This will be my final column in Salient. This time last year I really had no idea what I was getting myself into. I was newly elected on a platform of re-building the reputation of your association, delivering amazing services and being an articulate advocate for quality student-focused education, an outstanding experience for students here and fair decision-making. I am happy to say that we have taken big steps towards all of these goals. This will not be a list of what we have done, for that you can read the Annual Report. Thank you for the privilege of being VUWSA President.

Students serving students

I ran because I saw the great potential for our students’ association to be a positive force for students at Victoria and I think VUWSA has been that so far this year.

I think there is an enormous power in notion that members of the student community stand up to serve the rest of the community. Our welfare services, for example, are about of students caring for the welfare of other students.

Our pride in Victoria?

The disparate sections of the University often don’t feel like a community anymore, however. I think our university should be something we feel deeply proud of and have a lifelong connection with. I do not think over the last few years that Victoria and the student body here have done much towards achieving this.

This was an issue I brought up at University Council. Why do we come to Vic? Are we really proud to be at Vic? How do we create a University that we are proud of?

I think there are some obvious things that can be done to address some issues that have been holding us back.

One of the highlights of this year has been the progress of the Campus Hub project designed to give our Kelburn Campus a student-focused heart, and a new awareness by the University that spaces should be vibrant and designed for students. There will be new cafes and bars, and the Union Hall will next year be once again one of Wellington’s pre-eminent gig venues. New spaces will allow better learning environments, better social spaces, and importantly new spaces for cultural and political expression. The University and VUWSA have also recognised improving the social and academic orientation for new students as a key priority. Student services have recognised the need to be holistic, student-focused and easy to access. Perhaps these steps will all go a way to engaging us as lifelong members of a community here at Victoria.

Quality student focused education

The University is not a “business” – it is an organisation set up to serve our community. One of its functions is to equip us with an outstanding education. Both students and the Government pay a lot of money so it can fulfil this function.

But, the University is a community organisation and we are a part of that community, so we need to take some responsibility for ensuring we get a great education. This year your students’ association allowed for greater student feedback on courses, supported efforts to produce and train quality teachers and continued its watch-dog role in ensuring that lecturers and courses meet standards.

We encourage academics who genuinely engage students in their learning and research – and this requires resources and management willingness. We will continue to advocate for this, but students should continue to raise issues with us and ensure they get the education we all deserve.

VUWSA election results

I wish to congratulate all those who were elected to the VUWSA Executive for next year, especially Seamus Brady, the student president for 2011. Next year will be a fantastic one for VUWSA.

The turn-out at the election was probably about 10% of those eligible to vote, which is not a high. It should be higher.

I think to some extent that was because there were a lot of great candidates running. There was little controversy at this election. Many people I talked to thought that either candidate could do a good job and found it hard to choose. I think also that Salient and other student media failed to articulate the
difference between the candidates and allow you to make an informed decision between what were very good candidates.

At future elections VUWSA and Salient should improve on this.

Thank-yous

Understandably there are some people that I would like to thank. Thank you to the Executive this year – especially those that went above and beyond the call of duty in serving students here at Vic.

I worked with many University staff this year that showed a true commitment to working together to improve
this University for students – I am particularly grateful to Jenny, Rainsforth, Pam and Gerard. The VUWSA Trust provided invaluable advice and support, particularly trustees Alistair Shaw and Dave Guerin. University Council was a terrific experience, and I would like to particularly thank the Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor for their support and strong leadership.

Finally, I would like to thank Salient and the editor this year Sarah Robson, for covering VUWSA in a more responsible way than Salient has in the past. “More” is a relative term of course and I think much of the coverage this year remained irresponsible or frivolous and I think Salient should do more next year to fulfil its original goals of engaging and motivating students about what is happening on campus.

However, I want to publicly recognise the enormous achievement that you made this year producing the best
student magazine in the country.

Not over yet

We will still be busy over the next couple of months. We will try to keep interested students informed about what VUWSA is up to through the VUWSA website and you should still feel free to contact me at any time.

