The nominations for the 2018 OUSA Executive Election have closed. A whole host of candidates have put their name forward to represent you next year. Think about what you want from your Executive, because they play a larger role in your student experience than you think!
Please note: The views expressed in the blurbs below are the candidate’s own personal views and Critic does not endorse any individual candidate (as much as we want to).
Lync Aronson
For President
Course related costs have not increased in almost 7 years!
Meanwhile the price of everything we spend it on, and the cost of living, continues to rise. Students are increasingly struggling, we must spend smarter and give students Free-Food-Friday!
What is Free Food Friday? Every Friday 6pm, from April semester one 2018, OUSA will provide students with a free meal. The venue will be Union Hall.
How you might ask? Buy in bulk! Suppliers have provided us with their exclusive price lists, we can now purchase product at the same costs supermarkets pay. We have budgeted for 500 students. If the university contributes, this number will increase.
Eliminate Wasteful Spending. Fully-Funded-Free-Food-Friday. To see a full breakdown of the budget please visit: https://goo.gl/1Yq5M5
The competition is very tough this year.. It is absolutely important that you vote right now, because if I win, I will make it happen. Critic readers, you asked for Free-Food-Friday, now I’m asking for your vote.
Other Policies: Women's Safety Campaign, Podcasting for more papers, Withdraw from NZUSA, Decrease general levy fees for the majority of students,
Increase Student Support Services Funding
#Humanities#DeregulateHydeStreet
https://Facebook.com/Lync.Aronson
Caitlin Barlow-Groome
For President
Hey everyone! I’m Caitlin Barlow-Groome and having had lived, breathed and fizzed Otago for the last four years. I am hell-bent on making sure every student has as good a uni experience as I’ve had. Having been part of the OUSA executive all year as your Recreation Officer, I have learned what works and what doesn’t. I believe that campus life should be far more than just your average walk from lectures to central. If you elect me as your president I will: introduce a more vibrant campus life where you can do a whole heap more than just study; protect the best events OUSA have, introduce some new ones, and encourage a more positive drinking culture around campus; and ensure that everybody knows about OUSA Student Support and other support services that are available, while pushing for more funding for mental health services.
If you’re looking for a leader who will work their ass off so every Otago student has the best experience possible, whether it be through support services or on a Saturday night, then I’m your girl!
VOTE CAITY FOR OUSA PRESIDENT
Alex McKirdy
For President
It might be hard to believe now, but OUSA has a history of defending students and standing against the university. Now we’re dealing with voluntary student membership, impending cuts to departments and support staff, a university council not far removed from Big Brother, and very few people who give a shit. What happened?
My vision is an OUSA where all students are actively involved [let’s roll out an app for all students]; where OUSA doesn’t have to worry about biting the hand that feeds it [entrench our funding – either a long term SLA or alternative sources]; where Otago University cares about student education rather than student lives [no cuts, no Uni CCTV in North Dunedin].
Monique Mulholland
For President
Hey there,
My name is Monique and I would love to be your student President for 2018. I believe that university is one of the most challenging and exciting periods of your life and that OUSA can represent you and your needs better. If elected President, I will:
Lead an executive that students can trust, who will engage in the hard issues and be unafraid to voice an opinion. Create weekly drop in hours for all students so you can come and have your individual voices heard, because you matter. (Possible free drinks). Establish better mental health support and awareness, because uni is hard. That means ensuring that the emotional/mental needs of students are met, so you can better succeed. Commit to improving the Student Support Centre, including greater campus visibility and outreach. Protect the agency of students, particularly ensuring scarfie traditions such as Hyde Street continue. Work with the university to create positive change that focuses on the wellbeing and prosperity of students, rather than profit. Students and staff who teach us are the core of this university, not the bureaucratic system.
So VOTE Monique for an OUSA that truly represents students.
Finn Shewell
For President
Hey! I’m Finn, and I’m running to serve you as President in 2018. I’ve been heavily involved on campus as part of the Unicrew Exec, an RA, and an ambassador with Inspiring Stories. Now, I’m looking to represent our interests as a student body.
