Impact Strategy Working Group

The Impact Strategy Working Group is leading the development and review of UMSU's Impact Strategy.

Terms of Reference

UMSU Impact Strategy Working Group Terms of Reference

Background

The world is changing rapidly and so are students’ priorities. We commit to a major review of the last strategic plan so we can continue to make our initiatives, facilities, services and campaigns relevant to students at the University of Melbourne.

UMSU’s Strategic Plan 2023-2025 should be reviewed and refreshed. In early 2022, Students’ Council accepted the following recommendation:

As the governing body of UMSU, every 3-5 years Students’ Council should engage in a strategic planning process that involves UMSU senior management and university stakeholders to develop a clear, well-researched, strategic plan that sets out broad goals and establishes priorities for the organisation.

In 2025, as a new three-year funding agreement is finalised, UMSU needs to commence the process of developing a new three-year strategic plan.

Following the good governance recommendations of the OECD for sustainability, accountabiliy and responsible organisational conduct, UMSU will develop an ‘impact strategy’ for 2026 to 2028. This will be developed as a draft Impact Strategy 2026-2028 for consideration by Students’ Council. By focusing on UMSU’s impact and our priority outcomes for students in our strategic direction, UMSU is taking an evidence-based approach that puts students at the heart of how we work.

Role of the Impact Strategy Working Group (UISWG)

The Working Group aims to create a collaborative and consultative process to develop draft Impact Priorities to support UMSU to:

Elevate & represent students’ voices while respecting different views
Undertake purposeful advocacy about issues that impact students
Provide expert assistance to students when it matters the most
Co-create exceptional student programs, services & venues
Make safety meaningful through inclusive & accessible spaces & programs

Membership

Membership of the UISWG is open to all members of UMSU’s Students’ Council (nonvoting and voting), and Office Bearers are strongly encouraged to participate. The President and/or General Secretary may request Office Bearers to attend specific meetings.

The following will be members ex officio:

Chief Executive Officer (Chair) and President;
General Secretary or delegated Office Bearer;
At least one other Office Bearer as nominated by the President;
At least two Divisional Managers and/or senior staff as nominated by the CEO

2026 Membership

Sara Pheasant (CEO)
Lushy Chinganya (President)
Daniel Motika (General Secretary)
Toby Putland (Voting Councillor)
Mathilda Stewart (Voting Councillor)
Cynthia Wong (Welfare Office Bearer)
Yashesvi Verma (Creative Arts Office Bearer)
Corbin Afanasyev (Education Academic Office Bearer)
Lachie James (Student Rep Division)
Fiona Sanders (Student Rep Division)
Susan Hewitt (Arts & Culture)
Xanthe Beesley (Arts & Culture)
Juliette Elfick (Comms & Design)
Dez Ramadani (HR)
Alan Yang (Legal)
Georgia Davies (Advocacy)