Arts Student Advisory Council

Postgraduate students sitting in a circle talking in Arts Hall

What is the Arts Student Advisory Council (ASAC)?

The Arts Student Advisory Council (ASAC) is a formal student advisory body within the Faculty of Arts that facilitates meaningful dialogue between Arts students and Faculty leadership, including the Dean and senior academic leaders. Its primary goal is to provide students with a voice in shaping the Faculty's priorities and initiatives that affect their academic and broader experience.

The ASAC represents diverse student perspectives across undergraduate and graduate coursework programs and supports continuous improvement in teaching, learning, and engagement.

There will be two ASAC meetings in 2026. Each meeting will be led by three student co-chairs (either undergraduates or graduates) and the Associate Dean for Education and Students.

The ASAC gives students the opportunity to raise issues and drive meaningful change within the Faculty.

The Arts Student Advisory Council was formerly known as the Arts Student Forum.

How the Arts Student Advisory Council works

    • Collect student feedback on the academic experience
    • Share student concerns with Faculty leadership
    • Drive change to improve student life

    • Enhance your public speaking and leadership skills while driving change in the Faculty
    • Enjoy networking with other ASAC members and senior leadership after each Forum, with snacks and refreshments provided

  • One academic year (March - October, 2026)

  • There will be two in-person meetings held each year, each lasting 90-120 minutes.

    ASAC Members are also expected to spend time actively seeking the thoughts and opinions of their peers and cohort, so that they can gather input on agenda topics.

  • Submit an agenda item for discussion by your representatives at the Arts Student Advisory Council. Your co-chairs will review all submissions before the meeting and create the agenda based on the topics received.

    All Faculty of Arts students are invited to submit agenda items, regardless of whether they are a member of the Arts Student Advisory Council.

  • Semester 1:

    • Tuesday 5 May
    • 1:00pm to 3:00pm

  • You are welcome to contact the ASAC organisers at arts-studentprograms@unimelb.edu.au

Who are my ASAC Representatives for 2026?

The ASAC is made up of up to 30 student members representing diverse student perspectives across the Faculty of Arts' undergraduate and graduate coursework degrees, including 3 student co-chairs.

Your ASAC members are here to listen to you! If you have something you'd like to talk about, speak to a member in your classes or around campus, or submit an agenda item and your ASAC co-chairs will share this with the council.

Billy Chen (Co-Chair, Undergraduate)

Billy is a third year Bachelor of Arts student majoring in Politics & International Studies with a minor in Geography. He is committed to uplifting student voices to drive lasting change, and he wants every student to have the best time possible on campus. Outside of university, Billy is a passionate youth advocate, and he is a Victorian Rotary Young Achiever and former Victorian Youth Congress member. He volunteers with organisations such as Western Chances to create opportunities for young people in Melbourne’s West. In his spare time, Billy loves going to the footy, exploring new cafes and restaurants, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Cori Rushdi (Co-Chair, Honours)

Cori is currently completing her BA Honours in Philosophy, exploring the applications of Eastern philosophy to sustainability practices. She seeks to draw on both her own experiences and those of her peers to help make the Arts community more inclusive for all. She is passionate about fostering safe and supportive spaces, and is excited to collaborate with the student body in order to achieve this.

Fachry Frisandi (Co-Chair, Masters by Coursework)

Fachry is a master's student in Public Policy and Management at the Faculty of Arts, and an Australian Awards Scholar from Indonesia. He brings extensive experience in management consulting, with a particular passion for climate and sustainability policy. He is excited to serve as ASAC Co-Chair, where he looks forward to strengthening the bridge between faculty and students, particularly by championing the voices of international students and working professionals who have made the bold decision to return to university and navigate the unique challenges that come with it.

