Auckland University Students' Association records.

The Auckland University Students’ Association was founded at a meeting of 27 students on 24 June 1891 to represent students in all matters interesting to them. Such was the enthusiasm of the students at that first meeting that it took two more meetings to draw up a set of rules and elect officer holders.

During its early years, the Students’ Association made submissions to the College Council in favour of matriculated students wearing academic gowns and trenchers to classes and on the appointment and dismissal of lecturers. They also organised capping celebrations such as the Graduation Social or Conversazione, sports events and dances.

Affiliation of student clubs to the Students’ Association was introduced in 1899; today the Association supports over 120 student clubs and societies. The Association also provides students with a range of support services, facilities, the student magazine Craccum, radio station 95bFM, as well as representation and advocacy for students within the University and the wider community.

In 1999 membership of the Association was made voluntary and membership numbers dropped to just 2700 students in 2003. In the same year it was decided to make membership of the Association free to students enrolled at the University of Auckland and membership numbers have grown again to more than 20,000.

A comprehensive history of the Association, A Democratic Minority: A Centennial History of the Auckland University Students Association by Fay Hercock was published in 1994 while a shorter but more up to date history can be found on the AUSA website at: http://www3.ausa.auckland.ac.nz/about/history/