We face a lot of challenges at uni: our degrees aren’t as valuable as they used to be, the university struggles to hear our voice on important issues, and our mental and physical health take a backseat all too often.
To solve issues of this magnitude, we need to work together. This is why I’ve spent the past 6 months assembling the first ever full ticket - the UNITY ticket. We’re advocating to increase the value of your degree by diversifying skill sets, to work with the university to ensure open channels of communication across the board, and to establish a wellness center to address mental health issues as they arise, not after.
To run for president I’ve brought you a diverse group of people with unique skills and passions to work in your interest. Vote UNITY for a united, accountable executive working to serve you.
Vote Finn, Vote UNITY!
Angus Wilson
For President
As a returning student of politics with a Bachelor of Commerce I cannot understand how the University is determined to waste money on paving stones but save money on staff.
I have come back to a university that seems to care more about its image and cutting budgets than looking out for students and their safety.
The way I have come to see things, campaigns are about challenging the status quo. During my time outside of university, I have given my time to unions and this has given me meaningful experience in bringing different peoples together to work for common, and often difficult, goals.
As President, I will work with my colleagues to initiate campaigns that are centred around students and their needs. I will help my colleagues form a plan to support and lobby for free tuition, and will work outside of it to make sure it gets the attention and support it deserves.
I will stand with survivors of sexual violence and will seek out students with ideas about campus safety and find ways to support them.
Gordon Dickson
For Administrative Vice President
“Bonjour Voters,
I am a Mosgiel born Kiwi, studied Taieri High & Quantity Surveying at Otago Polytech.
Currently studying Law and Politics. Father of 4. Lives also at Ohope Beach.
My first question of the Chancellor is with these staff cuts. Are you going to sack my Lecturer the Dean of the Law School?
Students have a right to know where these cuts are to take place and as it is your own future voter apathy aint right
Please please talk to your class mates/flatmates and get out and vote
Kia Kaha
Vote “Gordon Dickson” A.A.M.I.N.Z. for “Vice President”
Bryn Jenkins
For Administrative Vice President
Hi, I’m Bryn and I’m running to be your AVP.
I have spent the last two years on the Executive in both the Welfare and Education Officer roles. During this time, I have pioneered several initiatives such as the free flu jabs and offering free graduation photos for 2017 graduates.
This experience will lend itself well to the internal support required of the AVP. I will work with every Executive member to maximise their efforts, ensuring the Executive operate as an efficient, pragmatic and unified team to further student interests.
Vote for an experienced AVP - vote Bryn, vote UNITY
Guy McCallum
For Administrative Vice President
As a union recruiter and a political animal in national politics, I have seen how inhumane policy is made by the government, and how workers struggle under low pay. As a student I live in shoddy homes and struggle with living costs. As a humanities student I have seen a proud tradition of criticism and knowledge being cut to pieces.
A student union can organise students to resist these conditions.
That’s what OUSA is. I am grounded enough and experienced enough to manage OUSA’s business as the Administrativeistrative Vice President and to open it up to student’s needs and aspirations.
Cameron Meads
For Administrative Vice President
Hey, I'm Cam – and I’d like to be your Vice President.
Ever since I was wee fresher in 2014, I’ve only seen OUSA put on gigs and hand out free sausies. But OUSA needs to do more than just provide services.
OUSA needs to fight for student interests and be bold in its vision for the future. We need to tackle the issue of mental health – help should be available 24/7 to all students.
Be bold this year and vote:
Cam for Vice President, Sam for Finance, Laura for Education, and Sara for Welfare.
Imelda Tupái
For Administrative Vice President
No blurb was submitted for this candidate
Cody Kirby
For Finance Officer
Hey everyone! With your support, I hope to be your second-term Finance Officer. I have gained a year of experience developing the confidence to stand up for what is right. I hope to use this to guide the future Executive and ensure that OUSA continues to provide the best services to students balanced with sustainable spending.
In my second term, my policy is to make the OUSA Squash Court and OUSA Aquatic Centre more accessible to students.
Together with Unity, we can offer Otago University a cohesive and effective Executive that delivers results for students.
