, improve lighting to free parking and we want it now! If elected for 2014, we will be working to ensure that the university:•Expandsfreeparking•Reducesthecostofparkingpermits•EnsureparkingpermitscanbeusedacrossallMonashcampuses•Securefreeparkingduringexamperiods

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Sh

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plin - International Stu-dent C

oncession Card

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Every year we have to fight our way through the frothing hippies to get to our frothy beers. That’s why, as a MSC Gen Rep, I intend to replace MSA elections. The President will be determined by an all-out CENTURION and the rest of them will be involved in some sort of ROGAINING/ IRONGUT round robin. FREE BEER we will also be de-manding that the MSA build a MICROBREWERY in order to supply the copious amounts of FREE BEER we will also be demanding. FREE BEER promises you that we will vote down any budget that does not include this awesome idea. But where on earth will the MSA fit this brewery, you ask? Well in one of the really big car parks you idiot (because we all know drink driving is unsafe and you should be drink-ing, not driving). Further benefits of this MICRO-BREW-ERY idea that I just came up with include:•Porters,stouts,lagersANDalesontap(for$0)•ItwillsithalfwaybetweenSirJohnsandtheNott•ItwillbereallyclosetoHalls•It’sf**kingawesome•BEER!(Hefe)weizenup.When we are elected to MSC we will only promote FREE BEER and getting more FREE BEER as quickly as possible. We will abstain from anything that is not related to FREE BEER.FREE BEER, awesome idea!

At the Clayton campus, there are no open and accessible 24 hour study spaces to all students. This is absolutely ridicu-lous, considering the amount of fees students already pay, and how pressured students are to complete the large study load. 40+ hours a week on study, when we already have to work part-time, and are pressured to complete extra-curric-ular activities?! Yeah right! To ensure that all students get a fair and equitable education, Monash should implement a 24 hour library service to acknowledge how difficult it can sometimes be to manage time. Many students come from rural areas and are forced to work long hours instead of study, some students don’t have adequate study spaces, or wireless access at home, and depend on these services.Considering Universities within the Group of 8, in Austra-lia, and around the world, are implementing these services, we’re calling on Monash to become a modern institute, and provide this essential service to students. Vote [1] 24 Hour Libraries to put pressure on Monash, and to see this happen.

No photo submitted


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STUDENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

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Georgia RiordanGeorgia, a first year arts/science student wants to ensure that every student has access to any aid that they may need over the course of their studies at Monash; from hot meals to help with study costs.Harini KasthuriarachchiHarini is a first year Arts student, eager to join a progressive MSA where education is a priority. She aims to further her advocacy of non-discriminatory education by ensuring that education is accessible to all.Sophia McNamaraSophia is studying law and arts, majoring in sociology. She wants to be a part of the Committee because she cares about making Monash a supportive and inclusive environment. Jasmine NguyenJasmine is a commerce and economics student in her first year. From free food to lecture recordings, she cares about youth issues and will work to provide support for every student. Kapil BhargavaKapil is a first year Arts/Law student who is keen to get more involved with the MSA Education and Welfare de-partments as he strongly believes in welfare and student rights.Shreeya LuthraShreeya is a first year student studying Science. She has been actively involved in the campaign against deregulation and thinks that students of all backgrounds should be represent-ed in the Monash community.Tess FreemanTess is second year Psychology student who has been involved with the MSA since the start of the year. Through her position Tess hopes to improve the mental and physical welfare of all students on campus.

As it stands, international students have to pay upwards of $50 a week to travel on Melbourne’s public transport system - double the amount of domestic students. We think this is completely unacceptable, especially given that international students have to pay full fee course costs, do not have access to HECS and face numerous obstacles when studying in Australia. If elected, we will lobby the state government to introduce international student concession cards so that international students get a fair go too!