Thank you,
Max Hardy
president@vuwsa.org.nz

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE

The VUWSA Elections are currently underway! You will have received an email to your student account which allows you to vote online and you can also vote in person. Very easy. You should vote. VUWSA can be a powerful force in ensuring your time at University is the best it can be – both academically and socially. The basis of VUWSA is that only students can represent students, we believe that students should have a say in how much they are charged and for what services and what sort of education they receive. You can also vote in person. Details are on our website.

However, VUWSA is only as strong as the students that participate. VUWSA is important. Please take the time to find out about the candidates and vote for the students you think should lead VUWSA in a difficult year.

VSM—National Ignores Us

Some sad new. National Party members of the Education and Science Select Committee have voted to support the ACT Party in its efforts to put an end to accountable and effective student representation and services at Victoria and across the country. They have ignored 98% of the 4837 submissions on the Bill which were against the voluntary student membership Bill.

Under VSM student support services, advocacy, representation, clubs, events and VUWSA’s contribution to major building projects like the Campus Hub are at serious risk. Students can still be levied for services, but will no longer have a say in what services will be delivered and how much they cost. They will also no longer have a consistent student voice advocating for quality education and a better deal for students.

However, the fight is not over. The National Party could still save effective student representation and we will be calling on them to do that.

We are also taking the reasonable steps to organise for the possibility of VSM and there will be a feature on this in Salient next week.

Some Things Happening This Week:

1. We will be interviewing the candidates for 2011 Salient Editor. We will be looking for someone who can deliver you a quality publication, as well as manage a potential transition to VSM.
2. We will be confirming the Orientation 2011 contract, with a view to radically improving Orientation and the first year experience in 2011. When we surveyed first year students we found that many students, particularly those not in Halls, thought that we needed to improve this and so this is a key strategic issue for us in 2011.
3. We will be holding an event on the Karori campus, with the objective of better understanding how we can serve VUWSA.
4. The President of the Council of Trade Unions, Helen Kelly will on campus on Monday to talk with interested students about the Government’s changes to employment law and how it may affect you. More info in this issue.

Cheers,
Max Hardy
president@vuwsa.org.nz

STUDENT ELECTIONS

The VUWSA General Election is currently underway and this week you’ll probably be spammed with various leaflets, posters and fliers from people wanting your vote. But that’s a good thing. VUWSA’s democracy is a wonderful thing.

You will receive an email to your student email address inviting you to vote and you can also choose to vote in person. If you care about your University – the quality of education you receive and what your students’ association does to improve your time at University – its really important you get out to vote.

The Executive play an important role at Victoria. They are responsible for the strategic direction and governance of the Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association.
They also represent students within Victoria University and attend a wide variety of committees and board meetings to ensure students are fairly represented on all important matters.

A great example of this is the Student Services Levy Committee.  As a result of the strong relationships VUWSA built with the University, the Committee decided to recommend that there would be no increase to the levy for 2011. Last year the Council raised your levy significantly. It is great to see this year that the University has recognised the concerns of students and agreed not to increase the levy at all.

This week, we will also be advocating for a new “rolling reviews” system – whereby all student services are reviewed regularly, to ensure they are responsive to student needs and concerns. This is an important step to ensure that student money is spent responsibly and student services are operating effectively.

FEE SETTING

Last Monday the University Council decided to raise your fees by 4%. With the addition of the new increases to GST this has resulted in a 6.2% increase to your student fees for next year.

I, along with your other student representative – Conrad Reyners – spoke against this motion. Both of us highlighted the problems with the University constantly relying on students to bail them out.  We think that the University should provide us a quality education, but within its means.

Fees increases, lead to increases in the amount of student debt which is now at over $11 billion dollars. This is a massive amount of money, and it is having a large effect on what students can do after they graduate. Universities can no longer ignore the impact they have on the increased debt levels of the next generation of social leaders.

Kind regards,

Max Hardy
president@vuwsa.org.nz

UNIVERSITY PERFORMANCE DATA

According to the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) students at Victoria have a lower likelihood of completing a qualification than students at any other University in New Zealand, except Massey.

On Wednesday last week the TEC published performance indicators for every tertiary institution. The information was published in a league table, a media-friendly delight. The indicators were – successful course completion, completion of qualifications, student progression to higher level study, and students retained in study.

The league tables can be very easily criticised as providing the public with irrelevant comparisons and bad measurements. The information, for example, punishes tertiary institutions that cater for extramural and working students.

