Vice-Chancellor Harlene Hayne has provided written references for one OUSA President and one OUSA Executive member since August 2011, according to records obtained via the Official Information Act. To the best of her recollection, she has also provided verbal references for two further OUSA Presidents and one further OUSA Executive member during this timeframe.
Otago Uni Registrar stressed that these figures are reflective of Professor Hayne being approached to actively provide a reference and do not indicate the number of times Hayne has agreed to act as referee for OUSA Presidents or Executive members.
2013 OUSA President, Francisco Hernandez, said he’s never asked for a reference from Harlene, but only because he had more appropriate references who can speak to his performance as an employee.
Hernandez said, “I considered Harlene to be a colleague rather than an employer which is why I haven’t put her as a reference. But in contexts where Harlene would be the appropriate referee such as a scholarship application I wouldn’t hesitate to ask her.”
Another former President said they would definitely not use Harlene as a reference and used a few expletives to do so.