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Welcome to the fashion issue.
As you may be aware, Planet Media (the umbrella parent company of both Critic and Radio One) underwent a review last week. While the recommendations are not yet public, there is a strong possibility that the panel will recommend that Planet Media be assimilated into OUSA rather than exist as a separate company. We cover this possibility further on page df, but let me just express my own admittedly biased opinion first.

It’s utterly ridiculous to suggest that Critic would be able to operate in the same way, with the same editorial freedom, if we are merged with OUSA. Some people seem to react to the concept of “editorial freedom” and “freedom of speech” the same way they might react to Santa or the tooth fairy; that is, they consider the concepts whimsical fancies that are ineffectual in the real world.
 
Unfortunately, it’s these very same “fantasies” that enable us to hold OUSA, their executive and the University to account. An environment in which 10 students, selected by barely 1500 of their peers, control upwards of $2 million with no external safeguards in the form of objective media worries me. It probably should worry you too. In addition, Critic’s ability to promote debate and a variety of views could be limited. You think Voluntary Student Membership (VSM) is actually a good idea? Shut up and eat your OUSA Easter egg.

Even if after being merged into the clusterfuck that is OUSA, Critic was given some protection of its editorial freedom, the whole premise of Critic as an external, critical body would be compromised. How bizarre would it be to read a publication that criticised the OUSA President or raised concerns over OUSA spending when Critic would read “brought to you by OUSA” on the inside cover, or the editor’s email address was editor@ousa.org.nz.

But perhaps that’s the point. Perhaps OUSA have tired at last of Critic’s pesky reporting, and have decided to quash our freedom once and for all.

Clearly, the future isn’t so bright for Critic, but the future is hardly sparkly for OUSA as a whole. The VSM bill, which will make membership with OUSA voluntary, is set to decimate OUSA and its services unless OUSA comes up with a contingency plan. OUSA has enough moneyz in the bank to survive largely as is during 2012 (when the bill will take effect). Unfortunately, this isn’t a case where things will just “all work out”. Astonishingly, we’re yet to hear of any such way forward from our leader and commander Ms Harriet Geoghegan. More on this on page fg.

Whether or not you think the bill is the right thing for students, it’s hard to deny that there are at least some valuable services to come from OUSA. Perhaps you use Unipol, or Clubs and Socs. Perhaps you’ve had counselling at Student Support, or bought things from the Market Days. You clearly read Critic. So, instead of succumbing to doom and gloom like I evidently have, why not make a budget submission, submit a motion for OUSA’s referendum or, most importantly, vote? In short, things may be looking bad, but there are still ways and means for YOU to help change things.

Perhaps it’s a little self-indulgent to discuss OUSA politics with such gusto, but this is the fashion issue after all, which is in itself a little on the self-indulgent side.

Stay beautiful,

Julia Hollingsworth