Undergraduate (Bachelor of Arts) Members:

  • Leon Nguyen van Tri
  • Saoirse Kern ONeill
  • Eva Matthews
  • Andy Zhang
  • Jane Green
  • Maggie Chong
  • Farhan Andalib
  • Sonnet Pandit
  • Hassen El-Hilli
  • Kripnoor Sachar
  • Josie Hargreaves
  • Nate Nhoem
  • Dhanvi Sharma
  • Rongrong Jian

Graduate Coursework Members:

  • Nick Eastham (Executive Master of Arts)
  • Shannen Purbowo  (Master of Contemporary Chinese Studies)
  • Yanjun Liu (Master of Global Media Communication)
  • Oliver Sheales (Master of Global Media Communication)
  • Tiernan Sharkey (Master of International Relations)
  • Annie Chen (Master of Marketing Communications)
  • Yuliia Manetska (Master of Marketing Communications)
  • Dzaki Albiruni (Master of Marketing Communications)
  • Moira Li (Master of Marketing Communications)
  • Emmy Anastasiadis (Master of Public Policy and Management)
  • Siddhi Bhasin (Master of Criminology)

How can I join the Arts Student Advisory Council?

  • Interested in representing your cohort and gaining insight into executive decision-making? Apply to be an ASAC member!

    30 positions are available, spread across undergraduate and graduate coursework students.

    As an ASAC member, you will:

    • Attend 2 Arts Student Advisory Council meetings per year, in consultation with the Associate Dean Education and Students
    • Consult with your peers to gather input on agenda topics
    • Actively participate in discussion about set agenda items
    • Contribute to a safe space for open student dialogue
    • Commitment: 5 hours per year, approximately broken down as follows::
      • 1.5 hours for each meeting
      • 2 hours gathering perspectives and feedback from peers in your cohort

  • Interested in a leadership role and gaining insight into executive decision-making? Apply to be an ASAC co-chair!

    3 positions are available (1 undergraduate and 2 graduate).

    As a co-chair, you will:

    • Attend and co-chair 2 ASAC meetings per year, in consultation with the Associate Dean Education and Students
    • Help set up and break down the room
    • Review agenda items and create meeting agendas
    • Facilitate discussion and encourage participation
    • Foster a safe space for open student dialogue
    • Collaborate with the Student Programs team to review meeting minutes (to be sent to Faculty leaders and shared with all Faculty of Arts students)
    • Commitment: 10 hours per year, approximately broken down as follows::
      • 2 hours for each meeting (including set-up and break-down)
      • 3 hours for agenda review and agenda setting
      • 1 hour reviewing meeting minutes
      • 2 hours gathering perspectives and feedback from peers in your cohort

    Additional Benefits: 

    • Receive a Melbourne Plus 'People Leadership' credential (10 hours of volunteering required)
    • Receive an exclusive Faculty of Arts hoodie

    • Enrolled full-time or part-time in a Faculty of Arts undergraduate or graduate coursework program
    • Have completed a minimum of 1 semester of study in a Faculty of Arts degree
    • Have at least 1 year remaining in your course
    • Professional, collaborative, and eager to represent the student voice
    • A team player, who can work well with fellow ASAC members, and staff
    • Committed to upholding the University’s values of respect, diversity, and inclusion

    Desired skills:

    • Public speaking skills
    • Excellent written and verbal communication

  • All Faculty of Arts undergraduate and graduate coursework students are welcome to apply to join the Arts Student Advisory Council, provided they have studied for one semester already. We’re looking for curiosity, a passion for advocating for your peers, and an interest in influencing decisions about the student experience.

    If you'd like to take on a leadership position, you can express interest in the ASAC Co-Chair position as part of your application to be an ASAC member. We’re looking for great leadership skills, a passion for advocating for your peers, and an interest in influencing decisions about the student experience.

    You will have the option to express additional interest in the co-chair position. If you select yes, please note that you will need to provide a video component showing us what makes you a great fit for the role.

  • Applications for 2026 have now closed.  Applications for the 2027 Arts Student Advisory Council will open in early 2027.

2026 Minutes

Check out what was discussed in 2026:

2025 Minutes

Check out what was discussed in 2025:

2024 Minutes

Interested to see what was discussed in 2024? See minutes below: