Otago University Students' Association

Last updated

Otago University Students' Association
MottoAudeamus (Latin)
Institution University of Otago
Location Dunedin, New Zealand
Established1890
Membersc. 20,000
Affiliations New Zealand Union of Students' Associations
Brands
Website Official Website

The Otago University Students' Association (OUSA) is the students' association of the University of Otago, New Zealand. OUSA was founded in 1890 to advance student interests on campus. [1]

Contents

Today, OUSA provides a combination of representation, welfare, advocacy, recreation and events for its members. It runs student support services, supports clubs and societies on campus, and organises the University of Otago Orientation and Reorientation weeks. [2]

OUSA has a number of subsidiary brands and companies, including Critic Te Ārohi , the student magazine, Radio One, the student radio station, University Bookshop Limited, and Planet Media.

History

As well as providing facilities and student representation on university committees, the students' association began to provide services and facilities for its members. The first Student Union building, providing meeting rooms, men's and women's common rooms and a cafeteria, was established in 1904 in Allen Hall, which is today the university's theatre department. In the 1960s a bigger Student Union was built, and in the 1980s an adjoining building was added to house the OUSA offices, Radio One, Critic and Student Job Search. The Clubs and Societies building provides space for over 100 student clubs and a variety of activities, with fitness and recreation opportunities provided at Unipol, jointly owned with the Otago Polytechnic Students' Association. OUSA also owns the University Book Shop and Student Job Search.

Over the years the students' association has had its share of controversy, frequently around risqué activities during Capping (graduation) week. In 1990, student parties spilled over into the "Dunedin Riot", [3] [ better source needed ] which damaged public opinion of students at a time when student politicians were actively lobbying and protesting against the introduction of tertiary tuition fees. The arguments against tuition fees included researched predictions of massive graduate debt and increased "brain drain" – graduates leaving the country for lucrative overseas positions. OUSA and students' associations around the country protested vigorously – up to 5,000 people marched in Dunedin alone – but were unable to stop the fees which were introduced in 1991.

In July 2010, the OUSA executive was controversially restructured. Initiated by President Harriet Geoghegan, the new executive would have ten members: President, Administrative Vice President, Finances and Services Officer, Education Officer, Welfare Officer, and five general representatives each holding a portfolio: Postgraduate Students, International Students, Campaigns, Recreation, and Colleges and Communications. [4] A referendum on the issue resulted in a 72.19% vote for the new structure caused a large number of complaints, none of which were upheld, and divided the existing OUSA executive. [5] [6]

The introduction of tuition fees has led to an increased focus on quality of education, with improvements to the student representative system and more student input on teaching and assessment.[ citation needed ] At the same time, the growing student population has meant that OUSA services from recreation facilities to student media have become businesses in their own right.

Structure

Membership

Under the Education Act 1989, membership in OUSA was compulsory for students enrolled at the University of Otago. [7] However, since 2011 the Government made all students' association in New Zealand voluntary membership. The OUSA now maintains a service level agreement with the university, which sees a proportion of the compulsory student services levy used to pay for OUSA services for students, this allows for the ongoing financial viability of the association.

Executive

The association is headed by a twelve-member executive led by the OUSA president. [8] The executive consists of the president, administrative vice-president, finance and strategy officer, welfare and equity representative, academic representative, political representative, clubs & societies representative, residential representative, international students' representative, postgraduate students' representative, te rōpū Māori tumuaki and the president of the University of Otago Pacific Islands Students' Association. Executive meetings are held weekly or fortnightly, and are open to all members. Student general meetings are held periodically throughout the year to consult with and engage the wider student body in a more formal context.

Executive position2024 officeholders [9]
PresidentKeegan Wells
Administrative vice-presidentEmily Williams
Finance and strategy officerDaniel Leamy
Academic representativeStella Lynch
Welfare and equity representativeTara Shepherd
Political representativeLiam White
Clubs and societies representativeEmma Jackson
Residential representativeVacant
International students' representativeIbuki Nishida
Postgraduate students' representativeHanna Friedlander
Te rōpū Māori tumuākiGemella Reynolds-Hatem
University of Otago Pacific Islands

Students' Association president

Telekalafi Likiliki

Elections

Elections are held annually to select the incoming executive for the following year. Election weeks typically involve candidate forums for questions and debating between individuals running for office.

