MESSAGE FROM ANUSA WOMEN'S DEPARTMENT OFFICER PHOEBE DENHAM

Content Warning: SASH

Dear peers, 

Tomorrow, for the sixth year in a row, we will commemorate the release of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Change the Course Report, and stand with survivors, as well as all those students, leaders and advocates who have fought to make our campus safer. 

I ask you to join us in the Kambri Amphitheatre from midday tomorrow. 

Since 2017, we have seen a great deal of meaningful change made to student safety policy and resources at the ANU, but we must remember that these changes were a result of activism and pressure by students, and the statistics remain confronting and unacceptable . We cannot let up, and we cannot allow the ANU to think that everything is ok now. Uniting, and coming together to show the ANU that we are still willing to fight for more is the single most significant thing that we can do, and tomorrow is the time to do it. 

The ANU needs to be prioritising student safety in all decision making, not just in the areas that immediately and directly affect safety, nor just on the specific demands that we make. Students know best what a campus needs to look like in order for it to be safest. We are the ones who have lived in the residential halls, we are the ones who have sought help or decided not to, we are the ones who have counselled our friends through some of the biggest challenges of their lives. 

That is why this year’s campaign is called Hear, See, Follow Our Lead. 

We call on the ANU to Hear students, survivors, leaders, advocates, SRs, and all of us. 

We call on the ANU to See the work that we do for each other. 

Finally, we call on the ANU to Follow our Lead, and to trust us when we advocate for change. 

I look forward to seeing many of you in the Kambri Amphitheatre at 12pm tomorrow!

Phoebe Denham

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STRIKE UPDATE

ANU was forced by the strike to improve their offer to staff, especially around casualisation. This proves that strike action works. 

However ANU has still refused key staff demands and their pay offer will still see ANU staff fall far behind most of their colleagues in the sector.

Management’s pay offer still falls short of an above-inflation pay rise. This means that staff will likely see a real wage CUT over the course of the agreement. Besides a small number of new positions, there is also no sign of improvement on the structural conditions that means casuals experience job insecurity and means tutors are not paid enough to even give students proper feedback on assignments. Learn more about the status of negotiations here:

Staff have already called a strike in week 3 and on Thursday they will vote whether to sustain this strike or cancel it. We need to show staff that students support them continuing strike action to win their demands. We need to show staff that students are on their side, not management’s side. With a half-day strike, staff have already made huge wins. With a two day strike, staff have the world to win! Staff wins are student wins because staff working conditions are student learning conditions.

Enter your name here if you’re keen to support staff with your actions as well as words, and join us for postering and flyering.

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Library Research Skills Training
Get a jump start on your research and study skills by attending a Library Research Skills 101 session in August. With all the information out there, finding where to start can be overwhelming. Come along and learn the skills you need to find the best possible resources as quickly as possible. Find out more and register through Eventbrite.

Let's Speak English Classes

Let's Speak English conversation groups are a great way to meet new people and practise your English.

These are fun and relaxed groups for ANU students, guided by an experienced peer facilitator. Students who have English as their first language also volunteer their time with the groups, so that everyone gets a chance to have conversations with native English speakers.

In Semester 2, 2023, the groups will run from Weeks 1-12.

1-2pm, Monday to Friday

Room 2.49, Di Riddell Student Centre
Find out more

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Don't forget that if you need assistance ANUSA is still here to help during your time at ANU. Our free Student Assistance and Legal services are operating remotely.

Need to talk to a Student Assistance Advisor for free academic advocacy, welfare, or financial advice?
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