C’mon Monash, $370 for a patch of bitumen in the middle of Clayton? How much money can the Uni possibly hope to scam out of students? Enough is enough! We want the Uni to expand free parking, improve lighting to free parking and we want it now! If elected for 2014, we will be working to ensure that the university:•Expandsfreeparking•Reducesthecostofparkingpermits•EnsureparkingpermitscanbeusedacrossallMonashcampuses•Securefreeparkingduringexamperiods

Subiksha Ramesh -

International Student Concession

Danielle G

rosso - Free Parking

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Naish GawenNaish is an arts student majoring in literature and philoso-phy. He has been involved in the Education Action Group, fighting against university fee deregulation, he also volun-teers at Wholefoods. Naish is passionate about seeing the MSA becoming more participatory and less bureaucratic, and stepping up the union’s fight against the corporatisation of universities. Jery GoebelJery is a 2nd year Computer Science/Sc ience student. He is active in NFPs supporting transition ing young people from diverse and marginaliz ed background s and promoting equality, rights, anti-fee deregulati on and wider participat ory governance within tertiary education. In SAC he wants to encourage grassroots political engagement for all stu-dents.Nina RobertsonNina is a first year Science student majoring in mathemat-ics. She volunteers at Wholefoods and is a member of the Monash Club of Juggling and Firetwirling. She has been involved in environmental and human rights activism.James TempleJames is a third year arts student majoring in history. He is part of the Monash Fossil Free movement and the campaign against deregulation. He wants responsible and transparent spending on clubs, societies and movements to help student engagement on campus flourish.Melodee RiedMelodee is a 4th year Arts student majoring in human geography. She has been around the MSA since 2012, vol-unteering at Wholefoods and the women’s department. She has continued being involved in both these departments

ever since, and has worked on education campaigns.

Vote for Switch’s SAC candidates for left wing campaigns!


C’mon Monash! If you’re building thousands of beds on campus, we need to be able to getsome decent food on campus, and I don’t mean cheap spicy chicken, or over-salt-ed chips, we want a Grocery Store on campus! Time and time again, res students are forced to walk or catch a bus to Pinewood Shopping Centre and lug heavy bags back. This ain’t fun, and we reckon the only way to solve it is to get a grocery store on campus. IGA, Coles, Woolies - we don’t care, we just want one!

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Everyone hopp on board, it’s time for FREE BEER!!! VOTE FREE BEER because we know what issue is really plaguing students at Monash these days - the price of beer - which we hear is currently more than $0. Vote for FREE BEER and I will make sure your Student Affairs Committee meetings will be held in Sir John’s Bar (where the real students are) until the MSA has developed the new brewery we will also be demanding. I will also ensure that every event run out of the Education (Public Affairs) and Welfare departments will include 15, no wait, 50 slabs of FREE BEER! And if I think that the Ed Pub and Welfare officers aren’t doing enough then I will make sure they drink a beer for every hour they have not worked then make sure they give everyone else a beer as well.

At the Clayton campus, there are no open and accessible 24 hour study spaces to all students. This is absolutely ridicu-lous, considering the amount of fees students already pay, and how pressured students are to complete the large study load. 40+ hours a week on study, when we already have to work part-time, and are pressured to complete extra-curricular activities?! Yeah right! To ensure that all students get a fair and equitable education, Monash should imple-ment a 24 hour library service to acknowledge how difficult it can sometimes be to manage time. Many students come from rural areas and are forced to work long hours instead of study, some students don’t have adequate study spaces, or wireless access at home, and depend on these services.Considering Universities within the Group of 8, in Austra-lia, and around the world, are implementing these services, we’re calling on Monash to become a modern institute, and provide this essential service to students. Vote [1] 24 Hour Libraries to put pressure on Monash, and to see this happen.