In September 2008, president-elect Jo Moore was disqualified from becoming the 2009 president after a complaint she came within 20 metres of a polling facility during voting. [10]

Student Services

Annual Events

The OUSA is responsible for organising the annual Orientation week events held at the beginning of the university year. A number of well-known artists have performed at these events including Macklemore, Tinie Tempah, Empire of the Sun, Flume and Shapeshifter. At the beginning of the second semester, in July, OUSA organises the equivalent Reorientation events.

The Hyde Street party, also known as the Hyde Street Keg Party, is an annual event held in Dunedin in the first semester for students from the University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic, where many participants wear fancy dress. [11] The event originated in 1995, starting as a post-exam celebration organised by residents. The first event saw roughly 3,000 people and attracted bonfires, riot police and 13 students were arrested. It has since become a become a regular part of the Otago University social calendar. Since 2013 OUSA has organised the ticket sales and the health and safety surrounding the event. [12]

Other regular events organised by the OUSA include market days, art week, diversity week, the Capping Show, the Dunedin Craft Beer & Food Festival and an annual Battle of the Bands competition.

Clubs and Societies

The OUSA Clubs and Societies Centre at 84 Albany Street is a hub for students, clubs and societies. Cropped OUSA Clubs and Societies.jpeg
The OUSA Clubs and Societies Centre at 84 Albany Street is a hub for students, clubs and societies.

As the largest student association at the University of Otago, the majority of on-campus clubs and societies affiliate to the association. Notably the Otago University Debating Society, now an affiliated club, pre-dates the formation of the association, and it was members of the debating society that initiated the formation of OUSA in 1890. There are a number of long-standing clubs and societies on campus including the Otago University Rowing Club, the Otago University Rugby Football Club and the Otago University Medical Students Association. Today there are more than 150 clubs and societies affiliated to OUSA, representing a range of ethnicities, religions, politics, sports and interests of Otago students. [13]

The OUSA Clubs and Societies Centre houses the staff that manage the various clubs and societies and the recreation programmes organised by OUSA. Facilities within the centre for students include a sauna, study rooms, music rooms, dance rooms, storage for clubs and an exercise hall. A number of recreation classes are organised and run from the centre, including arts, crafts and cooking, music, sport and dance. Lunches are available at the centre daily during University semesters.

Student Support

OUSA owns and maintains a department that provides support and advocacy for students. This includes class representation, queer support, a hardship fund and advocacy for a number of grievances. [14]

Student Media

Critic

Critic is a University of Otago-based student magazine funded and supported by OUSA through its subsidiary Planet Media Ltd. Critic-logo-white-space.png
Critic is a University of Otago-based student magazine funded and supported by OUSA through its subsidiary Planet Media Ltd.

Critic is the official magazine of the Otago University Students' Association. It is freely available around both the university's campus and selected sites in Dunedin city weekly during term time. Critic is New Zealand's longest-running student newspaper, having been published since 1925. Weekly circulation is 5,000 copies, with an estimated readership of 21,000.

Critic is a member of the Aotearoa Student Press Association (ASPA), and was awarded Best Publication in the annual ASPA awards in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2013. [15]

Critic has caused controversy on a number of occasions in the past. In 2006 the Office of Film and Literature Classification banned an issue of the magazine, due to it containing a "how-to-guide" on drug rape. [16] Possession or distribution of this issue was deemed illegal. In 2010 The Press Council upheld a complaint against Critic over the article 'The Bum at the Bottom of the World', which depicted three people the publication deemed homeless and vagrant. [17] [18] In 2013 Critic's Editor Callum Fredric received a $35,000 payout after a series of personal disputes with OUSA General Manager Darel Hall. Fredric was suspended by Hall on Friday 3 May, and was trespassed from OUSA buildings by Hall after attending a meeting on Monday 6 May to explain the situation to staff, before being asked to leave by Police. After filing legal proceedings, Fredric accepted a $35,000 settlement package from OUSA on Friday 17 May, and resigned as Editor. [19] [20] [21]

Radio One

Radio One, or The One, is a student radio station operating from the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. It broadcasts on a frequency of 91.0 MHz. The station is run largely by volunteer announcers, with a small paid staff. It runs a wide variety of general interest and specialist shows to audiences not catered for by other Dunedin radio stations, such as New Zealand music show The Local and cannabis law reform radio show Overgrown. It is run by Planet Media on behalf of Otago University Students' Association.

