President:
I have found this month to be very difficult with the university!
Campaign for Palestine
On Thursday, 27 March, I was made aware of an upcoming event hosted by AUJS UTS titled Shared Stories – Powerful Minority Voices & Immersive Experience scheduled for 2 April. The event featured two active IDF soldiers, including one who had served in the Gaza envelope, and included a VR experience of the October 7 attacks. Myself and Salma immediately raised concerns with ActivateUTS and UTS Security about the safety and reputational implications of hosting active-duty soldiers involved in genocide. Alongside student representatives from the Palestinian Youth Society and Muslim Society, I co-signed a letter to senior university officials expressing concerns about the risk to Palestinian students and warning that the event could incite violence and disrupt campus safety.
The university allowed the event to proceed, citing the principle of "freedom of lawful expression" while advising that any protest would be unauthorised. Nonetheless, a peaceful protest was held on 2 April, drawing a strong turnout and a heavy security and police presence. UTS Security locked Tower doors during the demonstration. A public statement was released that evening by the UTSSA, PalSoc and UTSMS followed by a formal letter to UTS calling for an apology and safeguards against similar events. In Kylie’s response, she acknowledged that the University’s communication and safety measures were inadequate, and said that detailed consultation would happen in future for high-risk events – but was very vague. Our core concerns remain the university’s failure to protect affected students and the inconsistent, politically biased application of UTS policies around academic freedom and safety.
Review of NDA Protest and Policies Related to Student Demonstrations
Over the past week, I have been engaging with university management in response to UTS’s decision to commission an external legal review into the 26 March NDA protest. I was informed of the review through an email from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education & Students) Kylie Readman on Thursday 24th April. The review is being conducted by external law firm Bartier Perry, and its stated scope includes assessing UTS’s protest and safety protocols, the management of counter-protests and police involvement, and the University's broader approach to student demonstrations.
While Kylie gave me verbal confirmation that the UTSSA will be able to provide written submissions to this review, I have significant concerns about the lack of student consultation in initiating the review and the potential for policy changes that mirror the highly repressive Campus Access Policy implemented at the University of Sydney in 2023. I am awaiting a written response from Kylie on questions I asked regarding student involvement in the review and whether any proposed changes to university policy will be consulted with students before implementation.
Internal Updates on the UTSSA
Following Januka’s succession to the role of General Secretary, I offered the Assistant General Secretary position to Samiha in accordance with UTSSA by-laws. As she declined the role, we are now onboarding our new Assistant General Secretary, Aryan.
I have also been coordinating the setup of our new UTSSA office space in CB01.03.60 to ensure it is functional and welcoming for office bearers, and am glad that this is now ready for people to use.
I’ve also been drafting policy alongside the staff on running ticketed events, and on using our spaces.
Meeting with Kylie
In my monthly meeting with Kylie, I raised ongoing concerns regarding UTS’s continued lack of action and transparency in response to sexual violence, which I first raised over two years ago. I reiterated my opposition to any university-wide system for managing sexual violence that fails to
adequately support both students and staff, lacks integration across university services, and would be managed by the Student Services—an approach I believe is inconsistent with the National Code and insufficient in meeting students' needs. We also discussed the need to follow up on the absence of SSAF disclosure on marketing materials for the Safety Caseworkers. Kylie agreed to take several actions ahead of our next meeting, including sharing GSU feedback on the SCLG Council paper, progressing the release of the Student Rules review report for feedback from students and participants, and drafting a document outlining what students can expect from the Sustainable Teaching and Learning changes.
Education Officer
The Education Collective is entering a critical period as UTS faces significant budget cuts that threaten student services and learning conditions. This situation demands urgent attention and coordinated action, yet we’re receiving very limited information from the university, making it a challenging phase.
Despite this, the collective is gaining momentum. We recently held our first formal meeting, reached quorum, and began mapping out our key priorities for the semester. There is strong interest among members in responding strategically to the budget cuts, and we’re committed to building pressure through student organising and campaigns.
In the face of these challenges, the university is suggesting staff use AI tools to deal with the job cuts, is what we received from the town hall and letter back from Mia’s email.
Separately, the Spec Cons Working Group has continued meeting and we are currently navigating matters such as ‘fit to sit’ rules at different universities, and what support students want to actually receive as to what we think they should receive.
Welfare Officer
Over the past month, I have been actively progressing several key welfare initiatives and projects:
Permanent Food Space Meeting
I am currently setting up a meeting with Mariah to discuss the establishment of a permanent food space. It is crucial that we approach our meeting with the UTS project managers with all necessary preparations completed, as we aim to finalise the process promptly once they become involved. Securing funding for this initiative depends heavily on having our proposal ready to move forward without delay.
UTS Housing Benchmarking Survey
UTS Housing has launched a confidential benchmarking survey focusing on the “quality of residences and residential life at UTS.” It is no surprise that this survey was launched following our scathing report into the conditions of UTS Housing. I encourage everyone who knows students living in UTS Housing to strongly urge them to complete this survey, as the data collected will be vital in supporting improvements to the student residential experience.
