The thought of Dunedin without its students is like imagining Wednesday nights without Pint Night or Southern Sounds without finger dips in the mosh – of fairy dust, of course. It’s just wrong on so many levels.
While Dunedin may have started as a bustling, gold-rich city, what came later was the student population and the culture they brought with them that has kept this city from sliding into obscurity. Have you ever been in Dunedin during semester breaks? It’s a ghost town. The city’s streets are as empty as a lecture hall on a Friday afternoon.
The University, in its mismanagement of finances, seems hell-bent on eradicating the very culture that gives it character – most likely driving away future student enrollments in the process. In light of this, it’s worth remembering that, without the breathas and beezies of Castle Street (even with their gear-fueled benders), Dunedin would just be a shittier version of Invercargill. And no one wants that.
Our university is more than a place of academic learning. It’s one of shared experiences, new and lifelong connections, and an unrivalled culture. Without the vibrant student scene, Otago Uni and Dunedin would not be what it is today. As your new Finance and Strategy Officer for the OUSA Student Exec, I will ensure the voices of students are heard and that their interests are advocated for. I will push for your rights to keep the party going and hold onto the student history of Dunedin (don’t do too many drugs though, it’ll fry your brains).
So, here’s to the students: the keepers of Dunedin’s soul, the guardians of its energy, and the ones who ensure it doesn’t fade into mediocrity. After all, students are the lifeblood and the pulse of this city; without us, Dunners would be a very ordinary, very boring place to be.
Daniel Leamy
Finance and Strategy Rep