In the station's early years, Radio One was broadcast from a 100-watt ERP transmitter atop the 11-storey Hocken Building (now Richardson Building) – then the tallest building on the university campus. In the late 1980s, the station moved their transmitter to Dunedin's main FM radio transmitter atop Mount Cargill, north of the campus. This gives the station a range which covers much of coastal Otago, from Oamaru to past Balclutha. Radio One can now be heard anywhere in the world as it streams all content in 128 kbit/s stereo mp3 over the Internet.

The impetus for the station began with an open letter to the president of the association (then Phyllis Comerford) from Alastair Thomson, who had worked on the Waikato University student radio station. This letter brought together other interested parties including members of the bands Netherworld Dancing Toys and The Verlaines. With a grant from the OUSA of approximately $12,000, the station first went to air in early 1984 broadcasting from the OUSA's former boardroom.

The station ran on a part-time basis during the university year until the mid-1990s, from which time it has been operating round-the-clock throughout the year in a new annex to the Student Union building which was specifically designed to house the station, the OUSA's offices, and the university's student newspaper Critic . The station celebrated its 25th birthday at the beginning of 2009. [22]

Radio One alumni include Shayne Carter, Wallace Chapman, Charlotte Glennie, Sam Hayes, Jan Hellriegel, Lesley Paris, David Pine, Brent Hodge, Sean Norling, Chris Armstrong and Ria Vandervis. Aaron Hawkins served as Radio One's breakfast host from 2006 to 2013 and music director from 2011 to 2013 before standing for the Dunedin mayoralty and being elected a Dunedin City central ward councillor. [23] [24]

Notable alumni

Past Presidents

Three well-known past presidents of OUSA. Grant Robertson, Wellington Central MP for the New Zealand Labour Party, Sir John Arthur Stallworthy, Nuffield Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Oxford, and Te Rangi Hiroa, renowned doctor, military leader and Maori politician. OUSA Past Presidents.png
Three well-known past presidents of OUSA. Grant Robertson, Wellington Central MP for the New Zealand Labour Party, Sir John Arthur Stallworthy, Nuffield Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Oxford, and Te Rangi Hīroa, renowned doctor, military leader and Māori politician.

Past executive members

Life Members

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Otago</span> Public university in New Zealand

The University of Otago is a public research collegiate university based in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. Founded in 1869, Otago is New Zealand's oldest university and one of the oldest universities in Oceania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Auckland</span> Public university in Auckland, New Zealand

The University of Auckland is a public research university based in Auckland, New Zealand. The institution was established in 1883 as a constituent college of the University of New Zealand. Initially located in a repurposed courthouse, the university has grown substantially over the years. As of 2024, it stands as the largest university in New Zealand by enrolment, teaching approximately 43,000 students across three major campuses in central Auckland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alma Mater Society of Queen's University</span> University student organization

The Alma Mater Society of Queen's University, otherwise known as the AMS, is the central undergraduate student association at Queen's University at Kingston in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. It is the oldest organization of its kind in Canada. Its roots lie in the old Dialectic Society, which created the AMS in 1858. The society seeks to represent and facilitate the student experience, whether it is through a multitude of clubs, services, governance or volunteer opportunities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dunedin</span> City in Otago, New Zealand

Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago region. Its name comes from Dùn Èideann, the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. The city has a rich Māori, Scottish, and Chinese heritage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knox College, Otago</span> Residential college in New Zealand