Vote Cody, Vote UNITY!
Sam Smith
For Finance Officer
Hi, I’m Sam - I’d like your vote to be your Finance Officer.
OUSA is on a lifeline– propped up by university funding. It’s time to be bold and set the organisation on a track to be independent once again.
I have a vision for an organisation that invests in its most import asset: people. Making sure students are well supported, quality representation is available and that we run well-funded and successful campaigns.
Be bold this year and vote:
Cam for Vice President, Sam for Finance, Laura for Education, and Sara for Welfare.
Kirio Birks
For Postgraduate Officer
Kia ora!
I’m an MHealSc student, ethics tutor, president of the Postgraduate Society, and I sit on the Graduate Research Student Liaison Committee.
This year I launched ‘alightinthedarkNZ’ to confront violence in student homes. I'm working with the current postgraduate officer to create a postgraduate committee, ensuring proper representation for our diverse postgraduate communities from next year onwards. I’m all about healthy minds, happy homes, and prosperous working environments.
As part of UNITY I’ll continue to deliver pragmatic, meaningful, and lasting successes to make a genuine difference to your life at Otago.
Vote ‘Kirio’ for Postgraduate Officer. Vote UNITY
Laura Cairns
For Education Officer
Hi everyone, I’m Laura – I’d like your support to be your Education Officer.
I will advocate strongly against the proposed cuts to the P.E School and Humanities Department. You can count on me to be a strong representative for you within the university. OUSA can represent you better than it has done in recent times.
I’ll make it a priority to stand up for more including more funding for tertiary education and better mental health services.
Be bold this year and vote:
Cam for Vice President, Sam for Finance, Laura for Education, and Sara for Welfare.
Kyra Gillies
For Education Officer
My politics boil down to caring.
Students needs, our wellbeing, mental and sexual health and studies should be at heart of the university, yet our university is being run as a for-profit business. I would be honored to facilitate public student meetings about issues that make us struggle with our wellbeing and studies. I am keen to fight for students’ rights, to strongly oppose staff and course cuts, to campaign for increased living costs, the elimination of Student Health’s counselling cap and the total freezing of course and service fee raises.
Students' rights have been eroded for too long.
James Heath
For Education Officer
I’m James and I would love to be your Education Officer for 2018!
I believe OUSA can be a whole lot better but, to make it so, we need the right people for the job. The role of Education Officer depends on experience, vision, and an incredibly specific understanding of the University – all of which I have gained this year as your Colleges Officer.
If elected Education Officer I will revitalise our academic representation processes, develop an internship program at OUSA, and work with Student Associations to tackle University issues together.
Vote James, Vote UNITY
Abigail Clark
For Welfare Officer
Kia Ora, I’m Abi, and I would love to be your 2018 Welfare Officer!
Through volunteer roles at the university such as Locals, UniCrew, RUOK?, Queer Support, Silverline and more, I’ve gathered a lot of welfare experience, and I want to apply my knowledge to help on a larger scale! With your help, I’d love to create an environment which embraces mental health and wellbeing, along with a safer campus by implementing a ‘Safe Relationships’ campaign in colleges. A healthier, safer campus is my top priority.
Help me help you: vote Abi, vote UNITY.
Sara Elgoran
For Welfare Officer
Kia ora I’m Sara – I’d like your support to be your Welfare Officer.
OUSA plays a pivotal role in ensuring our voices are heard. Equally, OUSA has potential to create positive change- for us and for the generations that will come after us. We need an Executive that will promote student issues to the forefront of debates, where they should be.
OUSA can do more, and be better than it is now – be bold this year and vote:
Cam for Vice President, Sam for Finance, Laura for Education, and Sara for Welfare.
Kyra Gillies
For Welfare Officer
My politics boil down to caring.
Students needs, our wellbeing, mental and sexual health and studies should be at heart of the university, yet our university is being run as a for-profit business. I would be honored to facilitate public student meetings about issues that make us struggle with our wellbeing and studies. I am keen to fight for students’ rights, to strongly oppose staff and course cuts, to campaign for increased living costs, the elimination of Student Health’s counselling cap and the total freezing of course and service fee raises.
