Our Student-led Board
Students are at the heart of USU governance. The Board comprises 14 Directors, including 11 student Directors elected by members through the annual USU Elections, two Directors appointed by the University Senate and the Immediate Past President.
Board of Directors meetings
The USU Board of Directors meet regularly to consider the strategic direction, governance and performance of USU. Each Board meeting includes an Open Question Time, providing USU members an opportunity to raise matters with the President and Board. Members are welcome to attend and observe this portion of the meeting.
All Board meetings are conducted in person and online, supporting accessible participation and engagement.
Special meetings of the Board may be convened in accordance with the USU Constitution and Bylaws.
Committees of the Board and Portfolio Holders
The Board is supported by five standing Committees and Director Portfolio Holders that provide focused oversight of key governance, strategic and operational matters. Committees assist the Board by undertaking detailed review and providing recommendations, while Portfolio Holders act as Board-level student voice, engagement and advocacy for particular cohorts and issues.
The Board has established the following Committees and Portfolios to support its governance responsibilities.
Governance Committee
Purpose: To oversee the governance framework of the organisation and advise the Board in respect of governance, compliance, policy development, and the governance framework for elections and related ballots.
Members: Layla Wang (Chair), Archie Wolifson, James Green, Michael Bromley and Tiffany Donnelly
Finance, Risk & Audit Committee
Purpose: Responsible for advising the Board on budgets, financial performance and forecasts, financial policies, risk management framework and risk appetite and external audit assurance.
Members: Noah Rancan, Archie Wolifson, Michael Bromley and Serina Guo
People & Culture Committee
Purpose: To review the people and culture, workplace settings of the organisation and advise the board on HR, industrial relations, and workforce governance matters.
Members: Archie Wolifson, Layla Wang, Tiffany Donnelly, Phan Vu and William McCarthy
Clubs & Societies Committee
Purpose: To oversee the Clubs & Societies (C&S) program and advise the Board on policies, governance, compliance, strategy and operational C&S matters.
Members: Sally Liu (Chair), Archie Wolifson, Layla Wang and Nabilah Chowdhury
Debates Committee
Purpose: To support and oversee the USU’s Debates program and activities.
Members: Nabilah Chowdhury (Chair), Archie Wolifson, Layla Wang and Serina Guo
Director Portfolio Holders
Portfolio Holders are Directors appointed by the Board to champion specific cohorts and issues.
Disabilities Student Portfolio
Portfolio Holder: James Green | [email protected]
Environmental Portfolio
Portfolio Holder: Nabilah Chowdhury | [email protected]
Equity & Accessibility Portfolio
Portfolio Holder: Nabilah Chowdhury | [email protected]
Ethnocultural Portfolio
Portfolio Holder: Zayed Tabish | [email protected]
International Students Portfolio
Portfolio Holder: Michelle Choy | [email protected]
Queer Portfolio
Portfolio Holder: William McCarthy | [email protected]
Student Accommodation & Colleges Portfolio
Portfolio Holder: Serina Guo | [email protected]
Wellbeing and Belonging Portfolio
Portfolio Holder: William McCarthy | [email protected]
Women’s Portfolio
Portfolio Holder: Serina Guo | [email protected]
The First Nations Portfolio is overseen collectively by the USU Board of Directors. Enquiries and correspondence relating to this portfolio should be submitted via email to [email protected].
Governance documents
Transparency
The Board supports transparency and member participation in the following ways:
Each ordinary Board meeting includes a public session that USU Members may attend.
Public sessions of ordinary Board meetings are conducted both in person and via Zoom, making them accessible to all USU Members.
Members attending the public session may raise questions about USU affairs during Open Question Time.
Student media representatives are invited to attend public Board sessions.
Minutes of the public session are published online following approval by the Board.
The President's Report presented to the public session is published online with the approved minutes.
For further information about the Board, governance matters, or to request access to governance records not available on this page, please contact the Governance team at [email protected].