Knox College is a selective residential college, founded and run by the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and affiliated with University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. The college is set in a 4.57 hectares landscaped site in Opoho on the opposite side of the Dunedin Botanic Gardens from the university. It is named after John Knox, a sixteenth century leader of the Scottish Reformation, whose efforts in establishing a universal system of free education comprising both academic learning and character formation had a profound influence, not just in Scotland, but internationally, as subsequent generations of Scottish settlers, products of the Scottish Enlightenment, emigrated to far-flung corners of the globe, including New Zealand, taking with them a deep-seated belief in the benefits of applied knowledge and a broad and liberal education. Those strong Scottish Presbyterian foundations are something that Knox College has in common with the university to which it is affiliated. They are depicted on the college's Coat of Arms in the form of a blue St Andrew's Cross. Superimposed on the St Andrew's Cross is the image of a white dove in flight, carrying an olive branch in its mouth, a symbolic depiction of the flood myth in Genesis 8, wherein the olive-branch-bearing dove is a symbol of life and peace. The college motto, Gratia et Veritas (Latin), or Grace and Truth (English), comes from the Prologue to the Gospel according to Saint John.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victoria University of Wellington Students' Association</span>

The Victoria University of Wellington Students' Association (VUWSA) is the official student association at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. VUWSA was established in 1899 as the Victoria University College Students' Society.

Radio One is a student radio station operating from the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. It broadcasts on a frequency of 91.0 MHz. it is a member of the Student Radio Network group of stations, all of which are run from New Zealand University campuses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Capping Show</span> Annual student revue in Dunedin, New Zealand

The Capping Show is the name given to the University of Otago student's association revue. It has run since 1894, making it the world's longest continuously running student revue show in the world. The Cambridge University Footlights are often cited as the longest running student revue, but whilst Footlights stopped for several years during the world wars, the Otago Capping Show have held a show every year since 1894. Each year the Capping Show is roughly 2 hours long and made up of comedy sketches and musical numbers. It touches on many of the current and not so current events of the past few years, satirizing people and problems in an uncommonly brash manner. Since the University of Otago is located in Dunedin, a good section of the show makes fun of the Dunedin and the university. It is currently being performed at the College Auditorium at the University of Otago. Previous locations include the Princess Theatre, His Majesty's Theatre, the Mayfair Theatre, the Regent Theatre, the Town Hall and Castle lecture theatre.

The New Zealand Union of Students' Associations (NZUSA) is a representative body that advocates for the interests of tertiary students in New Zealand. Between 1935 and 2006, it was known as the New Zealand University Students' Association, until it merged with the national polytechnic students' association.

<i>Critic Te Ārohi</i> University of Otago Students Association magazine

Critic Te Ārohi is the official magazine of the Otago University Students' Association (OUSA) of the University of Otago. It is freely available around both the University's campus and selected sites in Dunedin city weekly during term time. Critic is New Zealand's longest-running student newspaper, having been established in 1925. Weekly circulation is 5,000 copies, with an estimated readership of approximately 20,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Otago Polytechnic</span> Public New Zealand tertiary education institute

Otago Polytechnic is a public New Zealand tertiary education institute, centred in Dunedin with additional campuses in Cromwell and Auckland. Otago Polytechnic provides career-focused education and training, offering a range of New Zealand accredited postgraduate qualifications, degrees, diplomas and certificates at levels 2–10. In November 2022, it became a business unit of the national mega polytechnic Te Pūkenga, ending its existence as an independent entity.

The Otago University Debating Society (OUDS) is a debating society established in June 1878 and is the oldest society of the University of Otago, the first university to be founded in New Zealand. Echoing trends in Australia and the United States, in the latter decades of the nineteenth century debating was seen as an important talent for New Zealand's thought leaders, and was one of the three sports in the New Zealand University Games from 1902.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Otago University Rowing Club</span> New Zealand rowing club

Otago University Rowing Club is a rowing club affiliated with the University of Otago, New Zealand and was formed in 1929 to provide students of the university the opportunity to compete against other universities in New Zealand. This remains the main aim of the club, although limited membership is now available for persons not studying at the University of Otago.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Barnes (politician)</span> New Zealand politician

