Following student feedback and consultation with student leaders, La Trobe University has announced the 2021 allocation of the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) to essential service areas.
2020 has seen unprecedented demand for services that support student mental health and wellbeing, learning support, and international student employability. The 2021 SSAF allocation will see a range of additional supports offered by the University in line with student demand, as well as continuing funding to student associations in a manner that maintains service levels while reducing administrative costs.
As SSAF funding aligns with student enrolments, in 2021 the University is forecasting a 20 per cent reduction of SSAF funding compared with 2020. In order to provide comprehensive support on all of our campuses, and with a 20 per cent smaller SSAF budget, it is imperative that the money is focused on the areas of student support and services most needed, as identified by our students.
The newly amalgamated La Trobe Student Association (LTSA), voted in by four of the five former student associations in late 2020, has received funding to deliver advocacy, student engagement, clubs and societies and financial and legal advice across all La Trobe campuses in 2021. Allocating the majority of funding to this single entity will reduce unnecessary administrative overheads and provide better service provision.
The LTSA and the La Trobe Student Union (LTSU – Bundoora and City campuses) have received funding to provide student representative functions on the campuses as outlined by their respective constitutions.
The University will support any staff displaced due to changes in funding to the student associations and priority for employment in the LTSA will be given to staff currently employed at any of our student associations. University support will include providing access to the University’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and consideration for University jobs prior to external recruitment.
