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The University Union was established by Council on 9 March 1959 (resolution 59/57). At the time it was outlined that a Union be created of which all students shall be compulsory members, and for which a fee shall be collection and in which any member of the University's full-time staff may be a member, this Union to be governed by a Board, and that the Vice-Chancellor be asked to consult with the various sections of the University who have interests in this matter and to submit in due course to the University Council, for its approval, a charter and constitution for such a Union. In July 1960 the first Warden of the Union, Mr Tay Cunningham was appointed, and on 11 July 1960 Council approved the formation of a Developmental Committee to carry on the development of the union pending the setting up of a Board of Management of the Union not later than the end of the first term of the 1961 academic year. 19 meetings of the Union Developmental Committee were held with Professor E. B. Smyth as Chairman and at the final meeting on 23 June 1961, the names of members elected and appointed to the Board of Management were announced. (University Union Annual Report 1961). The first meeting of the Board of Management occurred on 5 July 1961 with Professor E. B. Smyth as Union President. Shortly afterwards, on 27 July 1961, the Union building (later known as the Roundhouse) was officially opened, although it had been used for official functions at least since 19 April 1961 (Origins Uniken Feature, 10 September 1982). From its 3 October 1990 meeting, the Board became known as the Board of Directors. At the 30 November 2005 meeting of the Board it was decided to use that the Union would use the trading name Source commencing from session 1, 2006. It was noted at this meeting, however, that the name of its legal identity was still the University of New South Wales Union. Following the introduction of Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) by the Commonwealth Government from 1 July 2006, the University Union merged with the Student Guild and COFA Students' Association to form the Arc from the beginning of 2007, as approved by Council at its 6 November 2006 meeting (resolution CL06/87). 2006 was thus the final year of operations for the Union, but its final Annual General Meeting occurred on 30 May 2007 to pass the final set of financial accounts (news@unsw 17 May 2007). Subordinate agency: Contact - 14/08/1992 - 31/12/2006 Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 09/03/1959-c. 30/05/2007

On 22 July and 14 August 1952 two student meetings were held concerning the establishment of an organisation for all students of the New South Wales University of Technology. As a result, at the 8 September 1952 meeting of Council the Students' Union was resolved to be the approved student organisation with membership of the Union [to] be compulsory for all registered students (resolution 236). An interim constitution was also approved at this meeting, with the aims listed as being: a) to afford a recognised means of communication between the students and the university authorities b) to represent its members in all matters affecting their interests and to promote the cultural, educational and recreational life of the university c) to promote among graduates a permanent interest in the life, activity and progress of the university d) to promote the aims of the university. Initially an interim committee was responsible for looking after the affairs of the Union, pending its formal organisation. The first meeting of this committee was held on 17 September 1952 (CN293). On 9 March 1953 the Council clarified that the Students' Union was the approved student organisation for all students at Sydney and that authority be given for the formation of student organisations at centres other than Sydney (resolution 289). On 9 June 1953 the first annual general meeting of the proposed Union was held and it was at this meeting that the formation of the Union was formally approved by the student body. At the same time, the first president of the Union, James D. Smith, was elected, as well as the other members of the Union Council. The first Union Council meeting was held on 25 June 1953 (CN293). Following the change in name of the university on 7 October 1958, the name of the Union was changed to the University of New South Wales Students' Union. On 1 March 1992, following extensive discussion between representatives of the Union and the Postgraduate Representative Association, an in-principle agreement was reached in which it was recommended that a restructuring of the present model of student representation in the university [occur] in order to achieve a more flexible and responsive framework. On 29 October 1992 an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Students' Union took place. At this meeting changes to the Union's constitution were accepted by the student body. These included the name of the organisation being changed to the University of New South Wales Student Guild of Undergraduates and Postgraduates (file 920719). On 7 December 1992 Council resolved that the Student Guild of Undergraduates and Postgraduates be the approved student organisation for undergraduates at Kensington [and that] the Student Guild of Undergraduates and Postgraduates be the approved student organisation for postgraduates at Kensington and the ADFA, with the Postgraduate Board of the Guild as an entity exercising plenary power in relation to the Guild's postgraduate members (resolution CL92/94). At the same time the Guild's constitution was approved with the aims listed as being: - To advance the interests and welfare of students at the University of New South Wales and to act as a means for the expression of student concerns through the decision making processes set out in this Constitution - To represent the interests of students with regard to academic matters, access to education, cultural activities, health, welfare, leisure and the environment within the university and in the wider community - To advocate for and where appropriate provide, amenities and services for students in the university - To work on behalf of all students, on an equal basis, for an education that is accessible, equitable and free from discrimination of any form - To promote the principles of student unionism - To promote and encourage the community life of the university The operation of the Guild was effective from 1 January 1993 (file 920719). Following the introduction of Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) by the Commonwealth Government from 1 July 2006, the University Union, Student Guild and COFA Students' Association merged together to form the Arc from the beginning of 2007, as approved by Council at its 6 November 2006 meeting (resolution CL06/87). At a General Meeting of the Student Guild on 21 December 2007, a motion was passed that this General Meeting of the Student Guild intends to dissolve the Guild effective 31st December by process of referendum (file 2006/1521). Subordinate agency: Postgraduate Board of the Student Guild - 01/01/1993 Subordinate agency: Bushwalkers' Club - 09/10/1953 - 03/10/1978 Subordinate agency: Contact - 14/08/1992 - 31/12/2006 Subordinate agency: Opunka - 20/12/1970 - 31/12/1981 Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 09/06/1953-31/12/2007