[citation needed] UMSU's Union and Guild Theatres are located within the Arts and Cultural Building on the Parkville campus.

A large number of notable Australian performers, writers and other notable people did some of their earliest work there, including Cate Blanchett, Barry Humphries, Steve Vizard, Barrie Kosky, Graeme Blundell, and Germaine Greer.

[6] The Open Stage was part of the original Drama Department, and the name was kept when it moved into the new Arts Centre on Swanston Street, Carlton, in late 1973.

[8] Over 200 student-run clubs and societies are affiliated to UMSU,[9] which supports these organisations though financial grants and administrative assistance.

[18] All clubs run events throughout the year aimed at integrating new students into university life, running social activities and liaising between the faculties and the current students to enable and encourage their studies and enable opportunities for future employment.

[9] A number of activist campaign groups are affiliated to the student union, including the Campus Refugee Rights Club and the Australian Youth Climate Coalition.

The introduction of VSU saw a significant loss of funding for the union, as the ASF was no longer charged from 1 July 2006.

On 11 October 2011 the SSAF[21] was introduced which led to a large increase in funding to the Union, though not as high as in the pre-VSU era.

UMSU additionally collects a small amount of revenue from event ticket sales, AV and BBQ hire, sponsorship and other sources.

The University of Melbourne Union was founded in 1884 to promote the common interests of students and assist in social interactions between its members.

[23] It set up headquarters in the 1863 Joseph Reed designed gothic revival styled National Museum building which was renamed Union House by 1885.

[24] In 1964 the Union and university sought to modernise its image and proposed demolishing the majority of the 1863 gothic building.

[24][25] The result was a modern blonde brick and concrete brutalist design which retained the name of Union House.

Union House Theatre and George Paton Gallery are now located in the Arts & Cultural Building, while the Rowden White Library can be found in the Student Pavillion.

[citation needed] A draft report from auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers warned in June 2003 that this could potentially create obligations beyond MUSUi's capacity to pay.

[citation needed] He also cited a "serious breakdown in governance, financial management, and accountability structures within MUSU.

[citation needed] Master Ewart Evans, who was presiding over the hearings of the liquidators' examination until his retirement in 2005, was critical of the "somewhat precipitative" timing of civil court proceedings, which McVeigh quickly settled out of court after much adverse publicity about his own fees and expenses believed to total more than $8 million[28] prior to producing a liquidator's report and convening a meeting of creditors.

[citation needed] Following the 2004 annual election, a coalition between the Liberal Club and the Labor Right was defeated by a cooperative left made up of National Labor Students (ALP Club), Socialist Alternative, and a group of progressive students who are not involved in other politics called Activate.

[citation needed] 2009 saw nearly all major elected positions won by a Labour Right-Liberal coalition called Synergy.

Due to this, at the yearly National Conference of NUS in December, UMSU is the most represented student organisation.

[53] The Constitution of UMSU was drafted by a Student Representative Working Group, members of whom were elected in 2004 by electronic ballot; the University Secretary was appointed Returning Officer.

The University was closely involved in the drafting process and provided free legal advice to the Working Group.

Due to a large number of inquorate meetings, the Working Group instituted a drop-off rule.