The information is to be treated with caution but it does highlight some room for improvement for Victoria.

For “successful course completion” Victoria scores 84%, third equal amongst the Universities. However, for “completion of qualifications” (the most unreliable information) Victoria scores only 63% or 7th out 8 Universities and only 81% of students were “retained in study” which places Victoria 5th. Not the happiest of statistics.

A bad showing in these measures could be related to a number of things e.g. academic teaching, pastoral care, advice, student life, unclear pathways, orientation, student intentions or demographics.

I will be asking the Vice-Chancellor and VUW Council for an explanation of these numbers. I think students here would like to know why they, statistically, stand less of a chance of completing their degree than at almost every other University in New Zealand. If appropriate I think students would also like to see what the University’s plan is to address these concerns, if change is appropriate.

STUDENT ELECTIONS 2011

Nominations are open for the VUWSA Executive. The Executive are responsible for the strategic direction and governance of VUWSA and for student representation at Victoria. If you care about your University and students at Victoria, you can make a big difference at VUWSA and I could encourage you to run for a position. Visit vuwsa.org.nz for information, and don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions.

YOUR STUDENT EXPERIENCE?

I am still looking for students who would like to share their student experience with University Council. Get in touch if you have something to say.

Cheers,

Max Hardy
president@vuwsa.org.nz

I believe that all students should engage in the process of improving the University they attend. The University, I think, is more than just a service provider. Taking ownership of your University is part of making a commitment to your own education and to the generations that will go after us. I am aware of course that some students don’t want to be involved. But there are others who are working to make sure that they and those that come after them have the best experience at University possible. If you are the latter, or care to shake off your apathy cloak for a day, I have two opportunities for you this week.

STUDENT FORUM MONDAY: 2011 FEES and YOUR UNIVERSITY

The Vice-Chancellor, the Chancellor and I will be hosting a student forum on Monday at 2pm in the Memorial Theatre. We will be there to discuss and answer questions on 2011 Student Fees and your University in general.

At VUWSA’s request the Forum has been opened up to issues other than just the fees you pay. It will be a very good opportunity to hear the leaders of the University front up about these issues and ask any questions you might have. I would encourage everyone who is interested in the quality of their education and how much they have to pay for it, to come.

NEW POWER PHRASE: THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE

Universities have a new power phrase they like to throw around – “the Student Experience”. On 27th of September I will be facilitating a workshop of University Council on this “Student Experience”.

My objective will be to try to give the Council a snapshot into the diversity of experiences that students have at Victoria and what defines these experiences –good and bad, remarkable and unimaginably awful.

Why? Council govern the University, and the decisions they make shape the University and our experiences of it. However, some never come in regular contact with the students of the University they govern.

As a Council, our objective is that all students have an outstanding “student experience” and that we all feel connected to and proud of our University.

No doubt, some students have some experiences that paint a rather negative picture of their time at Vic, either because of a lack of support, or institutional bureaucratic nightmares [StudyLink]. Conversely, some find their time at Victoria enriching and transformative. Sometimes because of what happens in their academic study, and sometimes because of what they do outside of the formal learning environment.

I would be interested in hearing what you think defines your experience, and how you think the University could improve it. Please get in touch (president@vuwsa.org.nz) if you have something to share.

LAST 7 WEEKS: CAMPUS EVENTS

The last seven weeks before exams are upon us. VUWSA wants all these weeks to be good weeks and we hope you will have fun and be supported to achieve exceptionally well. We have organised events every week. Our goal is to be visible and active on campus, so hopefully you will see us around.

Cheers,
Max Hardy
max.hardy@vuwsa.org.nz

The next few weeks are going to be an interesting time for the University and for students. The first half of the semester has started to wind down, essays are begging to be completed and mid-term tests are looming. In addition to this, the University is gearing up to make some significant decisions that will affect you and your studies.

One of the most important of these decisions is the setting of our fees and the decision about whether or not
fees will be raised for 2011. It’s important that students are listened to on this issue and I think it is important that the University fronts up to students. After all, we all want a quality education backed by sufficient resources, but we do not want to be treated like cash cows that don’t have a choice about whether to pay or not.

