The Uniform and Textbook Exchange (UTE) is a program set up by the Brisbane Speech Pathology Society, in conjunction with faculty staff. The aim of the program is to help students who may be struggling to acquire some of the prescribed texts and uniform items needed for success in their studies. We have noticed many students at ACU have recently moved out of home or have moved from a regional hometown to Brisbane for study, which puts them at an increased risk of financial stress. The program also allows students who are finishing their time as a student to 'give back' to the student speech pathology community. While the program was initially co-designed by staff and students, the program is run by students for students.

Benefits of participating in the UTE program:

For donors: The satisfying feeling of helping others; the opportunity to ‘give back’ to the student community; a convenient way to address items no longer needed.

For recipients: Access to second-hand textbook and uniform items with little stress compared to sourcing from marketplace/other avenues; Alleviation of the potential barriers of financial stress in accessing required course items. Access to textbooks that students may not have otherwise considered purchasing.

For the student society: Raising the society’s profile in supporting students

For Academic Staff: Well supported students have a greater chance of success in the speech pathology program (student retention benefits).

What UTE is not

● A way for the student society to make a profit. Financial gains as a result of UTE recipients making a monetary exchange for items should be offset by expenses (including covering postage for interstate donations and the acquisition of UTE inventory)

● A way for all students to acquire all prescribed texts each semester. Students facing financial stress and other barriers to acquiring texts and uniforms are given priority access to UTE items. These students are either identified by academic staff or are self-identified.