Student Union - Worth it?

[gregi]

Is it worth spending the $99 to become a member of the student union? It all seems pretty gay to me....

[mypurpleundercracka]

what is the student union? tbh never heard of it...

[squance]

I asked the exact same question last year:
Its in this thread:
http://vcenotes.com/forum/index.php/topic,1642.0.html

I joined last year for a fee of around $200 last year...

This year its only $99 and I reckon that's a bargain!!!! I already renewed for 2009 last year.

What I got out of it?
Discounts from certain food places in Union House, Computer use (where you can go on any website you like without being restricted) at the Student Union Computing Centre, access to the Rowden White Library (members only ...you can borrow Japanese manga and DVD's there..this library is sort of like a pop culture library where there is nothing academic-related in that library) and discounted memberships to some clubs and societies on campus.

There's also a special member's only lounge in Union house. I've personally never been in there until someone pointed out to me near the end  of last year.

I reckon its worth it.

[squance]

what is the student union? tbh never heard of it...

All universities have a student union of some sort.

Here is the link to Melb Uni's Student Union
http://www.union.unimelb.edu.au/

Latrobe
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/guild/

Swinburne
http://www.ssu.org.au/links/

RMIT
http://www.su.rmit.edu.au/

I can't be stuffed looking for the other ones. I couldn't find Monash's one though

[mypurpleundercracka]

what is the student union? tbh never heard of it...

All universities have a student union of some sort.

Here is the link to Melb Uni's Student Union
http://www.union.unimelb.edu.au/

Latrobe
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/guild/

Swinburne
http://www.ssu.org.au/links/

RMIT
http://www.su.rmit.edu.au/

I can't be stuffed looking for the other ones. I couldn't find Monash's one though

thanks

[gregi]

lol, i cant see any real benefit from it.  u can still join clubs n stuff.

[username]

I think I'm going to join. The discounted movie  tickets look good - anyone know how much cheaper they are through the union?

Also am I allowed to bring a friend into the union only places as a guest like the lounge areas?

[excal]

Monash is http://msa.monash.edu.au/

It's really up to you. If you plan on getting involved in the social scene / political scene at Uni, it may serve you well to have a membership as you will utilise the benefits that it provides. Each union / association is different, however, and you would be wise to check what they offer and see if you have any reason to use them.

[Eriny]

Agreed with Excalibur. The discounts alone won't make it worthwhile, but it is if you intend on using student union services.

[ReVeL]

My mum works at UoM and she said join it so I did... As of yet I can't see any massive benefit even though I joined, but we'll just have to wait and see.

[chid]

15% discount from unimelb bookshop as well I think.

If you buy new textbooks from there the saving will be quite significant I think.

[dcc]

15% discount from unimelb bookshop as well I think.

If you buy new textbooks from there the saving will be quite significant I think.

Thats a dirty stinking lie.  ALL students get 15% off any book which costs more then $30.  Union students get the 15% for all books (including the books which cost less then $30).  You didn't happen to read that deceptive SSS booklet did you?

[gregi]

OMG FREE BBQ!