Student Representation
At ACAP University College, 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 Association (NSA
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 Association (NSA) 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 ASSOCIATION (NSA)
- The NSA is comprised of the Student President (Chair) elected representatives, one ACAP Academic Board student member and ACAP staff including the National Manager of Student Engagement. The NSA represents students studying on campus and online.
- Each year, NSA members elect a student President from among the membership to chair meetings and represent students to the Executive Management Team and the Academic Board.
- The NSA 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. The Student President provides updates to the Executive Management Team on the activities and priorities of the NSA including services and amenities that SSAF revenue funds. The Executive Management Team reports to the Board of Directors.
- NSA 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.
- NSA 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 the National Student Association 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.
- One of the two Academic Board student member roles is held by the Student President of the National Student Association. The second student member position is filled through a separate selection process when a vacancy arises.
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 Association. Elected representatives 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. One role is filled by the President of the National Student Association, and the other role is filled when it becomes vacant (usually every two years) and the representative is selected by the members of the National Student Association.
If you are interested in nominating for membership of the NSA and/or your local SSCC you will be invited to nominate by the Student Engagement team. 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 Association 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 NSA is for one year. Elections are held annually. Information regarding nominations, voting and election timelines will be communicated to students 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.
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.
The SSCC 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 NSA meetings are open to NSA members only.
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 NSA also meets once each trimester, during week 7.These meetings are held online.