Sir James George Barnes was a New Zealand politician of the National Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Otago NORML</span>

Otago University NORML is a pro-cannabis law reform student club at the University of Otago, affiliated to the Otago University Students Association. It is not affiliated to the national New Zealand cannabis law reform organisation NORML New Zealand, an affiliate of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Zealand Medical Students' Association</span>

The New Zealand Medical Students' Association Incorporated (NZMSA) is the peak representative body for all medical students in New Zealand. The NZMSA executive is composed of representatives that are elected from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin medical schools. NZMSA represents medical students on many levels, from universities to government representation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rachel Brooking</span> New Zealand Labour Party politician

Rachel Jane Brooking is a New Zealand Labour Party politician and Member of Parliament who served as the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries and Minister for Food Safety in the Sixth Labour Government. She first became an MP at the 2020 New Zealand general election. She is a lawyer by profession.

Frederick Strachan is a New Zealand retired rowing coach.

Jocelyn Margaret Harris is a New Zealand academic known for her studies of Jane Austen's creative process, and for her promotion of the teaching and study of women's literature at the University of Otago.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Francisco Hernandez (politician)</span> New Zealand politician (born 1990 or 1991)

Francisco Bagkus Hernandez is a New Zealand politician, representing the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand as a Member of Parliament since 7 May 2024.

References

  1. Sam Elworthy (1990). Ritual Songs of Defiance. Otago University Students' Association. ISBN   978-0-473-00899-4.
  2. Otago University Students' Association. "About OUSA" . Retrieved 28 March 2011.
  3. W.S. McCallum. "New Zealand Student Politics 1980s–1990s" . Retrieved 19 December 2008.
  4. "Elections – OUSA Otago University Students Association" . Retrieved 9 August 2010.
  5. Hollingworth, Julia (26 July 2010). "OUSA Surviour contest turns nasty". Critic (2010/17): 8. ISSN   0111-0365. OCLC   173348156 . Retrieved 10 August 2010.
  6. Hollingworth, Julia (9 August 2010). "Referendum: Will. Not. Die". Critic (2010/19): 9. ISSN   0111-0365. OCLC   173348156 . Retrieved 10 August 2010.
  7. "Section 229A". Education Act 1989 No 80 (as at 1 February 2011). New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
  8. "The OUSA Executive". Otago University Students' Association. Archived from the original on 30 July 2008. Retrieved 9 September 2008.
  9. Association, Otago University Students'. "Your Executive 2024". OUSA – Otago University Students' Association. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  10. "OUSA president-elect stunned at dumping". The New Zealand Herald. 9 September 2008. Retrieved 9 September 2008.
  11. Mann, Brittany (20 March 2015). "Thousands expected for infamous Hyde St keg party". The Press . New Zealand: Stuff. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  12. Elder, Vaughn (8 April 2013). "Moves to increase safety at Hyde St keg party". Otago Daily Times . Allied Press.
  13. "Recreation and Clubs – Otago University Students Association" . Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  14. Otago University Students' Association. "Support – OUSA" . Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  15. "Excellence in student media recognised" . Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  16. "Student drug-rape magazine banned". The New Zealand Herald. 1 February 2006. Retrieved 10 February 2009.
  17. "Case Number: 2144 OTAGO MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT TRUST AGAINST CRITIC-TE AROHI". New Zealand Press Council. October 2010. Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
  18. "Complaint over vagrant article in 'Critic' upheld". Otago Daily Times. 9 November 2010. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
  19. "'Critic' Editor Steps Down". Otago Daily Times. Tue, 21 May 2013. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  20. "Critic Editor Receives Payout". Salient. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  21. "The Critic Payout". Kiwiblog. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  22. Dignan, J. (19 February 2009). "Pilots of the airwaves still". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 21 February 2009. Retrieved 17 March 2009.
  23. "Aaron Hawkins". Daily Blog. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  24. "Councillor Aaron Hawkins". Dunedin City Council. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 "Life Members – Otago University Students Association" . Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  26. "OUSA celebrates 125 years" . Retrieved 17 October 2016.