News

Yet again, Otago Polytechnic has made a dismal attempt to compete with the University of Otago. Only a few weeks after the Uni publicised its Fair Trade Campaign to become the first fully accredited fair trade tertiary institution in New Zealand, the Polytech announced their participation.

In what is sure to become a nasty and potentially violent rivalry between the campuses for first place, the Polytech’s Sustainability Director Jean Tilleyshort denied any intention to one-up the University, claiming that the University’s involvement “did not affect our decision to join.”

However, OUSA President Francisco Hernandez begged to differ. “I think that the Polytech was influenced by the University’s campaign to become a Fair Trade University,” stated Hernandez.

“I don’t think the Uni wants to be beaten by the Polytech in becoming the first Fair Trade tertiary institute in NZ, but at the same time, I can see both of them working together.”

Otago University Vice-Chancellor Harlene Hayne admitted “when the project was originally raised with me, the idea was that both the University and the Polytech would join in with the city in this effort.”

While Hernandez hoped that University would be fully accredited by 2015, Tilleyshort was vague, with no indication of a set time frame.

“The key step needed at present is to get student support,” said Tilleyshort. “We already use Fair Trade products and suppliers in many parts of the Polytechnic, so we know we can meet staff and students needs while meeting the goals of Fair Trade.”

Tilleyshort also stated that it was a “powerful message that the University and the Polytechnic support the Council in their drive to make the city a Fair Trade city, so we were intending to publicise this jointly with the city to reinforce that we are all doing this together.” Critic understands that this is colloquially known as “piggybacking.”