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WOMEN’S AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

At the Clayton campus, there are no open and accessible 24 hour study spaces to all students. This is absolutely ridicu-lous, considering the amount of fees students already pay, and how pressured students are to complete the large study load. 40+ hours a week on study, when we already have to work part-time, and are pressured to complete extra-cur-ricular activities?! Yeah right! To ensure that all students get a fair and equitable education, Monash should implement a 24 hour library service to acknowLedge how difficult it can sometimes be to manage time. Many students come from rural areas and are forced to work long hours instead of study, some students don’t have adequate study spaces, or wireless access at home, and depend on these services. Considering Universities within the Group of 8, in Austra-lia, and around the world, are implementing these services, we’re calling on Monash to become a modern institute, and provide this essential service to students. Vote [1] 24 Hour Libraries to put pressure on Monash, and to see this happen.

Audrey El-Osta Audrey is a third year Arts student majoring in Linguis-tics and Literature, and the Vice-President of the Creative Writers Club. She is running for a position on the Women’s Affairs Council to represent the interests of women on campus, to make Clayton safer for women and to encourage involvement between the Women’s Department and other departments and groups such as Women of Colour, Queer, and Disabilities to incorporate intersectionality.Jessica LeverJessica is a first-year Science student majoring in Biochem-istry. She has been an active member of Feminist Fightback collective in London for three years and since returning to Melbourne have been involved with left-wing activism, focussing on education. She is involved with the women’s department and is running for WAC so she can support the department in improving the experiences of women and non-binary students at Monash and in the wider communi-ty.Jasmine ShirrefsJasmine Shirrefs is a first year studying Environmental En-gineering/Arts. Jasmine is involved with the Environment and Social Justice Collective, the Monash Anti-Deportation Affinity Group, Engineers without Borders and recently became a co-convenor of the Monash Australian Youth Climate Coalition. She is passionate about stopping violence against women, challenging the conventional representa-tion of women in the media and seeing more women seek careers in agriculture, engineering, entrepreneurship and other typically male-dominated fields. Arundhathi LekshmiArundhathi Lekshmi is a second year Arts/Law student

Rachel Preston, Arundhathi

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majoring in Human Rights and Art History. ArundhathihasbeeninvolvedintheWom*nofColourcollectiveforthepast two years and hopes to foster more support between the collective and the greater women’s department. Arund-hathi hopes to make intersectional dialogue within the women’s department more open, providing for a safer and more inclusive space.Vote for Switch’s WAC candidates for an intersectional, activist and inclusive Women’s Department!


(To the tune of “when the saints go marching in”)Oh when the beer, the beer is free. Oh when the beer, the beer is freeeee. Free beer, free beer free bee-er. Oh when the beer, the beer is freeee.I will pledge to ensure that Oktoberfest stays on campus!

As it stands, international students have to pay upwards of $50 a week to travel on Melbourne’s public transport system - double the amount of domestic students. We think this is completely unacceptable, especially given that international students have to pay full fee course costs, do not have access to HECS and face numerous obstacles when studying in

C’mon Monash! If you’re building thousands of beds on campus, we need to be able to getsome decent food on cam-pus, and I don’t mean cheap spicy chicken, or over-salted chips, we want a Grocery Store on campus!Time and time again, res students are forced to walk or catch a bus to Pinewood Shopping Centre and lug heavy bags back. This ain’t fun, and we reckon the only way to solve it is to get a grocery store on campus. IGA, Coles, Woolies - we don’t care, we just want one!

Australia. If elected, we will lobby the state government to introduce international student concession cards so that international students get a fair go too!

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C’mon Monash, $370 for a patch of bitumen in the middle of Clayton? How much money can the Uni possibly hope to scam out of students? Enough is enough! We want the Uni to expand free parking, improve lighting to free parking and we want it now! If elected for 2014, we will be working to ensure that the university:•Expandsfreeparking•Reducesthecostofparkingpermits•EnsureparkingpermitscanbeusedacrossallMonashcampuses