I have asked the Vice-Chancellor and the Chancellor to attend a student forum on Monday the 6th September so that students have a chance to communicate to senior management and governance what they think are the most important issues that the University should consider when setting your fees for the coming year (and they will can share their thinking). This will also be a chance for you to comment and question the University about the strategic direction it is currently taking. You will have the opportunity to ask the leaders of the University any questions that you might have. But please, no egg throwing.

When it comes to setting our fees it is important that the University fronts up to students about any fee increases. It’s also incredibly important that the university presents a solid, reasonable case for why fees need to be increased, if that is what they are recommending. VUWSA will be trying to ensure that the university is accountable to students and can justify any proposals that affect us.

We have held a “Fees Forums” in the past. This is because fees are important, student debt is increasingly
continually, and we generally do not want to leave University with a massive financial ball and chain. This year however I asked for the Forum to be about more than just fees because I felt that students should have the opportunity to engage with the University’s management and governance on the direction of the
University generally.

Whenever the University makes strategic decisions that affect students, usually students either aren’t aware
of what these strategic directions are, or don’t have a direct opportunity to respond to them (except through
their representatives from VUWSA). These decisions can include anything from deciding to increase the number of post-graduate research students (at the expense of undergraduate places), deciding to invest in a multimillion dollar Campus Hub project, or a decision to set up (or close down) a new School or degree programme.

VUWSA is committed to ensuring that students are informed about these key decisions and have a chance
to have a say where appropriate. However, sometimes it is best to here it from the leader of the University
themselves, and that is why VUWSA has organised this forum.

Thinking in the long run is important. The university’s strategic direction is going to determine what kind of university Victoria is going to be. These are fundamental questions that students should be actively engaged in. Do we want this University to be focussing heavily on science, technology and the physical arts? Or
should we take advantage of the unique position of this place within our capital city, and instead focus more on humanities, politics, governance and law?

At the end of the day, these are questions that students should be engaged with.

The Forum will be held on the 6th September (first day after the mid-trimester break), from 2pm – 3pm in the
Memorial Theatre, Student Union Building.

Three things happening this week:

1. We will be finalising the terms of reference for a comprehensive review of VUWSA’s representative structures and how to improve them dramatically.
2. We will be developing a survey of students, which will be used to ensure that VUWSA is responsive to students and what they want.
3. We will be developing our response to the University’s proposal to reduce the size of the third trimester (see the News section of Salient). We want to ensure that students are able to retain the flexibility that the third trimester offers in finishing their degrees and choosing interesting courses. Please get in contact if you are concerned about this.

Cheers,
Max
president@vuwsa.org.nz

Salient Editor Sarah Robson last week decried VUWSA’s fall from our supposed position as the “bastion of student culture”. Funny. We have never attempted to be that. Does anybody particularly want us to? VUWSA has never been the “centre” of student culture as Sarah’s revisionist history suggests.

VUWSA is a representative organisation that exists to ensure that student interests are advocated for and protected. If VUWSA is performing well one of the things it does is facilitate and promote the development of student culture(s). But our job is not to be the centre of it.

VUWSA provides the magazine that you are reading now primarily because it allows for the development of a student community by providing an outlet for communication and debate. Last time Academic Idol was run, it was a great example of how VUWSA can bring the disparate groups of the University together. I hope it is as successful again this time. Whether the VUWSA By-Election garners more votes than a for-fun Salient run poll with less credibility than a Zimbabwean election is not a good question to ask. Ideally, both would have high turnouts for different reasons.

Whilst never being the “centre of student culture”, whatever that means, VUWSA has consistently supported the development of a culture and community at Victoria. I will give you a number of examples.

We have set up, funded, provided meeting space for and supported countless clubs, societies and representative groups over the years. Many of which are are now “bastions of student culture”. The University population is large and VUWSA recognises that a job is often done better when it is devolved to smaller groups. The PGSA, the Law Students Society, VicComm, the Pacifica Students Council and STUDiO for example all do a fantastic job and that is why VUWSA funds and supports their efforts. If other students set up groups for other sectors of the student community we will support them. Should VUWSA organise the a Law Ball? No, LSS can do it better and VUWSA should help them.

