An all-new Autumn session: Welcome (back) to UTS Law!

Well, after a tumultuous 2020, we find ourselves (mostly) back on campus. Or, if you're a first-year student, here at UTS! As we settle into an all-new Autumn session, seeing our friends and tutors across campus is definitely a welcoming sight I know I've been longing for.

To our new students, whether recent high school leavers, returning students or students by way of transfer, a very warm welcome to UTS Law. By way of introduction, I'm Kurt. I’m a third-year Law/Communications student and I represent you in the Faculty of Law on the University Academic Board.

Let's get started

Whether you spent the holidays soaking up the sun or took up a summer class, an exciting year awaits across the faculty. From exciting social events to professional development opportunities, I’m also excited about what the UTS Law Students' Society (UTS LSS) has in store for this year! 

This year, as we adopt a model of blended learning on and off-campus, I encourage you all to stay connected with your mates. That might look like grabbing a coffee or going out for lunch on campus. Or perhaps making a subject group chat. Staying in touch is the first step to making the most of your time here at uni. And hopefully, along the way, you make some lifelong friendships.

On that note, the UTS LSS will be one of your key limbs to getting the most out of your degree. The UTS LSS produces over 140+ events a year. This ranges from social, educational and professional development. Whether you're a first-year or a final-year student, you're bound to find something that suits what you're looking for.

In a university of 46,000 students (yes, 46,000) UTS Law is one of the smallest faculties. There are just under 3,000 law students, 2,000 of which are undergraduates. This means the people you meet will more than likely be in your classes for the next few years. So, make the most of it.

Our culture

Whether you're an older, new, or transferred student, you chose UTS Law for a reason. And one of the many reasons why we thrive is our student culture. Our culture moves beyond pure regimented studies. We are a community that celebrates and champions each other. This is why kindness and generosity in spirit are so important.

We chose a challenging but rewarding degree. It is no surprise that our time at UTS can be difficult, especially during periods of assessments and exams.

But the reality is that some days start off good, and some start off bad. There are moments we achieve incredible things and feel great about what we accomplished. But then, we have the times where we perform poorly and feel a bit down.

It is the small moments that choose the direction of our day. It's the moments when a friend says hello or they don't. It's when a tutor compliments you on your response, or you feel alienated in the classroom. It's the friendly stranger you encounter on your way to uni, or it's the near-miss when you're in traffic. It's the sudden loss of employment or the living wage to get you by. If these things go wrong, a not so bad moment of sadness becomes an immovable mountain.

Because you never truly know what is behind someone's proverbial curtain. We walk across hundreds of people a day. Everyone experiences their own challenges and faces things we can't possibly imagine. However, the simplest act of kindness can help them stay on track. It's as simple as asking how someone is, and being genuinely interested and prepared to help if needed. 

So, why does this all matter? At the end of the day, while we're here to pursue our degrees and eventually, enter the workforce, we can only achieve so much alone. We must champion one another and celebrate each other's differences, no matter how slight. We can achieve so much more together, rather than if we do it alone.

So what's been happening?

This Summer has been a busy one for many student leaders. Across the formal student leaders on various boards and committees, it's also been a frantic time for societies as well.

Student Leadership Project

In December 2020, I met with Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education & Students) Professor Shirley Alexander to hand down my report and present the student leadership project.

A plan worked on for almost a year, it aims to increase student leadership university-wide. It also intends to equip students with invaluable skills early on in their degree and maximise the productivity of their time at UTS.

At a glance, over the next two years...

? With a collaborative approach between staff and students, we will leverage our current resources. The plan will span over 2021/22.

? It is hoped that once key recommendations are implemented, 52 formal student leadership positions under the Governance Support Unit (GSU) are filled. This will greatly reduce the administrative burden of finding students to fill these positions.

? The plan will also provide greater recognition and incentivise student leaders. It also aims to boost awareness of various formal leadership positions that are instrumental in decision-making.

In January, I met with Bill Paterson, Director, Governance Support Unit (GSU) to kickstart the project.

It was a super productive chat about which of the recommendations can be worked on in the short, medium and long-term.

We also discussed approaches for implementation of the various recommendations over the next two years.

Orientation

While this year's Orientation looks a little bit different, it was awesome that we were able to host the majority of events on-campus.

It was great to deliver a speech at an Orientation Welcome session too, where I focused on:

?? The crucial role universities will play in our national recovery from COVID-19 in research and innovation, starting with us as students.

??? The importance of social justice beyond an ethical imperative; empowered to contribute to the public good of society, during and after our degree.

?? Our new model of blended learning as we adapt and transform to a lifetime of learning towards UTS 2027.

?? Our fabric of diversity moves beyond principles of accommodation to a culture that celebrates and champions people from all walks of life.

?? Our student culture moulded by student-run organisations, and the endless opportunities on offer - whether social, cultural or professional development.

This year, as Vice-President (Sponsorship) for the UTS Law Students' Society, I partnered up with RedBull, Jimmy Brings, MenuLog, StudentSuper and Mr Lee's Cup Noodles to secure this amazing haul! Over 3,000 freebies were given out at O'Week to our new students.

In the first week of the Autumn session, a meeting was hosted in the Chancellery to progress with the university-wide student leadership project at UTS.

Collaborating with Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education & Students), Shirley Alexander, Director, Governance Support Unit (GSU), William Paterson, and Director, Student Services Unit (SSU), Brett Smout, the long-term plan aims to increase participation in formal committee roles at UTS.

As we adapt and transform into new ways of learning, transparent and honest feedback on decisions and policies will be critical for the quality of the student experience. Overall, the plan will elevate students as partners, with the objective of enhancing and enriching the student experience.

So what's next?

Over the coming weeks, student leaders across the formal university committees will be meeting with their Dean and/or Associate Dean within their faculty. Student leaders are also due to meet with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education & Students) and the Director, Student Services Unit (SSU) to discuss plans for the year ahead.

I strongly encourage you to reach out to your relevant student rep if you have any questions, concerns or even just for a chat - we're here to help. Details can be found here, and if you study law? Reach out to me!

For now, to our current and new students, welcome (back) to UTS Law! With the vitality of a slow recovery from COVID-19, I look forward to an optimistic Autumn session. For now, stay kind and look out for one another! :)

Kurt Cheng is an undergraduate student studying a Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Communication (Social and Political Sciences) representing the Faculty of Law on the UTS Academic Board and the Faculty Board in Law.