Georgia RiordanGeorgia believes in making Monash an even safer com-munity for all women-identifying students. I want to see increased lighting around campus, especially at the bus zones, maintaining and improving the scope of the wom-en’s room, and a demand for positive associations with the words “feminism” and “women”! Sophia McNamaraSophia is running to be on the Women’s Affairs Committee because she cares deeply about gender inequality and would love to create a safer environment for women on campus and spread awareness of women’s issues at university.Jasmine NguyenJasmine is a first year commerce and economics student who believes in equal treatment for students of all genders and increasing female representation within the Monash community. She wants to increase student awareness about contemporary issues that face the women’s rights move-ment, and work to provide a safer campus life.Shreeya LuthraShreeya is a first year student studying Science Advanced - Global Challenges. She is currently secretary of Clubs & Societies and has been involved in the campaign against deregulation. Shreeya thinks it is vital that women feel more comfortable on campus, and that women of all backgrounds are represented on the council.

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NUS DELEGATES

As it stands, international students have to pay upwards of $50 a week to travel on Melbourne’s public transport system - double the amount of domestic students. We think this is completely unacceptable, especially given that international students have to pay full fee course costs, do not have access to HECS and face numerous obstacles when studying in Australia. If elected, we will lobby the state government to introduce international student concession cards so that international students get a fair go too!

The MSA spends over $70 000 affiliating to the National Union of Students, yet most students don’t know what it is. We believe that, in its current form, NUS is merely a Labor Party front, however it doesn’t have to be this way. Switch’s delegates are not members of any political parties but instead are genuine left wing activists who want to see NUS run effectively instead of descending into a farce of factional politics. The NUS National Conference is meant to direct the union and elect office bearers for the next year. However, in our view, it usually turns into student Labor party factions try-ing to secure as many office bearer positions as possible, to

then pursue their agenda of electing the Labor Party.If elected, Switch delegates will argue against this agenda, as none of the major political parties will give students what they deserve. We can only achieve free, accessible, publicly funded education and decent welfare by running radical and sustainable campaigns. NUS needs to continue to pro-test against fee deregulation and start mobilising students nationally to take the fight for welfare and the rights of marginalised and oppressed groups. A national body for students is incredibly important, espe-cially with the threat of deregulation, however, we feel that NUS needs massive reform to become the representative national body it could be. Vote Switch for rogue delegates!

C’mon Monash! If you’re building thousands of beds on campus, we need to be able to get some decent food on campus, and I don’t mean cheap spicy chicken, or over-salt-ed chips, we want a Grocery Store on campus!Time and time again, res students are forced to walk or catch a bus to Pinewood Shopping Centre and lug heavy bags back. This ain’t fun, and we reckon the only way to solve it is to get a grocery store on campus. IGA, Coles, Woolies - we don’t care, we just want one!

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NUS DELEGATES

It’s time. It’s time to get pissed. And there’s nothing better for getting pissed than a truckload of FREE BEER!!! Until NUS is able to secure an increase in Youth Allowance, they should be concentrating instead on making sure Monash is sent a truckload of FREE BEER!!! If elected, I’ll ensure that Monash gets at least 5 slabs per EFTSL of FREE BEER from NUS. A vote for me is a vote for FREE BEER. I’ll also make sure that NUS extends the FREE BEER policy from Monash to Canberra to ensure our politicians get on the piss too, to better understand students’ needs. With weak shandy sippers like Tony Abbott running around and a lack of top Aussie pissheads running the joint, it’s pretty clear we need more FULL STRENGTH FREE BEER sent direct to the House of Reps! You wouldn’t see Domestic Undergraduate Full Fees reintroduced, Abstudy slashed, HECS increases or Youth Allowance cut if our politicians could see the world through our lens. Let’s all view the world through amber tinted glasses, with a frothy head on top!FREE BEER, awesome idea!

scam out of students? Enough is enough! We want the Uni to expand free parking, improve lighting to free parking and we want it now! If elected for 2014, we will be working to ensure that the university:•Expandsfreeparking•Reducesthecostofparkingpermits•EnsureparkingpermitscanbeusedacrossallMonashcampuses

