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An Open Letter to the Swinburne Student Union

As a student at Swinburne University of Technology and therefore a member of the SSU I am distressed at your choice of time and lack of notification regarding the AGM to be held 23rd December.

I find this disturbing, considering the SSU is elected to support students why would they choose to hold their AGM and such an inappropriate date. The only conclusion I can draw from the actions of the SSU is that they do not wish for us, as students, and members of the union to be present.

Over my 2 years as a student at Swinburne I have been consistently disappointed by the actions of the SSU and your behavior towards the University, any opponents that you face, and anyone who simply chooses to disagree with you.

My experience with SSU began on during my orientation when the SSU president at the time was allowed to speak to us as incoming students. What did the president of the SSU do, welcome us into the Swinburne community and give us some tips on services they provide to help us, no. The representative of the SSU present at the time chose to verbally attack the lecturers and university staff present saying it was, quote, "their fault VSU was passed" and that they where attempting to take away our union, and so on. I was disgusted at this action and very disappointed at the actions of someone supposably elected to represent me.

The image I had built of the union at this time continued to be re-affirmed as I spent more time at university. Between being hassled for signatures on the same petitions for 2 years running, and hearing the union make aggressive statements against the university. Not that the campaigns the SSU partake in are not good ones (Gay Rights, against the Iraq War, etc). Many of them are idealistic campaigns with large media coverage.

It is my belief that it should not be the first priority for a union representing students in this country. The fact is most of these issues do not directly affect the majority of students at Swinburne, and, as it is the task of the SSU to represent those students I have come to the conclusion over the past 2 years that the SSU does not represent the students of our university.

This conclusion was confirmed during the election that completed this semester.

I experienced lecture bashing during the election, a member of the Student Voice came into the lecture and slandered members of their opposing party. Friends of mine in fact. Claiming that they would not disagree with a Labor government as they where looking for jobs after University. I was disgusted by this as the leader of the opposing party is in fact a Greens member. Not only did the person in question do this but I'm told when approached regarding the incident blatantly lied about it having occurred.

I overheard and heard from friends who had experiences during the election of being called a Homophobe and a Racist. All for either stating they weren't going to vote, or that they where voting for the opposite side.

Facebook messages where posted accusing members opposing Student Voice members of being Homophobes and Racists.

To me this is why Student Voice won. On a campaign of lies and fear mongering.

And what do you do with this power. You have set the date of the AGM for the SSU to the 23rd of December. The date when there will be so few students on campus and indeed even around the area. Students who have moved from overseas and in the country will have returned home for Christmas.

Is the SSU so afraid that people will force them away from their big issue grandstanding and socialist ideals and back to their purpose. Helping the Students.

It would be nice if SSU did something for me for once. But I've given up hope. In the meantime all I can say is that I'm glad for VSU, so that you cannot use my money to promote your Socialist ideals instead of assisting me as a student.

Joseph Stubberfield