The ACU Draft Education Change Management Plan was released on August 29, 2023, by the Vice-Chancellor and President. Within the change plan, several roles were disestablished, including the Director of Student Support Services (Georgina Ledvinka), Associate Director of Student Life (Alistair Cowie).

Campus Student Associations: The role of the Director of Student Support Services (Georgina Ledvinka) and Associate Director of Student Life (Alistair Cowie) play a crucial part in providing robust support to Campus Student Associations. Their presence has significantly influenced the representation of student bodies, elevating it to its current status. They excel in facilitating open communication and ensuring equitable proceedings, particularly during initiatives like the proposed Statue 9 changes. Through skillful advocacy with university authorities, they effectively amplify student voices, driving impactful changes.

Australian Catholic University Students: The majority of ACU students benefit from the contributions of these three positions, as they support and guide student representatives in organizing events ranging from food stalls to professional development seminars and End-of-Year Balls. They also are big advocates for the student support services on campus.

Future ACU students: The aforementioned positions ensure that the voices of both current and future students are heard, contributing to the overall student experience. Without them, future students would miss out on fair and equal representation for advocating student needs and preferences. 

Clubs and Societies within ACU: Given the current trajectory of these planned changes, it appears that the supporting role for these Directors will encompass their job descriptions and potentially lead to an excessive workload or the need to redirect resources such as the Student Life Officers towards administrative tasks. This could strain or diminish the support for our clubs and societies, which contribute to our identity and vibrancy within ACU.

So you may be asking why act now? Well, without their guidance and support, student life, student associations and student experience would not have achieved their current status. They serve as the direct link, ensuring that student associations on each campus can effectively communicate and advocate for student needs within ACU. The loss of these positions would result in inadequate support for ACU's National Student Association, particularly in advocating for significant changes within the university.

They also play a pivotal role in advocating for our needs within closed bureaucratic circles. Their absence would have impacted the student life and student expereince landscape of ACU in the post-COVID years. They are integral to ensuring fair recognition of the efforts of Clubs, Societies, and Campus Associations, as well as facilitating representative hearings for these entities.

This statement is an independent initiative endorsed by ACUNSA President for 2023, Charlotte Evans, to support the continued retention of the Director of Student Support Services, Associate Director of Student Life and Associate Director of Student Experience.