UTSSA asks student activists to sign declaration amid continuing tensions
A number of office-bearers have been asked to sign a declaration of good behaviour, or else face the removal of privileges or dismissal.
May 6, 2021
In the University of Technology Sydney Students’ Association’s (UTSSA) latest crackdown on activist collectives, a number of office-bearers have been asked to sign a declaration of good behaviour. The declaration outlines that they will agree to follow the UTSSA by-laws, Constitution and Association Code of Conduct, or else face the removal of privileges or even dismissal.
The UTSSA has imposed sanctions on a number of office-bearers, which include rescinding swipe access and refusing access to Association spaces and expenditure. The affected portfolios include Education Officer, Ethnocultural Officers, Environmental Convenors, Women’s Officer and Queer Convenors.
The situation at the UTS Students’ Association (UTSSA) has intensified since Honi reported on sanctions imposed on the Education Action Group (EAG) last month.
UTS Students’ Association accused of censorship and breaking collective autonomy
The UTSSA President and Executive have been criticised for imposing sanctions on the Education Action Group, their lack of transparency, and cuts to Vertigo’s budget.
April 7, 2021
The UTS Students’ Association (UTSSA) has been accused of political repression, censorship, and breaking collective autonomy after ‘shutting down’ the activities of the Education Action Group on Tuesday.
The UTSSA is the representative body for students at the UTS; it provides student services and runs campaigns on student issues similar to the University of Sydney SRC.
Collectives constrained by bureaucracy
On Monday, President of the UTSSA Aidan O’Rourke took action against Education Officer Ellie Woodward and the UTS Education Action Group (EAG) after an EAG Facebook post asserted that the Collective would continue postering on campus to promote rallies in defiance of University backlash.