We are funding the development of a “Campus Hub” in Kelburn. This massive project will transform our campus and give it a student-centred heart. It will be the most important development in promoting student culture at Kelburn in a decades. In the past we have funded the building of the new library, the Student Union Building (which provides some of the only exclusive spaces available for non-academic student activity) and the Recreation Centre.

Recently we have ensured a completely new Retail Strategy which is geared towards dramatically improving the quality of the cafes and bars on campus. The Union Hall is being revamped by VUWSA and will once again be a major Wellington gig venue. VUWSA organises Orientation, Re-Orientation, welcome packs, clubs days, Team Victoria’s participation at University Games and Snow Games and hundreads of events around the year. We provide Salient and fund the VBC 88.3 FM.

It is true that campuses in cities more boring than Wellington have a livelier student culture because the city doesn’t offer much else. Wellington offers a lot, and VUWSA doesn’t need to fight that, we need to respond to the particular student body at Victoria.

VUWSA gives students the ability to debate and have a direct say on what services are available on campus, what sort of education they receive and where their fees go. Not all students take up the opportunity, but it is very important that they can.

VUWSA can and should improve. We need a PR and communications overhaul, which will take time. But we should not ignore the great things that our organisation makes possible now.

A new and revealing account of the 19th Century Taranaki land wars has come to light at Victoria University.

The written account of Harriet Gore Browne, the wife of the governor at the time, wasn’t published until 100 years later. This account was the topic of Professor Charlotte Macdonald’s inaugural professorial lecture ‘The Skeleton in My Life: Harriet Gore Browne’s 19th Century Problem’, presented last Tuesday.

Macdonald explored what drove Browne to write this narrative and the circumstances surrounding her at the time. The lecture aimed to place Browne and her account in the context of the changing views in society during the 19th century.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Pat Walsh was extremely pleased with Macdonald’s work.

“Professor Macdonald’s research has contributed much to our understanding of New Zealand history, particularly of the women who emigrated here in the 19th century.”

The lecture was part of the university’s Inaugural Lecture series for new professors.

Executive Reports on Half-Year Progress

This week VUWSA Executive members will all report on their progress thus far towards achieving VUWSA’s goals. These goals were all set by students at a General Meeting of VUWSA and form the basis of everything that VUWSA does.

Our goals are:

ONE:Quality. Ensure quality and equity in teaching, assessment and conditions supported by adequate resources.

TWO: Equity. Promote equity for disadvantaged members in access to the University.

THREE: Outstanding Student Experience. To provide or assist sporting, social and cultural activities.

FOUR: Student Support and Welfare. Ensure adequate income, welfare and employment support for students.

FIVE: Public Issues. To promote discussion and action as appropriate on issues concerning students.

SIX: Value. Maximise benefits and minimise fees.

SEVEN: Accountability. Ensure the structures and procedures that result in effective and efficient communication, management and accountability.

I think these goals are good ones, but as a student you have the right to change VUWSA’s goals and policies.

It is important that VUWSA Executive members are accountable to students and it is an ongoing mission at VUWSA to make sure that we are as transparent and representative as possible.

We will be publishing these reports on our website, with every fortnightly Executive work report and all meeting minutes. If you are interested in what the Executive of your students’ association does then these will give you a good idea.

Overtime I have no doubt that as we work towards these goals VUWSA makes the University a better place to study – academically, socially and economically. This has been true for more than a century – from supporting the development of hundreds of student groups, to ensuring that course outlines were provided for every course, to ensuring the new library building was built.

However, it is also important that we report on our progress, and sometimes we do not do as well on this point.

Column Last Week

I apologise for not submitting a column last week. I was under the impression that I was not supposed to submit a column for that issue.

Things happening next week

Here are seven things that I have picked out of what will be happening next week to help give you a bit of an idea about what VUWSA is up to.

1. The Joint Student Union Board is meeting on Monday. JSUB governs the Student Union Complex and services (including the Recreation Centre). We will be discussing the retail strategy, whether the subsidy for the Recreation Centre services are set at the right amount, and more.