Cross-Campus Collaboration around Student Housing
I have been reaching out to previous and current student leaders at UNSW, USYD, and ANU to build cross-campus support across our student housing campaigns. This
collaboration is important as we prepare for the finalisation of 2026 licence agreements, which must be completed by October. Our aim is to conclude negotiations by June to allow time for these contracts to proceed through UTS Council.
SCLG Paper and UTS Housing
UTS Management must respond to the UTS Housing SCLG paper by the second meeting of the year, which is scheduled for June. I am monitoring this closely to ensure that the issues we have raised regarding student housing conditions are appropriately addressed. In the same vein as this, I am continuing to follow up with Matthew Bowerman and Sarah Lok – senior representatives of UTS Housing – regarding UTS legal’s determinations in relation to our ongoing licence agreement negotiations. Ensuring clarity and fair terms in these agreements remains a key focus.
Office Set-Up
I have had the opportunity to assist Mia with setting up the new UTSSA office. The space is now fitted out with posters from past UTSSA and NUS campaigns, creating a vibrant environment that reflects our long-standing commitment to student welfare and activism, I highly suggest checking it out.
I look forward to continuing to drive all of these welfare initiatives forward and will provide further updates as they progress.
Women’s Officer
In April, my main goal was to finally organise the Period Products Campaign.
I started with the main part of the campaign which was organising the survey. Despite some technical issues, I worked with Mia to finalise the questions for the survey. The survey takes about 5-10 minutes to complete and is open to all people using the period products at UTS. Bilijana and I also organised free pairs of period undies as incentive to complete the survey.
Working with my collective in the past few meetings, we have come up with some potential campaign activities to promote the survey. We’re starting with some postering sessions which I have scheduled and I intend to make some promotional material for Instagram. The collective members also expressed interest in running a stall during Uni hours.
Goals for May include continuing the work on finally electing my WoCo convenor and working on some more social events. My collective are keen to do another picnic which I am particularly excited about as it has been my most successful event.
International Students’ Officer
April was a productive month with a strong focus on building partnerships, community engagement, and administrative development. Below is a summary of key activities and achievements for the month.
1. Meeting with Supra Chair and Mia Campbell - 8 April 2025
On 8 April 2025, I held a meeting with Weihong (Supra Chair) and Mia Campbell. Mia has been assisting us in building connections with the NUS (National Union of Students) President. This collaboration aims to strengthen relations and develop initiatives for international students across various universities.
2. Business Account Setup for NSW IPART Office - 10 April 2025
On 10 April 2025, Weihong and I successfully opened a business account with Commonwealth Bank for the NSW International Students Representative Committee (IPART Office). This is an important administrative milestone to manage finances securely and transparently for upcoming projects and events.
3. Meeting with Postgraduate Officer - 12 April 2025
On 12 April 2025, I had a meeting with the Postgraduate Officer to discuss the planning and logistics for the upcoming international students' trip to Palm Beach. The discussion focused on ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for all participants.
4. International Students Trip to Palm Beach - 20 April 2025
On 20 April 2025, I successfully organized a trip to Palm Beach, which saw participation from 65 students. The trip received highly positive feedback, significantly boosting engagement and adding new members to our growing community.
5. Meeting and Campus Tour with ISANA President - 30 April 2025
On 30 April 2025, I organized a meeting and campus tour at CQU Sydney with Annette, the President of ISANA (International Student Advisers Network of Australia) and Campus Coordinator for CQU Sydney. The meeting served as a networking opportunity and helped in exploring potential collaborations to further support international students.
Conclusion
April 2025 was marked by solid progress in expanding our networks, strengthening community engagement, and advancing organizational infrastructure. Our successful collaboration efforts, event organization, and administrative milestones set a strong foundation for upcoming projects and initiatives aimed at enhancing the international student experience.
Postgraduate Students’ Officer
Progress:
1) Connected with Research manager from Monash University to collaborate on their Health, Family and Finances Survey for students, which will be conducted in May. 2) Conducted meetings with various industry professionals, UTS careers team, and UTS alumni to plan a careers event for the postgraduate students.
3) Successfully organised the Careers workshop, resume review and networking event for the Postgraduate students with over 70 students.
4) Collaborated with UTSSA International Collective to organise a trip to the Palm Beach with 65 students.
5) Connected with multiple UTS alumni to discuss collaboration for next semester events and ideas for increasing opportunities available for postgraduate students to build industry network.
Upcoming Plans:
1) Collaborate with Monash University in conducting Health, Family and Finances Survey for students, the results of which will be helpful for us in identifying student concerns, and issues that need attention.
2) Volunteering for Bluebird Pantry in the first week of May.
3) Conducting a student survey among postgraduate students to understand their experience at UTS, feedback on the services available for them and events conducted for them during this semester.