We are running for the National Union of Students because we want to see NUS take a more left wing direction. All of us are seasoned activists who have participated in an im-pressive array participated in an impressive array of social justice campaigns. We have campaigned:- Against the Abbott Governments plans to deregulate universities and turn Australian higher education into the ‘American model’- Against attempts to restrict the provision of welfare to young people, especially given the predominance of youth and student poverty in Australia- Against the imprisonment, deportation and persecution of asylum seekers and for a just asylum policy in Australia- For a sustainable environment, through our involvement in campaigns such as QuitCoal. - Against all forms of anti-Indigenous racism, including the recent policy of forced remote community closures and the ongoing Northern Territory Intervention- Against queerphobia, by challenging the legal discrimi-nation in the Marriage Act that denies LGBTIQ people the basic civil right to marry- In support of Palestinian human rightsWe want to use our platform, if elected, to further these causes and to take on the Abbott Government. C’mon Monash, $370 for a patch of bitumen in the middle

of Clayton? How much money can the Uni possibly hope to

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NUS DELEGATES

At the Clayton campus, there are no open and accessible 24 hour study spaces to all students. This is absolutely ridicu-lous, considering the amount of fees students already pay, and how pressured students are to complete the large study load. 40+ hours a week on study, when we already have to work part-time, and are pressured to complete extra-curricular activities?! Yeah right! To ensure that all students get a fair and equitable education, Monash should imple-ment a 24 hour library service to acknowledge how difficult it can sometimes be to manage time. Many students come from rural areas and are forced to work long hours instead ofstudy, some students don’t have adequate study spaces, or wireless access at home, and depend on these services.Considering Universities within the Group of 8, in Austra-lia, and around the world, are implementing these services, we’re calling on Monash to become a modern institute, and provide this essential service to students. Vote [1] 24 Hour Libraries to put pressure on Monash, and to see this happen.

This is the role we think NUS should play in society. If you agree, we’d love you to vote for us!

Sinead ColeeSinead believes in the importance of student activism and unionism. She has assisted numerous NUS campaigns in her time at university and has also spent this year as general member of the National Executive, the National Union of Students highest governing body.Abby StapletonAbby has been involved in the National Union of Students for three years. As the peak representative body for Austra-lian students NUS provides a platform for students around the country to come together and discuss contemporary issues facing students and young people. Glenn DonahooGlenn is a Science/Engineering student who is involved in the MSA and NUS. He is concerned about the deregulation of university fees and would like to be a NUS Delegate to continue fighting to ensure quality education is available to everyone, not just those that can afford it.Matilda GreyGrowing up in rural Western Australia Matilda has seen how access to higher education can change a person’s life. cuts to tertiary education will have a hugely detrimental effect on students from regional backgrounds. as an NUS delegate Matilda would like to see this issue discussed at National Conference.Jess StoneJess has recently become involved in NUS and attended Education Conference in July, gaining insight into the role of the NUS in protecting and advocating for student rights within higher education. Jess hopes to engage further in the education debate by having a vote as an NUS delegate. Amelia VeroneseAmelia believes that tertiary education should be available to every person regardless of their personal circumstances. The proposed cuts to education made by the Liberal govern-ment pose a huge threat to students. Amelia would like the opportunity to represent Monash students nationally.Sarah Spivak During her active role as Education Public Affairs officer Sarah gained an insight into the [WORD LIMIT EXCEEDED]

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ELECTED UNOPPOSED

Tess and Kim have been social justice and environment ac-tivists since arriving at Monash University in 2013 and 2014 respectively. They are pairing up because they are passionate about issues of student rights, marriage equality, women’s rights, refugee rights, Palestinian rights, and the environ-ment. They firmly believe that the MSA Environment and Social Justice department should be dedicated to activism and encouraging student involvement. Kim is an activist who has been heavily involved in anti-homophobia cam-paigns, including setting up the McKinnon High School’s anti-homophobia collective when he was in year 12, being an important figure in the nation-wide campaign against same sex marriage through the Equal Love collective, and raising awareness of queer homelessness. He is a member of Jews Against Israeli Apartheid and actively campaigns for Palestinian rights and against racism. Tess has been involved in environmental campaigns, including leading the Youth Sustainability Action Group at her high school, and recently ran a forum on campus encouraging student involvement in environmental activism. Both Tess and Kim have been actively campaigning against the deregulation of university fees. Next year we hope to continue these strug-gles and the fight against Abbott with as many students as possible!

