Australasian Campus Union Managers’ Association (ACUMA)
ACUMA (Australasian Campus Union Managers' Association) is the association for staff employed within principal service providers of universities, TAFE's, institutes, polytechnics and other tertiary education institutions unions, student associations and guilds on campuses throughout Australia and New Zealand.
ACUMA was initially set up by General Managers in 1992. The General Managers previously held biennial conferences under the name of ACUI Region 16 Conference. During 1994 ACUMA was expanded to incorporate not just General Managers but all senior staff of Australian and New Zealand university unions and colleges (TAFE's or polytechnics in particular) unions, student associations and guilds. The first ACUMA Conference (under the ACUMA banner) was held in Newcastle in July 1995. ACUMA is a body that embraces both Australia and New Zealand members of staff engaged in work for campus service organisations.
The aims and objectives of ACUMA are to:
- facilitate communication between members
- arrange meetings, seminars and conferences for members
- produce newsletters and other informational material for members
- promote and support the interest and welfare of members
- liaise with other bodies with similar objects.
ACUMA is composed of a Board of people from each of the following regional groups, Eastern (NSW/ACT/NZ), Southern (Victoria/Tasmania), South/Western (SA/WA) and Northern (Queensland/NT). ACUMA incorporated in July 2001.
The organisation is managed by an Executive Officer who is contracted to the organisation and the main office is located in Launceston, Tasmania.
Within ACUMA there are several different groups and bodies such as the Regional General Managers Groups, Food & Beverage Group, Retail, Facilities, Human Resources, Activities, Marketing/PR, Publications, Executive & Personal Assistants, Welfare, IT, Functions, etc. ACUMA is able to act as the body that provides a structure for groups to enhance their activities.
ACUMA Buying is able to offer financial savings, promotions and other benefits to our members in the areas of food & beverage, retail and facilities & services through joint purchasing. Further information and costs for this organisation can be found under the web page "ACUMA Buying".
ACUMA has in place international agreements with overseas organisations such as ACUI (USA), NACAS (USA), AMSU (UK) and AMICUSS-C (Canada), these are bodies with similar aims and objectives asACUMA’s. ACUMA is actively involved in developing the student services industry by promoting new initiatives. Industry standards, benchmarking and research are all high priorities.
Their mission statement is:
"THE ROLE OF ACUMA IS TO FOSTER EXCELLENCE IN CAMPUS SERVICE ORGANISATIONS TO ENHANCE STUDENT LIFE."