News

The resignation of Education Officer Jordan Taylor has prompted the start to what promises to be another year of by-election folly. While the nominees include current Recreation Officer Henri Faulkner, which may see a shuffle around of the Executive, there are also a number of fresh faces. Should Henri take out this by-election, his vacated Recreation Portfolio will make way for another glorious phase of compelling by-election coverage, and the certainty that there will be something to report in news.

A by-election forum will be held in the Main Common Room on 8 April at 12 noon, with President Ruby Sycamore-Smith acting as MC. Voting will be open on 7 April at 9am and will conclude on 10 April at 4pm, with the results to be announced anytime from 4.20-4.30pm.

According to the OUSA Constitution, the Education Officer is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the education affairs of OUSA and ensuring the academic interests of members are represented, respected and enhanced.

Candidates for Education Officer

Kullasit Chutipongpisit

Hello, my name is Kullasit Chutipongpisit. I am a first year postgraduate Doctor of Clinical Dentistry student specialising in oral pathology, studying and diagnosing all the lumps and bumps as well as cancer in the mouth. Yes, you can get tooth cancer – more or less. I also graduated with a BDS from here in 2011 and because I love EDUCATION at Otago so much I had to come back here after a two-year stint working as a dentist in Wellington. Education at this university is World-class and by voting for THE LONGEST NAME on the voting form you can be sure that this will be maintained =)

Kullasit Chutipongpisit BDS


Henri Faulkner

Hey,
My name is Henri Faulkner, I study third year microbiology and I am your current Recreation Officer for the OUSA.

This year so far has been amazing and so I am really keen to step up my involvement with the OUSA to help out you guys even more. I am a firm believer of when you truly want something there is nothing in this world that can stop you. That being said, there is no point in having anything tie you down so that your reach for the stars isn’t any harder than it already has to be.

I want to make sure that once you graduate from Otago there is NOTHING STOPPING YOU from reaching your potential, no bullshit government policies or dickhead lecturers/supervisors.

NOTHING.


Laura Harris

Hey there!

I’m Laura and I’d love to be your 2014 Education Officer. I have a passion for education and am aspiring to become a teacher. I have prior experience working with OUSA managing the Are You Okay service.

As your education officer I hope to:

• Push for positive change with the student allowances.


• Advocate for the stress free exam models, including Puppy time.


• Improve the Class Rep System.

I want to work alongside OUSA and Student Support to bring you the best education experience you can have here at Otago.

Vote for proven results. Vote Laura Harris.


Matthew Schep

Hi! My name is Matthew, I’m a 23-year-old studying towards a Bachelor of Primary Teaching and a Bachelor of Arts (Sociology and Politics), and I would love to represent you as Education Officer for 2014. In my spare time, I do volunteer work for UN Youth NZ, an educational charity. As a teaching student, I am acutely aware of the need for strong representation for students on educational matters. I see the role of Education Officer as an intermediary between the University and the students, and I want to create a regular forum for students, to listen to their concerns, and to bring them to the faculty. I also wish to revitalise the Education Committee, and to review existing educational support networks to ensure that all students are being looked after.