Aberdeen University Students' Association

Infobox Students Union
name = Aberdeen University Students' Association


motto =
established = 1889 (as SRC)
institution = University of Aberdeen

vice presidents = Sakthi Sithamparanathan, Gordon Cox, John Hardey, Helen Mackay, Clare Hobson
location = Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
members = c. 13,900 total
affiliated = National Union of Students, Coalition of Higher Education Students in Scotland, Association of Managers of Students Unions
free =
homepage = [http://www.ausa.org.uk/ www.ausa.org.uk]

Aberdeen University Students' Association (often referred to as AUSA) is the students' association of the University of Aberdeen, an ancient university in the city of Aberdeen, Scotland. It organises recreational activities; provides welfare and employment services for students; promotes equality and diversity of students; advancement of education; and provide facilities and support for student societies [cite web| url=http://www.ausa.org.uk/assets//ausaconstitutionfeb2007.pdf| title=Aberdeen University Students' Association Constitution| author=Aberdeen University Students' Association| accessdate=2007-05-04] .

ervices

AUSA organises its services over a number of sites alongside the co-ordination of [http://www.abdn.ac.uk/sportsunion/clubs/affiliated.php/ fifty-eight sports clubs] or ninety nine teams run by the Aberdeen University Sports Union (AUSU) and ninety-five [http://www.ausa.org.uk/societies/a-z/ affiliated student societies] run by the Aberdeen University Societies Union. It also runs events such as Freshers' Week, the annual Sports Blues Ball, [http://www.abdn.ac.uk/sportsunion/events/ Superteams] , the largest university sports event in Scotland and the annual [http://www.ausa.org.uk/student-development/charities/torcher Torcher Parade] , the largest student torch-lit parade in Europe.

tructure and history

Representation is carried on, in common with the other ancient universities in Scotland, by a Students' Representative Council (SRC). While this remains the official name of the body created by the Universities (Scotland) Act 1889, the Students' Association has opted to generally use the term Students' Association Council to describe it.

This follows significant structural changes to the Students' Association which began in the late 1990s. Previously, within AUSA there were four bodies with distinct identities and management: the SRC (based at Luthuli House), the Students' Union (in the form of a major social venue), the Athletics Association (based at the Butchart Recreation Centre) and Debater (somewhat analogous to a debating society.)

Current structure

To replace the former independent bodies, newly formed committees and structures with new names were created. The bodies all form part of the Students' Association Council.

ites

The AUSA is presently based chiefly out of The Hub, a student space located on the King's College campus in the former central refectory. The Hub was opened in 2006 and is a joint project between the Students' Association and the University, from where several services such as a food court, coffee bar and the offices of the Executive are housed beside a number of the university's student services. Aberdeen University Sports Union (AUSU) and the Vice President of Sport are based in Butchart Recreational Centre..

Due to financial pressures, AUSA's chief students' union building (located near Marischal College in the city centre) was forced to close in early 2004. [ [http://www.abdn.ac.uk/mediareleases/archive/2004/pr1340.hti Media Release - Public Relations - University of Aberdeen ] ] The Union Bar, a far smaller, single bar without nightclub facilities, was subsequently opened in nearby Littlejohn Street.

Media

The University's student newspaper, the "G"au"die", is affiliated with the AUSA. Published weekly during the academic terms, it is recognised as one of the oldest student newspapers in Scotland. [ [http://education.guardian.co.uk/students/news/story/0,12891,957526,00.html MPs debate future of Scotland's oldest student paper | Students | EducationGuardian.co.uk ] ]

The SRC introduced one of the first ever student association websites in 1994.

Aberdeen Student Radio is also affiliated with AUSA. The internet-based broadcaster is Aberdeen's first student radio station in ten years. [ [http://www.abdn.ac.uk/mediareleases/release.php?id=1005 Media Releases - University of Aberdeen ] ] Previously, short-term Restricted Service Licenses had been granted to the University's first student radio station, Slick FM, in the mid-1990s; this had enabled broadcasts to be made to the whole city over FM radio, but only for a few weeks each year.

The Executive Committee

The executive positions within AUSA are one-year sabbatical positions for which any student may stand. An annual election takes place in April for the following year's committee. There are also a number of non-sabbatical positions, which are again students elected on a yearly basis.

2008 / 09 Executive Committee

The 2008 / 09 committee were elected on March 21st 2008 and will take over their roles on August 1st 2008.

President: Duncan Mckay (2007/2008 Entertainments Committee Member
Vice President Welfare and Equal Opportunities: Nicholas Edwards (2007/2008 Welfare Officer)
Vice President Charities: Sandy McKinnon (2006/2007 JVP Societies, 2007/2008 Station Manager of Aberdeen Student Radio)
Vice President Sport: Gordon Cox (Re-Elected as VP Sport)
Vice President Education and Employability: Joy Elliott. (2007/2008 Research Student Representative)
Vice President Societies and Student Activities: Johnny Keating

The position of Vice President Welfare and Equal Opportunities replaces the position of Vice President Advice and Support. This change was made at the 2008 AGM of the Students Association which also saw the positions of Welfare Officer and Equal Opportunities Officer change to Junior Vice President Welfare and Equal Opportunities.

2006 / 07 Executive Committee

President: Richard Miller
Vice President Advice and Support: Lynda Macdonald
Vice President Charities: Drew Elliott
Vice President Sport: James Fairwood
Vice President Education and Employability: John Hardey
Vice President Societies and Student Activities: Christopher Mackenzie

2007 / 08 Executive Committee

The 2007 / 08 committee were elected on 26 April 2007. [cite web| url=http://www.ausa.org.uk/execcandidates| title=Executive Committee Candidates| author=AUSA| accessdate=2007-05-04]
"Sabbatical Officers:
President: Angela Fraser
Vice President Advice and Support: Sakthi Sithamparanathan
Vice President Charities: Clare Hobson
Vice President Sport: Gordon Cox
Vice President Education and Employability: John Hardey
Vice President Societies and Student Activities: Helen Mackay
"Non-Sabbatical Officers:
Welfare Officer: Nick Edwards*
Equal Opportunities Officer: Kevin-Christopher Nicolls*
Junior Vice President Charities: Stephen Shirres
Junior Vice President Education and Employability: David Bernard
Junior Vice President Societies and Student Activities: Craig Mackie
Junior Vice President Societies and Student Activities:
Junior Vice President Sport:Chris Browne
Junior Vice President Sport: Naimh Molony
Foresterhill Convenor: Simon Doolin

*The titles of Junior Vice President Welfare and Equal Opportunities will replace these positions from the 2008 /09 committee elections.

Membership

Membership of AUSA is free and automatically granted to all current students of the University of Aberdeen. Non-students can join as associate members for a fee.

External links

* [http://www.ausa.org.uk/ Aberdeen University Students' Association]
* [http://www.abdn.ac.uk/thehub/ The Hub]
* [http://www.ausa.org.uk/whatson/union/ The Union]

References