OUSA Student Support shifted locations early last week, vacating its building on Ethel Benjamin (behind Clubs and Socs) and moving into the old National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies – a casualty of the University’s financial strain.
For those unfamiliar, OUSA Student Support is made up of a team of staff dedicated to helping students with whatever shit life throws at them – from financial hardship, inter-flatmate tensions, tenancy advice, and more.
In their more centralised location, OUSA plans to revitalise the building with a soon to be iconic feature – the purple door. Behind the purple door is a roomier office space to accommodate all tairua, with the Student Support team ready to assist you with whatever you need.
Commenting on the shift, OUSA’s Welfare and Equity Rep Tara Shepherd told Critic, “I love that they will be ‘on’ campus, it will make them more findable/accessible for students. I really like the move. Personally, I recommend OUSA Student Support all the time as I do believe they can be the most effective when all that student life challenges bring on.”
About the purple door, Tara said, "Personally I haven't heard about the purple door, but why not spice it up? We need more murals and colours on campus.” Critic can only assume this to be a dig aimed at the concrete prisons of Richardson and Burns.
Critic stepped foot into (a very deserted) campus to see if news of the purple door had spread around Studentville during the break. One student, Adam* told Critic that the door was “a travesty”, nonetheless adding that “it’s definitely better than grey or yellow.” On a more positive note, one student said, “Damn, that makes me want to go.”
To sweeten the news even further, all students that take their tenancy agreement to OUSA Student Support prior to signing before October 18th will be in the draw to win prizes from the team.