University Bullies OUSA Over Bar

Posted 1:51pm Sunday 8th September 2013

The revelation in last Tuesday’s Executive meeting that the University is directing how OUSA spends its reserves is significant, but unsurprising. OUSA is known to have large reserves, which it could in theory use to purchase a bar with or without the University’s approval. However, given Read more...

Execrable | Issue 22

Posted 1:51pm Sunday 8th September 2013

The agenda for last week’s Exec meeting totalled 70 pages, with 27 different items listed. The room had been booked for five hours, but thankfully the meeting “only” lasted three. So, what happened? 1. Serious financial discussions devolved into sugar-fuelled gigglings. Fran kept losing his Read more...

NZUSA in the Toilet

Posted 3:48pm Sunday 1st September 2013

Student presidents around the country are calling for sweeping reforms to the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA), after the Waikato Students’ Union (WSU) notified its withdrawal from the organisation. In a press release circulated on 22 August, the Presidents of OUSA, VUWSA Read more...

ODT Watch | Issue 21

Posted 3:48pm Sunday 1st September 2013

There was but one thing on the ODT’s brilliant and incisive journalistic mind last week, and no, it wasn’t Syria. On 29 August, this was the front page: This was the front page of the next section: This was the front page of the sports section: And this Read more...

DCC Shafts Students Despite Withdrawing Poll

Posted 3:48pm Sunday 1st September 2013

The Dunedin City Council has scrapped plans to introduce a polling booth on campus during the upcoming local body elections. The returning officer, Pam Jordan, made the decision after concerns were raised that the booth could give the appearance of favouritism toward OUSA President Francisco Read more...

Editorial | Issue 21

Posted 3:48pm Sunday 1st September 2013

There’s a great scene in season five of The Wire in which journalists at the Baltimore Sun are discussing an upcoming series on poverty in the city. The paper’s veteran journalists begin to point out the complex web of factors that contribute to poverty – education, parenting, drugs, nutrition, race Read more...

NZUSA to Face Do-Or-Die Reforms

Posted 7:41pm Friday 23rd August 2013

Student presidents around the country are calling for sweeping reforms to the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA), after the Waikato Students’ Union (WSU) notified its withdrawal from the organisation. In a press release circulated on 22 August, the Presidents of OUSA, VUWSA Read more...

Editorial | Issue 20

Posted 4:47pm Sunday 18th August 2013

Welcome to the last issue of Critic before the break. Most of the news section this week is otherwise engaged, so here are some stories that failed to make the cut: Exec plays with fire. At the last OUSA Executive meeting, Postgrad Rep Keir Russell asked for – and was given – Read more...

Why Do Soldiers Weep for More Cowbell?

Posted 4:47pm Sunday 18th August 2013

“There’s a rare occasion when the public can be engaged on a level beyond flash, if they have a sentimental bond with the product. “My first job, I was in-house at a fur company, with this old-pro copywriter, a Greek named Teddy. Teddy told me the most important idea in advertising is new. Read more...

Editorial | Issue 19

Posted 2:29pm Sunday 11th August 2013

The week before last was OU SA Women’s Week, and by most accounts it went pretty darn well. So well done to Women’s Rep Sam Allen and Welfare Officer Ruby Sycamore-Smith. As reported in Critic last week, Ruby is now talking about holding a Men’s Week – cos, you know, it would be sexist if she Read more...