Howdy everyone 👋 Vitoria-Iris from the UNIty team with today’s update.
Thank you to everyone who has signed and shared the petition so far, and a big shout out to the Swinburne ALP - Labor team for starting this petition alongside us! While the campaign is focused on Swinburne students and we do not encourage paid promotion, we appreciate the continued support from everyone.
Today, we contacted every Club, Society, and Student Group registered with the Swinburne Student Association (SSA).
We did so to clearly outline what has occurred during and following the SSA election, and why it matters.
- Firstly, student leaders were informed of the AI mascot that has chosen without meaningful student input, and our action the "Our Uni. Our Mascot!" campaign.
- Secondly, we asked student leaders to share the petition with their members. A decision that affects all students should be shaped by all students, and that broader participation ensures that student views cannot be ignored.
- Finally, we shared details of ongoing UNIty inquiries into election misconduct and our new inquiry into general issues and complaints that students have with the uni.
During the SSA election, it is alleged that the ticket known as “Together,” run by Tess Robb, used SSA-funded events, paid for through compulsory student SSAF fees, to gain votes. This included restricting access to events unless students could demonstrate they had voted for that ticket.
It is also alleged that candidates running with “Together” accessed club, society, and student group membership lists, and impersonated club committees to pressure or direct votes.
These are not misunderstandings or minor oversights. If substantiated, they represent a serious failure of democratic practice, accountability, and student trust within the SSA.
If you have experienced or witnessed this behaviour, we strongly encourage you to submit information to UNIty’s open inquiries below or on through website.
Student representation only works when it is transparent, when misconduct is taken seriously, and when we as students get a real say in the decision making process.
✊ Our Uni. Our Mascot.