Find your own community
We know that finding people with similar interests and values is a great way to connect with others and make friends.
Student groups are one way of finding your tribe and the more groups we have showcasing the diversity of the Macquarie student body, the better!
Form a group
If you have explored the current list of MQ Student Groups and have noticed that there is not a Student Group that covers your interest, why not start your own!
The first thing you need to do is find some people who have the same interest and start meeting up. There are lots of places and spaces on campus (and online!) where you can arrange social meet ups and start forming the basis of becoming a student group. Spaces available to students include:
- Ubar
- Ground Floor of 18 Wally's Walk
- Lakeside
- Cafes
- Other open spaces available to students
Become an affiliated group
If your student group starts to become more formalised, you might want to consider becoming an affiliated group.
Affiliation is the process of becoming associated with the university which comes with certain benefits, such as:
- being able to book classrooms and theatres for student group events
- access to:
- equipment, like BBQs for social events and fundraisers on Wally's Walk
- SSAF funds,
- and more!
If you want your student group to be affiliated, certain criteria need to be met.
Club affiliation criteria
1. Your group must be unique
Take a look at our list of currently affiliated student groups (Link: https://students.mq.edu.au/uni-life/clubs-societies/a-to-z) to ensure that your group is not a duplicate of another club. If your group has a similar aim or purpose to another affiliated group, unfortunately, your group will not be considered for affiliation. If you are unsure whether your group might overlap with an existing group, please reach out to the First Year Experience (FYE) team for advice at studentgroups@mq.edu.au.
2. Your group must have been operating for a minimum of 3 months
By running your club unaffiliated for a minimum of 3 months, it shows that you understand the commitment and leadership skills that are required to run an affiliated group. During this time, you should focus on: - Building your membership base - Organising events or activities that reflect your group’s purpose - Demonstrating commitment to your group’s objectives through outreach and engagement You can show your group's activity for the minimum requirement of 3 months by providing documentation such as minutes from previous meetings, as well as links to your groups socials which shows your activities over the past 3 months.
3. Your group must have a minimum of 30 members with 80% of those 30 members being currently enrolled Macquarie students
Your members will be required to fill out a Macquarie supported membership form which will be provided and monitored by the First Year Experience & Peer Program team. Prospective members will be required to enter their Student ID to successfully register as a member.
4. You must have an approved Terms of Reference
The Terms of Reference (ToR) is the foundational document that defines the purpose, scope, structure, and operations of your student group. It also outlines the roles and responsibilities of executive members and the management committee, ensuring transparency and effective governance. A well-defined ToR provides clear guidelines on how your group operates, helping to:
- Provide clear guidelines on how the group will operate and help to prevent misunderstandings.
- Ensure roles and responsibilities are clear, promoting effective leadership.
- Align your actions with University Policies, protecting you from potential issues and helping you maintain good standing with the University.
- Make transitions and onboarding smoother, which aids in the growth and longevity of your group.
To streamline the approval process, we have developed a comprehensive ToR template that includes all the required sections. The template has been carefully designed to align with university policies. Avoid altering its structure or content significantly, as this can delay the approval process.
If you believe certain customisations are necessary, consult the First Year Experience (FYE) team before making changes, by emailing studentgroups@mq.edu.au.
Once you are happy with your Terms of Reference, please apply for approval by emailing studentgroups@mq.edu.au.
5. Your student group must be open to all Macquarie students
Macquarie University is proudly inclusive and diverse and aims to cultivate an environment where all students feel a part of the University community and can thrive as their authentic selves. It is expected that student groups align with our goals and ensure that your group is welcoming to all MQ students.
6. Your group must hold an inaugural meeting to formally appoint three members to the following executive roles
President, Treasurer and Secretary, as well as appointing two bank signatories. Typically, the President and Treasurer will be appointed as the bank signatories.
These executives must be enrolled students at the University who have satisfactory academic standing.
Students may be members of multiple student groups; however, they are only permitted to hold an executive position in one student group.
Apply for affiliation
Once you have confirmed that you meet all the requirements outlined above, you are ready to begin the process to become an affiliated group.
Simply send your application to the First Year Experience (FYE) team at studentgroups@mq.edu.au. Your application must include:
- The completed Terms of Reference document.
- A list of your group’s members, including student ID numbers for enrolled Macquarie students.
- The Minutes from your Inaugural Meeting, confirming your Executive members.