Viv Stewart is a third year nursing student, who spent the last year being highly involved in the MSA as Female Queer officer. She was most commonly seen running around cam-pus in a purple dragon onesie referring to herself as ‘Quee-ro’. She got involved in the MSA after being inspired to aid the autonomous departments by QC 2014. Adrienne Bicknell, a second year Arts student, has been involved in the MSA for the past twelve months in her positions on the Student Affairs Committee, a MSC Gen-eral Representative and was bi-elected MSA Disabilities and Carers co-office bearer in second semester this year. She became involved in the MSA after attending Education Conference 2014. Both are both passionate about the issues faced by stu-dents with disabilities and student carers. They are looking forward to using their lived experiences and knowledge to create a safe and supportive environment for all who iden-tify as such. Some of the bigger issues they will address are; the stigma surrounding invisible illnesses, working with the university to create an online booking platform for coun-selling services, providing support training for students with friends who are struggling and building a community within the department.

Go vote, vote Go!

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ELECTED UNOPPOSED

Jayden is a second year arts student studying politics and in-ternational relations. He believes a progressive student body like the Monash Student Association needs strong represen-tation for Indigenous students on campus.Jayden has been heavily involved in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues at both Monash and within the Na-tional Union of Students. From there Jayden has promoted equity and accessibility for indigenous students particularly within the ‘Demand a Better Future’ campaign. Jayden also participated in his first Monash contingent to Indigenous Games.If elected Jayden will work to make sure issues critical to Indigenous students are at the forefront of their student union’s agenda and ensure that the voices of all Monash Indigenous aren’t ignored.Go! vote, vote Go!

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ELECTED UNOPPOSED

As the coolest people in the world (according to their moth-ers), Katie and Ben have decided to take it upon themselves to make 2016 a year full of the greatest activities Monash has seen yet. As Spiderman’s uncle, Ben Parker knows that “with great (Katie) power, comes great responsibility”, and they plan to use this power to make sure the students of Clayton campus get to experience the best parties, BBQs, boat cruises, and more.With years of Host Scheme and society involvement under their belt, they are more than qualified to bring you the events Monash has come to love! Need reminding of the amazing work Activities has done so far? The department has bought you trivia, comedy night, An Evening Out at Luna Park, Oktoberfest and of course AXP just to name a few. Ben and Katie are excited to contin-ue the amazing reputation Monash’s social calendar has but also bring some new flare to the department to make 2016 a memorable year!So come down every wednesday for hump day, say hey, and grab a free sausage and prepare yourself for an amazing year of Activities!

Go! Vote, Vote Go!

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University is a place many people come to and will feel free to express their identities and be who they truly are. The Queer department holds true to these values and is a centre for queer identifying or questioning students safety, expres-sion and community involvement.Martinus (Marty), currently a third year chemistry student, is a passionate member of the queer community and an active participant in many events. Within the department he has been involved in such activities as workshops during queer week discussion groups and queer ball. Outside of a university setting he was involved in the National Queer Collaboration Conference, rallies and protests.Enthusiastic about community discourse, Marty will enhance the air of discussion already produced by autono-mous meetings by implementing ally-inclusive group events to enrich the queer spaces by producing insight and edu-cation to the wider community. He also strives to continue the effort to increase visibility to all students , create more participation through events and work towards the install-ment of gender neutral bathrooms.

Go vote, vote Go!

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lot's wife election guide 2015

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