2. I have my regular meeting with the Vice-Chancellor Professor Pat Walsh on Monday. In this meeting I want to discuss developing a Student Charter which outlines the rights and responsibility of all students, the 2011 University budget, Victoria becoming a Fairtrade University, providing students with leadership opportunities in governance, 2010 and 2011 admissions and the Student Experience Strategy.

3. Regular meeting with the Manager of the Library Sue Roberts. We will be discussing the new Maori and Pacific collection and how the Library and other Student Services can improve their service points / delivery.

4. University Council will be doing a tour of all the campuses on Saturday.

5. The Student Union Building upgrade developed design meeting will be walking through the final plans for the upgrade.

6. I will be starting a weekly interview on the VBC 88.3 FM – Wednesdays 9.30am. It will be podcasted too, so we will put it up on the website.

7. The VUWSA welfare team will be discussing a plan of action in response to the massive increase in bus prices and GST which will both hit students in the pocket (see the WVP column)

For only a few of you, welcome to Victoria. For most of you, welcome back.

Where have all the new people gone?
Normally we would be welcoming many new students to Victoria at this time of the year. This trimester however there will not be any new domestic undergraduates. More than 1300 people who would otherwise have come to University were denied admission, because the Government said it would not fund them and the University decided it could not afford them. There was exceedingly little notice. Spare a thought for those who have had their plans of study ruined or put on hold by careless planning.

Reorientation
Even though we don’t have many new students we are still holding a Re-Orientation to welcome you back to Victoria. VUWSA and the VBC have sorted a solid week of events from gigs to speed dating. Check this issue of Salient and the VUWSA website or Facebook fan page for more information

VUWSA By-Election
Some positions were not filled last year at the general election, so we are holding a by-election. Nominations are now open for the positions of:

• Vice-President (Administration)
• Vice-President (Education)
• Queer Officer
• International Officer
• Publications Committee Representative

You are welcome to get in touch if you want more information about any of the positions. Being on the VUWSA Executive is a rewarding experience and is about representing the views and interests of all students. You can make very real positive change for students at Victoria in these roles so I would encourage you to think about nominating yourself.

Student Services Levy – What should VUWSA’s Position be? Let us know.
VUWSA wants to know what you think about the Student Services Levy, what services it should fund and how much it should be.

There is a bit of background for this one.

Last year the Student Services Levy, which is levied by the University, was increased significantly. This is because the services it covers are no longer funded partly by your course fees and the government grants. The Levy in 2010 is $510 for on campus students and $326 for distance students.

Although VUWSA vigorously opposed this decision, because it meant that students had to pay more for the same services, it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University to ensure students would have a say in the Levy and how it was allocated.

The result of that agreement was that the Student Services and Amenities Levy Advisory Committee (SSALAC) was established to allow for collaboration between the University and students (through VUWSA).

The Committee has a proposal for the 2011 Levy. To keep it simple, the proposal is to limit any fee increases to the amount needed to maintain the level of service delivery at the same as it is in 2010. This would lead to an increase in the Student Services Levy by 1 – 3%. The table below shows you what your fees will look like.

Is this the right proposal? We don’t know what you think unless you tell us. You have your chance to let us know now. We will be putting an online survey on the VUWSA website, so please take 5mins to let us know what you think.

From the President’s Diary:

Saturday and Sunday
NZUSA Conference (national study body, working on national representation and advocacy)
Dunedin

Monday
Regular meeting with Salient Editor
11am, VUWSA

Tuesday
Student Union Building Upgrade Developed Design Meeting
11am, CSB
Equity and Diversity Committee Meeting
1pm, TBA
Student Experience Strategy Group
2pm, TBA

Wednesday
Publications Committee Meeting—10am, VUWSA Offices, all students welcome
Meeting with Director of Student Academic Services Pam Thorburn—11am, HU
Address by Minister for Tertiary Education Steven Joyce—12pm
Campus Hub Project Control Group Meeting—1pm, RB
VUWSA Executive Meeting—5.30PM, VUWSA Meeting Room, Level 2 SUB

Thursday
Regular meeting with VBC Directors
10am, VUWSA Offices
Associate-Director Student Support Services, regular meeting about Student Services—11am, KP

Friday
Regular meeting Associate-Director Campus Support Services —9am, WT
Student Services Levy Workshop with Service Managers—3pm, TBA