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Last week, New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA) President Rory McCourt met with OUSA regarding its withdrawal from NZUSA last year, shortly after VUWSA (Victoria University Students’ Association) also withdrew. NZUSA’s constitution states: “A constituent member may terminate its membership by giving 12 months notice in writing to the president at the registered office, and discharging all financial obligations to NZUSA within that 12-month notice period.”

Because OUSA only withdrew last year, it still has a 12-month withdrawal period from that date. This requires it to pay the $45,000 fee for the following year. OUSA was aware of this upon withdrawing, and the $45,000 was planned for in its 2015 budget. Although it has paid the first instalment of $22,500, OUSA has — in the words of President Paul Hunt — decided to “reallocate” the funds.

In an executive meeting last week, Hunt said OUSA believes “there are better uses” of the money. “We owe it to the students … by paying the $22,500 that blocks projects which are more beneficial to Otago students.”

The following Wednesday, McCourt met with Hunt and fellow executive members. For the first hour of the meeting, McCourt argued his case as to how NZUSA benefits OUSA and its students, calling it “a consolidated body” which is able to “build relationships” with students around the country as well as government organisations and parliament.

OUSA believe the $45,000 yearly fee could be used on “independent lobbying” from OUSA itself. Hunt said OUSA’s concerns were that it “does not have control over what the central organisation [NZUSA] prioritises.” He spoke of a “disconnect between the association (OUSA) and the central body (NZUSA).”

“Basically,” said Hunt, “we give that 45k to you, but why can’t we use that 45k ourselves and pursue the particular issue relevant to the exec member?”

McCourt focussed on the benefits of having a central organisation, “Independent lobbying is not seen by the sector, or by ministers, as legitimate. They don’t want to deal with eight different associations.”

Discussion eventually shifted to the $22,500 owed by OUSA. McCourt said, “The impression [he] got from the board [was] that they fully intend to recover what is owed from this association, but it is up to them how they intend to do that and they haven’t made any decisions.”

“We’ve sent a letter to OUSA, and VUWSA will receive one shortly, informing both associations that we sought legal advice about the liabilities of the organisation to pay its fees, [and that] the constitution is enforceable.”

VUWSA has not yet paid any of the $45,000 it owes. The outstanding $67,500 NZUSA is owed had been allocated towards their 2015 budget. According to McCourt, NZUSA would be forced to close in June if fees are not paid. Aside from funding, this is also due to the Committee on University Academic Programmes (CUAP) refusing NZUSA a seat from June if VUWSA and OUSA stick with their current position of withdrawing from NZUSA.

CUAP is a committee of NZ universities and decides on a range of university matters, including the approval of new programmes and how they are taught. The student seats would remain but by another process, not necessarily chosen by elections.

“If OUSA and VUWSA do not reconsider, then I think it’s appropriate to take action to wind up NZUSA at that point. If we are unable to represent the students nationally … then why do we exist?”

“There’s no point in limping on if we don’t represent the voice of students,” said McCourt.