Ethnocultural Officer
Introduction
This report outlines the actions taken in April 2025 regarding concerns over Palestinian student safety at UTS, particularly in relation to the hosting of IDF representatives on campus. Despite university officials claiming to care, their actions—or lack thereof—leave us deeply skeptical.
1. Letters to University Officials
In early April, letters were sent to the following officials:
• Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC), Kylie Readman
• Pro-Vice-Chancellor (PVC) Social Justice and Inclusion, Amy Persson • Head of Security, Shaun O’Mara
These letters raised concerns about the safety of Palestinian students, especially in light of the IDF presence. We demanded immediate action to ensure the well-being of students on campus.
2. Responses and Follow-Up
• Kylie Readman (DVC): Kylie apologized for the oversight in authorizing the protest and provided action points, including consulting with student leaders more effectively. However, the idea of moving the event online, which we suggested, was not even considered, raising questions about the university’s genuine commitment to addressing the issue.
• Amy Persson (PVC Social Justice and Inclusion): Despite her claims of concern, Amy has not followed through with any tangible actions. The lack of response to our concerns has left us questioning whether any real changes will occur.
• Amy Purcell (Activate): During a meeting the day before the event, Amy Purcell made false claims about the university addressing concerns, which were proven to be lies. This only compounds the feeling of being misled by those in power.
3. Collaboration on Podcast
We held our first ethnocultural meeting to discuss the collaboration with Vertigo on the ethnocultural podcast. This podcast will provide a platform for marginalized voices and promote inclusivity. The meeting was productive, and the collaboration is moving forward as planned.
Conclusion
University officials have claimed to care about student safety, but their inaction and contradictory statements raise significant concerns. We remain skeptical of their commitment and will continue to hold them accountable, ensuring that the voices of Palestinian students are heard and respected.
Disabilities Officer
April has been another productive month for the Disabilities Collective, with finally holding a quorate meeting in March and regular coffee catchups. The main thing that the collective worked on this month were regarding the 2025 Federal Election, ensuring that disability justice is not forgotten at the ballot box.
I worked on an online campaign regarding accessible elections, using information available from the Australian Electoral Commission. I made simple graphics with information on accessibility accommodations offered by the electoral commission such as auslan interpreting, hearing loops and wheelchair accessibility as well as how to find an accessible polling place, and on how to make your vote count in the house of representatives and in the senate.
We also continued to hold our fortnightly coffee catchups which have proven to be a great way of building up the collective and community, as well as sending around our monthly newsletters to update members on the upcoming events, campaigns and meetings of the Disabilities Collective.
Queer Students’ Officer
This month has been very productive for the Queer Collective. The collective has been able to continue to grow its membership through our newsletters, campaigns and regular meetings.
We have started publishing weekly newsletters through Mailchimp, and these are distributed via email to all queer collective members. We have also began reaching out to other collectives to coordinate events and campaigns, in particular the Disabilities Collective as our collectives have a bit of an overlap in membership.
We have continued to have regular meetings at least once a month, with the last one being held on the 8thof April, where the collective spoke about collective conduct, incoming changes to the Queer Collective social medias and discord server, financial reimbursements for the Queer Convenor as well as various motions on furniture, reimbursements, and setting up the new queer space.
One suggestion the queer collective has discussed is wanting to have their own internal rules and code of conduct similar to bylaws. As far as I’m aware the UTSSA does not enable collectives to have their own rules like this.
Environment and Technology Officer
Community Gardening:
Gardening and the Ultimo Community Garden has continued throughout this month. By now most of the people interested in gardening have had a turn on at least one of the days but we will be having one more session next session to give the last couple of people a chance to participate. UTS Soul continues to help with the promotion of it which has been very helpful because of the change from Thursdays to Wednesdays meaning that some new people who were busy on Thursdays but free on Wednesdays finding out about the program through Soul.
Plant a Tree Day:
On the 13th of April we held a plant a tree day in Concord. This was an event done in collaboration with the Red Cross Society. We obtained permission to plant the trees from Canada Bay Council who gave us a location and instructions on what trees to plant. They will also be doing placement of mulch and other general maintenance of the trees after the event. Both the Red Cross Society and Canada Bay Council were great to work with and helped me out with organising the event and with the logistics behind it.
Green Week:
The Enviro Collective will be participating in UTS green week this week. We will be running a stall on Wednesday to promote the collective and the UTSSA more generally and have also helped with circulating information about the UTS green week photo competition.
Sustainability Steering Committee:
I am in the process of reviewing the University’s Sustainability training module in order to ensure that it ensures that those undertaking the training can contribute effectively contribute to achieving the university’s sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Newsletter:
We have published another edition of our newsletter for March-April. This one was made to a much higher standard than the previous edition thanks to the work of my collective convenor. We are aiming to have these newsletters out every other month.
Upcoming plans:
My main plans for the coming month besides continuing the gardening are to run a movie night and to reach out to STEM clubs so that I can run more ‘technology’ related events in Semester 2 than I did in semester 1.