March 19, 2019

UniMovies future operating arrangements

UOW Pulse awaits decision on proposed solutions

The University of Wollongong, through UOW Pulse, seeks to enrich the student experience by providing services, facilities, entertainment and engagement opportunities that create a vibrant campus life.

The University values the contribution UniMovies has made to campus life for more than 40 years and hopes cinema entertainment will continue to be available for students at its Wollongong Campus into the future.

Since the establishment of UniMovies over 40 years ago, the laws and organisational structures under which campus services are funded, managed and delivered have changed significantly.

Community and student expectations regarding how on-campus entertainment providers fulfil their safety, risk management, employment and financial accountability obligations have similarly changed over the last four decades.

Informal arrangements that may have been widely accepted previously, no longer satisfy UOW’s contemporary legal or insurance obligations, nor do they align with UOW Pulse’s aspirations for quality on-campus service delivery.

For several months, UOW Pulse has been working with UniMovies to explore ways to bring its operations into line with modern standards.

The University’s preferred option is for UniMovies to operate within UOW Pulse’s Student Clubs and Societies framework.

As well as providing appropriate insurance cover and financial transparency, operating as a student club would give current and future students greater involvement in the management and operation of their UniMovies, enabling them to continue the legacy established by UniMovies’ founders and current organisers.

The most appropriate alternative to this preferred option is for UniMovies to become an independent business entity with its own insurance cover and provide services under normal commercial arrangements.

UOW Pulse is waiting for UniMovies to select an option that meets modern standards.

While University management has allowed UniMovies the opportunity to explore other alternatives, none canvassed so far is envisaged as being practical or appropriate.

Until a suitable resolution to these issues can be found, UniMovies must suspend operations.

Alternative arrangements have been made for upcoming visiting cinematic events on campus.

The University wishes to assure students, staff and the community of its sincere desire to see UniMovies continue to be part of campus life and its hope that an agreement can be reached as soon as possible.