Voluntary Student Unionism Transition Fund for Sporting and Recreational Facilities

Objectives

The objective of the Voluntary Student Unionism Transition funding is to assist universities with the construction and maintenance of infrastructure for sporting and recreational facilities to support implementation of voluntary student unionism (VSU).

It will assist institutions in facilitating a shift from reliance on compulsory fees for maintenance and construction of sporting and recreation infrastructure to other mechanisms, including:

• Partnerships with the community;

• Working with local businesses;

• Expansion of membership to include other student bodies (e.g. New Apprentices and Technical and Further Education students); and

• Fee for service arrangements.

Funding will be available for eligible universities over the period 2007 to 2009. The total funding available for the programme is $80 million over 3 years:

• $40 million in 2007;

• $30 million in 2008; and

• $10 million in 2009.

Previous Funding

Funding of more than $55.6 million for VSUT was announced in February 2007 to provide new or improved services for students and their local communities in the first round of funding.   There were 20 new allocations approved across 17 universities.  (Of those 20 allocations, three were for multiple projects).

Note that not all of the $55.6 million funding announced in February 2007 is to be spent in 2007. 

Analysis of 2006 Voluntary Student Unionism Transition Funding (rtf 127kb)

Current Funding

Submissions are now open for the second round of funding.  Internal Monash deadline is 18 June 2007.  The DEST closing date is 2 July 2007.  There is a balance of $24.4 million still to be allocated.

Analysis of the 2006 funding projects indicates that a strong emphasis on projects that have collaboration and partners contributing financially is necessary for a successful application.