How should Deakin invest the 2021 Student Services and Amenities Fee?
Each year, students contribute to the quality of their Deakin experience through a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). All Australian universities charge this fee, which is used for a select list of services legislated by government.
Over the past few years, we’ve used SSAF revenue to invest in things such as student welfare, facilities and social activities. Think of the sporting upgrades across our campuses, services for when you’re having a tough time with study or life in general, improved Student Central facilities, student media, and Deakin’s clubs and societies. These services and amenities create a vibrant, diverse and supportive Deakin community culture to support and inspire you.
While COVID-19 restrictions have meant that many on-campus facilities are temporarily unavailable, in 2020 we’ve seen a big increase in the number of students accessing and benefiting from SSAF-funded services online. Many students have found our online health and wellbeing and study support services to be particularly useful in this challenging period.
Here’s how we are spending the SSAF money in 2020.
We’d love your thoughts on priority areas for the SSAF in 2021
Deakin consults with a variety of groups on the spending of the SSAF revenue, including student representative bodies such as DUSA. We also want to hear from you – what do you think are the most important services and amenities for students, and are there any areas that need extra attention?
The proposed uses for the SSAF revenue in 2021 are:
- independent advocacy and general representation
- sporting programs, including competitions; support for sporting clubs, fitness clubs and sporting ground operations; elite athlete support
- social and cultural engagement, including support for non-sporting clubs and societies, Orientation, engagement activities (both on-campus and online) and student volunteers
- student media (by students)
- students at academic risk, including intervention and learning support programs
- student welfare, including crisis relief/support, and financial and material needs
- legal advisory service
- student employment and career development programs
- student health and wellbeing, including mental health services, health promotion, sexual harm prevention and response, domestic family violence support and medical services
- student disability support.
Is there something on this list that you’re particularly passionate about or have we missed something important for Deakin students? Have your say now.
Email your feedback and recommendations to [email protected] by 5pm, Friday 31 July.
Please note: the amount of revenue anticipated for 2021 is yet to be determined. The SSAF rates and projected revenue will be made available in October.