Formal relationship with the University of Adelaide
As of 2008, the Union relies on the University of Adelaide for the majority of its funding. This is a result of a funding agreement with the University. The ultimate existence of the Union, and its relationship with the university, is governed by the University of Adelaide Act 1971. This Act of the South Australian Parliament gives the University of Adelaide Council certain powers over the Union. The Union cannot alter its constitution or rules, or charge a membership fee, without the agreement of University Council. Furthermore, the Union is bound to provide University Council with its financial reports and budget for the coming calendar year prior to 1 December. In 2009, the Adelaide University Sports Association, previously an affiliate of the Union, began the process of disaffiliation from the Union, having secured a separate funding agreement with the University.
Student governance
The Union is governed by a board of management. The board consists of 10 ordinary members, who are not also permanent staff of the Union, five of whom are elected annually on two year terms by the students of the University. The Board then elects several of its members to positions within the Union, such as Union President, Vice President, Student Media Committee Chair and Clubs Committee Chair. Elections are held annually in September, with the Board-elect and officer bearers taking their positions on 1 December. Notable past presidents include former South Australian Premier John Bannon, former South Australia Attorney-General Chris Sumner, Australia's first female Prime MinisterJulia Gillard and former South Australian Supreme Court Judges Elliott Johnston and Samuel Jacobs. The current Union President is Oscar Zi Shao Ong.
Services and Activities
The Union provides a range of activities as well as support services for Adelaide University students. This includes welfare and academic support services provided by Student Care Inc. The Union also provides Employment and Volunteering Services, support to over 150 student-run Clubs and Societies, and regular social events. The Union also continues to publish the student newspaper On Dit, the third oldest student newspaper in Australia, as well as the longest-running Student Radio in the country, broadcasting six hours a week on Radio Adelaide.
The Union coordinates the activities, events and entertainment for Adelaide University O'Week. O'Week is the week before lectures begin. During O'Week the Union coordinates a variety of events centering on activities, free stuff, entertainment, competitions and a huge area for clubs on the Math Lawns near the Union House and the Braggs building.
Impact of VSU
The post-Voluntary Student Unionism period contained significant financial difficulties for the Union. Previously funded by compulsory fees paid by all students, the introduction of voluntary unionism resulted in a sharp drop in income for the Union. This resulted in grave financial difficulties. In late 2007 the Union handed control of Union House and the vast majority of the Union's commercial services to the University of Adelaide. This was in return for the University agreeing to fund the Union for a period of ten years. The University of Adelaide paid $1.2 million to the Union in the first year of this funding agreement, with future funding to be determined on a year-to-year basis. This gives the University final control over the size of the Union budget in any given year.
