Student Representation
At ACAP we value student feedback and participation in academic and campus matters. As a student you have the opportunity to be involved in the governance of ACAP at a local and national level, through your campus Student-Staff Consultative Committee (SSCC) and the National Student-Staff Committee (NSSC).
You can find out more about these vital student forums below.
We send messages directly to all students about upcoming student representative meetings and activities, and everyone is welcome to attend.
STUDENT-STAFF CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE
- The Student-Staff Consultative Committee (SSCC) represents the voice of students and supports student life, providing opportunities for members to develop leadership, consultation, teamwork, and event management skills, and contribute to a vibrant and inclusive campus culture.
- Each ACAP campus has a local Student-Staff Consultative Committee, comprised of eligible students, elected by their peers in an annual election. Committee members serve a one-year term.
- Student-Staff Consultative Committee members are an important part of ACAP’s operations who collaborate with staff and students to plan and participate in events, activities, clubs and campaigns of interest to the student community.
- They attend the Student-Staff Consultative Committee (SSCC) meeting every trimester in Week 7 and are supported by the Student Engagement Manager (or delegate where there is no SEM), in collaboration with Discipline Coordinators and the Campus Manager.
- The SSCC reports to the National Student-Staff Committee (NSSC) on relevant matters, ensuring student feedback from a specific campus is considered at the College level. This is particularly for discussions and ideas relating to the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
NATIONAL STUDENT-STAFF COMMITTEE
- The National Student-Staff Committee (NSSC) is a sub-committee of ACAP’s Academic Board.
- The NSSC is comprised of elected representatives, ACAP Academic Board student members and ACAP staff. NSSC representatives must also be members of their campus Student-Staff Consultative Committee, and comprise at least one undergraduate, one postgraduate and one international student.
- The NSSC represents the student voice and collaborates on Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) initiatives and activities, as well as other significant aspects of the student experience. It reports directly to the Academic Board about services and amenities that SSAF revenue funds.
- NSSC Representatives will have the opportunity to develop leadership, consultation and teamwork skills; contribute to identifying and providing feedback about SSAF priorities and activities at ACAP; and seek and provide feedback from students about relevant ACAP services, programs and policies.
- NSSC representatives attend a meeting every trimester.
STUDENT MEMBERS OF THE ACADEMIC BOARD
- Student members of the Academic Board contribute a student perspective to important institutional decision-making processes.
- The Academic Board approves updates to the curriculum and oversees the quality of learning and teaching at ACAP.
- Student members provide reports to Student-Staff Consultative Committees and seek advice from students on matters related to the Academic Board.
- Students selected for this role remain a voting member of the Board for two years, pending ongoing commitment to excellence in their studies and ongoing participation in meeting the requirements of the role.
- Current student members to the Academic Board are Ms Lauren Pavlidis and Ms Siew Ling Toh. Student members apply when vacant positions are advertised and are selected by a student panel.
Student Representation FAQs
Each ACAP campus has an elected Student-Staff Consultative Committee (SSCC), representing the student body on a range of matters, including events, activities, services and student experience.
There is also a single National Student-Staff Committee, which is a sub-committee of ACAP’s Academic Board. Elected representatives are made up of SSCC members who contribute to national decision making, such as Student Service and Amenities Fee (SSAF) priorities and activities; and seek and provide feedback from students about relevant ACAP services, programs and policies.
ACAP’s Academic Board also has two student members who contribute a student perspective to important institutional decision-making processes. These roles are filled when they become vacant (usually every two years) and the representatives are selected by a student panel.
To be eligible for the National Student-Staff Committee you must be elected to your local Student-Staff Consultative Committee via the annual election process.
If you are interested in nominating for membership of the NSSC and/or your local SSCC you will be asked to nominate in Week 4. Nominations will be vetted for eligibility and must include a 150-200 word statement supporting your nomination.
To be eligible for the Student-Staff Consultative Committee or National Student-Staff Committee you must:
- be enrolled with no misconduct or financial issues;
- have completed at least one trimester of study at ACAP; and
- uphold ACAP’s policies and procedures, such as those relating to conduct, inclusive and ethical behaviour, health, safety and wellbeing, and conflict of interest.
The position for the SSCC and NSSC is for one year. Elections are held annually in Trimester 1 each year.
There are many benefits to representing your peers:
- Connecting and working with your peers and campus staff to influence activities and events;
- Gaining valuable leadership, teamwork and event management skills;
- Applying event management skills, and contributing to a vibrant and inclusive campus culture;
- Being recognised for your initiative, leadership and contribution, including an award on graduation; and
- Gaining a positive and impressive addition to your CV, for future employment.
Voting for the SSCC and NSSC will open in Week 5. An online voting form will be emailed to you, along with instructions on how to vote.
Information about the election and voting process will be sent to all students ahead of the elections. If you have any questions, please speak to the Student Engagement Team.
Yes, the meetings are open to all current students. Students are invited to attend and have input. All students will be notified of upcoming committee meetings.
The Student-Staff Consultative Committee meets face-to-face on campus three times per year (once per trimester, in Week 7). Special meetings may be called when deemed appropriate by the Academic Board, Dean, or Chair of the SSCC.
The NSSC also meets once each trimester and members will be notified. These meetings are held online.