About Us
Student Experience Network is a co-operative that is owned and run by its member organisations which include universities, TAFEs, student unions, guilds and associations, campus sports associations, as well as smaller campus groups.
Our members span across more than 100 locations in Australia predominantly, as well as in New Zealand. Members are those who are charged with a wide range of co-curricular and student experience services for tertiary students such as:
- welfare and advocacy
- volunteering and outreach programs
- cafes, food and beverage outlets and bars
- stationery and convenience stores
- events and activities
- orientation weeks
- national competitions
- sports, fitness and recreation
- entertainment
- student director and clubs and societies management and support
Who are we?
The team is a small one, consisting of operational staff governed by a Board of Directors. Meet the current team below, and contact us if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas.
Jessica Brown (Griffith University Gold Coast Student Guild) - Chair
Daniel Randell (USASA) - Treasurer
Sarah Jennett (UCX Ltd) - Director
Mitchell McBurnie (Arc@UNSW) - Director
Samantha Gorringe (TUSA) - Director
Julia Innocente-Jones (University of Canterbury Student Association) - Director
Lowan Sist (Monash Student Association) - Director
Paul Clayton (SEN) - General Manager (Secretary)
Current Committees & Working Groups
At different points in time, individual committees or working groups are formed and tasked with projects or deliverables on behalf of the organisation. These groups are made up of designated representatives from within the Membership and are led by either a Director or Staff Member. Our current groups include:
Finance, Audit & Risk Committee (FARC)
Governance and Nominations Committee
Commercial Development Committee
The organisation has seen a huge amount of evolution over the past several years and, as such, in 2021 it went through a rebrand including the adoption of the name ‘Student Experience Network’. The new name was determined by a working group made up of the organisation’s members, to better represent the current objective, which is to support members to make student life better.
Yes, you can see the current Strategic Plan document here.
The organisation is governed by an elected Board of Directors who either represent a current financial member of the organisation or who are appointed by the board to fulfil a specific need.
Operational control is managed by the GM and supported by the operational team.
Individual committees or working groups are formed and tasked with projects or deliverables. Committees are made up of designated representatives from within the membership and are led by either a director or staff member.
Please note that except for the GM and the operational team, all positions are held by volunteers. If you are interested in getting involved in a committee, or for more information about board elections, please contact us.
1999 – Tertiary Access Group (TAG) formed out of the Australasian Campus Union Managers’ Association (ACUMA).
At the time it was identified that ACUMA members were all buying from the same suppliers, and by forming a single buying group (TAG) they could deliver a better service more effectively. The abolition of compulsory student union fees in 2006 threatened some student associations with financial ruin, and TAG ably fulfilled its purpose. The introduction of voluntary union membership drove the organisation and membership numbers exploded.
ACUMA then focused on representation and professional development for tertiary service providers, while bulk-buying activities were handled by TAG. In parallel with its rapid growth, TAG refined its activities to ensure that its nationwide membership shared equally in the advantages of a co-operative structure.
The tertiary education sector was expanding fast, and TAG matched it by extending its benefits to tenanted service providers on campuses; our “benefit partners”.
As the tertiary services sector continued to be challenged by funding changes and the fee deregulation debate, the question grew as to why multiple representative groups for campus services providers existed, when one – TAG – would be able to cover all bases most effectively, eliminating duplication of effort and costs.
2014 – After a few years of careful consideration, members resolved to allow more than the one constitutionally allowed member organisation per campus to join TAG. Sports associations and other campus organisations began to apply for membership.
2015 – Following the new resolution around membership, ACUMA closed its doors and integrated wholly into TAG and the Australian Association of Campus Activities (AACA) followed suit.
2016 – Following the adoption of ACUMA and AACA, TAG positioned itself to represent the needs of its members across a wide and diverse spectrum, all aimed at supporting and enhancing the student experience on Australian campuses nationally.
2021 – The organisation underwent a name change and rebrand exercise, driven by the current membership. Members resolved to change the name of the organisation to the ‘Student Experience Network’ to better represent the current objective which is to support members to make student life better.
Yes, to maintain a current financial membership, Members will pay:
- One-off Purchase of Shares. This will be payable at the time of membership approval and the amount is dependant on the number of students enrolled at your tertiary institution (EFTSL).
- Annual Service Fee. This is payable at the start of each calendar year and the amount is dependent on the number of students enrolled at your tertiary institution (EFTSL) as well as the financial benefit from your previous year’s membership
For more details around the cost of shares and annual fees, please visit our Become A Member page.
Easy…simply complete this form and submit for approval.