Bohao Zhang
Faculty/Degree Held
Law/FASS
Year of Studying/Conferring
II
USU Positions
Vice President, Sydney University United Nations Society (SUUNS) 2025 - 2026
Secretary, SUUNS 2024 - 2025
Treasurer, Australia-China Youth Association (ACYA) 2025 - 2026
Secretary, ACYA 2025
General Executive (International Portfolio), Sydney University Law Society 2026
Subcommittee, Sydney University Chinese Students Association 2024 - 2026
USYD Positions
Vice President, Students' Representative Council 2024 - 2026
Member, Student Consultative Committee 2025
Member, Academic Board 2026
Other Interests
Hi!! My name is Bohao and I am honoured to be one of your candidates for USU Board Director this year! Having been a part of many Clubs and Societies through my time here, I've seen both the extraordinary power the USU has to enrich student life, and the bureaucratic burdens that are sometimes imposed on well meaning executives. A huge motivating factor for me to run is to try and improve the experience for so many tireless leaders across Clubs and Societies in their dealings with the USU, such that we have a more vibrant and active campus!
Candidate Policy Statement
BRIGHTER WITH BOHAO
The USU needs to truly be for real students, by real students. As Board Director, I will ensure that student welfare is prioritised over corporate profit by:
- Uniformly raising Semester Grants for all Clubs and Societies
- Expanding the $5 meal to include breakfast and dinner
- Renew advertising for the $5 meal on Instagram, RedNote, and WeChat
- Increasing the range of groceries available and abolishing the ticketing system at FoodHub through advocating for more funding
- Implementing a textbook exchange program where USU members can sell their used textbooks
- Lowering the price of food charged by USU outlets across the University
- Organise monthly Board Director catch-ups, where USU members can meet Directors in a relaxed atmosphere and hold them accountable or voice their concerns
- Renovating MyUSU to make it intuitive and accessible for Club and Society executives as an administrative platform and USU members as a hub for discovering events and opportunities
- Utilise the International Student Lounge as a space for international students with regular USU events such as English Corners
- Advocate for the re-opening of International House to the University management
Get to know Bohao
Describe the key roles and responsibilities of a USU Board Director.
The primary duty of a Board Director is to represent the student body. A qualified Director must be involved in student life, have experience in Clubs and Societies, and is willing to hear out the voices of students both during and after the campaign. This is why, if elected, I would implement monthly catch-up sessions where USU members can meet their Directors to hold them accountable and voice any concerns they might have.
How will you ensure that you can commit the time required to be an effective Board Director?
I have worked in a range of societies and student organisations, whilst simultaneously juggling my schoolwork and part-time jobs. These experiences have taught me how to manage my time efficiently so that I am able to contribute to my extracurricular life without falling behind in my other commitments. As Director, I will be sure to prioritise the Board and utilise all opportunities to advance my platform and ensure the USU is truly a student union that is prioritising its students.
How will you represent the best interests of the student community, while also representing the best interests of the USU?
The best interests of the student community will always be the best interests of the USU. As a body that works for students and is funded by students, the USU must be dedicated to supporting student life over monetary profit. As a Board Director, I will make sure to listen to student opinion both during and after the campaign. My decisions on the Board will always be based on what I believe will lead to a student experience that is more enriching, more affordable, and more accessible for all.
Identify an area of the USU where you would like to see improvement and explain how this will be of benefit to the organisation and/or students.
I would love to see the USU improve its handling of Clubs and Societies. Without a doubt, providing support for hundreds of Clubs and Societies is a key service the USU does in facilitating a more vibrant and active campus life. However, clubs tend to receive inadequate funding, requiring them to downsize events and charge membership or ticket fees. Furthermore, there are a lot of bureaucratic requirements imposed on club executives. As Director, I would work towards streamlining Clubs and Societies via increased funding, specific grants for bigger events, and a renovated MyUSU that is easy to navigate.