Students' rights have been eroded for too long.
Umi Asaka
For International Students Portfolio Executive Officer
Hello, I’m Umi - I’m running with UNITY to be your international officer in 2018!
University is like a cultural melting pot - we have students from 100 countries all around the world!
I believe that recognizing our own culture gives us a sense of belonging and strength. It is something that is embodied in us - Being an international student is a great chance to explore and experience different cultures as well as of your own. It is my goal to create a space where we can do this together!
Vote Umi for International, vote UNITY for 2018!
Shivankar Nair
For International Students Portfolio Executive Officer
Hey fam! Shiv here - guess what? What better person to be international officer than an international student himself?
In this role I want to bring positive change for international students; better communication systems on events and support services OUSA provides; maintain current events, and also create opportunities for more interaction between the cultural groups!
My dear friends & whanau - it’s not time to sit quiet, it’s time to STAND UP, and be FEARLESS! A vote for SHIV means, not only equality, but EQUITY!
So vote SHIV as International Officer for an inclusive international community that caters to YOU!
Josh Smith
For Recreation Officer
Hi!
I have been heavily involved in recreation at Otago University for over six years, through teaching yoga, hosting kava nights, presiding over a club, facilitating courses, helping with events, and generally getting amongst. I have a thorough understanding of the activities and opportunities available.
As Recreation Officer I will be empowered to continue hosting and assisting with events and working with clubs and courses.
I have seen many past execs devolve into infighting and chaos. The benefits of this ticket are that our lines of communication, projects and collaborations, and team dynamic are already sussed!
Vote Josh,vote UNITY!
Angus Wilson
For Campaigns Officer
As a union recruiter, I have gained meaningful experience in bringing different peoples together to work for common, often difficult, goals.
As Campaigns Officer, I will work with my colleagues to ensure good student campaigns get the resources they need.
I will push for the OUSA to support a free tuition campaign and work in and outside of it to raise the support it deserves. I will stand with survivors of sexual violence and support students with ideas about campus safety.
Vote for me so I can use my duties to organise students into effective campaigns with mass participation.
Roger Yan
For Campaigns Officer
Hi I'm Roger and I want to be your Campaigns Officer for 2018!
Otago has an incredibly friendly and social student culture, something which I am wonderfully proud of and hope to continue. Having personally organised and run several events and campaigns in the past, I believe the connections I've made and the skill set I've built up make me the perfect person to take on this role.
As Campaigns Officer, I will actively work towards cleaner streets around campus and make Dunedin's world famous student flats better places to live in.
Vote for Roger Yan, vote for UNITY
Siobhan Browne
For Colleges Officer
Colleges Officer should be about listening to all residents living within a college for the best possible experience. With two years’ living at Knox College I am aware of, and passionate about current issues in residential colleges, including:
Raising awareness of mental health, a serious issue requiring meaningful initiatives.
Creating supportive academic environments. You’ve got to work hard to play hard!
Providing more inter-college SOCIAL events. Let’s bring the colleges together with a sense of community.
Look back on your experience in a College, together we can make it the best year of their university lives!
Vote Siobhan for COLLEGES!
Norhan El Sanjak
For Colleges Officer
Hey! My name is Norhan and I would love to be your Colleges Officer for 2018!
First year was one of my favourite years at Otago and I want to help students have some of their best years too!
As your Colleges Officer, I will work with the University to actively increase awareness of mental health in college’s and promote safety and support. I will ensure that students residing in colleges are set up for the rest of their university studies and that students live the scarfie experience while guaranteeing a safe and healthy environment!
Vote Norhan, Vote UNITY.
No Confidence
If you consider none of these candidates to be what you want representing you for the full year, consider voting for the ‘No Confidence’ apple, because hey, spotty apples need love too!
Voting is conducted online at www.ousa.org.nz/your-executive/elections-and-referenda/ from 9am on the 11th September until 4pm on the 14th September.
Want to hear more about what the candidates’ policies are and grill them on those policies? OUSA has you covered – candidate forums will be held on the 5th, 6th, and 7th September in the Union Hall.